Chapter 4. Flashback II

Rafe

"I have talked with nearby localities and collected general information about the area and my analysis says that it would be profitable for both of us. . ."

I crossed my legs, leaned back on my leather chair, causing it to stretch back further.

The person who was addressing us right now was the representative of a construction company, interested in working with us. He was explaining his proposal with the help of power point slides.

I was sitting in a large conference room at my office. It had a large oval-shaped glass table, surrounded by chairs.

Father was here too with his few board members. In his presence I couldn't even crane my neck because he would think I was not giving my full attention. I needed to at least pretend through occasionally nodding my head at the presenter (whatever his name was). He was also stopping his gaze on me after every few minutes. Obviously he knew who I was. I was an important person in this construction company. I was the son of my father.

Uh-oh. Bad way to introduce myself.

I am--

Someone's phone's ringtone started echoing in the room. That presenter stopped talking.

I changed my sitting position, uncrossed my legs and looked here and there. Other people in the meeting room did the same, trying to find out who was the disruptor. I got furious, scowling each and every person sitting here. They were supposed to keep their devices on silent. I think now I have to teach them the basic rules of office meetings.

What a nuisance!

My father narrowed his eyes at me. I got confused. Then I noticed another pair of eyes on me too. My confusion deepened.

"What?" I mouthed my father.

He clenched his jaws, sighing disappointingly with a closed mouth.

The phone continued to ring in the background. I took a minute to think and that's when I realized something was buzzing in my back pocket. My pupils enlarged.

God, it's my own phone.

I bit my lower lip between my teeth in utter embarrassment then quickly tilted my posture a little and tried to pull out my device, but damn my cursed luck, I couldn't grab it and it fell on the floor under the table.

Panic, my fingers started shaking. I glimpsed at Father. His nostrils were flaring. He was near to explode. I bent down under the table and searched for my phone.

Damn you clamorous phone, just shut up for a second.

Thankfully, it stopped ringing after a few rings or I would rather say shouting. I picked it from the floor and sat up on my chair again. "I'm really sorry for this." I smiled stupidly as if it could cover up my lost state.

I didn't know it was my phone. How moronic.

I looked at the presenter, "You carry on." I adjusted my tie and tried to act cool. Suppressed mocking smiles on everyone's face tinted my cheeks with tomato red.

"I was talking about operating costs that will incur from. . ." I sighed in relief when the meeting resumed. Office members turned their heads towards the presenter.

I got my time to normalize my thumping heartbeat. Father would give me a good scold after this meeting.

"Blue prints show we'll be able to save around--" My phone began ringing again.

These stupid phones! I'm going to destroy it after this meeting.

I cursed, avoided Father's gaze, but I knew it was on me, shooting daggers. I checked the impatient caller.

Fay's name was flashing. I grunted lowly. Of course who else could be this eager!

I tapped on the red button and said aloud, "I'm sorry I guess I have to take this call. I take my leave."

I rose on my feet and flew out of that embarrassing situation. I gave a reason to the company's staff to pull my leg. I was the future CEO of this company, for goodness's sake.

If I would be just less panicky and use some brains and put the phone on silent...I irked at my own self.

"Meet me and I'll kill you." I burst as soon as I put the device on my ear.

"Woah, You're sounding as if you're about to blow up."

"I am." I gritted. Fay was my female friend, daughter of Howards who was our close business partner.

A girl whose girlish talks annoyed me at times, but still I liked her. She was my one and only closest female friend because of her special attributes I couldn't find in anyone else around me.

"Why?"

Look at her, acting so innocent.

"I was in a meeting, Fay. Your sudden phone call messed it up."

She giggled. I got angrier. "You should keep your phone on silent."

Right. She should do that too, making monkeys out of me.

"Thanks for the advice." I said rudely, "Now will you spill what is so urgent that you couldn't wait?"

"I want to tell you the biggest and happiest news ever, Rafe. Let's meet, please. I can't wait." Her voice sharpened with excitement. I could imagine her jumping up and down.

Her full name was Freya. I called her Fay like she called me Rafe when my full name was Rafael. People usually close to me call me with the same name, but I don't think it was the same with Freya. I was the only one who called her Fay.

"Tell me right now." I got curious.

"No. Face to face. I can't miss your reaction."

"Are you for real, Miss Howard? Your call embarrassed me in front of board members. Father is going to lecture me about this and here you're not even telling me the news? I should gain something from it. Spill it out this moment."

"Nah. Suspense is good too." She teased.

I pouted in defeat, "Fine. I'll see you tonight."

I remembered I had dinner plans with Monica today; my girlfriend Monica. But I guess I had to cancel it because I was curious about what Fay was hiding. It must be something special. I could detect it through her behavior.

"Aww, my baby. You'll pay the bills. My credit cards are blocked."

"You again fought with your mother." I stated the obvious.

She definitely got on her nerves and then eventually received her usual punishment. It happens often.

"I didn't do anything."

I laughed, "That's the problem. Your Mother wants you to do something." Like joining their office for instance, but she won't.

One of her attributes that brought us close was the strict, materialistic nature of our families. Our thoughts were very similar on this topic.

"Hmm."

I guess I had to cheer up her mood too, so I should see her after office hours.

"Anyways I should return to the meeting. Father would be going crazy. I'll see you." I ended the call afterwards, turned my phone on silent mode this time very carefully and then pocketed it.

I would keep my phone in my office room from now before going to any meeting.

So stupid of me.