Tonight
The negotiations are difficult.
Aziel does everything he can to get our partners on board, but in vain, they keep finding holes in contracts, changing sentences, breaking open agreements made in advance. After this first day, we are mentally exhausted, Aziel proposes to continue the conversations the next day when we’re fully rested.
And judging by the faces on the other side of the table, they aren't exactly thrilled with the result achieved today. Who can blame them? Aziel negotiates hard, but the Chinese know what they want and are weakening our position.
And then that interpreter who clings to Aziel, that doesn't make it any better. We now walk towards our rooms, Aziel is clearly overtired. "Take a hot bath and no sex tonight, Aziel. And that whore needs to dress better, make up for that. The men couldn't appreciate all that bare body. If I tell Danner this, she won't have a job tomorrow, so save her from destruction."
He sighs desperately but agrees completely. "Yes, that was also a stumbling block. I don't know what got into her to dress like that. As an interpreter, she has to know the Chinese culture and know that this wouldn't help us much. Let's see what tomorrow brings. This way we can't negotiate further."
When my room door closes behind me, I immediately head to the bathroom. As the bathtub fills with warm water, I cleanse my face and tie my hair into a ponytail. Slowly I sink my body into the heavenly water, this is exactly what I need after a failed meeting. Somewhere I hear my phone ringing, but I'm too lazy to climb out of this lovely bath.
My body relaxes and with my head on the edge, I calm my mind.
Half an hour later I have had enough, dry myself and with a towel around my body, I enter the room again. Aah, my phone. I see it on the bed, reach for it and see no less than fifteen missed calls from none other than Danner, my fiancée.
"Where were you, Loraine? Why do I have to call so often? Who are you with?", his angry voice sounds when I call back. There he goes again, filthy jealous and always wary of potential rivals. "Man, today's negotiations were a fiasco. I'm tired as a dog and took a bath for a while. That's why I missed your calls," I respond defensively. “Maybe you can relax a bit, babe. Nothing happens here other than work.”
I hear a sigh on the other end of the line. "On my next business trips, you'll have to take on the babysitter job yourself because you won't get any work done in your office", I kick him. "Loraine, that’s not the case. Understand, that jealousy is a killer. Why don't you marry me so that I have more security? It's terrible to think that you are so far from me and then with Aziel," he says bitterly.
Well, marrying him is exactly what I don't intend to do. Danner will be my fiancé for years to come, this arrangement is suitable enough for me. No wedding plans here.
"Do you think I'm waiting for an insecure and jealous husband? Work on it and we'll talk about this again. But remember, it's a killer in our relationship, one day it will get boring." After this move, we start talking about my meeting. Danner gives me some useful tips and after an hour we wish each other good night. The next morning I feel better rested. An hour before our next meeting with our partners, Aziel knocks on my door. We go through a few more papers, touch on some points that are still under discussion and leave for the conference room.
Our hosts are already there, chatting relaxed while having some toast and coffee. I immediately blend in, using my charm to the fullest to get the relationships back on track. Fortunately, I succeed and the delegation leader jokingly suggests that I sit at their tableside between them and opposite Aziel. We laugh about it but I do sit next to him. Mr. Cheng turns out to be a tough businessman in addition to being a charmer, strongly focused on his company’s goals. After two hours we still can't come to a comparison. I get up and tap my glass, all eyes on me.
“Gentlemen and lady, we don't seem to be making any progress today either. Let's retire to the bar and relax. I think it will do us good. And make one last attempt in the morning.” My beauty still seems to work, the men unanimously agree and we leave for the bar. In the end it became a nice afternoon, unfortunately without business success. But I'm not going to give up. China is a huge challenge and if I close this deal I could add several billion to my account. And I won't just let that go.
In the late afternoon I decide to use the hotel pool. It is very decorative with an oasis in the middle. I take a waterbed and a cocktail and let myself float freely on the water.
This is real life!
I release all the negative energy in my body that has built up during the meeting. After two hours and three cocktails, I'm done. Most hotel guests are getting ready for the evening program of the hotel. I read in a brochure that a well-known singer is performing in the lounge, the entrance tickets are very expensive. Ooohhh well, maybe that would help distract me tonight.
"Aziel. Want to be in the lounge tonight? There's a live performance by a famous singer. Just don't ask me who that is." Aziel appears to be in bed but still answers my call. "Hey Loraine, sure. Need that after today's disappointment. I'll pick you up in an hour," he agrees. I grab another light meal and go to my room.
An hour later I hear a knock on my door and Aziel steps in.
"Beautiful!", he compliments me. "Can a kiss come off as salve for my lonely soul? I promise you it won't be much and Danner's mind can be at ease." We both laugh at his joke, he also knows that Danner doesn't trust him at all.
Our lips meet and as always it feels so good. We deepen it, press our bodies together. Aziel actually feels just like Danner, maybe a little more after our last sex game. But I'm engaged to Danner, goes through my mind, and I break the kiss. "That was wonderful. We must repeat again soon", he teases. I wipe the lipstick from his lips and we leave.
When we step into the lounge, all eyes are on us. It's like when I’m with Danner, just as striking are Aziel and I as a couple. Eyes follow us, registering every touch as if trying to discover the nature of our relationship. But Aziel remains courteous, and an exciting evening is about to begin...