The Love Of Money - S01 E253

Story 13 hours ago

The Love Of Money - S01 E253

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 253

"Fuck the Day I Met

Carla Tanaka."

Introduction:

Marcus makes a new enemy and a new... friend.

The next half hour was a whirlwind.

Obviously, there was a lot of double-checking to make sure the numbers made sense, but it was barely more than basic math. When Rajesh Desai suggested a third recount, the looks everyone gave him were enough to convey the message that he was being foolish.

Following that, Kelly Maddox was immediately in a corner with Amber, Rajesh, and Nina talking in low, fervent whispers. Hiro immediately asked to have a private chat with Carla, who looked smug even as she left the room to have an aside with the husband she'd just fucked over. That was ballsy enough, but to appear as if she didn't give a fuck that she'd just offended the old man... that was another level of gumption. Either she was stupid-something I was becoming increasingly convinced wasn't the case-or she had no sense of fear. One glance at Chloe was all she needed to get the message: Don't let Carla Tanaka leave the building.

It was baffling to try to understand why Carla had done it. As the wife of one of the wealthiest men in the world, she had it made. Why would she throw it all away for a promise I didn't have to legally keep?

I glanced at my phone. Was that actually true, though? She'd said she hadn't been able to get my promise in writing, but texting was a type of writing.

Once again, I cursed myself for possibly tripping headfirst into a whole world of hurt all because of a pretty woman, Granted, my motivation hadn't been solely because Astrid was beautiful; she had something I needed, and I'd struck a deal based on all the information I had. It just so happened that a bottle-blonde harlot tricked me into thinking she was Astrid.

At least I was showing some personal growth.

Eventually, the board began to split up and go their separate ways. Karl had me pinned down, confessing his concern about the Incredible maneuver I'd somehow pulled on the shrewd businessman, Hiro Tanaka. While that was happening, Nina Haley left without even a glance over her shoulder. Amber Bell was right behind her, and my stomach tied itself in knots over whether she would be detained by my security.

Karl backed off when Kelly Maddox approached me, doing his best to avoid her deadly gaze by slipping off to talk to Chandler. Wearing a power suit, Kelly seemed to be towering in front of me despite only reaching 5'4", plus whatever her heels added. Her fair skin was well cared for, and the application of her makeup was perfect-not too much or too little-just the right amount of blush, lipstick, and eyeliner. They were darker in color, coordinated to compliment her maroon-painted fingernails, which seemed to emphasize the sharp edges of her personality. Her hair fell in loose waves around her head, covering her ears and falling to the nape of her neck. The perfume that wafted off her smelled earthy, with a hint of cinnamon, and somehow reinforced the idea that she was a down-to-earth, grounded woman. She was an immovable rock.

And I had moved her.

Kelly offered me a perfectly manicured hand. "Well played, Mr. Gerrard," she said. Her dark, red-painted lips were compressed into a thin line of discontent as she stared up at me.

I took her hand in mine, noting the soft feel of her palm and the firm grip underneath her smooth flesh. It felt like velvet-covered steel... same as the rest of her.

"It's Upton," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as I said it. "Thank you, Mrs. Maddox."

"It's Miss," Kelly said, not breaking eye contact with me. There was an emphasis on the 's' sound in 'Miss' as if to impress upon me that petty mortal concerns such as companionship were beneath her. It didn't surprise me in the least that she was single. In the hour or so that I'd known her, I could only imagine killing myself if it meant staying out of having to share a home with this frigid ice queen.

"Okay" I said, letting go of her hand. I spied Astrid standing only a few feet from us, watching as she apparently waited for one of us to become available. "Excuse me," I said, starting to walk away from Kelly.

"I certainly hope you know what you're doing," Kelly said, eyeing me.

Halting, I turned around, looked directly at her, and said, "Not a clue. That's why I voted for Chandler." Then, I promptly turned around and made my way to Astrid.

"I just wanted to tell you congratulations before I left," Astrid said, offering me a warm smile as fell beside her, making our way toward the door.

"Thanks," I said as we walked out the open door and into the hall. "I couldn't have done it without the help of my team."

She halted mid-stride, and I followed suit a beat later, turning to look at her.

"I underestimated you," she said as she reached up and tucked a few strands of white gold hair behind her ear. "I didn't think you had what it took to pull something like that off. I was wrong."

"That's kind of you to say," I said, "but some of it was just luck." Something about her made me want to tell her the truth... to tell her that I thought it was her making the deal with me.

Before I could say anything, though, she continued, "Using Tanaka's own wife, though... I didn't think anyone was that brave."

That raised some red flags. I remembered Desal saying something about Hiro earlier in the break room that sounded vaguely threatening. Now that a second person had alluded to the idea that he was a man not to be trifled with, I was starting to pay attention.

I was about to ask what she meant by that but was interrupted by a couple of the company's executive officers who stopped on their way out just long enough to shake my hand and congratulate me.

"Listen," Astrid said, touching my arm when they left us alone, "I'm busy today and have plans tomorrow, but are you free for dinner on Wednesday?"

"Yeah," I said, happy she was still open to meeting with me even though the meeting hadn't gone her way. Astrid seemed nice, level- headed, and knowledgeable, and building a relationship with her certainly couldn't hurt my chances of garnering support among the board in an attempt to create a united front. It didn't hurt that she was also incredibly easy on the eyes. "I'd like that."

We made plans to meet up at seven on Wednesday for dinner. She clasped one of my hands in both of hers and gave me a smile that reached her eyes as well as her lips. "It really was good to meet you, Marcus. I hope we can work together more in the future."