4.1-Meetings

Justine - On the afternoon of Friday, the 23rd

The view from my office is stunning, overlooking the steel of downtown. I’m in my favorite glass castle, Orion Industries, towering over the busy city below. The afternoon traffic makes me wish I was on my way to lunch. I’m starving, tapping my nails on the desk, preparing for the next stressful meeting.

My computer buzzing with an alert only adds to my aggravation. I roll my eyes and open the email notification. It’s a quarterly statement of my international investments and profits. The firm is up another seven hundred and fifty million, increasing my net worth into the billions.

I reinvented myself a few years ago and started taking chances on investments and having them pay off. Now my portfolio and firm are in high demand. The only thing missing is someone special to share it with, but a knock on the door soon breaks my wandering thoughts.

“Miss Orion. Your one o’clock meeting is here,” says my office assistant, entering with a file and warm tea.

“Send him in and have Damien rescue me in five minutes,” I say while reviewing the proposal.

“You know he is already waiting on standby with a timer set,” she reassures me before leaving.

My clients are great, and the money is pouring in. However, other investors make my job difficult. I love what I do and those that work for me, but sometimes I want to escape, especially from the next pit of doom.

Leonard Donieer is one of the worst asshats in the game. He attempts to bully me out of my contracts or even try to outbid me and fail. I can’t stand him and only tolerate his presence when I have no choice.

He’s here to discuss his last-minute counteroffer on a nightclub I’m interested in, The Belly Dance. But my patience with this man is minimal. I know him personally through the business, and he still speaks to my ex. But worse, I lost a significant investment to him last year.

The company went under, making me loathe him even more. Then to make matters worse, he sold it to a conglomerate, and they downsized. They would have flourished with my backing, with potential for international growth.

The last thing I want for The Belly Dance, and the owner Thackery, is for it to fold with Donieer’s investment. Having one club here and two in other large cities, their profit margins are impressive and will add to my entertainment portfolio.

Annoyed, I slapped the file on my desk, wishing this torture would end. My appointment walks in wearing an expensive suit and a smile that makes me roll my eyes. Leonard Donieer isn’t ugly, but also, he’s not my type.

“Hello there, Justine. You’re looking sexy as ever,” he says while looking smug.

“That’s Miss Orion to you, Leonard,” I spit his name, not giving him the luxury of being formal.

“Well, Miss Orion,” he grins mockingly, “it’s so good of you to meet with me finally.”

I can feel the bravado swimming off Leonard as he speaks to me. And how is it this prick can make my name sound dirty? His voice makes my skin crawl like nails on a chalkboard as I watch the clock, knowing it hasn’t been five minutes yet.

“It seems the only reason for this meeting is you’re sneaking in a bid on one of my deals,” I finish with a sharper tone.

“Business is business, Miss Orion,” he goads like a slimeball.

I do not bother looking at him, but I know he’s watching me pace. I can feel it, and it’s more of a sexual glare than a respectable one. Finally, sparing him a glance, he’s licking his lips while eyeing my ass. Turning around, I fold my arms over my chest, scowling at him.

“Right, and going after the club is your way of helping,” I ask sarcastically. “What’s the bid? Complete overhaul and parking lot revival?” knowing his offer, he laughs momentarily.

“Regardless, my bid is in with Thackery. This meeting was me being courteous, dropping by for this wonderful banter,” he smirks.

Courtesy would be him getting out of the investment game. He’s the worst investor and never truly helps the clients. I mumble, packing my briefcase to avoid lashing out at him.

“Thackery set up a meeting with my assistant already. I assume you’ll be there,” not bothering to remind him of the date or time.

“You can count on it,” he winks at me.

There is something unsavory about Donieer’s overconfidence, and his undesirable attitude leaves nothing to the imagination. I can’t believe the owner is entertaining him and these antics. The situation infuriates me, and I must work extra hard to destroy him.

“On a more fun note, how about dinner?” Leonard asks as if we aren’t in a standoff right now.

Most men don’t know how to present themselves to me. He’s no different, puffing out his chest and trying to seduce me with his eyes. I ignore his poor attempts brushing them off as laughable. Leonard Donieer’s smirk is menacing and making me nauseous while looking over my cup at him.

“We can even discuss a possible merger,” raising his brow suggestively, making me scoff aloud.

I roll my eyes. Now he’s trying to sweeten his already repulsive offer by implying sex. The thought makes me gag, picturing that idiot hunter from Beauty and the Beast trying to court Belle. Damn, they could be twins.

Donieer’s smugness has me wanting to break something over his head or, worse, shoot him and mount him on my wall. I smile, thinking about using his carcass for target practice, but quickly wipe it clear. I hope he didn’t see that and hope it was for him.

“Miss Justine, the car is ready, and we are running late,” Damien chimes, entering on cue, as always, a true-life saver.

My Guard is a pure specimen of a man, standing at six foot four with a body built of pure muscle. Locking eyes with him in the doorway makes me grin wider, staring into his piercing gray orbs, making me ravenous to run my fingers through his trimmed, dirty blond hair.

Damien’s dressed for success in a tailored suit I want to rip from his flesh. Only to bite into his toned physique and lick those chiseled abs that lead to a perfect pelvic v. I wouldn’t stop there, rubbing my thighs together to create some friction from my fantasy.

He’s nothing like Donieer, and I’m thankful for Damien daily. With some sensational rewards, he’s my all-in-one friend, chauffeur, bodyguard, and field assistant. And the benefits to this arrangement I do love to exploit.

“Thank you so much, Damien. And do show him out as we have nothing further to discuss this meeting,” pointing to dismiss Leonard without delay.

“Sir, if you would be so kind,” Damien motions to the door.

“I will take that as a no to dinner then,” Leonard rubs his neck in defeat but wears a grin.

Damien clears his throat gruffly, snapping the douche kazoo out of his haze. He rises to leave, my silence making him linger as he gives me another vulgar stare. I ignore him like I’ve been doing the whole meeting.

“See you next week. Have a lovely day Miss Orion,” he smirks, raking his gaze over me, making me inwardly cringe.

He shakes my hand, trying to kiss it, but I pull away quickly, wanting to wash my hand. Eyeing Damien, he finally escorts Leonard out of my office, and I’m beyond ready to leave when he returns.

“That meeting went like you said it would,” Damien confirms while putting his blazer on.

“Yes, it did, but let’s not dwell. Do we have time for lunch?” I ask, eyeing Damien, ready for dessert.

“Justine, you know we always have time for food,” he says, popping out his elbow for me.

On the way to the car Damien and I discuss the board meeting I have after the break. I groan about the monotony as my phone buzzes, reminding me of today’s lunch date.

I gasp, seeing the notification to meet a possible love interest I have been exchanging pleasantries with. This would be our first official face-to-face encounter after a month of chatting. She’s always elusive with her time.

“I have a date today. I almost forgot,” biting my lip and staring at Damien in the mirror.

“I didn’t. It was next on the list. I’m going to run some errands. Text me when you’re ready,” he pulls onto the road.

Damien’s presence can often be intimidating, making my dates uncomfortable. He always gives me privacy, but I would prefer to have him there. It makes the wait much more pleasant and gives me an out if needed.

My last two dates have been horrid. They didn’t have anything to say and hardly ate. Why is it so hard to connect with good people? Glancing at Damien, I feel lucky to have him.

My ex-husband was also an investor but overlooked my suggestions. He started as a good man but soon changed into a nightmare. Cheated, of course, not that I would have cared if we discussed it. I also had needs that he wasn’t meeting.

With his narcotics addiction came constant abuse and sexual degradation. He even stalked me during the divorce, sometimes making me hide away. After three years of misery, I finally left him.

The Guards helped me stay safe, and of course, I kept Damien for my protection, or I would not be here today. Investing in his agency was my first big move, and it’s paid for itself tenfold.

We soon arrive at Toby’s Diner breaking my thoughts. The 50’s style atmosphere and the classic uniforms always make for a fun lunch. That’s why I’m meeting my date here today, but the relaxed surroundings do nothing to stop the nervousness from settling in the pit of my stomach. It’s not often I put myself out there, but I did on a dating app this time.