CHAPTER 2

Felicity is just about to dig into her huge slice of chocolate cake when John Diggle, her boss, signals her from the outside of the glass doors to come to his office.

"Hey Dig" Felicity says as she enters his office, while Diggle is finishing his Chinese food behind his desk.

"Are you ready for tomorrow's Forte Pharmacy photo shoot and have you arranged with the printing company for the exact date of the release of the issue?"

"Yes, everything has been arranged. You don't need to worry Dig, this contract will go down without a hitch."

"Good" Diggle smiles at Felicity and pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. "What do you know about Queen Consolidated?"

"Aren't they the media giants that seem to be taking over every company they set their sights on?"

Diggle just nods.

"Well, I've heard that their biggest scare tactic is some guy called 'The Jackal.'"

"I've heard via the grapevine that we're in their sights, Felicity."

"What?! Do they want to take over MOJO?"

"It doesn't stop there I'm afraid. They want to absorb our client base and retrench all our staff."

"That's terrible Dig! I thought that with the Forte Pharmacy contract we would be fine."

"Not fine enough Felicity. That is why we need one more contract that will be big enough to get us off of their radar."

"Did you have anything specific in mind?"

"Yes, Nocking Point Winery. It's a wine farm in Napa Valley. They are on the verge of breaking through to the international market."

"When can I meet with them?"

"Breakfast, tomorrow morning." Diggle hands Felicity a file "This contains all the information you will need about the winery."

"Don't worry Dig, Queen Consolidated and their little 'doggie' won't be able to touch us."

Felicity turns and heads out the office door.

"Felicity?" Diggle says softly as Felicity turns around.

"We cannot afford any mistakes at this point."

Felicity smiles and nods at Diggle, then leaves his office to prepare for the very important meeting. She makes her way to her office and passes the room full of people still celebrating the new contract and stops to look at them. All those people, their jobs, their livelihoods depend on her, she had to think of a way to impress these people from Nocking Point, she didn't know how exactly, but she knew she'd have to work around the clock. There would be no sleep for her tonight but those people were worth it – they were her family.

"I bet you tomorrow our shares will shoot through the roof." Barry says as he hands Oliver a glass of scotch at the bar.

"I'm still not sure if this was a good merger for the market, but cheers." Oliver raises his glass to Barry, who at this point is more preoccupied with the two ladies that just walked passed their table.

"Barry, you are just wasting your time with that type of woman. They are just after your money."

Barry smiles at Oliver and says "So?"

The next moment the two ladies make their way back to their table.

"Hi there" the blond girl says.

"Good evening ladies." Barry returns with a bright smile

"Oh please excuse me" he says as he moves forward "I think I dropped something."

"What?" the brunette closest to him asks as she looks at him with confusion.

"My jaw." says Barry with a shy smile as Oliver looks at him in utter disbelief.

"We're new in the city and we were wondering…." the brunette starts.

"We're business men, not tour guides." Oliver answers.

"I can be a tour guide…" Barry says and stands up, just to be pulled down by Oliver in his chair again.

"Sorry ladies, maybe next time." Oliver says to finish the conversation.

Both women look disgusted as they turn around and leave.

"Dude!" Barry looks at Oliver.

"Barry, focus please!" Oliver yells "We need to make a move on MOJO."

"True." Barry sighs "At the rate they are bringing in clients, they will soon be unaffordable."

"Exactly!" Oliver pauses and says "I tell you what Barry, why don't we just pitch up at their offices tomorrow and make them an offer they can't refuse?"

"Yes, that's a very smart plan." Barry says and looks over to the two women standing at the bar.

"So, how are you planning to make this up to me?"

"Barry, what are you talking about?"

"The girls dude….oh come on, I need a little action."

Oliver just rolls his eyes "Barry, why don't you just do it yourself?"

"Hello! A guy like me has to donate a girl his kidney before she will even consider dating him."

"Okay fine." Oliver says.

"Okay?" Barry replies with a huge smile on his face.

Oliver whispers something in Barry's ear. Barry looks completely thrown by what Oliver says and looks at him in disbelief. Oliver can't help it and laughs at Barry but nods his approval at the same time. Barry gets up from his chair drinks the last couple of drops of liquor in his glass and makes his way over to the women. When he gets to the women he takes both the martinis in their hands and downs it while they look at him in pure anger and confusion.

"What do you think you're doing you idiot?" the blond woman asks, while her friend continues to stare down Barry.

"How long should I wait before I can buy you ladies a drink?" Barry answers with a huge grin on his face.

The women laugh at Barry's antics and in a matter of a few seconds both of them are putty in his hands. Oliver looks over at Barry and winks at his friend's success.