Chapter Nine
Lionel's POV
Rudy and I stepped out of the car as we arrived at the front of Imperio Real. A valet approached us, and I handed him the car key. We walked into the club, me wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with the top button loose, while Rudy was in his usual suit. The moment I stepped inside the club, dark memories I shared with Rio and Rudy flooded back. It all seemed like yesterday.
We were welcomed by the loud bass of the music and sexy ladies, most of them half-naked. Rudy picked about six of the ladies and went with them. I ignored all of them and walked to the VIP section where Fareed was waiting for me.
As I reached the VIP section, Fareed stood up from his seat, welcoming me with a handshake. We both settled down on the red couch with a glass table in between us, where Fareed's champagne glass was sitting. As I settled on the seat, I snapped my fingers as usual, and a beautiful lady in a white and black uniform, like the other employees in the club, walked in, asking for my order.
"Give me Grenache 1998," I requested.
"Right away, sir," she said and went to prepare my order.
"I'm so delighted to meet you in person, Mr. Ramos," Fareed said.
"M-hmm, same here," I said, shaking my head as I watched him take a sip of his wine.
The bartender walked in with a tray containing my order. She popped the wine and poured a little into the champagne glass.
"Thank you," I said as she finished pouring the wine, and she left.
I smiled as I took a sip of the wine.
"What's the motive behind the smile?" Fareed questioned.
"Some nice memories flooded back to me. This was the same place I met my wife," I said.
"Hmmm."
I noticed his facial expression and couldn't understand it for a few seconds, then I got what he meant. "No, not what you're thinking. I met her here as a bartender, not as a customer."
"Oooh!" he exclaimed.
I nodded, confirming his exclamation. "Let's go straight to the reason we're here. You requested to see me in person, and here I am, but know something: I will never bring down the terms."
"I didn't ask to see you to reduce the terms. I just wanted you to offer the deal in person, and I am happy you did. This is the check," he said as he pulled the check from his inner suit jacket.
I took the check and checked if it was the agreed-upon price, and yes, it was. I slid the check off the table and placed it in my trouser pocket.
"Note, Mr. Ramos, if you want to make a deal with me, come in person. I also have other things to do, but I came for the meeting because I value your firm. So give me the same respect," he said as he stood up from his seat with his bodyguard escorting him out of the VIP section.
I curved my lips into a smile. Rudy was really right about him; all he wants is a feeling of importance. And that's one of the reasons why he is my manager; he knows how to read people easily, just as he said.
I rest my back on the couch and savored the view of the club as I enjoyed my wine. After I was done with the bottle, I walked to the bartender and paid for both mine and Fareed's drinks. As I descended the stairs, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tried to call Rudy, but he wasn't picking up. I shook my head and hoped I would find him. As I got to the floor, I moved past the dance floor to check him at the back, and thank goodness I found him there in the middle of six ladies, each one cuddling him the best they could.
I shook my head and said, "Rudy, let's go. The meeting is over."
"Leo, not now. I'm just getting to the best part of this," he said, placing his head in the middle of the ladies.
"I hope you have some cash with you because I'm leaving now," I said, turning my back and heading to the door.
"Hey, hey, hey, no, Leo," he said, ruffling himself out of the ladies' embrace. "Geez, you're a fun pooper. Next time I'm coming to a place like this, I will bring my card."
"What about the cash with you?" I inquired as he caught up with me.
"I gave it to the ladies," he answered as he adjusted his collar and knotted his tie.
I shook my head and exclaimed softly, "Wow!"
"C'mon, I'm going out with Lionel Ramos. Why should I care about fees?" he said with a smile.
"Ooh, you better start caring," I said, shaking my head as we walked out of the club, with the valet standing beside my car.
"Nice job, kid," I said to the guy as I handed him a hundred euros. We hopped into the car, I settled in the driver's seat while Rudy was in the passenger seat.
"I have something I would like to suggest about the surrogacy you talked about," Rudy said as we settled inside the car.
I looked at him with curiosity. "What is that? You know you're not supposed to know anything about this. I told you because you're like a brother to me, you and Rio."
"I know, that's why I want to advise you to make a legal agreement concerning the surrogacy with Larissa's friend to protect yourself."
I looked at him and started the engine as if I hadn't heard what he said. His point is valid, but making an agreement might actually make it public, and that's something Larissa and I are not ready to bet on. Nevertheless, Lucia is Larissa's friend, and she would never do anything to harm her.