02 — Noah Foster
“When the situation is difficult
Right when it hurts
I'll be there to ease your burden
Anywhere, anytime”
I’ll fight — Daughtry
After the long conversation I had with Gael during the morning, my concentration completely disappeared, making me leave several reports aside that had a certain urgency. I even asked Norah to cancel the meetings she would have until the early afternoon, leaving only those strictly necessary during the day. I also added so as not to let anyone bother me, I need to review an important project, in addition to carefully analyzing what to do in relation to the construction company.
About two years ago, my father and I had the idea of ??building a resort with a family purpose and, finally, we were willing to get it off the ground. Coincidentally, our teams, as well as the engineering companies that supported us, were already working on other projects, so I decided to give Rowedder Construction another opportunity, however, I couldn't imagine having to deal with so much shit involved.
I can't focus on the papers in front of me, I throw my body on the upholstered back of my chair, with my mind exhausted, trying to remember all the information I received, it will be a fucking problem. I reflect, playing with the pen between my fingers.
The numbers presented in the proposal that Otávio gave us do not add up and there are still many things to investigate. I don't know if he thinks I'm a kid playing at work, or he's simply not aware that my father is no longer the CEO of the company, but all the emails he forwards are intended for Mr. Jackson Foster.
What nonsense!
Just by this attitude, I'm sure he must be an extremely arrogant and arrogant man.
No judgment, Noah! Not yet!
I untie the tie that is suffocating me, my hair must be a mess from running my hands through it so much, I get up and go to the minibar in my living room, pouring myself a generous dose of whiskey, watching the movement of the greater Manhattan through the glass wall of our building. My mind is in an infinite loop between everything and nothing, until I hear my cell phone ring, bringing me back to reality.
Oh no, no more problems!
As soon as I see the screen of the device in my hand, the feeling of tranquility returns, knowing that it is possibly an invitation to party tonight.
— Speak, man! — I answer.
— And there! — greets. — I arrived in New York today, how about happy hour? — Erik responds excitedly, on the other end of the line. — I couldn't talk to Gael's asshole, Beni, from what I heard, he won't be back until next week and Dom has no idea if he's in town.
— Gael is here at the company, solving some problems that arose. — I inevitably laugh, remembering the coffee from hours before.
— Oh no! Did he fall for Norah's delicious coffee again? — my friend asks, laughing.
— Exactly, when I arrived he was asking what color her panties were.
— Oh, man, and did she respond? Now I want to know!
— Stop clowning Erik, look at the respect! — I respond seriously.
— Cum! Apparently you need a drink, or several! What a bad mood! — he answers, while I walk from one side to the other restlessly.
— The day started like shit! — I say, running my hand through my hair.
— See you at John's tonight. Let's get drunk and enjoy ourselves.
— Closed, I’ll meet you there at 7 pm. — I hang up.
In the end, it's like Erik knows I need to relieve all of today's tension. It's been a while since we went to House Beer, as was our custom, visiting that place at least once a week, but business has been demanding a lot from everyone lately, the only one who appears sporadically is Beni. As a marine he remains in war territory for the American army, we only see him when he has a discharge and appears here.
Again, I stop in front of the glass, this time observing the blue sky, the view from here is perfect, just like the life I've been leading for a good few years and thanks to my father, I lose myself for the second time in memories of how I ended up here .
“One day, boy, you will be proud of all the hard training, the lost nights of sleep. Up front, you will command my company and I will be by your side, always. You are my pride, my son.” — I remember the words of the only man I could call father.
Since I met him, my life has taken a different path, an unimaginable path for a boy like me at that time. Nothing was easy, however, today I know that I can defend myself against anything, after all, we deal with a lot of people and since I was little, I learned that kindness is something rare in people.
He taught me the most important thing, to keep our character and our word, he transformed me into an honorable man. I'm proud to be a Foster, regardless of money, this goes far beyond a financial condition. I will never be prey among lions, after all, hunting became my hobby when they mess with what is mine.
And for our little family, I can go to hell.
A knock on the door brings me back to reality and I soon see my assistant come in with my lunch.
— My son, here you are, you know you have to eat — he says, with a tender and calm voice, leaving a tray on the side table.
— Do you know I feel like I'm twelve years old when you talk to me like that? — I arch my eyebrow, crossing my arms. — I grew up, you know? — I question, waiting for the bold answer that will come from her, but in fact, what came was not what I imagined.
— Yes, you have grown up, my boy, I will never forget the day I saw you here for the first time. — Sigh. — If you knew the good you did for me... — She pauses, but then continues her outburst. — Many years ago, I lost someone special and, just on the day I met you, I decided to leave the past behind. — He makes a painful smile. — You came as a breath of happiness in my life, my little one, and no one will ever change that. And you even gave me those friends of yours as a gift, you don't know how happy I am to have you. — I take your hands with mine.
— Norah, I'm worried now, has something happened? — I smile slightly. — My day has already started strangely, to say the least, if you need help with anything, you can count on me.
— It was nothing, my boy, just memories... Which are already returning to where they shouldn't have left. — Shakes his head. — But tell me, is everything okay at home?
— Everything as usual, two lonely men in a huge house. — Gargalho. — But do you know that today, Mr. Foster gave me something that if I didn't know him better, I would think he was serious — I comment.
— You can spill the beans, Noah, I’m all ears. — She settles in the chair, a clear sign that she is ready to listen to me. — And while you tell me, feed yourself. Empty bag won't stay upright.
I smile in agreement, obeying promptly. While I enjoy the lunch she brought me, I tell her about the prank my father played on me at breakfast, but I watch her with an expression that shows that she is in another world and not here, in this room. I think my assistant has more secrets than she lets on.
— Sweetie, why did you suddenly become thoughtful? — I question, leaving the cutlery aside.
— Thinking here, your father is really evaluating everything he lost in his life.
— I'm almost certain that the old man suffered for love or lost someone he loved. I would like him to have someone, but I think that by choice he prefers to be lonely in this regard. Of course, that's the line of reasoning I have, since he never wanted to share any of his love life with me and I respect that.
— He doesn't even know who really lost and... — Norah, practically whispers, as if thinking out loud.
No, Noah! Don't go that way, they must have just been friends... — I shake my head, pushing away the image of the two of them as a couple.
— Good job, my boy, I'll leave you alone now. — Understanding my analysis, he says goodbye, leaving me alone.
What the fuck is this day? Then I'm the mysterious one!
The afternoon passes in the blink of an eye, one meeting after another, lots of business done and reports signed. I look at my wristwatch, it's already past nineteen thirty, for once I'm late, I pick up my things and leave the room, Norah has been gone for over an hour.
I get into the elevator, check my cell phone and obviously find a message from Gael, nothing more than a photo of him drinking. This bastard could have stopped by my office before leaving.
— J., we're going to House Beer, I need you to drive — I say to my head of security, as soon as I find him in the private garage.
— Right, sir — he replies.
Nothing better than clearing your mind after a weird day like today.