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“Let’s begin now,” said Gherring, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. “We’re delighted to have Henri DuBois visiting with us. I know many of you already know him. If this is your first time to meet Henri, let me just say ‘I’m sorry’ in advance.” Gherring laughed and the group joined in… even Henri, who seemed to relish the introduction.
Gherring continued, “As you may know, Monsieur DuBois’ company, La Porte, has had a cooperative agreement with Gherring Inc. for a number of years. This association has been fruitful and profitable for both companies, as I’m sure Henri can attest. He will be an excellent resource should you have any questions about that option.”
After this introduction, Gherring plunged forward in the presentation. Anne found herself mesmerized by him, even though she’d prepared the PowerPoint herself. The time passed quickly. Questions were answered. The companies deliberated privately and questioned Henri about his association with Gherring Inc. And Gherring closed the deal by seven o’clock, without ever threatening to actually buy out the other two companies, although perhaps they knew he was considering the possibility.
“You were right,” Anne told Henri. “It was exciting. It was fun to be a part of it all. At least it was fun after my part was over.”
One of the female board members approached Anne and Henri. “Henri, someone is finally going to tame you?”
“Only because I asked you so many times, and you turned me down. How is Charles? You are ready to leave him for me?”
“One day, Henri, I might say ‘yes.’ Then what will you do?” She laughed, and turned to Anne. “Ms. Best, it was so nice to meet you. Watch out for Henri! I am looking forward to working with you in the future. Do you have a card?”
“No… I don’t have a card with me. But if you need me, you can reach me on the main line.”
“Excellent. And here is my card.”
Anne took the card, the first of many. Soon Gherring joined their group along with Jared, exchanging greetings and promises of future communication. Gherring kept a close eye on Henri and Anne, until the last person left the room.
Henri clapped his hands with glee. “Well done, Gherring. That should bring a few billion more into your coffers. Where are you taking us to celebrate?”
“Us?” asked Anne.
“Yes,” Gherring spoke with obvious irritation. “Henri suggested he should be allowed to participate in the second half of the meeting and the celebration after, in exchange for keeping his mouth shut about my PA.”
Henri grinned. “Sir Walter Scott said, ‘O what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.’ He was correct—N’est-ce pas, Gherring?”
Gherring narrowed his eyes, and Henri said, “And the other part of the deal?”
“I have already apologized to Ms. Best, but I will say it again.” Gherring turned to Anne and caught her chin with his hand, turning her to face him. “Ms. Best, as I have told you before, everything I do means something to me. I wasn’t making light of you. I simply wanted to make you feel better. I never meant to cause you more emotional stress.”
Their eyes locked together, and for a moment Anne was lost in a blue ocean. She floated into their depths and forgot anyone else was in the room. She regretted her harsh judgment of his actions.
“That is enough apology.” It was Henri’s turn to look annoyed.
Gherring dropped his hand from her face.
“Ahem!” said Jared. “Aren’t you going to apologize to me for making up that story about how I blanked out on a presentation? Only don’t grab my neck—I’m afraid you’ll choke me.”
His laugh was contagious, breaking the tension.
“The more I think about it, the morning was pretty exciting.” Anne cocked her head toward Gherring. “I almost got to mark one more thing off my bucket list—watching an appendix burst.”
A dinner that could have been awkward, with a glaring contest between Gherring and Henri, was instead incredibly jovial. No one was able to maintain a glum attitude for more than a few seconds with Jared constantly entertaining them. One could almost imagine Gherring and Henri were friends. Almost.
“… And we looked everywhere for that pacifier. Finally, at midnight, I was going out to the car to buy a new one from the store. But when I sat down in the car, I felt this hard lump in the back of my underwear…”
Anne had tears of laughter pouring out of her eyes, her mascara long gone after a night of sidesplitting stories about Jared wrestling with newfound fatherhood.
“Stop, Jared! I need to catch my breath!” She giggled and wiped her face with her napkin.
Anne waited until Jared was telling a new story to Gherring. Then she leaned over and whispered to Henri, “When do you have to go back? Tonight or tomorrow?”
“I have to go back tonight. We meet with the doctors tomorrow. They will tell us the results.”
Anne reached out to take his hand. “I don’t know if you’ll feel like talking, but call me if you do. I’m praying. I want to know.”
“I will call you. I’m so afraid. They haven’t said the word cancer, yet. But…” Henri choked a little. “She doesn’t deserve this. I wish it was me.”
