Chapter 18

Camilla flies to Japan again and meet Mr. Hiratsuka.

Mr. Hiratsuka's office is on top floor of the building. He is the CEO and director of Misuni Group, a company that has interests in real estate, construction and finance. His office has four walls with glass windows and the view is magnificent.

His secretary, a middle-aged woman with perfect body and wearing red glasses, greets Camilla and shows her to Mr. Hiratsuka's office.

"Welcome Madam. Please wait here. Mr. Hiratsuka is busy. He will see you shortly."

Camilla sits down on the sofa in front of the window. The view over looks Tokyo' CBD, the skyscrapers rise up into the sky.

She is anxious about the meeting with Mr. Hiratsuka. She has been pondering about what to do since the project is still tight on budget.

She is nervous and she feels flustered and not in the mood for the view.

She has been here before. With Derek's introduction the negotiations with Mr. Hiratsuka were always successful. He was very business oriented, professional and easy to deal with.

But she is not too sure how Mr. Hiratsuka will take his attention to the new changes.

'What if he doesn't like the idea?'

She shakes her head.

It is foolish to think like that.

Derek must be right.

Mr. Hiratsuka enters the room.

"Ah! You're here!"

He is a tall and lean man in his fifties. He wears a dark suit and tie.

His hair is thick and wavy. His face is smooth with a high and narrow nose and thin lips. His eyes are like eagle's eyes.

"So good to see you Miss Camilla. It seems to me you have made quite a number of progress recently."

"We are making progress slowly. We need some more time to finish the proposal."

Camilla explains to him about their situation and how they try to raise more funds for the project.

"That is not very professional Camilla. If you want to survive in this world, then you should learn to keep your word. Otherwise we are going to be in trouble. Especially after signing a contract. Now we have got a responsibility to fulfill." Mr. Hiratsuka says.

"I understand. But it is better than losing the project."

"In Japan, there are many people who have a bad reputation. They have broken promises so often that now all Japanese companies are so careful when dealing with them. Of course I am sure you are not one of them."

Camilla bows her head and says:"Thank you for the compliment. In fact, I would like to make a proposition to you. Would you be open to hear me out?"

Mr. Hiratsuka leans back in his chair and crosses his legs. He smiles.

"I am not one to refuse anything from a woman as wise and experienced as yourself."

Camilla nods.

"Then listen carefully. What I propose is very simple. I want you to find a way to increase our funding for the project or we must source part of the project from China."

"China! That is impossible. How can we transfer half of the project to Asia? They don't even know what is going on here in Europe. And how could we manage such a thing with the current situation between US and them?"

"That's why I am asking you to raise a small amount on existing debt facilities, plus the contingency cost, we have only a deficit of $ 10 million" Says Camilla.

"That is not big money. Why Purly group can't deal with it?" Mr. Hiratsuka asks.

That is a tough question. Camilla pauses a little and decides to tell the truth: "It is because of my situation. I do not want to make waves or create suspicion at this sensitive time. And you know Misuni Group is more flexible than Purly Group both in source of finance and credit risk control."

"You are right. It is not big money and we do have the flexibility as I am the decision maker. But what do I get in return?" Mr. Hiratsuka smiles.

"I can raise the interest rate." Camilla hesitates and says.

"This is a promise. And it is not a loan. It is a gift as Purly Group is not covering it in existing contract. So if you cannot raise the money then you owe it to me. Is that so?" Mr. Hiratsuka's voice becomes cold and sharp.

Camilla's mind is racing. This can be structured well so public won't notice as it is a small amount. She has management tagalong rights and she can make sure this sum repaid at earliest stage and she can even benefit from the arbitrage. But it is not a small sum and she is dealing with Mr. Hiratsuka and Misuni Group on his own and she can't afford $10 million loss. She hesitates.

"It is gambling. Camilla." Says Mr. Hiratsuka, "And that is the essence of business. Are you in or out? I have to leave in 5 minutes. And you can source other means."

"Then I will ask 10% off for the interest rates." Camilla doesn't have other means and she is confident about the project, but still she asked a term that normally bankers won't accept. She knows that Mr. Hiratsuka is a tough negotiator and he might refuse.

"Done" says Mr. Hiratsuka with a mysterious smile in his face.

The meeting ends and Mr. Hiratsuka leaves hurriedly. Camilla finalizes the additional funding documents with his secretary.

Her hands is a bit trembling and sweaty when she signs the contract.