Jay’s POV
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All of the best and most successful business deals are acquired through a dining experience which is both casual and out of the board room and in a fancy restaurant that serves the best food and alcoholic beverages.
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So as I stride through CouCou, Dubai looking out over the rooftop bar and down over the palm island itself, I take in the atmosphere. Telling myself that this is what I was born and made for, to strike these deals and to make the company even more successful than it already is. The panoramic views which really encapsulate Dubai, dark inky water that in the daylight would be a pristine clear blue surrounded by many buildings and towers. Lit up in the night sky, a prime example of modern extravagance. The architecture is blocky unlike the natural landscape of the place I call home. I daydream briefly about the hills of Tuscany, Taylor’s face as she followed me in the vineyard of our farmhouse clutching onto the baby in her tummy.
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Anticipating the CEO to arrive in but minutes my father joins me at the table, sitting opposite me in his most expensive tailored suit. He looks dashing if a little red in the face, I put it down to the trepidation of the upcoming deal.
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“Head in the game boy” he says somewhat nervously as two gentleman much like ourselves approach us. Clad in most likely their best suits, an older gentleman accompanied by a younger man. I reflect on the striking similarities of the two of them as I stand just behind my father to ingratiate myself in the introductions.
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“Good evening Mr Jao” my father says silkily, and as I watch him and await my introduction it’s hard to see him as a grandfather in this moment. The man who cried over ten fingers and ten toes, is replaced by a business man with tenacity and suave sophistication. I tell myself that I must follow his lead as I introduce myself to Mr Jao’s son, who clearly is also in a similar position to me. Born into this lifestyle. I strike a chord with him instantly and we shake hands, the allegiance I am sure has begun.
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“Please” I indicate softly as we all take our seats. Ordering two large share plates, my father takes charge of the situation checking in with the others that they do not in fact have any allergies. Adding in a king crab salad I notice the rigatoni from Tuscany in truffle cream sauce and add that in too as my father smiles over at me amused.
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The business negotiations begin and my father allows me to take the lead in the conversation. Mr Jao comes across as a very smart man indeed knowing all of what I’m about to say, I note often nodding in agreement to my statements. However he is yet unaware of my hidden findings as is my father. It’s a bargain but it will make all the difference I think to myself as I take a measured sip of my veuve clicquot that I just know Taylor would appreciate. I make it my mission to seal this deal so that I can return to my wife and bring her to places such as this one. We may have to hire the help of a babysitter for our upcoming champagne dates but it will be worth the while.
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Food in fancy restaurants is laid out before your very eyes, presented to an impeccable standard with the upmost care taken in the delivery of your meal. I wait for the others to dive in first before I take that bowl of pasta from Tuscany and place some of it in my bowl. The taste bringing me straight to my happy place, seated looking out at our vineyard in our country kitchen as I savour the efforts of my wife’s cooking.
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“Jay, I mean Mr Gilbert Scott” Mr Jao’s son begins smiling briefly at his faux pas.
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“Jay is just fine, Chen” I smile over at my father who is clearly pleased with the progression of the meeting.
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“I just wondered whether you had scope to propose this side of the business elsewhere?” Chen smiles genuinely and here I go, I think to myself.
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“Well that is the whole prospect” I smile looking at both of them in turn.
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“Tuscany” I say smiling down at my pasta.
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“I own a farmhouse, so there is potential to initiate that side of the business there. It’s an ideal outlet and brings a new wealth of opportunity” I begin and my father nods whilst eating, finally seeing my ploy he smiles up at me as Chen agrees talking enthusiastically about Italy to his father.
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The mains are finished and the champagne enjoyed as we all come to an understanding as a unit, it’s important to end business meetings on a strong point and the words it’s a deal, without sounding to corny, are exactly what one wishes to hear upon the closure of the evening.
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Once the finer intricacies have been handled mainly by my father, we leave the signing of documents to be handled electronically. My father orders a second bottle of champagne, the wealth brought to us makes moments like these possible.
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“Jay, how is that little baby” my father asks me on the way out of the rooftop bar.
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“Genuinely he’s magnificent” I comment and he smiles broadly, I pull up a picture that Taylor sent me of him in his Ralph shirt and my father smiles as we descend in the elevators.
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“He’s a cherub. How is Taylor? Another baby soon?” He asks forwardly and I laugh.
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“Taylor is managing Henry, to a degree of tracking his feeds, she makes everything seem effortless. It’s important to me that we try for another yes.” I smile as he clutches his chest briefly, a new gesture I am so far not used to.
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The elevator opens into the underground parking, and we head to our respective cars. Dubai has brought out the sport car aspect of my personality, my mother actually rolled her eyes when I bought a Porsche 911. However now as my father stands by the side of my silver model car I feel every bit the successful business man.
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“Jay, I have to say you sealed that” he smiles down at me.
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“Ordering the blooming Tuscan pasta and smiling to yourself” he guffaws and I smile glad that we have managed to work on our relationship.
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“We are visiting Italy after I return to the states. With the baby. And shortly after that we will be having the christening. Taylor has ordered me that we must do it in a church in the countryside” I smile, I am my wife’s husband.
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“She’s just as tenacious as you, but with more ability and skill” he laughs and I couldn’t agree more.
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“That she is” I smile before we somewhat formally shake hands. My father has never been a physical contact kind of man. The only person that has managed to hug him apart from my mother, is Taylor upon the birth of Henry. Our first child who most likely is causing up a stir in California, what with his continuous demands for milk and his mother.
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The drive is practically non existent back to my penthouse apartment, but one must not attend a business meeting without his sports car I tell myself as I ditch my Porsche and fall into the comfort of the penthouse. Switching on the huge flatscreen after removing all of my suit and changing into a T-shirt and joggers. I flick through the many pictures that Taylor has sent over the past few days of our little baby and smile. Focusing on one particular shot that includes her. Taken most likely by Matthew, a shot of her holding Henry and cradling him. Looking every bit the caring mother to my child and all of my children to follow. My wife and my business partner in Italy.
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