Page 22 of Taming the Elusive Billionaire

“Thank you for inviting us over, sir. It’s been a great pleasure.” Mr. Hendricks, the Minister for Works, said as he gave his wife his wine and stretched out both hands for a shake.

Smiling, I reached out a hand, and he shook it gently.

“How are you doing, Mr. Hendricks?” I looked him straight in the eyes, a tactic I had learned to apply when talking with those working for me.

He smiled nervously and looked away, “Doing good, sir. I want to tell you about this . . .”

“You have my private number, sir.” I tapped his shoulder gently, “This is not the time we should discuss that in a more private place, don’t you think?”

He turned red in the face and began to nod, “Of course, of course.”

He stepped back while his wife poked him lightly on the shoulder, obviously not thrilled that her husband could act such meekly to a man of lesser age.

I winked at her and began to move away, but not before I heard whispers that sounded like a fight was about to start with the couple.

I moved through the guests, greeting everyone.

The room reeked of alcohol and lots of different fragrances. One wouldn’t be questioned if one decided to wear a nose mask.

I looked through the guests, searching for the Prime Minister. He had promised me he would come, but the man was as untruthful as they came.

I reached the rear of the section and saw him, quite surprisingly, standing and sipping his champagne while speaking in hushed tones with another man who I couldn’t seem to recall.

I took a deep breath, grabbed a glass from one of the trays, and began to head toward him.

“Oh, here he is, the man of the hour.” The Prime Minister turned toward me while smiling.

I moved my glass to my left hand, walked closer, and accepted the Prime Minister’s outstretched hand while smiling. “I am delighted to see you today, sir. I was afraid you were going to miss it.”

“Me? No way, literally everybody here controls my state’s economy. It would be ridiculous to miss a chance to be this close to them and discuss things of importance without having to speak in hushed tones,” The Prime Minister said while giggling.

“I am glad you are enjoying yourself, sir.”

“Thank you.” He nodded and then turned to his left where the stranger was. “Phil, here’s Mason, the man you have heard so much about.”

Phil looked at me and stretched out his hand for a shake, and I took it his hand was firm and bold, and I took a liking to him almost immediately.

“Mason, that’s Phil, my new Foreign Minister. He’s very much interested in seeing you. He claims your business brings in more foreign investment for the State than anybody.”

“Mason,” Phil said, not removing his eyes from mine. “It is a pleasure.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Phil. I am glad that we were all able to get together this evening.”

Phil smiled and turned toward the Prime Minister. “He speaks well, too. I bet he would make a great politician.”

I chuckled, looked at the Prime Minister, and shook my head. “Your friend gives me far too much credit, sir. I can tell you that I do not possess any attributes nor the wits that would make me a fine politician like the Prime Minister here. I am far more productive working behind the scenes where there are fewer red tapes.”

“He’s humble, too,” Phil chuckled before turning back to me. “I do not know other attributes you wish to possess.”

The three of us laughed and began sipping our drinks. Phil stopped laughing first and turned to me. “Please, since I am still new and would love to make a mark in my new office, I will be glad to be of any help just in case you have any more ideas in bringing more funds and business in and out of our State, which would also help improve our foreign relations.”

“I have a few.”

“Well, good,” Phil dug in his Tom Ford suit, pulled out a card, and stretched it to me. “That’s my private line. Call me immediately if you need my help with anything, preferably after the party.”

I took the card and looked at it, smiled, and kept it inside my breast pocket. “I would be thrilled to do that.”

“A new acquaintance made, and the State economy continues to grow.” The Prime Minister said with a smile.

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