After Brane and Ethan exchanged pleasantries he turned to look at me.
"Nice to see you again Bella" Brane greeted with a smile on his face as he extended his hands towards me. It was really awkaward for me. A part of me was happy to see him again but Ethan burning daggers on me wasn't helping. But why should i care?
"My pleasure. I never thought i would see you again, myself." cause i actually didn't. I returned his hand gesture and he walked over to one of the seat and pulled it out. The grey tuxedo he was wearing fitted him perfectly.
"Have your seat mi lady." He was smiling at me and i remembered it was the same name he used at the gala so i decided to play along. It was really good seeing him again.
"Thank you, prince charming." I replied teasingly giving him a little curt nod. I sat on the sit he pulled out for me and he went over to his which was beside me. Ethan was on the left.
I could feel Ethan eyes on me the whole time but i decided to ignore him.
"You look absolutely gorgeous Bella." At least someone knows how to appreciate beauty.
"Thank you" I said with a smile on my face. "It's been so long how did you still remember my name? To be honest i couldn't remember you at first but i knew i heard the name somewhere."
He chuckled lightly. "How could i forget a pretty damsel like you? I regret that i didn't exchange contact information with you that night so i had people look into it."
"Should i feel honored?" i said back with a smile.
Brane let out a laugh, "Oh please i should be the one feeling honored to see you again."
I blushed as i looked towards the window i could feel Ethan burning gaze through my peripheral vision.
Just in time, A waiter approached us and handed the three of us menu. Ethan and Brane agreed on getting the four course dinner menu. The waiter scurried back and came back a couple of seconds later with new menus.
I was having a hard time picking and Brane seemed to be paying attention as he moved closer to explain. I had to choose from each category. The first category was called Antipasto. Which meant a light dish. I decided to go for chicken salad while Ethan and Brane both choose cheese and a meat platter.
For the second course which was Prima, which meant pasta dish. I went for shrimp pasta and garlic bread. Brane got same and Ethan picked meaty lasagna.
The third course which was Secondo, which meant fish/meat dish. I picked and Italian meat stew and rice. Ethan picked the Italian boneless pork chops. While Brane picked the chicken with veggies. For the last course which was dessert, we all decided to go with the Chocolate Tiramisu.
A couple of minutes after the waiter left a new one came with the wine we ordered. It was a white wine and it was crisp and cool. It remineded me of apple juice.
"The light and crisp taste will balance perfectly with our dishes." Brane stated.
"You've been here before?"
"Yes it is my favourite resturant at the moment not looking for a replacement."
"It's beautiful."
"Yes it is and same goes for you." Brane said with a smirk on his face. Such a tease.
Before i could respond, Ethan cut in. "How have you been doing?" From the look on his face and the tightness of his jaw i could tell he has had enough of our convo. Was someone jealous? He didn't even have the right to be.
"I've been good. Surviving as usual." Brane responded, leaning back on his chair. "Same goes for you?"
Ethan nodded with his eyes on Brane "Yes. Surviving is the word."
The silence didn't last for long as the waiter arrived with our Amipasto dishes. I didn't realise how hungry i was until i poked the chicken salad with my fork and brought it into my mouth. The salad was delicious. I absentmindedly shoved pieces of the juicy chicken and crisp lettuce into my mouth and paid no attention to the topic of Ethan and Brane discussion.
I could feel the occasional gazes Ethan would give me. Soon enough the waiter arrived with my pasta and the 999999osteam from the food and the smell of the garlic bread made my mouth to water.
I grabbed my fork and digged in. The pasta was absolutely delicious. The savoury sauce that was on top went perfectly with the cheese that was sprinkled on top. The white wine washed down perfectly with the pasta. I kept my eyes zeroed on the food so i wouldn't have to look at Ethan.
I think Brane and Ethan were talking about resturant chefs. By the time our third course came, Ethan had still not spoken a word to me. So i decided to tune in back to the conversation.
"So to what do we owe this beautiful lunch?" Ethan spoke.
"You know me too well. There's always a motive behind everything i do. After the lunch i was wondering if you would be intrested in patnering up. I figured you have a wide buisness market that could benefit my investment." Brane stated "And also to use the opportunity to meet with this beautiful assistant of yours once again."
"What's the catch?" Ethan asked with a smirk on his face. I wish i could slap that stupid smirk out of him.
"I want to own 50% of Axton enterprises."
The brooding gaze on Ethan was back again as he took a sip onf his white wine. You sure do make a hard bargain Mr Brane."
"Well what do you say?"
"I can't give you that much control. But i do have another deal." He said as he twirled the wine in his cup around. "You can get 10% of Axton Enterprises profit and 20% of my shareholders. And you know i have the best shareholders. Just think about what could happen to Exter corps with mt shareholders. We are thinking of dobling or maybe trippling your profit. And you can own 40% of my advertising team so you can reach the best target audience."
I took a spoonful of my stew and it was delicious. Everything that was served here was delicious. But i could feel my stomach getting full and felt like i was about to explode. But if i was the one paying this i was going to eat everything on my plate.
As i was eating my rice, I looked up to see Brane cracking his knuckles. "We'll have ourselves a deal if you can agree to 5% profit, and 25% of your shareholders. I want 50% of your advertising team."
"I'll only agree to that deal if you give me 50% of Exter."
The negotiation was going on like forever. Brane took a fork full of his chicken while Ethan only sipped his wine, leaving his food untouched.
After washing his mouth down with the wine, Brane said, "3% profit, 25% shareholders, and 45% advertisment for 45% Exter."
"No i want 50% of Exter"
"Well i want 30% of your shareholders."
"That's not happening unless you give me 50% of Exter and 25% of your investment profit." Ethan stated.
"Fine you got yourself as deal." They both stood up and shook hands.Just in time i had finished my meal and the waiter had come with our dessert.
The Tirasimu was served with chocolate glaze over it. Brane reached into his briefcase that i didn't notice before was lying on the floor. He then took out a form and wrote some things before signing the paper.
He then passed it over to Ethan and i poked my fork into the tiramisu, the dessert was soft and sweet. Even though i was full, i managed to find a place in my stomach for it to go to.
Brane ate his dessert and siged in content at the taste. Reading over the paper, Ethan folded it and placed it in his pocket. "I'll call you to discuss the arrangement."
Nodding his head, Brane finished his tiramisu before Ethan even touched his. Leaning back into the chair, Brane refilled his glass and took more sips while Ethan took a couple of bites of his dessert.
The waiter returned and placed the check on the table, Out of curiosity, I took the check from the table and ignored the look i got from Ethan.
I almost choked on my wine as i checked the total of everything.The food cost $349 with the wine cost $700. Why is it so expensize?
Ethan snatched the check out of my hands and placed his black card inside and didn't even bother to look at the price. The waiter returned to pick up the check and after returning the card to Ethan, he walked away.
Getting up Ethan shook hands with Brane and bid him farewell. I got up and gave Brane a hug and asked for my contact. I was hesitating when he said "Don't worry i don't bite." I laughed and gave him my contact information and walked over to the doors. I didn't fail to see Ethan tensed look on his face as we exchanged contact. Whatever.