Sorry this chapter took so long to post. It's been a hectic day.
Thanks so much for the awesome reviews! You guys are the greatest.
"What is the meaning of this?" Thatcher demanded as he stormed into Meredith's office and threw a file onto her desk.
"Meaning of what?" Meredith cast her father a quizzical look and picked up the file to scan the cover. "I thought this deal was done."
"So did I." Her father huffed. "But my office just got a call from Preston's office saying they've halted all contract negotiations pending further review."
"Further review?" Confusion marred Meredith's already tired eyes as she continued to look at her father. "Review of what?"
"He wasn't very forthcoming with any form of explanation, only that negotiations were halted until further notice."
"Why would they wait until now when we're so close to sealing the deal?"
"I don't know. Didn't you show them all the year to date revenues as well as the projected earnings for next quarter?"
"Yes, I did."
"Well then what hell happened?" Meredith detected a bit of anxiety in her father's eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"I don't know, but I'll find out."
...
The conversation with her father still rang in her head as Meredith carefully maneuvered her steps across the Manhattan streets in her high heeled Louboutin shoes, silk blouse, and pencil skirt. Goosebumps began to sprout all over her body when a cool chill settled across the dark skies, and she silently berated herself for forgetting her coat as she rushed out of her office.
She was in a hurry. That was blatantly obvious with the way she was pushing her way through the crowded street, knocking people aside as she went, but she needed to get to the restaurant to speak with John Preston before it was too late. She had had the good fortune of finding out through a conversation with his assistant that he was having dinner at Il Sole just three blocks from where her office was situated, so she took flight and ran out of her office in hopes of catching him before he left for his trip to Asia.
Her breathing had become ragged and labored by the time she reached her destination and before entering, she decided it best to tidy up using the large window of the restaurant to check her appearance. She busied herself with adjusting the few strands of hair that had fallen free and stilled her movement midway through when she caught sight of a familiar face…or rather, two familiar faces dining together and seemingly engaged in a friendly conversation with one another.
The rage that surged shook her to the core as she stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, except to stare onward in disbelief. This explained everything and suddenly she felt stupid for not figuring it out before.
Meredith wasn't sure how long she had been standing there, frozen, and didn't flinch until she felt the cool raindrops fall onto her already shivering frame. As her mind grappled with what she had just discovered, the wheels began to spin in her head with what she was going to tell her father. He was going to be angry, that was a certainty, and after the news she had given him last week, she wasn't quite sure he could handle any more bad news.
Relief washed all over Derek's tired body as he let himself into his apartment and threw his briefcase and coat onto the nearby chair. The meeting took longer than he had expected and that was largely due to the fact that his dinner companion likes to hear himself talk and that was exactly what he did for a good two hours straight.
Given the stressful week he'd had, Derek was ready to hand the meeting over to one of the many competent associates who worked for him, but when Lolo announced that John Preston insisted that the meeting be with him, his curiosity was piqued and so he went. What was so pressing that he had to speak with him then and not a week later, which was what Derek had suggested the meeting be scheduled for. And more importantly, why was he even looking at Shepherd Enterprises when it was known that GME Media was on the brink of signing a multi-million dollar contract with Grey Corporation?
The burning questions swam in his head as he sat patiently listening to him talk and it was only during the latter part of the dinner meeting did the real reasons come to light. Grey Corporation was rumored to be in financial trouble. Derek didn't know whether to roll his eyes or laugh at the rumor because he'd heard it many times before. Every large corporations have gone through their own bouts of malicious and more often times than not, unfounded rumors, and it seems to run rampant whenever a new hotshot Wall Street analyst decides to infer their own biases into their reports and make subtle innuendos just to stir up frenzy amongst investors.
His father's company had fallen victim to the same brand of attacks a decade ago, and although the rumors were proven to be just that, the damage was done and the company's stock plummeted, causing the company one of the biggest capital loss in its history. If it hadn't been for a few wise investments by his father, the company would've had to declare Chapter 11. Because of this and despite Derek's strong his feelings toward Grey Corp, he knew he had to end the rumors then and there before it propagated and ruin people's lives, namely one person in particular.
Derek recalled his frustration after having endured an hour of incessant chatter with John saying nothing significant other than the few times he alluded to having key information that would "make Derek a very happy man".
...
"Listen John, I appreciate you wanting to meet with me and your interest in a partnership with us, but I think you should, if nothing else, give Grey an opportunity to address these concerns of yours before you go looking elsewhere."
"I must say that I'm more than a little surprised that you wouldn't be jumping at the opportunity to take the contract away from Grey. You two have been cutthroat rivals since as long as I can remember and as I recall, this isn't the first time something like this has happened between you two. Do you realize the capital gain your company would profit from with a joint venture such as this?"
"Things are different now that I'm heading up all contract negotiations and the one thing you should know about me, Mr. Preston, is that while I play tough, I don't play dirty. Asking me to do this goes against my firm beliefs and is a game I'm not looking to partake in. Shepherd Enterprise is not interested in a partnership and if you choose to back out of negotiations with Grey, I would hope that you extend them enough courtesy to tell them why."
"I—"
"Furthermore, I know firsthand how rumors like this can ruin a company and the families that have their blood, sweat, and tears tied into it. Grey's is a reputable company in its own right and I suggest you take a second look at the source of your information before you make a decision that may affect YOUR company's future capital gain."
"The evidence I have comes from a very reliable source and they stick to what they say. This could ruin your biggest rival and you're walking away? You're making a big mistake."
"Well, that's neither here nor there as I've already indicated we're not interested. Good day, Mr. Preston."
...
Derek still remembered the look of shock on his dinner companion's face as he threw a few hundred dollar bills onto the table, grabbed his stuff and left without so much as a backward glance. The feel of the cool air hitting his face provided a much needed reprieve and as he stepped foot outside into the wet street, he couldn't help the feeling of being watched. The sensation washed over him, but he quickly dismissed it given the numerous stares he received as he left a disgruntled looking John Preston fuming at the table.
Massaging the taut muscles on his neck and shoulder, he walked to the mini-bar where he poured himself a generous serving of scotch and downed it with an effortless flick of his wrist. He relished the feel of the fiery liquid as it burned a trail down his parched throat to settle into his empty stomach. With the decanter and shot glass in hand, he made his way over to the living room sofa where he proceeded to pour himself another glass and emptied the contents with the same fluid motion.
Bits and pieces of the meeting replayed in his frazzled mind and as the image of Meredith flashed across his eyes, he let out a sharp expletive. As he got ready to pour himself another drink, his movements stilled at the sound of the doorbell. It was probably Mark coming by to get him for their Friday Poker Night ritual. He checked his watch and grumbled at the fact that Mark was early, but quickly shrugged it off. He and Mark could enjoy a few rounds of drinks before the game.
He walked to the door and without thinking; he opened it, only to be surprised by the sight before him.
"You lying, cheating, sneaky bastard!"
"Well, hello to you too." Derek responded dryly, taking in her petite form, soaked on through from top to bottom. His eyes dipped low, noting the dark areolas around her perfectly taut nipples as it pushed against the silk blouse that clung to her body like a second skin.