The partnership

“Sir, we need to leave. We have had a very rough and exhausting journey. You need to rest, sir.”

One of Lucas’s guards said while looking directly at him. Lucas looked at the operating room and the light was still on. ‘Should I leave now? Maybe check back later.’ he asked himself quietly.

Lucas dropped all his details with a nurse, and then he left with his guards. When Lucas got home he could not stop thinking about the lady. Why would she be lying unconscious on the road under the rain and bleeding profusely? Did she get run over by a car, or what could have happened? He kept contemplating himself.

When Lucas came out of the shower, his phone rang, and he quickly answered it thinking it was from the hospital. 

“Lucas, I have great news.”

“Who is this?” Lucas quickly asked, as he was confused.

“Tom.. Tom fontane.. You put me in charge of looking for your mother, remember?”

“Oh.. So how is it going?” Lucas said and ran his hands through his hair. 

“I am sorry, sir, but I think your mother got married to another man, after abandoning you.”

“What do you mean abandon? Did I ever tell you she abandoned me?!!!” Lucas screamed and ended the call angrily. 

He sat on his bed reminiscing about how his mother left when he was only 3, and how his Nana raised him all on her own. Lucas has no idea if his father exists or not as he never knew his father. Lucas went to sleep with tears gushing out of his eyes. 

(ONE WEEK LATER)

The car was ready to go, and Lucas was dressed in one of his best suits that his Nana had given him. Lucas flew down here to Los Angeles from Australia just for this meeting. Hopefully, it goes well.’ he thought to himself as he got into the car. 

When they got to the building, it was more than he had expected. ‘Now this is what I am talking about’, Lucas said, and smiled at his guards. He went into the building and someone directed him to the office of the boss. 

Lucas walked into the luxurious office, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on a man sitting behind the desk. He was younger than Lucas had expected, with a smug expression that immediately put him on guard.

“Logan,” Lucas said, his deep voice firm. “Thanks for agreeing to meet.” he needed to sound like someone who knew what he was doing.

Logan looked up, his eyes tightening narrowly as he took in Lucas’s imposing figure. “Lucas. I've heard a lot about your...business dealings”

Lucas smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He felt proud of himself. “And I've heard about your family's...reputation,” Lucas said to Logan, even though he had never really heard about Logan’s family.

The air was thick with tension as both of them sized each other up, their words piercing through each other’s hearts.

“So, what can I do for you, Lucas?” Logan asked, his tone dripping with false courtesy. ‘I have heard from my other colleagues that Logan is a parent’s child. Thankfully, he didn't bring his mother to the meeting.” Lucas thought to himself as he scanned through the room.

He leaned forward, his hands clenched together. “I think we can help each other, Logan. I have a proposition that could benefit both of us.”

Logan raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “I'm listening.”

Logan said sharply, and Lucas smiled. 

Lucas leaned back in his chair, feeling like the boss, as he pressed his fingers “I have been looking to expand my oil company's reach into the US market. I believe we could work together to create a new venture.” Lucas said to Logan.

Logan raised an eyebrow. “I'm not sure how my textile company can help with that”

Lucas smiled. “Ah, but that's where you're wrong. You see, I've been looking into sustainable materials for oil production and your company's creative textiles could be just what I need.” 

Just like the saying goes. Tell people what they want to hear. He should be impressed by all I have been saying, right?’ Lucas thought to himself.

Logan’s eyes narrowed, intrigued. “Well, you are right, we are the best, of course. Go on”

‘Felt like I was talking to a child with the way he kept smiling and running his hands through his hair. Such an amateur’, Lucas was so disgusted by Logan’s childish behavior.

Lucas leaned forward again. “I propose we create a joint venture, using your textiles to create more efficient and sustainable oil production methods. In return, I'll provide funding and resources to help expand your company's reach into the Australian market.”

‘Now, this should have him locked him in. Lucas thought.

Logan’s eyes widened as he grabbed the potential. “That's a bold move, Lucas. But I like it.”

Lucas nodded. “I thought you might. As a token of our new partnership, I'd like to offer you a deal on a shipment of rare Australian wool. It would be perfect for your high-end textile lines.”

Logan’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Now that's something I can work with.”

Lucas stretched forth his hand to Logan, but before he could take it, the door burst open, and a woman walked in angrily. ‘She looks familiar’, Lucas thought to himself. 

“Logan, what is going on here?” the woman demanded, staring at Lucas, who was still confused.

Logan held and kissed the woman on her lips. Then he looked back at Lucas.

“Harper, this is Lucas. He was telling me about partnering with me” 

Lucas stretched forth his hand to shake her, but she hissed at him. Wait, I know this lady. Harper.. Harper Leigh? Lucas rolled his eyes, and he wanted the ground to swallow him at that point, as he remembered Harper.

“You are working with him after what he did to me, Logan? Why?” she hit him on his chest and he held her hands. “Do you know Lucas?” Logan quickly asked Harper.

“Ah, Harper. I see you are still holding onto that grudge, right? That was years ago. Please let it go.” 

Lucas said with a faint smile on his face, and he rubbed his fingers together. 

“Grudge?! He toyed with my feelings back then in Harvard!” she said to Logan, who looked at Lucas with rage in his eyes. 

‘Of course, the universe had to bring in my ex from way back! I thought this suit was for luck.  Lucas exclaimed quietly.

“Lucas, you seemed like a perfect gentleman. I am sorry, but I can't work with you”, Logan said, without looking Lucas straight in the eyes. “Harper, I thought we were both having fun back then.” 

“Fun? You knew my feelings for you were real, but you decided to play with my emotions and humiliated me. Tell him to leave Logan or better still go down on his knees and apologize to me”, Harper said to Logan, who held her by her waist. 

“Knee before you? I did what I had to do then. And I'm not apologizing for it” Lucas said, and immediately walked out of Logan’s office.

Lucas’s phone rang when he got into his car, and it was a call from the hospital.