Chapter 5: Ok! I’ll accept

• I was thinking about it when he spoke again.
• "Are you reconsidering it, Ms. Marie Smith?" he asked me.
• Why is he so impatient. At least wait for some time! It takes time to make any decision. Well, I can always deny it after even reconsidering.
• "Y-yes
• ," I said.
• Then I picked up the contract again. I read it. Although the first point made me think that my company will lose its soul after merging, but the contract was not so bad. There was profit in every point. But he's suffering from loss. Why is he giving profits? Then I received a message again. I looked up.
• "Some terms are negotiable" Adrian texted.
• I didn't reply and kept it down. If anyone noticed it, then?
• I read the contract one last time. By then, everyone had read it.
• "So I'll like to have your response now
• ," he said to everyone. Most of the companies were ready to merge, while a few didn't. Maybe because of the 'eligibility' column at the end.
• "I'll like to see the overall graph of your company in the last decade
• ," he said.
• Oh shit. Maya told me but I didn't bring it. What will I say? He saw the tension on my face and I tried to put on an uneasy smile.
• "In
• case you didn't bring it, you can show me on your laptop," he said.
• Oh yeah. I have that on my laptop. Great.
• One by one, everyone showed the graph. When it came to me, I turned on my laptop and showed it.
• "Your company is going smooth, Ms. Smith
• ," he said.
• "Yes
• ," I said with a little pride.
• "After seeing the development in the last decade and over the merit of the CEO's present here, I would like to give this offer to Ms. Marie Smith
• ," he said. 
• I was shocked. I didn't want it. I mean I didn't expect it. I thought he'll embarrass me because I brought that loss to his company. Because of what I said... Many companies broke ties with him. 
• "T-thank you, Mr. Adrian," I said with a little smile. 
• Other companies frowned. Seeing this, Adrian spoke. 
• "Don't worry, you all will get the next offer in the upcoming months" he said. With that
• , everyone left and I was also leaving, but he stopped me. 
• "Ms. Marie!" he said. I froze at my place. Everyone left. I turned around. 
• "Good choice
• ," he said. "You're a remarkable businesswoman" he added. 
• "You said that the terms are negotiable. I want to negotiate the first term" I told him. 
• "What do you want to negotiate in that?" he asked. 
• "I don't want to discuss every problem
• with my company with you. I don't want to talk to you about everything every now and then" I said clearly. 
• "Then how can we coordinate?" he asked. "Business is based on mutual work, Ms. Marie
• ," he said. 
• "Whatever... Still..." I was speaking when he interrupted. 
• "Marie if you do anything that will affect your business too. Don't forget what you aimed for when you started this business. I believe you can reach the top. Don't mix your work and life. This is an opportunity for you to
• fulfill your parent's dream" he said and this was enough to bring me to tears in the memories of my parents. 
• "You're
• ... Right... Okay then" I said.
• "I don't want to see tears in your eyes. I didn't say it for that. I just wanted to remind you" he said. 
• "Adrian
• , can you stop acting as you care about me?" I said. 
• "I don't need to act, I'll get nothing but hate if I do so
• ," he said. 
• "What-whatever... I'm leaving
• ... And yes... I'm ready for this offer" 
• He smiled and I left for my office.
• Even if his smile is beautiful still I can't believe till now what happened three years ago. I'll keep my emotions at stake for this business. I'll try to limit my emotions and desires to cry and to be hurt in front of him and I'll maintain my status and esteem. 
• I was in my office. I organi
• zed a party at the end of the day for the celebration of this great offer. Everyone was happy. Their hard work was bringing colors. 
• It was around 5 when Maya came again. 
• "Mam, for the vertical coordination, Mr. Adrian wants to have a meet with you
• ," she said. I was quite afraid but not really. Now I must be meeting him now and then. What should I be afraid of?? 
• Then she went out and Adrian came in. 
• "What's it?" I asked. 
• "I'm here with this contract which you signed five years ago, Marie
• ," he said.