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She took a seat on a leather couch, saying a silent prayer Leo would stay strong and focused through the meeting.
Nigel cleared his throat. “May I get you any coffee or tea, Ms. Papadakis?”
“No, thank you,” she answered, resisting the urge to correct him that it was Dr. Papadakis. She smiled, recalling doing just that when she met Leo.
Two security guards arrived and stood on either side of the double doors. Their presence unsettled her. Why would a board meeting require two security guards?
“Cassie,” her father called out, rushing off the elevator to her side.
“Dad!” she cried, getting to her feet. “Why are you here?”
“Don’t look so worried.” He gave her a reassuring smile and took her hand. “I was asked to come.”
“Who invited you?” Leo had said he wanted to talk to her father after the meeting was over, but he never mentioned anything about her father coming here.
“Alexander Sutton.”
“Alexander?”
“Actually, your mother was asked to come with me.”
“Mom is here too?” She looked around.
“She’s at the hotel. She didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“Good idea,” she muttered. “I don’t think I could handle being any more overwhelmed than I already am.” There was much more going on behind those doors than she’d realized. And Alexander was part of it. She returned to her seat on the couch, her mind spinning with ideas.
Her father sat next to her and adjusted his tie. “Listen, Cassie. I have something to tell you.”
She turned to him. He sat with his head down and his arms leaning on his thighs. The last time she’d seen her father at Meraki, he’d been furious, but now he was calm and reflective.
“Okay,” she said with trepidation, unsure what would happen next.
He lifted his head to her. “I was rude to you, and I misjudged Leo. I’m sorry,” he said, his voice full of remorse.
It felt like a hundred pounds of worry lifted off her shoulders.
“Thanks, Dad. I hated all the animosity between you two. What made you change your mind?”
“After you left for Crete, your mother and I had a long talk, and I did some overdue soul searching. Leo was honest with me that day at Meraki, but I wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say. He told me I should fight for my business.” He let out a huge exhale. “The truth is there isn’t much business left to fight for. It’s been that way for a while. Your mother wants me to retire.” He ran a hand through his hair. “To be honest, I’m tired of the hustle. I was successful, and I have nothing else to prove.”
She wasn’t fully convinced he would walk away so easily. He’d been so excited talking about development at Meraki, but the decision was his to make.
“Okay, I think that’s great, but what has that got to do with you being here?”
He sat up straight. “Alexander has made me a proposition I’m seriously considering, but he wanted to discuss it in person with me.”
“What kind of proposition?”
“I’ll explain it later.” He took her hand. “But first things first. Let’s hold good thoughts for Leo in the boardroom.”
Sitting with her father offered her reassurance and optimism as if somehow him being here would make everything okay. Until she saw Leo, she would do what her father suggested. She would hold good thoughts for Leo.
