Chapter Three

Kate met with the Head of Acquisition, a meeting that turned into an interview. She passed with flying colors, but there were other qualified people looking for the same job. She used her fabricated alias’s reputation to meet with Michael’s competitors, and she managed to position herself as the only consultant capable of navigating the complex merger Michael was struggling to complete.

She got into her apartment at night. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror of her washroom. She was amazed by how far she had come, but she knew it was just the beginning of what was to come, and she needed to stay focused. She secured a one-on-one with Michael via Mr. Ryan, the Head of Acquisitions. 

Two days later, she was ushered into the executive boardroom by the nervous and sweating, Mr. Ryan. The room was expansive with a table in the middle that stretched across the length of the room. She sat in a leather chair, waiting to meet Michael. 

Michael Curry stepped into the room, his entrance commanding attention. He wore an all-white suit, shades, and one of the most expensive watches in the world. He nodded to Mr. Ryan, a sign that meant to leave us alone. 

“Ms. Vance, welcome,” Michael said with a commanding voice as he extended his hand across the table. 

Kate locked eyes with him. She met his palm with hers. What was supposed to be a brief handshake, turned into a brief moment of uneasiness for Kate. The contact sent a jolt of electric energy up her arm. She was lost in thought, but gained composure, and pulled her hand back immediately. 

Back to business. “Mr. Curry, I understand you've reached a standstill in the Hernandez company acquisition. My firm specializes in areas like this,” Jane started.

Michael stood up, and walked towards the glass wall, his back facing Jane. “Your proposal has been read to me. Your firm is unfamiliar but my research told me your success is overwhelming. I don't hire without full evidence. Tell me why I should trust you with a nine-figure deal in one sentence.” He turned, took a seat, and fixed his gaze on her as he waited for an answer. 

It wasn't just a challenge, it was a test of her competence and nerve. Kate met his gaze without flinching. “Because you're looking at everything from the wrong lens. The Hernandez CEO is not interested in the price, it's his legacy he is concerned about. What you need to do is to offer him a seat on your board, not a higher payout.”

Michael’s jaw dropped. He unfolded his arms, and he stared at Kate with genuine surprise. “Your assumption is impressive but it might end up costing me.”

“Well, this is not an assumption, it's an analysis,” Kate corrected. “I've gone through his history of transactions. He sold his last company for a fraction of its worth just to retain a seat on the board and control the foundation. He is a man who values power and prestige over mere money. Your current offer insults his ego. My solution inflates it."

Michael continued to stare at her in a long tense moment. Jane felt an unsettling thrill within her. She knew the stakes of the dangerous game she was playing, but it gave her excitement. 

After a long moment of silence, Michael’s lips curved into a smile. He could sense determination and perhaps danger, but he didn't care. “You're hired, Ms. Vance. On a provisional basis. I'll give you ten days to secure the Hernandez deal using your ‘theory.’ Failure to secure the deal will result in you considering yourself unhired. Win the deal, then we would be talking about a permanent position.”

The meeting that was supposed to end in minutes, continued for an hour with Kate explaining the complex nature of the deal with sure precision. She studied Michael as she went on with her analysis. She could sense loneliness in the ruthless businessman. She could sense that Michael wasn't just a simple monster, but a complex one, and that made him a dangerous target. 

The meeting ended with both parties satisfied. As Jane packed her briefcase, Michael stepped closer—a few steps away from her. 

“I should sack Ryan,” Michael stated. “He would have spent several weeks coming up with a strategy, and the sad part is that it would be the wrong strategy.”

“He might not be as intelligent as you'd have liked but his loyalty is unwavering. You can't buy that anywhere.”

“True, but I prefer competence to loyalty,” Michael countered as he walked back towards the glass wall. He watched the busy streets from above like a hawk waiting to pounce on prey. “It's weird, but I have a strong feeling about you. You see things others don't. You're motivated.”

“My motivation stems from the fact that you…” Kate lost herself for a moment. She almost gave herself out. “It's my job,” she said finally as she shut her briefcase. 

Michael turned from the wall, his eyes dark and intense. "I want to discuss a few strategies with you at a private dinner reservation tonight. Be there at nine. We can finalize the strategy.”

Kate didn't want to attend. She wanted revenge, but it was moving too fast than she had anticipated, and she also saw it as the first step toward the seduction phase. She tried to play smart. “I have a meeting with a client at the same time, Mr. Curry, I'm sorry,” the lie slid out of her mouth. 

Michael gave her a charming smile, the one that melts the hearts of uninterested people. The smile sent a shiver down her spine. “I'm sorry, but you have to cancel your appointment, mine is more important. Consider it a test of your dedication. Nine o'clock. The National Theatre."

He walked toward her till he stood two steps from her. He brushed his fingers against the side of her head. The touch was brief, but electric and intimate. 

“I'll reserve a seat for you,” he said with a seductive voice. 

He stared at her again, but this time, he looked straight into her eyes. For a second, he felt he had seen a ghost. The eyes looked familiar, but he brushed it off. He then gave out a genuine smile and stepped away. He turned back, hoping to catch Kate staring at him while he walked away. His guess was right, Kate’s eyes met his. He turned forward and disappeared behind the door.

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. She kept her eyes unchanged since it was the only thing that reminded her of her parents. The fact that Michael had invited her meant her plan was still in motion even though it was moving at a pace faster than she had anticipated.