“You know we were invited to your brother Vincent’s birthday next Friday. He still thinks of us. Are you going?” Dottie asked.
I shot a questioning glance at Jonas, and then looked away.
“I didn’t realize…No. I’ll be working,” Jonas responded quietly.
“Well, then I bet a lot of people will be disappointed,” Phil said.
David stepped forward on cue. “The car is ready, Mr. Crane.”
“Please agree to come for dinner tonight. I’m making paella.” Dottie tried again.
“You mean you’ll have a chef deliver paella,” Jonas said, correcting her, and they laughed. “We’ll see you soon? Or do you need a lift to your office?”
Phil grinned. “Splendid idea.”
Jonas shook his head a little. “I should make you take a taxi. Good to see you, Dottie.” He gave her a light kiss on the cheek, and we all moved out to the sidewalk. A gust of air hit me, immediately heating my skin, and I gratefully climbed in the open door of the estate car David held ajar for us.
Once Phil said a quick goodbye to his family, he climbed in the car and settled in next to Jonas. I sat on the seat close to the window as they launched into a discussion about the business. I nodded and listened while staring out at the beautiful pastel stucco structures intermixed with the new buildings. We arrived at a white glass building with a row of miniature palm trees lining the front and a white and chrome stylized sign that read ‘KeaNEXTech.’
“I’d like a quick word with my assistant. I’ll see you inside,” Jonas said to Phil, who grinned at me and climbed out.
“Vincent’s party?” I asked.
He blew out a breath. “I wasn’t aware or invited to the party.”
I curled my lips. “He didn’t invite you? We’ll we wouldn’t go to his party anyway.”
Jonas suppressed a grin. “No more of that. Please, focus on what we have to do today. Keep yourself together, and follow my lead. Understood?”
I stared up at him and, wow, was he good-looking. “Yes, Mr. Crane.”
He kissed the end of my nose. “Stop that look too.”
“And what am I saying right now?” I asked and blanked my face.
“You’re saying ‘trust me.’ I do, but this is one of those times I expect you to follow,” he said.
I almost choked. “When are the times I’m not expected to follow?” Jonas pointed his chin as his answer.
We exited the car and I fell into step next to him as we entered the building. Once inside, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was in an office or an upscale playroom. There was an oversized sign for ‘KeanexTech,’ and the ‘Orion App’ prominently on display, along with a few colorful custom couches that stood out against the white polished lobby. But what got me salivating, besides the smoothie machine, were the circa 1980–2000 game machines in the lobby, where a few people were dressed in pajamas.
Oh, Phil. Can Mary and I work here?
Jonas sighed and leaned over my ear. “Poker face, Lily. Or I’ll have David pick you up now.”
I pursed my lips, but sucked in my cheeks and lifted my chin.
Jonas suppressed a laugh and shook his head, then put on a real poker face. It was all stiff and business and practically chilled the air around us. I even noticed the pajama clad workers leaving the games, as the only one in a shirt and tie approached us. “Mr. Crane. I’m Dex, and I’ll be your personal escort for the day. I’ll be right with you for your entire visit. I just want to send out a quick text letting everyone know I won’t be down in reception.”
Jonas motioned to me. “I brought my assistant. I don’t need an escort.”
Dex looked perplexed. “I was told to be your escort. If you…and?”
“Ms. Salomé,” Jonas responded, and I nodded.
“I must insist,” Dex replied.
Jonas looked as if Dex was see-through and walked off toward a glass elevator while I fell into his pace. Poor Dex continued to mosquito buzz by the elevator. When we climbed in, the energy around Jonas killed his advance and we watched him stare at us as the door closed.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“I made it clear the last time I didn’t need an escort, but Phil insisted. Having you here I had hoped would stop the unnecessary use of his staff to take me around what I can find easily on my own. I detest the fuss,” Jonas explained.
The elevator doors opened and I marveled at the floating stations around us. We walked over to the large glass room along the center. I could see Phil already seated, along with a few other men and women in suits.
Jonas turned to me. “They’re waiting for me. This won’t take long, and you’ll be in for the next presentations.”
Dex appeared, a bit out of breath, having clearly taken the stairs. “I’ll set her up, Mr. Crane, sir.”
Jonas clenched his jaw and walked past him into the room. We both stared as everyone stood and walked over to Jonas, who held up his hand and took the seat at the head.
The king has arrived.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?” Dex was saying.
I glanced at the room and was surprised when the glass frosted over. “Lily,” I blushed. “Uhm…sorry?”
He laughed and put his hands on his hips. “You’re good.” Then his eyes wandered back to the room Jonas had just entered. “The legend continues. I should be honored. I got a bite from Jonas Crane, and I survived. He must be in a good mood,” he said, then looked at me and clamped his mouth shut.
“Oh I don’t know. I just started,” I said, my stomach churning.
He grinned at me. “Well, take a load off, lady. At least take the breaks you can. In fact…” he paused dramatically and pressed his finger to his lips. “You look like a smoothie lady. What would you have?”
Enthusiasm crept in my mind and my face, and then I remembered I was supposed to be professional. I shook my head. “I’m to wait here.”
“You’ll be waiting for an hour and a half. Blame it on me. I’ll be the martyr. Come on, a drink before being trapped in boredom for the rest of the morning and early afternoon? That’s the motto around here at KeanexTech: we get the job done and we have fun. So come on.”
I glanced at the door, hesitant at first, but then I followed Dex, though I knew I would blame myself if it turned out I was needed and absent. I wouldn’t want to get Dex in trouble.
We went down a floor and over to one of the rows of floating stations, where a woman was working on her computer next to a corgi sleeping on a dog bed.
Dex introduced me with a theatrical wave of his hands. “This is Lily, Mr. Crane’s assistant. She’s my cool new friend,” he said, loud enough for others around to hear. And suddenly, everything became like a scene out of the Wizard of Oz, as I was surrounded by people I’d never otherwise met. “Wow, with Jonas Crane? What is he like?”
I shrugged. “I’m new.”
“You know Lily signed a billion confidentiality agreements,” Dex said.
“Lily, would you come over and look at what I’m doing?” a woman named Fran said. I was tugged over to see a game. “Pretty cool, right? This is what we’re working on.”
Even the corgi pushed his head into my hands, seeming anxious to be around me. I found myself petting him.
“Oh, can we keep you?” Dex said.
The place was easy and relaxed, even more so than Arch, and everything seemed to run smooth. No matter where I stopped with Dex, there were workers testing, designing, or discussing the ongoing projects at the company. I couldn’t understand why Jonas was dreading coming here.
“I promised a smoothie, and you will be in heaven after one of these,” Dex said as we walked into a café that would rival some of the fancy coffee houses in the West Village. Dex pointed to a small group gathered at one of the longer center tables.
“I’ll bring the drinks. Go join them. They’re good people.”
I nodded and walked slowly but confidently over to the ‘cool’ table.
�
�Got my resume ready. The shark is in and Jonas Crane doesn’t nibble, he devours,” I overheard.
“He could devour me anytime,” someone said. They all laughed.
“I’m serious. He guts and disposes, he doesn’t build. He demolishes. That’s what’s made him rich, the motherfucker. He couldn’t give a damn about how well we did last quarter.”
“He flew in on a private jet for an afternoon meeting? Tell us who’s wasteful.”
“He’s a billionaire and we cost his shoe budget, but he’s too selfish to see what we have to offer. I mean, come on, he put his own mother in a home. Think he’d blink about closing us down?”
My stomach dropped and my blood ran cold as I listened to them continue to badmouth Jonas. Was he here to close this place?
“Hey. Where you going?” Dex said from behind me. “I was serious, they’re good.” I hadn’t realized I had walked over toward the door. I followed him back to the group, sitting silently as he gave the same spiel from earlier. “This is Lily. She’s Mr. Crane’s assistant. She’s also my new friend. So give her a KeanexTech welcome.”
Some of them went red, and some averted their eyes. No warm KeanexTech welcome this time, and I didn’t have one to give back.
I turned to Dex. “I probably should go over my notes and see if Mr. Crane needs me.” Dex looked questioningly at his colleagues, but handed me the smoothie. “I’ll escort you…”
I shook my head. “Not necessary.”
“Well, at least let me show you to Phil’s office. Mr. Crane can use that one, as it has everything. It’s also a great place to hide out.” He laughed and the rest of the table made a sound that seemed close enough to a laugh for him. As it was, I made the faux laughter sound too, before following Dex out of the café. He led us back up to the third floor and down a corridor, where he pressed a button and the glass slid back and opened to what looked like a large suite with the same modern furnishings and game-centric décor as the rest of the place.
“I’ll come get you in about twenty minutes. Sorry for whatever happened back there.” He had an urgent energy about him, as if he wanted to leave but thought he might need to stay.
I plastered on a smile. “I’m fine.” I took out my phone and held it up. “I’ll just check my messages.”
His shoulders relaxed a little. “Cool, see you soon.”
I let go of the breath I was holding when the door closed, then looked through my phone for a distraction from the negative thoughts that were starting to plague my mind. I was happy to find one from Mary.
BIpIv’a’ Tigress Lily!
I covered my mouth and laughed. Klingon for ‘Are you healthy?’
I smiled wistfully as I read the rest of her message.
Can’t wait to see you. Tell Jonas thanks again for the ticket.
I touched my lips. Jonas hadn’t mentioned anything about a ticket to me, which explained her next text:
Ooops! It was a surprise. Uhm. Errr. Sorry lmao!
I giggled and quickly wrote a message back.
jIpIv. bIpIv'a! I am doing well. So happy you slipped up and told me! When are you coming? I can’t wait to see you. Love you MB
She wrote back.
We’re lining up to board my flight now.
My eyes widened and I quickly dialed her number.
“Mary. We’re in Miami,” I blurted out when she picked up the phone.
“Oh really? I thought you weren’t going with Jonas to Miami? He mentioned you staying back when I talked to him.” I could hear her hesitate for a minute, and didn’t know what to say. “Shoot,” she continued. “I changed my ticket to an earlier flight, but I couldn’t reach him. And I couldn’t call you, because it was supposed to be a surprise.”
“It’s alright. Jonas is in a meeting right now, so if you could text your flight information I’ll see if I can get someone to pick you up,” I said.
“Uhm okay. I’ll text it now, but I can just hang out until you return.”
Mary chattered on and I laughed internally. I really missed her, and was happy she was coming, though I needed to make sure she was able to get into the apartment. “I’ve got to go.”
“So do I and thank you both. I can’t wait to see you tonight!” Mary said excitedly and hung up.
I chewed my lip. What was I to do now? David was here. Ian? I quickly found him on my contact list and dialed his number. He answered on the first ring.
“You alright?” Ian asked.
I paced. “I am. Well, my friend Mary mixed up her dates for her visit and is on her way to New York, but we are still in Miami…”
“And she needs someone to pick her up and get her to your place,” Ian said filling in the rest. He sighed. “Text me her phone number and flight information. I’ll take care of it from here.”
“Thank you very much,” I replied.
“I’m glad you called. We’ll see you both when you return,” Ian said and hung up. I stared at my phone and waited for Mary to send the text message through so I could forward the information to Ian.
I went back to sipping the smoothie and walked over to the window. Staring out the large windows, I took in the amazing view of the beach and ocean. I imagined Arch could fit Gregor’s office and part of our floor inside of this one office. Phil had quite the setup here in Miami. I settled on a leather desk chair before one of the largest desks I had ever seen. The desk was covered with high-tech computers and office equipment and a digital frame displaying Phil’s family. I sat and watched the images change. Most of them were of Holly at various stages in her young life. A few were of Dottie, and one featured Phil with Jonas. They were in flight suits, in the air.
Jonas and Phil jumped out of a plane together? Another photo was of the Keanes with Dani, Jonas, and a younger Paul on a beach. They were closer than Jonas let on, and I was puzzled as to why he hadn’t mentioned them before today.
Looking around the whole room again, I had to agree with Dex. The office was incredible. In fact, this whole place was incredible. That was until the staff spoke negatively about Jonas. My Jonas. They were cruel.
“Lily,” I looked up to see Phil and Jonas standing there. I met Jonas’s eye and all I wanted to do was put my arms around him.
He smiled at me. “Phil. I’d like to talk to Lily alone for a second.”
“We’ll start the next meeting when you return,” Phil said, lifting his brows and smiling at me before walking out. When the door closed, Jonas held his arms open, and I rushed over and crushed myself against his chest. “What’s wrong, Tiger Lily?” he murmured against my head.
“Please tell me you didn’t come to close this place? Oh, I don’t have a poker face. Phil is so nice and you jumped out of a plane together, and he has a family.” I realized I was rambling, but I couldn’t stop. “I overheard the staff saying things, and I hope it’s not true. Even though they were gossiping. But we all gossip, you know? And Mary is on her way, but Ian is going to pick her up,” I babbled.
Jonas rubbed my back. “Mary is on her way? She’s early, but that’s fine. Good that you called Ian. He’ll take care of it.” He looked at me for a moment, and then sighed. “Taking you to KeanexTech was a bad idea, but it’s too late now. I need you to pull yourself together for me. No sad face. Put back on the funny, stern expression you came up with for me earlier. Can you do that?”
I took a deep breath and nodded, though my stomach twisted.
He pulled back and held me at arm’s length so he could study me. Once I put on my best stern face, he chuckled and kissed my temple. “You’re a delight. Come on, they’re waiting for us.”
I straightened my shoulders and took out my notepad and the folder he gave me and we walked out of the office and over to the boardroom. Once inside, Phil motioned for me to take a seat in what appeared to be Assistant Row, a row of seats with women and men holding iPads. My heart swelled in admiration as Jonas made a point of connecting with all staff that came in the room. Some I hadn’t seen from other floors c
ame shaking his hands and gushing over him. Jonas even came over to Assistant’s Row and greeted us. I couldn’t hide my smile.
When he was done, he sat down at the head of the large conference table with Phil on his right. They then went around the table introducing themselves, and I wrote down all attendees.
A man with microphone headgear took the front stage of the room and everyone quieted down as he started the presentation.
“KeanexTech was started in 2010. A brain child of Phil Keane, with the backing of Crane Holdings, it took form in 2013…” A large screen lowered and lit, thus beginning the presentation.
It went on for almost two hours, ending with the projected profits for the next quarter and plans for 2016 and beyond. At the conclusion, there was a round of applause. Jonas stood and more chatter erupted, until finally the room emptied.
“Lily, come take a seat,” Jonas said.
I glanced at Jonas and Phil, then sat down at the large conference table with my notebook poised.
Phil sat down at the table across from us. “Okay. Now that you’ve seen everything…”
“My decision stands. This is our plan,” Jonas said, handing a leather-bound folder over to him.
“And as I told you, our contract has a clause that allows a four-month extension. I’m asking you to extend it for an old friend,” Phil said.
“No,” Jonas replied.
Phil dropped the folder on the table and gave Jonas a tight-lipped smile. “So you came down here to bring me this? I seem to recall KeanexTech bringing in twice the projected revenue for Crane four years ago.”
“Four years ago. Nothing you showed me today proved this company is worth further investment by Crane Holdings,” Jonas said.
“Your father would have—” Phil interjected.
“My father would have stayed at your house, ate your food, tried to have sex with Dottie, and given you the same answer,” Jonas replied crisply. He stood and held out his hand.
“You’re just as miserable as Mathias. Why did I think you would be different? After all the years of friendship, you can just brush off me and my family like that? Good luck,” he said, shaking Jonas’s hand, despite the sour look on his face.
Tiger Lily: Part Three Page 12