Chapter Text
Lucius never bothered to meet with his investors. Small talk served only to tax his patience and waste his time.
Except Narcissa Black. Lucius looked after her investments personally.
To anyone who asked, he chalked it up to her family's wealth. The Black name held a long, lavish history of influence, prestige, and power. Such a high-profile client deserved the best treatment Lucius had to offer at his company and if that meant he got his hands a little dirty in the process, he was willing to make that sacrifice.
But there was another reason. One that Lucius didn't admit out loud to anyone. And it had nothing to do with money.
The door to the meeting room clicked open.
Narcissa entered, striding in with the sharp, staccato rhythm of her heels against the marble floor. Chin up, shoulders back in picture perfect posture. She wore a high-collared dark suit jacket with a crisp white pencil skirt. Her hair was pinned up in a neat bun, lending her the appearance of a ballerina, familiar with rigorous training and strict routine. Tucked under her arm was a black leather ledger. An assistant never accompanied her; a fact Lucius was forever grateful for.
It was just the two of them in the meeting room, with a table suited to fit twenty-five and a wall composed entirely of windows, overlooking the city spread out before them. The world was theirs for the taking.
"Good morning, Lucius," Narcissa said, extending her hand.
Lucius grasped her hand in return. It never failed to impress him how firm her grip was. Some women grew soft in their riches, allowing others to make decisions for them, easily manipulated and begging to become victims of some financial vampire to bleed them dry. But Narcissa was certainly not that type of woman.
"Always a pleasure to see you, Narcissa." Lucius pulled out a chair and gestured for her to take a seat. "May I have something brought in for you? Coffee? Pastries?"
"No, thank you. You're very generous." Narcissa sat and placed her ledger on the table. As you know, I prefer to get straight to business, if you don't mind."
"You have my full attention."
Lucius returned to his own seat as Narcissa opened her ledger, withdrew a beige folder and passed it to him.
"I have some concerns regarding the future of my money with your company," she said. “I've compiled a list of mistakes you, personally, have made in the previous year when it comes to my accounts. Missed opportunities for financial gains, computing errors, that sort of thing."
Lucius blinked in surprise, pasting a neutral expression on his face. He wanted to scoff, I don't make mistakes, but he kept his tongue firmly behind his teeth. Slowly, he slid the offending file closer and looked at it.
Red numbers. Everywhere. Neat and direct, like a blade to the heart. With this kind of failure on Lucius's record, Narcissa could destroy him and drive his company into the ground with one phone call to her lawyer.
"As you know," Narcissa continued, "I've had no complaints up 'til now. You have tended to my interests with impressive precision." She waved a hand toward the file Lucius held. "But you've been slipping, Lucius. And it's showing. Severely."
Silence descended on the meeting room.
Heat prickled the back of Lucius's neck as the full weight of Narcissa's words bore down on him. The disappointment in her voice stung his conscience more than he cared to admit. Why did he crave her good opinion when he had never cared with anyone else before? Why was Narcissa different?
Lucius laid the file on the table, pushing it away from him by an inch.
"I will inform my accountant that you will be withdrawing your funds before the day is out," he said. "I sincerely regret our partnership ended this way. I'm sure we can agree that a lawsuit will not be necessary – "
Narcissa breathed a slight laugh and smoothed her hands over her ledger.
"I have no intention of terminating our partnership, Lucius. Everyone makes mistakes. And while your mistakes have cost me a pretty penny, I'm willing to let you make it up to me."
Lucius straightened marginally in his chair, then quickly disguised it by adjusting his jacket with a tug. He didn't want to appear too eager to please.
"It sounds as if you have something in mind already," he said.
A small smile tipped the corner of Narcissa's lips up.
"Oh, I do. But I won't discuss it here. Friday night. Dinner reservations, formal attire, expensive dessert. If you really want this second chance, you'll have to earn it."
Lucius inclined his head, thrilled at the note of a challenge in Narcissa's voice. No lawsuits, no blackmail. Just dinner and the promise of something else to keep him guessing.
"I look forward to it."