You Will Be There
I want a lot of media attention for Damian's appointment at Winfield & Co. Everyone should be able to follow their progress in the business world, see where Danner's company is now and to what height Damian will progress. “Kaylah, all business magazine editors must attend Damian's appointment tonight. The protocol of transfer is signed immediately, and I want the event published on all print and online economic pages. Damian is going to surprise friend and foe and I want it recorded.”
She frowns but says nothing.
I know she is thinking about the moment of her own appointment later. "It's okay Loraine, I was already working on the protocol, the legal department has yet to review it and send it back," she replies. “And the contract is almost finished. Index his wages too, did you say?” she asks to be sure. “Send it to me when the department has it ready. I also want a big bonus for high profits in categories”, I let her know. Now she frowns, looks at me strangely.
“Uhm, when did your generous mood come up? Categorizing profits has always been your problem and now you're offering it to Damian?” she asks. “Once you've signed, there's no going back. So, think carefully.” I look at her skeptically from head to toe, this woman has forgotten that a few months ago she was thrown a month's salary out of the blue. And always accusing me of being stingy. With my head in the air, I walk past her to my desk to catch up on some overdue work.
As a team we arrive at Winfield & Co. I am flanked by Aziel and Damian, while Kaylah is also there for the press photos. Together we step inside and walk straight to the conference room where the staff is already waiting for us. I walk past each one, give them a handshake and then disinfect my hand. Then I sit at the head of the table with the acting director and his secretary to my left and my own people to my right. The press has a separate sitting area.
I kindly look around at the Windrug staff, I already know many of them, but there are still a few unfamiliar faces among them. “Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, I am the authorized representative of this company and have made a preliminary injunction to ensure its progress. But now the time has come to appoint a permanent leadership in the person of my top staffer Damian. He is the best man for this post, he will prove his worth. I advise the press to keep an eye on him, to follow his actions closely.”
I pause to let my words sink in. “In five years, I will invite everyone here again to continue this conversation. Damian will then grace the leading business magazines and win the award of most promising manager”. There is applause, Damian looks at me gratefully.
In the further official part of the transfer of the leadership, in his introduction speech, my good friend thanks me for the trust I have in him and promises not to disappoint me. The signings take place and we toast with an expensive glass of wine. Damian is the star of the evening, while Aziel, Kaylah and I keep in the background.
Deliberately avoiding a press conference, I know the questions will be more focused on Danner's arrest and my relationship with Dordrich and I'm trying to dodge that now. I'm sure Danner is following everything on tv in prison right now and I don't want to hurt his feelings any further. When attention has shifted to other matters, I go to him. Whatever may have happened, he was my partner for years and we were also engaged. But for now, we’re going to postpone the media attention for his case.
After dinner at Winfield & Co we go back to my company where our private vehicles are still in the parking lot. “I'll take you home, Loraine, you can leave your car here”, Aziel offers. But that just doesn't serve me right now, I want to stay in the West Village penthouse tonight. Aziel looks at me sternly, I sigh and give in. We drive in silence to my house and Aziel parks his car in my garage. As we enter my house, I walk straight to the bedroom while Aziel pours herself a drink. I quickly take a bath and put on my pajamas.
Back in the living room, I see that Aziel has made himself comfortable on the couch with the television on. So, no private evening for me today. I lie with my head on his lap and scroll on my phone the online articles about our event at Winfield & Co. Damian's portrait can be seen everywhere, my words are also neatly quoted.
“Aziel, I have so much faith in Damian. I already felt guilty that I kept him in Windrug&So when I know that he has much higher capacities. It was like he was stuck. Just like you, by the way.” I look straight at him, a flash goes through his eyes but it doesn't last long. “You made a great move to slide him to that position. Damian loves challenges and this is a perfect time,” he responds.
"And you? Will you one day also go to your final destination?” I ask him with a bun in my throat. The idea of having Aziel far away and not being so cozy with him anymore makes my stomach turn. I have to prepare that one day he will want to have a family of his own and thus pursue a bigger career. Holding him without prospects is selfish.
“You know, you should start your own family sometime. I take up too much of your time, lean on you too often while you have to move on with your life," I tell him.
“Don't worry about that. When I start my family, you will be there too. I am always near you, fear not, Loraine.”
Strange answer. But I don't want to hear the explanation either...
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