I somehow twist out of Matthew’s arms and stand there looking at Hunter, who is looking insanely hot in a beautiful steel gray fitted suit. One that hugged his body in all the right places. And good god, he isn’t wearing a tie, his crisp white shirt open at his chest. I am pretty sure my mouth fell on the floor.
“Wow, not what I was expecting to see! I knew you would be in the meeting but, yeah not this,” he growls low, taking me and Matthew in.
I move forward as does Matthew, sensing my irritation, “Why are you here Hunter? You need special clearance to be in my building,” I reply somehow keeping my snark locked away.
“I am presenting at the meeting. I represent Cybersécurité. Actually that is not right, I am Cybersécurité. It was in the submission. I assumed you saw,” he says stepping further back into the lift as Matthew stands behind me with his hand on my lower back. He guides me in, ignoring Hunter. But he knows all about Hunter from Caleb, so I suspect he is just stirring the pot now.
“Oh well, you know what they say about assuming,” And then I turn my back on him and watch the floors click over as we travel up. I feel Matthew step over to my other side and I am a little perplexed as to why, until I feel his hand slowly rubbing circles on my back, intimately actually. Yep, major pot stirring.
The door’s open slowly and I am surprised that Hunter didn’t barge past us. Matthew though, the showman that he is, grabs my hand then stops right in front of the open doors of the lift.
“See you tonight, Sweetheart. Knock ‘em dead!” he smirks before bending in, to press a small kiss to my lips. A purely platonic kiss to my lips, but nonetheless the air around us seems to start simmering.
I laugh and walk away from them both. I have no idea what or even if anything happened behind me, I am more focused on staying upright and not freaking the hell out. Sara, our secretary in the executive lounge, buzzes me straight through the secured area and I hear her asking Hunter to sit.
“Afternoon all,” I offer the other members that are already sitting chatting. Today is pretty important for all of us, it is the first meeting with me sitting in Grandpa’s old seat. I drop my bag on the table and saunter over to Grandpa who is on his mobile in the far corner. I wait until he hangs up before leaning in and whispering in his ear, “Fate has come to play again, Grandpa,” my eyes are huge as I step back.
“That makes an old man like me very happy Ginny. Now let me see what fate looks like these days,” Grandpa offers before turning abruptly on me and walking out of the boardroom, through the security door and straight into the waiting room to meet Hunter and hopefully the other IT company. I cringe at his directness.
I distract myself from his antics, grabbing some mineral water and finding my chair, sorting my space out, trying desperately hard not to listen to the laughter and loud murmuring happening out there.
The warning bell sounds through the PA system on the executive floor, heralding the start of the meeting and our nine other board members find their seats.
The door behind me swooshes open and Grandpa strides in looking like he just ate the canary, the joy on his face is infectious and everyone around the table starts laughing.
“Oh Mansueto, what have you done?” Valentino, Grandpa’s oldest friend and one of our longest serving board members, questions.
“Hush, all in good time!” he laughs heartily, his eyes still twinkling in his mischief. He sits next to me, before leaning into the centre table buzzer, calling for Sara, “Hello my dear, could you please arrange refreshments for us old people and also ask John to make his way up from his meeting with HR, before he leaves?”
“Of course Sir,” Sara’s tinny and very professional voice rings out.
“Okay, just a small change of plans. We will have to recommence our board meeting in fifteen minutes. And before you all start with the silly notion that I have retired, we actually haven’t got to that listed agenda item, so technically I am still driving this bus. Hold on, cause my parting surprise is, well, fate inspired,” he offers the waiting crowd, his hands gesticulating his Italian passion and heritage. But to me, he winks and in doing so, my heart drops to my stomach wondering what is going to happen next.
It is only minutes later that John walks in looking flustered, but that is nothing new. Awkwardness seeps from this man. It’s why we have him heading up our IT department and not the marketing team. I watch him walking past me, without making eye contact which is very, very strange.
“John,” grandpa croons, “please take a seat, unless of course, you feel better standing?”
John closes his eyes and shakes his head, waving his arms in front of him. Seems like he is happy standing.
The doors behind us swish open again and Ian, our inhouse lawyer walks in along with two security guards.
“Now we have everyone gathered, I wish this next part was unnecessary, but alas no. Verginius most particularly, along with Bellafonte as a company, has been under a constant barrage of online and personal stalking for quite some time now. An incredible invasion of privacy, an annoyance and a waste of considerable time and money. It has caused my sweet girl a lot of stress. Look at the bags under her pretty eyes!” grandpa sweeps his arm at me. My face flushes in embarrassment but everyone around me looks at me sympathetically as they offer a few soothing words, Mary next to me even rubs my arm.
I roll my eyes at all of them. Growing up with these people has been a blessing and a freaking curse. Most of them still struggle to remember that I am no longer a skinny tween, but family is family. I wave my hands at Grandpa hoping he continues his tale.
“My Ginny and I have been looking at our options behind the scenes, cause we didn’t believe that two plus two was adding up. And it seems we did well to not include our John here. Now John has been with us only a couple of years, but still, we have treated him like family, have we not?” Grandpa asks the table.
Everyone nods their agreement, I turn to glare at him instead, seeing it painfully clearly now. My only question is why?
“John played us?” Mary asks and everyone gasps. Good god, I swear these people love the drama!
“Correct my dear. So what we are going to do is walk him straight down to the police station and press charges. But I wanted him to see just what the impact of his deception has been. John, please look at Verginius now, in her eyes. You have to see her pain first hand. We are a family here at Bellafonte, and it seems you have been playing some very silly games with some unsavoury people. I hope they have paid you well for your work because I will ensure no-one in this country will ever hire you again, not even to clean the shit off of a subway toilet. Maybe I need to remind you of our heritage. We may no longer speak with an accent, but my Nonna and Pappy, rest in peace, they taught us just how to deal with anyone who crosses our family. And trust me, it burns in my blood. That is all, we are good, off you go,” Grandpa dismisses the four people behind us just as coffee is being served by Sara and her team of assistants.
“So the next thing that I just decided was, oh hang on, Sara love, grab the door please,” Grandpa offers as he waits anxiously. “Hunter my boy, come in now please.”
My eyes flare in alarm before I turn and hiss at him, “What have you done Grandpa?”
“Oh Ginny, your grandpa has a sixth sense for what must be done. You need to start trusting that intuition of yours a little more too. We keep telling you that we will support you no matter what. Bellafonte thrives on good risk in business and in, oh hello…..” Mary’s mouth falls open as Hunter walks into our board meeting and my head drops into my face in embarrassment. Mary is nearly sixty years old!
Honestly, I should be furious at John’s deceit but I suspect Grandpa and I unwittingly sensed something askew with him, hence the reason we didn’t involve him in our cyber investigations.
Grandpa stands up and walks to Hunter with his hand outstretched, ready for a handshake.
“Come on, come on, meet the team. Okay everyone, this is Hunter. He will be our new Head o
f IT, although I have engaged his company. Ian will draft up the formal agreement when he is back from the station, but I have a feeling Hunter knows all about confidentiality and discretion. Now, welcome time,” Grandpa leads him over to the table and all but pushes Hunter into his seat, which used to be my seat.
“Okay, anything else we need to do before I hand the reins over to Verginius?” Grandpa asks a few hours later.
Hunter pulls a face that reflects his astonishment, but it flashes away in a millisecond, faster than light. But I saw it, and for some reason it stings.
The table all leans forward in their enthusiasm before the side door to the boardroom bursts open as a flood of people rush into the room yelling surprise, I startle at the noise and look over to Grandpa who is standing, a massive smile lighting up his face.
"Congratulations Ginny. On behalf of all the staff and board at Bellafonte, we are so very proud of you and I know, myself, that I couldn't have asked for a better person to hand this corporation over to. You make me very, very proud. Now, Sara, get the champagne. Let's toast this very beautiful girl with all the successes in the world!"
I could feel the tears sitting in my eyes at his thoughtful gesture. I look around the room full of our staff even though I feel so overwhelmed.
Sara and her group of helpers, pour out numerous glasses of champagne, and she places a bottle of Verve in front of me. Mary wraps her arm around one of my shoulders and pulls me in for a kiss on my head, "You got this," she whispers before raising her glass. "To Gin!" and a chorus of voices return her cheers, before suddenly it feels like everyone descends on me to pull me in for a hug, or to shake my hand.
I spy Grandpa sitting over the table watching it happen and he raises his glass silently at me in toast.
I am not sure how many bottles are popped, but the happiness of my staff is contagious and despite my nerves, my smile hasn't left my face. Eventually though, people break up into smaller groups or leave to find their way back to their desks. I am speaking with Mary again, when a tap on my shoulder has me turning, before a presence leans behind me closer to Mary, asking for her permission to interrupt.
I twist enough to see that it is Hunter who has garnered my attention and he offers me a very small cautious smile, his dominance asserting itself as he pulls me out of the crowd into a small alcove in the back of the board room. Mary turns and walks over to the other board members who are chuckling and enjoying the impromptu celebration.
"Gigi, I like that we keep bumping into each other. What fortuitous timing. I like that I am here to witness this. Congratulations. By all accounts there is no-one more deserving than you," he raises his glass to clink gently on mine. His eyes never leave my face, his hands twitch at his side.
"Thank you, Hunter. You know you don't need to let Grandpa push you into this position, don't you? He can be a very persuasive man when he wants. I understand that he sprung this on you and honestly, if you feel pressured please don't. I can advertise and find a suitable replacement," I say as I turn my back on the festivities behind me.
Hunter tips his head in confusion of my words.
"Sorry?" he questions me, his good mood seeming to disappear in just a few words.
"If you don't want to be here, I won't keep you," I slow my words down so that he can understand them. I mean, I don't think I am talking Russian.
"I have already accepted the position thank you. You don't think I want to be here?" he speaks with a little bite now and he starts imposing into my personal space. As usual though I let him.
"I didn't say that Hunter, I simply said that Mansueto can be....."
"I can be what Verginius?" my Grandpa interrupts and I take a small step back to let him into our circle. "Now, you two hush up. What is done is done. Stop and listen to each other, you are going to have to work hard at that. Hunter is where he should be. Here." Grandpa speaks low so that only Hunter and I can hear it. "Now Hunter I want you to meet your key staff and Ginny, sweetheart, go drink champagne and celebrate!"
A quick look at Grandpa and I see his determination written over his face, his heartfelt belief that what he just said is gospel. I will probably need another discussion to reach some semblance of agreement but he is right, tonight is not the night for me to start questioning coincidence and timings. I will no doubt spend countless hours psycho-analysing every word and look, Hunter and I shared later, but for now I turn on them both leaving Hunter with Grandpa, wondering what is going to happen next.
I take my time as they chat behind me to mingle with everyone in the room, finding out, unsurprisingly that everyone has been in on the surprise, except me. It is a beautiful gesture made even better when Grandma, Mum, and Aunt Addy walk in, carrying a bunch of beautiful flowers.
They all break into a quick walk once they find me in the boardroom, before enveloping me in even more celebratory hugs and kisses. At which point those tears that have been threatening all day win out and fall down my cheeks. As always their support is endearing.
Most of the staff have left and the Board members stay milling around enjoying Grandpa's last few moments as an official employee at Bellafonte's. We are all sitting around enjoying the late afternoon, watching the sun set.
"Okay, time for dinner. I have made reservations for us all. Please come join my darling Regina and I, along with the rest of our very extended family," Grandpa offers as he stands up. "Hunter you will join us, yes?"
Hunter looks over to me quickly, before he laughs out loud, "Of course, thank you! Let me just make a call." He walks out of the boardroom, like he has been a part of our family for decades. My eyes can’t seem to pull away from him, he has always commanded my attention.
"Ginny," Leah prompts breaking my Hunter obsession, moving in to my line of vision so that I refocus on her, "Caleb can't make dinner, he is held up at work, Matthew will meet you there," she offers quietly, as she starts collecting all the empty bottles and glasses with Sara.
"Leah and Sara, thank you ladies for arranging today. I know you had a hand in it and I appreciate it. Will you join us for dinner?" I ask.
"Do you honestly think we would miss it? No chance, we are coming to enjoy the night with you. We will follow in an Uber though. You go," Leah fusses. "We have cars downstairs waiting for everyone, please, go, enjoy!" she claps as she speaks, dismissing all of us.
Hunter finishes up his call in the waiting room, before I watch my mother walking up and pulling him into a tight hug, that leaves me somewhat perplexed. It looks like a reunion of sorts.
We make it downstairs and are walking towards the cars when I realise for once in my professional life, I have left my briefcase upstairs. Grandpa comes up behind me, when I look over my shoulder and up the expanse of glass, to my office, wondering if I will have time to run up.
"Ginny, one night. Just leave your bag there for one night. Come on tonight is about celebrating new ventures, new relationships and everything in between," he doesn't leave any room for argument and shuffles me into the nearest cars. Pushing me forward so that I am squashed up between the door, Grandma and him, on the soft cream leather, Aunt Addy and Mum opposite us.
"Matthew also called Gin, he is joining us for dinner tonight but will be a little late. Now tell me how clever I was getting Hunter on board," he waggles his goddamn eyebrows at me. I want to be angry, I am but at the same time that's the thing about life sometimes. Things happen, for good or for bad. All I have learned is that sometimes you just have to let it happen.
I wangle out of his arm, grabbing a small bottle of mineral water and listen to Grandpa recalling the surprise and events of our board meeting to Mum, Aunt Addy and Grandma. Aunt Addy kicks my feet when the talk turns to Hunter. But I pretend not to notice, instead, I turn to stare out of the window, relaxing as the bubbles from the champagne distract me from any lingering negative thoughts listening to their happy chatter and gossip.
As we pull up to the curb, I notice the other cars already there and waiting, the cool night air seei
ng everyone jiggling from one foot to the other. I am just climbing out after Grandma when I spy Hunter off to the side looking suspiciously like he is waiting for someone. As my other foot alights out of the car I notice what it is he is waiting for. A beautiful fucking woman.
All the happy bubbles from my champagne evaporate in that moment and a smouldering, burning feeling replaces it. It only takes me a second to catch up to recognise my own jealousy, surprising me by its intensity. I turn on the spot before anyone else can see my nasty green eyes, leaning back into the car taking the time while I thank our driver, to calm myself. I have no claim on Hunter it seems, despite fates lingering hand and our interesting drink at Hartley’s just nights ago. I am not terribly surprised though, the man looks and acts like god's gift to women.
After closing the door, I look at everyone again with a giant smile on my face and then I wrap my arm in Grandpa's elbow as he does to Grandma and we make our way into my favourite restaurant.
Of course, the Chef is ecstatic that the Bellafonte team are all here, although the sheer amount of food that he keeps delivering to our table, presented in his usual exuberance, confirms that this night has been planned for a little while. The wine and chatter around the table is full of good cheer and laughter and despite the gorgeous woman sitting next to Hunter, who has not stopped talking intently with him, it is a wonderful night.
Dinner is just about served when Matthew rushes in, looking absolutely dapper in his black suit, a crisp white shirt hugging his chest firmly. The small earpiece is the only evidence that he is security. Everyone around the table knows Matthew, not Hunter though and his eyes narrow as Matthew walks, watching as he takes the time to greet everyone on his way over to me. Matthew leans over my seat, once he knows he has my attention as well as everyone else's, and swoops down low to put an unfriendly, friendly kiss on my lips, whispering his congratulations. He leans in further to my ear on the opposite side and murmurs slowly, making me blush, "Sorry I was late honey, I had to go see Caleb at work quickly. The man is insatiable. But we have both agreed that it's time for a little more fun in your life," he pulled back, a wicked grin spread on his face before leaning in to kiss me again.
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