Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Alexander sat at the head of a modest table, his hands folded in front of him and curiosity evident in his weathered features. He rose as I entered, offering a firm handshake.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you today, Simon.”
“I apologize for stopping by unannounced.” I took a seat across from him, my pulse steady despite the stakes. “But I felt it was important to speak with you as soon as possible.”
I took a deep breath, knowing I was about to take a significant risk, but also knowing it was the right thing to do. The only thing to do, really, if I wanted to build a partnership on a foundation of honesty rather than deception.
“I need to come clean with you about something. Raina and I lied when we told you we were dating.”
Alexander’s eyes widened slightly, but he gave no other reaction, so I kept going. “When we realized you wanted to work with someone who possessed certain… personal qualities that I might not naturally demonstrate, we decided to fake a serious relationship. We hoped it would tip the scales in my favor.”
The words felt heavy leaving my mouth, but also liberating. “We lied, and I want to apologize for that. I genuinely believe Neptune’s Kingdom is exceptional, and I want to be part of expanding the business. But I shouldn’t have deceived you to get there. That’s not the way I want to conduct myself, in business or in life.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair, studying me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. The silence stretched between us, and I resisted the urge to fill it with more words.
When he finally spoke, his voice was measured but not cold. “It took guts for you to come in here and tell me that.”
I waited, not daring to hope.
“Now, I don’t appreciate being lied to,” he continued. “I’ve built my business on trust, and that starts with honest communication.” He paused, and I felt my stomach tighten. “But I’ve also learned that it’s never too late to do the right thing. And I respect a man who’s willing to own his mistakes rather than hide from them.”
Hope flickered in my chest, cautious but real.
Alexander shook his head slowly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “It’s a shame, though. Raina seemed like a hell of a woman.”
I felt my own smile surface. “She is. That’s why the relationship is very real now.”
Alexander let out a booming laugh that filled the small conference room, and I felt the tension in my shoulders finally release. It felt good—better than good—to tell him the truth. I liked Alexander as a person, whether I got to do business with him or not. He was the kind of man who valued integrity over posturing, substance over flash.
He smacked his palm on the table, still grinning. “Tell you what, Simon. I respect your coming here and talking to me man-to-man like this. I don’t know what happened with the contract on Monday, and frankly, I don’t need to know. What I do know is that you came here today, unprompted, to set things right.” He extended his hand across the table. “I’d still like to sign that contract. How about we schedule a meeting for later this week and make it official?”
I shook his hand, hardly able to believe I wasn’t being escorted out with a few well-deserved curses for my deception. “I’d like that very much.”
We spent a few more minutes discussing logistics, then parted ways with another handshake and what felt like the beginning of a genuine partnership. One built on complete honesty this time.
The drive back to the office passed in a blur of satisfaction and anticipation. I’d done the right thing, and it had worked out. But more than that, I was eager to get back to Raina. To tell her about the meeting. To see her smile when she realized we hadn’t lost the deal after all.
When I walked through the doors of Powers Investment Group, I found her at her desk, blonde hair caught up in a loose twist, her brow furrowed in concentration as she typed something on her computer. The late afternoon light caught the graceful line of her neck, and I felt desire stir in my chest, warm and insistent and impossible to ignore.
She looked up as I approached, and her expression shifted from focused to curious. “How did it go?”
“Better than expected.” I didn’t slow down as I passed her desk, my voice dropping to a register that made her eyes widen slightly. “Raina, I need to see you in my office. Now.”
I heard her chair push back, her footsteps following me. “Don’t tell me we’re back to square one already. I just got here, and I’m not ready to deal with a grumpy boss again.”