As he left the boardroom, Adrian Foster ran into Lisa Monroe and her inseparable friend, Emily Carter. Both were carrying folders and documents, hurrying down the hallway of LXM Media. Their faces reflected anxiety, as if every piece of paper they held could decide the future of the company.
Adrian smiled and naturally extended his hand.
—Nice to see you again. Adrián Foster, new owner of LXM Media.
Although rumors about the purchase had been circulating around the office for weeks, hearing those words directly from him surprised Lisa. A faint flicker of happiness lit her eyes, and a smile as fresh as spring blossomed on her face.
It was a genuine smile, capable of eclipsing even the tension that dominated the company atmosphere. For a moment, Adrian stared at her with the strange feeling that that gesture could light up even the darkest boardroom.
Lisa composed herself and, with a professional air, replied:
—Lisa Monroe, Content Manager at LXM Media. I look forward to working with you and taking care of this company together.
They exchanged smiles, a brief but natural moment, as if they had known each other for years.
Adrian leaned slightly towards them and lowered his voice:
—Please inform employees and all content creators that the acquisition is now official. And tell them not to worry: their salaries will be deposited on Monday without fail.
"Understood!" Lisa replied determinedly.
Before leaving, Adrian looked her up and down, and without being able to help it, he commented sincerely:
—You look really pretty today.
Lisa wore a sleek black pencil skirt that hugged her hips and fell to her knees, and a white blouse that emphasized her upright, professional demeanor. The outfit was simple, but she possessed a natural charm. Her long, slender legs seemed sculpted.
The compliment caught her off guard. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, and her lips curved slightly in a restrained smile.
—Thank you, Mr. Foster.
Adrian, with a mischievous air, added:
—What do you think if we exchange WhatsApp messages?
Lisa looked at him doubtfully, feigning discomfort.
—And what do you want it for?
"What's the point?" Adrian said naturally, almost brazenly. "I want to get to know you better."
Lisa understood immediately. Adrian was no longer a mere visitor; he was the new owner of the company. Refusing would be absurd. With a half smile, she swiped her phone number and added him.
—If President Foster is interested in someone like me, I suppose it's an honor… though I doubt I can live up to it.
"Believe me, I don't care," Adrian replied calmly.
After exchanging numbers, Adrian left. Lisa, however, followed him with her eyes for long seconds. The image of his retreating back remained etched in her mind, and a strong heartbeat, dormant for years, reawakened in her chest.
"Lisa, wake up!" Emily exclaimed, waving her hand in front of Lisa's face. "He's gone."
Lisa blinked, coming back to reality. Emily raised an eyebrow mischievously.
—Let me guess… love at first sight?
"Don't be silly," Lisa replied, although her blush gave her away.
Emily didn't push the issue, but in her mind she was thinking the same thing as everyone else in the office: how could a young man of barely twenty-three have enough money to buy an entire company in Manhattan? It was like a fantasy come true.
That evening, Richard Coleman—the former CEO—invited Adrian to dinner as a token of gratitude. Despite his hatred of dinner parties, Adrian accepted; he couldn't refuse the invitation of a man who had been on the brink of losing everything.
The restaurant was exclusive, located on the Upper East Side. The discreet facade concealed an interior of dark wood, warm lamps, and tables reserved for influential businessmen and politicians.
Richard arrived accompanied by his trusted associate, Katherine Hill. Although Richard tried to smile, the exhaustion was still evident in his eyes. Adrian greeted him with a firm handshake.
—Richard, I'm glad to see you calmer.
"And I'm glad you're here, Adrian," the man replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "You don't know how much your support meant. Today, at least, I can smile without feeling like the world is crumbling beneath my feet."
Adrian nodded. As they settled down at the table, Katherine intervened firmly:
—Don't try to get him drunk, Richard. Adrian doesn't need to prove he's a man by emptying glasses.
The three of them laughed. Dinner began with red wine and exquisite dishes: beef carpaccio, buttered lobster, imported cuts of meat. However, Richard couldn't stop his excitement from overcoming him. He raised his whiskey glass and, his voice cracking, declared:
—Even though I know my company was worthless, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You saved my company, my job, and my family. That's priceless.
He drank in one gulp, tears welling up in his eyes.
Adrian calmly took a sip of his wine and replied:
—The important thing is that you still have a future. Think of it as a new beginning.
Richard sighed and confessed:
—I've been thinking about retiring. I'll sell my house and move out of New York. I want to rest, farm, live in peace with my wife and son. I no longer have the strength to fight in this world.
Katherine looked at him sternly.
—Don't underestimate your experience, Richard. You've dedicated years to this industry. You can still contribute. If you decide to come back, don't doubt that I'll help you.
Richard, excited, raised another glass.
—Thank you. Having friends like you makes me feel like this whole journey wasn't in vain.
The evening ended late. Adrian, who hadn't had much to drink, drove Richard back to his home in Riverside Hills. Richard's wife greeted them tenderly, helping her husband lie down on the sofa. With a sweet smile, she thanked Adrian for taking care of him.
From the hallway, Adrian watched them embrace. Richard, through tears, whispered his apologies to his wife for all the years of sacrifice and neglect. She caressed him, assuring him that the important thing was that, finally, they could be together and start over.
Adrián left the house in silence, letting the couple enjoy their moment. As he climbed into his Aston Martin, a thought crossed his mind: perhaps he had saved more than just a company that night. Perhaps he had saved an entire family.
He started the engine, smiled slightly and said to himself:
—This is just the beginning.