CHAPTER 7 - A dangerous offer

“Your screen hasn’t changed in ten minutes.” I turned around and was shocked to find Mark standing there. I didn’t notice when he walked in.

“You’ve been watching?” I asked

“I’ve been standing here," he replied with a shrug and an expression that I was not sure what it was.

“You could’ve said something.” I said, slightly annoyed about the ambush.

“You looked like you needed the silence," he said, his gaze shifting back to my screen.

His response took me off guard. “I was working,” I replied, masking my little shock.

He replied calmly, "No, you were forcing it," he said

“And you can tell the difference?” I said, crossing her arms together.

"Yes," he replied

“That’s a bit arrogant.” I said, while holding his gaze

“It’s accurate," he said. "You learn fast," he continued.

“I adapt,” I replied, almost smiling

“Adaptation implies pressure,” Mark said calmly. “Who’s applying it?”

I looked up at him. “Is this part of the job description?” I asked

I saw the faintest trace of amusement cross his face. “No,” he said. “This is me deciding whether I made the right hire," he said.

“And?” I asked, curious what his answer might be

“I haven’t decided yet.” He replied

“Then you’re taking your time.” I said

He tilted his head slightly. “You sound impatient," he said

“I don’t like being tested without knowing the rules.” I told him.

“Good,” he said. “There aren’t any.”

There was a brief silence between us, and then he reached for a file and slid it across the desk. “What is it?” I asked, looking at the file before me.

“Your next step.” He said

I picked it up, opened it, and quickly scanned through the content of the file. “This is a direct acquisition strategy," I said.

"Yes," he replied.

“Targeting Cole Industries.” I continued

"Yes," he replied calmly and indifferently.

I looked up at him. “And you want me leading this?” I asked

Without hesitation, “I do," he answered

I let out my breath, placing the file back on the desk. “You’re aware of the conflict," I said

“I am," he said

“And you still think this is a good idea." I said, thinking about what this task might involve

“I do," he said

“Why?” I asked him

He did not answer; instead, he stood and walked toward the window, dipping his hands in his pockets.

“You walked away from a marriage most people would have held onto,” he said finally.

“You’ve done your research.” I said, studying him closely this time

“I don’t make blind decisions," he said casually, with his gaze still on the world outside

“Then you already know this isn’t just business for me," I said.

He turned slightly. "Exactly," he said, with a little bit of an upbeat expression this time.

Narrowing my eyes “Our history is not an advantage; it is a liability.” I said to him

“No,” Mark said calmly. “It’s leverage.”

There was silence between us as I studied him. "You're not just giving me a project; you are setting the stage for something else," I said.

“You can walk away,” he said.

“You don’t strike me as someone who offers exits you expect them to take.” I said

“I don't," he said, a faint smile crossing his lips

Stepping forward, I place the file back in front of him. “You had options,” I said. “More experienced analysts. People without… history.”

“I’m aware.” He answered

“Then why me?” I asked

He walked back toward me, stopping just close enough to make the space between us intentional.

“Because,” he said quietly, “you have something no one else here has.”

“And what is that?” I asked

“A reason not to lose," he said.

“That’s a dangerous assumption.” I replied him

His voice didn’t change. “Only if you’re wrong about yourself.”

Holding his gaze, “And what if I am?” I asked

“Then you fail,” he simply said

I looked down at the file again. “You’re asking me to go against someone who knows how I think.”

“I’m asking you to think differently.” he said

“He won’t underestimate me.” I told him

“I’m counting on it," he said with a fixed expression

I picked up the file; my fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the file. “You don’t trust me,” I said.

He shook his head. “I don’t trust anyone.” he replied

“Then why give me this?” I asked

“Because trust isn’t the point.” he replied

With a frown, “Then what is?” I asked

"Results," he said with a definite look

“You’re not worried I’ll hesitate?” I asked, trying to understand his motive

He was watching me closely this time. “Will you?” he asked

“Are you not worried that I might still be attached to him?” I asked

He didn’t hesitate to reply “No.”

I nodded once. “Good, I will take it," I told him.

“Effective immediately,” he said.

As he turned toward the door to leave, “If this goes wrong,” I said, “it won’t just affect your company.”

“I know," he said, his voice remaining calm as he walked out

Ana’s POV

Ana slammed the tablet down on the table. “She did what?” she asked, raising her voice in anger

The assistant standing across from her hesitated. “Ma’am… the information is confirmed; Leah has joined Mark Corporation.”

Ana let out a sharp laugh. “Of all places…”

Her eyes darkened. “No,” she muttered. “That sneaky bitch." She stood, pacing slowly. "She planned this all along; we cannot leave her alone; something has to be done."

“So what are you planning…?” the assistant asked

She stopped suddenly. “Dig into Mark,” she snapped. “I want to know everything and why she’s there.”

“Yes, ma'am," the assistant replied

“And Leah…” Ana’s lips curved faintly. “Let’s see how long she lasts this time.”

Cole’s phone buzzed on the desk; he ignored it, but it kept buzzing, so he annoyedly picked it up. He looked at the screen. It was an unknown number; a message popped up. He almost dismissed it until he read the notification bar that says

“Your next competitor… is your ex-wife.” He sat up, reading the content of the notification over and over again. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair, took a long breath and murmured, “Leah…”

Across the city, in her office, Leah stood by the window, thinking about the conversation she had with Mark, the task, and possible obstacles that might pose a threat