Sweet Hatred
Chapter 50: Business games.

Chapter 50: Business games.

ARIA

Kyoto was as breathtaking as I had imagined it to be—sleek, polished, and alive with a quiet kind of power. The city exuded old wealth and new ambition, a perfect backdrop for Kael Roman.

I followed him through the lobby of the Shimizu Group’s headquarters, the smooth click of his shoes on the marble floor a sharp contrast to the hushed murmurs of the employees watching him pass.

He commanded attention without effort, his presence too striking to be ignored. I kept close, my heels a half-beat behind his steps, trying not to look as affected as I felt.

Tch! If only they knew this man got off pissing me the hell off.

Inside the boardroom, Mr. Tanaka Shimizu, the company’s president, a middle-aged man with greying hair sat at the head of the long glass table, his dark blue suit impeccable, his features carefully neutral. Around him, several other board members sat poised, their expressions ranging from polite interest to quiet calculation.

Kael greeted them with a nod and took the seat directly across from Mr. Tanaka, unbuttoning his jacket with effortless precision before leaning back into his chair. I took my place beside him, my laptop ready, but my focus was entirely on him.

Mr. Tanaka spoke first, his tone measured. "Mr. Roman, we appreciate your time. As you know, we’ve received multiple offers regarding our European expansion. Your mega-corporation is certainly a strong contender, but we must consider all options carefully."

It was a dance. A predictable one. Mr. Tanaka wanted to establish control, to make Kael work for it.

Kael, of course, didn’t bite.

He exhaled slowly, fingers tapping once against the table. "Understandable," he said, voice calm, almost indifferent. "Shimizu Group has always been careful with its partnerships. It’s why you’re still standing while others in your field have collapsed under pressure."

Mr. Tanaka’s lips pressed together, just slightly. He hadn’t expected that—an acknowledgment of his company’s strength but also a quiet reminder that others had failed. Kael had drawn the first line without raising his voice.

"I assume," Kael continued, "that despite the influx of offers, you agreed to this meeting because you recognize what we bring to the table. If your decision were already made, we wouldn’t be here."

The air in the room shifted, just barely.

Mr. Tanaka’s fingers curled against the table before he clasped his hands together. "Of course," he conceded smoothly. "However, we must weigh every angle before committing."

Kael nodded once. "Naturally. Though I should clarify—I’m not here to convince you. If anything I’m here because of my father who seems to have taken interest in your potential. But asides that I’m also here because I believe in efficiency. If we’re discussing terms, then let’s discuss them. If not, I won’t waste either of our time."

I bit the inside of my cheek, keeping my expression neutral. That was Kael. He didn’t play their game. He changed the board entirely.

Tsk! No matter how much of a douchebag he was, he definitely knew how to conduct a business in his favor. My stomach knotted as frustration set in. I bit my lip. No matter how much I hated him, I couldn’t help but admire his efficiency.

A slight pause. Mr. Tanaka studied him, but Kael’s gaze remained impassive, his fingers steepled in front of him, his confidence unwavering.

And then, just like that, Mr. Tanaka’s resolve flickered. It was slight, a near-invisible shift, but I caught it. So did Kael.

"Very well," Mr. Tanaka said finally, inclining his head. "Let’s talk."

Kael didn’t smile, didn’t gloat. He simply nodded. "Let’s."

I exhaled slowly, only now realizing I had been holding my breath. And I couldn’t stop watching him.

***

Mr. Tanaka’s fingers drummed lightly on the polished mahogany table, his expression unreadable as he leaned back in his chair. The meeting room was quiet, save for the subtle hum of the city outside.

He had spent the last thirty minutes trying to make us work for this deal, entertaining counteroffers and sidestepping direct commitments, but Kael had seen through it from the start.

He never faltered, never leaned forward in negotiation as if he needed to plead his case. He sat there, calm, calculated, his fingers barely moving against the surface of the table, exuding a quiet authority that sent a ripple of unease and admiration through the room.

"You’re being courted by multiple firms, Mr. Tanaka," Kael finally said, his tone steady. "But let’s not pretend you’re entertaining them seriously."

Tanaka’s lips twitched into a small, unreadable smirk. "Oh? And why do you think that, Mr. Roman?"

Kael tilted his head, the barest hint of amusement in his eyes. "Because none of them can give you what XG can. And you know it."

The room felt like It shrunk. The other executives exchanged glances, the weight of Kael’s certainty pressing against them. He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t need to. His sheer presence had a gravity of its own.

Tanaka’s fingers stilled. The pause stretched, and I could see it—the slight shift in his posture, the way his jaw clenched for a brief second. Kael had cracked him, just enough.

"You have confidence, Mr. Roman," Tanaka murmured. "That much is clear."

"I don’t deal in confidence," Kael replied smoothly. "Only results."

There it was. The final push. And Tanaka, despite his best efforts, was already leaning in. He exhaled sharply, conceding with a small nod before turning his gaze toward me.

"Then let’s hear what your team has prepared," he said.

Kael shifted slightly, glancing at me, his eyes sharp, knowing. I had been watching him the entire time, captivated by the effortless way he commanded the room, by the precision of his every word and movement. He had felt it, of course. He always did.

"Aria," he said, voice smooth and expectant.

I swallowed, straightening as I moved to the front of the room. The large screen behind me flickered to life, displaying the presentation I had spent the entire night perfecting.

"Good morning, gentlemen," I began, my voice steady. "Let’s discuss why Shimizu Group’s expansion should align with XQ Titan."

I could still feel Kael’s gaze on me as I spoke, unwavering, assessing. The weight of it sent a slow heat curling through me, but I kept my focus, pushing through every key point, every projection, every tailored strategy that made it abundantly clear: we weren’t the ones at a disadvantage here.

By the time I finished, the room was silent for a moment before Tanaka finally spoke.

"Impressive," he admitted.

Kael didn’t react. He simply inclined his head as if the outcome had never been in question.

The deal was ours.

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