Three days after arriving at Brightrich Ville City, meetings had occupied most of his time. So far, the new investors were satisfied with his proposal, and he did find their counteroffer quite interesting.
"I do believe that everything seems to be to your liking. Should I send my team to finalize the agreement?" Matteo did not see the point of prolonging the discussion.
His schedule was for a week. But if he did not find any reason to stay anymore, it would be better for him to return home. Well, unless there were additional issues that would need his attention.
"I don't see any problem with that. The sooner we finish this deal, the better." His host, Mr. Liam Hawking, said as they closed the deal.
He stood from his chair at the center of the massive conference table to shake the hand of their newest business partner. He believed his ideas were innovative and would be beneficial to their company.
"I could not agree more," Matteo answered, hoping all his plans went through without a hitch.
He wished to go home with the good news that he had found a way to expand their business in this fast-growing community. It was a good business opportunity that he was sure everyone from his board would agree with.
He had been eyeing this location for some time. He could not understand the appeal of this place at first, but now, he could not wait for his business to flourish in this city.
"But before you leave, I think we should celebrate tonight," Liam suggested as he moved around the table and stood beside him. Liam raised his arms around his back and patted him on the shoulders.
He believed they should toast a terrific transaction to seal the deal. It was the ways of his father before him and his great ancestors. He knew exactly the perfect place for such an event.
With a slight hesitation, thinking he should be heading back, he finally changed his mind. "Ok." He agreed to meet them later at a club nearby the hotel where he was staying.
He could not see any problem in delaying his trip home and unwinding with a few shots of alcohol. Maybe he could excuse himself after a few glasses before returning to his hotel room.
He was not in a particular mood to be celebrating. But he did not want to offend his new partners by declining their generous offer.
After a few hours, he changed his clothes into something casual and went to the club. Luckily, it was just across the street, so it would be easy for him to return to his room afterward.
Upon entering the dark establishment, the hostess ushered him to the table where his new partners were already waiting for him. They were probably on their second shots, from what he observed.
"Glad you could join us." One of them spoke up above the noise. He was one of the executives who had been part of the negotiation.
Matteo did have his share of fun times in a place like this. But not lately, not after losing someone he cared about deeply. He still felt the pain every time he thought of the past but accepted that he could not change it.
He quickly shook the memories off, suddenly wanting this night to be different. Maybe a few shots would help him to relax and enjoy a bit. A minute later, he decided to stay longer.
"Thanks again for inviting me," Matteo responded. He raised his glass, appreciative of the hospitality of his host.
The discussion of the business ensued as they drank the night away. Some of them did dance with some random girls on the dance floor. He did not mind sitting it out since he was not here for such entertainment.
As the night progressed, he noticed a bunch of young ladies dancing on the other side. One of them caught his eyes, even if he did not intend to look. There was something about her that he could not explain.
"I heard that you are now single. Condolence for your loss." His new partner said as he looked at him.
"Thanks." Matteo had no other words to say. There was no point in reliving the pain over and over. It would not bring her back.
"I assure you that this place has many eligible women you can choose from." Liam noticed him, checking some girls. He recommended pointing to the many women crowding the place.
He had seen in the background check that his new partner had lately lost his wife. As a recently divorced young man, he believed they should not waste their time waiting for an opportunity to find the right girl but grab it.
"Thanks for the offer. I will surely keep that in mind." He rejoined, trying to be polite to his new friend, as his eyes scanned the place and landed on the girl one more time.
He wondered why he was particularly interested in a young woman like her. What was it that was making him curious about her? He was not his usual type, so that could not be it.
"If you need help, I can introduce you to someone you might like." Liam proposed, already coming up with a list of eligible women that might interest him.
"Maybe some other time." Matteo did not wish to be impolite to his host. But he was not interested in hooking up with some girl.
Eventually, he excused himself from the group and walked toward the bar to get another drink. He just wanted some time alone. However, his eyes would not stop seeking the girl every time he turned around.
He believed there was something else about her that had piqued his interest. His instinct had only failed him once. But he was sure that this time, it was telling him something.
She was a person of interest, and he needed to know why.