Page 129 of Forbidden
Woman with agendas, who seek billionaires, basically forget two important facts.
Firstly, to make billions, you need to work insanely hard. Few outwork billionaires. That means we invest time in monitoring upsides, and down.
Secondly, and more relevant, you need radars with radars. To build, then protect that wealth, from ruthless corporate raiders, from competitors, and from gold diggers.
As Sophia talks on, she is not being entirely rude. She is however, trying to show off, trying to flirt with Dante, but now, of all things, trying to flirt with me.
Before I can walk her away, with a non-dramatic excuse, then deal with her tomorrow, several entertainment bankers stop by to talk.
After hand shaking, and small talk, they leave, and thankfully, they take Sophia.
I see Storm relax some, and she watches me shake my head. I wink, and kiss her cheek, before Dante, Storm and I share eye contact. After we all laugh, I start to relax, again.
Showbusiness.
I decide to push on, fast and I try to get Storm and I home as quickly as possible.
First, I need to discuss things with Dante, and then find the Wall Street fund manager. I have to discuss his offer, while we are here, and while the funds are on offer.
On the back of the super yacht, Dante and I discuss the planned deal in broad strokes. Dante, and I explain what we see as possible obstacles, and we reach a point where we think we can navigate all.
We are both mature, and flexible and I sense we can match. It’s important because if we do this, it will be both entertainment, and fashion related, and the deal worth close to a billion.
After toasting, Storm tells us she’s impressed. I thank and kiss my girl before telling her I need to do one more thing.
I ask Dante to look after Storm, and I head quickly away.
Ten minutes later, I find the Wall Street investor. He’s happy to see me, and on the side of the super yacht, now standing alone, I express my concerns.
I need to make sure the billions offered are not contaminated, with control. After I explain I need to retain control of my creative decisions, including movies I make, where and when, he lowers his scotch.
“I have no intention to control how you invest, Lorenzo. I trust you, and so does my fund. You’re one of the best in the world, and you know what people want, globally. Your track record is immaculate. If we do this, you have all the room you need.”
I nod and look across the French Riviera. After two more complex questions, and answers that calm my fears, I turn to him and finally nod.
I’m in.
“Let’s do this,” he says, in his perfectly cut pin stripe.
“Alright,” I say as we shake.
The man clasps my shoulder respectfully, and he has balls to touch me. “Let’s talk next week, but we’re really excited.”
As I walk away, I breathe deep. Finally, room to move.
Note to self: slow down on expanding, and focus only on Storm.
I try to get back to Storm and Dante, and I attempt to navigate the overly crowded super yacht.
It is loud, distracting, and now over the top, as I try to avoid several flirty international models.
That is when I see Sophia.
She is staring at me as she dances, and she bites her lip. I can tell she wants to fuck, so I decide to avoid her, like the plague. As I look away and try to find the right passage away from the dance floor, I notice Storm walk past Sophia in the distance.
Storm sees my eyes sweep past Sophia as she dances, and my jaw tightens. The timing is horrible, and I curse low.
I loathe drama, even if nothing has happened.
