“Dad, you better be up for this piece of news,” I grumbled as I drifted towards the Cedar Sinai parking lot, hoping my old man was up and awake, barking out orders for what needed to be done at work. It was how he operated, and I wouldn’t have him any other way.
Chapter 3
Drake
Much to my disappointment, my old man wasn’t awake when I reached his room. The good news, though, was that he had woken up earlier and had smiled at Mom, mumbling how he hated hospitals. Though I was saddened to not get to see that for myself, the heaviness in my heart lifted at the knowledge that he was progressing well, at least from what the doctors had previously told my mother.
I stayed for another ten minutes or so, catching up with my mother without having to confide about the random call from Shannon, since she was already in an emotional state. Not to mention the fact that Lily’s mother, Hannah, was there to keep my mother company. Besides, I had to meet Paul Fullerton and his daughter Katie, so it was best I got to work.
Upon arrival at the office, I barely had warmed my seat when Mindy announced Paul’s arrival. Licking my lips as I straightened my tie, I immediately stood up, striding towards the lounge area of my office where soft Italian leather sofas sat close to the glass, overlooking the traffic below.
I wasn’t one to usually deal with interns since we had HR, but since this was a special request from an influential man who could very well be a potential investor, I couldn’t very well reject it.
I had met Katie a few times, and she seemed a pretty likeable individual with vivid ideas about where the next big investment should be. It was refreshing to engage in an intellectual conversation with someone close to my age, which was a feat in this day and age since most people absorbed their attention in what the media fed them. Like Lily, I appreciated women that weren’t too focused on Hollywood and couldn’t be easily star struck. In my kind of business, I mingled with them all, so having a wife that wasn’t easily in awe with a new up-and-coming actor made my life easier. Same went with Katie, and since she would shadow me, she would most likely be accompanying me to some important key business dinners.
Paul was his usual upbeat self, dressed in navy slacks and a ready smile in place. Katie, on the other hand, was dressed in a white pantsuit, seeming more business-like with her formal demeanor compared to her father.
Greeting them with much enthusiasm before asking them to take a seat, I then ordered Mindy to send in some refreshments. We all took different seats on the sofas, a good way to directly look at everyone and, at the same time, read their body language.
The informal meeting took about an hour’s time, with Paul mainly asking questions about the movie and all the technicalities behind it. His daughter listened and gave her input when her father seemed to be pensive about the production’s timeframe and budget. Since he wasn’t all that convinced yet, he promised he would call me in a day or two after he gave it some thought. It wasn’t bad, though it wasn’t all that great, either. These things took time, with a lot of cajoling and persuasion on my part.
After he left, I had Mindy give Katie a tour of the building, giving her the rundown on her tasks and job description.
This was my day—full of meeting clients from different sectors of the business. I also had to take on my father’s work, seeing what accounts needed restructuring and what impending projects he had. The added workload was rigorously demanding.
After barely sifting through his paperwork and folders, I was considering having someone come onboard to help out. Lily came to mind. Since her father co-founded this company, it was fitting as well as convenient because I could see her whenever I wanted. Then again, that would be wishful thinking, since she would never leave Masie and the cupcake shop hanging out to dry. My wife was that way. Once she committed herself to something, she gave it her all.
Halfway through my workday, I decided to text my lovely wife, wondering what she had been up to all day.
Hey, how’s your day going? I hope it’s better than mine. Just thought to check on you and also tell you how much you’ve been missed.
I was a sappy, lovesick fool, but oh, well. I was a married man. Surely, married men were allowed to be sappy and sentimental without seeming to be abnormal? God, I hoped so.
Breathing a sigh of relief as I heard my phone beep, I was grinning like an idiot when I saw her reply.
Miss you, too, Drake. I’m kinda tired already, and since you’re being so nice to me today, wanna make me some dinner tonight?
Dinner. Right. And so much more, I wickedly thought as I conjured a nice, cozy romantic dinner for us.
Be home by 7 p.m. Don’t be late.