Chapter 10 What's your problem

"What isn't your decision to make?" Melvin asked.

Elaine's head snapped towards Melvin's. She had not believed that he would actually come back to the table and that he would be so rude as to cut in on their conversation. Not that it was much of a conversation anyways. Andrew had rejected the offer, just like she knew he would.

"Don't worry about it, Mr Swernbach." She picked her bag and slipped the brown leather strap over her left shoulder. "I think I'm done for today and thank you for the dinner."

"No." Melvin protested. He held her arm and pushed her back into the chair

She stared at him in confusion. Where was the man who couldn't stand her presence a few minutes ago? "I don't understand."

Melvin walked around the table and slipped back into his seat. He cranked his head towards the pillars where the waiters stood. "I need something warm and bring me a bottle of Champagne."

Andrew squared his shoulders. "Champagne? What's the occasion?"

"Oh nothing special. Just trying to meet some important life goals." Melvin turned to her, with a smile on his face.

Elaine fought the frown forming on her face. He shared the same nose and eye brows and jaw with Andrew but beyond that, his curly dark hair contrasted with Andrew's golden hair and he sat taller with a much more open stance.

"You said you wanted to talk about the company?"

"Yes, but Mr Swernbach and I have concluded the discussion."

Melvin cast a strange look on his brother. "You're not supposed to make decisions without me."

"I know but--"

Melvin turned from Andrew to her. "What is the problem?"

"I eh..,. It's not really a problem." She glanced at Andrew, hoping he would give her a cue to stop or continue.

He dropped his eyes and began to play with the water in his glass. She turned back to Melvin. Andrew was about to say something that might have helped but Melvin had cut in. If Andrew had rejected her so calmy, she didn't expect the same response from his brother. "I wanted to propose that the CEO of the Swernbach corp publish a book."

"Yes." Melvin held his jaw. "I've always wanted to write a book. But what kind of book do you think I could write?"

Elaine faced Andrew. Wasn't he the acting CEO? Wasn't he supposed to make the decision? Why was he sitting there with his face hardening at every word his brother spoke?

"You called me here because you wanted to discuss something important." Andrew said.

"Oh pft." Melvin waved his brother off. "It would be rude to just send a guest away."

Elaine's drew her head back in shock. The Melvin sitting here couldn't be the same one who has insulted her. "Did you hit your head?"

His smile faltered. "That's not how to talk to a potential client?"

Elaine spoke without fear. "A few minutes ago, you wanted me gone and now-"

"Let's just say, I've had a change of attitude. Good, the champagne is here." Melvin rubbed his hands together. "Pour it into three glass and we'll make a toast."

Two waiters placed champagne flutes in front of them and filed their glasses. Elaine stared between both brothers. The last five minutes would have the best time for her to leave. The time before Melvin arrived. "I really hope I'm not intruding."

"No." Melvin brought his glass to his lips and took a slow sip. "You're in the right place. So, this book?"

"Well, Mr Swernbach already denied my request."

"That's not very fair Andrew. We make decisions as a family."

Andrew replied in a low voice. "Trust me, this is one of those deals we can do without."

"Nonsense. Dear-- what' your name again?"

"Elaine. Elaine Johnson."

"Ellie, that's a beautiful name."

Andrew said. "Are you drunk?"

Both men stared hard at each other.

"Drunkenness is unbecoming for a man of my stature," Melvin looked Elaine squarely with his dark eyes and raised his glass. "A toast, to new friendships and new relationships. Ellie, please forgive me for my earlier behaviour. I acted without thinking."

Elaine raised her glass and clinched it with his before setting it on the table. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all? He hadn't known that Andrew would bring her to the restaurant. I guess, that's understandable.'

"It's not."

Did the words come from Andrew? It didn't look like his lips moved but she was sure she heard his voice.

"I proposed that writing a book could give your business more media publicity, the type that your company seeks to buy with billions of dollars each year?"

"Interesting, Ellie. Tell me, are you religious?" Melvin asked.

Elaine raised a brow. What did that have to do with the business proposition? And what did he mean by religious? She went to a church every now and then. Especially when Aunt Meghan called. Especially on those days when she felt like throttling the woman's neck. A community of believers often reminded her of what it was to be human.

"Eh, yes. I go to church."

He spoke as soon as she stopped. "And what do you think of children?"

"They're okay. I guess."

"You guess?" Melvin cried.

She rubbed her temple. Would answering his questions help her get on the good graces of whichever Swernbach would approve the book proposal request? Was it even necessary? She'd dropped the letter as expected. But if she could score this deal, or at least a hope of the deal, her status at ROI Penn would be raised and maybe-- just maybe-- she would get her old job and cubicle back.

"I love children. And I hope to be a mother one day."

"That's wonderful." Melvin smiled. And in that moment, he actually looked human and handsome. Not in the same way as his brother. He had a sort of dark beauty about him, almost exotic looks. A dangerous kind of beauty. The same kind of beauty that she guessed, men saw in a substance as flammable as fuel.

"I can get a copy of the book proposal for you."

"Don't worry about that Ellie. Tell me a bit about yourself."

"Myself?"

She blinked. The feeling of the contact in her eyes had faded but her eyes still felt dry and she was tempted to rub them but the doctor had told her to keep her arms away. so she settled for rubbing her temple instead. "Er.. I'm an only child. I grew up in Kentwood and attended the Edward Vyvine School of Arts. I studied Creative writing and I have a certificate from--"

Melvin cut in. "I didn't ask you to bore me with your life history."

"I just thought you wanted to know my credentials." What was it with this man? Nice one moment and angry the next? Was he bipolar? Maybe she should have done better research before arriving at the company. "Why are you asking these questions?"

"As a business rule, I like to know who I'm working with."

Andrew spoke out. His voice a half-jest. "When have you ever had a business rule?"

"You underestimate me, little one. So, this book we'll be writing. What do you gain from it?"

"Not me but ROI Penn. We'll help with the writig, distributing, marketing and packaging of the book."

Andrew's knife clattered on the table. "Won't you get some kind of commission? Don't agents usually get that?"

"They do but I won't be the agent for this project, if you eventually agree to do it. I'm standing in for a friend." She explained.

"Well, I'm glad you're here explaining things instead. It's all so clear now."

"Melvin, she hasn't explained anything to you." Andrew said.

"We'll do it." Melvin replied.

Elaine's eyes widened.

"No we won't. We haven't done a proper cost factor analysis."

Melvin pointed at his brother. "You think and plan too much."

"And you take too much impulsive risks that put us in trouble."

"Pft." Melvin shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Elaine. I'll speak to my dad. He's bound to see things my way. In fact, I think we should go somewhere else where we can discuss business without negative personalities."

Elaine's gaze stretched to Andrew. He didn't spare her a glance. She got to her feet and picked her bag. "I was leaving anyways."

Sure, Andrew had brought her here and paid for her glasses but he had also told her to be prepared for any opportunities and she would not miss an opportunity to get her old job back or even get a double promotion. He was determined to give her a No but Melvin could give her a Yes. She would be a fool to refuse God's blessings. First new glasses, then dinner at a fancy restaurant and now this?

"Goodbye Mr. Andrew Swernbach. I hope we meet again, on much better terms."

Melvin came around the table and gave her his arm.

She slipped her arm in his and as they walked away Melvin asked, "So, how did you meet my doofus of a brother? He's usually so difficult to find."

She sighed. It was very unlikely that they would discuss the book proposal and even worse, Andrew had not responded to her goodbyes.