“Okay, I’m sorry for constantly asking. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with me working. I did promise you when we left London, and here I am, going back on my word.”
“You are not, and go right now before I hit you with a pillow. I love you, and don’t worry about me. I will be here with Leah. We got rid of Harry, and now you are next.”
I laughed, because she was right about Harry. Leah had forced him to go into the office today and promised him that she would be okay in Hallie’s care for the afternoon. Yeah, I guess we can be a little needy at times with our women, but that’s just because we love them more than words, and they’re pretty cool too.
I did call ahead and warn Van that I was in town. I certainly didn’t want to freak out my employees with a sudden drop-in from the boss. No, I strived for a calm and zen-like work environment for my company, not one where they scatter like rats when the boss is on-site.
When I walked in, Patricia greeted me with smiles and a coffee. “How did you know?” I asked as I happily accepted the foamy treat.
“We saw you on the camera, and then I hit start on the magic machine,” she winked and called Van out to reception.
“Smart ass, and thank you for this,” I said in return. Van came out a couple of minutes later and brought me in for a bro hug.
“It’s so good to see you, Ben. How’s the trip so far?”
“It’s been great, soaking up all the family time we can get before we have to leave. So, let’s get to it,” I said, and Van wasted no time bringing me to the open floor, bustling with group conferences and phones ringing off the hook. I loved the energy here in the room, and most of all, everyone seemed pretty chilled although working hard. I said hello to each and every one of my employees, chatting with a few before joining Van in the conference room.
“Okay, where are we?” I asked, finishing up my coffee and tossing the empty cup in the trash.
“We are ahead of the curve, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a great year with two major contracts lined up and four smaller ones, all very profitable. Innovate Now has been invited to attend…are you ready?”
“Yes, go on.”
“Only the biggest tech trade show in the country, CES next January in Las Vegas. We are so there, Ben, and it’s going to be fucking incredible!” he shouted with two arms raised high in the air like he’s a rock star.
“Yes, I already know, and it’s a pretty big deal for our company to be there. Thank you for taking care of registering us.”
“No problem, I almost fell over when I read the packet. I can’t believe I’m a part of this, Ben.” His voice faltered a bit, and I knew what he was trying to say.
I interrupted, “Moving on, when do I get to see the mock-up model for the prototype phone?”
“It’s looking like February, early March the latest.”
“Good, and anything else?”
“Do you mean anything CGI related?”
“Yes, it’s exactly what I mean. Van, you can never get comfortable when it comes to my father. He may have called a truce in regards to our family, but I will never believe it extends to business, so keep your eyes open at all times.” I was clear on this matter and would not back down.
“Ben, I can’t thank you again for bringing me back. I know you didn’t have to, and I’m grateful for the chance.”
“Van, if you say thank you one more time, I’ll fire you. But to be clear…” I stood and walked around the conference room to look out to the open work floor of creativity. “I brought you on because I believe in you and our shared vision for what we want to do now and for the future. When I think of Innovate Now and what it could be even five years from now, I just get excited, and the need to be here is so strong.”
“How’s the great plan working out? Are you still on target for May?”
“Yes, I haven’t changed my mind. Once Hallie is finished with her term, I plan to return here as soon as possible.”
“And what about your father?”
“What about him? He no longer gets to decide what I do and how I live my life. I love London and will miss it, but my home is with Hallie here in North Carolina. I plan on marrying her here and building a life far away from the life I knew in London. Anything else?”
“Nope, I think we covered everything. Sorry if I overstepped.”
“You didn’t, but the subject of my father and his wants are no longer my concern. What is, though, is Innovate Now. Let’s go out there and see what everyone is working on.”
A few hours later, I was on my way back to Hallie, but before I did, I placed a call to Peter. “How’s everything over there?” I asked, sitting back with my head on the headrest.
“All is well, Ben. Your mother is fine and keeping busy. She attended a charity lunch two days ago in the city and hosted a dinner last night with some friends.”
“Are you sure she’s not tiring herself out?”
“She seems fine, and I believe she wants to have something at the house for New Year’s. If she does, I will definitely let you know.”
“My father? How is he?”
“He’s Oliver, taking over the world, one country at a time.” He tsk’d, but we knew that’s how my father actually was. “How are you doing, Ben? Did you have a chance to check in with work? What’s new on the tech front?” I had a feeling he may have been fishing, since he’s loyal to not only me but to my father as well.
“All is well, Peter,” I simply said.
“Ben, I’m just asking.” He almost sounded hurt.
“And I answered. Look, I can’t thank you enough for all the help and advice you have given to me. You’ve always been there, but let’s not forget that you’ve been there for my father too. I know it’s hard for you to stay neutral, but I can’t really have it any other way, at least for now. I hope you understand.”
“More than you know. Okay, godson, enjoy the rest of your trip, and I’ll see you and Hallie when you return.”
When the call ended, I felt something shift with Peter, as if he wanted to say something more but chose not to. He is the last person I want to have any conflict or distance with, but having said that, I have to be on guard. I’ve been burned too many times from my father, and Peter was the one who always served as a buffer between us.
Returning to London and discovering the breakthrough my mother experienced with her health has been nothing short of a miracle, which I’m so thankful for. However, knowing that will still not keep me there, and once we return from our holiday break, I will finalize our plans. I just have to break the news to my father and hope he handles it well.
“I can’t believe we are going home tomorrow,” Hallie said as she gave her sister a hug. “Hello, baby, I’m your aunt, and I love you. Don’t kick your mom too hard, and come out soon, because we can’t wait to meet you,” she said, talking into Leah’s belly. “Wow! That was a big kick,” Hallie said as she sat back and laughed.
“Yes, it was, and stop exciting the baby. She loves to kick.”
Hallie looked at me, and we psychically agreed, and then Hallie looked at Harry, who was focused on Leah, and at that moment we knew their secret was out.
“You’re having a girl! I knew it! And by the look on Harry’s face, I know it’s a girl.” Hallie got back up on her knees and kissed her sister’s belly. “I love you, princess! Auntie loves you so much.”
Leah sighed, and then Harry confirmed it, “Yes, we are having a baby girl, but in our defense, we just found out at our last appointment and were just enjoying it for a while before we made it public. Don’t be mad, okay?”
“Mad? Are you crazy? I am over the moon, and now I can go shopping for tutus and everything frilly and pink.”
“Congratulations, mate. A little girl to spoil and to protect from boys.”
“Oh, man, I can’t even think about that right now.” We all laughed and happily rang in the New Year.
Ben pulled me in on top of his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist
. “Happy New Year, Hallie. I love you, and here’s to a lifetime of New Years together.”
“Thank you for making all my dreams come true, Ben. Happy New Year.”
“It’s just the beginning for us, Hallie. I promise you.” We kissed as we heard the last of the countdown from the television, and I knew without any doubt that for the first time in my life, it would be a happy new year.
One week later, Hallie was back at school and taking on double the courseload. I hated when my father forced me to take double credits, but for Hallie, she chose it willingly and seems to really be handling it.
I had just finished with a conference call with Van when I heard the doorbell ring. I closed my laptop and looked at the camera to see it was my father. “Hello, father. What do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit? And in the middle of your work day?” I said, knowing I sounded harsh. He said nothing in return and walked into my flat.
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked my father, who unbuttoned his suit jacket and made himself comfortable on one of my couches. “You look relaxed. What's up?” I asked.
“Do I need a reason to visit my son? I finished early with my meetings, and I realized we haven't caught up since you returned from your trip.”
“We talked, father.”
“No, you telling me that the trip was good after I asked you about it is not a real conversation.”
“I'm sorry if you were looking for more, but that's all you're going to get from me. The trip was good, and it made Leah very happy to see her sister for Christmas. Happy?”
“Honestly, Ben, I really don't know where all this hostility is coming from. This is me trying to find a place in your life where I can fit. If you don't want me to have one, then let's stop wasting each other's time and come to terms for what we do have.”
“And…? Tell me, father, what do you think that is? Because from where I am and you are, we still are worlds apart, and it's going to take a lot more for us to be closer together.”
“Why is that, Ben? Have I given you any reason not to trust me since you first arrived in London? I have done everything possible to meet you halfway and still, you slam the door in my face.”
“You're sitting in my flat, which is not me slamming the door. Now, are you going to tell me the real reason behind your visit? Because your day may be over, but I still have a lot of work to do today, and I need to get back to it.”
“Fine, I'll leave but when you do have a free moment, I would like to talk about Innovate Now.”
“What about my company?”
“Do you mean the company that I gave you?” He abruptly stood up and looked around my flat and then back to me.
“Yes, the company that you stole from Van first under the guise of merging it with CGI, when we both know if it didn’t end up in my hands, then it would have just landed on a pile of corporate trash that you have no use for, earning you a huge write-off.”
“Fix me a drink,” he demanded.
“If you want a drink other than water, you will have to go down to the pub. I don't keep alcohol in the house, because I don't drink much and neither does Hallie.”
“Fine, a bottle of water, please.” I opened up the fridge and handed it to him. He accepted it in a sigh of frustration and then said, “Van Alexander…why did you appoint him COO?”
“Hmmm, I was wondering how long it would take you to ask me that. My answer is this: I like Van, and we share many of the same ideas for innovation and what we want for the company's future. You bought him out and made sure you gave him a nice size deposit in his bank account, but there was a catch. When you signed over Innovate to me, I don't think you believed I would figure it out.”
“Why don't you explain it to me? What secret and underhanded maneuver am I responsible for now?”
“You blackballed him in the industry, literally making him sign a non-compete document that was disguised as something entirely different. Van and the other VC's were in such a state of euphoric bliss over the many dollar signs you offered them, but they didn't have an opportunity to realize you just pulled off the greatest coup in business.”
“You have me all figured out, don't you, Ben?”
“No, but I'm slowly piecing it all together.”
“Very well, I see you've made up your mind, and it doesn't matter what I say.”
“No, what matters is the truth. It has always mattered to me, and for years you have kept so much from me and are still doing it. Now, if there's nothing else…” I said curtly, and he got up and walked out.
I watched his car pull away and waited about sixty seconds before I opened my laptop and connected the audio to his phone. On my last visit with my mother before leaving the U.K. for the Christmas holiday, I took strong measures to monitor my father. He's always been secretive, and he's never going to change his ways, no matter what he would like me to believe.
This would be my secret to keep and mine alone. I didn’t want to cause another minute of sadness for my mother or Hallie. I had to trust my instincts when it comes to Oliver Chapel. I was having doubts about Peter, which didn’t sit well with me, but since he's attached to my father's hip, I felt there would be no reason not to monitor him as well. One way or another, I would learn what my father’s true motives are. I would bide my time and wait to see if my father or both of them would slip up. Tonight could be the night I find out all.
“I need to see you. Meet me at the house,” my father ordered.
A deep sigh over the line. “Oliver, I'm not doing this again with you. Will you just leave Ben alone?”
“He is my son, and the only thing I have ever done for Ben was put his best interests first. Now, meet me at the house,” he enunciated very slowly and ended the call.
“Hmmm, father, what are you up to?” I tapped my chin and then switched over to the cameras I had hidden in my father's office. It gave me a 360-degree view of the room, and every angle was on screen for me to view. I checked the time and knew Hallie wouldn't be home for hours, which gave me time to focus on my father and Peter.
I opened up a surveillance app that I brilliantly designed and never knew how important it would be until right at this very moment. It didn’t take him long to arrive back home, and from the sound of the door slamming, I knew I was in for the moment of truth I was waiting for.
“Come on, father. Show me the ‘real you,’” I said aloud, watching my father gulp down scotch and pace his office.
Ten minutes later, Peter walked into his office, and I leaned back in my chair and waited for the fireworks to begin going off.
“Van Alexander!” he roared at Peter. “I thought you had him locked down, and now I come to find out that my son has appointed him COO of my fucking company!?”
“Correction, it's Ben’s company, which you no longer have any legal rights to.”
“When it comes to Ben, I have rights to everything, and you damn well know it.”
“No, Oliver, what I know is that you are playing with fire, molten hot fire that is going to burn you and any progress you have made with your son over these last few months. It’s over, Oliver, and you need to let Ben go so he can come back willingly and just be your son.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Peter made a loud frustrating growl and turned back to my father. “I’m done, Oliver, I am over this emotional tug of war between you and Ben. You are my sister’s husband and a man who I have admired for a great many years. You are my brother, and I love you as one, but enough is enough. I just can’t do this anymore.”
“And what exactly can’t you do anymore, Peter? Just so I’m clear.”
“I will have my assistant send over my resignation letter to your office in the morning, and I will resign as lead counsel for CGI.”
“No, I don’t think so, Peter. We are a family, and family stays right where they are, which includes Ben. Your sister needs you and so does your nephew. Now, you will continue to watch over Ben’s business
interests and report back to me with anything I need to know in regards to Innovate Now and any new upcoming projects Ben has lined up, or should I say the whiz kid, Van Alexander. The ownership may have changed hands, but make no mistake Peter, I am always in charge, and you of all people should know that. Your job is to make sure Ben knows that as well.”
“He stays right where he is, Peter, and as long as he believes that he is no longer under my control, then we don’t have any problems. He got the career he wanted, and as a bonus, he’s got his American girl. What more can he ever ask for?”
“How about freedom?”
I watched my father get up from behind his desk and walk over to his bar to pour a double scotch. He knocked it back and poured another before turning around back to Peter. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, and a wicked smile appeared on his face. He finished his second drink and shot Peter a smile that was downright sinister with a new coldness to his voice. I had seen many sides to my father, Oliver Chapel, but this was new, and I wasn’t sure how to take it.
“Freedom? From me?” my father scoffed.
“There’s no such thing.” He answered.
“Got you!” I said as I leaned forward and pointed at my screen.
Not another word was said, and Peter walked out of his office, leaving my father to drink and brood.
I deeply inhaled and slowly let out a few breaths before re-focusing back to the screen. I watched my father walk back to his desk and pick up the most recent photo of our family he kept there. I always believed the photos that were perfectly placed all around our home were nothing but trophy pieces that painted the perfect presentation for what he wanted the outside to believe.
The photo he was staring at was taken right before Christmas. He had arranged the photographer to come to the house and take the new portrait. I remember how he insisted for Hallie to be in the photo with us, posing her just perfectly aligned with me, but that wasn’t the photo on his desk. The one he was staring at was one of the two of us. His hand was on my shoulder as he stood proudly beside me. He ran his fingers over my image and continued to drink.
Before We Knew Page 30