A middle-aged man and a young man in his twenties arrived a few minutes later. When Yasmin noticed Declan and Francis standing up and greeting them, she stood up.
"Hello, Mr. Lee." Declan extended his hand to the middle-aged man, a friendly smile on his face.
"Hello," Mr. Lee shook hands with him, smiling a bit. That smile didn't reach his eyes. His serious look reminded Yasmin of her father, who rarely smiled.
"This is Yasmin, my wife." Declan directed his fingers to Yasmin.
Yasmin pulled a smile over her lips and stretched her hand towards him. "Hello, Mr. Lee. It is nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." Mr. Lee took her hand in his, smiling. This time, his smile was not a fake one. "You brought your newly wedded wife with you." He turned his focus to Declan.
Declan curled his lips slightly and motioned for him to sit down. "Please have a seat."
They all sat down around the table.
Yasmin was taken aback to see Declan sitting next to her. When she felt his hand around her shoulders, she almost jumped.
"Since I got busy at work, I didn't get time to spend with her," Declan said. "So, I brought her along. In this way, I will get to know her. Isn't it, darling?" He turned to her, raising his eyebrows. His eyes sparkled with an uncanny light.
Yasmin stared straight into his ocean blue eyes, her pulse rate increasing. She became enchanted every time she looked into his eyes.
"Of course," she muttered in a trance.
When she saw him smile, she felt butterflies in her stomach. Her lips curled involuntarily.
"Hahaha…" Mr. Lee's loud laughter made them break eye contact. They drew back immediately.
"Good, good." He laughed even harder.
Yasmin pulled her chin down, her face crimson.
"Ahem." Declan cleared his throat and asked, "Shall we discuss the contract?"
"I have already read it," Mr. Lee responded. "I am more interested in finding out about her. Tell me about your wife."
Declan felt a chill on his back. He didn't know anything about Yasmin.
"Well…" He rubbed his chin. "She is nice." He glanced at her. Every time he looked at her, the big round specs donning over her nose bridge were the first thing he noticed. This made him cringe.
"And sweet," he added, averting his gaze.
"And?" Mr. Lee asked curiously, tilting his head to one side.
"And…" Declan became uneasy. He felt heat rising in his cheeks. He scratched his brow, unsure of what to say.
His struggles didn't go unnoticed by Yasmin. She reached out to hold his hand.
He turned to her instantly, only to be greeted by her smiling face. He frowned a bit, wondering what she was going to do.
"Everyone knows what happened during our wedding," she said, turning to Mr. Lee. "My sister ran away, leaving him alone at the altar. It was an embarrassing moment for him as well as for both families. He could have left as well, but he didn't. He chose to marry me for the sake of both families' reputation."
She returned her focus to Declan, who was staring at her with a gaping mouth. "To be honest, we don't know much about each other," she continued. "But I am sure of one thing: he is caring. This is enough for me to start my life with him." She looked back at Mr. Lee and smiled.
Mr. Lee's loud laughter resonated inside the private chamber. "I like your honesty. You are right. It is next to impossible to get to know this young man in just one night. Hahaha…" He began to laugh again. "Let me tell you. He is very hard working. Look at him. He works the day after his wedding. Hahaha."
Declan and Francis exchanged nervous glances. They were certain that this luncheon would end in disappointment.
Declan called the waiter standing beside the door and ordered food. Since there was no chance of getting the deal signed, he wanted to go back as soon as he could.
Mr. Lee was completely absorbed in his conversation with Yasmin. He seemed to be uninterested in eating either. He didn't even say what he liked to eat. His assistant took charge of ordering the food.
"I agree with Declan on one thing," Mr. Lee continued. "You are sweet. I have a daughter of your age. She spends most of her time grooming herself and on her phone. She doesn't have time to sit with me and talk for a while. But you are nothing like that. You are simple. I like it. Do not lose that simplicity under the influence of your husband. Hahaha…"
Yasmin chuckled awkwardly and turned to face Declan, only to be met with his cold stare. She immediately pulled her eyes down to her lap, her smile disappearing.
"What are you waiting for?" Mr. Lee snapped, scowling at Declan. "Aren't you willing to sign the contract?"
Declan froze, his brain puzzled momentarily. He quickly gathered his thoughts. "Of course, I am willing." He nodded towards Francis, signaling him to take out the file.
Francis put the file in front of Mr. Lee. "Here it is."
Mr. Lee stretched his hand to his assistant, who handed him a pen. "Where should I sign?" he asked.
"Are you sure you are not going to read it?" Francis asked, his eyebrows twisted with astonishment.
"I have already read the copy of the contract you have sent," Mr. Lee stated flatly. His smile had also faded by this point. "Did you make any new additions?"
"No, not at all." Francis shook his head frantically.
"Then?"
"Here..." Francis quickly opened the file and showed him where to sign. "And here…" He flipped through a few pages and pointed to a place.
"Is it done?"
"One more, on the last page." Francis went straight to the last page.
Mr. Lee signed on the last page and pushed the file to Declan. "The deal is done." He smiled.
Declan returned his smile as he also signed the contract. "I look forward to a great partnership." He stretched his hand towards him.
Mr. Lee shook hands with him.
Meanwhile, the waiter came and served the food. Everyone busied themselves eating while discussing business.
Declan was overjoyed. He had high hopes for this deal. He had always hoped to expand his business in the country C. To do so, he was after Mr. Lee for so long. It took him several months to get this appointment. Finally, he signed the deal.
Looking at his joy, Yasmin couldn't help but exhale a sigh of relief. This meeting was important to her as well. In her first business meeting, her husband bagged a contract. She had no idea what this deal was about, but she felt proud of herself and Declan.
Lunch was over soon, and they walked out of the private chamber. Mr. Lee leaned laterally towards Declan and whispered something. Declan moved his gaze to Yasmin, his ears perked up, and his eyebrows furrowed.
Her body pricked with chills as she noticed his gaze on her. She nervously clasped her skirt on both sides. She was unsure whether she had made a mistake. Judging by his solemn look, she deduced that he was dissatisfied with her.
"It was a nice meeting, young man." Mr. Lee tapped him on the shoulder before walking away with his assistant.
Declan glanced at her and strode out, Francis following close behind.
With her trembling heart, Yasmin also followed him in silence.