Tulip's Destiny

VIII - Business Partners

The following days passed by quickly, in the absence of Mikhail, Raine couldn't help but feel like a part of her was also missing. It had already been a week, after everything. Their meeting, Bleu, Mikhail, the dinner, the night, at the gallery. There was never a day she didn't longed for him. For a short period of time, she had already grown accustomed to having Mikhail around and being immersed in his mystical blue orbs.

"You're late!" Raine sneered. "Yeah! For two minutes!" Khalil defended as he walked in the office.

"This is something I surely don't miss. Why are you even in MY OFFICE!" Khalil laughed while sitting himself on his desk.

"I just need some files and you DO need some scolding! " Raine giggled shuffling through a series of documents.

"About Bruxen Inc..." Khalil started. "Yeah?" Raine said, raising her head above a pile of folders. " We're meeting them today." Khalil announced excitedly. " Today?!" Raine asked in panic.

***

Her foot tapped rapidly on the floor as she waited for Khalil to open the conference hall.
She can already see from outside a pisque of a young man sitting calmly, his back facing the door. These actions, however,didn't go unnoticed by her friend who had taken her nervousness.

"Mr. Bruxen, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Khalil greeted apologetically as he opened the door. "No, problem." Mikhail said, standing up to face Raine. He was wearing a formal blue suit that again, emphasizes his mystic ocean orbs.

"Mikhail?!" Raine gasped, staring at him smiling intently at her. "You already met?" Khalil asked, waiting impatiently for an answer as Raine and Mikhail got lost in each other's eyes.

"We have." Mikhail responded with a warm smile on his face. "Wait! No way! " Khalil stopped, shaking his head in disbelief. "I do remember! You were that man who bought the portrait that evening, right? Her exhibit? What a small world?!" In response, Mikhail just gave him a slight nod.

"Khalil, I'm sorry." Raine blurted, rushing to the door almost immediately after she got off her daze.

"What do you mean?" Khalil said, running to her. He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "Can we pass this one?" Raine asked nervously.

"I don't understand why? We already got the deal, what do you mean?" Khalil explained, grabbing her wrist persistently. "Okay! But after this meeting, YOU will handle this partnership." Raine sighed looking back to the now closed conference hall door.

"Miss Raine?" Mikhail smiled, pulling out a chair for her beside him. "Thanks." Raine replied coldly. A sinister smile quickly grew on Khalil's face as he stared at both of them. She rolled her eyes at his reaction and looked back at her clock. "Let's start, shall we?" Raine smiled widely, gesturing her hands over the folders in front of them. "Yes, please go ahead." Mikhail chirped as he lay his hands on the armchair.

"I already scanned the contents of the deal... I don't think... we can cater you with..." Raine uttered nervously. "With?" Mikhail asked with anticipation.

"We're not the best. Might as well--- let us cancel the deal?" Raine continued. "Raine?! I'm sorry sir, there might be just a misunderstanding. RIGHT, RAINE?" Khalil said, intentionally raising his voice in her direction.

"Khalil, let's be honest. This? We don't even have enough fund for almost anything. We can't accept this project, it's just we are not able." Raine reasoned to Khalil.