She recognized his voice immediately, that was the person that she came here to meet, not this side character. She breathed hoping this man wouldn't spoil her day and leave her with naught. If he blurted a word of what she just did, it might give Mr. Alistair a new point of view concerning her and she obviously didn't want that.
Bill snickered and turned back, sneering at Alistair, a daring but still respectful sneer. "Good evening," he replied with a smile.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Me and…" he pointed to her, obviously forgetting her name, while he dwindled for a bit. "This poor woman here are just having some fun."
"Well, now funs over, thank you."
"Oh, come on, don't be such a joykill." he said, but Aliastair's stern gaze shook him a bit. "Okay, okay." he stretched his hand and shaked the boss before bowing away. He gave Lacey a warning glare before finally moving into the crowd.
At last she was with the person she came for and she breathed in once and twice, she didn't want this negotiation going south at all. She needed this and it was pivotal, more than anyone could process. She looked at him, the man, probably in his late forties or fifties dressed in a blue tuxedo and sporting a wristwatch that would probably cost enough to buy their house. He stood majestic and held a royal aura that seemed to make her heart slam against her chest in fear.
"Good evening,".
"Good evening sir," she replied.
"How is it going, you didn't take a sip or even try to enjoy the little get together."
Lacey furrowed her brows. If this was his idea of little, then she probably needs to see what he thinks is big cause this was already too massive. "I want to be in the perfect shape sir."
"You already are," he replied in a coy manner laced with a sarcastic tone that Lacey didn't understand but she shrugged it off.
"Should we get on to business sir?" she asked.
"No matter, no matter, don't rush yourself too much." he smiled.
She smiled nervously and for some reason he found that funny, he scoffed and then gesticulated with his head. "Come on, let's go." he said "We can't talk with all this noise."
She nodded and followed him from behind lots of thoughts she fought to push behind surfacing. She was afraid of the gathering, of the crowd, of the man. The ease at which everything was going scared her and what scared her more was that there seemed to be a relaxed air when he spoke to her. Something that she sensed twice now but decided to shove aside.
She wondered about the entire negotiation, the thought of failure creeping into her very marrow. She walked firmly, shaking her head hoping somehow those thoughts would shake off through her ear. At a point in time her head told her to just run and tear off, and not look back but she only scoffed at the thought. She needed to make this deal and that was the point of it.
They walked away from the noise towards the sidewalk, the sound of the crowd so far away. They could barely hear their murmurs of ecstasy and temporary joy that was fuelled by intoxication and adrenaline.
She glanced at Mr. Aliastair, waiting for him to begin his questions, so she could demonstrate to the fullest her negotiating prowess.
He exhaled, staring at her. He'd had his eyes on her ever since he saw her. That unfettering innocence that blended with her beauty and her sense of discipline was what got him. Sure she also had a good shape and an attractive allure but it only complimented his already found desire. He wondered what she was thinking as she glared left and right nervously.
"Are you afraid of something?" he asked, staring into her eyes.
"No, I… I am just…" she stammered for a while then steadied herself before speaking. "I am just a little nervous."
"Oh, come on," he chuckled. "Nothing to be nervous about. Nothing at all."
"Yes sir," she replied.
He found it normal that she was nervous, he'd probably be shocked if she wasn't, he was very conscious of the prestige and aura that follows him like haunting shadows. They were his tools in fact. He liked to make people notice that he wasn't of a low standard. So the way he dresses, talks, and positions himself speaks loudly of these things.
"Good," he replied. "So, I am going to go straight to the point. I am too tired today to dance and play. Probably too old to even."
She nodded.
"Wait, you think I am old?"
"No sir. I just…" she didn't know why men in general enjoy toying with people. She smiled again, her smile getting weirder every passing second as it was filled with intense anxiety and a little hint of fear.
He laughed again. "I'm just messing with you " he said and she nodded, almost bowing. "So what I was saying earlier is that, I like you." he said.
"I am sorry sir,"
"Don't be. I like you. And I would like you to be…" he paused. " what is the modern world for it…?" he paused again. "I sincerely have no recollections. But you should know what I mean?"
"I am afraid I can't sir. You are married and… I am too… I…" she paused. "I just can't."
"So… you came for the negotiation?" he asked.
"Exactly sir."
"I am afraid the deal's off." he said. "I just can't…" he looked her in the eyes. " do this."
Her thoughts were jumbled and she could barely think. She watched as he turned away. The man wasn't interested in what would happen to her. She knew she had to do something or she'd lose the deal. Yet, she didn't want to date or even cheat on her husband. Every step he took was a step for her closer to not making this deal.
"Stop sir!" she said and he halted. "I have a proposal for you.”