Unfinished Deal (working title)

Chapter 2-The deal

For the next three years; Maijima and Crowsons met at least every two weeks with each other.  Higari, coming to them for a breakfast/lunch meeting. Stephen or Leif coming to one of his Clubs to have a meeting in the back room. Both sides held up their ends of the deals trading inside information of Raids. Not just the ones within the cities. 

Stephen's business will steadily climb, but it will also steadily be financially successful. 

Kor or Kell would occasionally do visits, not business related, just family visits. Signe, did her thing and kept as much out of this as she could as Stephen preferred. Kell and Signe often hung out together when he was here, but eventually he would be a good poker buddy with Higari. To his disappointment he didn't see Signe as much.  In fact, it seems like she was out shopping during almost every meeting they had at the Crowson estates. 

Was that due to the first encounter or did Stephen somehow suspected the trump card? Damn. If Higari was annoyed he didn't show it. He intended to play the long game from the get go, but the lack of her presence makes it harder. When she was here when he was here Higari often did some light flirting or small talk.

On one such of these meetings; a few months later and Signe was out in the garden doing some cuttings for the table. She cut a few Irises and asked a gardener to trim off a few lower branches of the Prunus Incisa trees. A flowering Cherry tree that she just loves.  She walks down the lane of trees with the cuttings in the crook of her arm. Walking up towards the Large gazebo that they are having the brunch meeting. 

Another worker helped with the vase selection helping trim them to the right height and arrangement. Today of all days was going to be a day when Magnus and Lillian will be visiting at the same time as one of these brunches. One of the few reasons why she has to be at this one. It is a family business after all.  Magnus could be heard yelling through the window from the office above.

"This is a mistake letting the sneaky snake involved with our operations." Magnus shouted slamming a fist into a wall. Stephen looked out the window watching as the guest came into view leaning a  hand onto the work table Signe was at. She tolerates him, but ignores him. Eventually she came around accepting his presence even if it was  mainly for the family's sake. 

Stephen finally turned towards his fuming father. Mother standing between them but off to the side. Leaning against her cane, but with her back straight. She made that cane work for her. 

"Father, I made that deal with the intent of keeping an eye on him. It was the perfect deal."

"I'm sure he has eyes on you as well. That is the problem." 

"Hmm, unfortunately I don't think so." He says mostly to himself. Lillian makes her way towards the window as well.  Magnus just continues on, "And there was no catch? There is always a catch."

"I'm aware thank you and believe me I am working on a way of ironing out that catch."

"You know what he wants?" Lillian asks, calmly.

"I have an idea."

Magnus strides over to the window on Stephen's other side. "That is another thing, if nothing else you should be expanding this territory, not planting these trees everywhere."

"They are for a future business venture and they look nice all year. Also, expansion will happen in due time, but perhaps when we have more stability. You want to go against bigger and established bosses?"

"At least take advantage of this partnership. Even a fake one can grow overtime. Perhaps, this partnership might become more than a means of keeping tabs on each other. A merger."

"No, not with the price he would want."

"Now don't completely dismiss the idea now."

"Do not talk about it." 

An awkward silence followed by an interruption by a servant announcing everything to be ready.

There was an assortment of breakfast options, eggs, sausages, bread the Signe made; one plain, one with lavender. Tea and Coffee, etc.

Seated at a round table Maijima is across from Stephen; next to him is Leif, Signe, Kor and Kell with Magnus and Lillian fill the two spots on his other side. 

Higari tried one of her rolls. "Signe, I have to say your bread rolls are tasty."

"Thank you." She replies shyly.

"Stephen,  I noticed you  have been growing some fruit trees here. Looks nice."

"Yes, I am hoping to build up an small orchard for wine at a later date."

"Very nice. And the arrangement is nice as well. The flowering cherry is beautiful this time of year." 

"I suppose my daughter has a good eye of deocorating." Stephen saids. 

"It is amazing she is still single." Magnus deadpans.

"Magnus" "Father."

Leif nearly chokes on his drink and the rest of the table just looks about awkwardly. Except for Higari, awfully amused by this. 

"My apolgises, Signe, I had no intention of putting you on the spot." 

She rolls her eyes.

"I'm just making a statement that sooner or later she should finally get married. As well as any of you three. After all we must consider the family legacy."

"Magnus, enough of this."

"Okay, okay, perhaps that was a bit strongly worded. But none the less Signe it would be nice to see you and the others at least be with someone. You are a lovely lady after all."

"Thank you Bestafar."

Someomone else stirs the conversation in the right direction. Higari thinks back of the deal he made with Stephen. He was almost worried about the openended part of the deal. He mainly agreed moreso to watch over Magnus. Ironically he might be a valuable ally as well.