Chapter 81 Drake’s Plans
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RIA ROBERT COUTURE
THREE DAYS LATER
Drake Robert stepped into Ria Robert Couture. It was a bit crowded on this day. He took in the beauty of the luxurious clothing store. Glittery clothes of all kinds of designs hanging on racks. No wonder his mom had insisted that she wanted to come to Ria Robert Couture to buy dresses.
Drake had tried to talk to his dad into allowing her but he refused. Frederick said that she should be spending more time at Sanders family home to take care of Bay and their grandchild. Frederick remained adamant about it.
And when Drake saw that his dad refused, he decided to keep his plans of striking a deal with Ria Robert a secret. He doesn’t have to know anyways!
Drake searched the large room to check out for Ria but he couldn’t find her. He arrived in Chicago yesterday. Actually, he was in town to meet an Italian investor and he saw it as a chance to work on his plans. He came straight down to Ria Robert Couture after meeting with the Italian investor.
“Can I help you to pick out a dress, sir?” A lady in black suit said to him. She had noticed the way he was looking around and concluded that he needed help.
“Oh! Yes please. But I don’t need a dress.” He moved closer to her.
“What do you need, sir?” She asked.
“I want to meet the owner of this place.” Drake answered.
“Oh! Miss Ria!” She mouthed.
“Yes Ria Robert!” He snapped his fingers.
The lady smiled brilliantly “Miss Ria is in the office.”
“Can I meet her? I have a business deal for her.” Drake requested in a polite manner.
“Sure. Come with me, sir.” She pointed towards a direction.
Drake followed her through a door which was connected to a hallway. He heard the sounds of machine wheels as they passed by a door. About few more steps then they got to another door. The lady stopped and she knocked on the door.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“Come in.” They heard someone say.
The lady turned to look at him. “What’s your name sir?”
“Drake. So just tell her Drake Robert.” He answered.
“Okay. A minute please.” Then she opened the door and walked in.
She came back seconds later. “Please come in.” She opened the door wide for him to step into the office.
The door clicked close behind him. He turned and the lady was gone. Ria Robert sat at her desk with a pencil in her right hand. She was beautiful as ever!
Drake stood where he was taking in her beauty. He couldn’t help glancing downward to the front of her creme pleasant blouse. And since he happened to be looking that way, he lingered just a moment to admire the expanse of her creamy, glistening skin that revealed above the deep neckline and the deep shadow of cleavage.
Ria cleared her throat snapping him out of trance. “Um.. Mr Drake?” She stood up from the chair.
“Yes.” Drake said with an apologetic grin as he lifted his gaze away from that direction to look at her face.
“You are being bold, sir.” Ria sounded offended.
Oh! Damn it! He shouldn’t have done that but he just couldn’t help it! Even looking at her sheen face made it hard for Drake to maintain his train of thought. But he need to think clearly! He shouldn’t get enchanted by her beauty if he want the plan to work!
“Pardon me.” Drake expression was meek and his tone was even apologetic.
Ria stared at him. Her expression unreadable as she nodded slowly. “Please take a seat.” she pointed to the set of couches in the office.
Drake sank unto the couch closer to her desk. “It is nice to see you again.” He said.
” I hate to see you again.” She wanted to say but she bit back her words and swallowed hard.
“How may I help you, Mr Drake?” Ria said after she settled back in her chair.
“Oh yes… Ria -” Drake paused.
He continued after taking in a deep breathe. “Perhaps are you aware that my company Limos produces the best fabrics in the country?”
Ria shook her head. “No. I only know Lint Corporation to be the largest textile industry in Chicago.”
Drake nodded in agreement. “So Lint Corporation supplies RRC right?”
“Yes. And that makes Ian and I business partners.” She replied.
Good. Business Partners! Drake Robert would also be glad to be her partner too!
“I have an offer for you.” Drake rested his back on the couch and crossed his legs.
“What offer?” Ria furrowed her eyebrows.
“Limos can also supply fabrics to your store at lower prices plus silk and lace if that is necessary too.” Drake stated.
Ria was silent while he waited for her response.
“It is a sweet offer.” He added.
“At a lower price -” Ria paused.
“Yes. Absolutely low cost.” Drake nodded.
“And who will bear the cost of moving the supplies to Chicago from Idaho?” Ria asked.
“You don’t have to worry about it. We have a local branch here in Chicago. It is about four hours drive to this place. Limos local fabric branch in Chicago can supply RRC with every materials.” He responded.
But the drive from Idaho to Chicago is about twenty four hours and thirty eight minutes. That won’t be easy. So the local branch is the best option. And Drake already spoke to the manager in charge of the branch in case Ria agrees to partner with the company.
“Mr Drake, I didn’t know Limos has a branch here in Chicago.” Ria feigned a small smile on her face.
“Yes. We have been running it for years now. We supply to some famous clothes designers and materials store owners too.” Drake grinned.
“At lower prices?” Ria chipped in sharply.
“Huh? No.” Drake answered sincerely.
He decided to supply at lower prices because he doesn’t want to lose the ten million dollars deal with Ian. The plan is to use Ria to get Ian Bryant’s attraction.
Ria forehead creased. “So why do you want to supply Ria Robert Couture at lower price?”
“That’s how Limos does to new clothes designers. It is like a charity scheme to support a growing business.” Drake answered. Well that’s partly true!
“Oh really?” Ria mouthed as she toyed with the pencil trapped in between her fingers.
“We reach out to upcoming designers and help them with materials they need and also support the business.” He completed.
Ria shook her head slowly. “Okay.”
“So are you accepting my offer?” Drake demanded.
“No. I would have to talk to Ian about it before making any decision.” Ria answered.
“Is that necessary?” He screwed up his face although her response was like a breakthrough to his plans.
“Yes. The reason is Ian Bryant owns Ria Robert Couture. He invested a lot here. So I have to tell him anything going on here.” Ria replied.
Well it is better for him! If she tells Ian about it, Drake was sure he would advise her against it and possible call him. If Ian calls then Drake would tell him to sign the deal if he doesn’t want him to partner with Ria Robert. Mission successful! Drake thought.
“But you own the brand, Ian being your business partner and being a major investor doesn’t mean you have to-”
“Lint Corporation textile branch supplies RRC so accepting your offer just like that will only make me a traitor. Don’t you think?” Ria shrugged.
“Okay. I understand.” Drake stood up. He walked closer to the desk, removed a complimentary card from his suit pocket and gave it to her. “Call me whenever you have a change of mind or if your business partner agrees to let you partner with me.”
“All right.” Ria collected the card.
“Yeah. It was really nice to see you again. Goodbye.” Drake made his way towards the door and walked out of the office.
Ria heaved a huge sigh of relief as if she has been holding her breathe all along.