215 The last board meeting
215 The last board meeting
(Jayden)
I’m in my office at Brennan Industries early, as usual, but today there’s a different energy in the air. It’s the final board meeting before I drop the bombshell I’ve been planning for weeks.
My mood is still buzzing after a wonderful night snuggled up with Winona. Neither of us wanted to get out of bed this morning, and after today, I won’t have to. It was perfect and we both slept like logs.
I’ve already been to the hospital to see Ashlyn and check on the baby. It’s sobering to see her lying there, kept alive by machines while our baby grows inside her. Her mother is due to fly in today, so I’ll make sure I’m available for her later in the day.
They never had a close relationship but I’m sure this will hit hard.
This meeting is the last step in cutting ties with everything that’s held me back for too long and I’m keen to get it done.
Lance is already here, sitting across from me, feet up on the corner of my desk like he owns the place. He’s always been more comfortable in my space than I am, which says a lot about our friendship.
I’m focused on the files in front of me, but I can see his grin from the corner of my eye. I know that look.
“So, Winona called this morning,” he starts, leaning back in his chair with a smug expression, “you ready for Friday night? We’re hitting up that new club downtown. I’ve heard good things.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. Leave it to Lance to be more excited about our night out than the massive business decision I’m about to make. “Yeah, yeah, I’m ready. But let’s get through this meeting first. Then we can celebrate.”
“Celebrate, huh?” Lance raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You mean you’re actually going through with.
this?”
I give him a serious look. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life, Lance. It’s time to move on. Time to focus on what really matters.”
Lance nods, the teasing glint in his eyes softening as he takes in my words. “Every man’s dream, being kept by a beautiful woman. But just so you know, I’m still expecting you to show up Friday, no excuses from hen–pecked house–husbands are acceptable.”
“I’ll be there,” I promise, returning to the documents in front of me. “But first, can we just deal with today?”
As we talk, I notice Lance’s attention drifting. His gaze is fixed on something outside the large glass office window that overlooks the reception area. It has to be a woman. It always is.
I follow his line of sight and see a woman at the desk, talking animatedly to my receptionist. She’s curvy, sexy, and has a confident energy that commands attention. Lance is practically drooling. A definite Latino heritage.
I did ask HR to advertise for some more inclusive staff members the other week, so that might be what’s going on
“Wow! She’s something, isn’t she?” Lance whistles.
215 The last board meeting
+25 BONUS
“Lance, that is inappropriate workplace behavior.”
“Is she older than us? I think she is, but I like an older woman. Experience makes a nice change.”
I can’t help but smirk. “Focus, Lance. We’ve got work to do.”
I glance back out again and see the woman’s arms are waving and what she lacks in stature she more than makes up for in attitude it seems.
“I think she’d snap you in half. Anyway, the board is here in an hour, and I’ve ordered breakfast. Do you have all the financials ready for them? I want print outs and digital presentations.”
But Lance is out of his chair, making his way to the door. “Sure, sure. I’m just going to see what all the fuss is about. I’ll be right back.”
“Lance! Keep it in your pants for one morning, can you?”
“I won’t be long. There’s something going on.
“Something going on in your shorts, as usual,” I mutter as he strides out of my office.
His easy charm already works its magic as he approaches the woman and she calms down and smiles at him.
I return my focus to my files.
Then the woman’s voice rises again, and I look out there, it’s clear she’s not happy. She’s gesturing wildly, and Lance is doing his best to calm her down. I watch as he engages her in conversation, then glances over his shoulder back at me, a serious expression on his face.
Lance exchanges a few more words with the woman before turning back toward the office. He walks in, his face a little paler than before. Behind him, the woman and four other people, one young man and three. younger women are staring straight at me through the glass
“Jayden,” Lance says, stepping back into the office and hitting the auto–tint on the windows. The glass darkens, blocking out the stares of the people outside. “We’ve got a situation.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What kind of situation?”
He takes a deep breath, clearly trying to find the right words. “Those people out there… they’re claiming to be Greg’s family. His wife and kids. From Cuba. She said her kids are your half–brother and sisters”
“What?”
Lance nods, his expression grim. “The woman–the one who was talking to the receptionist–she says she’s Greg’s wife. And the guy with her? She says he’s your half–brother. The women with them are his sisters.“He explains again like I didn’t hear the first time.
I lean back in my chair. Greg’s wife? Kids? From Cuba? That actually makes a lot of sense to me. Greg was away a lot. He was a lot of things–an asshole, abusive, and obviously, a cheater.
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