The Tokyo business conference. That wonderfully cutthroat corporate playground for the select few chosen to attend. It was a Chief Executive Officer's dream to take whatever industry they took part in and lodge themselves as the leader indefinitely and this was their chance to do just that. 

"Sir, as for IT related services we stand near alone. As for the presentation..."

The man was stopped by Adrian's raised hand. "Yes Philip I am well aware. Please, let me enjoy my over priced whiskey."

A bit chastised put Philip's indignation lightly as he watched his boss knock back his second shot. Behind him a few seats and to the left sat young Melanie Solomon. As the head of Silver Lining, the 'little IT group that could' she was his only real rival in business at this point. She was one tough cookie, this Solomon. Many a-times Adrian had sent his physical security personnel to play spy games at Silver Lining regional branches. One of Adrian's less socially and legally acceptable pass times happen to be rather juvenile. Having the reputation as an enterprising conglomerate carnivore was well founded. A number of smaller businesses have been absorbed into SOFEX through means closer to Corporate Espionage than through legitimate buy outs, most of which involved entering physical branches and the judicious use of social engineering.

Melanie, bless her little heart, pushed back his every attempt at acquiring her assets. No matter how many expertly placed sticky notes with his number made it into her locked office, no matter how many asset transfer agreements awaiting her signature popped up in her high rise apartment, and no matter how many taunting marriage registration forms found their way amongst her personal legal documents, she resisted. In all honesty he had high hopes for the proposal idea. But alas, no calls congratulating him on being a newly wed. As were many of his former colleagues, Adrian himself was still a young man out of high school at heart, that was one thing the military life didn't cure you of. Looking over to his rather overbearing personal aide, the CEO smiled with great mischief in his eyes. 

"Excuse me Philip, I have a 'business' [i]proposal[/i] to make."

The bespectacled man's eyes grew comically wide through his thick lenses as Adrian got up from his seat and slid into the seat next to Melanie with a practiced ease. It wasn't much of a feat really, seeing as she had a blind fold on and the constant ambient noise drown out his approach. She was pretty, although the business life didn't do the best for her complexion. May as well get to know her while he had the chance, no?

"Hello, little Solomon."