Chapter One

Chapter One

"What do you mean they are not signing"

Alex Smith yelled at the phone getting up from his chair, and excusing, himself from the conference room, "I thought we finalized the takeover"? He asked as soon as he was out of the room.

"Yes sir but the old man said he is not signing anything until he sees you in person." Alex's right-hand man Sean explained through the phone.

"Wait what do you mean by that? I told him I will be out of the country when he signs it, I remember telling him about the importance of this business trip so why does he still wish to see me as if we didn't talk and finalize everything last week. He doesn't have to see me he just needs to sign."

"Sir, if you will listen to me," Sean's voice echoed with mild frustration over the phone.

"Okay, I am listening," Alex replied pinching his nose to control his boiling rage.

"Sir I think you need to come down here to see him cuz I think our rival went to see the old man. That's the only logical explanation. All he told me was that he got a better offer and that if you still want this acquisition then he has a few more conditions" Sean explained.

"God damn it, fuck that son of a bitch, Steven, why won't he just take a break from stalking me,"

Alex said getting even angrier. Steven again that mofo always on his case always trying to steal from him. He was not surprised though once a thief always a thief. Steven had once upon a time been Alex's best friend, he had stabbed him in the back and had stolen from him. Just thinking about him leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Thanks for the info Sean I will get back to you soon I have to conclude the ongoing meeting. These Arab men are starting to look un-pleased and that's not good for business".

"Alright sir," Sean said and hung up.

"I am so sorry gentlemen for shouting like that. something unexpected happened" Alex explained as he walked back into the room.

"it's okay Alex we are all businessmen we know the drill."

Ahmed said with a smile.

" I am guessing your presence is need back home? Well, we can continue our talk over zoom since the vital parts have already been discussed,"

Ahmed continued. and the others with him nodded in agreement.

"That will be much appreciated thanks gentlemen and I look forward to doing lots of business with you," Alex said.

"Same Alex same,"

Razak replied. Stretching his hand for a handshake. Alex shook his hand and extended his hands to the other men in the room. Thanks again gentlemen sorry for the abrupt end of our meeting. They exchanged a few more pleasantries and then left.

Moving back to his suite, Alex gathered his files and started sorting them out. This is the first time he went on a business trip without his PA Susan had developed a fever just hours before their flight taking off and he had been too in a hurry to wait for another person to replace her so he had come by himself. He saw more reasons to respect Susan and her job cuz it's wasn't easy. Alex tried not to think much about what Sean had said over the phone. This was not the first time someone else wanted what he wants and it's won't be the last. The fact that it's might be Steven again made him angry. Steven someone he once called his best friend. Alex picked up his phone and called the airport and the attendant picked up almost immediately.

"Good afternoon Mr. Smith",

the attendant voice echo over the phone.

"Good afternoon, Get the plane ready I am heading back this evening".

He ordered.

"Okay, sir,"

came the prompt reply. dropping the phone Alex moved to the bedroom of his suite and moved his briefcase to the sitting area. He was angry, but he wasn't gonna let his anger get the best of him. he always got what he wanted and he wanted the Norway Enterprise he will get it. Coming from the lowest part of the food chain, from the bottom of the society, growing up in foster homes and mostly on the streets. he had worked hard, harder than his peers he had been determined, focused, and persistent. Not being hungry and homeless had been his driving force. he hated poverty and everything associated with it. his hard work had paid off. He made his first million at just 23. 10 years ago he was just a broken 20 years old with nothing but his determination to succeed. he had started from scratch.

Now ten years later the company he built with little or no support had grown to become one of the leading companies with branches in different parts of the world. Success had done nothing to dim his determination rather it has pushed him to achieve more. So whatever it is that made the old man change his mind about him acquiring his company Alex will make sure he changed his mind.

Checking his wristwatch, Alex stood up and walked out of the room with only his briefcase his bodyguard would see to the rest. not that he had brought much stuff. he was a light traveler and only carries the necessary things he need. Once at the door he gave Mark his briefcase while Nat went to retrieve his other stuff. Alex had never been one to pull the crowd with him but his bodyguards were a necessity. Together with his bodyguards he stepped out of the hotel and got in the car. resting his head on the car seat and closed his eyes.

At the airport, it didn't take up to twenty minutes to clear him off, and by exactly 9;30pm he was on the air.

he tried to sleep while on the plane but he couldn't get enough sleep. his mind kept going back to the issue on the ground. what other conditions could the old man possibly have? he thought.

Thinking it won't bring a solution. he thought to himself. so he let the issue out of his and tried to sleep.