Charles received a call from an unknown number few minutes after he woke up. “Hello, who am I speaking with?” He asked, yawning and stretching on his bed. “Good morning, Mr. Charles. I apologize for waking you up so early. My name is Kevin, the CEO of Dreamstone Enterprise. I have an offer to make to you and I think you’ll be interested.” Charles cleared his throat. “Go on. I’m listening.” “I heard about your latest success at the auction yesterday and the rapid growth of your hotel’s shares. I have been searching for a high value company to partner with and you’re the best fit for me. If you accept the partnership, you’ll receive 200 million dollars for working with us. What do you think?” “This is a very nice offer. Not only will it boost my hotel to the highest spot in the city, I will also get 200 million dollars.” Charles thought as he considered Mr Kevin’s offer. “Your offer is quite generous and I agree that it will beneficial to both our enterprises. I’ll like to know more about it.” “Wonderful!” Mr Kevin beamed. “I’ll like to discuss more with you at my office. I will send you the address of my company. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you. Thank you.” “You’re welcome. Thank you as well.” After the call ended, Charles googled the company to see if they were reputable. He was surprised to find out that Dreamstone was one of the best companies in the city with many shareholders. They rendered social and networking services to several companies. “I should definitely agree to his proposal.” Charles said, getting up to dress up. DREAMSTONE COMPANY 8:30 AM Charles arrived at Dreamstone enterprise and parked his car in the parking lot. He was impressed by the size of the company’s building. It was a penthouse which was over 6 stories tall. He assumed that the CEO must be a very wealthy man to erect such a large enterprise. He instructed his bodyguards to wait for him while he entered the company, feeling confident and reserved. At the lobby, he was welcomed cordially by the receptionist. “Welcome Mr. Charles, we were notified of your likely visit today. I’ll inform Mr. Kevin’s secretary that you’re here. Please have a seat.” “Thank you.” Charles sat at the waiting section while the receptionist phoned the secretary. Charles was surprised to know the receptionist recognized him without even asking for his name. “That auction must have made me so popular. Hmmm.” He didn’t know that his name and picture was all over the internet. While he was thinking, the secretary came up to him. “Hello, Mr. Charles,” she extended her hand to him and he shook her gently. “Mr. Kevin is expecting you in his office. Come with me.” They entered an elevator which stopped at the sixth floor. She led him into Mr. Kevin’s office which was at the end of the hallway. “Mr. Charles, it’s nice to meet you.” Mr. Kevin smiled as he welcomed him into his office. Charles glanced around, taking note of the expensive decor in the room. “I was happy to receive your call about the proposal.” Charles said. “I’ve always planned for a partnership with a unique company like yours.” Mr. Kevin chuckled and adjusted his tie. “When I saw you yesterday on the news, I knew you were the perfect man. You started few weeks ago but you’re already the talk of the city.” “I guess it’s just my dedication to my work. Business requires a lot of attention and I’m definitely giving it my all. So, tell me more about this proposal.” He quickly brought out a folder containing files and pushed it toward Charles. “Everything you need to know about it is contained in that folder. To be brief, it’s going to be a contract between us. As a partner, you’ll present business ideas to push our company to the top and we pay you.” “Hmmmm.” Charles flipped the files. “I read about it on your website. It seems a lot of companies are interested in this particular contract.” “Yes they are. Initially, we wanted it to be a contest but if you accept the proposal, we will call it off and dismiss every other company.” Just as Charles was about to speak, a knock came on the door and interrupted him. Mr. Kevin’s secretary walked in. “I’m sorry for interrupting you, Sir, but they are two people here interested in speaking to you about the contest.” She said. Mr. Kevin nodded. “Ask them to wait in the lobby. I have more important things to discuss with Mr. Charles before I attend to them.” “Ok Sir but one of them introduced himself as Jefferson Hillman and he said he’s a close business associate.” She responded. “Jefferson?” Charles said to himself. “This is interesting. I’m sure he’s here for the money to save his company.” “And who is the second man?” Mr. Kevin asked. “She’s actually a woman. Miss Angela Adam.” At the mention of Angela’s name, Charles’ ears shot up. “My ex-wife and Jefferson together at Dreamstone? They must be desperate for this money and I have to stop them.” He smiled inwardly. “Ok. I’ll be with—” “I like the terms of the contract and I’m willing to sign it.” Charles spoke up, with a small smile on his face. “Wonderful!” Mr. Kevin jumped to his feet. “I am so glad that you accepted this. This is great news for me.” Charles was handed a pen and after some more brief examination, he signed the contract. “I am looking forward to working well with you.” He said, handing Kevin the second copy of the contract. “Definitely. Our companies are already successful. A partnership like this will make us unstoppable.” “Excuse me, Sir.” The secretary called his attention. “What should I disclose to the people waiting at the lobby?” Charles responded instead. “I certainly know them and they are not good people to partner with. It would be a stain on your company to even give them a chance in the contest.” Mr. Kevin was shocked. “Thank you for this information. Even though the contest will be closed, I can’t work with people of such status.” He turned to his secretary. “Please, ask them to leave immediately. I’m not interested in whatever they have to say.” “Including Mr Jefferson?” “Yes!” The secretary flinched. “I worked with his father and our partnership ended a long time ago . I don’t know who he is and why he is parading as a close associate. Send them out!” The secretary dashed out of the office quickly to execute Mr. Kevin’s commands. ****************** AT THE LOBBY Angela and Jefferson were waiting patiently for the secretary’s return. Angela was holding a file which contained the business ideas she drafted. She was confident that once Mr. Kevin evaluated them and considered how beautiful she was, he would accept her for the contract. “Oh, here she comes.” She nudged Jefferson when she saw the secretary approaching. They stood up, already prepared to be led to Mr. Kevin’s office. “I’m very sorry, Mr Jefferson but the contest has been closed.” The secretary said. “The contract has been offered to another esteemed business associate.” Jefferson grew mad with rage. “What? Did you tell him that I’m a close associate? What do you mean the contest has been closed? Take me to his office now!” “I’m sorry but I cannot do that.” The secretary was calm. “Mr. Kevin informed me that he doesn’t know you and has only worked with your father. He instructed me to escort you out of the building and you can check our website to see that the contest has been closed.” Angela hissed loudly. “I don’t think you know your job. Are you new here? There’s no way the contest will be closed today. And do you know who we are?” “Maam, I don’t know who you are and that is none of my business. I’m doing my job and executing the task given to me. If you do not leave the premises now, I’ll be forced to deploy hectic measures to take you out.” “I’m going to call my father. This is complete nonsense.” Jefferson spat. “How can you say your boss doesn’t know who I am. My family has worked with him for years. This is outrageous.” Jefferson tried to call his father but he was unresponsive. He was an old man who could barely even see properly. “Listen, women.” Jefferson glared at her dangerously. “Take us to your boss’ office so that I can speak with him. I’m sure this is a great misunderstanding.” The secretary shook her head. “I’m sorry but dismissing you was my order.” “Nonsense!” Angela screamed. “I’m not leaving this place till I see the CEO.” Left with no option, the secretary signaled to the guards stationed at the entrance of the company. “Please escort them out of the building.” “What! How dare you!!!” Jefferson barked, struggling with the guards who were now holding him down.” “Don’t touch me! Get your filthy hands away from me!!!!” Angela yelled, trying to fight with the guards. But they were too feeble against the trained professional men. They were dragged out of Dreamstone, screaming and tossing their hands in the air.