Chapter 17
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anewe wen’t hurt. We can continue this for lunch
know what to do right now, Nelson
Drink. We’ll figure something out I’ve emailed the guys in production. All hands are on deck.”
I twirl the wine in the glass. One won’t be enough, that’s why I’m hesitating if I gulp this one, the thirst for more will skyrocket, just like it’s been happening in the past two weeks But then, many files needed my attention and the anticipation towards this month’s result.
We’re barely above the last points. They are just five marks apart. I keep my gaze on the drink and, lowering my voice, say, “I had high expectations. thought it was going to pay off We did everything right. The kids loved the toys, and the reviews were promising. Did I mention that I already ordered new materials because i thought the market would move?”
Slowly, slowly, but surely The first attempt is perfect. We’re on the right path, alright.”
“We’re at 10.7% That’s far from perfect. I banked on a minimum of 60. I’ve never been so disappointed, Nelson.”
He eases up on the chair “Next month will be better. We will study the moves, strategize, and hit harder.”
“What time is the meeting?”
His brows bunch. “What meeting?”
(gesture at the screen. “We need to deliberate on the result. Strategize like you said and start production ASAP, I have a deadline.”
“You’re the boss. And to answer your question, we’re not meeting today. It’s a Friday. It would help if you took a breather. Let’s hit the bar.”
“Call your wille. I’m rust interested.”
“Lauras decorating. She wants to fix the townhouse so we can move in next week.”
lean forward and rest my chin on my hand Nelson and his wife purchased a townhouse in Town hill, a few streets from mine. They say they love the Subay te in New York Laura fell in love with the nightife and rowdiness–my gaze skips between him and the screen. I can’t take my mind off every
umber the same way I can’t stop my mind from jumping to Astud
tres tat
beng light sparks in bison’s eyes. “Tonight’s the perfect night to mingle. Laura has this friend, Mexican, thick and
pock off the chair, winding as the muscles at my back constrict. “we’re not having a meeting, I’ll bit the gym i push the deadline to two days, max, and you better develop a sandes planted respits. Good results
“And the board? I saw the chairman outside the building yesterday Looked like he was snooping around.”
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Chapter 17
I’m not surprised. “I have nothing to say to them. I’m going to do this without them.”
“Are you trying to prove a point?”
“No. I’m doing my job. This company is a legacy. If anything goes wrong, I won’t forgive myself. I Survey the remnants of my drink before emptying it into my mouth.
“I’ll head out now. On Monday, we hit the road to achieving great heights, and this time, I want no excuses. Just results.”
Nelson drains his glass and then trashes the disposal cups. I arrange the files on the desk into a neat pile. It’s barely noon, but I can’t sit here and keep staring at the numbers. It won’t change anything. I already told my PA to clear my schedule because I thought I’d be meeting with the team and then we’d head out to lunch.
“Come to the bar with Laura and me tonight. It will be fun.”
“I’m too old for fun, Nelson, and I don’t want to hook up with your wife’s friend.”
“Fernanda. Her name is Fernanda.”
I throw him a mock salute. “Nice name, but I’ll pass.”
I kick the door close and cover the short distance to the private elevator. When I step in, before the door snaps shut, Nelson walks out of my office with his cell phone pressed against his ear. For his sake, I hope he calls off the date he fixed for me. I crave a woman’s warmth, but she’s out of my reach, and I doubt mingling with another is going to drive the incessant thoughts of her away. If anything, it will remind me of what I’ve lost. After Astrid, it’s still her.
Maybe, until the memory of her bright eyes and beautiful smile ebbs.
“The gym,” I say to my driver as I slide into the back seat of my limousine.
I wake with a splitting headache and a parched throat. My stomach is in knots, and I can’t flex my fingers even as I struggle to move them.
“Fuck!” I mutter, swinging my leg over the side of the bed. The room is engulfed in darkness. The curtains are drawn, too, preventing the lights outside from sneaking in.
The last hours before I landed in bed begin to fall into place. When I got home from the gym, I showered and changed into shorts, then rolled into bed, thumbing through Astrid’s Facebook page. She has not uploaded a new photo or made any posts since the party.
I switch on the bedside lamp and grab my phone. As I unlocked it, I realized what had roused me from sleep. I have missed about –
“Ten missed calls? What the hell is going on?”
-less
I pad to the window and push the curtains to the side, peering into the streets. It’s dark, but I can see figures on the streets. There are no signs of arson or mishap. Everything looks perfect in the world, so what in heaven’s name pushed anyone to ring my cell ten times?
I tap the screen and scroll through the notification bar–three from Peter, two from Nelson, four from my housekeeper, and an unknown number. I clear the last one off the log before dialing Peter’s number./
The familiar voice comes through the line after the second ring.
“I was about coming over to your house. Where have you been, man?”
“I-” My voice is hoarse. I clear it and massage my neck. “I, uh, slept. Long day.”
“Nelson said you left work before noon. I met him at the restaurant with his wife. Pretty woman. Nelson is a good man. Lucky too”
“Leaving work doesn’t mean I’ve stopped working. How are you?”
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20:33 Sat, 31 May
Chapter 17
“I didn’t call four times to talk about me. I heard what happened.”
“Nelson told you?”
“No, I watched the news. We are best friends, Jordan. I saw how worried and excited you were about moving up the chart. Nelson didn’t say a word. When I tried bringing it up, he quickly but expertly changed the topic.” He pauses, then I hear a car door closing.
“I tried calling Astrid. I wanted to ask her if she is free for dinner tomorrow night. I want you two to meet properly. She had to leave that night for some work stuff.”
She told them that, but that wasn’t what happened. She left because of me.
I drove her away, and It’s scary how I’m not the slightest bit relieved that she left that night. I feel like I should have done something.
“If you want anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I know nothing about technology and stuff, but I can refill your glass and wipe your brows.”
Peter adds, his voice filled with a smile. I can picture his dimples popping on his cheeks.
“Thank you. Whatever you and Astrid are free, please let me know.”
“That’s if I will get her to answer her phone. She is always working. I’ll talk to that boyfriend of hers. I think she’s due for a long vacation.”
“Tristan?” I saw his name on one of Astrid’s tags. The last photo of them together was six months ago. I wonder why she’s still hiding that she’s no longer dating the boy from her father. I wonder if she’s told Stella the truth. “I met him at the party. He’s just like his father.”
“And he’s good for Astrid. She’s stubborn and works way too hard. In my opinion, she needs a man with a firm grip.”
“And you think Tristan is that man?”
“Yes.”
We delve into other random topics. He has good intentions as a father, but what will Peter do when he finds out Astrid is no longer dating the man he thinks is perfect for her? All hell will break loose.
Come to think of it, if my involvement with Astrid dares to sneak into the open, it will be a million times worse. He might hate me.
Laughter.
I put the call on speaker and massage my temple. “Is Stella coming with you?”
“I’ve not asked her. She’s working on this thing with her friends. I don’t think she’ll want to get away with me. Are you going out tonight? Nelson mentioned you’ll meet him and his wife for drinks later.”
I glance at the clock—8 pm. I’ve slept for five hours. The last few weeks have been exhausting, and if Nelson had agreed to a meeting, I would have been
at the office this hour.
“I can’t. I must review the results again, compare them to the previous ones, and find the loophole. I need to figure this out, Peter. We’re almost in the new month. There’s no time again.”
“You need to live, too. Take a break and explore the city. I’m not going to talk about getting hitched right now. Live first, and we’ll go from there.” His voice drops a notch. “Call Nelson now and get out of that house, or I’ll get Stella on your ass.”
Peter hangs up the phone, and then it beeps with a text from Nelson. It’s an address somewhere downtown and vaguely familiar.
For some reason, I feel my best friend is right, I need to live, too. A few hours outside won’t hurt.
Shoving a sigh, I rummage in the walk–in closet for a dark pair of jeans and a T–shirt.
The entrance door opens, letting in a cool breeze. I look over to see Nelson leaning on the hood of his car, his arms folded.
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20:33 Sat 31 May
Chapter 17
“Peter told me to come get you. You look good, by the way.”
*I don’t understand why y’all are eager to drag me out of my home. I’m happy here.”
He holds the passenger’s door open. “It’s a Friday. I hear there’s a wild party downtown tonight. I’ll need a backup before I get lost in the crowd.”
I toss back my head and laugh. “It’s New York. You’ll always find your way back.”
Nelson tips his hat at me before turning on the ignition. As the car approaches the curb, I close my eyes, imagining a perfect night.
“This better be worth it.”
34%
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Nelson chuckles. “Wait till you get there. I’ve never seen a crowd so wild. The music is exhilarating. I want you to have the best night, Jordan. Tonight, we party. On Monday, we get back to work, and this time, we make it count.”
I hesitate, clearly chewing on his words, then offer a brief nod,” Okay.”
