#NationalStorytellingWeek

I felt him close behind me.  He had been walking around the office, his eyes fixed on me, questions broken up by moments of silence. Sizing me up and circling me like a shark around it’s prey. I could feel his breath close to me as he leaned in to place the papers back onto the desk. 
“What makes you think you can pull this off?” he asked slowly walking back to the other side of the desk and settling into his executive leather chair.  I thought about his question for a moment, especially the words ‘pull this off’? Christ! I wasn’t proposing to pull off a bank job this coming Saturday afternoon, I just needed to some bloody funding to start a business venture that I felt truly passionate about and had already shown him that I had done my research and certainly had enough experience and enthusiasm but was he really even listening? It seemed an appropriate time to tell him what he probably wanted to hear.
“I believe Mr. Parker, that with my experience, my commitment to seeing this through and your knowledge and support, now is the time to make it happen.  I know it’s going to be tough but I’m ready for that.”
He gently rocked back in his chair and picked up the telephone, “Can you hold my calls, thank you.”
I shuffled my not so executive chair in a little further to get a better footing for what looked like further negotiations. 
“Sorry, would you like a coffee?” he swiftly added in before returning his focus back on to the papers in front of him. I shook my head politely and continued to harbour the point home,“ I have a substantial amount to invest further to what I have already invested into this both financially and emotionally.  This is not something that I have thought about lightly and the time that I have already taken up with this and what I propose shows that this is a genuine opportunity for both of us.” I sat back pleased that I had pressed on, but was it going to be enough?
“I can see that you have given this a great deal of thought and certainly your proposal and presentation has been most impressive and if I’m honest I am very tempted.  I think this could be great for both parties and I certainly see exciting times ahead, but we have strict guidelines that I must adhere to and their are a few points that unfortunately you fall short on, however…”
I couldn’t help myself and interrupted, “Fall short on?” I pushed my chair back and calmly walked over to the other side of the desk and moved his papers over to the left a little and perched against it. “ I can assure you Mr. Parker, I have never fallen short of anything and do not intend to start now,” and placed my hand on his arm.  I could feel his eyes all over me and as he stood up he gently brushed my hair back over my shoulder and softly kissed my neck and whispered, “You don’t have to tell me Mrs. Parker, you still drive me crazy and tempted I definitely am.” 
“Crazy enough, for your bank to lend me this money? I may be your wife but you know what I want and I won’t stop until I get it.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.” He replied moving in for a lingering kiss and as tempting as it would be to give in to his desires across his desk, I looked into his eyes, which were eyes that I could easily get lost in, dark and haunting but composed myself enough to stand back up and brush myself down.
“I have plans to make, this is going to happen Mr. Parker with or without your bank, but thank you for this most enlightening afternoon, to run my proposal past you but I think I have this.”
“One way or another, if I know you, I know you do. Dinner out tonight?”
“No, bring something in with you and we can continue these negotiations where we left off.”
He sat back in his chair and smiled warmly.
God, I love that man.