Chapter 3 3

Alessio

I resisted answering the phone as much as possible until I had no alternative but to pick it up.

"Sir," Elias stated.

"Yes," I responded, and he conveyed his update on Lia's planned arrival.

"Okay," I acknowledged.

"Offer her the choice of an apartment or the hotel upon landing. Ensure David is on-site for her needs. I'll call her later to arrange the meeting," I instructed.

"Yes, Sir," he replied, and I hung up.

Matthias, our lawyer, remarked, "You don't seem thrilled about her visit."

"What's there to be enthusiastic about?" I responded, expressing my frustration with Lia's involvement.

"She's been difficult since her father passed away, and now I have to deal with her, essentially buying her cooperation," I explained.

Matthias chuckled, suggesting that our fathers may have had ulterior motives in dividing the company equally among us. He proposed it might be a chess game where the best man wins.

"You're confident you can regain the equity from the others eventually," he said.

"Why wouldn't I be able to?" I retorted. "I've suspected this, and I'll annihilate their deceitful plans."

Matthias agreed, emphasizing my impact and legacy beyond just money. I sighed, signing documents, and he brought up legal matters regarding the dividend increase battle with Lia.

"I'll see how she responds tonight and how things go," I explained, acknowledging the potential offense when she learns my intention to buy her vote.

"I'm paying extensively for it," I added, noting the hidden financial aspect from the others for now.

"It'll still be a balanced two against two," he remarked.

"Two against two is an improvement over two against one. Last time, when they pushed for a dividend payout increase, I gave in due to other pressing matters generating the money they wanted a larger cut of. Now, I'm ready to fight and ensure their loss," I explained.

Matthias agreed, acknowledging their increasing greed, and I emphasized my determination to oust each of them from the company.

"Even Lia?" he questioned, and I paused my writing.

"Why do you keep bringing her up?" I asked.

"Because she's not foolish," he noted. "And if you're acquiring her company, kicking her out won't be that simple."

"I might be able to. Everyone and everything has a price; I just need to know hers," I replied.

"It's substantial. She resisted coming to New York until the ten million was offered," he mentioned. "But when she learns that you ignored the bylaws and gave in to their demands without her input, won't she be offended and uncooperative?"

"She better not be," I retorted. "It's her fault for staying away. I'll explain everything to her directly and gauge her maturity as a businesswoman."

Matthias smiled. "I wish I could witness your meeting with her. She's not often in the spotlight, but I've heard impressive things about her."

"If you were there, I'd smash you or she would before I get to you. I'll update you tomorrow," I joked.

He laughed, and I shook my head. "Alright," he said, rising to leave and return to work.

Lia

"So," Jane's voice came through the phone, "What's your outfit choice for dinner with Mr. Edgy?"

"It's not a date, just dinner," I sighed, displaying the plain halter-neck black dress and a power suit in my hand.

"So, what is it then? A welcome to the Big Apple, or straight into business discussions?" she inquired.

"Who knows, but it's not a friendly dinner. More like a meeting between..."

"Enemies?"

"That's extreme. Not getting along with someone doesn't make him my enemy."

"But you've assumed you won't get along with him, even though you haven't seen him in so long or interacted with him."

"I've had enough indirect interactions with him over the year to know I won't get along with him," I responded.

"Really?" she dryly questioned, and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, really," I confirmed, settling on the halter-neck dress.

"I've concluded that I absolutely don't like him," I confessed to Jane.

Amused, she asked, "Which outfit did you pick?" as I assessed the provocative yet decent halter-neck black dress in the mirror.

"I chose the dress," I replied, and she laughed.

"This is gonna be a great show."

"What do you mean?"

"That's a provocative dress," she remarked, and I admitted, "You're right."

"So, is that your message?"

"Part of it," I acknowledged, appreciating how the dress hugged my curves.

"And the rest? What's the full message?"

"Essentially, 'tempt me, but on second thought, no, thank you,'" I explained.

"The ring to that is a bit off," she commented, and as I let my hair down, I responded, "It's the best I can do for now. I'm running late, will talk to you later."

"Sure, have fun," she said, suggesting not to wear underwear.

"What?" I exclaimed.

"Not wearing underwear, and with all that material rubbing against your skin, you'll have quite the experience tonight," she provocatively advised.

I was silent, considering her ideas, then shook my head at her obscene suggestions and ended the call. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I decided to follow her advice and go all the way out for the unexpected encounter.

Despite these frivolities, my real reason for being there lingered, but I embraced the excitement. Memories of his taunts and his previous encounters haunted me, and I was eager to see his reaction eight years later.

Confident in my provocative stance, I headed to the restaurant, but the closer I got, the more uncertain I became. Despite the serious business at hand, my thoughts swirled. I considered turning back to change, but looking at myself again, I decided against it. I looked and felt great.

The nipple idea was over the top, but as long as I didn't get turned on or the room wasn't too cold, I reasoned I'd be fine.

Our appointment was at 8 pm, and I arrived five minutes before. In the hotel's restaurant, I saw him already seated on the phone. His eyes followed me as I walked over, and he only nodded lightly when I arrived. Inappropriate attire for a business meeting, I was seated, and he, in a suit without a tie, looked surprisingly handsome. The Google pictures didn't do him justice, and my previous grief had hindered proper observation.

Now able to meet his gaze, I couldn't deny the striking nature of his eyes, which seemed even more gray than my recollection. The prolonged stare made me increasingly uneasy.

Recalling his sly remark from years ago and his recent curt behavior in persuading me to join the company, I reminded myself that his attractiveness was merely superficial. I was facing a cunning and ruthless individual, and I needed to adjust my approach accordingly.

Contrary to my mental stance, my nipples seemed to have a different opinion, as I soon noticed them protruding against the soft fabric. Letting out a sigh, I set my purse down and took hold of the menu, preparing to handle the consequences of my actions as professionally as possible.