Nadia, Luca, Cameron and Minerva huddled around the ringing phone in the middle of the island. Cameron took a deep breath, "alright, this is it," he said and swiped his finger across the screen, "This is Cameron Ramirez."

"Mr. Ramirez, this is Mr. Hirohito Ono. I apologise for calling so late but me and my team have made our decision. I want to give you some feedback, is this a good time to speak?"

Nadia's heart sank. If Mr. Ono was starting off with feedback that meant he planned to give them a shit sandwich before he told them they didn't get the contract.

She couldn't let on that she already knew the decision for Cameron's sake. She knew he still believed they had a chance.

"Y-yes of course. You're on speaker with my team. We're happy to hear any feedback you have." 

"Oh wonderful, I should've known you'd be together. My executives have told me how close you are."

"Yes, we work really well together," Cameron chuckled.

"Mm. I want to start with your performance of the pitch. Overall, I liked the marketing strategy and utilisation of all forms of media. I would've liked to see a more robust plan for acquiring more international reps. I understand this side is new and developing but I'd like to see more ambition and I'm sure future companies would like to see that too." He explained.

Nadia knew that was going to be something he might've picked up on. Their plan was fairly robust but they didn't want to seem overly ambitious with a massive restructure.

"Thank you, we'll take that into account in our restructure plan." Cameron answered.

"That's good to hear. You and your team shouldn't worry about being too ambitious. You have a very good leadership structure in place," he mumbled and sounded as if he were flipping through some paperwork, "you three did exceptionally well on the question round. I was impressed with you, Mr. Shola, for being open and honest about your personal engagements. Not many CEOs of your caliber are comfortable answering those types of questions."

A proud grin spread over Nadia's face. Luca and Cameron hated that she kept grilling them on how to answer a question about their past mistakes and failures. Even though they didn't get it, they could be proud that they gave an honest performance.

"Thank you, Mr. Ono," Luca chuckled and his eyes slid to her, "I have to admit I had a good mentor for this." 

"I bet you did. Miss Coleman is a fine protégé of mine. You're very lucky to have her on your team, Mr. Shola." 

"Yes, we are," Luca agreed and the heat that burned in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

A blush burned over her cheeks from the seductive look in his eyes and the compliment from Mr. Ono. He didn't hand those out freely to his pupils current or former. 

She cleared her throat, "th-thank you, Mr. Ono. I appreciate you saying that."

"Of course. I want you to know your equation to project Ono Medical's profit margin was the most accurate method but forth by any of the other marketing firms," he said and she waited for the on coming 'but' and a list of tweaks she could've done to her portion of the presentation.

There was silence over the line. Luca pinched her, his eyes wide as he gestured to the phone.

"Hello? Are you all still there?" 

"Oh, yes, thank you, Mr. Ono," she laughed, "I was waiting for your critiques, sir." 

"Ahh I see," he chuckled. "Not this time, Miss Coleman. I don't have any critiques on your presentation, but my senior consultant might contact you about the equation you created." 

Her eyes grew wide. She impressed his senior consultant? That's a nice consolation prize from all of this.

I'll gladly take that.

"That's fine, I'm happy to answer any questions." 

"Good, good. Now, onto our decision. I have to tell you that our decisions aren't final and Ono Medical reserves the right to keep your company's information on file for any potential contracts in the future. If Shola Enterprises is successful, Ono Medical and Shola Enterprises' senior management team will agree upon a date for a planning meeting at Shola Enterprises in two weeks time," he explained and paused.

Nadia's heart dropped to her stomach. She knew they didn't get it, but she still had a shred of hope. Luca thread his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand. She looked into his hopeful golden eyes and she looked across the table at Minerva and Cameron whose eyes were shining with the same emotion.

Fuck, they're all going to be crushed.

"Are you ready?" Mr. Ono's voice filled the silence between them.

Cameron held out his hand to Nadia and she grasped it tight. He took a deep breath and nodded. "We're ready." 

"Good. As you know, there was a high caliber of applicants and the companies we decided to interview. Shola Enterprises is a small player in the international market and doesn't have the capacity for very many big clients such as Ono Medical." 

Nadia's heart was sinking to her knees as she waited for Mr. Ono to tell them what she already knew. She felt tears pooling in her eyes and she blinked then back.

Cut it out. Minerva said no mopey faces. Hold your head high, bitch.

"My team was a bit weary of your ability to properly handle the demands of a company our size. The reason we asked you to this meeting was because of Luca's impeccable ability to navigate a company of its domestic size, Cameron's leading-edge domestic marketing expertise and Nadia's remarkable ability to develop and advance the businesses she works with."

He used...first names?

Nadia's heart thumped and she squeezed Luca's hand.

"My team deliberated until just a few hours ago, who we believed would truly represent the values and mission of Ono Medical. After observing your team throughout the week and watching your performance during the review, my team and I are confident in our decision to sign a marketing contract with Shola Enterprises."

Nadia's eyes grew wide, she looked at Cameron and Luca's shocked expressions and they burst out in a roar of whoops and cheers. Luca wrapped his arms around her and she threw her arms around his shoulders. 

"We did it!" He laughed and slid his hand to her cheek. His golden eyes were so bright and the joy in his eyes simmered in her soul.

She nodded and pressed her forehead against his, "we did," she whispered, her lips hovering above his. 

"Congratulations!" Mr. Ono yelled, "Enjoy your night!" 

Nadia's eyes grew wide and twin flags of red burned over Luca's cheeks. They pulled away from each other and laughed as Cameron roared,  "Thank you, Mr. Ono!" 

Nadia slid off Luca's lap back to her stool and she caught Minerva's raised eyebrow and knowing grin on her face.

Fuck. Luca and I need to chill the fuck out. That's the second time she's had that look.

Cameron looked at her and rounded the table to crush her with a hug. "I'm so fucking proud of you. You went through this week like a damn boss and you didn't even trip that much." 

She burst out laughing and hugged him back, "thank you, I think. Great speech, boss."

He pulled away from her his light brown eyes void of any laughter. "You can never leave Shola Enterprises. I'll never accept your resignation and I don't care what Luca and Phil say, but I'm appointing you Global Marketing Director." 

She frowned and choked out a laugh, "wh-what?" 

I know he's not drunk, we haven't had any alcohol...he's being serious? He wants me to be in charge of...

"Oh we're in agreement Cam. If I don't do it, my Dad was going to invoke his ownership powers to make it happen anyway." He smiled as he and Cameron bumped fists.

"I can't believe this. Phil was on the same page. He never appoints anyone." Cameron gushed and moved around her to hug Luca. "We've been trying to do this for years, man! Do you know what this means?"

"Congratulations, Nadia!" Minerva cheered.

"Wait- you want me to run the international department?" She asked and turned to the two giddy men beside her.

"Hell yeah! Don't you want to? You and I would run a mean ship." Cameron gushed.

She looked at Luca's joyful eyes and back to Cameron's equally gleaming eyes and she laughed. Sometimes they could be so childish.

"I don't know if I'm qualified for that. I do marketing and PR not acquisitions and contract negotiations. I can lead the team but I'd need more experience to handle -"

"Nadia, if you don't shut the hell up," Minerva huffed. "Your boss, the CEO and the owner wouldn't offer this to you if they didn't think you had the skills to do it, right?"

Luca shook his head. "No we wouldn't," he said and he and Cameron took Nadia's hands.

"Will you please take the position?" Cameron pleaded, "you know we'll train you on acquisitions and negotiations."

"At least think about it? You're the only one the three of us have confidence in to handle this part of the company. Also, I think my father will veto anyone else for the job. So really, Nadia, it's yours whenever you're ready for it." 

Cameron squeezed her hand while Luca made little calming circles over her skin. She didn't know why she ever had that bit of doubt in her mind. She knew she was good at her job, but being appointed to a position like this was something she never thought would happen to her.

"I don't need to think about it. I'll take it as long as you two promise to teach me everything I need to know."

A dazzling smile broke across Luca's face as Cameron let out a whoop and they crushed her with a hug.

"We'll teach you whatever you need." Luca grinned.

Cameron laughed as they pulled away from her. "It won't be as robust as your mentoring, but I'll teach you the great art of the Ramirez negotiating method." 

"Alright!" Minerva clapped her hands. "Now that, that's settled, we have some celebrating to do!" She giggled with excitement, "Nadia, I need a bathing suit. Cameron and Luca you need to find the champagne and roll some blunts."

Luca chuckled, "yes, ma'am." 

Nadia slipped her arm through hers, "come on, bossy," she laughed, "I need some of that when I'm dealing with those two."

"Shit, you're the same way or we wouldn't have gotten this fucking amazing contract," Cameron did a little dance and grinned at her, "you deal with us just fine, Nadia." 

"Mm-hm, not too many people can whip us into shape like you did." Luca said and that sensuous heat was back in his eyes. She bit her lip and everything felt too hot all of a sudden.

He needs to stop giving me those looks. They already had a near slip up tonight.

"That's my girl," Minerva laughed and tugged on her arm, "let's go, I want to sit in that hot tube with shots and a glass of champagne." 

Nadia raised her eyebrow. She knew Minerva was excited but she seemed eager and not just for the bathing suit. She led her down the hall and opened a bedroom door to the sound of Minerva's disappointed groan.

"The guest bedroom?"

Mm-hm, just as I suspected. She's fishing for evidence. 

"Yeah? Where did you think we were going?" She chuckled and opened her suitcase on the bed.

"Oh come on, Nadia! I know there's something going on between you and Luca." 

"Yes, we're friends and we happen to be mature enough to have platonic sleepovers." She said and fought to keep a straight face. "And you said we weren't going to talk about this here, remember?"

Keep it together, girl. Don't laugh at your lies.

Minerva heaved a sigh, "Cameron was right, you and Luca are so boring," she grumbled. She slid her hand to her hip and pointed a finger at Nadia. "But, I know you're not telling me something and I'm going to figure it out."

I bet you will, Nervy, but I'm not ready to tell you.

She laughed and threw a bathing suit at her. "There's nothing for you to figure out." 

"Right, you're just going to pretend you weren't just sitting in Luca's lap, looking like you about to devour each other?"

A blush burned over her cheeks.

Fuck.

"We weren't like that. It was just the excitement of the moment. We're allowed to hug each other." She scoffed and turned her burning face away from Minerva. She busied herself with putting on her red and black halter bikini.

"Okay, whatever you say. I promised not to talk about it here so I'm dropping it for now, but when we get back I'm getting the truth out of you," Minerva said and Nadia let out a sigh of relief.

And I'll avoid that conversation for as long as I can. 

"To...to us and the new future for Shola Enterprises!" Cameron yelled and raised his glass as he stumbled onto the patio holding another bottle of champagne with Minerva giggling behind him.

"Shut up, Camy." She laughed as they crashed onto one of the lounge chairs and burst out laughing in their tangled heap.

Nadia and Luca watched them from the pool and shook their heads. "You two are a mess." Nadia chuckled.

"No, we didn't drop the champagne, so...so we're not a complete mess," Cameron grinned as he leaned over Minerva's legs to pour himself a drink.

"Yeah, you two need to catch...catch up. You're still sipping on your first damn glass."

Nadia scrunched her face, "I don't want another hangover, I'm good with my weed tonight." 

"Same, I can't drink like that two nights in a row anymore." Luca chuckled.

"Luca! When did you become so lame!" Cameron groaned.

He laughed, "I'm going to remind you of those words when you can't move tomorrow." 

"I-I'll be able to move," he mumbled into his glass and Minerva sat up and poured four shots of tequila, rather steadily for her drunken state.

"You have to at least do one celebratory shot with us then," she said and slowly carried their glasses to them.

Nadia and Luca looked and each other and sighed. They reached up and took the shots out of her hands.

"Fine, but just one." 

"Just one and then we're leaving," she giggled and plopped down on Cameron's lap.

"What do you mean? I just opened a bottle." He whined.

"I know, but I want something else," she murmured against his lips.

Shit. I want something else too and them being here is getting in the way of that.

Her thought was punctuated by Luca's hand sliding over her ass and giving it a firm squeeze. She bit her lip and clenched her legs together.

Mr. Underworld must be thinking the same thing.

"Are we taking this shot or not?" Nadia yelled and startled Cameron and Minerva out of their embrace.

"Yes, yes! We're taking it," Minerva giggled and picked up their glasses.

"Cam, why don't you do the honors...again," Luca nodded to him.

"No, I think Nadia should make this toast." 

Thank you, Cameron! I'll make this short and sweet and they can get the fuck out of here.

"Yeah alright," she raised her glass and looked at Cameron, Minerva and her eyes settled on Luca's warm gaze. A smile tugged at her lips, "to good friends, a bright future and a new chapter for Shola Enterprises. May we all continue to find success in all we do." 

"Well said, Nadia!" Cameron grinned as they threw back the spicy liquor. 

Nadia grimaced as the burn slowly slid down her throat and settled in her stomach. "Why do you always pick tequila?!" 

"Because tequila makes me touch," Minerva grinned and stood from Cameron's lap and held out her hand to him, "and that's what I'm gonna do right now," she purred.

Cameron was quick to take her hand and got up from the chair. He held on to Minerva to steady himself and a lopsided grin tugged at his lips. "We'll...we'll see you two in the morning for breakfast." He kissed her neck and gave them a weak wave.

"Mm-hm, let me help you guys to the door." Luca laughed at the stumbling duo and lifted himself out of the pool.

"Pshh, we got it." Minerva laughed and slapped his shoulder, "oo, Nadia have you felt these muscles? Probably not with your stupid platonic friendship ass," she grumbled.

Nadia shook her head. "Good night, Nervy. I love you too."

"Love youuu!" She sang as Luca laughed and ushered the drunken couple through the house.

Nadia sighed and turned around to watch the view of the twinkling city and harbor below. 

What a fucking day? 

She grinned to herself. She didn't expect the week to turn out like this. They bossed their presentation, won the Ono contract and she never  expected to take another step with Luca. She hadn't stopped thinking about their contract.

"What are you grinning about?" He said as he slipped back into the water next to her.

"I'm just happy and still buzzing from that news."

He smiled and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. "I'm happy too and I'm so proud of you, petite fleur." He whispered and caught her lips with his.

She moaned against his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck as she slipped her tongue in his mouth. He groaned and fisted a hand in her hair as she snaked her legs around him. She sighed and gently moved her hips against his hardening cock.

Luca nibbled her lip and pulled her face away from his to stare in her eyes. His golden orbs were so heady with need a shiver raced down her spine and pooled between her thighs.  

"What do you want, baby?" he whispered.

Pleasure, pain...some sweet fucking release.

She pressed her head against his and licked her lips. "I want...I want to practice, Daddy," she breathed against his lips.

"Je vais tellement te faire plaisir que en tu vas pleurer ma petite fleur." He whispered over her neck and slid his hand beneath the fabric covering her ass.

She gasped when his finger slid between her ass cheeks and caressed her wet folds. "Oui s'il vous plaît, Monsieur Underworld," she moaned and ground her hips against him.

I need this and I want him to take me to those deep, dark pleasurable places in my mind. 

A/N:  I hope you enjoyed that chapter 😏😈

My French isn't great (I took Spanish 🤷🏾‍♀️) so I want to thank  chocoons for your help with the translations! 🥰

Je vais tellement te faire plaisir que en tu vas pleurer ma petite fleur - I am going to please you so much that you will cry, my little flower

Oui s'il vous plaît, Monsieur Underworld - Yes, please, Mr. Underworld

I kind of love that they speak French to each other 🥵🥰