Chapter 23: The Deal

Hailey's POV
I reached the office with him. He asked me to summarize some files and prepare a report as there was a meeting today. I nodded and left his cabin.
I was summarizing the file when I received a call on my office phone.
'Hailey, come in my office," Robert said.
'Oka-" the call ended before I could reply.
That was rude!
Like he is ever good with you.
I took the files that I had summarised and went to his office.
I knocked on the door and wished that he was not doing that again...
It was a nightmare.
"Come in," he said. I opened the door and entered inside. He was working on his laptop.
"Here is the file I have completed," I said, a little coldly.
"Is that how you speak with your boss and husband?" he asked.
Oh yeah, what a sweet and loyal husband.
Notice the sarcasm, please.
"I-I... H-here is the file I've completed" I repeated, trying to be as sweet and good as I can.
He suddenly pulled me on his lap. I was very scared as my back faced him and his hand trailed over my waist.
"Robe-" he stopped me.
"Listen, Corazon," he said. "I want you to be honest, right now" he whispered.
I nodded. "I am always honest," I said.
He turned me around and now I faced him.
"Why do you care about me?" he asked.
"I-I because... because you're my husband... and... I should do that" I said stuttering. I don't want him to get angry anytime soon.
He looked at me and furrowed his eyebrows. I gulped down saliva in my throat.
"Even when I don't?" he asked.
"I-I I don't know... I just know that you... you are my husband and it's my duty" I answered honestly.
"I am the darkest person you can ever meet Hailey. I am the most ruthless man of the North Mafia and thus of the biggest Mafia business. I am the one who knows and believes that love is nothing more than a state of mind that in medicals can be called Insanity. I am the last person who anyone can care about" he said.
This is the first time he is opening up... Even a little bit.
"S-Still that's my duty and I will do it," I said.
He chuckled. "You're unbelievable, Hailey. Totally out of this world"
I decided not to react to that. I don't know when my words will trigger him.
"Today my family is visiting us. So, behave" he said.
I always behave, mister.
"Yeah," I said. "I will"
"Good," he said and then loosen the grip on my waist. I quickly got up.
"See you soon, Corazon," he said. I left the office and went to mine.
I prepared more notes for the meeting, double-checked them, and then completed my files.
4 PM
"Sir, it's time for the meeting," I said to him. He got up and then we went to the meeting room.
We welcomed Mr. Spencer and then sat down.
Yeah, we are here for negotiation for the deal. Because that deal was his dream deal.
And I have to get it for him.
"So What are you willing to offer for this deal, Mr. Anderson?" Mr. Spencer asked.
He thought for a second and then spoke up.
"Sir. You know very well that this is my dream deal and I am willing to do anything for this. You may put your conditions" he said.
"Very well then" Mr. Spencer replied and his assistant brought a file and kept it in front of Robert.
He opened the file and then gave it to me.
"Mr. Spencer, I hope you have no problem if my assistant read this file and accepts the conditions?" he said.
My heartbeat rose.
What if I do some mistakes?
No-no! He will kill you!
"No, I don't" Mr. Spencer replied.
Then Robert looked at me. "You can go through all the conditions. Contact me if there's something you want to ask"
"Okay sir" I replied. He smiled.
"So, I expect a reply tomorrow itself. Thank you for your time" Mr. Spencer said and got up and left.
I heaved a sigh as he left. This is going to be serious.
"No mistakes, Corazon," he said to me.
"Can I once talk to Alex or... Mom?" I asked him.
"Do this and then I will let you talk" he said.
My eyes lit up. Woah. That's great, isn't it? I mean, he will really let me talk to them!
"To Alex" he added.
"Oh okay," I said.
Why not mom? What's wrong?
"M-my mom is alright, right?" I asked as fear and doubt rose in me.
"Yeah she is" he replied.
I nodded and went back to my cabin. This is a thick file, bruh. Going to take my entire night.
I was reading all the conditions. Here's this condition that I just don't think he can fulfill.
60% of shares in his company's profit for the following decade.
That's just tragic!
I called him. "Yes, Corazon?" he asked.
"S-Sir, here is a condition that I don't think we can-"
"Go for it. You have to do it"
"But Sir, it is-"
"I said you have to fulfill it," he said.
"But sir this is a huge lo-"
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GET THIS DEAL, RIGHT?" he yelled.
I flinched and got really scared.
"N-no sir, I-it's not like that..." I said.
"I want everything to be done!" he yelled and the call ended.
I can't let them take 60% of the profits.
Not for an entire DECADE.
Did they even see what they wrote in these conditions?
I saw the time. It was still 6. So, I decided to visit Mr. Spencer to negotiate this.
I went to his house and he welcomed me. However cruel in business, he is good in person.
I asked him about what negotiations can be made in this deal and specifically this condition.
After much, much longer talk, which took me around 2 hours, filled with different reasoning and counter questions, he finally agreed on 40%.
Well, that is a big victory!
I can't believe I did this on my own.
I happily thanked them and told them that I would officially tell them the decision tomorrow. Then I left their office and went back to mine.
As I entered the building of Anderson Corporation, someone grabbed my hand and pushed me against the wall.
The staff had already gone back home till now, so I don't expect anyone... Other than... Robert.
"Where were you?" he asked in a dangerous tone.
"I-I was negotiating for-"
"You would have gone cheap just to stop him from giving this deal to me, right?" he said.
What the hell?
"R-Robert, you are mistaken-"
"I'm NOT Hailey, I've had enough! You are just another whore-"
"Robert at least listen to me!"
"I will NOT AND GET THIS STRAIGHT INTO YOUR HEAD RIGHT NOW!!" he yelled.
"R-Robert... P-please-"
"Come on, I'll show you hell today" he yelled and dragging me harshly to his car, he locked it and started driving at insane speed to somewhere.