Enchanted: (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #8): A Fake Fiancée Romance Page 15
She leads us to the boardroom.
The CEO comes rushing over. “William, so good to see you.”
“Thank you.”
“Please, take your father’s seat.”
I sit down, and someone pulls up a chair for Quinn to sit behind me.
I’m handed a copy of the financials, but I know from working with Quinn that no one can find the weaknesses in financials faster than she can. I move over and motion for her to sit next to me. I can tell the men at the table aren’t crazy about Quinn being at the table, but I don’t care. They won’t challenge me, yet.
They present me with a report about my father’s death. It includes photos of the accident site. The belief is that it was caused by pilot error, and my father, along with three others, was killed quickly.
“I know this is difficult to hear, but we wanted to show you the due diligence we did.”
“Thank you.”
As I study the photos, I notice there is a plant growing between the two burnt-out front seats of the helicopter. That doesn’t make any sense.
“As we understand it, your father has given you the family seat on the board,” the CEO throws out.
I nod. “He has.”
“What are your plans?” the sole woman on the board asks.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I don’t need to tell them I don’t have a plan yet. “I have no immediate plans to move back to Philadelphia.”
“Then you’ll be resigning your seat?” one of the board members asks, a little too excited for my taste.
This is the company my grandfather founded. There’s no way I’d give up my seat. I’ve reviewed the rules that they’ve established, and I know what the requirements are to keep my seat on the board. “No, why would I do that?”
“We meet regularly. The bylaws state you can miss up to five meetings a year,” the board member tries to explain to me.
“Yes?” I want to watch the asshole squirm. I may be fifty-years his junior, but he’s crazy to think I’ve not studied up and worked with other companies.
“Well, if you don’t live here, then you will miss many more than five meetings a year,” he tries to make his point.
“Why? Are the planes no longer going to fly? I’ve read the bylaws, and there is nothing that says I can’t Skype or Facetime in for meetings. I shouldn’t have any problems.”
“That would require a change in the bylaws, which needs to be voted in by the shareholders,” another board member attempts to share.
I’m not sure why they want me off, and that alone makes me want to stay. “I don’t think so. Plus, I own the largest number of shares between my father’s options and my mother’s options.”
The men are uncomfortable, but I’m not going to make them squirm for long. “Look, I’m not here to make waves. I have some instructions from my father, which I will carry out. My hope is to be here for regularly planned monthly meetings, and I will be available for impromptu meetings via Skype or Facetime.”
We walk through three issues on their agenda. Lunch is brought in, and we are served lobster bisque, a broiled swordfish, sautéed vegetables, and a fancy scalloped potato with a decadent cheesecake. I’m a little surprised by the extravagant lunch. This kind of luxury is out of character for my dad.
After lunch, we finish up the last three items on the agenda. I notice a few raises proposed for the executive staff.
“My understanding is that this requires a unanimous vote. I’d like to wait until next month to review and look at some salary surveys. Given I work in this area, these seem a little high to me, but maybe it’s the difference between east and west coast.”
Some of the board members look ready to shoot me, but I’m also a stockholder, and if they’re out to rape the company, then I need to stop them.
After the meeting, I return to Mitzi. “Can you show me my dad’s office?”
“Of course.” She picks up a set of keys and opens the door. “No one has been in here—not even the cleaning people—since your dad left.”
I stop at that statement. The FBI told me they were executing a search warrant of my father’s office. If they weren’t doing that, what were they doing?
The office looks the same as it did when I was growing up. There is his desk in the corner and workstations throughout the room with computer equipment and thousands of prototypes. Some are his and others by the engineering team. Mitzi unlocks several cabinets and drawers.
“Thanks, Mitzi.” She leaves, and Quinn and I look around.
“What are you looking for?” Quinn asks.
“I don’t know, but I guarantee that today’s lunch was not normal. My dad would not have approved of that, and I’m positive that the salaries they were looking at for the leadership team were way off.”
“I agree. I made some notes about the financials that seemed a little off.”
“Thank you. I figured you knew your way around a financial statement better than anyone in that room.”
“Well, I don’t know about that, but there are a few of those guys who are yes-men to your chairman, and that’s an invitation to malfeasance.”
“Agreed.”
We poke around for a few minutes. Finally, I stick my head out of the office and ask Mitzi if she can help me find something.
“Right away.” She jumps up and joins us in the office. Mitzi was one person my father trusted implicitly.
“I’m sorry, Mitzi, I wanted to ask you a few questions without raising anyone’s suspicions.”
“Sure, what can I help you with?”
“What was the feeling around here after the announcement of my father’s crash?”
“It was pretty normal. The chairman stepped in and started with a few changes I think your dad had been hesitant to make, but that didn’t seem out of character. He got along well with your dad.”
“Today’s lunch seemed a bit over the top. Is that normal?”
“No, not at all, but I think it was more for you than anything else.”
“Okay. Are you hearing any rumblings about my seat on the board?”
“Quite the opposite actually. They’d love to have you here more often, so the plan of your being her once a month really has some of the board members excited.”
“Well, that’s good news.”
Mitzi walks over to a cabinet and points to a file marked with my name, and I grab it and tuck it under my arm. “I guess we’ll head out. I think there are a few things I need to take care of.”
“We’ll need to set up the banker to come in and meet with you so a few things can be transferred to you.”
“Let me know when.” I lean in and quietly tell her, “Mitzi, my father trusted you with his innermost secrets. I need you to keep an eye on things here and keep me posted. Anything that seems a bit off, I need you to let me know.”
“Absolutely. I have a few projects that I work on to keep me busy, but I’d love more, so if you need anything from me, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“Thank you, Mitzi. I look forward to working with you.”
Chapter nineteen
Quinn
Lying in bed, I look up at the ceiling of my room in the hotel. It’s quiet. There are no sounds from the living room, so either William is out or still sleeping. I like sleeping with him, but I sleep a bit better by myself. Plus, it makes it easy to confuse things. I’m confused enough as it is. My mind wanders to all my bills that are quickly becoming past due. I haven’t worked my second job all week, and I know that I’m losing some of my regulars by not being on every night. That will hurt me financially.
I begin to wonder how my dad is doing. After my mom left my dad and disappeared last year, he’s been a little lost. I realize I haven’t talked to him in a few weeks, and he doesn’t know where I am. Brilliant, Quinn!
I pick up the phone and give him a call.
“Hey, sweetie,” he answers in his typical upbeat voice.
“How’s it going?”
“Typical? Enlighten me,” I prod.
“A little bit of arthritis in my knee and back. You know, old creaky stuff that tends to happen after the age of fifty.”
“You’re funny. How’s Maggie?”
“Running me ragged.”
“That’s why you have her, right?”
“She is going to eat me out of house and home at this rate.”
“Are you feeding her your food? You know you’re not supposed to do that.”
“No, she has her own special diet. But she likes to go for walks on the beach and is getting better about staying close and not wandering off.”
“Is she making a lot of friends?”
“Everywhere she goes. She’s generous with her love and kisses.”
“As Labradors are supposed to be. What did the doctor say at your visit last week?”
“I’m all good. I’m watching my diet, and my blood pressure is good, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“You’re my dad. I’ll always worry about you. How are things going on a personal level? You can tell me. Have you had any dates recently?
“I could ask you the same thing,” he retorts.
“I’m in Philadelphia right now without my current l’homme du jour.”
“Really? That sounds serious if you’ve gone home with him.”
I need to back him away so that he doesn’t get it in his mind that this thing with William is a long-term possibility. “Actually, it’s somebody I work with. It’s not really that serious. He lost his dad, and he has a real spitfire for his stepmother. So, I came more for reinforcement than as his girlfriend.”
“Well, that sounds promising though.” I love that my dad is an optimist. He always sees the bright side of things.
“Good to know I can fool you so easily,” I tease. “Tell me more about what’s going on with you. How are the dating apps and stuff that I set you up with on your phone?”
“All the women there just want to get married again. Some of them are working on their fourth or fifth marriage, and I’m not sure I want to remarry.”
It breaks my heart to know that my dad is like me and has given up on love. He had it great with my mom, but now that she’s gone, he’s giving up. “I know it’s kind of tough after Mom, but it’ll be okay to date and find someone to hang out with.”
“I know, sweetheart. I have Maggie to keep me occupied. Don’t worry about me. Really. I’m managing just fine.”
I can hear the emptiness and a little bit of loneliness in his voice. “Dad, you’re not going to believe this, but I’m thinking of leaving San Francisco and moving to Pensacola.”
“Really?” he answers quickly, and his excitement breaks my heart, reminding me that I’ve left him alone to fend for himself in Florida.
“Yeah, I think I’d like to be close to you, and San Francisco is becoming so expensive, and work’s a little overwhelming.”
“You’re welcome here. But I know you like the bustle of a busy city, and this is a wonderful quiet beach community. Why don’t you just come for a visit? Don’t quit your job before checking it out and making sure it’s what you want.”
“You’re right, Dad. That’s a good place to start. I do want to come for a visit. I promise it’ll be soon.”
“What’s on your agenda today?”
“We wandered Independence Hall a few days ago, and I saw the Liberty Bell. I loved the history. I need to come back and really spend some time. But today will be low-key. William has some things to take care of with his father's estate. So I plan on working out this morning and getting some work done before everything gets too crazy here.”
“That sounds like a good day. I love you, sweetheart. Plan your visit soon.”
“I love you too, Dad. I’ll work on that once I get back. Have a great day. Call me if you need me. I always have my cell phone and will take your call no matter what I’m doing.”
“Promise.” He hangs up, and I wipe a small tear from the corner of my eye. I miss him so much, and I’ve been so worried about him ever since my mom left.
The idea of moving to Florida sounds more and more appealing. I get out of bed and splash some water on my face. Looking in the mirror, I see I have an ugly pimple right in the middle of my forehead. Of course, I thought once I was done with puberty, I’d have that behind me. I pull my yoga pants on and put my hair up in a ponytail. The sun is shining, and it’s a beautiful day. I’m going to go for a run. Rittenhouse Square has some great paths, and I can run around the park, run diagonally through the park, and through the middle of the park without going far.
I wander into the living room. William is somewhere, but I’m not sure where exactly. After scribbling a note letting him know that I’ve gone for a run, I tuck my cell phone in an armband and grab my earbuds. I wave to the doorman as I walk out the door. As I’m adjusting the volume of my music, I see a wall of chest blocking the way. It’s Dumb and Stupid. I guess they’ve been waiting for me. Great. Can this day get any better?
“Yo, bitch,” I can read on Dumb’s lips.
I pull my earbuds out of my ears. “Are you talking to me?”
“Yeah, you. You tell that boyfriend of yours that he needs to let our mom have her money. She earned it,” Stupid says.
They’re standing a little close and trying to block my path, not letting me get by. “I think she has access to her money. But regardless, this has nothing to do with me. I don’t think William has anything to do with it either. Have her talk to the lawyer if she’s having problems. I’m just a guest.”
Stupid walks into me and grabs my arm. “You’re hurting me,” I tell him, my voice quivering. He doesn’t let go, and I’m beginning to get alarmed.
In a menacing voice, Dumb informs me, “Yeah, we know you’re not really engaged to William. Your secret’s not safe with us.”
Trying to keep my bravado and hoping that the doorman sees us, I say, “I wasn’t aware it was a secret. It’s pretty much common knowledge we’re together and looking at dates.”
“You’re not wearing a ring,” Stupid points out.
“That’s because I’m rather simple. Unlike your mother, I’m not interested in William’s money, and I’m just looking for a plain platinum band. I don’t need big giant diamonds to know that William loves me.”
Stupid jerks me to the side, and I almost fall. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. “You and William need to leave Philadelphia. Now.”
“Excuse me, Miss Faraday. Is there a problem?” I’m flooded with relief knowing that Gerald is here.
Stupid releases his grip but both of Lillian’s sons stare me down.
“No, I don’t think so. I was going to go for a run, but maybe now I’ll just head to the gym in the hotel.”
Gerald steps between me and Dumb and Stupid. “You two boys need to move along before I call the police and we have a problem.”
Dumb glares at me “You better have heard our message.”
I give a single nod, and Gerald steps forward, his arms wide, making sure that they don’t cross into my personal space. When they walk away, he turns to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just wanted to go for a run.”
“You should have called me so I can go with you.”
“You’re not here for me. You’re here for William,” I reason.
“No, I’m here for both of you.” He looks around and types something into his phone. “If you wait a moment, I’ll join you.”
I don’t want to take him away from William. He’s much more important in this area than I am. “Gerald, I’ll just go upstairs to the gym and get on the treadmill.”
He looks out at the park before turning back to me. “It’s a beautiful day, and I’d love a run, but I just need to put some clothes on other than the suit and the shoes I’m wearing. Can you give me a few minutes?”
“What about William?”
“Don’t worry. He
’ll be covered. I have help, you just don’t always see it.”
It only takes a few minutes before Gerald is back and ready to run with me. As we stretch, he says, “You set the pace.”
“I feel silly making you run with me. I’m really okay going upstairs.”
“What? Are you kidding? This is one of the best parts of this gig. I get paid to work out.” His smile puts me at ease.
“Okay, we’ll head out to the park. My plan was to run the perimeter, then run the diagonal each way and then through the middle. I figure that will be close to three miles.”
He nods. “Let’s not run with your earbuds in. They’re distracting, and we need you fully aware of anything that’s going on around you.”
“Understood.” I take the earbuds out and put them in the pocket next to my phone. “Did you let William know you were with me?”
“Yes, he knows. I sent him a text message. Now set whatever pace you feel most comfortable at.”
I set out at a decent pace. Since I don’t really know Gerald, I feel silly running with him. “Where are you from?”
“I’m from North Carolina.”
“Really? Whereabouts?”
“Halfway between the Virginia border and Raleigh.”
That doesn’t really narrow it down. “That’s a beautiful area. I love Raleigh. I’ve always wanted to live there.”
He doesn’t say anything. I see Gerald is a man of few words.
“I love Durham. It’s pretty spectacular too.”
“Yes.”
I give up. He’s not here to be my friend but to protect me. Moving on.
We fall into a nice pace, and as we circle the park, my mind drifts to William. When he said to Lillian that he loved me, it surprised me. I don’t know why. We are supposed to be engaged. But I think I’m freaking out because I’m beginning to have real feelings for him. I would love his admission of love to be real. But why would he love me? He can have anyone. Why would he want me?
I’m starting to worry that, when this is over, he’s going to decimate my heart. It’s too late. I’ve jumped off the cliff. It wasn’t hard. He’s god-like in appearance. He has money—not that that matters, but at least he’s not swimming in debt like me. His confidence is what’s really super attractive about him. He doesn’t seem to care what anybody thinks, and he excels at everything—he’s great at his job, he’s great with friends, he handles Lillian well, and he handles the lawyers well. The guy just has it all together. Why would he want a mess, like me? I’m drowning in debt. Obviously, I’m not great at my job since they’re not even considering me for partner. My love life is a disaster. I’m a disaster in every part of my life.