16. Lucius
CHAPTER 16
LUCIUS
As always after a big meal, I hack my biology by taking a walk to improve my blood sugar levels, decrease stress, and aid sleep. Since this is Malibu and I have a private beach nearby, that is where I go.
Halfway to my destination, my phone rings.
It’s Eidith.
I take the call and listen to a couple of updates absentmindedly.
“That’s all I’ve got,” she says, indicating the updates are over.
Yet she doesn’t hang up.
That’s odd, so I ask, “You sure there isn’t something else?”
“Well… it’s about tomorrow.”
I wish this were a video call, so I could glare at her if this is about what I think it is. “I haven’t forgotten about it.” Eidith has taken it upon herself to look after my reputation—whatever that is. In this case, though, even I know a no-show for a fundraiser would be a social faux pas.
“Wonderful,” she says, her voice sounding odd. “Will you wear something nice?”
Since I don’t have video, I let irritation seep into my voice. “A suit, tie, and dress shoes, as always.”
Is this about that time I hurt my foot in the gym and wore sneakers to that meeting with?—
“I’m sure you’ll be your dashing self,” she chirps. “I was just?—”
“I have to go,” I say, since I’ve just reached the beach entrance.
“See you tomorrow,” she says, again sounding odd, and then hangs up.
I turn off my phone and walk onto the beach.
As my feet luxuriate in the warm sand, I can’t help but reflect on my meeting with Juno. Particularly how it was much less annoying than my usual interactions—including phone conversations—with people. By a lot. Usually, I agree with Oscar Wilde who said, “People are quite dreadful. One’s self is the only society possible.” But in this case, I actually didn’t want our joint meal to end.
Also—and it might’ve been my imagination—Juno was much nicer to me toward the end. Like maybe there was a vibe going on…
No. What am I thinking?
She acted nicer because of the prospect of getting money—and therefore her dreams coming true. What we’re about to do is completely fake, and I have to remember that at all times, no matter how tempting she might be.
Besides, I didn’t lie to her when I said I don’t do girlfriends. But if I did, I wouldn’t choose someone who turns me on so much. The last thing I want is for biology to rule me, instead of the other way around.
My phone pings.
It’s an email from Eidith marked as “High Priority.”
Turns out she was able to set up a video call with the Florida landowner today, as I hoped.
Great.
I check in with Elijah and learn he’s dropped off Juno and is already waiting for me by the beach entrance.
“So, do we have a deal?” I ask the landowner—a man who’s got a decade on Gram while being mentally sharper than some young middle-management types I deal with at my company.
The weather-beaten skin around his pale eyes crinkles. “Call me old-fashioned, but I still like to meet face to face before making an important decision like this.”
Face to face? I’m not known for being polite or anything, but even I know it would be in poor taste for me to ask someone of this guy’s age to come to me. That means a trip to Florida. I consider it. Even though I’ve had surveyors examine the land, and I’ve seen everything I need via drones, it might not be a bad idea to take it all in with my own eyes too. Novus Rome is important enough.
“An in-person meeting sounds like a great idea,” I say, then work out all the details with him.
Just as I end the video call, my iPhone rings.
It’s Gram calling, so I pick up.
“Lucius, pumpkin, what’s new on the dating front?” she asks.
Going straight for the jugular, huh? “I had a nice lunch with Juno,” I say. “And tomorrow, we’re going to a fundraiser together.”
Speaking of that, I wonder if she’s received her clothing? Maybe I should?—
“When are you going to introduce us?” Gram asks.
I’ve thought about this already, and the longer I can postpone it, the better. Juno and I need some time to work out the kinks. To that end, I’ve prepared a devious stratagem worthy of Eidith.
“I meant to talk to you about that, Gram,” I say. “When do you think it would be a good idea for her to meet you? Or for me to meet her folks?”
The line grows silent. I can almost visualize the thoughtful expression on my grandmother’s face.
Eventually, she sighs. “As much as I want to see her soon, you don’t want to rush this part of the relationship. For these young women, meeting the family is a big step, and we don’t want to spook her.”
Even though my scheme is working, I feel guilt instead of triumph. “Oh, Gram. I’m sure you wouldn’t spook her.”
“Let’s not take that risk,” Gram says firmly. “I’ve waited a long time for you to find someone. I can wait a bit longer.”
Hmm. Does she think that if I lost Juno, I’d take another thirty-eight years to get a girlfriend?
“Do keep me up to speed on how things are progressing,” she continues. “I’ll decide when the time is right… unless she brings it up.”
There. I’ve just bought myself plenty of time.
“How are you feeling?”
She chuckles. “Amazing. I don’t know what it is, but my sugar and blood pressure are the lowest they’ve been, my back pain is nonexistent without any drugs, and even my bowel movement today was that of a twenty-year-old.”
If all this is corroborated in her bodyguard’s report and is sustainable, I might want to “date” Juno forever and ever.
“I should probably go,” Gram says. “Aleksy is taking me to his favorite Polish restaurant.”
“Okay, have fun,” I say as I decide to raise the bodyguard’s salary.
“Call me the morning after the fundraiser,” Gram says. “And be sure to take pictures.”
As she hangs up, I realize pictures are a good idea. In fact, I’ll hire someone to take flattering ones. As a bonus, it’ll make it hard for the paparazzi who waste their time stalking me to sell theirs. Who’ll pay for something that’s free?
An alarm catches my attention.
Ah. It’s the time I carved out for myself to work on Novus Rome.
I smile. Outside of playing with my ferrets, this is as close as I get to fun leisure time.
I get onto my treadmill desk, wake my computer, and open the Novus Rome folder.
What do I want to focus on today? Should it be the contactless payment for the self-driving car squad? Road and street light sensors? The interconnected digital health system for the hospitals and doctors’ offices? Free ultra-high-speed internet that will cover thousands of acres?
No. I’d better consider the new variable that is Florida.
There will now be gators in the lake of Central Park—so small dogs will need to be leashed. More importantly, since there has never been a documented case of a hurricane making landfall in California, I didn’t plan for them, but now I have to.
As usual, I do my own deep dive into a problem before I hire experts in the field. This way, I can’t be as easily misled toward an inferior solution.
In this case, after hours of research, I decide that luck is on my side. The round houses that we’re planning to build are not only earthquake resistant, energy efficient, and economical in terms of interior to exterior space, but they should also fare extremely well in a hurricane due to how their shape interacts with wind.
I hear my usual “go to sleep” alarm.
Time always flies when I plan Novus Rome.
Before forcing myself away from the screen, I check to make sure Juno’s outfit and shoes were delivered.
Yes. I have the confirmation, as well as an itemized receipt, which I shock myself by examining. As if possessed, I check out all the items—underwear included—and picture what Juno will look like wearing them.
Fuck. I have to snap out of it, or else I might bring about the last thing I need.
Yet another Juno-themed wet dream.