Page 22 of Insufferable Boss

I deeply suspected that I would regret it, but she was a sight for sore eyes. I took her a bit further away from the office than I would have liked, but any closer, and we were sure to run into prying eyes, which was the last thing that I wanted. Soon we arrived at Gramercy Tavern, and I asked if she wanted to have lunch in their outdoor seating area or inside.

“Inside,” she said, and I led her in.

We were soon seated, and although I didn’t outrightly watch her, I could feel a certain change in her from the morning. However, I couldn’t quite tell what it was, so I waited for her to speak. Or maybe there wasn’t a change whatsoever, and this was just a part of her persona. I couldn’t quite tell.

I couldn’t tell anything about her. As she sat down, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. There was so much I wanted to know, but the curiosity in itself was alarming. However, I didn’t look too much into it since it was probably because she was a new character in my life, a brand new one to boot, so I couldn’t tell but wanted to figure her out.

We soon placed our orders, and as the waiter left, we were once again left alone.

She met my gaze and then smiled.

“We got off on the wrong foot today,” she said, but I didn't comment. She went on.

“Well, first of all, I want to extend my apology. Things definitely could and should have been handled much better than they were when I came into your office earlier.”

“And I the same,” I replied. “I think we actually can get along, and so I’m willing to approach our relationship in a better way that can be beneficial for the both of us.”

Her eyes slightly narrowed at this, and I couldn’t blame her. It sounded as though I was once again hinting at some sexual proposition or something, but that wasn’t the case at all.

Nevertheless, I didn't dwell on it and proceeded to pour myself and her a glass of water.

She watched it fill up, and then she lifted the glass to her lips.

Afterwards, she smiled, and our first course of roasted carrot soup was brought over.

“I’ve thought about things further,” she said. “And I truly want to make our partnership work. I don't want us to approach this as a way to strong-arm the other party into doing something they don't really want to do. So, how about we approach this from a logical and mutually beneficial angle?”

“I’m open to this,” I said, and she nodded.

“First, let us lay down what we both need the most. You need support to facilitate your control of the company and ensure you're able to do your job. I understand this, and in response, I'm willing to offer you my full support.”

I listened as she spoke, and then I nodded.

“I, on the other hand, truly want to branch out into the scents division, and I know that this can bring significant increase to the company and the value of our brand.”

“We’re on the same page,” I said, and she nodded.

“In the end, this is my company. It's both of ours, and we have a legacy to uphold, so why not work together instead of going our separate ways?”

I continued eating, a bit impatient with her speaking in bits and pieces, but I told myself to extend the same courtesy she was giving me and to learn to walk at the pace of others, so I let her continue.

“Change the terms of your offer, and you'll not only get a valuable asset but also my cooperation and backing for the future.”

I looked at her then, and maybe it was something in her eyes, but this offer didn't exactly sound as pure as it should have.

“And if I don't?” I asked, and she smiled.

“Then naturally, you'll lose all of the aforementioned. You're a shrewd businessperson, such as I am, so I don't think you'd expect anything less.”

I considered her words, and then I nodded.

“Fair enough. Maybe we can come to a more favorable agreement.”

“How does 61-39 sound?” I asked, and she gave me a look, but to my surprise, she smiled.

“You do love to jest,” she said, but I was no longer joking.

“Let's do 55-45,” I said, and she sighed again as she continued calmly eating her soup.