"No." Sasuke dropped the manila folder back on the glossy mahogany conference table.
Hinata licked her glossed lips, her lavender orbs connecting with Sasuke's onyx. "And why not, Uchiha-san?"
Itachi, Neji and just about everyone else in the conference room slid back in their chairs a few centimeters, an instant sign that they were not to be a part of this. It had been a month and these two could not agree on anything. Hinata's techniques required giving money and donating, which somehow led to more money. Sasuke preyed on the weak and took things, which also led to more money. Their styles were totally different and neither would give in, often having to compromise on something.
In other words, they went with Hinata's way.
"This is utter BS," Sasuke said, his eyes narrowing. "You can't possibly expect that this contract will work."
Hinata jutted out her chin, her own eyes narrowed. "Sasuke, if you have another idea, then say it, otherwise, do not question me."
The tension intensified and Itachi finally stood up, reaching for the folder. Instantly, their eyes snapped to him as he read over the pre-contract, nodding his head subtly. Finally, he lifted his head and faced Sasuke, a small smirk on his otherwise expressionless face.
"I think it a great idea."
Sasuke instantly snatched back the folder. "You agree with anything she says, dumbass. You have no control over this! Sit down!"
Hinata stood from her black cushioned leather swivel chair, her manicured fists pressing into table. In a royal purple silk cap sleeve Versace blouse, gray Vera Wang slacks and aubergine peep-toe sling-backs, she was the picture of sophistication. But the mad glint in her eyes was a sign to back away and take immediate cover five hundred meters from the vicinity.
"Uchiha-san," she said, her eyes boring into his. "For seven years, I have run this company and intended to do just that. But because there were minor complications in that process, I am stuck with you. That does not mean I have to put up with you and you ugly criticism. Now, what is so wrong with the damn thing that you can't seem to agree, hmmm?"
Sasuke thinned his lips, standing as well. There was a true face off and if someone did not do something soon, there was going to be an incident and someone(s) was/were going to be hurt . . . badly.
"Hyuga-san," he gritted out. "This contract will make us liable for fourteen million dollars. And if we lose that, we lose the deal we have in Hong Kong to take our company global. If you drop this now, before it can start, you'll be in a lot safer area. There are several other options and I am sure that this is not the best one for anyone."
Quiet. Silence, utter silence.
The board members looked to Hinata who slowly corrected her posture. She motioned towards Takashi Jiro, the company's account/stockbroker.
"Please tell what he says is incorrect, Mr. Takashi." Her eyes landed on him with such intensity, he flinched. It was the kind of authority that said I-am-your-boss-and-I-will-have-you-fired-on-the-spot-if-you-do-not-obey. But Sasuke's rivaling Mess-this-up-and-I-will-make-sure-you-never-see-the-light-of-day was just as intimidating.
He looked to his lap, where the folders and such he needed were. "Uh . . . A-actually, U-uchiha-sama is right, Hyuga-sama. We would be l-liable for fourteen million and r-rivaling companies c-could use this t-to their advantage." He cringed again as her eyes widened with surprise and cold contempt.
Pressing her lips together, she looked to the table. The long curls that framed her face fell about her shoulders and she let out a deep, slow breath. Her heart was hammering against her chest with adrenaline but if what Jiro just said was true then-
"Like I said before," Sasuke smirked, holding the file up and facing her. "This is not something we can possibly commit to." He set it down gently and Hinata faced him, her face utterly straight, calm, expressionless, blank. Some of the board members shuddered. That look did not come from victory; it was a show of not losing. But it was an obvious sign of defeat.
"Fine," she sighed, her delicate ivory fingers layering over his, her eyes locking with his. "I'll have father and Fuguka look into it and we'll come to some compromise. Other than that, meeting adjourned."
Sasuke's jaw squared as she pulled that card again. When was it going to end? It seemed like everyone was ruling in favor of her these days. When were they going to realize that he was boss just as well as everyone else?
As the men and women filed out of the room, Hinata stayed, sitting in her middle seat. A large bay window looked out across the city and Sasuke leaned against the table, folding his arms in his black collard shirt, expensive Gucci dress pants and glossy shoes. This bitch was seriously getting on his nerves.
"Meeting adjourned, Uchiha-san," Hinata regarded him coolly, her fingers laced together. Just a hint of malice was in her voice.
He faced her, his jaw squared. "I do not understand why you pulled that little number again, Hyuga." He spat her name out like it didn't belong anywhere near him.
Her eyes narrowed. "Because, Uchiha, I do not intend to share with you. It took me years to gain my father's approval and even more to make myself worthy for this job. I give two-hundred-and-ten percent into my duties and you waltz in like there is nothing to it. I will not allow you to until you can prove to me that you are just as willing as I am."
"When will you learn," he shook his head. "It was not my decision to come here in the first place. It was my loser of a father's. I did not decide to become COO of the Hyuga & Uchiha Co-Op because I wanted to. No, my father did that for me." He got right in her face, anger flashing in his eyes. "So damnit, I expect a little respect from you, if you're so damn willing to run this fucking hellhole."
She shot out of her seat, glaring back with as much intensity as she could, even though she was shaking. "Do you realize who you are talking to Uchiha? If I remember correctly, it was you who agreed that we should become one company. It was you who decided that we would split the profits-,"
"You know damn well that was my father."
Her eyes lowered themselves as she turned away from him, resting a hand on the table. "What I can not understand is why you believe you have a say in what my company does. I've been working on this contract for the last several months. There is no way I am going to throw it away because we become liable for fourteen million dollars. We have enough money, we are not cash poor. Fourteen million dollars won't make a difference in our treasury."
"That's your problem, Hyuga. It will. Fourteen million will take a hell of a lot out of us and I, for one, am not prepared to have to deal with a bunch of motherfuckers trying to get a piece of our profits." Sasuke's eyes bore into her own as she turned to face him. "We can not afford to lose fourteen million dollars. No one can afford to lose fourteen million dollars, Hyuga."
She stepped closer, her delicate nose practically touching his. "Get out of my-,"
"What do we have here?"
Both whipped their head around to face Itachi, Neji, Fuguka and Hiashi, watching them with interest. Hinata stepped away from him and Sasuke unclenched his fists, both bowing to their fathers.
"I believe the children are having another disagreement," Hiashi smirked as Fuguka, Neji and Itachi chuckled. Both took their places at the heads of the table and Hinata sat across from Sasuke, Itachi on his side while Neji on hers.
"That's just not good for business you know," Fuguka looked from the both of them as they looked anywhere but each other. "You two are seriously getting on my nerves. Now, tell me what the hell is wrong with the two of you."
"Why don't you ask her?" Sasuke snapped. "She believes I have no say in what goes on in this company because it is supposedly hers."
"It is mine," Hinata said calmly. "I have controlling vote and I decide what goes and what doesn't."
"Let me remind you," Sasuke spat, "that we have controlling vote. Not you, not me, we. Get that through your pretty little head."
Hinata stood, Sasuke right after her. "Let me remind you, Uchiha-san-!"
"Sit down both of you," Hiashi ordered and both lowered themselves into their seats. Itachi and Neji cast each other amused glances as Hiashi glared from one to the other. "This is ridiculous, Hinata. This is a disgrace. I expected you to welcome your new partner, not tear the damn company apart! Neither of you have controlling vote. Fuguka and I do. Now quit your damn bickering and make up! I will not have tensions running in my office, understood."
"Yes father," Hinata said, her eyes locked with Sasuke's. "May I leave now?"
"Hell no! Not until you've cast your differences aside and make up! Now!" Fuguka glared at his son. "I mean it Sasuke. If you can't make this work then I can just fire one of you and get it over with. Hinata's done a fantastic job running this company without you. We don't need your bullshit."
Hinata felt her heartstrings twang painfully as Sasuke began to argue with his father. That was something she had not expected. Of course, Hiashi's words no longer hurt that much, but to have a complement thrown her way and to have Sasuke's pride slapped like that was just brutal.
So she apologized first, just to show she was actually feeling sorry.
Tentatively, she reached a hand across to Sasuke, her gold charm bracelet (a gift from Shino and Kiba. There was even a butterfly and crown on it) her eyes locked with his in a sign of trust. The room grew silent as Sasuke looked from her hands to her eyes, deciding whether he should ask for a verbal apology or get it over with.
"I apologize, Uchiha-san, for my rude actions and comments." Hinata raised her chin. "Can you forgive me?"
Sasuke sighed and gave her hand a quick pump. "I also apologize for my actions, Hyuga-san."
"Good," Hiashi and Fuguka stood, eyeing them as Neji and Itachi did the same. "We expect better from you. I can assure that now you can come to a compromise about that contract."
The door closed and Hinata sat back in her chair with a sigh. Sasuke ran a hand through his hair before both looked to each other. He coughed into his hand and Hinata drummed her hands on her lap.
"Meeting adjourned Hyuga," Sasuke smirked as her eyes shot up to his, wide with surprise. "We both got our thirty lashes, I think we're free now."
A soft giggled bubbled from her throat and she slipped from her chair, heading towards the door. Sasuke reached for the folder and chucked it in the trash immediately after the doors closed. This time, little Miss Perfect was not going to get her way. He'd make sure of that.