Chapter one

In the outskirts of Dulwich Village, London, a company stands tall with glass windows, guarded with wired spikes at the edge of the huge wall that runs around the compound. Two huge pillars are placed on both sides of the company.

Robinson dropped the files roughly on the oak table, tapping his fingers to the boredom in the meeting room. Five of his board of directors were sitting before him waiting for his next order, one that most of them would probably object to, especially Dr William who sat next to him. After Robinson took over his father's business, half ignoring his own, Dr William had been a hidden threat.

"I'm not sure we can accept what they have to offer. We can't accept the deal." He finally said lightly, hitting the pen on the table.

"But sir, we have enough money to exchange for the goods they have–"

"It will be a waste for this company, Daniel. This company is already near a dead end. I expect the old men here not to waste the money on importing stupid goods that won't sell, but to use their brains to find a way to bring this company back to life." His eyes fixed on the man that kept standing.

Mr Daniel shivered at the glare he received and sat down praying for no one to see his embarrassment.

"Robinson–"

"Mr Robinson," he corrected.

Dr William was taken aback but hid the disgust on his face, making Robinson curve a hideous smirk. "I'm sorry, Mr Robinson." he offered a slight bow. "I feel you are in haste to condemn the growing company. Buying metal scraps from them can–"

"Go straight to the point, Doctor." Robinson raised his watch to check the time when the meeting only started.

William gritted his teeth and coughed slightly to suppress the anger burning him up. "What I am trying to say is, you should read the files again, you will see this will do our company good." he finished before reclaiming his seat.

Robinson scanned the five men that sat on either side of him. They were all old enough to be his father, but the disgust that ached on his face showed exactly what he was thinking.

"I have made my decision," he finally said, throwing the files to his assistant. "Do away with that. This meeting has come to an end."

He stood up from the leather chair, grabbed his coat and strolled out of the room turning blind eyes to the angry reactions he saw on their faces. Charles, his assistant, gathered the scattered files and held them together in his arm, he was walking briskly towards Robinson when someone called him.

"Robin."

He knew who owned that voice, he had been expecting it. "Dr William," he replied, feigning a smile, "you called for me."

"Yes, I did. You, my boy, you are the only one he listens to. Try to convince him."

"You know no one can convince him to do something he doesn't want to, Doctor William."

"I know, I do know. But try, he will listen to you," he whispered in response, tapping Robin's back encouragingly, before leaving him in the meeting room.

Hurried footsteps were approaching from the door, "Mr Charles, the CEO sends for you."

"Oh, yes!" called back Robin, snapping out of his thoughts. "Thank you, Nuel, I'll get to him." He sped to the garage.

Robinson stood beside his black Bentley Car, with his intimidating height, broad shoulders and long muscular arms. Under the moon, he looked just the handsome Mafia boss.

"William never gets tired of trying, does he?" Robinson asked.

Charles — not only the personal assistant to Robinson but his one and only friend — wasn't surprised that Robinson knew why he didn't follow him to the company's garage. "Well, this time it wasn't exactly a hidden threat, he just sent me–"

"To convince me?" Robinson was good at cutting people off.

"Yeah." Robin chuckled, dropping the files Into the back seat.

"And were you planning to do that?" Robinson asked, he tilted his head.

"Of course not. I know it will be useless. But," Robin paused for effect, “The deal looked good for the growth of the company, why did you reject it?"

"Fraud. The company, its opening statement, signatures, even the international numbers looked fake."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Fake? You mean the company is non-existent?"

"Yes. I'm trying to believe the directors didn't study the file well, but my guts tell me they know exactly what they were trying to do." He slid a cigarette between his lips.

"Daniel included? He always chickens out from things like this."

"Daniel can fool anyone behind those glasses. So yes, Daniel included. Were they testing my intelligence? Because the fakeness of the company was simply obvious." He dragged the smoke and puffed it out through his slightly parted lips.

"Well, Mr William surely has a hand in it, little wonder as to why he was so bent on you reading the files again and again." Robin grabbed his coat, trying to hide from the cold.  “When are you going to remove him?"

"Soon, not just now. Let's keep playing the games they think they have mastered. Let's go home. Eleana has already called me." He grabbed the keys and slid into the car.

Robin laughed slightly and shook his head, "When will you tell her the truth?"

"She knows, she just loves the attention–"

"I'm not sure she does, Robinson. Just yesterday, she told me when she becomes your wife, she will convince you to increase my salary."

"Ha! She loves dreaming big." Robinson laughed loudly. He could only be caught laughing with Robin. "And what did you tell her?"

"Really? What do you want me to say?" He chuckled, then shook his head again.

"Oh, well." he ignited the car and held the steering wheel, driving it out of the company's compound, "If I tell her and she goes, who will always be there to service the big man down there?" Staring between his trousers.

"Spare me that. Everyone knows about your frequent visits to brothels. My stomach hurts, I need Anna's chicken sauce."

"Hope that's what she cooked today." He said and silently drove to his house.