The shrill ring of Eddie's phone pierced the early morning silence, dragging him from the depths of sleep. He groggily reached for his phone, blinking at the bright screen. It was Jennifer. He cleared his throat and answered, "Hello?""Eddie, it's Jennifer," her voice was tense, and Eddie immediately sat up, fully awake now. "Douglas got into a fight with Frank."Eddie frowned, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Douglas? What happened?"Jennifer sighed heavily on the other end. "Douglas came over last night, asking me to invest in his company. I turned him down. He left in a rage, and now I've heard he's gotten into a confrontation with Frank. I don't know the details, but it seems serious."Eddie rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of it. "Why would they be fighting? Did Douglas say anything about Frank when he was at your place?""No, he was too upset about my refusal. But Eddie," Jennifer's voice dropped, filled with concern, "I think this might have something t
Eddie awoke to the tantalizing aroma of cooking wafting through the house. The rich, savory smells stirred his senses and piqued his curiosity. Sliding out of bed, he made his way down the creaky stairs of Richard's old house. As he reached the bottom step, he saw Richard in the kitchen, surrounded by a flurry of activity. Pans sizzled on the stove, and the table was already laden with dishes."Good morning, Richard," Eddie greeted, walking into the kitchen.Richard turned, his face lighting up with a tired but genuine smile. "Morning, Eddie. Hope you’re hungry. I’ve been up since dawn cooking."Eddie surveyed the feast, recognizing many of the dishes. "This is Cecilia’s favorite food."Richard nodded, his smile fading as a shadow crossed his face. "Yes. I thought I’d make all the dishes she loved. It’s my way of remembering her."Eddie moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on Richard’s shoulder. "I’m sorry, Richard. I know this must be hard."Richard sighed, setting down the spoon
Eddie's heart was pounding as he walked into the office, a slip of paper clutched tightly in his hand. He had just returned from Chelmek, and his mind was a whirlwind of emotions and plans. He knew he had to face Sean, and he was ready to defend his decision.Sean was sitting at his desk, surrounded by papers and a laptop displaying various financial charts. When he saw Eddie enter, he put down his pen and leaned back in his chair, his expression expectant. Eddie took a deep breath and handed him the receipt.Sean's eyes widened as he read the amount. "Ten million dollars?" he exclaimed, staring at Eddie in disbelief. "You spent ten million dollars on a nearly bankrupt factory?"Eddie nodded, feeling a mixture of determination and apprehension. "Yes, I did."Sean stood up, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "Are you out of your mind, Eddie? We are trying to expand our company beyond Poland, and you just threw away a fortune on a dead inves
Eddie sat alone at the corner of a dimly lit bar, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses around him blending into a background noise he barely noticed. His thoughts were consumed by the threat Sean had made earlier that day. Sean had made it clear: if Eddie didn’t turn things around in ten months, Sean would find another partner. The weight of that ultimatum pressed heavily on Eddie’s shoulders, and he found solace only in the bottom of his glass.He sighed deeply, signaling the bartender for another drink. As the bartender refilled his glass, Eddie's mind raced. The decision to purchase the failing factory in Chelmek had seemed like a stroke of genius at the time, a move that would not only save the factory but also boost their own company’s profile. Now, with Sean’s words echoing in his mind, Eddie couldn’t shake the feeling that he might have made a colossal mistake.As he downed another drink, a flash of movement caug
Eddie adjusted his tie and took a deep breath before stepping into the elegant restaurant in Warsaw. The establishment was renowned for its exquisite cuisine and luxurious ambiance, and tonight it was the setting for what Eddie hoped would be a pivotal moment for his business. The soft lighting, rich decor, and gentle hum of conversation created an atmosphere of sophistication and intimacy.Bianca was already seated at a table near the large windows, which offered a stunning view of the city lights. She looked radiant, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders and a soft smile playing on her lips as she noticed Eddie approaching. He felt a flutter of nervous excitement in his chest as he reached the table."Good evening, Bianca," he greeted, taking her hand and pressing a light kiss to it."Good evening, Eddie," she replied, her eyes twinkling. "You look quite dashing tonight.""And you look absolutely stunning," Eddie said sincerely, taking his seat across from her. As they settled
Eddie stood nervously outside the elegant office building in the heart of Warsaw, the city's skyline stretching out behind him. He took a deep breath, adjusted his tie, and reminded himself that this meeting could be the breakthrough he had been waiting for. Bianca had worked her connections to introduce him to Randy Kowalski, one of Warsaw's most influential entrepreneurs. If everything went well, Randy could become the largest investor Eddie's company had ever secured.Inside, Bianca greeted him with a warm smile. "Ready?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with confidence.Eddie nodded, trying to steady his racing heart. "Let's do this."They were led into a sleek, modern conference room where Randy was waiting. He was a tall man with a commanding presence, his silver hair neatly combed and his tailored suit impeccable. He rose to greet them, shaking Eddie's hand firmly."Mr. Kowalski, thank you for meeting with us," Eddie began, trying to match Randy's con
Eddie sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the blinking cursor on his computer screen. His mind was elsewhere, filled with the memories of the past few weeks. The whirlwind of success and new opportunities had left him exhausted yet exhilarated. Just as he was about to dive back into his work, his phone buzzed with a message from Bianca."Meet me at the Velvet Lounge tonight at 8. Need to talk. – Bianca"Eddie frowned, sensing an urgency in her message. He glanced at the clock and realized he had a few hours before the meeting. Deciding to clear his head, he left the office and took a walk through the bustling streets of Warsaw. The city was alive with energy, a stark contrast to the unease he felt about Bianca's cryptic message.As evening fell, Eddie made his way to the Velvet Lounge, a sophisticated bar known for its dim lighting and intimate atmosphere. He spotted Bianca sitting at a secluded corner table, a glass of whiskey in her hand. Her eyes looked
A slap landed on Eddie’s face. Tears streamed down Bianca’s cheeks, soaking her face. She covered her body with a blanket and yelled, "You bastard! How dare you lie to me?! Eddie, you're the most disgusting man I've ever known!""I know! Okay, but you need to calm down, Bianca. Please, I can explain this is all a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to deceive you. I really wanted to tell you the truth," Eddie said, trying to soothe Bianca.Bianca took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions. "How can you think this is just a misunderstanding, Eddie? You tricked me. You took advantage of my situation!"Eddie felt the sting on his face, not just from Bianca's slap but also from the sadness that was evident on her face. "I never intended to take advantage of you. I... I was just scared. Scared that you would leave if you knew the truth."Bianca looked at Eddie with eyes full of hatred and pain. "You think this lie would make me stay? You are so foolish, Eddie."Eddie nodded slowly,