Before Things Started 1.2

Clyde's POV

I looked over the project description as well as a list of the people who would be working on it, and then I slammed the paper across the desk at him. After that, I threw the ball into the air and then slammed the ball into the air.

"Do you know anyone on the Reign team who will be coming over?" I said.

Larry took the paper out of the stack and placed it on top of the folder that was in front of him. He was looking at the list of names while simultaneously scanning the list with his index finger while wearing glasses.

Larry used his wet finger to quickly and carefully flip through the pages of the folder. "I have a list of the resumes that key players have, so let's take a look at them. Kate Taylor, she received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration from a well-known University, both of which were awarded to her and she graduated with honors as well." Larry said.

After a brief pause, I heaved a sigh and then replied, "Fresh meat."

Larry continued to read without paying any attention to what I was saying.

I smiled sarcastically at him and commented, "She appears to be quite attractive and smart. I'm not sure if I've ever had the pleasure of meeting her."

Larry spoke to me while looking over the top of his glasses at me and said, "For God's sake, this is not a blind date. Why you suddenly acted like that? You're not the Clyde that I know already." He continued by saying, "They do not include pictures with their resumes."

Larry reinserted the resume into the folder and leaned forward; clearing his throat before speaking to me with a sigh and the words, "Do me a favor. I don't know what you're thinking but please, bring me the real Clyde."

While looking at him with a confused expression on my face, I caught the ball in my right hand and held it there. "Larry, what on earth are you talking about?

Larry had always considered himself to be a wise adviser to me. He gave me the same look you'd give a child with burnt fingers when you're trying to explain why they shouldn't have touched a hot stove

After that, he continued to elaborate, saying, "Look, I know it's not my place to tell you what to do. I have no problem understanding that at all. I just want you to go back to your old self. Please wake up because we need this girl."

"Larry, take it easy. Do you really feel the need to exert so much pressure on this?"

He then took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and exhaled it slowly before continuing, "I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about." He then yanked his glasses off of his face and tucked them inside the jacket of his suit, saying, "Not even remotely funny."

Larry made sure that I never forgot that the deal didn't go through, so I turned around in my chair, rested my elbows on the desk, and grinned as I squished the ball between my hands.

"What good is it to me to have all of this money if I am not totally happy? " I asked Larry

"Clyde, you are worth two billion dollars, and you have the complete freedom to screw anyone you want. I say this to emphasize the point that you are in a position of complete power. All I ask is that you keep it in your pants until we are done with this transaction," Larry explained.

I made the sign by putting my index, middle, and ring fingers together and saying, "Larry, I solemnly swear that I will do everything in my power to keep myself serious again until this deal is completed."

Larry voiced his disbelief by saying, "I wish I could believe that," but at that moment, his phone rang in his pocket, so he pulled it out and slid open the screen to see the message: "Reign's team has arrived. They are sitting in the executive conference room waiting for us to arrive. Come on, you have no choice but to get to know these folks."

I strongly disliked the idea of working with outside consultants.

They were all so arrogant and full of themselves, as if they knew a terrible secret that could put your company out of business and wouldn't tell you about it unless you gave them a sizeable sum of money in advance. This is because they all acted as if they were privy to this terrible secret.

They acted like leeches, sucking the blood of legitimate businesses because they lacked the intelligence to start their own businesses on their own initiative. This led to their unethical behavior. They were analogous to the smaller fish that swam alongside larger predators like sharks in order to feed on the scraps that were abandoned by the larger predators so that they did not have to fend for themselves.

Everyone was extremely... respectful of other people's points of view.

It didn't seem like it should have been my first time getting it on with a consultant, but I guess they're right when they say that everything has to begin somewhere.

As I leaned back in my chair and propped my bare feet up on the desk, Larry moved around in his seat in reaction to the filthy soles of my shoes.

He shoved my feet to the floor and said, "Clyde, they're here to meet with both of us." He rubbed his hands together and growled at me. He continued, "Now put on your fucking shoes and let's get this meeting started," and he added, "Also, keep your cool. Please. Be cooperative at least"

I muttered under my breath, "You're such a kill joy."

Before continuing to play catch-up, I decided to take a moment to sit down and pick up the stress ball.