The Negotiation

I didn’t wait until I reached the hotel. I dialed Jamie the moment I slid into the back of my father’s town car.

He answered on the first ring.

“Elena, thank God!”

“Talk now. What’s so urgent it couldn’t wait until I cleared customs?” I demanded.

Silence, then a shaky breath. “I’m in trouble.”

“You’re always in trouble, Jamie. Be specific,” I said impatiently.

“The kind of trouble that involves lawyers, contracts, and…” His voice dropped. “Two million euros.”

My hand tightened on my phone. “What did you just say?”

“I know how it sounds”

“Two million euros? Jamie, what the hell have you done?” I asked, my voice rising.

“There was this investment opportunity. Cryptocurrency, blockchain technology. The man seemed legitimate.”

“The man.” My voice turned cold.

“Does this person have a name?”

Another pause, this time a little longer than it should have been .

“Jamie,” I warned.

“Nikos Starvos” Jamie repeated

The Athens traffic outside blurred. I blinked, trying to process.

“Say that again,” I said quietly.

“Nikos Stavros,” Jamie repeated.

“Elena, he’s not just some investor.”

“Who is he?” I asked.

“CEO of Stavros International. Shipping, real estate, tech. The man’s worth billions.”

My stomach dropped. The man from the plane. The arrogant bastard with the dark eyes and expensive suit.

“You signed contracts with a billionaire CEO?” I asked slowly.

“Yes,” Jamie admitted. “Binding agreements. The deal fell through, and now.

“Now what?” I pressed.

“He’s claiming I owe him the full amount. Two million euros.”

I closed my eyes, trying to stay calm. “When did this happen?”

“Six months ago,” he said miserably.

“Six months? And you’re just telling me now?”

“I thought I could fix it!” he said desperately.

“I thought maybe if I waited, if I tried to negotiate"

“You don’t negotiate with billionaires, Jamie.

Especially not ones like” I stopped. “Wait. You said you have a meeting with him?”

“Tomorrow night. Eight PM. Hotel Grande Bretagne, rooftop restaurant.”

“And you’re going, right?” I asked.

“That’s the thing, Elena. I can’t.” His voice cracked. “You should see the emails his lawyers have been sending. They’re going to destroy me.”

“They’re just trying to scare you,” I said, though I wasn’t sure I believed it.

“It’s working,” he admitted. “And if Dad finds out”

“Dad can’t know about this,” I said firmly.

“Exactly. Which is why I need help with someone who can actually negotiate, and won’t fall apart under pressure.”

I stared out the window, mind racing. “What exactly are you asking me to do?”

“Go to the meeting,” he said. “In my place.”

“Are you insane?” I asked.

“You’re better at this than me,” he insisted. “You negotiate deals all the time. You know how to talk to these people.”

“These people?” I repeated. “Jamie, this is Nikos Stavros. A billionaire with an army of lawyers.”

“So use your lawyers!” he said.

“My lawyers work for Dad’s company. If I bring them in, Dad will find out,” I explained.

“Then don’t use lawyers. Just… talk to him, feel him out. Maybe you can negotiate something.”

I rubbed my temple. “Jamie!”

“Please, Elena,” he begged. “I’m drowning here. If this goes public, it’ll ruin everything. Dad’s merger, the family reputation.”

“Stop,” I said. “Let me think.”

Silence on the line while I processed.

The man from the plane. Nikos Stavros, the CEO-Billionaire, had my brother by the throat.

“Send me everything,” I said finally.

“What?” Jamie asked.

“The contracts, emails, every piece of paper you signed. I need to see what we’re dealing with.”

“Does that mean?” he asked nervously.

“It means I’m going to look at what you got yourself into,” I said. “Then I’ll decide if I’m going to that meeting.”

“Thank you,” he breathed. “Thank you, Elena. I swear I’ll..”

“Send the files, Jamie,” I said and hung up.

My phone buzzed immediately and the documents flooded my inbox.

I opened the first contract, read the first page and felt my stomach drop.

“Oh, Jamie,” I whispered. “What did you do?”

The car pulled up to my hotel.

“Miss Hayes?” the driver asked. “We’ve arrived.”

“Thank you,” I said absently, still reading.

I walked through the lobby, into the elevator, down the hallway to my room all while reading Jamie’s catastrophic mistake.

By the time I closed my hotel room door behind me, I’d made my decision.

I was going to that meeting not because I thought I could win. But because someone had to face Nikos Stavros.

And it sure as hell wasn’t going to be my little brother.

The next evening, I stood before my mirror.

I wore a black dress simple, elegant, and expensive. My hair packed back in a sleek ponytail, minimal jewelry, with red lipstick, my only armor.

I looked like old money.

My phone buzzed, a text from Jamie.

Jamie: Did you read everything? What do you think?

Elena: I think you’re an idiot. But I’m going to the meeting.

I grabbed my coat and headed out.

The restaurant was stunning. White tablecloths, candlelight, the Acropolis glowing in the distance.

I scanned the space, looking for him.

There he was seated by the corner of the table in a dark suit confidently with his phone in the left hand.

Nikos Stavros, then he looked up, our eyes met across the room.

I watched the recognition hit, his expression shifting from mild interest to surprise.

He set his phone down slowly. I lifted my chin and walked toward him.

I stopped at his table. “Mr. Stavros,” I said coolly.

He didn’t stand. Ms. Hayes. This is unexpected.”

“Is it?” I sat without waiting. “My brother sends his regrets.”

“How convenient,” he replied, low and rough. “This is unexpected.”

A waiter appeared. “Can I get you something to drink, miss?”

“Whiskey,” I said, my eyes never leaving Nikos.

“Neat.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. The waiter disappeared.

“So,” Nikos said. “You’re here to negotiate your brother’s debt.”

“I’m here to discuss a reasonable settlement,” I corrected.

“Reasonable,” he repeated. “Interesting.”

“Two million euros is excessive,” I stated.

“Is it? Your brother signed a contract.”

“Terms your people manipulated him into accepting,” I countered.

He leaned back. “Your brother came to me, eager and desperate so I gave him an opportunity.

“You set him up to fail,” I said.

“I gave him what he asked for. What he did with it was his choice.”

The waiter returned with my drink, I took a sip and felt the whiskey run through my throat.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“That’s the wrong question, Ms. Hayes,” Nikos said.

“Then what’s the right question?”

“What are you willing to give?” The air between us seemed to thicken.

“I’m willing to negotiate fairly,” I said carefully.

“You have fire. I’ll give you that,” he said.

“I have lawyers who will tear your contracts apart,” I warned.

“Then why are you here?” he asked. “Why send his sister?”

I held his gaze. “Because I wanted to give you a chance to be reasonable.”

“How thoughtful,” he said mockingly.

“I can make this go away quietly, or very publicly your choice.

He said nothing, just looked at me then he stood.

My breath caught, he moved around the table and stopped beside my chair.

“I could smell his cologne and the heat radiating from him.

“Stand up, Ms Hayes” he said quietly.

“Excuse me?” I asked, confused.

“Stand up, Ms. Hayes,” he repeated.

It wasn’t a request.I stood slowly, my heart hammering, we were inches apart now.

“You want to negotiate?” His voice was low, and dangerous. “Fine. Here are my terms. You work for me.”

“What?” I asked, stunned.

“Three months. You come to work for Stavros International, complete it successfully, and I’ll forgive your brother’s debt.”

“That’s insane,” I said.

“That’s the offer,” he replied.

“I have my own career.” I protested.

“Then your brother can deal with his own mess.” He stepped back and reached for his jacket. “It was interesting seeing you again, Ms. Hayes. My lawyers will be in touch.”

“Wait,” I said quickly.

He paused.

“What kind of project?” I asked.

Nikos turned back to face me. This time, when he smiled, it was predatory.

“I’ll tell you when you agree,” he said.

“I need details before I” I started.

“No.” He moved closer again. “You don’t get details.

You take my offer, or you walk away. Those are your options.”

My mind raced. This was insane but what choice did I have?

“If I agree,” I said slowly, “I want it in writing about my hours, duties, and compensation.”

“You’ll be compensated generously,” he assured me.

“And at the end of three months, Jamie’s debt is completely forgiven?” I pressed.

“Completely,” he confirmed.

I studied his face, looking for the trap.

“Why me?” I asked. “Why not just take the money?”

Something flickered in his eyes.

“Let’s just say I’m curious to see if you’re as good as you think you are,” he said.

He held out his hand, I stared at it and thought if I should agree to it, there was no going back.

I thought of Jamie, my father’s merger and the scandal.

“When do I start?” I asked.

His smile turned sharp. “Monday. Nine AM. My office.”

“Fine,” I said. He released my hand and stepped back.

“My assistant will send you the details. Don’t be late Monday,” he said.