Page 51 of Ruthless Serenade

As I turn the corner, I notice something in the car park. A young woman is leaving the building and I can tell from a distance that she is distressed. As I approach her, my heart starts to race. Her long chesnut hair is what catches my attention first, followed by her curvaceous figure and the way her breasts move as she runs.

I can’t fucking believe it.

It’s Mindy. For what feels like the hundredth time in the past few weeks. First at New York High, then at Walmart with a kid. And now here, in Visionary Media’s parking lot. It’s like fate has a twisted sense of humor or some mysterious plan behind these strange coincidences.

You said you were going to do something about her, Korolev.

You still haven’t.

Pussy.

I feel my breath catch in my throat as I watch her and I curse myself for feeling this way every time I see her. I still don’t understand the effect she has on me, but it’s the same every fucking time. Then, I notice she’s crying. Her eyes are puffy and tears are streaming down her cheeks. Her hands shake as she struggles with her car keys. She’s clearly having a rough day.

But what the hell is she doing here? Is she working for this company? She’s employed by one of my future business partners? More importantly, what could have upset her so much? Or who?

I still can’t believe I’m seeing her again, so randomly. I want nothing more than to screech to a halt beside her, grab her arm, pull her into my car, and kiss away every single one of those tears. In one swift motion, I’d rip off that white blouse and tell her that I can no longer stand this cruel game fate is playing. I imagine my hands exploring her naked body as I fuck her on the rear seat of my Escalade with an intensity like never before. The image of us together makes my dick so hard, I want to jerk off right here and now.

Blyad!

I shake myself, forcing my mind back into the present. I should be focusing on the meeting I’m about to have with my new business partner. Albert Solomon is probably waiting for me in his office already. I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves down before getting out of the car.

I peer around the empty car park, but Mindy’s already driven off. For a second, I wonder if it was really her I saw,or just my desperate mind creating illusions. Maybe I should get my head checked. Either way, this cannot go on. I must do something about this. I am a man who takes action and one that never procrastinates. Yet, I’m completely fucked when it comes to this woman. I’m acting like a shy schoolboy, not being able to muster up the courage to approach his crush.

That’s enough, Korolev!

Head in the game!

You’ll deal with Mindy after the meeting.

I enter the building with purposeful strides and head straight to Albert Solomon’s office. There is a time for everything, and right now, my focus must be on business.

"Mr. Korolev," Albert Solomon greets me, rising from his desk to shake my hand. "Welcome to Visionary Media Works. It’s an honor to have you here, in the flesh."

I nod and take a seat in front of him, deciding to get straight to the point. "Thank you, Mr. Solomon. As you already know, Global Media is exploring options for outsourcing production on our upcoming project. Your company’s track record has impressed us significantly."

Albert nods, his posture straightening with interest. "We’re honored by your consideration, Mr. Korolev. I’d like to hear more about your project requirements and how we can meet them."

For the next twenty-five minutes, we delve deep into the intricacies of the project. We discuss budget allocations, production timelines, creative control parameters, and resource distribution. I must admit, Albert Solomon’s grasp of the industry and his company's capabilities are impressive.

"Let’s talk about the price of the package, then," I tell him, leaning back in my chair. "Fifty million for full production. How’s that sound?"

Albert’s eyes widen slightly. I can immediately tell he wasn’t expecting a number that high. "That’s… very generous, Mr. Korolev. I think we can make that work."

"Good," I nod, satisfied. "Then we have a deal."

We’re seconds away from sealing the deal with a handshake, but as Albert pulls his mouth to a grin, the image of Mindy’s tear-stained face invades my mind. At the last moment, I casually pull back my hand. "Just one more question, Mr. Solomon - out of pure curiosity."

"Of course, Mr. Korolev," he says. “Please."

"Just before I came up to your office, I saw a young woman in the parking lot, exiting the building. She seemed pretty upset.”

Albert’s expression visibly darkens for a moment, but it almost immediately returns to professional. He waves dismissively. "Oh, that was just our chief accountant."

Just?

I frown. For whatever reason, that sets my teeth on edge.

“She is your chief accountant? The one who is going to handle millions of dollars for the contract we’re about to sign? I hope you're not mistreating your employees, Mr. Solomon."

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