Leo nodded, his mind already shifting gears. “We’ll have to assure them of the quality. This could be a lucrative deal for us.”
“Exactly,” Marco replied, his tone serious. “But we need to be careful. These buyers can be unpredictable, especially when money is involved.”
“I’ll handle it,” Leo said, his confidence unwavering. “I’ve dealt with worse. Just keep the discussions on track. They want high prices, but we won’t budge on our standards.”
As Leo and Marco prepared to leave the room, Leo turned to Mina one last time. 
“Mina, I have some important and confidential business to attend to,” he said, keeping his tone casual to avoid raising any suspicions.
“Okay,” Mina replied, though her curiosity was evident in her eyes. “Just make sure to handle everything carefully. I’ll manage all your guests and phone calls while you’re gone.”
Leo smiled, appreciating her diligence. “I trust you. You always do a great job.” 
Mina nodded, her focus returning to her work, but her mind lingered on Leo’s vague response. “Be careful, Leo,” she added, her voice a little softer. 
“I will,” he assured her, though he knew the nature of his business was anything but safe. 
With that, Leo and Marco stepped out, leaving Mina to her tasks. As she organized files and answered phone calls, her thoughts drifted back to Leo. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his world than he let on. 
“Why can’t he just tell me what he’s up to?” she muttered to herself, shaking her head. “It’s always a mystery with him.” 
Despite her curiosity, she pushed it aside and focused on her work.
*
As they approached the designated meeting area, Leo's thoughts briefly drifted back to Mina. The contrast between his professional life and the lightness she brought into his world was striking. He knew he had to be careful, but there was something about her that made him want to protect her from the darker aspects of his life.
Marco opened the door, revealing the buyers already seated at the table. Leo took a deep breath, shaking off any lingering thoughts of Mina, and stepped inside. 
“Gentlemen,” Leo greeted, his voice smooth and commanding. “I hope you’re ready to discuss what we can offer.”
The buyers looked up, their expressions a mix of curiosity and expectation. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, leaned forward. “We’ve heard good things about your capabilities, Leo. Let’s see if you can deliver.”
Leo smiled, confident and assertive. “Let’s get started.” He gestured for Marco to close the door behind them, creating a more intimate atmosphere for their clandestine meeting.
“First, let’s address the specifications you need for the new model,” Leo continued, taking a seat across from them. “I trust you’ve reviewed our previous offerings?”
“Yes,” replied a sharp-eyed man in a tailored suit, tapping a pen against his notebook. “But we’re looking for something more advanced this time. We need custom modifications that can’t be traced back to us.”
“Of course,” Leo said, nodding. “I can assure you, everything we produce will be discreet. I have the right contacts to ensure your identity remains protected.”
The burly man leaned back, crossing his arms. “What kind of timeline are we looking at? We need these weapons sooner rather than later.”
Leo glanced at Marco, who raised an eyebrow. “We can have prototypes ready in two weeks. If you’re satisfied with the results, we can move to full production.”
“Two weeks is ambitious,” the sharp-eyed man commented skeptically. “What’s the catch?”
Leo leaned forward, his voice steady. “No catch. Just trust that we have the resources to pull it off. We’ve established relationships with manufacturers who specialize in untraceable weapons. The price we discussed includes expedited delivery.”
The burly man chuckled, “You certainly know how to sell, Leo. But remember, if you fail to deliver, it won’t just be a business loss.”
“I understand the stakes,” Leo replied, his expression serious. “But I won’t fail. We have a reputation to uphold.”
Marco interjected, “And speaking of reputation, how’s your little issue with the cops? We don’t want any heat on this deal.”
Leo waved a hand dismissively. “That’s being handled. A few strategic donations and a little charm go a long way. They won’t be bothering us.”
The sharp-eyed man nodded, seeming satisfied. “Good. Because we can’t afford to have our operation compromised. If you deliver as promised, we’ll consider expanding our orders.”
“I’ll make sure you won’t regret it,” Leo said, exuding confidence.
As they continued to negotiate, Leo couldn’t help but feel the weight of his two worlds colliding. The stakes were higher than ever, and while he thrived in this underworld, a part of him ached for the lightness that Mina brought into his life.
“Let’s finalize the details,” Leo said, pulling his focus back to the buyers. “I want this to be smooth and profitable for everyone involved.”
The meeting carried on, filled with the tension and excitement that came with the territory. But amidst the discussions of power and influence, Leo’s mind occasionally drifted to the cheerful smile of the girl who had unknowingly captured his heart, creating a conflict he was not yet prepared to face.
*
After the negotiations concluded, Leo’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and saw his mother’s name flashing. “Mom,” he answered, his tone shifting to one of immediate attention.
“Leo! I just got back from overseas and I'm at the main Salvator mansion,” his mother said, her voice a mixture of excitement and mild annoyance.
Leo furrowed his brow, taken aback. “You’re back already? You didn’t even give me a heads-up. I thought you’d be gone for another week.”
“Why should I inform you of every little detail?” she replied, her voice rising slightly. “You should be grateful I’m back! Besides, why did you say you’d schedule a meeting with me? What’s so important that you can’t just come see your mother?”
“I’ve been busy, Mom. You know how it is,” Leo replied, trying to keep his voice calm. “I have things going on, important things.”
“Important things?” she scoffed. “Is that what you call running your little empire? You should prioritize family over business, Leo. What good is all this power if you neglect the people who matter?”
“Mom, I get it, but—”