Ch.36 A Line In The Sand
Silence descends on the conference room as the final condition for the contract is laid out for Ingram Tech to consider.
This was our last meeting in the UK before we left for home. A meeting I wasn't even interested in taking—my instincts were right.
I can feel Kyle's eyes burning a hole in my side.
My fingers tighten into a fist that I'm hard pressed not to plant into Harry Coleman's face.
"What do you say?" He asks me again. "HC Studios will sign a contract to subscribe to every iteration of ADAI for the next five years," he reiterates, "that's $20 billion right there, which we'll pay upfront and, we'll also promote your device and app for free.
We'll make sure every major studio wants to work with you—just one condition.
"Fire Celeste Shaw, and strike out her name as co-creator."
Kyle reaches over and restrains my hand under the table.
My whole body trembles with suppressed fury.
I know they have bad blood, but I'm sure the fault lies at Coleman's feet.
Ten seconds turn to twenty.
Coleman smirks at me, like a cat that's caught a mouse.
He was the one to reach out to us. He was the one to insist on this meeting.
Now I can see why. He's still gunning for Celeste.
My jaw clenches so tight my teeth creak. He crossed the line when he tried to hurt the woman I love.
If he thinks I won't make him regret it, he's wrong.
I jump to my feet. The decision is made.
"I'm afraid I'll have to refuse. Thank you for the offer." The feigned civility is enough to make me retch.
I gesture at Kyle and my team to follow me.
His smirk melts as I move to exit.
He shoots to his feet too. "You'll regret it if you walk out."
I pause at the door and turn to face him. "We'll just have to see, won't we?"
—---------------------
As we step out of the studio, the evening sun hides behind a thick wall of grey, casting the entire city in shadow. Lightning flashes across the sky, that just this morning was bright and sunny, followed by the roar of thunder.
"Kyle, put out a statement—not only does Ingram Tech refuse to work with HC Studios, we also refuse to work with their partners. Anyone doing a movie with HC Studios will find their license suspended for the duration of that shoot."
Kyle stares at me, gobsmacked. "Boss, that's career suicide! I agree that we can't fire Celeste, but to renounce everyone Coleman works with! That's half the industry!"
"The moment we stepped out of there, this was going to escalate. Who do you think leaked the news that we were meeting him? It wasn't us.
"Coleman isn't used to anyone defying him. It's war already.
"He has a plan in place. So," I stop and turn to Kyle, "We need to draw a line in the sand before he does. We have to renounce him immediately.
"If he disses us first, ADAI will die before it gets to see the light of day.
"Do it. I want the press release out in the next hour. Co-ordinate with our home team and make it happen before we get to the airport."
We get into our cars and leave, an ominous feeling heavy in the pit of my stomach.
—--------------------
I walk into the office, and the whole floor is buzzing. Harper is gone, so is Nolan.
Today seems like one of those days when everything goes wrong.
I slept in.
First, I couldn't fall asleep. When I finally did, I dreamed of Marcus, and couldn't wake up.
I rushed down the stairs only to have my stiletto heel snap—so I had to rush back and change my shoes or risk falling again.
When I finally arrived at the bus stop, I'd already missed my usual one, so I had to wait fifteen minutes for the next one—which broke down half way.
While trying to call a cab, my phone slipped out of my hand, cracked against the pavement and freaking died.
I drop into my chair, and my eyes instantly drift to the spot where my comfort candy is—the spot that's empty, has been for the past week—because I had to go and insist Marcus stop.
I press my palms to my eyes. It's like the whole universe is conspiring against me.
Can I be honest enough to admit it now?
I sigh. I miss Marcus. I miss how taken care of and pampered I felt. I miss his goofy smiles, his warm hands... I even miss Berta.
I bite my lip as I start the login process for my PC when Nolan walks in.
We've been working fairly well the last few weeks, so when he sends me a stink eye I can smell from here, I'm not just confused, but concerned.
I walk to him. "What's going on?"
He snorts and rolls his eyes. "Yeah sure, like you don't know. You know, at first I wondered. We've been calling you all morning, but your cell was unreachable. Then you walk in so late—like the queen that you are.
"This deal got screwed up because of you, didn't it? When will you learn that you're not the only name tied to this project!"
He stalks away, while I stare after him, shocked and bewildered.
What deal?
—---------------------
I read the Ingram Tech press release. No reason given. Only complete denouncement of HC Studios.
Shit.
Sweat beads on my back. Harry Coleman won't stand for this. He will retaliate. And we will all pay the price.
My hands shake, and I have to remind myself, for the third time, that the 'walk away' clause has been cut from my contract.
My lips twist bitterly. Bet Marcus regrets that now.
Marcus.
Ice envelops my chest in a tight grip, and I find it hard to breathe.
Everything we've worked so hard for—for months—now on the precipice of falling apart.
All because of Harry Coleman—no, because of my history with him.
Will Marcus hate me now?
The thought twists the ice in my chest—and I finally accept the truth I've been forcing myself to ignore for days.
I don't want Marcus to hate me. In fact... I want him to continue caring for me.
Thoughts swirl in my head—half formed theories and half baked ideas—until anxiety has a firm grip on me.
I debate what to do. My cell phone sits uselessly on my desk, right next to the landline.
Just as I move to make my escape it starts ringing.
And I don't know the number.
My hand trembles as dread settles into a pit in my stomach. My vision narrows and sounds die as the phone and its ringing fill my senses.
Something is wrong. So very, very wrong.
—-----------------------
I stare at Madison's transcripts from middle school through medical school.
Never once topped in middle school. Never not been in the top three since high school.
Topped every exam with a near perfect score since then. Even in medical school.
Is that a coincidence?
Somehow, I don't think so.
I pull up her financials, but can't find anything extraordinary at first perusal.
I guess it's time to pull in Marcus and dig deeper.
3:30 pm.
He should be back in the country soon enough.
I, for one, can barely wait.