Robert 25, Cora 22. Both work for their fathers and have to work together. Cannot stand each other, and see their promised future evaporate in front of their eyes.
Robert stared at his father in disbelief. Was he serious? He always told him, he would be his successor in the company and now? Now he was supposed to work together with somebody else. And to make matters worse, somebody coming from America! How could somebody from America make a difference here in England? He did not need help, his father taught him everything he needed to know. And when his father wanted to extend the company in America, he could do that himself.
"You will work together, whether you like it or not," Patrick said when he saw Robert's face. His son could be incredibly stubborn and a bit arrogant in his manners. Now I have another meeting, make sure the office is ready next week. I want to see a clear desk with a correct set-up."
Robert was steaming, why was his father doing this? Was this his punishment for losing that one client? He knew he had messed up, but it was the first time and he was able to bring in other clients. And it was not as if the company would go bankrupt without that one big player. He realised they would have been settled for the coming years if he had tried a little bit harder. But what was done, was done.
He opened his laptop and wrote an email to the IT department. To forward all his father's wishes for this new colleague. Then he called Rosamund if she had time for lunch.
"Do you know why Papa is bringing that American to our company."
"A very good afternoon to you too." Rosamund kissed Robert's cheek. "Good to see you my dear brother."
Robert gave Rosamund an annoyed look. "I am not in the mood for this." He said.
Rosamund raised her eyebrows. "Well, that is your problem, not mine. I still suspect you to say a proper hello to me."
Robert sighed but leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Hello Rosamund, how are you doing?"
"I am well, thank you for asking." Rosamund answered, which earned her yet another irritated look from Robert. She decided to poke Robert a little bit more. She loved how easily she could annoy her brother. "I heard Papa asked someone from a company in America to come and help us out."
"Help us out!" Robert shouted, what made the whole room in the Ritz look up. "Help us out? You mean spy on how we do things, so they can copy us."
Rosamund made a sussing sound. "Robert, we are in public, please lower your voice."
"You know Papa made a mistake by inviting that American company to work with us." He continued on a lower volume.
"I do not know why you are so against this idea." She gave Robert a warning look. "Papa always said he wants to expand the business, and what better way than to work with another company that knows the market in the USA?"
"We want our, own name out there in America. With this, we will only make their company bigger, but we will not get any exposure ourselves."
"Why do you not trust Papa. He knows what he is doing. He started Crawley advertisements from scratch and look at how big we are now." Rosamund paused when a waiter approached.
"I will go for the veal, and you?" Robert looked at Rosamund.
"For me the sea bass, please." Rosamund said. "And you know what whine we drink. Thank you." Rosamund smiled at the waiter and turned back towards Robert. "Let us have an open mind towards that new colleague."
Robert sighed. "You are no help at all. What does Mama say of all this?"
"She is against everything American you know that."
"Papa has real guts to go on with this. Well, although I love him dearly. In this case, I hope he will realise that he made a mistake."
"Let us talk about more fun things." Rosamund was tired of this conversation. "When will you have your next date?"
Robert was confused for a second. "You mean with Claire?"
Rosamund's face lit up. "Yes. When will we meet her?"
An annoyed sigh left Robert. "Never. Rosamund, stop interfering with my love life will you? Claire is not my type, and I do not even think I am her type."
"Nobody is ever your type. It is time you are going to find someone to marry."
"Am I here at lunch with my sister or my mother?"
"Am I wrong then?" Rosamund shot back.
The waiter came with their order, which interrupted them.
Robert started cutting his meat. "How is Marmaduke?"
Rosamund's cheeks coloured bright red, that made Robert chuckle. She loved sticking her nose in his business, but when it came to her own love life, she was not willing to share much.
"He is fine. Thank you for asking."
"I think he is more than fine." Robert said with a naughty tone in his voice. This made Rosamund's cheeks burn even more.
"Stop it." Rosamund hissed. She was head over heels in love with Marmaduke, but as long as they did not tie the knot, she would not keep her hopes up to high.
Robert put his hand on Rosamund's arm. "My darling sister, he loves you. You should not worry about that."