All Chapters of Color Me, Black: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

-"When submitting merging offers, the acquiring firm, which is Black Co., should consider every potential bidder and plan strategically." River says as he sits forward, and gestures with vigorous hand movements atop the table. "Every form of payment might be decisive for the seller." Sebastian affirms and River nods. "Yes, because with cash deals, there is no doubt on the real value of the bid. A perfectly strategized, contingency of shared contact is to be implemented because Merit Global speaks dollar signs." River declares, apparently in sync with Sebastian. "Meaning, a cash offer preempts them, better than securities and promises of great revenue. They need to see it through not only their eyes, but the eyes of Black & Co. just how much higher their stock market

-After Sebastian's impulsive forgetting of himself, he'd left the hotel with a heavy heart and the start of the alcohol's subtle effects. With nowhere left to turn, he contacted the one person he figured he could speak to- Russell Adams. A man who spoke openly about his troubles with romance, and how he'd become happily married. "You kissed him?" Russell is wide-eyed after Sebastian conveys his mistake, or rather the one thing he wanted to do again. They sit in a warm, welcoming ambience of the hotel's bar and restaurant, at a more private area with a round table and plush seats. Waiters, waitresses, and patrons all enjoy the scintillating tones of the soft-jazz being played by a local band. Women dressed in all kinds of attires, from skimpy to moderate and flattering moved to and fro like bees in a colony. The men all had one desire,

-- Two Days Ago -Grace Keller stands at River's doorway, with a worried look and tight smile. Dressed in her casual ensemble of a figure fitting white dress, matched with pearls and retro pumps. Her hair is caught up in a messy, neat bun, which reveals the slight chubbiness of her face."Mrs. Keller?""River, dear. I'm sorry to just drop in on you like this." Grace says apologetically and River shakes his head."It's f-fine, I'm not busy anyway." Grace regards him somberly, for she could see something in his eyes- Something about Sebastian."May I come in?" She asks, and River hesitates.

-River pulls into his parking spot, below the apartment building and lets out a sigh of relief. He hurriedly hops out of his car, and make's sure it is safely shut. He quickly walks up to the entrance stairs, and halts when he spots Sebastian Black standing at the double, glass doors. Surprised, River doubles back, panicking for he'd only left the man's penthouse just two hours before. Sebastian turns and his face is illuminated by the lights above that shines down on him like a spotlight. River grimaces at the thought, of finding Sebastian attractive. For it was the one thing he tried not to do, only he was failing as the days swept by. Sebastian was a man of poise, who rarely smiled unless necessary. The few times that River had the honor of witnessing Sebastian smiling, carved at his soul desperately. For the man was the epitome of

- One Month Later -After an awkward month, River needed a night out. Something fun to do in his misery, and it surely was a needed distraction after a week of dealing with it alone. To his fortune, Cali, who was grieving the loss of the fostering of Caleb and Cairo, called to invite River out. Without hesitance, he agreed to be her plus-one at some fancy, formal-wear party at one of Manhattan's hottest clubs. After getting off the phone with Cali, River proceeds to find the perfect outfit to wear. Glitter was a local spot, smack in the middle of Manhattan. Where the city was ablaze with its lights, and never-ending activity. Of course, River didn't know what or where it was, but luckily there was GPS and ride-share services. "I'm glad you could make it." Cali greets him with a hug, and a light kiss on the right cheek- genuinely excited as she greets River at the entrance of the club. "Took some convincing," he sh