10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

147  The Offer

The rich aroma of seared steak and aged wine filled the air as Matt and I sat across from each other in a private booth of one of the finest restaurants in the city. With the pristine white tablecloth, glowing chandeliers, and the classical music playing in the background, it was the perfect place for the elite to feel classy.

And right now, I was indeed feeling classy. @@novelbin@@

Opposite me, Matt cut into his steak, taking a slow bite before leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Damn, Nico. You sure know how to wine and dine. You keep feeding me like this, I might start thinking you're trying to fatten me up."

I smirked, swirling the wine in my glass. "You deserve it. Besides, I'd rather fatten you up than have your mom keep nagging me about how you don't eat enough."

Matt chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not wrong. You'd think I was on the verge of starvation the way she worries."

We shared a grin before focusing back on our food, enjoying the comfortable silence. It had been some time since we'd sat like this, just the two of us. When I'd returned from New York, I'd thrown myself into my work and slowly recalibrated my brain from my experience at that godforsaken city. Thankfully, all was good now.

"Remember when we tried out for the football team back in high school?" Matt asked suddenly, a grin creeping onto his face.

I snorted. "Tried out? You mean, got annihilated? I don't think I've ever been hit that hard in my life."

Matt nearly choked on his drink laughing. "That linebacker. What was his name? Trey? He knocked you so hard, I swear I saw your soul leave your body."

"Yeah, well, at least I didn't trip over my own feet trying to run a drill." I shot back with a smirk.

Matt groaned, covering his face. "Oh, come on. You had to bring that up."

"Of course. I need to remind you that I wasn't the only disaster out there."

Matt grinned, shaking his head as he took another sip of his drink. "Still, good times. Feels like a lifetime ago."

I leaned back in my chair, tapping a finger against the table. "It does. But we've come a long way since then. Remember those all-night study sessions before exams?"

Matt let out a bark of laughter. "Yeah. And by 'study sessions' you mean you somehow convincing me to spend half the night making dumb bets on how many flashcards we could memorize in a minute."

I smirked. "Hey, you have to admit it worked. We passed, didn't we?"

"Barely!" Matt groaned, shaking his head. "I still have nightmares about cramming for those chemistry tests. And don't even get me started on that history class. What was the professor's name again?"

"Mr. Caldwell." I answered immediately. "The guy could put an insomniac to sleep."

Matt chuckled. "That's right! And you tried to get on his good side by pretending to care about early American politics that shaped the world or some bullshit like that. You even joined the debate team for extra credit."

I shrugged. "Gotta play the game, Matt. If it means getting a higher grade and staying ahead, I'll play along."

Matt shook his head, amused. "You were always good at that. Even when we were kids, you could talk your way out of anything. I remember that time we snuck out past curfew and almost got caught by my dad."

I grinned. "Yeah, and I convinced him we were just outside 'stargazing' for a school project."

Matt rolled his eyes. "And he actually believed you! While I was standing there looking guilty as hell."

I laughed. "That's because you panic under pressure. You always have."

Matt chuckled. "Fair enough. But man, those were some of the best years. It's weird thinking about how much has changed."

I nodded, taking another sip of wine. "Yeah. But change isn't always bad. We've come a long way, and I think it's time we start thinking about what comes next."

Matt caught the shift in my tone immediately. His relaxed posture straightened slightly as he gave me his attention. "Alright, spill it. I can tell when you're about to get serious."

I took a deep breath, setting my glass down. "I want you to join Imperium Holdings."

Matt blinked, caught completely off guard.

"I'm creating a new department." I continued. "Future and Strategic Planning. I need someone who can think ahead, plan beyond the immediate, and bring fresh ideas to the table. Someone I trust. And that's you."

Matt opened his mouth, then closed it, taking a moment to process what I had just said. He set his fork down carefully. "Nico, that's… a lot."

I nodded. "It is. And I won't pretend it's just a simple job. You know as well as I do that this isn't just about strategy and planning. Imperium is growing, and I need people I can count on. People who won't stab me in the back at the first opportunity."

Matt exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I appreciate that, man. I really do. But this… this is stepping into a different world. Your world."

"I know you plan on fighting till the end to claim your birthright and while I'm with you every step of the way, I'd be an idiot to dive headfirst into this without thinking things through."

"I've seen what it takes to stay on top in that world, and honestly, I don't know if I'm cut out for that."

I held his gaze, speaking with the conviction that I was feeling. "I wouldn't ask if I didn't believe you were."

"Matt, out of everyone in the world, you're the only person I trust enough to hold this position. You've got the vision, the intelligence, and most importantly, the loyalty. That's what I need."

Matt was silent for a long moment, his fingers tapping against the edge of his plate. "This isn't just a job offer, is it?"

I shook my head. "No. It's a place at the table. A slice of the pie itself. One percent of the whole cake."

He blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. Some would call me stupid but that was how important Matt was to me. Why would I hold on so tightly to a single percent when my life could end in four years time? This wasn't the time for half measures.

Matt exhaled slowly, leaning back in his seat. "Damn, Nico. You don't make things easy, do you?"

I smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

He chuckled but stayed silent for a few seconds more before speaking. "Let me think about it. I need to make sure I'm ready for something like this."

I nodded, respecting his hesitation. "Take your time. I know you'll make the right call."

He picked up his glass, tilting it toward me before taking a sip. "Whatever happens, man, I appreciate this. It means a lot."

I lifted my own glass, clinking it lightly against his. "Whatever happens, you'll always have a place in my corner."

And with that, we returned to our meal. Whatever Matt chose, I was fully confident that he'd be on my side.