His right hand shook violently as he held the Montblac within its grip. The tip of the pen teasing the fine line which required his signature. Flirting with it yet being denied the privilege of making contact with it.

The paper work was all in order. Every contract had been verified. There would not be any significant loss for him in signing.

So then why the hesitation? Why couldn't he bring himself to do to?

Immediately the answer was brought to his forefront.

This company was his child!

He had invested his very life into its creation and to see it grow into what it was now. Built by his very own hands, he had sacrificed it all for the sake of his ambition.

Wives, children, youth, millions of dollars.

He freely gave it all up every time. Selfishly choosing his "Opus Vitae" without any hesitation.

In the end what did all his sacrifice amount to? He now found himself on the verge of personal financial collapse and with his company in total ruin.

Simply because of the petty decisions of the board.

You sleep with half of their attention needing wives and desperate mistresses no problem. Then the moment they find out, all of a sudden whoring around is bad.

These idiots. It's not like they haven't done the same!

They're the reason we are in this mess. Taking their revenge out on me like this!

Unable to take anymore, angrily he grit his teeth and slammed the pen down.

He couldn't-No! He wouldn't! He refused to sign over his life's work! There had to be another way. A different form of salvation that didn't involve dealing with this man!

Slowly raising his eyes, he finally met those of that grinning bastard sitting across from him.

Milo DeSantos.

This man was the true devil of the business world.

Breaking into the major leagues at the young age of 21.

We all thought it was some punk kid who got lucky off of his family's money. The truth couldn't have been further away from our arrogant opinions.

Three years later and DeSantos had established his place forcefully and firmly within the international business world.

Buying and selling companies. Helping develop start ups. Breaking into undiscovered markets. Trading valuable resources that anyone would hoard, as freely and easily as possible. Waiting for the right time during each transaction so that he could make maximum return, and not a penny less.

He even went as far as to establish a charity division on several third world countries to further his reputation as a benevolent man.

We all knew the truth!

A genius to be feared.

A charismatic lad with wisdom beyond his years

A vicious predator who never missed an opportunity.

A devil enticing the world with his temptation. Offering momentary salvation in exchange for ones soul.

This was the type of person Milo DeSantos was. A ruthless piece of work.

He may have been the most wicked of us all playing this game however one would never know that.

His blessed looks prohibited one from peering into his tainted soul.

There he sat. Across from me grinning.

His long curly black hair cascading down just past the shoulders. Piercing green eyes which could unnerve anyone simply with a glance. Fair skinned, straight nose, bold jawline and high cheekbones with a small beauty mark underneath his left eye. God gave this man all the beauty he had in stock when creating DeSantos. As if that weren't enough, he had a body that made everyone envious.

6'2 and 200 lbs of solid muscle.

An angel at first glance but a devilish bastard underneath.

Sitting cross legged in his all black three piece tailored Armani. He grinned back at me as if to mock me.

"Is there something the matter Mr. Mathews? Was the contract not to your satisfaction? Perhaps is there something you've not understood and would like further explanation? How can I continue to help?"

Milo's deep voice was full of arrogance and rightfully so. He had the upper hand and planned to continue to hold it until the end.

Mathews couldn't take this seething rage that had built inside him and finally exploded.

"Listen here DeSantos! I don't need your pity help! I don't need any of this! You're just here to to make a quick buck and bend all of us over in the process! There is nothing to be gained for me here so why should I sign!"

Grabbing the contract he tore it in half and tossed up in the air.

"Piss off! I'll find a way out of this hell that the board put me in on my own!"

DeSantos response startled Mathews.

"Are you done?"

It was a very bored, blunt, and an impatient reply which angered him even more. To think that he doesn't even care to this degree!

Without skipping a beat Milo stood up. His imposing figure causing Mathews to swallow hard.

Taking a few steps towards him, DeSantos leaned in so close that Mathews could smell the spearmint off of his breath.

Even though he spoke with a tone just above a whisper, it was more unnerving than if he would have shouted.

"Now listen here you little shit. Let me tell you why you should sign, and what there is to gain for you...Or should I say avoid?"

Mathews was briefly confused but DeSantos continued.

"This is a once in a lifetime deal I am offering you. To put it bluntly, you're fucked. I offered to buy your failing miserable worthless company simply because an old friend asked a favor of me. Otherwise don't you for one second think I would be here rescuing you! And you're right I plan on screwing everyone over. The moment you sign I'm liquidating the company and selling it for parts to the highest bidder."

Spite and bitter hate were foaming from Mathews mouth, he was about to get up from his chair and respond with a flurry of curses but DeSantos calmly placed his hand on his shoulder and began to squeeze with an ungodly grip.

Forcing him to sit still and listen.

"Don't be rude I'm not done talking. Now where were we...Oh yes, a favor to an old friend. So, here I am. After you dug your grave I'm offering you just enough money to get you out of debt but nothing more. I'm not paying a cent for you to enjoy anything life has to offer. In exchange for this luxury, you hand over complete ownership of your company and all its assets. What I choose to do with it is none of your concern."

Taking a moment to pause, Milo resumed again with a sinister smile.

"Now, why would anyone take this terrible deal? Sounds awful right? Well it's simple Mathews. The board has the company's best interest in mind. They've compounded records and files of your shady behind the wall dealings, your crimes and the circles you're involved with. All of them are ready to go and burn the whole ship if they needed to simply to screw you over. However, this is not good thing for the board because they too would lose millions. This is where I come in. I offer to buy, they make their money, you don't go to jail but instead simply lose everything you've ever worked for. Honestly I think it's a great win for everyone. Don't you think so?"

His tone at the final words spoken had shifted from serious and fear inducing to that youthful young happy go lucky tone a boy DeSantos age should have.

It was unsettling.

DeSantos released the his grip on Mathews shoulder and finally he could feel his arm again which had gone numb from the pressure.

Mathews was simply sat in disbelief. The board had gone to such lengths to destroy him even though they too were guilty of the same crimes.

His rage was now dying after having realized that there truly was nothing he could do. He thought for a while in complete silence whether it was a preferable option to simply pay for his crimes than to forcefully sell his company. However something told him that if he made that choice, there was still a way for him to come off with even more loss. With one last hate filled look at DeSantos, he resigned himself to the inevitable.

"Fine."

With an obviously fake tone, Milo responded.

"Excellent."

A snap of his fingers and DeSantos personal aide, pulled a briefcase out and laid another set of paperwork before Mathews.

"I had a feeling something like your childish outburst could have happened so I came prepared."

There was that arrogance again. Yet before it nothing could be done. This man had won. So effortlessly.

With the final stroke of the pen, Mathews officially signed over his life's work to DeSantos.

The aide came by and she packed away the signed documents.

Without even caring about Mathews' tremendous loss, Milo spoke to the aide.

"Lilly go ahead and let Stevens know the paperwork is in order and to begin liquidation immediately."

"Right away sir."

Her response was brief.

Turning one last time to Mathews, DeSantos gave his parting words.

Without sympathy of any kind.

"I told you Mathews, the moment you signed, I would liquidate in front of you. Get on with life you dog and don't ever think about trying to play in the big leagues again."

With that the both left the conference room leaving behind the shell of a broken man