The meeting room was set on that Monday morning. They were all at the edge, the rumors about the face behind BLACK & LIME were not that pleasing. Bottles of water and wine glasses were set on the table for the tasting process, presentation pamphlets aligned neatly and seats arranged in a manner that receipted from the highest to the lowest. Mark and Arthur had already settled in and Samantha was still not here. One rule the superior of BLACK & LIME always respected was punctuality. Ethan was walking along the hallways of SILVER & DINE, Grace, Mr. Birkin a shareholder, Mr. Smith, a partner and Mr. Laurence an important guest. Ethan had also instructed Grace to invite the members of the DINERS co.ltd to this important meeting. Miranda had been accompanied by Deib the owner of DINERS, Rafael, a shareholder in DINERS and Maggie an assistant to Miranda. Beside them were four minders armed to teeth with the latest sniper and each of them were in black suits. Ethan was dressed in a black polo neck shirt, fitting tailored black trousers and a white trench coat. On his wrist, he had a Wiss watch; the latest brand, on his ears were two diamond earrings and his shoes were a shiny black of Irk ford brand. His presence dominated the atmosphere; it was filled with tension and worry. Henry Regan Pescoli accompanied him and directed him into the meeting room. Ethan walks in, his head held high, Mark exhales and shook his head holding down Arthur who was about to start a ruckus. He takes a sit and places his hands on the table, Grace his secretary stands behind him, while Mr. Birkin sits on his left side, right next to him, Mr. Smith takes a sit while Mr. Laurence takes the final seat. Deib and Rafael take a seat in front of Mark and Arthur while Miranda and Maggie take the last seat. The minders spread out to all corners of the room for total security. Ethan's gaze was like this piercing knife that drilled into them, his gaze lands on Arthur and a wicked smile appears on his lips. There is this tension between the two men in this room, he gazes into Arthur's eyes, hate radiating like a volcanic eruption, a vicious aura that seemed perceptible. They sit in silence, yet the silence speaks volume. They were all waiting for Samantha Alec Merlin, Henry's gaze is directed to Mark but she suddenly emerges behind the glass doors. Her sophistication was perfect, her head held high and Ethan almost jumps from his seat. He leans back in his chair; seven years was really worth it! He thought gleefully. There she stood, graciously, youthful, still she stared into his face with that slow full gaze which was rather curious and exciting to him. He was acutely and delightfully conscious of himself, of his own attractiveness. Ethan felt he was at full strength, able to give off a sort of electric power. He was aware of her grey irises, exposed, looking at him. She wasn't flattered or cautious when their gazes met, her eyes had grown more beautiful, flower-like eyes, fully opened and naked; on them seemed to float a curious iridescence, a sort of film of disintegration and sullenness; like oil on water. She wore those radiating auburn strands in a very messy ponytail, her lose-fitting grey blouse complementing her eyes. That blouse defined just how good her breasts had bloomed. Her black flare skirt highlighting her curvaceous hips that were hidden underneath the cloth, those hips of hers were sculptured by a diligent sculptor. Her appearance was small, softened features, provoking in the slight fullness of their curves, her slender neck on her slender shoulder hangs a pendant, a beautiful silver, realization hit that she still had that pendant from seven years ago. She appealed to Ethan strongly. He felt an awful, enjoyable power over her, an instinctive cherishing power; it was near to being cruel. He felt that she was in his power, and he was generous. The electricity was turgid and voluptuously rich, in his limbs. He would be able to destroy her utterly in the strength of his discharge. But she was waiting in her separation given.
Samantha placed her presentation on the table and smiled, she smiled broadly as though a new profound idea had descended on her, Samantha began her presentation, only facing ahead, facing Ethan Duke Masters, the rest of them were blurred, non-existent to her,
"As far as we are concerned, the reason as to why B & L should invest in our company S & D is solely because of the following;
We both reap benefits, in simpler terms, B & L deals with wine, spirits and beer production and manufacture, while S & D deals with pure wine production. You will be our receivers and enormous sales and profit will be amassed if you invest in us." Samantha spoke curtly, her voice full of determination, however, whispers from the partners and members present arose. How she had begun her presentation halfway, ignoring pleasantries and introductions. They began questioning her credibility. Yet Ethan was smiling, she had decided to take the bull by the horns,
"What makes you so sure that B & L will benefit from S & D Mrs. Merlin? What evidence can you profuse that more money would be generated from me investing with you? Is it a mere fairytale and wishful thinking of a girl in a fantasy world?" The other investors nod in agreement but Samantha ignores his questions and proceeds. Ethan was exhilarated; this was the entertainment he always wanted in business.
"Furthermore, S & D will keep B & L at an upper arm, how, you may ask? All we want in return is a salvation from the hungry wolves in business. B & D will receive 40% profit while S & D will receive 60%, we can further alternate where you receive the 60% and we get the 40%, this is not a crazy idea, Mr. Duke Masters, the more we gain fame and sell in market production, stock market will increase and it will be distributed effectively and equally." They all nod in unison while Ethan was on cloud nine. Where was that shy girl he knew from seven years ago? This woman in front of him impressed him so much that he almost ended this meeting with a simple yes. This is the first meeting he has ever wanted to go through till the end. Why was everyone not like her, but no one can compare to her, no one. His interest was captured, her presentation made sense, Samantha's face glows once she sees he was not leaving, she had captured his interest! Though the air around her had a great sense of confidence, she was mightily terrified, so terrified.
"Moving on to the next thing, long-term partnership with S & D, we would meet the end of our deal, produce the best wine and design catchy wine insignia to send out to the market. Our marketing team that compromises of Henry and Mark, who are very reliable in marketing and competent in advertisement and ad production. Moreover, Arthur and I in the production team, we will ensure that high standards and manufacture dates are reached." Ethan is annoyed at the part where Arthur was mentioned and he doesn't show it on his face, the whispers in the room have quieted down. She takes another turn and this impresses them more,
"Let's address the question Mr. Duke has asked, am 100% sure that B & L will benefit. It is not a mere wishful thinking or a pathetic little girls fairytale, as I've said, we need you to invest in order to save us from being hunted down, once we are saved, we will serve you, take it as a master-servant agreement, we will both benefit, you will aid us in marketing strategies and we will aid you in production and manufacture, it's a win-win situation." Samantha says more determined. Looking deep into Ethan's irises, his inquisitiveness sparking higher.
"Mrs. Merlin, why would you claim your wine is the best? Additionally, what makes you think that the wine you produce is better than B & L?" Grace asks, challenging her and the investors and partners also want to know more about the type of wine S & D manufacture to make is special.
"Mrs. Alec, the wine we produce is better than yours, in fact it's not about flaunting or bragging, it's about reality, let's put it to test, today, I have samples from B & L and S & D, from your branch, I had our crew import, 'Malicey', and from our side we have 'Vinladey'. They all start with 'Malicey' from B & D, its taste is rich and thick, it's a red wine that is made from a combination of grapes and apples. While on the other hand, 'Vinladey' is a wine that is smooth, original and it tastes linger in your mouth before swallowing. It should be drunk in warm conditions so that the flavor that is left on your tongue remains in your memory. That is the difference between S & D and B & L." She answers swiftly and after the testing process what she said was absolutely true.
Just how Ethan was impressed that this woman could beat him in his own game. His eyes burned with more fire than ever. This woman was his to the taking! He thought possessively.
"Mrs. Merlin, why was it that out of all the companies, you chose B & L should be the company that invests in S & D, furthermore, I heard your appointments were either cancelled or postponed, why did you still choose to fight?" Mr. Laurence asked curiously.
"Mr. Laurence, in business, you need to be cunning, you are either the hunter or the hunt. It's all about being cunning, intelligent and witty, if not the wolves would consume the rabbits before they reach the hole. Business sharks will either seek you or destroy you, the moguls will own you or disown you. The choice is really yours, however, S & D didn't want the latter options, we want to stand strong and fight the wolves, sharks, moguls and more of them. We want them to acknowledge us, and what better company than B & L to give us a chance and stage to shine, Mr. Laurence? What opportunity is better than B & L?" She summarizes. There was one last thing Ethan had to know before sealing this deal
"Mrs. Merlin, why did you skip any pleasantries and formalities, why did you skip any introductions in your presentation?" He mocked ironically, and a wicked cunning smile forms on her lips, she was prepared for this.
"Mr. Ethan Duke Masters, I have done my research, broad and wide reading on articles and magazines. I am highly aware that boredom is something that doesn't entertain you, your vicious and ruthless, you had your secretary give you all the details on S & D, so why should I bother to bore you, yet the only thing you want is money and power. You want to question me, gaze intently, you arouse doubts and fear with how you cut off people's presentations, I am not them Mr. Masters, I am Samantha Alec Merlin." She concludes finally and Ethan bursts out laughing, who thought she knew him so well, even after seven years, she was still so bland, having no speech filters. She now had an air of haughtiness and insolence, who was better than her to amuse him in this boring business industry? This woman impressed him thoroughly; this woman challenged him to his limits.
"Mrs. Merlin, you have a deal, I will invest in your company and henceforth, I will be with you till the end of eternity." He says obsessively his eyes turning to Arthur who had been glaring at him this entire time. Samantha shrieks in contentment and hugs Mark and Henry, while Miranda is still at a shock if this was the same Samantha she used to bully. On the other hand, Grace stares at Ethan whose gaze is on Samantha, from the moment the meeting begun. She knew it, she always had, but can she accept it?