Chapter 6 : Strategic Bestfriends

The boardroom at L&M was quieter than usual, the sound of Laurene tapping her pen against her notepad the only interruption. Across the table sat her best friend and L&M’s president, Mia Harper. Mia was the strategic genius behind many of L&M's biggest wins, the steady counterbalance to Laurene’s unrelenting drive.

Mia raised an eyebrow, her sharp brown eyes scanning Laurene’s face. “You’re distracted.”

Laurene looked up, frowning. “I’m not.”

“You are,” Mia countered, leaning back in her chair. “What’s going on? And don’t say ‘nothing.’ I know you too well.”

Laurene hesitated, unsure how to explain. “It’s King.”

Mia’s lips quirked into a knowing smirk. “Sebastian King? The guy you’ve been complaining about since day one?”

“Yes, him,” Laurene said, exasperated. “Except... he’s not as insufferable as I thought.”

Mia’s smirk grew. “Go on.”

“He’s still infuriating,” Laurene said quickly. “But he’s also... capable. And surprisingly insightful. It’s annoying.”

“Sounds like someone’s finally met their match,” Mia teased.

Laurene shot her a glare. “Don’t start.”

At Kings Sports, Sebastian was having a similar conversation with his best friend and company president, Alex Reed. Alex was the calm, analytical mind behind KIng sports bold marketing moves, and the only person who could talk sense into Sebastian when his impulsiveness got the better of him.

“Let me get this straight,” Alex said, adjusting his glasses as he sat across from Sebastian in his office. “You’re saying you don’t hate her anymore?”

“I never said I hated her,” Sebastian replied, leaning back in his chair.

“You said she was a ‘control freak with no sense of humor,’” Alex reminded him.

“Well, she is,” Sebastian admitted. “But she’s also brilliant. And relentless. And... kind of inspiring.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Inspiring? This is new.”

“She cares about her team,” Sebastian said, his tone softening. “Like, really cares. It’s not just about the numbers for her. I didn’t expect that.”

Alex smirked. “So, you like her.”

“I didn’t say that,” Sebastian said quickly.

“You didn’t have to,” Alex replied, standing up. “Just try not to mess this up, okay? For the sake of the partnership.”

Later that week, the two pairs of friends met for the first time at a strategy dinner organized by Laurene and Sebastian to finalize plans for the upcoming event.

The restaurant buzzed with energy as the four of them sat at a private table. Mia and Alex quickly fell into easy conversation, their sharp wit and mutual love for strategy creating an instant connection.

Meanwhile, Laurene and Seb couldn’t help but notice how well their friends got along.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones learning to work together,” Sebastian said, leaning toward Laurene.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. “Let’s just hope they don’t gang up on us.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Too late.”

As the evening wore on, the dynamic between the four of them solidified into something surprisingly natural. For the first time, Laurene and Sebastian began to wonder if this partnership might be more than just a business arrangement—it might actually be the start of something great.

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