Do Us Part

1. "Maria's the real boss"

Chapter 1

Sam

As Bob turned the car to the 135th street, he laughed at my remarks.

"She was definitely looking at you." He replied and I smirked.

"Really? I didn't notice." I was lying. I definitely did.

One, because she was new. It's my usual coffee shop and I know most if not the entire staff and I have never seen her before today.

Second, she spilled coffee over herself and apologized to me for it for some odd reason.

Third, I - I'll stop there.

"Liar." Bob stared at me, through the rear mirror as he stopped the car in front of the building. He then came out to open the door for me.

Grabbing my newspaper and phones, I got out and walked into the building with a smile on a face, which soon turned into a smirk when I noticed her number written around my coffee cup's zarf.

I removed and threw it into the bin by the entrance.

I nod at the security guard who stood up to greet me as usual, then walked by the reception and sent a brief smile to the receptionist as she greeted me 'good morning'. I entered the elevator and clicked the '3' button and sighed as the doors shut.

When I got to my floor, I got out and occasionally nod at the greetings of my staff as I made my way to my office.

"Top of the morning, sweetie." I commented when I saw by her desk.

She was wearing a beautiful floral design dress. Her back was turned to me, as she was trying to get printouts from the printer. She soon succeeds, and only then did she turn to face me with a frown.

"What?" I muttered innocently and handed her coffee.

"You're late." She comments coldly and hands me the documents.

"Maria, I'm the CEO for a reason. I am allowed to be a couple minutes late and who are you supposed to be.. time police?" I joked, but no such luck of getting a smile from her end.

Maria, like Bob has worked for this company for over twenty five years. Bob was my father's driver while Maria was his secretary till he died, and after I took over the control of the company, they have both worked for me in the same capacity.

I have known them for most of my life and so, they are the closest people like family I have here especially since my mum and brother moved to different states.

"I can't believe you. You actually agreed to partner with that game company despite mine and others' protest." I hid a smile as she opened the door to my office and followed behind her.

"What were you thinking? This is going to be another Darby situation, I'm telling you." She continued

"It won't." I replied and we stood in my office, facing each other. "They are not just any game company, Maria. They are a top tier tech company, and yes, they mostly make games but this could be really good for the company. It is the right way forward for us and we'll be international in no time."

"You mean, you will finally not have to make decisions since you'll have a new boss."

"What boss? I'm still the principal partner. I will own 51%."

"Yea. Sounds to me like their way of not letting you see you're going to be number two." She smirks and folds her arms akimbo. I shook my head and settled on my chair.

"Maria, I've work to do...." I said, and started to type on my phone.

"Robert wouldn't have wanted this." She replied and that stopped me.

"Well..I am not my father and we both know that."

"Don't you think it's too fast?" She said down on the chair across my desk and moves it closer so she can face me properly.

"You barely know this people, Sammy." She added, her face looking kinda pale.

"Sammy? Wow, you must really not want me to do this."

"I just don't want you making any rash decisions."

"I am not. My lawyers have had ample time to do their work and they have certified that this deal will be really good for us. Too good infact."

"Exactly. Too good. What if it turns out to be a Greek gift in the end? What will you do then?"

"Greek gift?"

"Yes, a kind of gift that will cause harm or great loss on your end later."

"Maria.."

"Just think about it. That's what I'm saying. You still have time. I know for a fact that both companies do not become legally bound by that contract until you both sign physically at the end of the eighteen months trial."

"How do you know that?"

"Isaac told me about the 'subject to contract clause' or something." She shrugs and I nod, "Anyways , that's not the point. Point is..."

"I'll think about it." I interrupted.

"Really?" Her brows rose slightly in disbelief.

I chuckled, "Yes."

"That's all I'm asking." Her smile was back as she stood up. "Your next appointment is in twenty minutes with the marketing department."

"Right. Thanks."

She smiled, "I'll grab you swiss rolls to go with the coffee."

"Really? You're getting it without me asking. That's new. " I smirked.

"Boy..I have done a million things for you without you asking for it."

"True but swiss rolls? You always tell me to get 'my own damn swiss rolls' everytime I ask." I used my hand to demonstrate.

"Well, to be fair, you've listened to me today. It's only fair I play the good secretary part." She shrugs and I laughed. She equally smiles and made to go out when I stopped her.

"By the way, have we gotten the information on who they will be sending?"

"No but I have sent ours though." She shrugs, then continues, "See this is what I'm talking about. Such unprofessionalism on their end. You should end the deal right now." She advised and I rolled my eyes.

Both companies agreed that for eighteen months, before we officially seal our partnership, we'll send an expert to each other's companies to work with and monitor the company's operations and if by end of six months, the report is not to the satisfaction of either parties, such party can renege on the proposed partnership without any legal problems.