16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
A ntonio
I sat through the board meeting, half-listening to the presentation on the market expansion strategy for our newest wine, Terra Nova. As Emily’s presentation unfolded on the screen, the room’s atmosphere shifted from anticipatory silence to electric enthusiasm.
The marketing team’s murmurs of agreement and nods of approval filled the space, but my attention began to drift beyond the slides, lost in thoughts until my phone’s discreet buzz refocused me.
I glanced at the screen. The message was from Kendra. It was unlike her to text me in the middle of a workday… heck, she’d never even texted me on her own before. I picked up my phone and opened it immediately, my eyes locking onto Kendra’s message:
“I’m done thinking. I’ll be your girlfriend.”
My gaze lingered on the words, which seemed to sear into my mind. A slow, unstoppable grin spread across my face. My chest swelled with excitement, and my fingers twitched with the urge to respond.
For a fleeting moment, I was lost in the words on my screen, the meeting fading into the background. The soft murmur of voices, the rustle of papers, and the occasional nod from the executives blurred together.
Damon nudged me with his elbow. “You with us, bro?” he whispered.
I jerked back to reality, my eyes scanning the room. The presenter, Emily, looked expectant. “...and that’s why we believe targeting the millennial demographic will increase our market share. Shall we proceed with the strategy, Mr. Michaelson?”
I cleared my throat, attempting to compose myself. “Damon, you’re the head of junior marketing. Tell me, what’s your take on this?” I asked, stalling and quickly scanning the pages of the report that lay in front of me.
Damon’s eyes flicked to mine, a hint of amusement dancing in them. “Well, considering the data... I-I think we’re on the right track. The social media campaign will resonate with younger wine enthusiasts, and partnering with influencers will expand our reach.” His professional tone betrayed a slight stutter.
I nodded, still struggling to conceal my grin. “Alright then, approved. Let’s move forward with it. Damon, you’ll be working closely with senior marketing on this. I want all the progress reports from you.”
Damon frowned slightly but nodded. He was one of those people who had so much to offer but always needed a push.
“You know I still have school, right?”
“You know this experience will look good on your college application, right?” I retorted.
The room erupted into a flurry of nods and murmurs of agreement. Emily beamed, gathering her papers.
As the meeting adjourned, Damon fell into step beside me, following me back to my office. “By the way, what’s got you smiling like a fool?” he teased.
I chuckled, attempting nonchalance. “Just glad to see our marketing team on the right track.”
Damon raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, right. Save it, bro. You’ve been beaming since you checked your phone… and I know I saw some female’s name there… something beginning with…”
“Focus on work, Damon. We’ve got a lot on our plate,” I interrupted, playfully shoving him.
Damon laughed, holding up his hands. “Okay, okay. Alright, I get it. You’re not sharing… yet.”
I nodded toward the door, raising my voice just enough to intimidate him. “Out! I’ve got work to do.”
Damon saluted, grinning. “Yes, sir.”
As the door closed behind him, I settled into my leather chair, letting out a quiet whoop of excitement. My fingers flew across the keyboard, typing out a response to Kendra.
“Really?!” I wrote, trying to contain my enthusiasm.
I hesitated, then added, “When can I take you out to celebrate?”
My eyes lingered on the screen, anticipation building. I couldn’t wait to hear back from her.
With a satisfied smile, I leaned back in my chair, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease. The Terra Nova strategy was solid, and now, with Kendra’s message, my personal life was looking brighter than ever.
The soft chime of my phone broke the silence. Kendra’s response flashed on the screen: “Tonight?”
My grin returned, wider than before. I now have a girlfriend!
***
The day seemed to crawl by just to spite me. It was almost time for lunch break when my secretary came in to inform me that my father had asked me to join him for lunch in his office. Damon would be there too.
I made my way to Father’s office, my mind still on Kendra’s message. Tonight couldn’t come soon enough.
I stepped into the office, finding Damon already seated in one of the plush armchairs. Father’s piercing blue eyes greeted me from behind his massive mahogany desk.
“Ah, Antonio, good meeting this morning, I hear?” he asked, his voice booming.
I nodded, taking a seat beside Damon. “Terra Nova’s strategy is looking solid.”
Father’s face creased into a warm smile. “Excellent. And how is Damon doing in his new position?”
“He’s been whining like a three-year-old, but… he gets the job done.”
I could see Damon’s frown turn to a grin from the corner of my eyes.
Our father nodded approvingly, leaving his desk to join us.
“Now, have you given more thought to what we discussed last week?”
I knew where this was headed: Marriage. My father didn’t mind who I chose to be with; he just wanted me to settle down. I, on the other hand, was trying to be careful. I didn’t want to end up with some gold digger who just wanted her claws in my wealth… just like my mother.
I wanted someone who would love me for me. And I believed I’d found just that person… but I couldn’t say anything just yet. Things were still… new.
“I’ve been busy, Dad,” I evaded, attempting a neutral tone.
Damon chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Actually, Dad, I think Antonio’s been distracted by other things... or should I say, someone?”
Our father’s eyebrows rose, interest piqued. “Oh? Do tell.”
Damon leaned forward, a sly grin spreading. “During the board meeting, Antonio was completely smitten. I saw him checking his phone, and his face lit up like a Christmas tree.”
My face warmed, and I shot Damon a warning glance.
Father’s expression turned thoughtful. “A new development, Antonio?”
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “Just a friend, Dad. Pay Damon no attention.”
Damon snorted. “Save it, bro. I saw the blush.”
Our father chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, well. Looks like we might have a potential Mrs. Michaelson on the horizon.”
I shook my head, laughing. “You’re jumping to conclusions, Dad.”
But Damon persisted. “I’m telling you, Dad, Antonio was gone. He didn’t even hear Emily’s presentation.”
I playfully rolled my eyes. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Damon grinned. “You have no idea.”
Just as Dad was about to continue, the door opened, and one of the staff walked in with a warm smile and a large tray. “Lunch, sirs,” she announced, setting the tray on the table.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats wafted through the room, momentarily distracting us.
Father’s eyes lit up. “Ah, excellent timing. I asked them to bring in some of that new Italian place’s specialties—grilled paninis, bruschetta, and minestrone soup. And, of course, some espresso and iced tea.”
He glanced at Damon and me. “Will this suffice, boys?”
Damon nodded enthusiastically. “Looks sumptuous, Dad.”
I managed a smile, my stomach growling in anticipation. “More than enough, thanks.”
The server began arranging the dishes before us. “Shall I pour the espresso, sir?”
Father nodded. “Please.”
Once she departed, Dad’s attention returned to me. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, Antonio, I want you to settle down. It’s time to consider the family’s future.”
“Yes, Dad. I’ll get married when the right woman comes along. Can we get back to lunch now, please?”
We focused on our lunch, the sound of clinking silverware and occasional murmurs filling the room. Damon engaged Dad in a discussion about an upcoming golf tournament, while I lost myself in thoughts of Kendra. Her smile, her laugh—they kept intruding, even when I tried to push them away.
Just as I was savoring the flavors of the grilled panini, the door swung open without warning, a rush of cool air disturbing the room’s warmth. I froze, fork halfway to my mouth, as my mother strode in, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She had a way of turning up exactly when she wasn’t wanted, like a storm no one could predict.
Her piercing green eyes scanned the room, settling on Father before shifting to me. A calculating smile spread across her face, tightening the knot in my stomach.
“George. Antonio,” she said smoothly, totally ignoring Damon.
Father’s expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing. Silence hung between them, thick and heavy. “Eve. What brings you here?”
I set my napkin aside, my appetite vanishing. “What are you doing here? And why didn’t you show up when you said you would?”
Her laughter was low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. “Oh, Antonio, don’t be mad about that. I had another… business to attend to.”
“You two met?” Dad looked at me, surprised. More than anyone else, he knew how much I loathed my mother.
“We were supposed to… but only because she said she had something important to say to me.” I turned to my mother, hands balling into fists as irritation simmered. “So, what are you doing here?”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement, lips curving in a way that made my skin crawl. “I came to make a proposal.”
Father must have sensed, as I did, that things were about to get ugly. He leaned back, folding his arms, his voice measured. “Damon, could you excuse us? This discussion… requires privacy.”
Damon’s eyes flicked between us before he nodded and stood, his expression concerned. “Okay, Dad.”
As the door closed behind him, Eve’s gaze locked onto mine, her eyes glinting with mischief.
“We’re listening,” I said tersely, fighting to keep my voice steady.
“I want a seat on the board of directors.”
The demand was so absurd that I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You’re joking, right? What right do you have to make such a demand?”
“It’s a small price to pay to make certain… ‘ Rumors’go away,” she replied coolly, her gaze never wavering.
My anger flared, but I tried to keep my tone even. “You just called them rumors, right? That means there’s no truth to any of it. So, no.”
She turned to my father, who had remained quiet for some reason, and tilted her head. “Aren’t you going to say anything, George?”
“Antonio is right,” he said, his voice firm. “Your demand is unreasonable. Go bare your fangs to someone who cares. Those empty threats won’t work here.”
Her smile didn’t falter. “Tsk tsk tsk, oh dear, you know I’m not one to make idle threats. If I don’t receive what I want, my story will get out.”
My grip tightened on the edge of the table, rage simmering beneath the surface. “Do your worst. You’re the Michaelson family’s biggest mistake. I can only pray I never end up with someone as manipulative and heartless as you.”
Her laughter rang out, high-pitched and unsettling, sending chills down my spine. “Oh, Antonio… you have no idea what path you’re already treading.”
Her words hung in the air, a veiled warning. The room seemed to constrict around us.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded, heart pounding.
Her smile grew wider, but she didn’t say more.
Father’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Eve, stop this. You’re not going to blackmail us.”
Eve’s gaze never wavered from mine. “Blackmail? Why, George… this is just business. And since you still want to play the saint, I’ll let Antonio here decide whether or not my demand should be met. After all, this whole thing will be yours soon, right?”
My mind raced, trying to piece together her angle. “You’ll never get what you want,” I spat. “Not from me, not from Dad.”
Her expression turned icy. “Never say never, son.”
“Don’t call me your son!” I growled.
“Whatever,” she laughed, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. “Now, because I still consider you family, I’ll give you the chance to save the company. Meet me at Pasta e Vino along Biltmore Avenue on Friday, by 4pm I’ll have something that’ll… make you a little more cooperative.”
“And if I don’t come?” I asked, leaning forward, daring her to push me further.
“Then you’ll leave me no choice.”
With that, she turned and strode out of the office, her departure leaving a hollow silence behind her. I stared after her, pulse racing, the weight of her threat settling over me like a dark cloud. Whatever game she was playing, I knew one thing: I couldn’t afford to lose.