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Now annoyed, I checked the caller's I.D. ready to Lambaste whoever called. Oh, it was Drew calling. I couldn't get mad at him, so I picked up the call.
“Hey Drew, what's up?”
“How was it?” I had told him about Maddy's situation and us coming to the hospital.
“It's a long story, but basically, she needs surgery and a complete blood transfusion.”
“What kind of surgery?”
“Brain.”
“Oh God. Is it a serious one, like for the mortality rate?” He and I thought alike as he asked the same questions I did.
“10 percent chance of fatality.”
“That's good.”
“Trust me, man, if it’s your daughter, you’d only see the ten.”
“I'm sorry, you have to go through this, man.”
“Thanks.”
“I also called to tell you about Ethan Coen.”
“Ethan? What happened? Why do you have to tell me about him?” Coen had a reputation as a man who rummaged behind the scenes to get deals done. I hated him because he went against the beauty of our industry.
“One. I knew you'd be busy and probably didn’t hear about it because if you did, you might have mentioned it to me. Anyway, the other reason is he is trying to take over our company.”
“Huh?”
“Yes. The board has been approached by him multiple times. I've been told over the past week or two weeks. They've refused so far because things are going well, but I think they are waiting to see how Maryam's album does. You know how Ethan is; he might have done negotiations through less-than-savory means. I think we might have to contact the police.”
“Yes, eventually. However, we need to be sure that the board is willing to speak up if they are being treated in less than ethical ways.”
“True,” Drew agreed with my assessment.
“I will talk to them.”
“All right. Sorry to bring this up to you during such a difficult time.”
“Nah, bro. It's fine. I understand. The world doesn't wait for you even if you are going through a tough time. All I gotta do is man up and take it in the chin.”
“That's my man.”
“All right. Later, bro.”
I cut the call and sighed. I knew I was in for a hell of a couple of weeks. Of course, something like this would happen to me back-to-back. The calm before the storm. I can never just have peace for an extended period, but I guess that's life, and we all must carry our crosses one way or another.
Glancing at Maryam and Maddie, I smiled, watching my beloved daughter’s head resting on the woman she now looked up to as a big sister while she slept. The way Maryam kept checking on her by glancing down every couple of minutes.
I was so lucky. Most people go through their hardships in life alone or with less-than-ideal people. But me, I had them, I could lean on them. Even Drew and people at work.
I couldn't believe my fucking luck.
Chapter sixteen
My office line rang, and I picked it up. I'd finally gotten a new secretary after the previous one left for another company. Well, that's what she said. I don't know if she got another job, but I hoped she did. She was a good secretary.
