"What!" He exclaims, his eyes moving to his friend Ethan who stood next to him. "A clause?" Callum asks not quite believing his ears.
"Yes, Mr. Callum Kennington." Says the broker. "There is a clause. It is the only way we will give Kennington Holdings that deal. It is worth billions as I am sure you are aware, and so it is not a deal to be taken lightly." He says tucking one hand into his pocket.
Callum sighs. He cannot lose the deal. Not after all he has done to make sure he gets this deal. This deal was the jackpot, it would get him to the top of the table if he lands it. He has worked for weeks unending, proving to them that he was the best man for the job, but just when he was sure he had it, they bring up a stupid clause. It was not even a valid clause. Callum glances at all of them as they stand looking at him with an expression that says they have won. Callum gulps, he couldn't let them win, let them take the contract away after all this time and investment, no. And so he went with the next impulsive decision the situation offered him.
"Fine." He says and watches as their eyes widen a fraction. No, he enjoyed the expression he was seeing on their faces now. They wanted a shocker game, and here it was. Tucking both hands into his pocket, he stretches out his right leg, standing in that manner that always gives him all the upper hand. "I accept the clause." He says shocking them even more.
"What!" It was Ethan. "Callu-
Callum raises his hand, stopping his friend from interfering. He knew everyone would be shocked, even his executive will be. Offering everyone his best smile. "In fact, I was planning to do so soon, not very soon, but soon. But now, since you all are bringing it up as a requirement, I guess I just have to go ahead and quicken things up. At the end of the day, it is the same thing. Right?" He says smiling brightly at them.
Gulping, he nods. "Right." The broker says.
Nodding, "Good. How long do I have to put that in place?" Callum asks.
"Two weeks. By the end of two weeks if you are not -
"Fine!" He says, his jaw twitching. "It is more than enough." Callum says. "Is that all?" He asks them, eyes on them.
Nodding, "Yes, that is all." He says.
"Alright then, I will see you in two weeks' time." He says just as they begin to rise to their feet. They exchanged handshakes and soon, they were all gone.
~
"I get it that you were in a desperate fix, Callum, but how could you agree to such a deal?"
Picking up his glass, he takes a sip of his drink. "Was I not supposed to?" He asks taking another sip.
"How the hell are you going to get that done in two weeks? Two bloody weeks, Callum. Even if you are thinking of a way out, there isn't enough time."
He turns to face his friend. "Why do I need two weeks when I can do that even tomorrow?" Callum asks.
Ethan gasps. "How is it even possible when -
"Relax my friend." Callum says placing his hands on Ethan's shoulder and giving him a squeeze. "I can handle this."
"It's not a business deal, Ethan. It is different."
He nods, "I know. And like I told them, I was planning to already, now I just need to go ahead and quicken things up." He says with a smile.
Ethan pushes his hand away. "You forget something, Callum. I know you, I know everything about you." Ethan says.
"Do you?" Callum asks sarcastically.
"At least I know that you my friend were just bluffing back there to those brokers. You do not have this handled."
Callum laughs, taking another sip of the drink. "I guess we will just have to wait and see then, my friend."
They were still drinking when a lady walks forward and throws an envelope at Ethan. Both men turn to look at the lady in question.
"You're an asshole, Ethan Allen." She says before turning around and storming off again.
Ethan picks up the envelope from the floor and tears it open, pulling out the paper inside. He smiles. "At least she signed it." He says smiling widely as he puts the envelope aside and picks up his wine glass.
"What? Another heartbreak?" Callum asks with a raised brow.
Ethan raises his glass in a toast. "At least it's not my heart." He says laughing as he takes a sip.
Taking a sip of his own too. "How long has she lasted? One month? Two?" Callum asks.
Smiling. "Five weeks. She was good, but…" He grins at Callum. "Unlike you my friend, I am considering going for a forever kind of thing." Ethan says.
"Hmm. A new girl is around then."
Shaking his head. "Not just any new girl, Callum, but one I have been looking forward to for years. But as luck will have it, she recently moved here."
Callum scoffs. "So they are ladies who are hard to get for Ethan Allen." He says turning his glass in his hand.
Ethan laughs. "We all know you are the only one who is irresistible with ladies. Europe's top five most wanted bachelor and business magnet." Ethan shrugs. "I am the second choice where you are involved." He says.
Callum laughs.
"But I bet even you cannot get this one I am talking about. She's a ten!" Ethan says.
"Every woman has a price, Ethan. If you are not getting her, it's because you have not made the right offer to her." Callum says. "Find her price tag, offer it to her, and you'll get the girl."
Ethan laughs. "Now that is where you are wrong my friend. This one, she has no price tag. Hell! She does not even want a price."
"Hmmm." Callum says lazily.
"I'll introduce you to her someday, and watch as your eyes pop out of their sockets when they land on her. She has got everything." Ethan whispers the last part, grinning. "The looks, the body, the -
"This she, she has you hooked so hard already. And the sooner you lay with her and forget this shit talk, the better for you, Ethan. I know you'll have your head back once she is in your bed, naked, I just hope you do not offer her your entire company before that happens."
"You will be amazed when you see her." Ethan tells him.
"Not me. I have seen all there is to see in them. They are like aprons, one size fits all."
Ethan laughs, pointing at Callum. "I will remember you that the day I introduce you to her and your eyes go popping."
Callum scoffs. "You will be honored if you as much as even get a raised brow from me."
"And this one? The one you claim to have?" Ethan asks. "Is she also a one-size-fits-all?"
Callum gulps, looking away, then he takes one more gulp of his drink. "No. She is not."
The door just behind their booth opens, and by the door stands a lady, a blonde.
Ethan taps Callum and points him behind. "Your ride is ready it appears." He says with a mischievous grin.
Callum pulls on his tie, eyes on the blonde by the door. She was dressed in a purple transparent lace that left everything else open to the eye. Slowly, he gets up and begins to head for that door.
"I'll see if I can find myself some entertainment too, my friend. Enjoy your ride." Et
han says to Callum just as the door to that room closes.