My Billionaire Ex

Let's Negotiate

"Did you at least look at the proposal?"

Lucas looks up at her and she gives him her most neutral look.

They are seated in the hotel's garden. A venue of Jaelyn's choosing using her pregnancy and needing fresh air as an excuse. In essence she just wanted to have it here in the open with other customers around to keep Lucas from blowing up. Something she was sure he would do if this meeting was to be held in her office. But out here with all the prying eyes he wouldn't dare being seen upsetting a very pregnant woman.

"Why don't you give it to me now. Am sure you know what is contained in it Mr. Miller."

She sees him flinch when she calls him that and she smiles inwardly when her attempt to annoy him works perfectly.

Jaelyn is determined to make him work for this partnership even if she has to plainly refuse to do the simplest of things.

When Lucas requested for this meeting at first she flatly refused meeting with him even when she knew she would have it anyway and she had even cleared her schedule for it. It took some pleading through Nina of course, which was a smart move on his part because she couldn't play smart for long with Nina. Just on her second attempt of her wanting to refuse, Nina had threatened her enough to stop playing her games.

"Uh... basically we need you to handle all the designs of the hotel, and this is what we are offering for your services." He pushes the folder in front of him towards her.

She looks at it for a few minutes as if she is studying it meanwhile she knows every detail in it and doesn't need even a glance at it. When she does finally look up she finds Lucas looking at her expectantly and she just shakes her head.

"It's not enough."

"What?" Lucas asks almost too loudly.

"I said it's not enough." She avoids his fury filled eyes by looking at her perfectly manicured nails.

"Don't be ridiculous. We are paying more than what it's actually worth."

"It's still not enough." She looks at him nonchalantly.

"This deal is offering you so much more and you know it."

"Don't insult me Mr. Miller. Contrary to your words my designs are worth much more. And considering what you stand to gain this is like a drop in the ocean."

Lucas just sits quietly. Amazed at the woman sitting in front of him commanding all the respect in this meeting.

"I want part of your percentage share."

"What? You can't be serious Jaelyn."

"Take it or leave it. And it's Miss Gray to you."

And with that she starts to get up to leave but Lucas quickly holds her hand to keep her from leaving.

A few looks from the people around makes him clear his throat as he looks straight at her begging her to sit down. She instead just folds her arms and looks at him waiting for his answer.

"Please let's talk about this." He calmly points her to her seat and she is surprised by his calmness. The Lucas she remembers would have thrown a fit even if it was a small one. But he seems to be holding off well no matter how much she pushes his buttons.

She decides to sit down and hear him out.

"This better be good." She warns him.

"Let's negotiate then shall we?"

She sees him put his arms on the table and sit up straight taking on the form of a dominating business man. He unbuttons his suit jacket, the top two buttons on his shirt and loosens his tie to make himself more comfortable no doubt.

She gulps when she realizes that he has just entered his zone and is ready to talk business. She could tell he had underestimated her earlier and must have thought she was just going to say yes to everything he was offering.

"I can't offer you a percentage share." His intent look makes her shift in her chair but gains her composure and looks straight back at him. They stay like that for some time with their eyes busy battling each other with neither willing to back down.

"Then there is nothing to talk about here."

She is about to leave again when he holds her hand again.

"Let's talk alternatives then. Am sure we can agree on something else that will compensate for it."

She can pick the genuineness in his voice and she smiles. She didn't really think he would curve so soon or at all.

"Let me hear it then before I decide."

The truth is even his initial deal is something she is lucky to get even if he doesn't offer anything more. For the next thirty minutes they argue over every alternative offer that Lucas makes with her still insisting it's not good enough and making counter offers that make Lucas clench and unclench his fists over and over again.

She smiles inwardly at his growing frustration. She is having so much fun at his expense. She can see just how much he is trying to hold on to his sanity everytime she outrightly refuses his offer.

In the end after a lot of silent arguing he settles for a percentage offer but something lower than what she was asking for initially.

"Thank you very much Mr. Miller for being so generous." She looks at him with a smirk and she doesn't miss his eye roll.

She gets up to leave and this time he doesn't stop her. However as she takes a step in her direction she bumps into one of the chairs and almost falls but Lucas reacts quickly and catches her.

"Don't touch me."

She is ready to bite and she sees Lucas back away quietly.

After gaining her balance she walks out quickly not even wanting to look back. She is afraid to see if he noticed it. Because in the split second he held her she found herself reacting to his touch.

"Damn hormones!"