Be a Doll(64)
“I need you to send a formal email to my father’s office stating that we’re considering concurrents for the next quarter as their last shipment wasn’t up to par with our expectations. It must be ready in the next twenty minutes, Jonatan.’’
“Uh…’’ he hesitated and quickly nodded when he saw the storm brewing in my eyes. He had worked long enough for me to know when to do what I asked without asking questions. “Is it regarding GM Images and the TV, sir?’’
“Yes. Send me a copy of that email when it’s sent and forward me any response.’’
“On it, Mr. Grimes. Should I compile a list of other companies—‘’
“It won’t be necessary.’’ I drilled my fingers on top of my assistant’s desk and checked the time on my Rolex. “I call this a preemptive strike.’’ I turned around, ready to go back in my office when I remembered something else. “Also, contact Tober’s office to pick a date for a business lunch or dinner depending on his preference. Let his assistant know surreptitiously that my wife will be present.’’
“I’ll make that call as soon as I’m finished with the email for your father. I’ll add the date to your agenda.’’
“Good.’’ I glanced around and found a few heads turned our way. My frown deepened. “Get back to work!’’
On these words, I went back in my office and started reading some reports before my conference call with one of my companies based in Los Angeles. My nerves were shot, my concentration was nowhere in sight and my need to break something had my damn hands shaking.
After getting laid for the first time in months, I should have been relaxed today, but it appeared that I didn’t have that luxury.
When you had an empire to lead and grow, the world never stopped spinning and a pile of shit was always there to deal with.
I snatched my cell phone from my suit jacket and quickly typed a text to my mother. I didn’t want things to get to this, but if I didn’t want to do something drastic when it came to my father, enrolling my mother in that mess was the only solution I could come up with.
Dad went to see Lila. I swear the next time he disrespects her or comes close to her I’m going to forget he’s my father and things won’t be pretty. I’m sorry, Mom.
Not even two minutes later and I already received an answer.
I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry, mon gar?on, and take care of your wife.
I snorted at her message. As if Lila would let me take care of her. Actually, as if I was the kind of man who took care of a woman. I put down my phone and went back to the reports I still needed to oversee.
LILA
“Thank you for meeting with me for lunch, ma belle,’’ Sylvie said and patted my hand on top of the white linen tablecloth.
After her call mid-morning inviting me for lunch, I didn’t think twice before I agreed. Sylvie Grimes was the only person in my life along with Megan who I considered highly. She was undeniably strong and yet had a warmth and sweetness to her that reminded me of what it was like to have a mother in your life. At times, it was difficult to remember she was Mathis’ mother considering how different to her he was when it came to his character.
“I should be thanking you.’’ I took a sip of my sparkling water. “I didn’t know what to do with myself today and I needed some fresh air and company.’’
Sylvie’s smile tensed as her soft green eyes turned hard for a second before she frowned at her sleeve and picked off an invisible piece of lint from her forest green blazer. “I’m sure acclimating to a new life isn’t easy.’’
I smiled and kept my answer to that. I didn’t really know what was easy in life anyway. I glanced around the restaurant, a restaurant I remembered passing by almost daily back when I was living on the streets four years ago and never thought I’d ever step foot inside, much less have lunch there. Everything was refined, from the tablecloths and napkins to the plates and cutlery gleaming under the soft decorative lights hanging from the ceiling in a canopy above everybody’s heads. The ballet of the wait staff flawlessly navigating between tables was almost hypnotizing and only accentuated the classy atmosphere of the restaurant serving mostly French meals on their menu.
“Lila,’’ Sylvie called my name gently to get my attention. The way she said my name with a French accent, making it sound like Leela, would have made me smile if I hadn’t caught onto the apology in her tone. “I didn’t know if I should tell you, but Mathis said that my husband went to see you this morning. I assume it wasn’t a pleasant visit. I’m s—‘’
“Don’t apologize,’’ I stopped her quickly in a smile I knew didn’t reach my eyes. It was something to keep as a front when you despised the person in front of you, but it was something very different to do so when you liked the other person. “At Carter Manor we’re warned that there’s a good chance someone in the entourage of our husband is bound to be difficult regarding the marriage. I understand.’’
“You’re a lot more understanding than me then.’’ She took a sip of water and set down her glass right on time for our young waiter to serve us our salade César with a well-practiced move before he topped our glasses with more water and bid us a ‘bon appétit’. “I have no idea why Oscar is so against this marriage.’’