Chapter 6: Collisions Beyond Business
The near-accident should have been nothing. Just a fleeting moment.
At least, that's what Vincent told himself.
Yet, as he sat in his office later that night, reviewing the latest financial reports, his mind kept replaying it. Zane's fingers gripping his arm. The slight tension in his expression—just for a second—before he masked it with that ever-present smirk.
Vincent shook his head and pushed the thought aside. Irrelevant.
Then his phone buzzed.
Zane [10:42 PM]: Up for a drink, Graves?
Zane [10:43 PM]: Before you say no, don't be boring. It's business.
Vincent frowned. He hesitated for a second, then typed back.
Vincent [10:45 PM]: Where?
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The Bar – A Different Kind of Negotiation
The place Zane had picked was sleek but not overly extravagant. Dim lighting, expensive whiskey, a crowd filled with well-dressed business elites and socialites.
Vincent found Zane at the bar, already nursing a glass of something dark. He slid onto the seat next to him.
"You drink on a Tuesday night?" Vincent asked.
Zane smirked, swirling his glass. "I drink every night."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Healthy habit."
Zane chuckled. "Relax. I'm not an addict, if that's what you're wondering. I just don't like being alone with my thoughts."
Vincent stayed silent.
Zane took another sip before turning to him. "Tell me, Graves. What do you do for fun? And don't say 'work.'"
Vincent took a measured sip of his own drink before responding, "I don't waste time on unnecessary distractions."
Zane scoffed. "So you are boring."
Vincent ignored the remark. "You said this was business. Get to the point."
Zane tilted his head, studying him. "Alright, fine. I wanted to discuss how we're handling the board members. Some of them aren't convinced we can work together."
Vincent wasn't surprised. "They'll come around once they see results."
"Yeah, but…" Zane swirled his drink again. "That's not enough. We need to show them."
Vincent's gaze narrowed. "What are you suggesting?"
Zane leaned in slightly. "A public event. Something that makes it clear we're on the same page. A gala, a charity function—hell, even a press conference. Something where we're seen as partners, not rivals."
Vincent considered it. It was a logical move, even if he hated the idea of playing nice for cameras. "Fine. I'll have my assistant arrange something."
Zane grinned. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Their conversation shifted after that.
The business talk faded, replaced by something more… relaxed.
Zane was still teasing, but it wasn't as sharp. Vincent was still guarded, but he found himself listening more than usual.
And for the first time, they weren't just business enemies forced to work together.
They were two people, sitting in a bar, trying to figure each other out.
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End of Chapter 6.