Finally, Fraine found the restroom. When she returned to the private room, the table neatly arranged the food. Since she was told by the assistant not to wait for them, Fraine began eating.
The food tastes great, something every higher-end restaurant should have served. Fraine was in the middle of her meal when the waiter came back with a bottle of fine wine.
"Is that for me?" she asked.
"Yes, Miss Michaels."
Frained frowned. "No. I don't drink."
The waiter was stunned for a moment. But he recovered shortly and smiled politely, even though he was worried. He was instructed to offer this wine no matter what happened. But now that the guest rejected the wine. He wasn't sure how to carry on, as he needed to follow the chairman's order.
"Miss Michaels, Chairman Dale requested to serve you our finest wine."
Fraine didn't hide her confusion; she looked at the waiter with a questioning stare.
'Why would the chairman of a big enterprise treat me this way? Is this how they accommodate Mrs. Hernandez?'
Besides, the chairman did not know her in person, nor was she acquainted with him. Her boss just introduced her once during their company's annual celebration. However, if the chairman remembered her, that was almost two years ago.
'Could it be polite to reject the chairman's kindness?'
Fraine is having a hard time explaining to the waiter.
'Should I trust this series of strange situations?'
Until now the director of Dale Enterprise hasn't shown up yet. Is the chairman trying to make up with her? Fraine thought.
They were the ones who needed to continue their partnership, so the extra accommodation was unnecessary.
'Whatever.' Fraine shrugged all the thoughts that began running through her head. She smiled at the waiter and thanked him. Even though she will not drink any liquor tonight, she must thank the warm treatment Dale Enterprise gave her.
"Please, convey my gratitude to Chairman Dale," Fraine told the waiter; she then explained. "However, I'm taking meds, so I cannot drink the wine."
The waiter bowed after she nicely declined the wine. Instead, before the waiter left, she requested some tea.
Fraine didn't wait that long, and the tea was served immediately, which surprised her. She met several clients in the past, but they were not as generous as this.
She was almost emptying her first cup when the door pushed open.
Fraine stood on her feet in thought that Christian Dale, Director of Dale Enterprise, arrived.
"Good evening, Miss Michaels. I'm Hobert Lee, Director Dale's assistant." Hobert extended his arm, offering a shake of hands to Fraine, whom she accepted immediately.
"Good evening, Mr. Lee. Pleased to meet you. Is it Director Dale?" She glanced at the door. But no one else entered the room but the assistant. "Where's Director Dale?"
"On behalf of my boss, please accept my apology, Miss Michaels. Director Dale couldn't make it because of a massive traffic jam, so I came alone to take the contract."
Fraine scanned the assistant. 'How come he appeared, but his boss didn't? Don't they arrive together?'
Hobert notices how Fraine scrutinizes him from the head down to his shoes. 'She figured out something! My boss is giving me a hard time! I can do any task. But making up a story to cover him up is another story!'
Hobert is not worried about his boss. He was afraid of the chairman, so he could not compromise this meeting for two things.
First, the chairman will kick his ass, and second, that older man will scold his boss again when he finds out he didn't show up at this meeting.
"Ahem. I hailed a cab to take me here after walking the street looking for an alley as a shortcut." Robert explained without blinking. He watched Fraine nodding her head. 'That was a lame excuse, I know!' he mused. "Anyway, as you can see, Miss Fraine..."
Fraine did not speak. She simply scrutinized the assistant and listened to him explain further.
However, she couldn't see even just a drop of rain showers in his suit, and his black leather shoes were brightly shining under the lighting. There is no trace of them walking on the wet pavement.
"By the way, Miss Fraine. You can text me where to meet tomorrow to hand you the signed contract." When Hobert noticed how she peered at him, he immediately diverted her attention.
Fraine creased her forehead. Curiously, she asked the assistant, "Director Dale was fine with the current terms? Does he doesn't have questions?"
'How strange?'
They were supposed to discuss the minor changes to the contract, which most of their clients appeal to a new term from which they would benefit more.
Hobert could see the shock on Fraine's face. He knew she was confused about the setup. He felt, too, it was not the usual condition of negotiating partnership as they showed favor instead of the other way around.
However, he is only following his boss' instructions. 'I didn't understand what was running this grandson and grandfather's head.' Hobert sighed inwardly.
He brightened his smile to assure Fraine that he wasn't playing. Since D Company emailed the initial contract, his boss had reviewed it already. "Rest assured, Miss Michaels. Director Dale is keen on making a deal in your company."
Fraine nodded. Even though she was in a great dilemma, she didn't ask further. On the other hand, Hobert could see she was having trouble with the changes in their meetings.
"Miss Michaels, are you in a hurry?"
Fraine curved her lips into a thin smile as she replied, "No. It's just that I have another important appointment tomorrow. But I can reschedule it. I'll see you first thing in the morning, then?"
Hobert pondered for a moment. In the past years, they have been cooperating with the D Company. The two companies want to associate with each other well, so there has been no such situation.
But for a reason, his boss intentionally compromised this meeting, and he isn't fully comprehending it yet. 'Could it be possible?'
Hobert had something on his mind. But he knew he should not voice this out to his boss. "Alright, Miss Fraine... You can take back the contract whenever you are available tomorrow."
Fraine is once again surprised. "Is that okay?"
'What is going with the Dale Enterprise? Are they normally dealing with partnerships this way?' She can't help wondering. But since her personal matters had already been compromised, Fraine agreed. She gave the contract to Hobert.
"Mr. Lee, I would be honest. I have important things to do tomorrow and will only be available in the evening. Hope you are okay to meet me by then."
"Sure! That is not a problem, Miss Michaels!" Hobert agreed. Since his boss let him work on this, it's the least he can do. 'I'm just praying the chairman would spare me!'
Hobert shook Fraine's hands before he left with the contract.
Fraine was in a dilemma, but at least the assistant assured her that his boss would sign the contract with no demands or questions.
'Then, it is time for me to leave.'
Fraine carried her bag and attaché case containing essential documents. Once she was inside the elevator, she let out a long sigh.
She could not believe that her well-planned appointment was only compromised big time. She's been preparing for this leave for an entire month.
Fraine quickly stepped out of the lift when she arrived on the ground floor. Hobert offered to get her a ride, but she refused it and said she would contact one herself.
"Fraine?"