chapter 13

Archie's impatience grew with every passing minute. He checked his wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Was Dominic deliberately keeping him waiting? Was this some kind of power play?

Hannah's polite smile seemed to hide a secret, and Archie's doubts simmered just below the surface. He wondered if Dominic had instructed her to string him along, to wear him down until he lost his nerve and left.

The waiting room's sterile decor seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with its silence. His anxiety spiked, his foot tapping out a restless rhythm on the floor. He needed to see Dominic, to plead his case and salvage what was left of his business. 

'Should I leave?'

One part of him urged him to leave, to abandon this futile attempt, but the other part, fueled by desperation and determination, kept him rooted. 

Dominic emerged from the conference room, but was oblivious to Archie's presence, his back turned as he answered a call. "Just a little more time," he said. "The president will be revealed soon enough." 

Archie's voice dripped with intrigue as he said, "the business universe is curious to know your president. He must be a genius." 

Dominic's composure faltered for a moment, his eyes darting backward in surprise before quickly regaining his poise. A smooth smile spread across his face as he replied, "yes, she is,"

"She!" Archie uttered, his tone laced with skepticism. 

Dominic's gaze dropped, and he exhaled deeply, his eyes fixed on the floor as if willing the words back. He had revealed more than he intended, and the weight of his mistake settled heavily on his shoulders.

Archie's lips curled into a subtle smile as he sensed the crack in Dominic's armor. "Is the new president a female?" he asked, his voice probing gently.

Dominic's expression transformed, his features set in a fearless mask. He nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Yes, it's a female. Someone you never expect."

Archie's face contorted in confusion. "Someone I never expected?"

Dominic nodded, his expression inscrutable, but he deftly sidestepped the question. Instead, he shifted the focus. "You never visited when Nelson was alive, so why are you here now? Hope there's no problem?" 

Archie snorted. He wasn't ready to let the topic go, not when he'd caught a whiff of intrigue. "Why is a competent person like your new president hiding her face?" He interrogated. "Why choose to rule anonymously instead of showing her face?" 

Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly as he licked his lips, his hand slipping into his pocket. "It's her choice, and I have no problem with it," he said, his tone measured. "You're a mere outsider, so you  shouldn't have a problem with it either." 

Archie shrugged. "I have no problem with it; I'm just curious."

Dominic's response was pragmatic. "Okay, Archie, it doesn't matter if she shows her face or not. Her competency is the key," he paused, his words hanging in the air before he continued. "She hides her face and achieves many things that those who reveal their faces can't achieve."

His gaze locked onto Archie's, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "I have a question for you, Archie," he said, his voice low. "What were you doing until an anonymous person destroys you?"

Archie laughed, a dry, humorless sound. "My company is your target, right?"

Dominic's expression remained calm. "No, your company isn't our target. Our goal is profit, lucrative business, and reaching the top. And yes, our anonymous president has already taken us there."

Archie's eyes narrowed. "Are you and your president satisfied with the outcome? You've reached the top, and I'm suffering for it."

Dominic's laughter was sudden and mocking. "Should we stop aiming high because of your incompetence?" He shot back. "Should we relent so things can go back to normal for you?"

His question hung in the air, leaving Archie momentarily speechless. 

Dominic removed his hands from his pocket and sighed. "I'm busy," he said, his tone curt. "Are you here just to ask that question, or do you have something more important to discuss with me?"

Archie found his voice. "I'm here for something more important. Your plans worked out, and I'm here to discuss the outcome."

Dominic's eyes half-closed, nose slightly lifted. "Can you make yourself clear?"

Archie sighed, his frustration evident. "I've gone bankrupt."

Dominic's response was a soft, "oh!" He gazed at Archie with a mixture of pity and indifference, shaking his head. "Sorry for your loss."

Archie's face twisted in anger. "Why sympathize? Things have worked out in your favor. You must be happy now." His tone was bitter, his words laced with resentment.

"Calm down, man," Dominic said, his expression was a mask of innocence. "I know you're hurt and angry, but you can't take it out on me. This is business; you rise, you fall; not take it on me."

"Who should I blame if not you?" Archie demanded.

Dominic's composure shattered. "Blame yourself!" he yelled, his face twisted in fury, his words exploded from him like a dam breaking. "Your incompetence, your ignorance, your betrayal! Fucking blame yourself!"

Archie's eyes broadened. "How am I a betrayal?"

Dominic's eyes flashed shut, and he exhaled deeply, his chest heaving. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was icy. "Archie, let's stop here, please," he said, his voice cold. "I'm not interested in this conversation anymore. Excuse me."

Dominic took a step forward, but Archie blocked his path. 

"I need your help." Archie said, his voice laced with desperation. 

Dominic's expression remained unyielding. "I can't help you... And I'm not sorry about it," he declared, his tone firm. As he attempted to move past Archie, Archie stepped in front of him again. 

"Is this because of what happened at the funeral?" 

"No... but maybe yes," Dominic responded. He gently pushed Archie aside and continued walking. 

"Are you not interested in business?" Archie called out. "A deal, a profitable one."

Dominic halted, glancing back over his shoulder. "If it's profitable, why bring it to my table? You need money, can't you execute it yourself?"

Archie's face fell, his plan foiled. He had hoped the prospect of a lucrative deal would change Dominic's mind, but it seemed he was wrong.

His tone turned dismissive. "Be sure to leave soon. I'm expecting a visitor." He opened his office door, but just as he lifted his foot, his phone rang, interrupting the moment.

He stopped mid-step and answered the call. "Is that what you want?" He asked after a minute of listening to the caller. "Okay, I'll do just that," he assured, before ending the call.

He turned back to Archie, who had already begun walking away, his face cast downward in disappointment. "Hey!" He called out, and Archie halted, looking back over his shoulder.

"Come in and let's discuss the business." 

Archie's eyes widened in surprise, and he let out an excited, "hun!" Before quickly composing himself.

"If the door should close, I won't open it for you again," Dominic warned before turning and entering his office, leaving the door open. 

Archie beamed and hurried after him. "Thank you."

Dominic walked to his desk and sat down, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "Have a seat."

Archie quickly sat down, thanking Dominic again. "Thanks." 

"What business offer are you here with?" Dominic asked, his eyes fixed intently on Archie. "Give a detailed explanation. And be fast, please."

"Be my investor. Invest in my company, and we'll share the profit." Archie proposed, his eyes hopeful. 

"On which percentage?" Dominic asked. 

"Fifty-fifty." Archie replied, expecting a fair split.

Dominic nodded thoughtfully. "That's nice," he said, before his expression turned calculating. "Let's make it seventy-thirty. Seventy percent for us, and thirty percent for you."

Archie's eyes widened in surprise. "That's too much!" He exclaimed, his voice rising in annoyance. 

Dominic's eyes narrowed. "Why are you yelling?" He asked, his voice even. "This is bargaining. You proposed, and you should be grateful I didn't reject it outright. You make an offer, and I make mine. If you're not satisfied, you can leave."

Archie took a deep breath and composed himself. "That's too much," he repeated, trying to negotiate. "Let's make it sixty-forty."

Dominic shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "Seventy-thirty, or no deal."

Archie hesitated, weighing his options. After a moment, he nodded. "Deal." He said, trying to sound confident. 

Dominic's face lit up with a smile. "Good," he said, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction, as Archie's face remained etched with sadness. "Let me call the president to ask for her validation." 

He walked out of the office, leaving Archie to wait, and returned after a few minutes, his face cast downward, his expression somber. He walked to his seat and sat down, apologizing, "I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

Archie stared at Dominic, his eyes searching for answers. "What's it?" He asked, his voice laced with worry. Dominic inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, his silence speaking volumes, and it made his anxiety grow. 

"What happened?" He pressed, his voice rising in urgency.

"She has no interest in investment." Dominic announced. 

Archie's face fell, his eyes widening in shock. "Hun!" He exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why? Didn't you inform her about the offer? The percentage you're getting is high. Let her know about it. You should tell her."

"She gave an easy alternative." Dominic mentioned

"What's the alternative?" Archie asked, his eyes fixed intently on Dominic's face. 

"She wants to buy your company," Dominic proclaimed, his arms resting on the table, his body leaning forward slightly, his eyes searching Archie's face for a reaction as he continued, "she wishes to rebrand your company…"

"Are you willing to sell it to her?"