PARTNERS
Reid could not believe Maria had accepted his offer without too much protest. He expected her to at least demand something else other than the profit percentage they had agreed on. Deep down, he should be feeling lucky but felt bad at how he had cheated Maria.
He was so sure she'd never forgive him once she found out about all his terms and conditions. The scowl that she always had on her face when talking to him was sure going to worsen. He wouldn't be surprised if he got murdered in his sleep or worse, get thrown off a cliff. Knowing the fact that it would be teamwork (Athina and Maria), there'd be no chance of him surviving.
The joy Reid felt as he finally got what he'd been dreaming of was un unexplainable. Things were finally set in place to fulfill his mother's dream.
He took his time flipping through the pages of her recipe book, commiserating the tone used in the explanation like she was right beside him and speaking to him. Reid had long gone found the perfect chef to take on the role of bringing the foods to life, which was the least stressful aspect in the planning.
There was a knock on his office door that made him raise his head. He called to the person to come in as he closed the journal and put it away in the first drawer of his desk.
"Ten minutes late, how the hell did you pass the bar?" Reid snorted as Kyros, his lawyer walked in.
"By living just a block away,"
Kyros was an old friend from college he'd met through Colton. He had hung out with them once in a while when he wasn't too busy reading textbooks upon textbooks. He was an intelligent person and Reid admired his vigor when it came to his studies and now his job.
He started working as a lawyer around the time he began heading his father's company. Colton was the first to hire him to win a silly lawsuit case from one of his former employees and the amazing work he did to win the case with ease had Reid hiring him to be his official lawyer.
Kyros took a seat opposite Reid, placed his suitcase on the desk, and brought out the necessary documents. He had drafted about three different types of contracts to be signed by Reid and his partner. Each contract had an unbelievable clause.
He gave Reid the official contract that would seal the deal of him being a partner in the business.
"Once your involvement in the restaurant is announced, it's surely going to boost your company's stocks," He mentioned excitedly as he happened to have bought a few shares in the company.
A knock on the door had both men turning as Kate walked in with a small tray that contained two mugs of steaming coffee. One with cream that was meant for Kyros, and the black for Reid.
The two men thanked her as she turned to leave the room.
"That's not part of the plan. I don't own the bigger share so I don't see the point of announcing it as a subsidiary of the Martakis company," Reid continued.
Reid planned to handle the business just like the plan his mother had laid out. To work the restaurant from the ground up without the Martakis name involved with it. He hadn't even spoken to his father about it as he wasn't sure what his response would be. The major reason for his involvement with an already established restaurant was the name.
Kyros passed another contract to Reid. "So you're going to be a silent partner and investor."
"That's the plan till the sales reach an all-time high and I get Maria to sell to me," He said as he scanned the document in his hands.
"Are you sure that's going to happen? I did a little research and her record is pretty impressive."
He nodded, agreeing with Kyros. Maria cared a lot about her business which would make it hard to give up. He cared too much about reaching his goal that giving up wasn't an option.
"What do you think of the idea to open a new branch here?" Reid asked.
"The idea of expanding the business might entice her but the location might discourage her. How about moving the head branch here?"
"No, it's too risky. It would cause a lot of damage and cost too much money. She'd vehemently oppose the idea." Reid stood up from his seat, adjusting his tie. "Besides, there's a fallback from the bad reviews and publicity the restaurant got recently. Expanding would quell the rumors as well as improve the status."
There was a large transparent flat-screen television by his side that had all his business data stored. He picked up a small remote that controlled the smart TV to open a file that displayed the information about Maria and her workers.
He had singled out the impressive workers such as the sous chef, the receptionist, two waiters, and Maria's personal assistant. He made a plan of moving the sous chef, receptionist, and the two waiters to the city to help with the opening of the new branch. Having experienced workers at the new establishment would make things easier.
It would be best if Maria's personal assistant stayed behind to monitor and manage the head branch since she was familiar with the ropes alongside one of his employees at the Martakis company.
Reid had two candidates in mind to give the opportunity of managing the head branch of Maria's restaurant. The candidates had outdone themselves by contributing massively to his company and they are dedicated to the job.
"The head branch needs a capable manager," He stated as he opened a new file of his company employees where he singled out the two candidates. He had gone through the list with his secretary and had Kyros draft up a new contract for the job position.
Scarlet Roshan was one of the candidates selected and happened to be his first pick. She had recently just got married so he wasn't sure if the idea of moving to another town for work would appeal to her.
He pressed a button on the landline phone on his desk that directly connected him to his secretary. "Please come to my office," He ordered.
Within five seconds there was a gentle knock on the door before it opened revealing Kate.
"Sir?"
"I need you to send an email to Scarlett Roshan about a managerial position in another city. If she is willing and accepts, set up a meeting. If she's not which is likely, contact Roland Shaw from the human resources department and set up a meeting if he accepts."
Kate noted a few things done on the iPad in her hands as she nodded to his instructions.
"I also need you to reach out to our real estate agent concerning a building fit for a restaurant which is in the center of the city or a hotspot location." He picked up a stack of papers and handed it over to her. "Got it?"
"Yes sir," She replied as she took the documents and excused herself from the room.
"You're not sure if she'll agree to open a business here," Kyros piped in.
"I know she will," He said with so much confidence and a smirk on his face that made Kyros snort.
Kyros was aware of how Reid had planned everything out meticulously that he couldn't help but feel pity for his business partner.
"No doubt investors would start pouring in once the restaurant is launched," Kyros said as he took a sip from his coffee.
"Sure thing. You did include the clause of introducing new meals to the menu, right?" He asked as he flipped through the contract.
"Yes and added the clause that you have full authority when it comes to hiring the workers."
"Good. And did you add the benefit she gets after a six-month successful partnership?".
Kyros flipped through the pages and pointed it out. Reid smiled as he felt fulfilled. The terms of the contract were too good he didn't see a reason for her to refuse. His involvement was going to do her a lot of good and him too.
At the back of his mind, the idea of expanding the restaurant was to keep Maria around for a little while. A devilish smile played on his lips at the thoughts in his head.
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GOT IT
Chapter 7: SEALED DEAL
SEALED DEAL
Hell be damned if Maria didn't slap this man in front of her. So it was a bright Monday morning and she had taken the necessary documents to Reid's office so they could finalise the deal and sign some papers. She had woken up in a good mood today, finally deciding to look on the bright side and get over her problem with Reid. She would still get him back of course, but not now, her time would come.
She was dressed in a sleeveless burgundy top and black palazzo leather pants that brought out her hips more than she liked but Athina encouraged her that she looked "breathtakingly sexy" and she believed her hundred percent. Athina would not let her step out if the house looking anything short of perfectioni. However, as she arrived at the twenty storey building that had 'Martakis' printed boldly in front of it, her jaw dropped. Reid owned this place?
Maria got into the elevator to go to the last floor and a man dressed smartly in a black suit stepped in after her. She almost rolled her eyes. His nose was crooked and his brown hair looked shaggy and unkempt. On top of that, he kept eyeing her lustfully and didn't make any move to even hide the fact that he was getting turned on by a girl in leather pants. Hell be damned if she didn't slap this man real soon.
Her fists were balled beside her, and her cheeks red with embarrassment. He licked his lips rather disdainfully and shifted closer to her. Maria looked back at him with a snarl.
"One step closer and you'll regret it" her voice was clipped and her look was threatening. She was not joking about anything she said.
"A fiesty one I see. So what? You're a virgin or something? Just give me your number so we could get a hotel this nights. Don't be a wussy" he replied with a sly smile. Even his voice grated her ear drums in an unpleasant way. Why would Reid have such an employee?
Her eyes flicked to the floor count to see they were almost at the 21st floor. Just as the elevator came to a halt, she turned around and slapped the employee for being so rude to her. While he was still in his moment of shock, she walked out of the elevator and took a sharp right turn.
Her victory smile withered when she remembered she didn't know where the hell she was going. How was she sure his office was this way and not the other way? The place was quiet and every few feet, there was a mahogany door that probably led to another person's office. There were no labels on the doors and nobody was even outside their office.
She decided to knock on a random door and ask for directions to Reid's office. Just as she was about to knock on the door in front of her, the door behind her opened and she turned around to see one of the most gorgeous men she had ever laid eyes on. Literally.
His black hair was neatly set and the oil made it glisten in a beautiful way. His shoulders were broad and his legs were slightly bower but he had some muscle on him. His head was bent and his eyebrows furrowed as he stared down at a document he held in his hands, probably confused about what he was seeing. She cleared her throat once and his gaze shot up to look at her. Forest green eyes met her gaze with curiosity.
Maria gulped inaudibly as she admired him. There was no way God would be so I fair to the rest of the male population.
"Hi? You need directions?" His deep accented voice questioned and she nodded eagerly, momentarily broken from her reverie of admiration.
"Where?"
"Oh- oh Good day. I'm looking for Reid's office, he didn't give me the directions, he just said to come to the last floor" Maria sighed slightly annoyed at Reid.
"Reid as in Mr Martakis?" The handsome guy asked.
"Oh, yes I mean Mr Martakis or whatever. That's probably what you all know him as" She waved her left hand non challantly.
"Are you the lady that is to sign a deal concerning a restaurant with him? " He asked, this time closing the office door behind him and politely motioning for her to follow him.
"Yes, yes I am" Maria affirmed. She cringed at how nervous she was around this man. "And who might you be?"
"I'm his lawyer, here to finalise the deal. Where is your lawyer if I may ask?"
"She isn't here presently but I will put her on a zoom call so she can speak with Reid. She will be virtually present while I sign the deal" Maria explained.
"I guess that's convenient. My name is Kyros and you must be Maria"
"Nice to meet you Kyros" Maria stretched our great hand to him and he took it in a gentle grab.
"The pleasure is mine" His eyes met hers and his smile warmed her heart "You look really pretty by the way. Thought I should let you know"
Maria blushed and looked to the floor shyly " Thank you, you look great too" She held her tongue from saying anything along the lines of sexy and alluring. He withdrew his arm and so did she but they both entered Reid's office with the slight hint of a blush on their faces.
Reid's analysed her slowly, he started from her shoes and then up, lingering on her hips and after that on her boobs before finally reaching her face. His eyes looked bored as usual but he cocked his head to the side when he noticed the faint blush in her cheeks. His eyes shifted to Kyros and back to her then he repeated the action twice.
"So are you going to stand there looking like an overgrown carrot or will you get on with it?" Reid's voice was harsh as usual and Maria tutted.
"Oh please Reid. You could at least act polite for once in your life. Why didn't didn't give me the directions to your office?" Maria walked over to his desk and dropped the documents on this table with a slap while maintaining eye contact. She stated him down from where she stood and his silver grey eyes glazed over.
He ignored her and reached for the documents, taking time to read through them one after the other.
"Your assets are quite costly but very modern. This would do." Reid nodded to himself as he flipped the pages and his eyes briskly read through.
"Of course they are. Have you been to my restaurant?" Maria huffed proudly.
"It's our restaurant now" Reid winked at her, a coy smile playing on his lips. Maria gritted her teeth.
"We'll be making an official announcement about the Martakis having a part ownership of the business. This is sure to boost sales by a hundred percent. That will be our first move. After that, we add a few new dishes and put them for sale at subsidised prices so people can try them out. Also, how would you like to relocate your business to somewhere around here?".
"What! We didn't discuss this!" Maria exclaimed.
"I want to be close to my business. If your manager could do that much damage while you were in charge I don't think I can leave you in charge again with my money at stake. I want to monitor everything and currently the business its too far from me so a relocation is necessary.".
"No, that's not fair" Maria refused to budge.
"Life isn't fair. Relax it's not a huge change, it's still within the same country. Besides you can stay at Athina's for a while longer. There are more prospective customers here. I've thought about it.
There are almost no eateries around and establishing one here with bring large sales. Think of all the big business men I could introduce to our business. We would be the centre of everything mouthwatering in this city." Reid explained with a glint in his eyes. Distinctly, Maria noted that he was right and he was much better than her in running a business. His ideas so far were excellent.
She reluctantly nodded and they began discussing promotional ideas while Kyros and Maria's lawyer were discussing the terms of the business.
In an hour they were done, the deal was signed and plans to begin everything the next day had been put in motion. Reid seemed a little too excited if she was being honest. She still didn't understand why a rich man like him would want to own a restaurant. His company probably gave him more than enough million dollars but it was not in her place to ask. She would ask Athina.
On her way put if the building, Kyros ran to meet her. She grabbed her arm and pukkexger to a halt gently. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she forgot about him.
"Hey, you good?" He asked still trying to catch his breath.
"Yeah" She smiled slightly although she was worried about how everything will pan out eventually.
"Want to grab coffee sometime?" He asked adorably his dimpled smile bright and inviting.
"Of course!" She chirped and they exchanged numbers.
All in all, she was happy. Today was a good start.