Regency Dining was an opulent restaurant in the upper part of the city that catered to rich people who wanted to splurge their money.
"I will be introducing you to an old friend of mine, a sly woman she is, but she's got connections," Vicente led Avery past the gorgeous hallways, "rumors say those connections spiral into the underworld."
"She sounds like a dangerous woman." Avery quipped.
Vicente chuckled as he shook his head. "Amara Delaney is the definition of a dangerous woman."
Amara Delaney— Avery struggled to remember the name, but had no recollection of such character being mentioned in the story's plot.
The private room that Vicente booked was luxurious with high-end amnesties.
The walls were a sophisticated blend of wood and a bold burgundy colour. The floors gleamed with polished marble and the room's refined lighting fixtures highlighted it's opulence. Intricately carved plush seatings that looked velvety soft were placed stylishly in the room. A private bar that was stocked with wine and premium spirits occupied the far end of the wall.
A large wall mounted TV and advanced audiovisual equipments blended in with the rooms opulence.
"The internet service here is high-speed incase you want to browse through social media, it seems to be all you kids can think of nowadays." Avery chuckled as he sat down, the plush couches were as soft as they looked.
"Welcome distinguished guests, is there anything we can get for you." The staff asked politely.
"Get me a bottle of Noble Frost." Avery shot Vicente a judging look.
"Seriously grandpa, you are ordering premium vodka at your age." Vicente groaned.
"Oh please! It's already hard enough with one Matthew in my life, I don't need another, let an old man live a little." Avery chuckled at Vicente's words.
"Still up for the dramatics I see Vicente," a mellow and elegant voice cut in from behind, "I am glad to see you still standing."
"Much to the disappointment of a few people." Vicente added.
"Indeed." Avery took in the sight of the gorgeous woman who had entered unannounced.
Amara Delaney was a picture of wealth, elegance, sophistication, refinement and class; she carried a commanding presence that made her the center of focus the moment she stepped into a room.
Her facial features shone with a touch of beauty and regality: olive green eyes— shrewd an calculating— shone like gemstones, her hair— red like flames with hints of grey that shone like silber streaks— was styled in vintage waves and her vanilla warm skin glowed in the dusty rose dinner gown she wore; a floor sweeping mermaid silhouette elegance made from silk with a lace overlay, delicate embroidery and tailored to perfection. An emerald necklace with matching earrings and hair pins adored her and her feet thrived in a pair of glass heels. Her nails were painted red and perfectly manicured.
Despite her age; Amara carried herself with elegance and sophistication with a deep appreciation for the finer things of life.
"Amara darling you really are aging backwards." Vicente stood up to place a kiss on her cheeks.
"Unfortunately I can't say the same for you." Amara chuckled as she turned to Avery, her eyes locked on him. "And who might this lovely Angel be?" As she leaned closer Avery could catch a whiff of her perfume— rich amber and vanilla.
"Hello Mrs Delaney, I am Avery Ford." If Amara was surprised by his identity she didn't show it.
"Mrs Delaney?" Amara laughed. "Please don't make me feel old, just call me Amara."
"There are many adjectives to describe you Amara, but old isn't one of them." Amara seemed to glow at Avery's words.
"Good, keep stroking her ego like that and we won't leave here tonight." Vicente grumbled.
"Jealousy is not a good look on you Vic," Amara rolled her eyes, "at least your grandson knows how to compliment a woman." Amara sat down on the couch beside Vicente; Avery's eyes widened by a fraction— it seemed the relationship between Vicente and Amara was closer than he imagined.
They placed their orders; Vicente frowned slightly when he noticed that Avery's order was mostly vegetables with a few pieces of chicken— even the drink he ordered was apple juice — who one earth came to such a bar and ordered apple juice?
Unlike Vicente whose taste leaned towards spirits, Amara was more of a champagne person— her signature drink of Gold Rose Champagne was her usual order.
The conversation between them flowed softly— business, health and lifestyle. Avery interjected only when necessary and helped his grandfather cut pieces of meat; which a surprised Amara had noticed— she had heard rumors about Avery's past behaviour.
"How's your grandson?" The atmosphere between the two friends stifled slightly at the question.
"He's getting better." Amara sighed as her grip on her cutleries tightened.
"Sloane's a fighter, this won't pull him down." Amara only nodded at Vicente's reassurance— it was clear this was a conversation she didn't want to engage in at the moment.
"So Avery, what are you currently doing?" The shift of conversation was a bit startling.
"I intend to start working at SparkDigital's marketing department from tomorrow." Avery noted the way Amara's brow arched slightly.
"That's good, Vicente had been slightly down with your previous refusal to join the company." Amara twirled her glass of champagne elegantly.
"It's just a starting point for him to understand the ropes of the company, I intend to hand my shares over to him soon and enjoy a life of retirement." Amara's lips parted slightly from shock— she knew what the company meant to Vicente and was aware he wouldn't hand it over to someone incompetent grandson or not— she couldn't help but readjust her initial evaluation of Avery.
"Well then I bet Callan is all sorts of fuming?" Avery chuckled at Amara's smirk.
"You have no idea." Avery scoffed.
"Cheers to SparkDigital's future CEO, to a future of greatness." Glasses clinked together. "And here's to a happy co-operation, I hope our company's can enjoy a smooth co-operation."
"Since when is Lumineer Tech co-operating with SparkDigital?" Vicente arched a brow in question.
"Since now." Amara leaned into her seat. "I hadn't been willing to take up SparkDigital's marketing offer, because frankly I could see Callan leading the company to doom and I wasn't going to invest my money in a sinking ship." Her olive green eyes locked with Avery's emerald green eyes. "But since there will be a change in leadership soon, I don't mind taking up the offer, hopefully Avery won't disappoint me." She smiled as she passed her card to him.
A stylish white card with intricately elegant words written with golden curvise— Lumineer Tech; Illuminating The Future Of Tech.
"I won't disappoint you Amara." Avery gripped the card tight, this was his steeping stone to building his connections and he wouldn't fumble it.
"Give us a call and if you can wow us with a sales pitch impressive enough, let's shake hands on a happy co-operation." Amara smiled.
The ringtone of her phone attracted the attention of everyone in the room— it was Amara's phone.
"What happened to Sloane?" All traces of happiness was gone from her face.
Within seconds of answering the call, her features shifted quickly— anger, weariness, sadness, before it settled into a cold mask.
"Vic I apologize, but I will have to cut out outing short." Amara rose sharply to her feet.
"I understand." Vicente nodded.
"I am rooting for you Avery, don't let your grandfather down." With those words she was gone.