CHAPTER 5

If Sam wasn’t used to all the insults and name-calling she received, she would have jumped at her feet and shouted at him and slapping him like crazy. But over the years since she married Maxwell and with his nurturing, Sam managed to suppress her anger as well as her expression for situations like she is facing now.

“How much is what?” She asked calmly. “For someone like you, Mr. McLaren, you don’t elaborate much on things, do you? What is it that you’re asking me for?”

Damian’s eyes narrowed at her response.

“For an expert woman like you, it’s surprising that you haven’t caught on yet. Or perhaps you’re playing?” he sneered dryly as he stood up and walked around his desk, leaning on it while facing her. “How much do you want in exchange for your shares on Cameron Elite Holdings, Mrs. Cameron? I can be very generous if the need arises.”

Sam let out a short laugh.

“Wherever did you get the idea that I’m selling my shares?” She asked with a smile. “Perhaps you should fire your PI and hire a new one if he’s the one who gave you that information.”

She felt some triumphant satisfaction when she saw him frowned down at her.

“Mr. McLaren, perhaps you read me wrong,” she said steadily. “I am not like the others who would easily let go the shares the company has worked hard for. My husband to be exact. Basing from what I had gathered also, the shares that have been transferred to you, I believe is sufficient enough. My shares are not for sale.”

“Of course they are,” Damian insisted with intimidation.

“You can insist all you want but at the end of the day, it’s my decision,” she pressed with a finality to her tone. She stood up. “I believe we have nothing more to discuss. It was nice meeting you, Mr. McLaren.”

“I didn’t say the meeting’s over,” he said threateningly. “Sit down, Mrs. Cameron.”

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” She questioned.

“I said sit down!” Damian stated darkly.

Sam’s eyes narrowed and just to prevent the argument she sat back down and stared back at him evenly. “Well?” She asked coldly. “Now that you stopped me from leaving, what else is there to discuss?”

“You play hard, do you, Mrs. Cameron?!” He sneered. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at her. “Well, I am a man who knows and is willing to play games to those who like it. Most especially women.”

“Whatever games you’re talking about, I have no interest in them,” Sam said calmly and she congratulated herself for maintaining her composure that made him frown. “So, Mr. McLaren, what else is there to talk about?”

Before Damian could speak, a phone on his desk rang and he cursed. Sam watched as he picked up the receiver, muttered something and then paused before looking back at her. He pressed a button on his desk and looked towards the door.

“Lead Mrs. Cameron to the Meeting Room beside my office while I take this call,” he instructed when his secretary came in. He looked at Sam. “I’ll be with you shortly, Mrs. Cameron. I have an urgent call from my mother back in Italy. It wouldn’t take long.”

Sam stood up and watched him for a while, surprised at his immediate switch from English to Italian. She walked ahead of his secretary and fished her phone from her purse when she heard a ring.

“Hello?” She said softly. She remained silent for a while. “Yes. I’ll be right there.”

Ending the call, Sam turned towards the secretary. “Please send my regrets to your boss,” she said firmly. “I have an important appointment that has been moved up and I had to be there.”

“B-But, but..” The secretary stuttered.

Sam took out a business card and handed it to him.

“You may call my secretary to check my free schedule,” she interrupted and without further waiting, she headed straight to the elevator that fortunately opened when she pushed the down button. She sent a message to her driver and then looked up at the flustered secretary, smiling at him. “Good day.”

When she was finally inside the comfort of her car, Sam let go of the façade that she had put up and closed her eyeS. She held her tears that is threatening to spill down from her eyes.

What a pr1ck, she thought and reached for her phone when it rang.

“Hey.” She greeted after answering a call from Ara.

“The meeting’s done?” Ara asked in surprise from the other line. “How did it go?”

“Delightful,” Sam answered sarcastically. “Mr. McLaren’s a very charming man.”

Ara remained silent for a while. “Do you want me to meet you wherever you’ll be heading now?” She finally questioned gently. “I don’t have any appointments for today.”

“I’m going to be fine,” Sam assured her. “Don’t worry about me. I pointedly and frankly told him that the shares he already got are sufficient enough and that my shares aren’t for sale. He might push for sure but he’ll give up soon.”

“I’m not sure about that, Sam,” Ara said.

Sam sighed over the response. “I know,” she admitted sadly. “He’s an intimidating man and basing from the few minutes I’m in his presence, he looked at it as a battle that he has every intention of winning.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not going to think about it for a while,” Sam answered. “Knowing your dad, he will want me to let go some of the shares to ease the pressure on the votes. I’m sure you and Vince have that same intent as well when you went at the beach house.”

“You still have a lot to live for, Sam,” Ara explained.

“I know and I promise I will do that,” Sam assured her with a smile. “For the time being, I’ll just wait a sign from Maxwell. When I see it, then I will hand those shares to Mr. McLaren without a fight. Then, perhaps you and Vince can accompany me for a European trip? I promise no business calls.”

Ara laughed, remembering that time the entire family took a trip. While most of them enjoyed the vacation, Sam stayed at the hotel, doing conference calls and closing deals.

“I’ll tell Vince to clear his calendar,” she promised. “Sam, whatever happens, call me immediately, alright? I’m not letting you go through this alone.”

“I promise.”

After a few more minutes, Sam ended the call and just right on time for her to arrive at her quick appointment with her secretary at a coffee shop to sign some checks and paperwork.

Her phone rang again and this time it was her good friend, Darren Whitehall calling.

“How may I help you today, Senator?” She answered teasingly.

“You’re coming with me tonight. That’s what you’re going to help me with and be the model for the necklace that mom donated,” Darren Whitehall then said firmly. “Remember that charity gala I told you about a few months ago and you donated that peacock inspired emerald and sapphire necklace for the auction?”

“Gossips will start again,” Sam warned lightly. “You know I donated that so I wouldn’t be pressured to attend since I wasn’t planning to.”

“I know,” he replied. “But it’s going to be on me, alright? Remember, election season is coming soon and I need all the publicity that I can get whether good or bad. Bringing Mrs. Cameron will surely seal the deal.”

“If I don’t love you, I’ll scratch your eyes out,” Sam returned.

“But you do,” he retorted with a chuckle. “Very much. I’ll have my secretary deliver the dress I picked out for you. It’s going to make my mother’s pressure rise up.”

Sam laughed.

“Perhaps I’ll drag you to the altar and make it worst,” she teased. “As they say, spawning my web again.”

Darren laughed at the other end of the line. “You’re the best, Sam,” he replied instead. “Anyway, the gala won’t be that much of a big publicity. It’s the usual uptight society that will be bleeding our ears from boasting their investments but I had to be there to secure a second term.”

“I know and if I’m a genie, I’ll definitely grant your wish and even make it a lifetime for you to be there,” Sam answered with understanding. “We need a politician like you and I’ll make sure that you’ll stay there.”

“I’ll see you tonight,” Darren said warmly.