ssa'
a ten-billion-dollar deal locked in stability for the next decade," I explained to our latest clien
y wouldn't admit it, this is one thing I'll always be
ith a respectful nod. "Everyone in this field knows
come routine, almost mechanical, from first-time clients. Still, they meant some
a document, and then afterwards
e. One glance at the screen, and my chest tig
e last time I missed his call during a signing, he'd accused me of "flirting with clients." I
er lis
phone to my
"King's Presidential Villa! Get your wor
nces, and I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes.
e shake. "I'm in the middle of an important sig
ouder, venom seeping through every word. "If you're
dead before I
mind scrambled to make sense of it-why he'd called, what could possibly be so urgent b
wishful thinking. Still, I couldn't risk testing his patience now. The contract of all of these had a clause that has
fear. Just three more days, I reminded myself. Three more d
g me back. One of the clients shifted in
lifting into a tight smile. "Yes, of c
er asked, politely but wit
ng through traffic routes, calculating time. From here to the villa was a
ummed again
nt of me. "Something unexpected came up. We'll need to
d as I gathered my files and phone, whispering a quick "thank you" before hurrying o
ated to myself. Ju
y grip on the steering wheel was tight and my knuckles pale from the pres
econd, I imagined what his face would look like, which
cognized the car immediately and wave
the sound of faint music floated through the hall. I followed the noise quietly, my heels clicking
mother treats her like royalty. But deep down, she knows everything she has is bec
a typical Tony-bragging, drunk on attention and self-
ound. But instead, I
uit, laughing too loud, tossing bundles of money into the air like confet
hy he'd called me here-so I
eep my tone calm. "I'm here," I sa
ht maybe-just maybe-he'd say something civil. Bu
self against the edge of a wall. The crowd went quiet, their laughter
ted. I wasn't even sure if it was from pai
disdain. "Took you long enough. Did y
for a moment, but I forced myself to stand tall. I'd been through wo
, my voice trembling just a li
arkened. "Four m
happened, leaving me standing there with my cheeks burni
warmth of the slap seep into my skin. Inside, my tho
ree more days, and you'll finally
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