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“No, Jack, you're not,” she replied warmly, sitting beside me. She smelled like rich lavender. I could tell that she was keeping her expression neutral. I haven’t revealed my reasons for coming into her home.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “I wanted to talk to you about the land,” I said, placing the coffee on the table. “My lawyers came to you earlier, but you were not forthcoming.”
Her face darkened as I spoke, and I could feel the tension rising between us. “I've already told your lawyers, Jack,” she said, her voice sharp. “I'm not interested in selling the land.”
“Hold on, listen to me. This proposal is different,” I said, trying to calm her down. “I know about the loan your mom took out. My condolences on her passing. I know it must be hard trying to take care of everything and dealing with the pressure of the bank. What I’m offering will help you solve all that. I’m offering to help you pay off your loans, and I’m willing to pay a higher price for the land, money that would help you start a new life anywhere you want.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she stood up, anger radiating off of her. But when she spoke, her voice was cold. “Do you really think that money is everything, Jack?” she asked. “This land has been in my family for generations. It's not just a piece of property to me. It's a part of who I am. You can’t just come into my home and say all that with such a patronizing tone. Come to think of it, how did you know all that? Did you investigate me?”
She raised her voice, “That’s private information I did not share with anyone. How dare you invade my privacy? I am done having this conversation. Get out. I don’t want to see your face. Out!” She snarled. I could see tears forming in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. This is very important to me. I need your land for my company. It's in danger.” I pleaded, standing to talk to her.
“Can you hear yourself? What does that have to do with me? I don’t care about your business, the land is mine, and I’ll do as I please with it. Now, you’ve overstayed your welcome. Leave now before I call the cops on you.”
I could feel my frustration rising, and I took a step back, trying to give us both some space. “I understand your anger, Samantha," I said, trying to keep my voice even. “But think about what this could mean for your future. You could pay off your loans and start fresh elsewhere. You wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore. You don’t have to live such a hard life.”
“Jack! You don’t get to tell me how to live my life. That's my decision. I don't need your money. I will find my own way,” her voice was low and dangerous. “For the last time, I’m not selling the land. Leave peacefully before I get violent.”
I knew when I was beaten. There was no way I was getting to her. It seems I played the wrong card. I sighed, nodding my head. “Alright, Samantha,” I said, turning to leave. “I understand. I'll leave you alone, but please give what we said a thought.” I placed my business card on the table and walked to the door. She watched all this impassively.
I walked out of the house, feeling a sense of regret. Not just for the failed negotiations but for how things had ended between us. Things have grown complicated between us. I don’t know what she was thinking, but I knew her impression of me had taken a hit. She was a force to be reckoned with, and I had a hard time resisting her and my feelings for her. But I also knew I needed to focus on the task at hand to keep my business standing. I got into my car and drove off. I didn’t notice her watching me from her porch.
CHAPTER5
Samantha
I watchedhim drive off in his car. I clenched my teeth in frustration. Why couldn’t things just be simple. When he appeared at my door, I was surprised but also excited. I thought he came to find me after all this time, and though I thought the one-night stand was just a fling, I could not deny my heart still raced at the thought of him. But this was going too far. I felt like he had his eyes on me from the first day we met and had sex with me just to have access to my land. I knew I was being paranoid, I was the one who approached him, but it all felt fishy.
I sighed and went back into the house. I flopped on the couch and stared at the untouched coffee on the table. He was here just minutes ago and all my mind was screaming at me to do was to fall into his arms. I missed him, his lips, his body and his voice. The way his eyes studied me made me feel beautiful, he was a handsome man. When I met him that night, I knew he was rich, but I didn’t know he was so rich he could just pull out millions to buy my land.
I picked the card he dropped on the table and read its content, Beverly Blue. CEO, Jack Lawrence. A CEO, I thought. I’ve heard of that company, they made great beer, and their drinks can be found all around the country, what I didn’t expect was that Jack was the CEO. I slept with him, and he should be married with how old he was. “Damn,” I breathed. Did I just have an affair with a married man? No wonder Mirabel said he looked familiar. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed her number. She picked up after the second ring.
“Hey, Sam. Miss me?” Her voice cut through the fog in my mind.
“Yes, I do, but I have amazing news to share.”
“Oh, what’s it about?” She asked excitedly.
I smiled, “You know the guy who took me out of the club a few weeks ago? Yes, he appeared on my doorstep. The most shocking thing is that he is the CEO of Beverly Blue, the beer company!”
“That’s amazing. I knew he looked familiar. Girl, you just hit the jackpot.” I could imagine the grin on her face.
“Not really. I think he’s married, and now that I think about it, I heard he has kids. It means he cheated on his wife with me. I feel horrible.” I said, biting my lip.
“That’s old news. He and his wife are recently divorced. You have nothing to fear. So, what did he come to do at your place? Don’t tell me he came to confess?”
“Honestly, I would have preferred that to the reality. He didn’t come to confess his feelings. Rather, he came to ask me to sell my land. I feel used. The most frustrating part is that he knows intimate details about me. Something I’ve not shared to the public.” I said, annoyed just thinking about it.
“I’m so sorry, Sam. What did you do?”
“Of course, I sent him out. I was mad at him.”
“What he did was wrong, but you know that you might need his help in the future. Try to stay in his good graces. A friend goes a long way, you know.” She said, taking on her motherly tone.
“I know, but I’m just so stressed out. I will think about it. I wish things were simpler. It’s just so complicated.”
“That’s how things are right now. You just have to face it bravely. I’ve got to go but call me if it’s urgent. Take care, Sam.”
