Chapter 22
JORDAN
I push through the doors of the production room, glancing around slowly. Nelson is behind me, trying to find out what transpired between the bald in an and me. Ross, or whatever his name, did his best to grate on every bit of my nerves, but I refused to be in a fume because of someone so irrelevant.
What does my hanging around New York have to do with the company? I was away in Italy for years, yet things were still smoothly handled and perfectly managed. We’re only experiencing a momentary rough patch. Soon, we’ll be back on our feet, and this period will serve as a memory.
I find a lean, black–haired man leaning over a shelf piled with papers, sketches of toys, and notes. The room has about three tables crammed with books
and files. I grab one of the notes.
“Learning cube.” I skim my eyes over the sketch. The artist indicated the colorful buttons with red ink. There’s a light, too.
“This looks fancy. Is it ready?”
The man nods. I’ve met him a few times, and he’s a nice guy. Hardworking. Focused. I walk behind him as he leads me to another section of the spacious room. There are about ten people – three women and seven men, including the one behind me. Everyone is bent over their workspace. The materials are durable and safe enough for kids. I stop at one of the tables and pick one of the toys up. It is almost finished.
“Learning cube. Who came up with the name?”
“Marco. We needed something to identify the toys with. The branding department can change it if it’s not okay. Um, what do you think about this new one, boss?”
“If I were a kid, I’d get one for myself.”
She beams. “That’s the best answer I’ve gotten around here. I’m glad you love it that much. Do you maybe want to see our next dream?”
I shake my head and then put the toy down. She returns the thick glasses that magnify her brown eyes and shifts her gaze to me again.
“Marco is really putting in a hundred percent. I’ve never seen him so eager and willing to do stuff. Last night, he sent me these designs. I wanted to be shocked that he texted at midnight about work, but then I brushed it aside because it was him. He’s absolutely dedicated to making this work.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
She lifts her shoulder in a delicate shrug and fiddles with the object for a beat. I wait, tuning out the noise as I focus on her expression. She looks nervous. I lean my hip on her desk and cross my arms. Plastering a smile on my face.
“Go on, you can tell me anything. I’m your colleague right now, not your boss.”
“Not with that tux. I bet it cost a fortune.”
I lean in and whisper in a conspiratorial tone, “You’re right. I have to appear rich so the rich folks can take me serious, you know?”
She laughs. A few heads turn, but neither of us pays them any mind. I nod at her with my chin, wordlessly telling her to go ahead. I sense fear, too. Whatever is on her mind must be eating her up.
She blinks and meets my eyes. “We’re all scared that one day, we might wake up, and there will be no space for us here anymore. Marco has been with this company from the beginning. He brought most of us in, and every day, he makes sure we put in our best, Whatever has happened was just a mistake. I don’t know, but there’s no way the past few months will hinder us from reaching for the stars like we’ve always done.” Her face creases. “I love working
here. We all do.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Another shrug. “Because you are the boss?”
1/4
Chapter 22
She says nothing more, me neither. I get her point and know she’s not trying to butter me up. I’ve seen the effort they’ve thrown in and beauti so eager to see the company back on its feet.
I touch her arm. She glances at my hand and then raises her gaze to my face. I want to tell her they’re the only group in the building, giving me ho doubted them at first. However, when I had to stay back one night and work with them to add the finishing touches to the toys we sent out last nos realized they were the glue. Good thing they are in production.
“There will always be space for all of you here. I promise.”
Her face brightens considerably, and then she nods and leans her head on my hand still on her shoulder.
“Thank you, Sir.” Excitement chases her words.
Nelson is across the room. He unfolds a sketch and turns swiftly to beckon me. I cross the floor in slow strides, careful not to step on any material as the
floor is littered with several materials.
“Have you seen this?”
“Sure. It’s a learning cube for kids.”
“It’s going to blow up the market. I’ve never seen a thing so perfect. The kids will love it!”
I run my hand over the buttons. Marco sure outdid himself on this one. I spot him talking to one of the men. He points at something in a nock he’s holding, then hands the book to the man and pats his arms.
“He’s a good man. I talked with him yesterday. I wanted to run the new idea by him since he’s the head of this department. He’s on board with it and doesn’t mind the extra hours. His team, too. If your board members had half the brain the people in this room have, things wouldn’t have been so weird. Are you hungry?”
I reach for my cell and dial Peter’s number. Today is my first meeting with them concerning the fundraiser. He picks immediately.
“Please tell me you’re on your way. This woman is driving me nuts with millions of ideas and stuff.”
I chuckle. “That woman is your wife. If you can’t handle her, I doubt I’ll be of any help.”
“Get your ass here, man. She will sheath her fangs when she sees you.” He whispers.
I can hear Stella’s voice in the background, asking him to choose between pink and red. I hang up and turn to Nelson. “I’ll see you later.”
Five minutes later, I fastened my seat, wondering if I’m making the right decision by accepting to plan the fundraiser with Stella.
There are two cars parked outside Palmer’s Hall in Deep West. I recognize one as Peter’s Mercedes, but the other isn’t familiar. If Astrid were here, Peter would have mentioned it, right?
The young guy standing behind the counter in the lobby is of average build. His short brown hair is neatly trimmed, a few curls hanging over his forehead. I lean my side on the wood and nod a greeting at him.
“Where’s the green hall?”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Remington. The green hall is the third door on your left. It’s slightly ajar, so you definitely won’t miss it.”
I hover close to the door and peek into the hall. Péter is holding his iPad, eyes squinted, and brows furrowed. He mumbles a word and raises his head to give Stella a long stare. “Is that alright?”
“I don’t know. You said you would figure it out!” She snaps and goes on to arrange some items on the table. I can’t tell why they’re arguing fi position. I glance at the front desk officer and catch him snickering. I sigh and step into the hall.
Dis
At least Astrid isn’t here. I hope it stays that way until this is over. I can’t deal with her long stare of contempt, and then there are the chills that snake up my arms every time our eyes collide. I feel the longing – the thirst for her only lingers to shame me further.
2/4
13:49 Sun, 1 Jun G G
Chapter 22
A rumbling sound plays in another corner of the room. I turn, holding my breath. I had no idea another person was in the room apart from the couple. Peter chooses that moment to glance in my direction, and relief floods his face. He crosses the room in quick and long strides and shoves the device into my hand.
“What took you so long?”
I raise my wrist. It’s only been thirteen minutes since the call.
“Why are you so worked up? What has she done?”
He exhales a long breath, puffs his cheeks, and then shakes his head.
“What has she not done? I thought this was a piece of cake. I’ve seen her organize a party before in our homes and at my office, but it’s never been this this tasking and outrageously stressful. One minute, she’s talking colors; the next, she’s diving into refreshments, and before you can catch your breath, she’s throwing in the guest list. Damn!”
“So, what am I supposed to do now?”
He eyes me. “I don’t know. I’m going out to take a breather and call Astrid. They always manage to do well together.”
Wait, what?
I grab his hand, doing my best to mask my horror. “Um, I’ll go talk to her. Astrid is probably busy with work, and it won’t be nice if you drag her down here at this hour. You know she’s not the big guy like us.”
He shrugs. “You can take her in. She’s smart and will be an asset to your company.”
God no!
“I have a financial consultant. She’s doing okay.”
“There are other roles.”
“Not at the moment.”
His eyes assess me again. I feel exposed. My lips curl into a tautening smile. “Grab me a bite, too. I’m starving. And don’t stay out too long.”
He lowers his gaze, and his expression relaxes as he laughs goodheartedly. “If she barks too loud, threaten to leave. She hates working alone.”
“Who is the lady there?” I nod at the lady in the corner. She’s dusting the windows.
“The janitor. This place hasn’t been used in months, and Stella hates dust.”
“Why did she pick this part of town? I was hoping we’d go to the grand hall at Central Park.”
“This place is closer to the orphanage. We don’t want to drag the kids across the city.”
After he’s gone, I approach Stella. She is speaking into her cell phone, but the second I cover the space between us, to call whomever it was later.
she quickly hangs up after promising
We delve into work. She’s always been a chatterbox, so as we survey the hall, discuss decoration, the items that will be auctioned, and, of course, entertainment, and refreshment, she throws in a few things about Astrid and Peter. Astrid’s first birthday. The first guy she dated. I take them all in, doing my best not to change the topic to avoid rousing her curiosity like it happened with Peter.
Thirty minutes later, Peter comes back with paper bags containing mouthwatering meals. He settles on a bench and calls his wife to join him. She takes the food but refuses to sit with him. I slide in beside him.
“Still mad at Ross?” Peter asks, his eyes strained on his wife.
45 Sun
Chapter 22
Ross Arthur. That sonéfabitch. I texted Peter after the man left my office. “I’m pretending it didn’t happen”
“He’s an idiot. The board can’t do anything to you, you know that, right?” His casual tone doesn’t mask his concern.
I take the last bite of my sandwich and wipe my mouth with the paper napkin. “I’m not sure about that. They can vote me out because the company i failing”
“It’s not your fault. They were here when it happened, and none of them lifted a finger. You are doing everything you can, which counts more than anything else. Can you see that all of this will be over soon?”
I click my tongue. “Yes. I went to the production room today, and I was really impressed. Macho is doing a good job.”
“He’s a good guy.”
I blink. That was the same thing that lady said about Macho, I want to ask Peter how much he knows about the young man when Stella claps her hands like she’s in middle school, announcing that lunch break is over.
“Wanna have drinks later?” Peter asks as we walk towards his wife.
“Absolutely.”
I’ll ask him if he’s spoken to Astrid. Isn’t it crazy how I keep fighting off the thought of her, but she keeps popping into my head.
I grimace, trying not to picture her naked body.
“Oh God! You feel so fucking good!”
And then she had clamped her inner walls so tightly, rocking back and forth. The pleasure was never ending, heightening with each stroke.
My heartbeat is starting to go crazy. I close my eyes, lower my head and take in deep breaths.
This isn’t the time or place. And Astrid is the wrong woman to fantasize about – with her father right beside me.
“She’s staring at us. Come on, break time is over.” Peter says, breaking into my thoughts.
I open my eyes and direct my gaze at Stella. Some work will do me good. I need to keep my mind occupied with something that won’t make my shaft strain against my pants.
“Lead the way.” I say, glancing up at Peter.
As he walks away, I take a second to adjust my pants, before trailing behind him.
Burying the thoughts of Astrid is no easy feat. It’s going to take a lot more than avoiding her.
田
