ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟟 #3
That clearly surprises her more than anything I've said tonight. Cameron was a polite, charming guy. Even when he gets angry. Especially when he gets angry. So yeah, it definitely shook some sense into that brain of hers.
Polly laughs softly, but there's no humor in it. "I'm unfair?"
"You've been taking shots at her all night." He replies.
"She's taking shots too."
"Because you keep provoking her."
I glance sideways at him.
Well, that was attractive.
Polly notices my expression immediately and looks even more irritated.
"So now I'm the villain?"
"Finally found the truth." I say, more to myself than to her. Although I guess I had said it a bit too loud. Cameron rubs a hand over his mouth, clearly fighting a laugh now despite the tension.
"Oh, Cameron. You find this funny now?"
"No ma'am," he says immediately, though his face says otherwise.
I snort into my drink. Polly looks one second away from early menopause.
Finally, Cameron clears his throat. "Where's Dad?"
She smooths down her dress sharply. "Speaking with investors near the east wing."
"And Molly?"
Polly sighs dramatically. "I don't know where that girl disappeared to."
"She's probably hiding from you," I mutter quietly into my glass.
Polly's head snaps toward me. "What did you say?"
"I said this champagne is strong." I take a sip, proving my innocence. "Seriously, where'd you get this?"
Before Polly has an opportunity to argue back, we hear someone testing a microphone in the main room. She claps her hands twice.
"That's your dad! He's speaking. Come on, quick!"
As she rushes off, Cameron and I follow. We soon reach a table that reads Cameron West. As much as it irritates me, I sit down.
Ralph West had the kind of voice that made people stop talking without him ever needing to raise it. Hundreds of people slowly settled into their assigned seats beneath the enormous crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Huge screens displaying the company logo behind Ralph. The entire event felt less like a business celebration and more like he was running for president.
Beside me, Cameron leaned back in his chair and loosened his tie slightly. He looks down at me adjusting the straps on my heels. They were way too tight- and no matter how much I strapped them back in place they left marks on my ankle.
I hadn't worn strappy heels in a long time. Only the corporate ones. Ones meant for work.
"Those heels look uncomfortable as hell." he whispers.
"They are. I should've brought extra's."
He begins to take my heels on for me, strap by strap. "Borrow mine for right now."
I watch as he removes his shoes, placing them in my feet. I wiggle my feet out of them immediately.
"No way! Those are yours. I'll just stick with these." I whisper, trying to put my heels back on, but he grabs them away from me, putting them on the floor. He points to his shoes.
"Dix, wear those." He says, his voice is firm.
I stare at him for a minute before slowly slipping my feet in the large shoes. They were comfy to say the least. Definitely better than having marks on my legs.
His hand immediately found my knee beneath the table. I rolled my eyes but didn't move it.
Onstage, Ralph adjusted the microphone. "Good evening, everyone."
Applause rippled across the room instantly. Ralph smiled.
"Thank you." More applause.
Dear Lord. The man could sneeze and receive a standing ovation.
"It means a great deal to see so many familiar faces gathered here tonight." His voice carried effortlessly through the room. Strong and formal.
"Partners. Investors. Employees. Friends."
He paused.
"And family." His eyes briefly found Cameron.
I felt Cameron straighten beside me.
"Ten years ago, this company existed only on a piece of paper sitting at my kitchen table."
The giant screens behind him changed. Old photographs appeared. It was Ralph and Polly sitting at an office in an old warehouse. They actually looked like a couple. Not just two people together.
I found myself paying attention despite not wanting to. Unlike Polly, Ralph was tolerable.
"When I started West Holdings, I had absolutely no idea whether it would survive." A few people laughed.
"I certainly didn't think we'd be here ten years later."
Photos of awards, company milestones, and buildings appeared on the big screen.
For a second I understood why leaving this world had been such a big deal. To Ralph, this company wasn't just a business. It was his life's work. His legacy.
His everything, basically.
"I remember hiring our very first employee."
The audience laughed. "He quit after two weeks."
Ralph smiled. "Smart man."
Even I laughed. Beside me, Cameron chuckled.
Onstage, Ralph pointed toward a table near the front. "Some of those original employees are still with us today."
Applause filled the room again. Several people stood as Ralph applauded them himself. The gesture felt genuine. Like someone truly proud.
I smiled despite myself.
Suddenly the room darkened, and the screens behind Ralph changed again. The company logo disappeared, and a family photograph showed up instead.
Polly, Ralph, Molly, Jonathan, and Cameron. A younger Cameron with brighter blonder hair and softer jawline. He basically looked the same.
The room quieted as Ralph stared at the image for a long moment. He then smiled.
"This company exists because of many people."
"But none more important than my family." His voice softened.
The audience collectively melted.
"My wife has endured more late nights than anyone should."
A spotlight briefly found Polly standing backstage. The room applauded. Polly smiled beautifully, laughing precisely, like she practiced it.
Then Ralph's attention moved. "My daughter Molly."
Another spotlight flickered on. Somewhere across the room I finally spotted Molly- she looked horrified.
The applause made her sink lower into her chair. Cameron laughed.
Then Ralph pointed again. "And Jonathan."
A spotlight found Jonathan. The kid immediately stood up and bowed. The audience absolutely ate it up, exploding with laughter.
Then came Cameron. The spotlight had found our table. The room turned, as hundreds of eyes now landed on us. Great. Exactly what I wanted.
"My son and I disagree on many things."
The room laughed softly.
Cameron groaned. "Here we go."
Ralph smiled. "But one thing I've always admired is that Cameron has never been afraid to become his own man."
The room quieted.
"So while he may not have joined West Holdings,"
Ralph paused.
"I am proud of the man he became."
Complete silence filled the room. For a second, it was just Cameron and his father. I watched as his throat bobbed.
Suddenly he looked like a little boy hearing something he'd waited years to hear. Then the applause started.
Cameron didn't look at the crowd.
He only looked at Ralph.
And Ralph only looked at him.
Through their eye contact, something passed. Something that probably took years to say. Everything was said through the contact.
His eyes were glossy.
Tiny tears gathered there, caught in the ballroom lights. He blinked three times, like he was trying very hard to stay composed.
He looked like a son instead of a firefighter- instead of a husband. Instead of the man who carried everybody else's problems on his shoulders.
Just a son who'd spent years waiting to hear something. Years telling himself he was fine without it only to discover he wasn't.
Ralph extended an arm toward the stage. "Cameron."
The applause grew louder and Cameron laughed quietly through his nose. The sound was shaky.
He stood, and I watched him straighten his suit jacket. He then started towards the stage. Once there, Ralph opens his arms, wide and inviting. Jonathan and Molly started running as well, climbing up the stairs, joining in the hug.
The whole thing was beautiful. Everyone stood- clapping and cheering, some sobbing. I also stood, clapping for the man that knows how to handle feeling so well, yet can't help with his own.
That's my Cameron West.