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“I know Jordan would want to see you,” she quietly told Amy. I figured this point would come, and I planned to respectfully wait outside. But Amy grasped my hand tightly and all but pulled me with her. Not that I resisted. I would go anywhere with her, I realized. And I was even more surprised to realize that I wanted to be there for hernowin this time of need.
Still holding my hand, we walked into the small room.
Monitors beeped and echoed throughout the room. It was filled with all kinds of equipment, making it hard to distinguish the beeps. Thanks to working at my dad’s company, this wasn’t unfamiliar. I had seen my fair share of medical devices, even more complicated ones than these, in the lab. I looked around the room. It was actually quite large, but the medical hardware made it look small.
I looked at the bed next to the window and saw a teenage girl lying there. My heart broke a little for her, a stranger to me but someone who clearly meant the world to Amy.
Amy reached out and gently took the girl’s hand and whispered something to her that I couldn’t hear.
Barely a few minutes later, the nurse came back in and said that visitors had to leave until the next morning. Jennifer and Amy were allowed to stay. As I left, I saw the gratitude in Amy's eyes. I quietly left, heading home after the longest day.
I tugged on the duvet, dragging it up my body and trying to get comfortable. Apparently, all my efforts were in vain. The alarm clock on the nightstand started buzzing relentlessly. I let out a loud yawn and stretched a tired hand toward it to switch it off. I glanced at the digital clock and realized I had just three hours before work. I immediately hopped out of bed, making my way to the bathroom.
Insomnia had been a constant companion since my high school days and it was very inconsistent in when it showed up. On a good night, I managed to get an enjoyable six hours of sleep. It wasn’t all that bad at the time; it was probably one of the main reasons why I effortlessly topped my class in college. I stepped into the shower after I had brushed my teeth.
I couldn’t help but think about everything that happened the day before.
The kiss…and much more with Amy flashed through my brain first. It was hot, to say the least. And I wanted more. I knew I wanted more. Everything else from the night, well, I’d have to pack that away until I had more time to better consider how I felt about Amy.
And then there was my conversation with Evan and his advice. It washed the smile away from my face.
Was I actually going to tell her that I planned to break what little trust she had for me? No. I was determined to find another way to resolve the situation. A way that would hopefully benefit both parties.
I wondered if she had gotten any sleep last night, since she had stayed back in the hospital with Jennifer and Jordan.
I stepped out of the shower and dried myself with a towel. I scanned my wardrobe and picked a black three-piece suit. I had a charity event to attend later during the day so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I checked my schedule for the day on my phone as I went down to the kitchen to get my coffee. I had to be at work earlier than usual, the stakeholder’s meeting was today and I didn’t have any tangible plan that would put their mind at ease yet.
I had hoped Evan would come to the office so he could brainstorm with me and share some ideas but he had engagements outside the country. Typical Evan, lazing on my couch one day and traveling to France for a business meeting on the next. I thought about my planned presentation to the board. I had…nothing.
As much as it dimmed much of the happiness I felt inside, I’d probably have to go with Evan’s plan and reveal Amy’s work as soon as she made tangible progress.
I sipped on a cup of black coffee and scanned through the endless doomsday news on my phone. Finally ready to face work, I called Enzo, my driver and let him know I was ready to go.
The drive in didn’t take long enough and it was too soon before I got out of the elevator and walked past Madeline’s desk which now belonged–at least temporarily–to Phil, who, I had to admit, was carrying his weight. It was vacant but a messenger bag was sitting on his chair.
Before I could open my door, Phil was behind me.
“Good morning, Mr. Reed,” he said hurriedly. “I tried to meet you at the elevator but we must have just missed each other.”
The tone of his voice said he clearly had bad news. It was way too early in the day for bad news.
I nodded at him, urging him to continue.
“Mr. Reed is in your office.”
“One of my brothers? Great,” I said, rolling my eyes and reaching for the handle.
“Er, no, your father,” he said. The sympathetic look in his eye told me he’d had a chance to actually meet and talk with my father. I gave Philip a small smile and he settled into his desk chair.
Taking a deep breath, I turned the handle and walked in.
“You’re early,” I said as I walked straight toward my desk. “The stakeholders meeting isn’t for hours.”
My father was sitting on the couch, his tie uncharacteristically loose around his neck. Something was wrong.
“You don't seem surprised.” He set the magazine he was reading on the low table and crossed one leg over the other.
“It’s your company,” I replied as I sat down in my chair. Frankly, I was surprised I didn’t find my dad sitting behind my desk. That was his usual move.
