by R. R. Banks
Nathanial nodded in anger as he seethed in his corner of the table. “Please don’t be angry,” continued Alexis. “Nothing is done yet.”
“You’re damn right nothing is done!” shouted Nathanial angrily. “Nothing will be done either!”
“Please calm down,” motioned Dillon from across the table. “Look, you’re not being screwed over or taken out. We will make sure you are heavily compensated and you will still be involved.”
Nathanial shook his head as he picked up his old fashioned and turned it up, taking the rest of the drink down before placing his glass back on the table. “This is an absolute mutiny,” he said with a defiant look in his eyes.
Dillon reached across the table and placed his hand on Nathanial’s arm. “No, it’s not,” he said calmly. “It’s business and you’re going to be incredibly wealthy because of it.”
“I don’t think you fully understand what I’m going through,” remarked Nathanial as he removed Dillon’s hand from his arm. “I was prepared to lose the company that the bulk of my money was sunk in and then, it was resuscitated. Then, by an absolute stroke of luck, it was brought back to flourish. I experienced every single emotion that one man could deal with during this and I will be damned if it will all be in vain.”
“But it won’t be,” continued Dillon. “You’re going to walk away with a sizeable fortune.”
“You don’t know that,” answered Nathanial. “The consortium excels in making deals for people that screw others over.”
“But I’m the one who would have to make the move so the buck stops with me,” Dillon stated emphatically as he looked Nathanial in the eyes. “Nathanial, answer this question for me. Have I ever screwed you over?”
Nathanial paused as he looked straight ahead at Dillon. “No,” he said softly. “You have always been fair with me.”
“Right, and that will not change,” confirmed Dillon. “I give you my word. You will be fairly compensated. Now, let me ask a second question, and I want you to give this some great thought. What would it take for you to sell enough of your shares to make me the majority shareholder?”
Nathanial leaned back in his chair and calmed down as the waiter walked back to the table. “Is everything alright? Can I get you another drink?”
“Absolutely,” replied Nathanial quickly.
“Make that two,” followed Dillon as the waiter nodded and walked off. “Look, you and I both know that if the consortium wants something, they will get it. This sale will happen. However, I want you to tell me what you want from me so that you can walk away feeling you were treated fairly. That’s what I want out of all of this.” Dillon paused while he let Nathanial think about his options. “Nathanial, I’m going to make money no matter what I do, so that’s not what this is about. I told Sulagna and Robert that I would not be a part of any deal that sees you being bullied or treated unfairly. I will not stand for that now or ever. So, with that being said, name your price and maybe we can figure something out.”
Nathanial smirked as he shook his head. “I knew this day would come,” he said solemnly. “I honestly thought they would at least wait a few months to push me out.”
Alexis reached over to pat Nathanial on his shoulder before he shrugged it away, shaking his head without looking over at her. “Alexis, why don’t we go freshen up before dinner,” said Marisol as she looked at the two men at the table.
“I think that’s a great idea,” she replied as they stood up and walked away. A few steps from the table was the entrance to the small, two-person lavatory where both women walked in to find it empty. “What just happened?” asked Alexis as they both stood in front of the mirror. In a small panic, Alexis looked in the mirror to make sure her eyes were still looking presentable and that she hadn’t started to tear up.
Marisol, being as prepared as she typically was, reached into her small hand bag and pulled out a small packet of tissues. “Hold still,” she said as she put one in her hand and held it up to Alexis’s eyes. With a few quick dabs of the tissue, she was able salvage Alexis’s eye makeup before she could do any damage. “I’m impressed. You held back your tears very well.”
“Putting on eye makeup a second time is a bitch,” she responded as Marisol finished the touch up. “I think I had maybe one tear from each eye and it still did a bit of damage.”
“It’s nothing I cannot fix,” replied Marisol. “How long have you known about the takeover?”
“I told you at the table. I found out this morning.”
“No, you didn’t,” accused Marisol. “When did you really find out?”
Alexis looked at Marisol softly as she shook her head. “Sulagna told me something like this could happen a few days after Hannah and I took over. Once Robert Acostis and Dillon took over the New Zealand company and made their way into the consortium, I had a feeling that the next step was going to be ousting Nathanial. I promise that I didn’t know officially until this morning. However, I knew that this was a possibility and the second I knew that Dillon Flannigan, a minority owner in the Australian Oil and Trade Refiners, was being made an owner and the acting president of the New Zealand Company, I knew the possibility of Nathanial being removed was very possible. The bylaws of Nathanial’s company state that any sale to an outsider has to be approved by the board, but any sale to someone who already has stake in the company can go through without any red tape.”
She paused for a minute as everything came together. “It all makes sense now,” she said as she looked at Marisol. “Sulagna had no use for Robert Acostis or the company in New Zealand, but because Dillon has a stake in Nathanial’s company, she allowed them in so that she could use him as leverage. Robert had to have known this, which is why he brought him along. This is one giant professional game of chess that Dillon doesn’t realize he’s playing.”
“What do you mean?” asked Marisol with an incredibly confused look on her face. “I don’t understand. Is he being used?”
“Yes, but to his benefit and he doesn’t even realize it,” she continued to explain. “Honestly, there is another piece that would have to be put into place, but I don’t suppose that it would be much of a problem. Sulagna and Robert would have to convince Jacoby Burgess to get on board with this plan. And honestly, I’m almost positive that is possible.”
“I think anyone would jump on the opportunity to make more money,” Marisol said as she patted Alexis on the shoulder.
Alexis nodded. “I know he would,” she stated confidently. “Jacoby is incredibly gifted at what he does.”
Chapter 5
Sulagna Patel looked at herself in the mirror as she prepared for the night. “He would want me to do this,” she said to herself as she unpinned her earrings and placed them in her ear. She looked down at the dresser where her belongings were resting, noticing a picture of she and her daughter was nestled in the bottom of her jewelry box. As a soft smile crept over her face, she remembered the day that picture was taken.
She reached over for her tablet and set it on the dresser, propping it up on its stand and opening it. With a few clicks, her tablet was buzzing and her daughter appeared in front of her. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Just because I call you on the tablet does not mean that anything is wrong,” defended Sulagna. “I just wanted to talk to my daughter for a few minutes.”
Mina laughed as she looked away from the screen before turning back to look at her mother. “What are you all dressed up for? Aren’t you in Sydney?”
“Yes, I am still in Sydney,” she replied softly. “And if you must know, I have accepted an invitation to attend dinner tonight with Jacoby Burgess at his home.”
“What!?” squealed Mina. “Are you kidding me? You’re actually going to go out with another man?”
Sulagna looked panicked. “I mean, yes, is that ok?”
Mina smiled. “Of course it is,” she replied. “Why would it not be ok?”
“Well, your father passed away six months ago and I thought that
perhaps it was a bit too soon,” she explained. “I didn’t want to upset you with that news.”
Mina continued to laugh. “Mom, it’s sweet that you would worry about me, but please don’t. I’m incredibly happy that you’re going out with another man tonight. Maybe it will end well for you?” she asked playfully.
“Mina Patel!” scolded Sulagna.
“What? A girl has needs too.”
Sulagna shook her head in disbelief. “I’m also going to be talking to him about the plan that we have in motion regarding the acquisition of Nathanial’s shares in his company. This meeting is also for business, not just pleasure.”
Mina nodded. “Of course,” she said. “I spoke with Hannah and Dillon earlier and they’re both prepared for what all is going on. I also got a text from Dillon a few minutes ago saying that he was surprised at a restaurant in Sydney by Nathanial and Alexis. With that being said, Nathanial could be abreast of everything before the night is over and you could be in for a very awkward phone call.”
“I’m not in Sydney for phone calls,” explained Sulagna. “I will meet with Nathanial tomorrow to explain our position and to make sure the transition goes smoothly.”
“What transition?” asked Mina. “As little as he did before, what makes you think there will be any need for him to do anything now? Jenkins is useless now just as he has been for the past few years.”
Sulagna shook her head. “Mina, we always try to treat people with dignity, no matter their short comings.”
“Yeah, and in business, he has plenty of short comings,” quipped Mina. “I’ll make sure everything is running smooth here in Wellington. Don’t worry about me and have fun tonight. Even if it’s just for business, you deserve to have a good time.”
“Thank you, Mina.”
“I love you, mom. Have fun.”
Sulagna ended the conversation with her daughter so that she could continue to get ready. She walked over to the closet and grabbed the turquoise dress that she picked out earlier and slipped it on before walking over to the other side of the room and putting on the black shoes she wore earlier in the day. With beautiful gold studs in her ears and a golden pendant around her neck, Sulagna looked elegant and ready for the night’s dinner. She grabbed her belongings and walked downstairs to find a taxi waiting for her. She stepped in the back, giving the man the address before taking off toward Jacoby’s penthouse, which fortunately, was only a few blocks over.
After a quick, five-minute trek through the city, Sulagna arrived at Jacoby’s apartment building. She walked up a small flight of stairs to find the doorman waiting on her, where she immediately introduced herself before being allowed to walk in. “You look beautiful, ma’am,” said the polite doorman as he turned his key in the slot by the elevator to open it for her and allow her access to Jacoby’s penthouse.
“Thank you,” she replied as she stepped on the elevator with the doors closing behind her. She looked around the plain elevator as soft music played overhead. Without a stop, she arrived at the top floor of the building within a minute; stepping straight off into the foyer of Jacoby’s penthouse apartment. She walked in and immediately took in the scenery. The room was dark, possessing a warm ambience as she walked slowly along the walnut hardwood floors. She turned her head and admired the artwork on the cream-colored walls, noticing the painted images of women and children filling the space, providing an aura of comfort.
She walked through the foyer and entered the living room, noticing the same ambience about it and how it connected to a small eating area where the table was already set for the two of them. “He went all out,” she thought to herself as she continued to analyze his dwellings. The kitchen was right behind the table, connecting seamlessly to living room.
“I see you found my domicile,” announced Jacoby as he walked in from a hallway. “Did the doorman give you any grief?”
“Men don’t give me grief, Jacoby,” she said with a stern, yet somewhat playful look. “They allow me to do what I want, when I want.”
Jacoby chuckled. “Is that how your marriage was so successful?” he joked.
“I’m sure that’s how your marriage was,” she retorted quickly. “It is always in a man’s best interest to allow the woman to control things.”
“I don’t know how I feel about being controlled,” he replied playfully. “In all seriousness, how was trip here? Did you find it ok?”
Sulagna smiled. “I gave the driver the address from my phone and he brought be right here. There was nothing difficult about it.”
Jacoby nodded. “Fair enough,” he replied. “I can give you the grand tour if you’d like, but this is pretty much it. There are three bedrooms behind me but everything in my penthouse is pretty much up here.”
“I love how open it is,” she said.
“Aye, that was a must for me,” he replied. “I love how everything out here connects. There is a space to eat, a space to entertain and a space to cook, but there aren’t any transition points. There are no doors or walls separating the area, which ultimately, I love.”
Sulagna nodded. “It’s also very warm in here. I love the dark colors and the ambience.”
Jacoby smirked. “Thanks, that was another thing that I really wanted to have. I prefer, if at all possible, to live in a cave. I think better, sleep better, and ultimately just live better if I’m in a dark, warm setting.”
“That’s good to know,” she continued. “So, you summoned me here to feed me?” joked Sulagna as she looked around the apartment.
“I did, and if you’d like to have a seat, I’ll bring it right to you,” replied Jacoby. “It just finished.”
The two sat in the dining room of Jacoby’s penthouse and looked over the food he prepared: baked chicken with a lemon Alfredo sauce served on a bed of angel hair pasta with steamed asparagus. As she stared at the beauty in front of her, admiring Jacoby’s handwork in the kitchen and how he was able to prepare a dish so magnificent in such a short time, her thoughts continued to dwell on what she was doing there. “Am I disgracing the memory of my husband?” she thought to herself as she still examined the food in front of her. With her mind wandering, she did her best to suppress it. Appearing to be invested in Jacoby and why she chose to come to eat with him. Her mission was simple: ensure that he was on board with the takeover. Though torn, thinking about what she needed to do and say kept her motivated as well as driven.
“Is it ok?” asked Jacoby as he noticed Sulagna staring at the food. “I can always call in something if this isn’t up to par.”
“Oh no,” she replied, shaking her head out of her trance. “This is beautiful. I was simply amazed at how perfect this looks.”
Jacoby grinned as he poured a glass of red wine and placed it in front of his plate. “Red?” he asked as he held the bottle out and offered it to Sulagna, who nodded softly. He reached over and poured the wine into the glass in front of her plate before placing the cork back in it. “I remember at one time you preferred red, but your husband and daughter both preferred white. How awkward did that make wine purchases at your home?”
“It wasn’t awkward at all,” she replied with a cheeky smile on her face. “I bought all of the wine.”
“Hah!” he laughed. “You’re a woman who knows how to get what she wants,” he stated with a coy smile before sitting down in the chair adjacent to Sulagna. “Have you always been this way?”
Sulagna reached forward and grabbed her wine. “Honestly, ever since I could remember,” she said as she brought the glass up to her lips and sipped on it. “When I was a child in Delhi, my father encouraged me to speak my mind and my grandfather demanded it. He lived through the end of the colonial periods in India when they drove out England, so he instilled in my father the need to stand up for oneself when oppressed. My father, never oppressed by a foreign country, encouraged me to be my own woman and forge my own path. You see, the caste system in India is a real thing, and, though my family’s status allowed us to operate in t
he upper echelon, the Brahman caste, my father felt that the system was archaic and hampered the human spirit.”
“What do you mean?” asked Jacoby. “I thought the caste system was a product of the Hindu religion?”
“It is,” she replied as she reached for the fork resting beside her plate. “It centers on the concept of reincarnation and how if one lives a good life, they will be reborn in an elevated class. My father, against the wishes of his family and my mother, turned his back on the Hindu religion and converted the entire family to Catholicism, something that I still practice to this day. We started giving to the community, especially to those who were less fortunate than us. My father was an engineer, responsible for building and designing roads and buildings. He amassed a fortune through hard work, determination, and always making sure that he was prepared; something that he instilled in me. However, with the caste system in India, no matter how hard you work or how determined you are, you can never escape that rung on the ladder.”
“To counter that though, no matter how poorly you perform, you will never be relegated,” quipped Jacoby, using a football reference to pique Sulagna’s interest. “One could say that the caste system is like a football league where there are no penalties for poor performance.”
Sulagna took a bite of the chicken as she listened to Jacoby’s remarks. “Right, but there is also no reward for exemplary performance either,” she replied, swallowing the small bite before answering him. “The entire point of the caste system is to reward people for their work at the end of their lives. Many of my best employees were supposedly of a lower caste and I helped to elevate them to a life that was better than those above them. However, because of their beliefs, they were always stuck in that caste, even though they had bettered themselves right then. It’s a faulty system and one that really should be adjusted.”