Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Passion is an illusion when the mind conjoins with a person's wants. Its agonizing, steady and fast; where one move could spiral everything out of control. That is what I keep telling myself. A distraction everyone has, but not me. I keep emotional downfalls in the back of my mind. Success is at its peak in every term of my life – I would like to keep it that way. Mind games, love, and grey areas forced to look for different decisions; the sudden change to pull my head from the sand bothers every moral in my being. On the contrary, it is curiosity that stills my heart while jumping rapidly. Yet I can't continue thinking like this. I'm on my way to a meeting.
"Ms. Haruno, how are you today?"
Says a well-built man with a mustache and oily hair slicked back. Amused grey eyes glance my way before stepping into the conference room full of professionals. The grey suit fit him quite well. Succeeding in making every female look our way, I look forward keeping my face neutral.
"I'm fine." I replied back stepping in front of him to stride towards a seat at the rectangular table.
The man smiled joining others at the opposite end of the table setting a briefcase down by his side. Once the meeting commenced the conversation was light as sheets were spread across the table. Information about the company's profits dropping from a scandal that broke in the press quieted most occupants. A hooker and the president of this company was captured in a picture. Innocence did not play a large part in kissing and hugging one another in a dark alley behind the president's car. It has caused quite the stir in the rich community.
A man at the far end of the table cleared his throat catching the attention of the room. Many straightened as cold ebony eyes met each gaze with confidence. With his straight black hair tucked in a pony tail with a few bangs framing his pale face and a postured straightened with practice, everyone knew Itachi Uchiha was not someone to be reckoned with. I let my eyes wonder to the dark silver suit only visible above the table. Neat, pressed and fitted to his physique that it could have been a second skin. Lifting my gaze once more it never occurred to me while the Uchiha CEO was ready to talk he was looking right at me. Suddenly the room felt a little a few degrees below the preferred temperature.
"Each picture cannot be changed, but the actions of our profits can. The Sharigan corporation has decided to pull out of the Kumo alliance, halting our builders and resources until further notice."
The silence that stared back at the young CEO lasted a short period before others started arguing. It wasn't all that shocking according to the reports in my folder but to announce it sooner than expected is what threw me off. It wasn't supposed to be announced until the actual CEO of Fang Alliances Company was present. Looking around the room at each CEO apart of the Kumo development project it couldn't be an easy task to hear that the largest contributor pulled out.
"Do you know the precautions we took to make this happen!?"
"We have a timeline to be met! How could you possibly pull out four months in? "
"There has to be another way other than pulling out."
The Uchiha held up a hand to silence everyone's questions. A lot of red faces in here but no viable solution. Watching the young CEO take another breath to finalize what he said a few minutes ago I open my mouth first.
"Mr. Hatake should be present during proceedings such as these. Your claim to pull out is invalid without it."
A poor soul choked on their spit somewhere in the room. No one had moved then looking back to the CEO who was ripping me apart with his eyes. I continue with steady breaths,
"Have you spoken with Mr. Hatake about your decision to withdraw until further notice? You would be breaching your contract."
"He has broken terms along our agreement that contradict with his current behavior."
"What would those terms be for the Sharigan corporation?"
It could have been a game of chess with the conversation going back and forth. Waiting for the answer to come I pushed a folder from the stack in my arms across the table. A bearly man with a neat beard and orange hair pushes it towards Itachi with mild respect before turning away. It is flipped open revealing a copy of his own contract with the Fang Alliances Company. A small tick could be seen in the corner of his mouth turning into a frown.
"Where did you find this?"
"It doesn't matter how or when, but how you have breached your side of the contract."
At the mention of his side of the contract being breached his cold stare narrowed. The folder was closed before he leaned forward placing his chin on both hands erasing the previous expression as if it had not been there.
"I resign to the fact that this may cause problems with my relations with Mr. Hatake. ''
I could feel the smile come before it was swept away by Itachi's next words. The anticipation in his eyes was akin to excitement.
"This is not your call to make. You are not a CEO or part of a company that can negotiate these terms."
"I am well aware that I am neither a CEO attached to the Kumo project or any other in this sort of business. I –"
"Then my word is final and you may leave."
Not a peep from the other CEO in the room could compare the stack of papers dropped on the table from my arms. He did not just dismiss me like a dog. I'm not sure what expression was worn for the world to see as some people inched away in their chairs. Placing each palm on the table to lean forward towards the emotionless ass across the table I took a deep breath to still the irritation residing in my frame.
" Let me make this clear before you interrupt me again."
The Uchiha CEO's eyes widened at the step I took to bring his ego down a peg or two. As if he can just walk all over someone then dismiss them without a second thought. Professionalism be damned.
"I am neither a secretary, CEO or person attached to a developing company. You may dismiss anyone in this room like trash but you will not dismiss me. When people call me, it is to sort out their legal issues, not to debate and squabble with egos"
A shot to the groin. It would only feel better if the Uchiha visibly flinched.
"I am representing Mr. Hatake on this issue. He will be here in.." Lifting my wrist to look at my watch it was five past nine.
"Five minutes as he is coming from another meeting." Someone who was not the gawking asshat at the end of the table cleared their throats. A man with red hair and green eyes nodded in my direction before speaking. No eyebrows and rather handsome the deep voiced stranger made me lean back as a spoke.
"And who are you exactly?"
A genuine smile could not stop itself from blooming on my face then. I knew the gentleman who walked in the room with me shook his head with amusement decorating his eyes once more. I had helped him too once.
'' My company focuses on Crisis Management for large companies. Sakura Haruno at your service."
Checkmate.