Chapter 2
Gabriel: #Embrace TheAnimalWithin
I gaze out the taxi window and marvel at the weather. I love Boston at this time of year. It's sunny, pleasant, and gives off a warm feeling. If only my mental state were good enough to appreciate it.
The taxi pulls up in front of the building where I live. I pay the driver generously, grab my single bag, and make my way through the gates.
I wave to the guard. “Howdy Jenkins.”
He shrugs with a familiarity. “Same as ever, boss. Had fun in Paris?”
It’s my turn to shrug. “Y’know,” I say as I make my way to the waiting elevator.
Fun! Far from it.
Ryan and I had gone to Paris to meet an investor, Gerard Dumas, for the next round of funding for MooreGames. Dumas is a big investor and we did all we could to woo him. He liked the company. He loved the team, and he adored the products and the future strategy. In short, he liked everything. Well, everything except the CFO—me. Yeah right! Who would’ve thought that somebody would not like yours truly?
I get out of the elevator on my floor and march through the corridor to my condo.
I mean, what is not to like in me? I’m smart, capable, work well with teams and manage stakeholders decently well, even if I say so myself. I joined MooreGames, Ryan’s company, when he started it and helped him grow it from a fledgling dream to what it is now. But this investor thinks I’m inexperienced. Well, maybe I am. A little. At least in the traditional sense.
I’m not one of the Wall Street investment bankers or one of those people who’ve slogged hard and worked their way up the ranks. But I know money. I know business . To insinuate that I’m inexperienced and worse, to keep my stepping down from CFO position as a condition for financing! I say it’s a bit much.
My phone screen lights up. Message from Nora.
“Just met Ryan and got to know about the Paris meetings. Call me when you wanna talk.”
I smile. Nora is the one aspect of my life that I’m grateful for. One that I have somehow managed not to mess up. She knows me better than myself and knows everything in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
I’m about to call her when the phone rings and I see Eva on the line. Guess Ryan told her too.
I pick it up.
“Hey Gabs. Ryan briefed us. I’m sorry you had to hear all that from Gerard. I would never have taken this forward if I had any inkling.”
Eva used to work at a Private Equity firm before joining MooreGames and yeah, we had found the investor through her ex-colleague, Neil.
“’Course, you didn’t, Eva. And what he said isn’t completely off base.”
“It doesn’t matter what it is or isn’t. There are many investors out there. We don’t need him. Yeah?”
“Um. I need to think. It’s a good amount of money and the valuation is decent. It’ll be good for the company. You know that.”
“I know that the company needs you more than that money. Promise me you won’t think any more about it, because none of us are. And I’m sorry again for putting you in this position. I’m going to give Neil a piece of my mind for bringing this investor to me. Trust me on that.”
I laugh as I sense the anger rising in Eva. “It’s strange to see you all geared up to fight. Boston has changed you. Or maybe it’s Ryan who has changed you. Or is it the pregnancy?”
She chuckles. “That reminds me, Neil wanted to connect with you. I think he’s been tasked with getting some European clients, and he knows your family has strong business connections. What should I do?”
“Depends on whether you wanna do it. It won’t bother me, if that’s what you’re asking. You can give him my number.”
“Cool. I’ve got a call now with one of the school principals who’s using our product, so I gotta go. But Gabs, we all agree that we don’t need the money if it means losing you. There’s no doubt in any of our minds about that. You get me?”
“Yeah, yeah! Now go.”
I pour myself a bit of whisky and slump on the couch. Don’t judge me for drinking during the day. It’s been an awful couple of days and I feel like shit because the investor really made me feel like one. I’m usually a confident person, well-liked by one and all. So this feeling is new to me and to be honest, I hate it. I want to cower inside myself and never come out.
Young. Inexperienced. Not competent to take the company to the next level.
These are the words Monsieur Dumas used for me. Over and over and over. I let out a sigh and take a big swig from the glass. It burns my throat, but I like it.
Ryan rejected the offer, but Gerard Dumas has given him a week to mull it over. “After all, this isn’t an opportunity that comes around often,” he said when we wrapped up. And he’s not wrong. Besides the money, the guy’s loaded with connections to governments, companies, and investors. He’s a big shot. Not like me, as he kindly reminded me.
Maybe he’s right. I’ve done my job at MooreGames. It’s time to move on now.
As I sit there, wallowing in self-pity, thinking things can’t get worse, my phone buzzes again. I glance at the screen and instantly know my day’s about to nosedive.
Mom. Ugh!
I don’t hate her, but I sure as hell don’t love her either. I’d rather forget she exists, like she did with me growing up. But I can’t do that, right? I’m better than that. So, I knock back the rest of my whisky and swipe to answer the call.
“What a surprise, Maman. How’re you doing?”
“Tres bien, Gabriel. Et toi?”
Yes, she is French and loves to talk in the language.
“Couldn’t be better,” I lie, making my voice sound as uplifting as I can, given the circumstances and my mood.
“Vraiment? You don’t sound too good. C’mon now, tell me what happened.”
“Nothing. Just some work-related stuff. So, what prompted this call?”
“Can’t a mother call her son without reason?”
Well, yeah. Normal mothers. But not her! Best not to voice my thoughts and remain quiet instead.
“Well,” she continues in a bit. “there is something I needed to tell you. You remember Monsieur Martin of Martin Enterprises?”
“We met him last year when we went to Versailles, right?”
“Oui! Same one. Well, the funniest thing happened. He has this lovely daughter, Sophia, who is in the States for business. She’s an only child. Like you. I want you to meet her.”
“Meet her? Like a date?”
“Oh, don’t worry. Just dinner. Unless you want to go on a date with her.”
Mom loves having dinner parties, especially if there’s anyone from France visiting the States.
“I already have a girlfriend, in case you forgot.”
“Ah, that bimbo, Paula, or whoever. She’s not good for you.”
“I don’t need you to tell me who’s good for me. Jesus! Is this for real?”
“In any case, it’s been almost six months since you started dating her, so I believe you’re close to dumping her.”
I’ve been having thoughts, but there’s no six-month-rule that she’s trying to portray here. True, I’ve never had a girlfriend for over six months, but maybe it’s my bad luck, or the fact that I’ve never dated the right girl. Who knows?
“I’m not meeting anyone for a date or dinner till I have a girlfriend, Maman. You know I don’t do that. And seriously, please stop trying to run my life.”
“Why? I’m your mother. I think about your future and happiness. You can’t spend your entire life flitting from flower to flower. And I’ve met Sophia and so has your Mamie. In fact, it was she who suggested you two might, y’know, be good for each other. Just imagine how much she thinks about you all the time. Anyway, Sophia’s lovely, not to mention she’ll inherit the entire Martin business. You’ll like her, I’m sure. At least, give it a shot, eh? Not as a date. Meet her for dinner, as a daughter of my friend. Hmm? You can do that for your Maman?”
I know she won’t get off my case with ‘no’ as an answer. Plus, I can always make some excuse later on and not go home when Sophia comes. Big whoop.
“Okay. I’ll meet her once. But that’s it. I don’t—”
“Super! She’s in Boston today. I’ve told her you’ll pick her up from her hotel at seven tonight. I’ll text you the hotel details and the restaurant where you’ll take her. Reservations are already done, so don’t bother. Love you.”
I stare at my phone as she hangs up and shake my head. I can’t believe this woman. Always playing games, always pulling strings to get what she wants.
I dial Nora. I really need to vent and calm down.
“Hey,” she says. “How’re you feeling after all the love you got in your favorite country?”
“Stop it. Not now.”
“Sorry. Too early for jokes? So the investor really got under your skin. C’mon, you can’t let it affect you.”
“Yeah. Whatever. It hurts because what he said was true.”
She pauses for a bit. “You wanna meet up for dinner? It’ll be good to chat face to face.”
“Nah. Busy.”
“Paula?”
“No. Sophia.”
“You and Paula broke up? And who’s Sophia? Why haven’t I heard of her?”
“Some girl Mom wants me to meet for dinner. Nothing more.”
“Oooh. Paula okay with that?”
“Shit! I dunno. Haven’t spoken to her about it. You think I should tell her before I go?”
I hear a scoff and I can imagine her rolling her eyes.
“You’re joking, right? She’s jealous of you talking to me . Of course, she won’t take it well if you go for dinner with some Sophia without telling her. Or is this your plan to break up with her? You’re almost at your six-month mark.”
“Jesus Christ! Will everyone just stop with this six-month thing already? I like Paula. For all you know, she’s the one for me.”
Right then I hear a ping on my phone and see Paula’s name on the screen. “Ugh. Talk about the devil. Paula’s on the line. My life sucks.”
“Take the call. For all you know, she’s the one for you,” Nora chuckles a little.
I swear I want to beat her up right now. I don’t care that she’s a girl. She’s beaten me up plenty as a kid.
“You thinking of beating me? You know you can’t, right?” She laughs again.
God, I hate her so much, but I like her too much to really hate her.
“I’ll talk to you in a bit, okay? My suggestion, tell Paula about Sophia before your dinner. I’d love to know later how it went,” she says and disconnects.
“Hi babe. I was about to call you,” I say switching the call.
“Uh-huh! Your number was busy. Who were you talking to?”
I don’t want to say ‘Nora’ because she doesn’t understand our relationship. She is one of those who strongly believes that a guy and a girl can never be good friends.
“Mom called. Her friend’s daughter from Paris is visiting Boston, and she wants me to take her to dinner tonight. She was worried about how you’d take it, but I assured her you’re a cool, modern gal and not the jealous type.”
I specifically used cool and modern because that’s how she identifies herself.
“Yeah. Okay. Whatever. Who is she?”
“Donno. Never met her before.”
“Why do you have to take her to dinner? Why not get it over with lunch or coffee or something?”
“I asked Mom the same thing. But you know moms, right? She’s already made the reservation at some place. You’re cool with it, right?”
“Um. Of course. Yeah. Call me once you’re back home and maybe,” she continues in a lower, huskier voice. “Maybe we can do some stuff together later on. Some new experience for you.”
The word ‘experience’ reminds me of the meeting in France and all I want is to get drunk. Even the prospect of Paula giving me some ‘new experience’ isn’t exciting.
“Ooh. I’ll try to keep the dinner short. See you tonight, babe,” I say, feigning some modicum of excitement.
I hear some kissing sounds, but I’m not in the mood, which is weird. I’m usually always in the mood especially when I’ve not had sex for so many days.
“What happened? You okay?” she asks.
“Um. Not really. The meetings for which I’d gone to Paris didn’t go too well. The person—”
She interrupts in between. “Hey, Celine is calling me. I’ll talk to you later, yeah. Be well.” And she’s gone.
I let out a sigh. Be well?
That’s my girlfriend’s reaction when I tell her I’m not okay. Wow! But I’m not surprised. We never really talk.
On top of all her craziness, she’s lately become obsessed with animal sex. Now, I’m all for trying new things, but her ‘animalness’ involves a lot of biting and it can be a bite anywhere. I mean anywhere .
“Embrace the animal within.” That’s her new mantra. And trust me, it’s scary.
I think I need to break up with her.