At the top floor of the Twilight Bar, the VIP section buzzed with an air of exclusivity. Lorenzo Salvador, a young man clad in a fitted bespoke black suit, sat across from Mr. Smith, a business associate in his late forties donning a loose blue suit. Both men were here for a meeting.
Bodyguards strategically positioned themselves throughout the bar, all belonging to Lorenzo. They stood like silent sentinels, ready to deal with any trouble that might arise during their discussions.
Lorenzo took a long drag from his expensive cigarette, exhaling the smoke through his nostrils with an air of nonchalance. "I was informed about the pitch for collaboration," he remarked, his tone cool and measured.
"Yeah, you are absolutely right," Mr. Smith replied, his voice laced with eagerness. "A collaboration, Mr. Salvador, would really go a long way in helping out both businesses."
The truth was, his company, De Ultimate Sardines, had recently encountered significant problems, and he was desperate to secure a deal.
Mr Smith shifted slightly on the cobalt cushion, his discomfort palpable. He waited for an answer from Lorenzo Salvador, a hardened business man. He knew too well that striking a deal with him was not easy to come by and this young man opposite him was indeed cunning. No business man in his right mind would come to him except those who had heads for all the pros and cons of business.
A sly smile played on Lorenzo's lips as he took another drag from his cigarette, savoring the moment. Mr. Smith's fidgeting was almost comical and Lorenzo enjoyed the game of chess they were playing. He scrutinized Mr. Smith's every move, observing the beads of sweat rolling down the older man's forehead.
Just as he was about to speak, the most stunning woman he had ever laid eyes on walked into the bar, instantly capturing his full attention. Lorenzo had encountered countless women from around the world, yet none could compare to her breathtaking beauty. The plain dark green dress she wore hugged her curves flawlessly.
As she moved, the bar's light danced across her emerald eyes, making them glimmer. He watched her curly blonde hair bounce playfully around her shoulders as she approached the counter. Every part of him ached with desire for her.
He noticed the bartender pour her one of the strongest shots available, and she downed it in one swift motion. Her face twisted in reaction to the potent drink, yet it only added to her allure. Lorenzo could sense that this beautiful creature was emotionally burdened, and a pang of sympathy struck him at the thought of her pain. He wanted nothing more than to take away her sorrow.
Mr. Smith, realizing Lorenzo's attention had drifted, interrupted, "So what do you think, Mr. Salvador?"
Lorenzo snapped back to the meeting, offering a polite smile. "You are certainly correct about the potential benefit."
He let Mr. Smith absorb his words, watching a smile creep across the man's face. Mr. Smith relaxed back into his chair, taking a sip of his drink. Then, with a sudden shift, Lorenzo added, "But that would only be possible if I get seventy percent of your shares."
Mr. Smith choked on his drink, coughing and pounding his chest, his face flushing not from anger but from the strength of the scotch. "But...but that would mean..."
"I know what it means, Mr. Smith," Lorenzo cut him off, his voice steady. "You have nothing to lose. If I'm right, your business will go bankrupt without this deal." He watched as Mr. Smith's eyes widened with disbelief. "I'm risking my business for you. Shouldn't I get something in return?" It wasn't a question; it was a statement of undeniable fact.
Mr. Smith's eyes widened slightly, betraying his anxiety. He had come prepared, but he hadn't anticipated Lorenzo's sharp perception. He thought he had hidden that detail perfectly. Had someone in the company sold him out?
"But you will be getting a substantial profit if we collaborate—about forty percent, to be precise," Mr. Smith said hurriedly.
"Just forty percent?" Lorenzo scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "I'm not here to play savior to failing companies and most especially, I'm not satisfied with that. You of all people should know what happens when I'm not pleased," he added, taking a calm sip from his drink.
Mr. Smith gulped, the underlying threat clear in Lorenzo's eyes. He wiped his sweaty palms and forced a nervous smile. "How about 50/50? We can run the business together."
Lorenzo laughed, a sharp sound that cut through the tension. "Two captains cannot sail a ship, Mr. Smith." His amusement quickly morphed into anger. "You came to me thinking I wouldn't discover your little secret—the one where your business is on the brink of bankruptcy unless you secure a deal soon. What do you take me for, a fool? Do you think I built my wealth by doing business with incompetents like you?"
He paused, savoring the discomfort radiating from Mr. Smith, feeling a sense of satisfaction. But this was just the beginning; he intended to extract every advantage from this situation.
Calmly swirling his drink, Lorenzo continued, "I could have opted to shut down your business and make you and your family disappear for attempting to deceive me. However, I will give you credit for your bravery. Instead, I will give you three days to think it over. This meeting is over; you can leave now." He waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly.
From the top floor, Lorenzo noticed the gorgeous woman paying her bill before hurrying out of the bar. He signaled for Enrico, his head bodyguard.
Enrico stepped forward, bending slightly to bring his towering height in line with Lorenzo's seated position.
"Descubre todo sobre ella antes de mañana (find out everything about her before tomorrow)," Lorenzo whispered, urgency lacing his tone.
Enrico nodded and quickly departed. Lorenzo turned back to find Mr. Smith still seated, his expression dazed.
"Why are you still here?" Lorenzo asked, his voice low and threatening. "Do you prefer one of my bodyguards to escort you out?"
Lorenzo watched as Mr. Smith slowly rose to his feet, the weight of the moment heavy on him, and he walked away without a word. It was evident he had lost more than just composure while listening to Lorenzo's threats.
As Mr. Smith exited the bar, a realization washed over him: he had made a grave mistake by approaching Lorenzo Salvador. But what choice did he have? He needed a powerful ally to stabilize his business, and Lorenzo was the perfect catch in the vast ocean of opportunity. Who could have anticipated that Lorenzo would uncover his little secret? He even called his foolishness "bravery". He might have taken it as a compliment if it had come from anyone else, but nothing about Lorenzo felt complimentary. How foolish he had been to think he could outsmart someone like Lorenzo!