Three

I slipped into the chair beside him, not bothering to Order.

“You and Yarrus Corps aren't going to win. I'll make sure of it.” I spat out,

He raised his eyebrow at me, “Are you talking to me?”

“Are you celebrating early?” I jabbed, making him huff.

“Well excuse me for having a drink.” he said, rolling his eyes. I clenched my jaw.

“It's good that you're here though. Maybe you can call up a few women here to get drunk with you. Who knows? If you're lucky they might actually sleep with you.” I nonchalantly stated,

The moment he froze, I knew I caught him. Shrugging, I continued.

“You definitely need the advice. After all, it'll take someone getting a few drinks in before they can consider sleeping with you.”

Tristan's face screwed up in an unpleasant expression and satisfaction filled me.

“Say that again.” he demanded, his voice deeper and darker. I smiled to myself, ignoring him.

“I freaking dare you to say that again.”

Right before I was about to call the bartender, I suddenly felt a hand on my shirt, dragging me towards him.

“You bastard.” Tristan sneered and I answered with a smirk.

“Go on then.” I goaded before a loud sound made us freeze.

“No fighting in this establishment.” The man said, snapping his fingers. In moments we were thrown out of the bar.

I stumbled and quickly recovered, looking at Tristan who looked disheveled and annoyed, glaring at me. My lips curled into a smug smile.

 I hadn't been able to get drunk, but seeing him like this made me satisfied.

Tristan turned,  about to walk away before I called out.

“Let’s make it a bet. I’ll get the deal with Terra Corporation before you. The winner gets whatever favor they want from the loser.”

Tristan stopped in place and for a moment I thought he was going to ignore me and keep walking. He turned around instead, looking straight at me.

“Deal,” he agreed with a smirk on his face. He moved towards me before raising his hand.

“I'm looking forward to it.” he said. I didn't hesitate to shake his hand firmly.

The moment I touched him, something coiled in my belly. I hadn't expected his hands to be this large. I wasn't small in any way, only lean above average but his hands seemed to engulf mine. His skin was warm and the heat seemed to ebb.

The scent of his cologne mixed in with the whiskey reached my nose and it made my belly heat up strangely.

What was going on with me?

Suddenly his hand pulled away, leaving mine in mid-air. I looked up to find his eyes were dark and his expression was screwed up in…anger?

He turned away, mushing oast me without a word. Annoyance sparked inside me as I watched him leave without a second glance.

What the hell?

…

“I don't understand him. One minute he's okay and it feels like I can nearly stand him and then he suddenly acts like a jackass again.” I scoffed.

I ranted to Ellie, my best friend who supported me through my struggle after the breakup, about what happened that evening.

“Don't think about him anymore bubba.” She said, calling me by her personal nickname for me. It always helped calm me down.

“I know. I just…” I sighed, “What if he's already far ahead of me? I can't lose this deal.”

“Stop talking like that. That isn't the Will I know and love,” she huffed from the phone in indigo action,

“Sure, maybe he may have come in earlier but what does it matter? I know you and what you're capable of. You've got the smarts, confidence and the charm to win them over. You have nothing to worry about. All you have to do is use those natural gifts of yours.”

“Yeah, Maybe you're right.” I nodded, determination surging in my chest.

“I'm always right. Now go get some rest and blow them away tomorrow.” She kissed him goodnight through the phone before the call ended.

So what if he met the CEO earlier? It wasn't the end of the world and it didn't mean the end of business.

The number one rule in business was to use all advantages and disadvantages as an opportunity. Tristan was a thorn in his side, but I was William Bracknell and I was going to use all my advantages.

…

I returned to the building the next day in higher spirits waiting. I wasn't going to give up.

A man that entered the building caught my attention. I instantly recognized him from my investigation in the company earlier. He was one of the people who was close to the CEO.

If I could get to him, I was one step closer to victory.

I stood up immediately, rushing to meet him before pasting a smile on my face.

“Mr Mirand, what a coincidence to see you here,” I turned on my charm for the wary man, “do you remember? I'm William Bracknell from Bracknell inc. We met at a party once.”

Immediately after the man recognized me I watched his guard lower and smiled wider, ready to strike.

“To be honest I came here for my own reasons, but perhaps we should meet during lunch. I know a good restaurant where we can talk.” I said

The gleam of interest was in the man's eyes now, he nodded agreeing to a time before walking away with a courteous smile.

 Immediately he left, I called up an expensive restaurant and several shops and waited there. When we arrived for lunch, everything was prepared.

“Mr Mirand, I heard it was your wife's birthday last week, so I prepared some gifts. I hope I'm not being too forward,” I spoke in honeyed times, watching his reaction every time.

“You didn't have to.” He smiled, warily as he eyed the boxes arranged in the private room.

“No, please. I can't take the gifts back in good faith. Anyways, what would you like to eat?”

I kept on talking, constantly pushing further.

He was uncomfortable at first but I didn't give up, displaying my charm and buttering him up with praises and surely enough he relaxed, enjoying the array of dishes I brought and happy at my gifts.

“Thank you for all of this Mr Bracknell. My family would be very happy. I have no idea how I should thank you.” He said.

“Please just call me William. Actually I only have a small request to ask you.” I spoke in a faux innocent voice before gesturing to the other platter of expensive boxes.

“Actually, the rest of these gifts are meant for the CEO. I haven't met him yet, but me and Bracknell Inc. are eager to work with someone of his caliber. I simply bought these to appreciate him but there's no way to present it to him. Would it be too much to help it reach him?”

The man's face turned contemplative and I held my breath. Waiting for his answer.

“It’s no worries. I'll let the CEO know.” The man finally conceded with a smile on his face and victory swelled in my veins.

‘Checkmate.’

To hell with Tristan. I had this in the bag and I was going to win.