AMANDA
- I suggest we start our meeting. - I never thought I would be grateful to Kirk for opening his mouth when he wasn't asked to. But now he is saving the situation that clearly strains everyone around, even though they definitely don't understand the reason.
I nod in agreement and sit in my place. And here, damn it, fate plays another cruel joke on me because Adam and his companion sit across from me.
- Higher powers, help me. - I mutter to myself because this is all crossing the line.
- Adam, Ms. Amanda has flown in for a few days, so she hopes to discuss all the details today and sign the contract. - Kirk has decided that I am mute and cannot speak for myself, what a jerk.
- Thank you, Mr. Kirk, but I can speak for myself. - He nearly choked on his wine because he clearly did not expect such a turn of events. Without giving him a chance to recover, I continued:
- Yes, I came for a few days and believe that we have no reason to delay the discussion. We settled all the details before my arrival. And if cooperation is relevant to you, I am ready to sign the contract you sent to my lawyer. If not, let's not waste each other's time and finish the meeting.
Perhaps Adam's presence threw me off my game, but over these seven years, I have definitely learned to control my emotions when it comes to business.
— Well, we agree to your terms. But the final decision lies with Mr. Kelly, as he holds the majority of the shares. — For some reason, I didn't expect anything else, especially watching all the other men crawl before him as soon as he entered the room.
For a moment, our eyes met, and I was ready to hear a refusal because, after everything that happened, it's unlikely that doing business with me would interest him.
— I am sure this partnership will benefit both companies, so I see no reason to drag it out. “Adam Group” is ready for a long-term partnership. — Adam did not take his piercing gaze off me as if searching for something long forgotten.
At one moment, I felt too hot from the way he was looking at me. I know that look; I have felt it on myself before, but under completely different circumstances.
Seven years ago...
The last week, that stranger from the beach hasn’t left my mind. Why this is happening, I do not understand, but I even dream only about him, and the more I dream, the more explicit they become.
My parents went away for the entire weekend to friends and finally left me home alone.
I thought this would never happen, as they always dragged me along until my 18th birthday. And I wanted to break my leg and spend a month in the hospital rather than one day with their friends who taught me how to live.
So today I am completely free and can just spend one night like an ordinary girl without my Gestapo parents.
Especially since my childhood friend Alya invited me to a club, and if earlier I wouldn’t even have considered going to such a place (as if anyone would let me), today I am excited about this idea.
Alya agreed to help me pick out an outfit because I am not an expert in that. The friend herself wore very short leather shorts (if they can even be called shorts), a see-through top, and black stiletto sandals. To say she looks stunning would be an understatement. Especially considering her plump lips and blonde hair, which she always ties in a tight ponytail.
I chose a less provocative outfit: a black silk dress with straps below the knee, featuring a slit that exposed my leg nearly to the thigh. On my feet, I wore classic black pumps, and I left my hair down (it helps me feel safe, as my long hair covers parts of my exposed body).
- Amy, what about that short skirt? - my friend wasn’t too keen on my choice, as she hoped to undress me more than dress me, but I'm not ready for that yet.
- Oh no, that’s not a skirt, that’s some sort of half-apron. - I don’t see the point in her bringing it.
- All right. Let’s go. - We headed to the taxi that was already waiting for us. I have no idea where we are going, but for the first time in my life, I feel the urge to try something new.
About ten minutes later, we arrived at some building with a sign that read "Paradise."
- It doesn’t look much like paradise, but okay. - I thought to myself as my friend pulled me inside the establishment that promised a fun night and, as a bonus, a heap of problems.
Inside, the place turned out to be quite decent, all in dark tones, with a dance floor in the center, and if you looked closely, there were hidden booths on the second floor. The music was playing too loudly, though maybe I just wasn't used to it.
While I was exploring the club, my friend dragged me to the bar and ordered us both cocktails.
- I didn’t plan to drink. - Alcohol is not really my thing. I’ve tasted champagne a couple of times at family celebrations, and that’s about it.
- Amanda, you need to relax. One cocktail won’t hurt. - Alya slid the glass my way, then began to scan the dance floor while sipping her drink.
- Well, whatever will be, will be. - I thought and took a big sip from the glass. The liquid was pleasant to the taste, a bit sweet but not overly so, and within minutes, a wave of relaxation flowed through my body.
And while I enjoyed my cocktail, my friend had already disappeared onto the dance floor, leaving me alone at the bar. I don’t know why, but I ordered another drink and waited for her return.