"Where are you? Where did you hear this gossip?" Zeeb's bored tone rose, but his face was filled with worry.
"Zeeb, I am just giving you a warning. I am at the Yukon bar. Some friends of mine took me out for a drink. And then Lyal walked in and reported that CEO Lucian and you threatened to demolish the Tetom bar and the manager had to throw Lyal out. "
"Fucking bastard. He wanted to throw Lucian out of the bar," Zeeb explained to her.
"Be careful, brother. You know that our family differs from the Freki's," she whispered.
"You are on the speaker ' "I yelled and heard her curse as I bowled over in laughter.
"Take care of yourself, Tala. You don't need to keep reporting on such matters. If Alpha Lobo finds you, you will be in trouble. Bye," Zeeb disconnected the call.
"You are an asshole Lucian" Zeeb yelled at me and soon he joined me as the infectious laughter got to him.
Early the next day we left the mansion after seven pm. Zeeb must have called the maid to come in just after dawn since she had already prepared hangover soup by the time I sat down for breakfast.
The pounding on my head made me wince and Freki snapped " Serves you right for being reckless. "
We arrived at the Due Corporation and Zeeb hovered over the security guard at the entrance " Where is the head of security?"
" He is at the office" The guard reported.
Zeeb joined me by the private elevator as it opened and we got in. Once the door closed he spoke up " Before you ask, I want us to change the security team to our own people. I can smell trouble a mile away"
I nodded at him and the door opened. We walked to the reception of the CEO's office and Isla was already there.
" Good morning CEO Lucian, Good Morning Zeeb"
" Good morning Isla" Zeeb responded while I just nodded, opened the door of the office, and got in.
" Isla, get the head of security to my office asap. We have the shareholders meeting at two pm. I will have Amanda come to you so that you can coordinate. " Zeeb instructed her.
" Yes sir" She responded.
Zeeb walked into my office and announced " I will be in my office if you need me."
" Prepare the documents for the resort project and contact Elder Zaya as agreed yesterday. Inform Ashina to come to my office. I would like to discuss the financing aspect of this project. " I instructed him. Zeeb nodded and closed the office door. Ashina Nora was my finance manager.
Anisha Nora was a beautiful wolf who was in her young age. I hired her nine years ago when I took over the Du Corporation. She had been Pa's PA before his demise. It took only a month to realize how smart she was and I suspected Pa took her through school. The story behind Pa and Anisha seemed complicated and I chose not to get involved or ask more questions. The age gap between them always made me question Pa. But since she was loyal to the Freki, all that mattered.
Isla knocked and brought in the morning coffee.
" Thank you, Isla"
" I have prepared for the shareholder's meeting. Amalia will be assisting me to make sure they are in attendance CEO Lucian"
I nodded and raised my hand to dismiss her as I sipped the hot coffee while my eyes were still glued on the screen. Two hours later Ashina knocked and walked into the office.
" Greeting CEO Lucian, you called for me?" She spoke up.
" I did, have a seat" I instructed and she nodded and walked over to have a seat on the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
" Thank you, Sir"
" Has Zeeb briefed you about the planned building of the resort?" I inquired.
" He did. Here is the financial report for the Du Corporation. If we plan well, we can have the fifty percent financing as requested in two months. " she handed me the file.
I took it and placed it on the desk without reading it. She raised her eyebrows in question and I asserted " I would like to invest in this resort with my own funds."
" What? Why?" She inquired.
"It is a personal project between Edler Zaya and me" I stated. " Why are you surprised?"
" You have never done anything out of the Du Corporation. It reminded me of Chairman Freki. The only thing he did outside the Du Corporation was building the mansion. He used his own money and really put in the effort to have the Mansion built within a year."
" It seems we are quite similar, " I smiled warmly.
She nodded and then proceeded to say " Since I was involved in the project to build the mansion, it will be easy to do the resort. Do you have an architect in mind or do you want me to find one? There are five architecture firms here in the town and It would be easy to vet them within four weeks."
I realized that Zeeb had fucking left that little piece of information out. When you make your own bed lie in it. I could already hear him spatting at me with that metaphor.
" I do. Actually, Elder Zaya and I agreed on Conri Dolf "
Ashina choked back surprised, and coughed. I stood up and picked up one of the water bottles and handed it to her. "Thank you Sir" she heaved as she opened the cap and drank the water to soothe her throat.
" You seemed shocked " I leaned on the table with one leg and waited for her response.
" Are you sure? " She asked once she calmed down.
" He is the best architect in town, " I explained.
" Elder Zaya always had a soft spot for Rogue Conri Dolf"
" Drop the Rogue before his name" I snapped. I have vowed never to allow anyone to call him a Rogue anymore as long as I live.