Here you go those who are reading, chapter 5! Yahoo!
"So, what do you think?" Bruce asked, sitting back in his chair. He was a handsome man, about in his middle forties, with chocolate brown eyes, straight nose and strong chin. He was also in an expensive black and white two piece suit.
"We'd like to think about it some more," Rachel said," It's a great opportunity, but we want to make sure we-"
"I have a question," I interrupted, shooting Rachel an apologetic glance. She leaned back in her chair and let me speak.
"Yes?"
"Why do you-"
The door banged open and a young man strode in. He was tall and muscular, with tousled black hair as if he was asleep. His suit was pressed and clean, but his blue satin tie was loose and the collar open wide. I couldn't see his eyes, but it seemed like he looked at me. He gave a short paused where he stood, as if in shock, then he took a seat to Bruce's left, plopping a thick manila folder onto the table.
"Sorry I'm late," he said," Trouble happened and I couldn't make it in time. I'm sure Debs told you."
Bruce nodded and said," Excuse me ladies, but this is Richard Grayson, my adoptive son and CEO."
We nodded at him and he took off his glasses, revealing the most gorgeous glass blue eyes I ever saw. I had to stop myself from gaping.
"Miss Anders? Your question?"
"Yes," I said, snapping back to reality," I was wondering why you bring in smaller companies and merge them with Wayne Industries."
"I'll answer that," Richard said, loosening his tie even more," A couple years ago I came to this conclusion: Why sell out the companies when we could bring them in? Financially, it would boost them, and their popularity, but also keep the whole idea of laissez-faire, or let be, that the market likes. First, it would show our support of small, family owned businesses and we could support and offer promotions to those companies that we bring in. Yes, on some level, we show off our own reputation, but it isn't at any cost to the many small companies we are allied with. All we do is confer with the owners of said businesses, and think of the best option to move forward and gain success. It also helps small companies like your own. You don't have to worry much about losing money, or not making enough, because we offer our own programs to help lift the company financially with advertisements, endorsement, etc."
"And you're in charge of doing that?" Rachel asked.
"Yes. I go around and check out certain businesses. I'm a bit picky, but for a certain reason. Usually the companies we choose grow so large that they branch off, but still sponsored by Wayne Industries, of course."
"So it's like claiming cattle but keeping them under a restricted fencing area," I said," If we decide to branch off, we can't, and if you cut off all funding and sponsorship, we fail miserably."
"Yes, but you can't think of it that way. It would have taken you years to build a company so large for you, but with our help, we can overcome that in more than half the time it would take you. Now, I'm not calling you incompetent, you just don't have the resources as we do. And it isn't so bad. You get paid directly from us, so you don't have to rely on annual sums to pay for yourself and your workers. In fact, the more you grow, the more you get paid. Now, we don't even have to interfere if you don't want us to. We could just lift you up a couple branches and recommend you to our clients and you'd still be doing all the work on your own. It's beneficial to all of us."
I fiddled with my fingers. My questions were answered and I didn't have anything else to ask.
"We'd still like a little more time to think about it," Rachel said. I nodded.
"Alright, well, when you want to negotiate, just give us a call."
He handed us each a card and we got up to leave. Richard remained seated. When we were driving off, Rachel made a noise.
"What?"
"You were ogling Richard," she said.
"I thought it was something about Luminaire, not something so stupid. Oh, drive me to Vic's, will you? He said something about finishing the car."
She made a u-turn.
"Actually, I really liked your question," she said," And I've thought it over. I'd like the merge."
I glanced at Rachel in surprise. She usually didn't like help, but this time she was willing for Wayne to step in.
"Now, it doesn't have to do with the book, or our income, just because I think it would be a good idea. I have a good feeling."
I nodded, speechless.
"What do you think?"
"I think…okay, sure. Let's do it."
"Great. I'll call Wayne and tell him we're in."
The car was silent for the next half hour as she drove to Victor's Garage and when she pulled up, I spotted Karen Beecher's car, a yellow buggy. I waved goodbye to Rachel as she sped off and entered the garage. Karen was standing off by the water tank, waving her hands in exasperation.
"Hello," I said. She turned and smiled.
"Kori!" she said, giving me a hug," How are you? I haven't seen you in awhile."
"I know. Been a bit busy," I said, suddenly feeling very tired. Was it because of the negative emotions again? Was it because I was remembering too much?
"Hey, little lady!" Vic said, giving me a crushing hug," I have your car ready."
We headed towards my 2002 Honda Civic. (No idea about car names/styles, so I chose one I was talking about with a guy friend of mine. Lol, anyone wanna give me tips? Shoulda taken auto in school.)
"Hi my beloved!" I said, hugging the side of the car," I missed you!"
Vic chuckled and Karen giggled. They had been going out for two years and Vic hinted he might buy a ring.
"How much?" I asked.
"400," Vic said. I screeched and said," Isn't there some sort of little sister discount? It doesn't cost that much, does it?"
"You are getting the little sister discount."
I muttered and produced a check. He was cleaning out my wallet. I took my keys and said," Thanks Vic, see you later! I'm going for a ride!"
"Be careful!"
I waved my hand in nonchalance, and revved the engine. Oh, what a nice purr! I drove around the city then headed towards the mall. Shopping was my passion! I shopped at a few stores, coming out with an assortment of bags when my stomach grumbled. Shit, I forgot about food. Heading towards the food court, I accidently bumped into someone in the line.
"Oh, so sorry," I muttered.
"Ah, Miss. Anders, what a surprise," Richard said with a smile.
"Mr. Grayson!"
"Why don't you call me Richard, and I'll call you Kori?"
I nodded and pretended to take interest in the menu.
"So, give any consideration to the deal?"
"Yes."
"It really would benefit Luminaire. I'm sure it will help those pretty hands of yours."
Was he flirting?
"I don't know what you mean. My hands are that pretty."
"No, but some other parts of you are," he smiled, leaning into me.
"I'd appreciate it if you went back to business mode," I said, pushing him away.
"So feisty. Come on, be a big girl. Wait, you aren't a lez are you?"
"No! And why the hell are you asking!"
"I can't resist a feisty carrot top like yourself. Hard to tame, but worth the time."
"Disgusting! I'm guessing you really are as much a playboy as people say. How disappointing."
"Funny, it's not my fault girls toss themselves at me," he said coldly," But you seem to be immune to me."
"I'm immune to all idiot people like you, especially jittery uncommitted assy men such as yourself. Great, I lost my damned appetite because of you."
"Maybe Luminaire is better off with a man's hands," Richard said, turning to me," You don't seem like you can handle it. Did I forget to mention that I choose companies with a high success rate of failing? And yours is at the top."
"Listen, you son of a bitch, you don't know a single thing when it comes to business ownership. You get all you need from your dad that you don't even have to raise a finger. So before you call yourself superior, maybe you should learn to count to ten."
He gave me a dangerous smile and said," I'll learn to count to ten after you learn to keep your mouth shut."
"Tough luck," I said.
"Great, we'll be merging with a skanky carrot-top and an ugly goth chick, just what I need."
"Oh, I get it," I said sweetly," You're already showing how well you'll do once you take over the company. You choose failing companies, so I'm guessing Wayne Industries will be wiped out pretty soon. Bad judgment on your side, beast."
He turned on his heel and left.
"Oh, really adult-like!" I called out. Damn it, not another fuck ass to get on my nerves! I grabbed my shopping bags and hurried out of the mall, towards my car. Great, another annoying day.
