"I see, you like to play." Liliana said while looking at the billiards table.
Edison looked at the direction she was looking and said, "Yeah, sometimes. Do you?"
"I can't call myself an expert, just so-so."
Edison raised his eyebrow, surprised at finding something new about her, "You do play?"
"I told you, so-so." Liliana laughed a little. Not really confident in her billiard skills. Then it dawned to her that they didn't really make any agreement yet, "You didn't give any response to my proposal, Mr. George."
Edison fixed his suit jacket, "I'm not convinced yet, Ms. Liliana. I need to see enough benefit to agree to a deal. Besides, you could have taken part in our enrollment process. Why did you come to me, knowing I might make it difficult for you."
"Your enrollment program isn't around yet. I can't wait for that long. This new album I'm working on with Ben Brontë, it'll be a new beginning for me and I meant a beginning from a new point. Here." her eyes conveyed the sincerity of her words.
Edison mulled over in and said, "You said they sabotaged your profit margin. You know our average percentage is thirty-five, sixty-five, right?"
"I'm not average, Mr. George. I left your rival company in favour of yours. Won't you honour that?" Liliana tilted her head.
"What do you propose?" Edison eyed her in challenge.
"I say, let's make it sixty, forty." her eyes lit up in anticipation.
Edison was silent for a while forty percent would be an issue for him. He could let her have five percent more but he couldn't just hand it over, "We don't usually increase the percentage even just by five percent but...I will be expecting that much output from you. Forty percent it is for you then."
"Wait, I think you misunderstood," Liliana smiled, "Forty yours, not mine."
Edison stared at her, telling her to elaborate. He didn't believe what he thought she said to be true, "I will be getting the sixty percent of the profits and you take forty." her voice was gentle and graceful as if she wasn't just trying to gobble up a businessman's profit.
Edison laughed in amusement, "Ms. Liliana, you sure know how to condition people." It would be the first time someone tried to put him in disadvantage and claiming it in his presence. Usually they don't show themselves in front of him when they prepare any faulty proposal or contract. And this girl was telling him in words. 'Bravo, Edison. You have lost your intimidation skills.' he thought, smiling bitterly in his heart.
"Sometimes, disadvantages are blessings in disguise. Who knows, this disadvantage might bring something you'd be earning for the lifetime." Liliana said unfathomably. Or at least tried to which didn't work on Edison. He was getting doses of entertainment from Liliana's mild scholarly act. The inexplicable air around her did rouse questions in his mind but he believed in taking his sweet time. There would be so much time to solve the riddle that was this girl.
"Who's philosophy is that?"
Liliana shrugged, "Just some wise men."
Edison nodded, his lips tilted in a playful smile.
"You suggest I take this risk?"
"You definitely should!" she looked like she meant the best for Edison.
"Okay then. I'll make an exception for you but there is a condition," Edison held up a finger.
"Please," Liliana said, asking him to continue.
"I want your first album under Shooting Star to be released within a month." his tone was stern. He wouldn't be lenient to anyone just because he was distracted by them.
Liliana wasn't sure she could make that happen. She was at a standstill, unable to feel a connection to her song. She couldn't write the title song, there were drafts but no complete music or lyrics. There was something missing in her comprehension of her emotions that she wanted to portray. Now, she had to make a breakthrough in it within a month. But she could take that for Edison. Anything for him.
"I'm okay with that." she smiled, a genuine one that reached her eyes.
Edison stood up while buttoning his suit jacket. "Jeremy will email you the contract. You can take your time to check it and let him know if you have any problems with it," he held out his hand and said, "It was wonderful seeing you, Ms. Liliana. Hope to see you again and soon."
Liliana took his hand for a shake, "Of course, Mr. George. I can't wait to start working here." Edison felt that again, the zap that went through his heart when he touched her hand for the first time. And he decided right there and then. He was sick. He need to sleep better, hopefully that would reduce the palpitations of his heart. Otherwise he couldn't have felt this much for any woman in his life. They were always something to reduce the boredom, but soon they got boring as well. This one girl couldn't disrupting his optimum environment so much. 'It has to be the sleep. It must be.' he thought.
They turned their attention to the door at a knock. Jeremy poked his head inside and Liliana backed away at his sight. "I'll take my leave now."
Edison watched her slip pass the door. He looked at Jeremy in question.
"Sir, here is a list of all the best organizers for the company's anniversary party."
"Anniversary party," Edison muttered. Suddenly it dawned to him that he wanted something very irresistibly and took hurried steps for the door.
Liliana came out of Edison's office but couldn't leave soon as she wanted. Something stopped her on her tracks. Or someone.
"Here comes another one of President's toys. Look at her, she's so arrogant at getting his favour. Does she not know that her days are numbered? The President will get bored of her soon enough and she will get discarded when that happens. This is how the cycle repeats itself." Liliana heard someone whisper disdainfully. She looked at the cluster of desks separated from Edison's office by a sliding glass. The glass door was open which meant she could hear everything from outside and she did hear. Every single word.
There were two girls whispering between themselves. They stopped all together when Liliana's eyes fell on them. The dangerous glint flashing in her dark eyes made them gulp. There was an impulsive urge to fleeTheir hearts clenched in fear and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
"Ms. Liliana." they heard their boss call from behind and Liliana turned her head, making them breathe out a sigh of relief.
'God! She is dangerous.' they thought before scattering away, far from Edison's office.
Liliana turned back to find Edison leaning against the half-opened door.
"Yes, Mr. George?"
"We are organising an anniversary party for the company. I will like to invite you to that. I'll announce your joining that day so your presence is required."
"Now that you have made it a must, how can I not agree?" there was a playful smile on her lips, "I'll be there."
Edison nodded, "Good day."
"Good day."
Liliana walked to the elevator under Edison's watchful eyes. She entered and turned around, "Till next time, Mr. George."
"Till next time." Edison reciprocated as the elevator doors slided to shut.