CHAPTER 3
Lena's office was quiet than usual, but her mind was anything but that. The air felt heavy, like the pressure right before a downpour. She stood at the head of the long meeting table, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Alright", she said, scanning the faces of her team, "so what's the plan now, cause we definitely should have a plan B right?"
Everyone knew what that meant- the investor that was supposed to finalize funding had pulled out last minute. A blow they hadn't seen coming.
" Do we know why they dropped out?"
asked Reena, her operation manager.
" They said something about 'restructuring priorities', "Lena replied, a note of sarcasm in her voice, "Which is code for 'we found something better.' "
The room fell silent when a junior associate, Caleb, cleared his throat.
"I was thinking... there's this firm__Ashvail holdings. They've been expanding lately. I've read they're open to partnerships with smaller firms like ours. We could reach out?"
Lena raised an eyebrow. " Ashvail holdings?"
" Yeah,they've been diversifying a lot recently. If they're looking for consulting branches, we could be what they need."
There was a beat of silence, then Lena gave a slow nod. "If there's a chance, we'll take it. Reena, get the details. Let's reach out."
As the meeting wrapped up, Lena's phone buzzed. She stepped out into the hallway, answering it.
"Maya?"
" Don't 'Maya' me! her best friend groaned through the speaker. "You literally left me, half drunk. Like, out of my mind drunk"
Lena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose."Maya you weren't even that drunk when I left, and it was a work emergency."
"I know, I know," Maya said dramatically. "But listen! I met a guy. Or...maybe I might have rambled to him. I dunno. I was drunk. He had this driver or friend or butler or something. Ugh,my head literally hurts from trying to remember the details."
Lena chuckled. "Sounds like you had a movie night, get some rest."
"You left me, it's your fault! I could've gotten kidnapped or something"
"Sorry love. Next round is gon be on me. And I'll make sure you don't end up in another romcom gone wrong."
Meanwhile...
Gregory stepped into caius's room, tablet in hand and a faint smile on his face. Caius was lounging near the balcony, coffee cup in hand, looking at..well who knows what.
"I bring news," Gregory announced, stepping in like he was delivering a royal scroll.
Caius didn't turn. " Is it something big? Explosive?
"Mm...depends. A small company reached out for a possible partnership. Strategic consulting type. Kind of like that spinach in your sandwich-not that exciting, but it holds everything else together."
Caius finally glanced over. "That analogy was awful Gregory."
"Well."
Gregory flipped through his tablet. "The name of the firm is Stratèmè. Not massive, but stable. Apparently one of their investors bailed on them and now they're scrambling. Thought we might look like a knight in dark marble floors."
"Let me guess," Caius sipped his coffee, "you want me to be the knight?"
"No, I was going to handle it. Just thought I'd let you know in case you got a sudden urge to play nice."
Caius leaned back, lips twitching.
"Handle it, then."
Two Days Later
Gregory stood near caius's desk, looking unusually flustered.
"So...slight change of plans," he began.
Caius raised a brow. "Did the spinach call back?"
"You have to go to the meeting instead."
There was a pause.
"Why?"
"Because I double -booked myself and one of those meetings involves an angry board member with a tendency to throw pens. I figured you'd enjoy this one more I guess."
Caius gave a long sigh, then stood up,
"Gregory"
Fine. They might surprise me
"But..this shouldn't happen again, you spoiled my schedule"
"You don't even have anything doing anyways" Gregory murmured
" Did you say something?" Caius asked
"Nope."