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“Isn’t it?” She smiled faintly, enjoying his tenderness.
“Any alternatives for relaxation?” He murmured in her ear.
As an answer she turned her head and reached to kiss him, entangling her fingers in his dark hair. He returned the kiss eagerly as his hand cupped her full breast.
Next afternoon, Amy was working in her office when her telephone rang. Her assistant, David Mason, said there was a call for her. Mason was proving to be a very hard-working young man of twenty, eager to learn and become ever more efficient.
Amy got the call coming through. “Holt.”
“Good afternoon, Ms Holt. This is Randal Burns.” It crossed her mind that it was a little strange her stock broker to ring her. She hadn’t made any financial request of late
“Hello, Mr Burns.”
“I’m calling about a spectacular offer I got for your MBS shares.”
She frowned. “But I didn’t put them in the market, Mr Burns.”
There was a little pause. “I know. A colleague of mine from the Exchange called me saying there’s someone in the market very keen on buying whatever MBS shares are available.” As Burns recited the value offered, Amy was taken aback. It was several times over what she had paid.
Amy gaped, her mind racing. The London Stock Exchange had put together strict guidelines for share negotiations. Nobody could buy high amounts of it from the same company without direct and transparent negotiations. “This seems very much against the guidelines.”
“It certainly does, but my colleague is just collecting information so that open negotiations can start.
“I see.” Amy’s forefinger went to her chin, pensively. “Do you know who’s behind this?”
Burns cleared his throat, seeming in discomfort. “I’ve got no names so far.”
“My shares are not for sale at the moment anyway.”
“Fine. Just call me if you change your mind.”
Amy set the receiver back. She became very intrigued. Who might be behind this? It was true MBS had surpassed its competitor, buying it in the process. But all happened out in the open and both companies knew the rules of the game they were playing. When the takeover was completed, Mark made sure that the least possible employees were made redundant. An extensive re-employment package was drawn up for the ones who had to go. Eventually, most of those were re-hired, since MBS growth was overwhelming. With this, MBS rocketed up to the first security systems company in the global ranking, leaving the others far behind. And those others didn’t have much possibility of reaching MBS. Unless something changed dramatically. If so, news would have been out a
nd about. Fishy actually.
Amy immediately took the phone and called Mark. “Mark? It’s Amy.” She said curtly, when she got through.
“Amy!” His voice sounded pleasant.
“I’ve just received a call from my broker.” She felt edgy now. “There’s an exorbitant offer for my MBS shares.”
Mark was silent for several seconds, before he spoke. “That’s weird.” Apprehension wired through him.
Amy reported her conversation with Burns and she perceived he was getting angry about that. As with everything else, he was protective of the company he had worked so hard to lift to success. She knew he wouldn’t give it up so easily.
“Thanks, Amy. I’ll make a couple of calls to see if I can dig up some information.”
They hung up and Amy only hoped this wasn’t sign of something serious.
After making those phone calls, Mark could retrieve very little information. His broker hadn’t heard of anything and one the major shareholders was suspiciously reticent about his inquiring. He sat in his office mulling about this. Of course MBS ownership wasn’t endangered. He, Mark, held the majority of the shares. Since Amy had said she wouldn’t sell hers, then there was no real threat. But still... Competitors were bound to keep lurking in search of any breach through which to attack. He’d have to call up a meeting with the shareholders very soon.
One thing made him happy, though. One tiny little action coming from her. Amy showed she was loyal to him by refusing the offer to sell her shares and by warning him about this issue as soon as it happened. The thought made his love for her swell as if his heart was going to float. Maybe, just maybe, he stood a chance with her.
That same evening, Mark and Amy went to have dinner in a fancy restaurant of their liking. No sooner they had sat at their booked table, Amy came closer to Mark.
“Don’t look now, but Torres is here”, she whispered.
As Mark turned his head discretely, he saw Juan talking to one of the most famous sharks of the City. Cold rage took him over.
