Business Deals With A Delson

CHAPTER 14

SAYGE'S POV

"How are you feeling today, dad?" I entered the family's private living room, where he usually stayed to play games, watch TV, or gist with his mother, my grandmother-Charlotte Williams.

Dad was sick. He'd handed over the company to me as soon as the doctor diagnosed him and encouraged him to give work a rest and live the rest of his days stress-free.

But dad had decided not to take the doctor's advice on the latter. He kept stressing himself over me every single day.

I hoped today would be different...

"How I feel ever damn day, son and how I'll keep feeling until you bring a good girl home and give me grandchildren. I want to be able to laugh with them while I still have teeth and tell them stories while I still have my memory's intact," he whined.

...or not.

I heaved a sigh. "Dad, I..."

"Stop hounding the boy, Ozlas." Grandma Charlotte entered, looking as ravishing and way younger than her age.

People never believed she was my grandmother. At most, they mistook her for my mother. All thanks to good, strong genes and spa days.

"But he's in his thirties," Dad argued.

"Thank you, grandma." I smiled at her, relieved she was defending me.

But she rewarded my smile with a steely stare. "Don't thank me yet, you silly boy. Your father's right. You're not getting any younger."

"But you are." I complimented with a wink.

A smile cracked through her steel expression as she shook her head. "I don't know what to do with you."

"Are you on my side or his, mom?" Dad frowned at his mother.

"I love my grandson and that's all I have to say." She took a seat near me, making herself comfortable.

Dad grumbled unhappily. I loved him, but what he was asking for was simply impossible. I had no plans to settle. Though no one knew this yet, if they did, even grandma Charlotte wouldn't mind hounding me to the grave.

"I love you, Grandma." I kissed her cheek and rose. Approaching my father, I planted one on his cheek as well. "Love you, dad."

"Ready for work?" Grandma asked.

I nodded. "Yes. I have an important meeting with a business acquaintance."

"What business acquaintance?" Dad asked, brows pulling into a curious expression.

I looked at the custom-made, diamond-cut wristwatch adorning my left wrist. "I have to go, I'm running late." I headed for the door.

"Don't come home unless you're with a girl," Dad called out after me.

"Give the boy a break," Grandma snapped.

"If I'd delayed as he is delaying, you wouldn't have a grandson to fawn over," Dad retorted.

"But no one pressured you."

"Because I knew what I had to do and didn't hesitate to do it."

Their back-and-forth argument was the norm and posed no threat whatsoever to either party. No one really paid mind to mother and son. It was amusing to watch sometimes.

My phone rang the moment I started the engine of the latest model of my newly designed luxury car. Owning a tech company created space for innovations and inventions. There was a new project coming up and lots of investors were eager to partner with me.

I didn't need them as I had enough wealth to singlehandedly sponsor whatever new invention I birthed. But business was all about giving room for growth and friendship, connection even. Not just for oneself but for other business people.

It was my P.A. "Yes, Jasper?"

"Good morning, sir. Mr. Delson's secretary just informed me that the man is on his way," he reported crisply.

"I'm on my way as well. Prepare the meeting room."

"Alright, sir."

I ended the call, wheeled out of my extensive garage filled with cars of my own invention and drove expertly onto the road, heading for my office.

***

"Good morning, Mr. Delson." I rose to shake the man's hand the moment he walked in.

He had an intimidating aura. One that commanded respect from anyone who came in contact with him. Unlike most people who feared and respected him, I wasn't intimidated, even though he was old enough to be my father.

Martino Delson-the founder of Vilton Ltd, a company that produced cosmetic products. One of the finest and biggest in the country.

He was a businessman through and through. After leaving Vilton Cosmetics in the hands of his only son, Fynn Delson, he pursued other interests.

The man took a liking to me after he purchased one of my cars and we met at an event. He talked about how proud he was of me and how far I was storming the business world despite my age.

He wanted us to be friends, and I agreed for business sake.

"Morning, son." He accepted my handshake.

A brow quirked at the informal term he'd addressed me with, but I said nothing. "What would you like, Mr. Delson?"

"Call me Martino, son." He made himself comfortable on a seat across from mine.

"Uh... okay, Martino. Tea, coffee, water?"

"No whiskey?"

I shook my head. "No, I don't encourage alcohol on the job."

"Oh. Care to make me an exception to that rule?" he asked, a little hopeful.

Succumbing, I called in Jasper and asked him to get whiskey from a nearby liquor store. I saw the surprised furrow of his brow before he left to run the errand. They all knew my rules. He was surprised I was asking him to buy whiskey.

Anyways, it wasn't their business what I did. Anyone caught with the bottle-or reeking of iton the job, was fired.

"So about this new invention of yours, I'd like to invest in it." He began.

I nodded, putting on my 'ready for business' face. "But I have a few questions to ask before I consider your request to invest. May I?"

"Go on." His brown eyes were sharp and keen. I could tell he was eager to do business with me.

"Why did you choose Grymtel Industries to invest in, despite knowing how rich our resources are, and that we can sponsor any invention ourselves without outside help?" I asked, my tone serious.

"I didn't choose Grymtel. I chose you," he stated, also wearing a businesslike expression.

"Chose me? Why? I don't understand."

"You've made a name for yourself, even though Grymtel being a family company. I admire your approach to tackling business problems. I don't spend my time or money on just about anyone, or any company. I have a son your age and to watching you, from a distance, conduct business with men older in the game is fascinating," he explained, adjusting in his seat.

Jasper came in then with a tray holding two whiskey glasses and an unopened bottle. He opened it and poured one glass, offering it to me.

I shifted it to Martino. "Get me a cup of coffee. Black."

Jasper paused in pouring the second glass, set the bottle down, and went to get my coffee.

He took a sip and nodded satisfactorily. "Strong. I like it. As I was saying, let's just say I like to support young, hard-working people while making money out of it. Win-win for everyone involved."

"And your son? He's handling your legacy, so why aren't you investing in him?" I had to ask.

He shrugged. "Family is family. Business is business, son. I invest to win big, not for loose change."

His words sent the wheels in my head spinning. What did he mean by that? Didn't he trust his own son? Was his son not doing a good enough job? I'd need to look into this before agreeing to a deal with Martino Delson.