Page 33 of Negotiation Tactics

Do I? It certainly doesn’t exactly feel that way. I even sort of lied to my friend… I inhale deeply, then exhale slowly. But she’s right—this is my chance, the golden opportunity of the century for this case. I just need to ensure I don’t blow it because of being close to Alistair fries my brain.

***

The party comes around quicker than expected as anticipation, excitement and worry keep me on edge. Alistair texts me the address just as I leave the office after finishing for today, then follows that up with a photo of a gigantic chocolate fountain and thumbs up emoji.

I thumbs up his thumbs up, but don’t say anything. I guess he kept his promise, which is a start. It means there is a chance he’d honor his other promise too, and make the commission listen to me.

I scroll through our chat history, smiling at all the photos he sent me over the last few days. We haven’t really said much to each other, but he kept sending me photos of the preparations for Jaime’s birthday party. From what I’ve seen, you’d think Jaime is royalty and not just a pet snake, but I can appreciate the dedication.

On the way home, I chat with my two brothers. They are helping me do recon on Alistair, and the latest info they have on him is that he was apparently engaged to Christine Fleur at some point before she got married to the oil mogul. It’s not something I can exactly use—people get together and break up all the time—but it makes me realize how hard it is to find dirt on my enemy online.

Which is why going to the party and using all the tricks I have up my sleeve to get something on Alistair is so important. No matter what it takes.

I mill around my apartment until it’s time to get ready, smiling to myself as I remember the photo of thesnake with the party hat Alistair sent me while I was on the bus. Reptiles are not the most popular choice for a pet, but they can be as cute as any dog or cat. My choice of clothes is a frilly dark violet blouse, a faux leather choker that I pair with my black, ass-hugging jeans, and my dark-gray hi-tops.

Despite how simple my outfit is compared to the inspo posts the other attendees have been sharing online, I like how it looks on me. It gives me a playful, teasing, come-and-get-me edge that I am sure Alistair won’t be able to ignore. As for my hair, I leave it mostly as is, though run my fingers through it a couple of times with a tiny bit of gel so it’s slightly styled to one side.

“Perfect,” I deem, grinning at my reflection in the mirror of my hallway.

A knock on my door as I double-check that I have my phone and documents tells me it’s time to head out.

“Hey, ready to roll?” Lily grins, looping her hand through mine. She’s my plus-one.

I’m actually glad I was allowed to bring someone, because having her there means we can cover more ground. She’ll be handling the guests and looking for the latest gossip, while I take care of the actual snooping around. It’s perfect.

“Yep. Let’s get going!”

We arrive at Alistair’s house, or rather, mansion, forty minutes later. It’s located on the fancier side of town, which was to be expected, but I don’t comprehend the sheer area of the grounds and the size of the building until the taxi drives down the long driveway. It’s more like a private road with lush gardens on both sides, and it brings us to the car parking space in front of the house. Sports carsand huge trucks are lined up next to each other, gleaming under the setting sun.

We thank the taxi driver and step out. I need a moment just to take in the impressive building. Music blasts from the inside, and fairy lights cover every available space. The house sports a flat roof, separated into segments of various shapes and sizes. There is a massive sundial off to the right of it, far enough so the shadow the house throws can’t reach it, while on the left a cabana on a wooden patio overlooks what appears to be an empty pond.

Now that I think about it and study the grounds with my full attention, it looks like they haven’t been fully cultivated. There are spots where a human touch is missing, like Alistair just hasn’t quite gotten to them yet. Or whoever he hires to take care of that stuff.

“Shall we go in?” Lily asks, pulling me out of my head.

I shake off the memories of sketching alongside dad, pushing them down for later. Now is not the time to revisit the past. “Let’s go.”

Three huge guards check our invitations and IDs before we are allowed inside the house. Just like the modern exterior, the interior is dynamic, with geometric shapes and simple colors taking charge. I can spot a few unfinished areas around the reception room too, like Alistair was renovating but didn’t get to them yet, but overall the surroundings are very pleasant with their blue accents that bring a splash of character to the grays and the whites. Whoever the interior designer is, they did such an amazing job I can’t help but wish I could one day try my hand at it, too.

Not that it will ever happen, of course.

We follow a wide corridor toward the source of the music and chatter. It opens into the most spacious lounge I have ever seen, where dark hardwood and fluffy rugs work in unison to complement the stylish furniture that’s been rearranged away from the center, so there is space for people to dance. Long buffet tables are lined along the floor-to-ceiling windows on the outer end, filled to the brim with delicious-looking food, and the chocolate fountain sits in the corner, looming over everything. Thank god the ceilings are high because this thing is mouth-droppingly massive!

Lily squeezes my arm, her eyes bouncing from one person to the next. “Holy shit, this sure is something. It’s packed.” She smirks. “Oooh, we are so scoring tonight, Josh. Just you wait until they start drinking.”

“Thanks for coming with me. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime. But shall we split? Divide and conquer? We’ll brief each other on our findings afterwards.”

I nod. We might as well start Operation Dirty Laundry straight away. The more time I have, the higher the chances of finding something I can use are.

With Lily lost in the crowd, I swing by the bar and get myself a gin and tonic. My intention is to sneak off to the off-limits areas that we spotted on the way to the lounge. I’ve not told her that part of the plan, but only because I don’t want to get her in trouble in case I get caught. Not that I will. I’m a self-proclaimed pro at this. Plus, she’s way better than me at gossip.

Taking a sip from my drink, I study the throng of people. I’m looking for Alistair, or anyone I can recognize. Some faces I do know, including celebrities and his social media friends. All of them are dressed in designer labels and according to the latest trends, which if I amhonest, I find a little unnerving because it makes me stand out as someone who doesn’t belong.

I shouldn’t let that get to me, I shouldn’t care—the only reason I’m here is because I am on a mission. But it’s hard to ignore it when people keep staring at me like I’m a stray cat who’s walking among a gathering of peacocks.

Assholes. Watch it or you will be next.

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