Chapter 6

Alex stood transfixed, staring at me as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing. A murmur swept through the room as everyone started whispering among themselves.

“Shall we get back to the meeting, Mr. Ricci?” I asked, breaking the silence.

He cleared his throat and returned to his seat, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he turned his attention back to the other board members.

He opened the folder in front of him and glanced around the table.

“As you can see from the proposal in front of you, Ricci Group is looking to partner with Mystic Enterprises on the development of a luxury residential complex in the heart of the city.”

He paused, allowing everyone to look through the documents.

“We're proposing a joint investment. Ricci Group will handle the construction and development, while Mystic Enterprises will come in as a strategic partner, providing part of the capital and overseeing the commercial side of the project.”

I flipped through the pages, scanning the figures.

“And what exactly are you expecting from us?” I asked.

“An initial investment of thirty percent,” Alex replied. “In return, your company would receive a thirty-five percent stake in the project, with the potential for higher returns once the development is completed.”

I looked at the proposal again.

“And the projected completion time?”

“Twenty-four months.”

“So you want to partner up with us and you need thirty percent investment?” I said.

He nodded.

I closed the folder.

“We are not interested,” I said calmly.

Everyone's heads turned to me; they all looked at me like I was crazy. I knew he needed the investment badly and I was not going to give in easily.

Alex's brows drew together. “Is there a problem?”

“The numbers don't justify the risk,” I said calmly. “You're asking my company to commit a significant amount of capital to a project entering an already competitive market.”

“We've conducted extensive market research,” one of the board members said.

“I've seen the research.” I looked at Alex. “And I still don't think it's enough.How much profit are we expecting in the first year?” I asked.

“About fifteen percent,” another board member said.

“That's not enough. I'm putting my company's money into this, I expect a better return.”

Alex's expression tightened. “I think fifteen percent is enough.”

I glared at him, tapping my fingers against the folder.

“Fifteen is not enough. If that is all you have to say, I don't think this will work”

He stared at me for a long moment before shaking his head.

“How many percent would satisfy you?”

“Forty-five.” I leaned back in my chair.

“Don't you think you're being unreasonable?” one of the board members sitting across me asked.

“Unreasonable?” My face tightened. “If you can't agree with my terms, then we can't invest in the project,” I said angrily.

“You're making a mistake. This partnership.. ”

“Enough.”

Alex's voice cut through the room.

“This is between me and her. I would appreciate it if you keep quiet.” Alex looked at the board member sharply.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, no one seemed to want to challenge him. A few of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while the room fell into an awkward silence.

Alex looked at me and folded his arms.

“We need this partnership badly, but forty-five percent is too much.”

“If you can't agree, then it's none of my business. I would like you to hurry this up; I have somewhere else to be.”

“You really don't intend to negotiate?”

I sighed loudly.

“I've already told you what I'm willing to accept. If fifteen percent is the best you can offer, then we have nothing more to discuss.”

He clenched his jaw, staring at me for a few seconds before finally looking away.

“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth.  

“Forty-five percent.”

I gave him a tight smile. “Perfect. Print the revised proposal and bring it back to me.”

He nodded, still visibly annoyed.

“Fine.”

“Good. Then we have a deal.”

Alex turned to the board members.  

“That will be all. You can leave.”

They exchanged quick glances before picking up their files and leaving the room. After they all left, the room fell into silence. It was just Alex and me now, sitting across from each other.

“What is going on, Ann…”

“Mrs. Trusova,” I cut him off.

“Since when?” he asked coldly.

“It's none of your business, Mr. Ricci…”

“Call me Alex, dammit.” He stood up abruptly, his jaw clenched, and walked towards me.

“I'm perfectly capable of deciding what I call you, Mr. Ricci.”

I held his gaze as he stopped in front of me.

“I think we are done here.”

“No, we need to talk.”

“We don't need to do anything, Mr. Ricci.”

He let out a frustrated breath and ran his hand through his hair.

“I told you to stop calling me that.”

“And I told you I would call you whatever I want.” I glared at him.

His eyes narrowed. “So you are married?”

“Yes, not that it is any of your business.” I lied.

He scoffed. “Of course. I don't know why I expected anything different from you.”

“It's good you know now.” I sneered, rolling my eyes at him.

I stood up and picked up the folder from the desk, holding it out to him.

“Here. Take it with you. Print the revised proposal and bring it back to me tomorrow.”

Alex took the folder from my hand, his fingers brushing mine briefly. I immediately pulled my hand away.

“Anything else?” I asked, my voice cold.

He gave me a hard look. “No. I think we are done here.”

“Good.”

I turned and walked toward the door without looking back at him. One thing I know for sure is I couldn't wait to watch everything he had built come crashing down.