Chapter 87 - The Conversation

In normal times, it's so easy for Gabriel to fly off the handle and threw things and furniture at people in rage. He had done that to Claire, both as a real thing and as part of an "act," and even Gabriel is aware of this. He cultivated this behavior to cement a certain reputation, one of notoriety, yet also of charisma.

But this morning, his rage is genuine. His chief financial officer, an otherwise brilliant man named Ferdinand Salvador, is now telling him on the phone how exactly Michelle had slipped past their due diligence. "It's clear based on the documents we have," he says, "Michelle had a very special arrangement with Relentless. It was a cunning plan, because Michelle's company, Maxx Cosmetics, didn't even have previous dealings with Relentless. It was all a shadow move. When we were in talks with Relentless, and even down to the date we signed the documents and everything was made legal, Michelle was already having a deal with the CEO of Relentless."

"And you all didn't detect any of it?" Miguel's voice quakes.

"No, because nothing was visible. Who would know? Unless we can read minds, you know." Ferdinand sighs. "But one thing is clear: Michelle won this round because of simple human greed. She offered Eric, the CEO of Relentless Holdings, an irresistible price for the purchase of his company, but only after our merger with them is signed and sealed and delivered. Eric practically sold his company TWICE, and earned more than ten billion dollars in the process."

Goddamit, Gabriel thinks. And even as he grits his teeth, he has to admire Michelle's grit in pulling this off. To hurt him in the balls, so to speak. "That ȧsshole, Eric Matthews, we went to college together," Gabriel says. "This hurts even more. Can we declare the merger null and void, based on these recent findings?"

"Unlikely. We've rechecked the contract. They've covered their ȧsses, and we let them because as far as we know, there's no precedent to this stunt they did. But we can sue," Ferdinand says, his voice getting raspy by the minute. "But should we really waste time and effort on that, instead of proceeding with our plans with Relentless and start doing good business? If we sue them, we'd lose not only a lot of money, but also good points on the public relations front. We'd get depicted as a small-minded company. We're global, Gabriel, we should not let these personal things get in the way of our professional decisions."

Damn it, Ferdinand, Gabriel thinks. How dare you ridicule my precious feelings? I'll raze this whole organization down to the ground if I have to. But Gabriel actually says nothing; he actually purses his mouth to stop himself from uttering those words. Because the truth is, Ferdinand is right, there's no use pursuing this. It's best for both companies to just proceed as planned.

"If anything, Gabriel," Ferdinand says, "this is a merger of equals, remember? It could have been worse. We could have ended up as the minority, and we'd be under Michelle's thumb."

Gabriel says nothing. He's not sure if being equal with Michelle Alcantara is a good thing. "And is it true Michelle wants to set up office here? Right in TXCI headquarters?"

"Apparently so," Ferdinand mutters.

"Can I veto it? I'd hate to see her face here."

"Well," Ferdinand says, "technically, we can't order her around. But maybe we can ask nicely. Maybe we can have her set up in a different office building."

"Asking nicely is out of the question," Gabriel says. "That doesn't work with Michelle."

Ferdinand pauses. Then he says, "Then maybe there is wisdom in this situation, Gabriel. Remember the old saying, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer? Maybe Michelle's decision to be near you would turn out to be her undoing."

After Ferdinand Salvador hangs up, Gabriel peeps out of his door and checks if Claire's still there. She is, of course, typing something on her computer. The opened boxes of the devices he'd given earlier are on the floor, hidden from the view of other employees, as though she's ashamed of them. This knits Gabriel's brow. But this isn't the reason why he must talk to her. "Cla—Bella, may we talk inside?"

"Sure," Claire says, standing up. She smiles. She captures the glances of everyone else on the floor. She wonders what speculations they must be brewing. Better check with Mary later to see the "public pulse," so to speak.

"You're aware that we now have a bit of an irritation," Gabriel says as he slumps on his big boss chair.

"I'm not sure which of the things that irritate you is the one you're referring to right now." Claire is smiling, but her voice drips with sarcasm.

Gabriel gazes at her for a beat. He sighs. "Michelle. She might set up office here. Maybe much sooner than expected. I feel she's doing this as part of some revenge plot, or maybe just to annoy the bejesus out of me. Either I remove you from this place or…"

"Why remove me? Don't you get it?"

"What didn't I get?"

"This is perfect," Claire says. "Michelle likes me. I can start working here as a real office person. I've got skills. When she sets up office here, I can find out what she really thinks, what she says behind your back. Maybe even the reasons why she did what she did."

Gabriel scowls. "That's no secret. The reason is she's flat-out ugly in the soul, Claire. Pardon my French, but she's simply an evil bitch."

Claire doesn't know what to feel about Gabriel saying words like "bitch" about another member of her gender, but she keeps her mouth shut. She shrugs.

"Alright, hypothetically," he says, "she sets up office here tomorrow. What will you do?"

Claire stares at him as if an insect has landed on his face. "What do you mean what should I do? Shouldn't you be asking yourself that very question?"

"Well, I already know my game plan. I just wanna make sure we're on the same page."

"I ȧssure you, Gabriel, you'll have no problem with me. I'll be an ȧsset. I'll show you what I can do. In fact, this excites me. At least I'll have something substantial to do in the next few weeks I'm working for you. But maybe we don't have to worry about that now, because as you said, it's just hypothetical."

Gabriel gives her a strange look. "What if it's not really hypothetical?"

"What do you mean? Will she really be here by tomorrow?"

Gabriel nods. "And the shit hits the fan," he says.