Chapter 9
Kairo
Heads moved, everyone looking up as I entered the glass and chrome boardroom. I was a baby compared to them all.
The president of the company, Richard, nodded toward me, relief in his eyes. I still hadn’t decided if I liked him or not. He’d never been rude; he simply talked too fast.
My usual seat at the other end of the table was filled, not waiting for me at the other head as usual. There were strangers all around that end of the table. Richard motioned at an empty space just around the corner from him.
Out of habit, I glanced at my phone. Still 4:30. Not even a minute had passed? I desperately wanted this to be over.
Everyone had a laptop in front of them but me.
I recognized some of the company’s attorneys along with the usual board members.
When the meeting came to order, Richard introduced the new company’s president who had his board with him.
I should have been paying more attention.
Everything was news to me. I had known there was to be a merger, but that was it.
Now, with no laptop and clueless as to all the discussions, I grew quickly uncomfortable in my chair.
This was an investment. The rest should take care of itself.
And yet, I had the money and the major holdings.
Why did it have to be so complicated? I never wanted to be a company guy, to be responsible for things that bored me. I was more an arts and humanities type.
I kept scratching at little itches that nerves brought on. I squirmed in my seat. I glanced at my phone every five minutes. Time slogged and sometimes seemed to be running backwards.
5 o’clock passed. Then 5:30. Six. I should have been with Truce now, starting our dinner date. I still couldn’t believe it. Truce wanted me. Little ol’ me.
During a short break for bathrooms and coffee or water, I leaned toward Richard.
“When do we sign? I have plans.”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? We’re signing during dessert and coffee after dinner. It’s all planned. The restaurant even has gifts for all. To celebrate the night and finish with a flourish.”
“What?” My throat closed.
“Yes. As soon as we smooth out these last wrinkles to the final contract. That’s why the lawyers are here.”
“But I can’t go to the dinner.”
“Of course you’re going. You have to be there to sign.”
“Can’t I sign in advance? I made other plans.”
Richard’s eyes darkened. “You knew tonight was important. I told you over the phone. I thought you’d cancelled those plans.”
I bumped my head into the back of the chair. “I delayed my plans. I thought it would only be an extra hour at most and I didn’t expect to be forced to attend the dinner.”
Frowning, Richard said with fake politeness, “Think again.”
I stood up. “I’m not staying. I have somewhere else to be.”
Richard stood with me, placing his hand on my forearm. “If you leave now, everything will fall through. After all this work. It’s been planned for months. All the motions are in place not just for us but for them as well.”
“I just—” Months? I didn’t want to freak out, but I wasn’t used to being forced into things.
Money could delay. Money could decide when and where.
I had not paid attention. And now I had no strength behind my protest. “Can’t I sign ahead?
I trust you to figure it all out the way it should be.
I can just put my name on the dotted line. ”
“No plan can be more important than this night. This company was your grandfather’s dream. You want to see it continue, right? To flourish?”
I pulled my arm away from his touch and bowed my head. “Yes.”
But why did it have to include my presence? Why couldn’t it run itself with all the people my money paid to do that sort of thing?
“Kairo, you have to stay. We’re almost finished here and then we can all meet at the restaurant. By 6:30. 7 at the latest. Dinner might be a couple hours. Can you handle that?”
Slowly, I nodded. I sat down and opened my phone. While I texted, Richard brought me fresh coffee and a cold bottle of water. That looked like preparing for the long haul to me, but I hoped for the best.
I probably can’t make it until maybe 9:30.
Immediately, a reply appeared as if he’d been staring at his phone and waiting.
Okay. Thank you for letting me know. Will you still be hungry?
I wanted to be honest but I didn’t want to disappoint him.
Probably not. Maybe. Sorry for all this. I forgot and now this is running late.
If you’re not sure of the time, why not just come by my house? If you’re comfortable with that. I’ll have finger foods. How’s that?
Do you still want to see me?
Of course I do! No matter how late.
Are you being serious?
Very.
Just then, the table filled up again. Talks resumed. I knew it was rude to text while in a board session.
I have to go now. I’ll keep you updated on the time.
I had gotten very little sleep last night and my head kept jerking up. I hoped no one noticed. 6:30 passed. Finally, at almost seven, there was a flurry of voices and laptops closing. When I blinked, everyone was smiling. What a relief. Now we could finally go to dinner.
My limo was waiting for me out in front of the corporate building.
Donny leaned by the door, opening it for me as I walked up.
I was so distracted by having this over with that I hadn’t invited anyone to accompany me.
Not even Richard. Besides, I didn’t want to have to be responsible for bringing them back here after dinner.
When we finished at the restaurant, I wanted to head directly to Truce.
A room had been set aside for our party of twenty-four. I was miffed to see there had been more people in the boardroom who weren’t at the dinner. I complained to Richard who said they were extra lawyers no longer needed. The main attorneys still showed up.
I wanted to grumble and walk out. Grandfather had taught me better manners.
“Don’t ever act like you have a chip on your shoulder just because you have money,” he always told me.
“What’s a chip on the shoulder mean?” I’d asked.
“That you demand special treatment. Or hold a grudge that is irrelevant. Or act like you’re put out for a flimsy reason.”
“But should I stand up for myself?”
“Always. But pick your battles. Make sure they don’t make you look bad, especially when the other person has no control over the situation and can’t help you.”
“Like when Uncle Darian is rude to waiters and gets mad if they don’t refill his drink stat?” Uncle Darian was a loud mean man who didn’t listen, looked over your head when he talked to you and chuffed a lot. He was one of the only relatives I had left and we didn’t speak.
“Exactly.”
Now here I was. Stuck. I almost didn’t care about what Grandfather had said. I was grumpy. Should I care what these people thought of me when the only real social life I’d ever had was suddenly blooming? Would this be the battle I stood up for?
I held back. But I needed Truce. He made me feel alive in ways I’d never known.
I glanced at my phone. Almost 7:30. I still had time.
The dinner started out painfully slow. It took forever for everyone to give their drink orders and another forever to get the drinks.
When it came time for me to give my order, I wished for mac’n’cheese or chicken nuggets.
But this was a posh place. The prices weren’t even listed on the menu.
I ordered a steak with broccoli and mashed potatoes. A salad was served to me first.
Over an hour passed after that before the food was served. It was after 8:30 and I was losing all hope.
I did my best to nod and smile at people. I ate half my dinner even though too many butterflies in my stomach made everything taste like paper. I could tell the food was good. Tender. Hot and fresh. But my brain would not stop obsessing.
Truce would be patiently waiting for me. It was awful that I’d made him have to do that.
By nine the dessert orders were taken and after dinner drinks were requested.
“Are they getting the papers out now?” I asked Richard.
“Soon, kid. Soon.”
“I don’t want dessert, though. Can’t we sign now and then everyone celebrates with ice cream and cake?”
He shook his head once and started talking to the guy next to him. Richard was the president. He could make an announcement. He could suggest we all sign now. But he didn’t.
I fidgeted, put my phone in my lap and began to text.
Going longer than I expected. I want to leave but can’t get away.
I got an instant reply from him.
I’m not going anywhere. Get here whenever you can.
I’m sorry.
Why?
I wanted to go out to dinner with you tonight. I don’t want to be here.
Where are you?
My fingers slipped against the screen. I’d said too much. He was asking questions now and I didn’t want to lie. But he couldn’t know about me and Grandfather and the money and the trust. Not yet.
I tried to come up with a reply that was vague but not a lie. I must’ve taken too long because Truce sent a follow up text.
No need to answer. Baby, I’ll be here all night. You do whatever you need to do.
As I read, my cheeks heated. He was being so nice. He shouldn’t be treated this way. Not the guy who was so party-popular, who could have anyone he wanted for a look and a twitch of an eyebrow. He didn’t need to wait for me when he could be busy somewhere else. I started to type.
I wish I could be there right now.
Before I could hit send, an elbow poked me. I jumped. Richard was staring at me.
“What?”
“What do you want for dessert?”
I glanced around the table. Everyone was staring. I gulped.
“Nothing. I’m full.”
“Shall I bring you a coffee, sir?”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
“Cream and sugar.”
I nodded. “Lots, please.”
Snickers hissed from around the table.
My face got even hotter. They still stared at me, all of them half-drunk and not caring if the night went on forever before the official signing.
I needed to find a way out of this. All of this. But it would take forever to break the business trust fund. And if I did sell everything, I could already see the hurt and disappointment in Grandfather’s face. After everything he’d done for me, given me, it would be a dishonor.
The waiter said kindly, “Yes, sir.”
Another half hour for desserts to arrive. Another for everyone to eat them. And get drunker. It was now after ten o’clock.
I kept looking at Richard. When I checked my texts, I realized I hadn’t sent the last text I’d written. I’d left Truce hanging. That was unacceptable. I hit send. Then followed it up.
I forgot to send that last text. I think things are wrapping up. Is it too late? It feels late.
If you are tired, we can postpone.
No. I’m not. I want to see you!
There’s no work tomorrow. I usually stay out late on Fridays.
Oh no. That meant because of me he couldn’t go out. He wasn’t having his usual popular time and fun. All because of me. I couldn’t be worth it. Not after all this.
My stomach began to ache.
I leaned toward Richard. “Please. I need to go. Can we sign now?”
Finally, Richard nodded. He stood up and rapped his spoon against his wine glass. Everyone looked up.
“I’ll like to make a toast. And then shall we sign?”
I didn’t get out of there until 11.