Leo was a little less engaged with what Ash was saying about Selena and more concentrated at the work in hand.
Last night's meeting was a wreck, the Mayor's was a businessman and needed some milking and his solicitor was flirt, not that Ash could not handle any guy. She was a bell who could have her own ball and no one would realize how many turns she made them take. What bothered him was the way he was looking at her and ogling at her and that had pressed his buttons. So they drank some wine and since he had already had whiskey, the wine did it's charm and as soon as Ms Sudar and the Mayor left the solicitor tried to touch Ash from behind. That was when she was talking to someone and Leo caught him by the collar and took him out before anyone could notice.
Once he was done and dusted with the guy he sneaked back and and drank some more wine and they he went back to Adam's place and somehow ended up waking up in Zara's room. His morning wasn't subtle, it was more like she threw water on him and then threw him off the bed. Which pissed him ofcourse, but then he kind of liked having these playfully rows with her, she knew how to press his buttons and was checking him out. He cold see the desire in her face and he wanted to test how much of it she could take. He had every intention to please her but knew he had to take baby steps. So the hickey was just his way to test the water's.
He teased her some more and acted a little playful with her, she seemed better and rested. Selena was taking good care of her and he sure in the hell was surprised to see Ash and her tolerating each other. Though it was awkward for him to hear people talk about him in his underwear and well both girls welcomed Zara in their club. He wasn't very glad hearing women discussing him in his underwear but why not if they did, it seemed someone in pink got jealous and became more rosy and spoke her mind. Thinking about it got a smile on his face.But now wasn't the time to dwell on it anymore, Leo had his work cut out for him. He had to bring his A game, especially when he was expanding in a new country.
'How many translators do we have here?' he asked Ash.
'None at the moment, i am interviewing a few today in the afternoon.'
He clenched his jaws, there was no time. He had to move fast and work always came before anything. He needed to be on top of things, the reason he hid that he owned his company was partly so he could work at the ground level as well.
"Have you found a place for us?" he asked her.
"I have found a few and sent you the details on your email." she spoke opening her phone to check something.
'What about you?' he asked again.
'Well, i have found one two bedroom apartment and it really nice with a very spacious lobby. I just need to find a roommate. I will see if Martin wants to shift.' she said taking out her phone and showed him the pictures of the places she found.
'Looks nice, is it also at the centre?' he asked observing the pictures.
'Yes, like the places i found for you , it's also at the centre but not exactly. Center can get too crowded so a little higher on the hill side nearer to the upper town.'she said.
'I Don't want a house in the centre, maybe a little near the upper town for me as well. ' he stated.
Leo was driving around the city in his newly rented car, while Ash was providing him a quick update.
'This car will do,' he finally replied to her.
'What else will do?' she replied a little agitated with him.
'I know this is a huge shift for you, form London. We will be travelling back and forth, and I need someone I trust to be here till the deal is final and I am able to find the person behind the whole thing. Till then I need someone reliable like you to handle it, there is no one I trust more than you.' he said and thought Ash wasn't listening to him and just on her phone. Probably texting some one about how much he hates Leo for making her move to Zagreb.
'I found you a house, its near the center, but a little higher In the mountains, the area closer to it is called Britansky Tark, I have already spoken to the landlord but the deposit is as high as it is in London. The tourism here has boosted and it is becoming part of EU.' she said without reacting to what he told her earlier.
'Last time I was here it wasn't that expensive, but the place is good and modern. You will like it. But check it out and let me know then I will pay the deposit and everything.'
'What about you?' he asked
'What became of Martin?' asked Leo.
'He' s hot but an idiot and I don't want to share a place with him, messy guy,' she said smilingly.
'Zara is looking for a place,' replied Leo.
'Aly told me, but I did not want to cause her trouble with Selena. Knowing how they fought and I do feel guilt that she dosen't remember it and I might be taking advantage of it.'
'You are the last person who would ever take advantage of her.' he told her.
He did not look at her, but spoke anyways, ' You guys seemed to be having a nice conversation,'
'No one killed one one,' he said again.
Leo parked the car and they both headed towards the museum, and as they reached the vestibule of the building he found Ms. Sudar standing with her in her pink outfit.
He rushed inside and gave a quick glance at the people standing towards them a little inside and it seemed pink was the colour today. No it was her colour, it suited her. He wasn't expecting her was there but he knew how to conceal his thoughts and he was in work mode. He noticed her gaze at them and finally saw she was surprised to see them as well, but she quickly schooled her expression and waited quietly with Ms. Sudar.
They said their greetings to Ms. Sudar and Leo extended his hands for formal shake hand towards her. He wanted to test the water's. She quickly looked down at his hand and then looked at him and then took his hand and said 'Morning.'
'We meet again,' said Ash following the same formality.
'I am working with Ms. Sudar on her new project.' said Zara looking at Ash. Leo noticed how she was trying to act all professional with her and he kind of appreciated her behaviour but his palm was itching to bully her a little. It was annoying how she was stealing glances from him. All of them were talking and no one noticed a glint of anger and growl that passed within Leo.
Then though he would find the opportune time to ruffle her feathers a little and it would be fun to see what other new side to her she was hiding.They all went towards the gallery and got seated on the sitting area which Ms. Sudar had prepared for them, it looked quite fancy. While they seated themselves, Ms. Sudar asked her assistant to get them some coffee. But then with coffee she brought small shots of a drink which looked like Jegamister with lemons inside it.
'I have invited some new artists who's work i am looking forward to introducing soon and one of them Is Zara and additionally she will be overseeing the gallery with me.' said Ms. Sudar very eloquently.
'You know we are taking over, so we do not want your people more like amateurs messing up our show.' He said directly and saw a flash of hurt in Zara's face which she hid immediately. But work was work and this is an important deal given the stakes and how things went down in London. Leo did not want to take any risks.
'No offence we have not seen Zara's or anyone else's work and we have already decided upon our main piece. We will be introducing you the artist soon,' said Ash trying to diffuse the conversation.
'None taken,' said Zara straightforwardly without making any eye contact with them.
'You are very much welcomed at my studio to see the recent painting I have been working on and you can decide for your self,' she said again looking directly at Leo without wavering or breaking her eye contact.
'We can work around the main piece and i will personally coordinate with your main artist to make sure it 's suitable to both sides.'
'The aim is to make the show a success.'
It seemed she knew how to act professionally and not let others rile her up and Leo seemed impressed with the calm she kept and did not rely on Ms. Sudar.
'Then we shall pay you a visit and could you send a scan of your sketch book to Ash?' replied Leo in the same manner.
'I will,' she said a little quietly finally breaking her eye contact with him.
'Well then all's settled,' said Ms. Sudar.
All settled, thought Leo. You hardly said anything. She handled us not you. It seemed the woman wanted to put Zara at the forefront when it came to dealing with him. Wait was she using Zara as a bait knowing her connection to them and Adam, did she find his weakness. Never, Leo would never let anyone use him or someone against him like that.
After a while Ms. Sudar's assistant brought another round of Demitasse and along with it she placed small shots glasses with Lemon slices.
'These are Pelen , short for Palinkovach and this is good occasion to start out the project in harmony,' said Ms. Sudar flashing her professional but hard to ignore smile which she directed at Leo and Ash. The women knew her job and had a knack to ease in situations.
'Juvillie' she said and brought her glass at the centre of the table.
Challenge accepted lady thought Leo, and then brought his glass towards her and was followed by Ash and Zara.
'Juvillie.' Spoke Zara and gave a weak smile.
He drank his shot of Pelen watching her take her own and she made a face and he acted like he wasn't noticing her.
It tasted almost like Jagermeister.
After another round of Pelen and then another and another , everyone felt a little dizzy and did not have the will take further any conversations. It was 12'O clock afternoon and they were all addled. Even Ash seemed to be slurring in her speech and her excuse was that she only had green tea for breakfast. Apparently Selena wasn't as kind as Leo thought in the morning, but then again Ash did give her husband a purple eye. So it was expected!
Zara too seemed a little on the edge although it seemed to Leo that she seemed to hold on better when she was well fed. She did speak as less as possible and was nodding her head and just saying yes and no. Leo felt calm for some reason, unlike Rakija, Palen suited his hungover state and he was craving Chinese.
The only person who seemed a little sane and holding up fine was Ms Sudar. Leo guessed right! She really is an worthy advisory, the woman is a tank he thought.
Ms Sudar was talking and chatting with all of them.
'So Mr. Colton, I read your journal in the Monochrome review, I found it rather invigorating.'
'It seemed like you were challenging quite a many artist with just a few straight keys of colours.'
'I sometimes wonder why were you not barred from the art world.'
'But then again sometimes less is more and when I finally saw your work, I understood what you meant by breaking the norms of conformity by just warm and cool tones. But rather show one facet of each.' she said smilingly.
'It was agressive , I tell you. He did causes lot if trouble with his professor's,' said Ash a little lazily.
' I would like to read your thesis,' said Zara who looked like a curious cat. But curiosity did kill the cat thought he.
Leo looked sharply and finally spoke, ' My guide was a fucker, and his fuckery helped me in the process.' was all he said and looked at Zara as she picked up another shot of Pelen and chugged it.
He stared at Zara for a bit who suddenly became conscious of his stares and her amber eyes grew larger and she looked sultry with her hair tied back. He felt an itch to reach out and open them and feel the texture. He felt her eagerness for knowing more, but he did not want to elaborate further. Not infront of her guide, who sure kept everything going in circles and Leo wondered what her mission truly was and why had she picked Zara of all people. Truth be told he wanted to see what was Zara up to, had her style changes. Was she doing something different or was it all just a clever trick.
He had seen her work before, but that time she was a rookie, maybe the rookie was on a journey to make something new. Ms. Sudar did strike as as a person who would not sacrifice her credibility.
'I would like to visit you at your studio?' he said looking at Zara.
'Yes, let me know when you want to. I will be happy to show you my sketch and some other oil paints that I am working on.' she replied like a soldier going for a battle.
'So you sketch first?' he asked again.
"Not always, but recently I have been sketching first. Earlier I was more free but now I am free in a different aspect.'
' Interesting, I wish I could say that and sketch.' said Ash.
'Well, it's never too late.' said Ms. Sudar.
'I wish it wasn't but I broke my wrist just three weeks before my wedding.' she replied rather sadly.
Leo knew it was time to leave and he abruptly ended next thing whatever Zara was going to say.
'I have a meeting with real estate agent, we need to check out some places here.'
'Let's go Ash.' he said while he nudged her and when she did not budge he put his hands on her shoulders and helped her stand. Her heels were too high, six inches or more and too narrow. And that was when Zara came to Ash's side and took over.
'Hey Ash! I would like to show you something, come with me will you.'
Leo was about to abrupt her, now's not the time.
That was when Zara gave him a stern look like I got this and took Ash across the hallways towards another room.