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I guess you win some and you lose some. Sorry, Bri.
9
GABRIELLA
You win some and you lose some. The old adage rings true as I take the elevator up to Holloway Corp., soon to be taken over by Gabana LLC. Sorry, Enzo, but I won and you lost. I can only imagine how pissed he was when he found out.
I’m not going to lie, though. I feel like a million bucks. Enzo never should’ve gone behind my back like he did. Serves him right. Just because he’s a ruthless, experienced businessman doesn’t mean he’s going to win every single time. Doug Holloway is a smart man and he knows that I’m going to take good care of the company he built. I’m going to turn it into something even better and more successful. I have zero doubts in my abilities and the strategy I’ve developed to help me do exactly that. He’s a smart man for choosing me. A very smart?—
I can’t finish my final thought as I’m stepping into the office. All of the air whooshes from my lungs as I practically walk right into Enzo, wobbling on my heels, entirely shocked to see him here. He reaches for my elbow to steady me and I jerk it away as though his touch burns.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss under my breath, trying to ignore how damn handsome he looks in a navy suit. His angular jaw and high cheekbones are more pronounced than usual because he’s cleanly-shaven, but also because he’s sporting quite the shiner. A part of me wants to ask if he’s okay and apply some arnica cream. Another part of me wants to punch him on the other side and give him a matching set of bruises.
I also feel a traitorous ache between my thighs, but I do my best to ignore it. I know what’s beneath that suit and I wish I didn’t. Knowing and not being able to do anything about it is torture.
“Nice to see you, too, Ms. Bianche,” he says coolly.
Before I can respond, Doug appears. Good timing, too, because I instantly reel it in and take a deep breath, forcing myself to be calm. I’m sure Doug will sort all this out quickly enough. There’s no need for me to worry or panic.
“Good to see you both,” Doug says and motions for us to follow him into the small conference room.
Enzo makes an exaggerated sweeping motion with his hand when I don’t immediately move. “No, please, go ahead,” I say stubbornly.
“Ladies first. I insist,” he grits out.
Neither of us moves. We just stand our ground like a couple of children. A moment later, Doug pokes his head out of the room.
“Is there a problem?”
Enzo looks pointedly at me and my nostrils flare in annoyance. “No, of course not,” I respond smoothly, turning away from the bane of my existence, and schooling my features into a pleasant expression. “How are you doing today, Doug?”
I purposely use his first name, hoping to sound chummy. As I sweep past Enzo, I completely ignore him, but I get a good whiff of his sandalwood cologne. No man should be allowed to smell so good. It makes a woman do stupid things. I should know since I caved in and slept with him…multiple times.
At least it was only one night. I’m trying to make myself feel better, reminding myself of that fact. But, it’s not exactly working.
The three of us sit down at the table. Doug points for us to sit across from him, so I force myself to sit in the chair beside Enzo. I don’t like it, but I don’t want to appear rude.
“I’d like to thank you both for being so patient with me and, full disclosure, I want to let you know right away that I haven’t made a final decision yet,” Doug says carefully, looking from me to Enzo.
My heart sinks. Dammit. I thought I had it.
“I honestly didn’t think anyone would be interested in acquiring Holloway Corp. because I haven’t been doing a very good job these past few years due to personal reasons.”
I nod in commiseration, sorry about his wife’s passing.
“I know I’ve let the business slide. And now, amazingly, I have two very excellent offers,” he states, smiling broadly.
Oh, great. This is where he’s going to start talking about wanting more money. Bile begins to crawl up the back of my throat because this is where Enzo will have the perfect opportunity to outbid me and win. I can’t possibly justify buying a company that isn’t doing well for more money than I’ve already offered. Swallowing hard, I force myself to keep my expression neutral as he continues speaking.
“Here’s the deal. I like both of your plans.”
What does that even mean? I wonder, trying not to appear as confused as I feel.
“As much as Ms. Bianche and I appreciate that,” Enzo says smoothly, “you can’t accept both our offers.”
I force a chuckle. “It’s not like we’re going to be working together. A decision has to be made.”
“Eventually,” Doug says cagily. “Here’s my proposition—you can either up your offer right now to something so incredibly ridiculous that I won’t be able to say no. Or, you can work together for the next two months and whoever I deem more successful will be declared the new owner.”
