Reaching the deadline

After 5 months of no contact from Josh, she lost all faith that anything would change. She succumbed to the fact that they were now broken up and there was no need to wait for him. If he did not see her as someone important enough to know what he was going through or where he was then she couldn't help it. She would have to accept the fact.

There was only a month left until the board of directors would reconvene to decide Ashely's fate. Although, the company's situation was stabilizing, she needed to make sure that there would not be any surprises in their decision. That what she wants will be the result. She took out the business card that was given to her and called over.

A unfamiliar number appeared on his caller ID as he was just finishing up for the day. He sat back in his chair as he answered, "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Ashley Chen. We met a couple months ago and I would like to ask you if you have time to meet up."

Ashley Chen? There was a brief moment before he realized who was on the other end. So his fish did take the bait after all. The fish just needed a little time. "Oh yes, how have you been?"

"I am doing well, thank you. I trust that you have been doing well too."

"I'm doing great. Just finished all that needs to be done and getting ready to call it a day. Would you like to join me for dinner tonight or would you like my secretary to set up a meeting for us?"

She thought about it for a bit. If she waited for his secretary to contact her, who knows how long it would be until their schedules would be free to meet up. At that time, the board might have a differing opinion. She smiled, "I happen to be a little hungry as well. Where would you like to meet?"

Alan smiled to himself. She was definitely a go-getter. "How about the place we met last time?"

"That works for me. It should take me about 30 minutes to get there as I have to wrap a couple of things up before I can go."

"Great. I will swing by to pick you up then. That way, we will actually be able to dine together this time."

Ashley laughed, "I will meet you down at the entrance of the building then. See you in a bit."

"See you." He smiled as they both hung up the phone. She was definitely a lot more interesting than the other ladies he has been going on blind dates with. He needed to start settling down but why was it so hard to meet someone that understands him and is able to fill his needs? He didn't require much of a woman. He just needed her to understand that his work is important to him and he wouldn't be able to spend much time with them until he has established a good foothold in society and has taken his company to where he would like. Why do woman need so much affection?

He packed up his things and walked out of his office. He told his secretary that he could head home when he was finished with work and that he would be driving himself tonight. He took the keys and headed down to the parking garage to head over to Chen Technology.

As he saw her walking out of the entrance, he drove up and lowered the window with a smile. "Care for a ride?"

"Thank you. Did you wait long?"

"I just arrived..."

"That's great. I was worried I had made you wait too long."

He smiled, "So why the sudden meet up after 5 months of no contact. You reconsidering your decision?"

"As a matter of fact I am. I wanted to meet to renegotiate with you. I am willing to compromise some terms if you are."

"I am all ears but lets save it for when dinner arrives. I would like it if I could actually have a meal."

She laughed, "Sure."

They arrived at the restaurant and had the car valeted. Like a gentleman, Alan opened the door and pulled out her chair.

"Its Friday night, your girlfriend doesn't expect you to keep her company?"

Alan smile, "No girlfriend, too much trouble. I don't have the time to invest in them right now but I do keep getting set up on blind dates and it does get annoying some times. What about you? No guy waiting?"

"Given the situation I am in, i barely have enough time to get some sleep in. Having a guy would just make me a zombie. Besides, I don't have the energy or emotional capability to keep up a relationship right now."

"Emotional capability? What does that mean?"

"It means that I don't have the heart to give someone the love that they may want and need."

"Fair enough. We might just be on the same boat then."

The food had then arrived and Ashley started getting down to business. "The reason I contacted you is because I would like to take you up on your offer on injecting capital into my company."

He smiled. "And what do I get?"

"I know that what you really want is basically the resources that my company is able to give you so I am willing to set aside 35% of our resources to working solely on your company's development. I also know that just providing resources wont do since I need you so I am also willing to give you 3% of my shares when I am able to repay you back."

"At least you don't beat around the bushes. I like that and i respect that. But 3% is a little too less for me to inject that much capital in to secure your position."

"If I give you anymore than that and you happen to buy up shares other than mine, The board of directors isn't who I would need to put up my guard against."

This girl was quite smart. Of course they both did their respective calculations and homework. No one wanted to be on the shorter end. What came out next was totally unexpected to Alan and Ashley...

"I want 5% of your shares but we will get married."

Ashley was shocked at what she was hearing. "Married? Did you not hear what I said earlier about not being emotionally capable?"

"I did. You also probably remember that I am on the same boat. I don't have the time to be bothered going to these blind dates and you are scared that I will kick you out of your position. What better way to solve these problems of ours than getting married? I will have you to fulfill what is needed of being a wife and you will have peace of mind with our prenuptial which will state that you get 5% of my company if we were to divorce."

"5% wont give me much power in your company even if I were to end up buying more."

"That is true but the value is much more than the extra 2% you are giving me and once you stabilize your position, most people wont be a threat to you anymore; myself included."

Ashley thought it over for a bit. All that Alan said was true. His 5% is way more than what she would be giving him; the counteroffer he gave him didn't put her in much of a disadvantage, but...

"What is needed to be your wife?"

Alan laughed a hearty laugh. She was definitely clearing all her bases. This was someone to be reckoned with; exactly the person he needed by his side.

"You don't even know what it means to be a wife? What do you think a wife needs to do?"

"I would be someone's wife already if I knew that, wouldn't I? Besides normal marriages normally require love. This isn't a normal marriage."

"Since this is a rather personal matter, shall we discuss this somewhere more private?"

They had already finished with their meal but hearing him say these words so suddenly, she couldn't help but think indecent thoughts. Was he suggesting they become a "married couple" tonight?

Alan saw how much Ashley was thinking into what he said and he couldn't help but laugh inside. He was currently 28 going on 29, of course he has had experience with women but she was another story. These few months had transformed this innocent little girl into having to mature but she wasn't ready to mature in every aspect yet.

"We will just be discussing terms for our agreement, but you will soon be my wife anyways. You will have to prepare yourself sooner or later."

Ashley relaxed a little at his words but he was still a stranger. No matter how much responsibilities she was forced to assume these past months, she still had a bit of hope and innocence to her. She still dreamed of the perfect marriage with someone she loves and she still hoped that she could once again be as carefree as she was. But, she knew better. Nothing was going to change anytime soon and the faster she accepted that, the easier it would be for her.