Kaku waited excitedly in the Galley La Office's main lobby. He had shown up early to plan out their itinerary for the day, and go over some notes with Kalifa.

My stars...

Kate walked in a few minutes after. She wore a navy blue, long sleeved wrap style dress and black heels. Her long hair was curled and parted to one side. She wore diamond studs to complete her outfit with a small black clutch.

Kaku steadied his breathing. She looked beautiful.

"Good morning Kate! Don't you look snazzy today?!" He approached her excitedly.

She pulled some hair behind her ear shyly. "Morning Kaku! Oh thank you...I'm-"

Iceburg entered the room. He wore a black suit with a white dress shirt which was unbuttoned and carried a large binder under one arm.

"Kate, are you ready to go? Oh, good morning Kaku!"

The long nosed shipwright looked at them in confusion. He turned to Kalifa as she walked in for answers.

"My apologies, Kaku. I had called you last night but was unable to reach you. Kate will be joining us in a meeting with Arbutus and his son today. We should be done around 2:00PM if you could please come back then." She adjusted her glasses.

"Ah meeting with the big wigs! Alrighty, I'll skidaddle then." He walked out before Kate could say goodbye, bringing a bag with him.

He couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed. He had worked until 10:00PM the night before to ensure he had time to complete their itinerary today. He took a deep breath and smiled as he walked to Dock 1.

But golly, did she ever look wonderful!

Iceburg couldn't hide his blush as he looked at Kate.

"Kate, thank you for joining us today."

She bowed in reply. "Thank you for letting me join in on such an important meeting. Especially since I'm still so new."

Iceburg laughed. "Your credentials were more than enough to prove you are an asset. This will be a great learning experience for you."

They waited in the lobby for their guests to arrive.

2 tall men entered the lobby. One man was much older than the other. He wore a black suit with a white dress shirt, and a black tie. His green eyes were stark in contrast to his peppered gray hair. The other man was no older than 30. He wore a grey suit with an unbuttoned white dress shirt. His eyes were also a deep green.. He had the same hairstyle as Iceburg, except his hair was dark brown. They were both extremely handsome.

Iceburg walked towards the men with open arms. "Arby! So good to see you!"

The older man met Iceburg in an embrace. "It's been too long, my friend. You look like you've been doing well!" They pulled away and the older man turned to the younger man behind him.

"Iceburg, you remember my son Nash?"

Iceburg walked over and met the younger man with a handshake.

"Of course! It is great to see you."

Nash smiled and placed his free hand on top of their handshake.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to working with you, Iceburg." He turned his head and looked at Kate.

Oh? Now who is this?

Kalifa adjusted her glasses. "If you'd all please follow me to the board room."

As they made their way to the board room, Nash walked at the very back. He smiled as he stared at Kate's bottom.

This should be fun...

-

Paulie greeted Kaku as he entered the shipyard.

"Oy! I thought you were taking Kate around again?" Paulie lit a cigar as he wiped the sweat off his head with a towel.

Kaku placed his bag on his work bench and began to put his tool belt on.

"She's in a meeting with Arbutus and his son today." He tried to hide the disappointment in his voice. Kaku was a very skilled planner, so when things would get skewed- it often left him frustrated.

Paulie groaned. "Don't tell me she has to sit through a meeting with that asshole?! What's his name? Nash? If Iceburg and Arbutus weren't such good friends, I would've found a different lumber supplier for us already. That guy is a piece of work."

Lucci was working nearby and rolled his eyes at the mention of Nash's name. Though he didn't talk much (or at all), his interactions with Nash weren't pleasant. Nash had tried to take Hattori as a joke once, and it took every ounce of strength for Lucci not to kill him.

The lead foreman took a puff of his cigar as he rubbed his temples. "Remember that time he tried hitting on Kalifa? Even though Kalifa had every right to whoop that guy's ass, she was reprimanded by Iceburg for it." He sighed. "I hope he doesn't get any ideas with Kate."

Kaku shot Paulie a look. He hadn't thought of that possiblity until now. Nash was known to not only be a womanizer, but was usually described with a few choice words. He clenched a fist, an unexpected sense of rage flowing through him.

I swear if he tries anything...

Lucci looked over and noticed how bothered Kaku was.

I'll have to have a word with him about it later.

Paulie couldn't help but chuckle at the younger shipwright, also noticing his reaction.

"Don't worry, kid. I'll make sure to keep an eye on your girlfriend for you." He gave Kaku a wink.

Kaku's demeanor immediately changed. He shot up straight and turned a bright red.

"Girlfriend?! Oh jeeze, no it ain't like that, Paulie! It's just-"

Paulie interrupted Kaku with a laugh. "I'm just busting your balls...but maybe make sure to be there once their meeting ends just in case.." He walked back to his station.

Kaku looked at the nearby clock. He would make sure to make his way to head office before 2:00PM.

The board room contained a long wooden rounded rectangular table, along with 6 chairs on each side. The chair at the head of the table was larger and decorated with golden accents.

Iceburg sat at the head with Kalifa to his right, and Kate beside her. Arbutus sat on the other side of Iceburg, and Nash sat across from Kate.

The meeting mainly consisted of discussions regarding how much lumber Galley La required. The Marines were expanding their fleet and required a new ship almost daily.

Arbutus carefully examined several calculations on a piece of paper.

"I'm happy business is booming, but given how far we are- there is no way for us to properly keep track of the lumber supply." He rubbed his head in thought. "It'd be a lot of extra work for you and Kalifa as well if you were to keep track yourselves."

Nash had been indiscreetly staring at Kate the whole meeting which made her uncomfortable. He seemed disinterested in the meeting until his father's last remark.

"I have an idea, dad. What if I were to stay here for the next little while?" He tried to look as sincere as possible.

Kalifa shot him a glare. She had noticed him staring at Kate the whole meeting, and knew his intentions weren't for the good of the company.

Iceburg beamed. "That's a great idea, Nash! Arby, what do you think?"

Arbutus looked at his son, concerned. "Are you sure, son?"

Nash laughed. "Of course father, anything for the business. Also, I could perhaps get Kate to help me if I needed an extra hand?" He turned back to face her.

Kate clenched her jaw. Although he was extremely attractive, she had met enough men in her life to know an asshole when she saw one.

How do I get out of this...

Kalifa cleared her throat. "I'm afraid that won't do. Kate has a very strict itinerary during her contract here." She looked to Iceburg, hoping he would confirm. Although it wasn't completely true; Kalifa did not want to subject another woman to Nash. She claimed 'sexual harassment' daily, but with Nash- it would definitely be the case.

Iceburg took a moment to ponder. "I suppose we will see how it goes. I'm sure you could somehow adjust her daily schedule if needed..."

The blonde haired beauty clenched her fist beneath the table.

Iceburg, you damn fool.

Arby clapped his hands in excitement. "Then it's settled! Nash, we'll keep you posted here until we have all the numbers for this quarter recorded!"

The 5 exited the board room shortly after. Iceburg and Arby continued to chat, with Kalifa and Kate following close behind. Nash was once again at the very back, watching the ladies as they walked ahead of him.

I bet I could convince them into a threesome if I really wanted to...Or maybe I could just pay them..

He laughed under his breath.

Kate tried to walk faster, uncomfortable with how Nash was silently walking behind her. She looked at the lobby and saw a familiar face.

"Kaku!" She ran excitedly towards the shipwright, and he greeted her with a smile. Before he could speak she grabbed his arm and pulled him to follow her outside.

Nash raised an eyebrow and walked faster to catch up to Kalifa. "What's Kate doing with Pinnochio?!"

Kalifa smirked. "Probably business, or maybe they're going on a date. Who knows?" She knew Nash's intentions, and knew how to get under his skin. Kaku was strong and could take care of Nash without a hitch. This was a small taste of revenge.

"What do you mean a date?!"

-