Amara had dealt with difficult people before.
Customers who wanted five-star service with zero patience.
Suppliers who changed prices overnight.
Even her landlord, God help that man.
But this?
This Lucas Bennett?
He was a different kind of problem.
The kind that smiled like he already knew you were about to lose.
I'm not late, Amara said, folding her arms tightly across her chest.
Lucas didn't respond immediately.
He simply watched her.
Not in a casual way.
Not even in a rude way.
It was worse.
It was deliberate.
Like he was studying her. Taking her apart piece by piece without even moving from his chair.
Then, finally
You're defensive.
Amara blinked.
I beg your pardon?
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk.
Most people would apologize and move on, he said calmly. You chose to argue. That tells me two things.
She raised a brow despite herself.
And what exactly does it tell you, Mr. Bennett?
That you're either very confident. He paused, eyes narrowing slightly, or very desperate.
The words landed.
Hard.
Amara felt it right there in her chest, but her expression didn't change.
She refused to give him that satisfaction.
Well, she said, forcing a polite smile, good thing I'm both. That way, I won't waste your time.
There was a brief silence.
The man who had led her in shifted uncomfortably near the door.
Lucas, however?
He leaned back again.
And that almost-smile returned.
Sit.
Not a request.
An instruction.
Amara hesitated for half a second then sat.
Not because he told her to.
But because she needed this.
Let's get straight to it, Lucas said, picking up a file from his desk.
Her file.
Amara's heart skipped.
This is your proposal.
Yes.
For a small-scale food supply contract.
She nodded.
Yes.
He flipped a page.
You claim your products are hygienically prepared, cost-efficient, and scalable.
That's correct.
And yet, he continued smoothly, your current production capacity is inconsistent.
Amara stiffened.
How did you
I do my research.
Of course he did.
She swallowed, forcing herself to stay calm.
I've had some challenges recently, but I can handle this contract. I just need the opportunity
You've also lost three clients in the past two weeks.
That one hit deeper.
Her fingers tightened in her lap.
That won't happen again.
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
You seem very sure for someone whose business is barely surviving.
There it was.
The insult.
Clean. Polished. Delivered like fact.
Amara's jaw tightened.
My business is not barely surviving, she said firmly. It's growing. Slowly, yes but steadily.
Steadily? he echoed.
His eyes flicked back to the file.
Your revenue dropped by 28% this month.
Silence.
Damn.
She didn't answer.
Because she couldn't lie.
Lucas closed the file gently.
Then he looked at her again.
And this time, his gaze softened.
Just a little.
Why should I trust you with a contract you're clearly not ready for?
For a moment, Amara didn't speak.
Not because she didn't have an answer.
But because she had too many.
Because behind that question was everything:
Her rent.
Her business.
Her pride.
She inhaled slowly.
Then met his eyes.
Because I won't fail.
Lucas didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Everyone says that.
I'm not everyone.
That made him pause.
Good.
I've built my business from nothing, Amara continued, her voice steady but filled with quiet fire. No investors. No connections.
Just hard work.
She leaned forward slightly.
I don't have the luxury of failing, Mr. Bennett. So I don't.
The room went quiet.
The kind of quiet that meant something had shifted.
Lucas studied her again.
But this time
It felt different.
Less judgment.
More curiosity.
And what happens, he said slowly, when hard work isn't enough?
Amara held his gaze.
Then I work harder.
A beat.
Then
Lucas chuckled softly.
Not mocking.
Not dismissive.
Just amused.
You're interesting.
Amara frowned.
I didn't come here to be interesting.
No, he agreed. You came here for money.
There it was again.
That bluntness.
That lack of softness.
Amara leaned back, crossing her legs.
Isn't that why everyone comes to you?
Lucas's eyes flickered.
Just slightly.
Not everyone says it out loud.
Well, I just did.
Another pause.
Then
Honesty, he murmured. That's rare.
Amara shrugged.
It saves time.
He nodded slowly.
I can see that.
Lucas stood up.
And just like that, the entire room seemed to shift.
He was taller than she expected.
More present.
Dangerously composed.
He walked around the desk, stopping just a few steps in front of her.
Too close.
Amara felt it instantly.
That subtle tension.
The kind you couldn't explain but you definitely noticed.
You're bold, he said quietly.
And you're rude, she replied instantly.
His brow lifted.
Rude?
Yes, Amara said, standing up now, refusing to be looked down on literally or otherwise. You invited me here just to remind me my business isn't perfect?
I invited you because your proposal caught my attention.
She blinked.
That wasn't what she expected.
Then why
Because he cut in smoothly, if I'm going to invest in something, I need to know it won't collapse under pressure.
Amara's expression softened slightly.
Just slightly.
So this is a test?
Lucas's lips curved faintly.
Everything is a test.
She huffed.
Of course it is.
Another silence.
But this one?
It felt charged.
Different.
Amara became suddenly aware of how close they were standing.
Of how steady his gaze was.
Of how
No.
She stepped back quickly.
Clearing her throat.
Look, she said, regaining her composure, I didn't come here to argue all day. If you're not interested, just say so.
Lucas watched her carefully.
Then
I didn't say I wasn't interested.
Her heart skipped.
Then what are you saying?
A pause.
A deliberate one.
I'm saying, he replied slowly, you're a risk.
Amara crossed her arms again.
And?
And I don't like risks.
Something in her chest tightened again.
Of course.
Of course a man like him wouldn't.
Safe.
Controlled.
Predictable.
Everything she wasn't.
Then we're done here, she said, turning to pick up her bag.
Not necessarily.
She stopped.
Turned back.
What does that mean?
Lucas held her gaze.
And for the first time since she walked in
There was something in his eyes that didn't look like calculation.
Something sharper.
More personal.
It means, he said quietly, I haven't decided what to do with you yet.
The words sent an unexpected chill down her spine.
Amara frowned.
I'm not something you 'do' anything with.
Lucas didn't respond immediately.
He just looked at her.
That same slow, unsettling look.
Then
We'll see.
Amara stared at him for a second longer.
Then shook her head.
Unbelievable.
She turned and walked out.
But as the door closed behind her…
Her heart was beating faster than it should.
And not just from anger.
Inside the office, Lucas remained still.
For a long moment.
Then he glanced at the file on his desk.
Amara Okafor, he murmured.
And for the first time that day
He smiled fully.
Yeah.
She was definitely a problem.
And somehow
He was already looking forward to it.