David’s POV.
“That’s right, Charlie!” I yelp, clapping my hands for my assistant as he presents the report in slides using the projector to the board members.
I kept clapping and hooting for Charlie not knowing everyone was already staring wide-eye at me.
“Exactly. And that happened just about last month.” I chirped again, but I directed the words to the board members.
They have this weird look on their faces as if I’m wearing the back of my shirt.
Mindlessly, I turn and look back at Charlie who equally looks lost. Stunned.
No, Charlie is looking at me like I have grown two heads.
Well of course I didn’t get it at first but it takes me hours into the meeting to figure out I was acting unlike me today.
I toss my eyes around and… yup, everyone at the table isn’t invested in the report but in me.
Why?
Oh, maybe you were acting way too off today, my mind tells me.
In my mind’s eye, I begin to wonder what I did today that seemed a little too off.
Hell, I see nothing. I continue encouraging Charlie, nodding at everything he says and clapping.
The instant Charlie makes the last statement, I jump on my feet and jam my hands together.
“Yes…yes…I mean…” Oops, everyone’s eyes are pinned on me and it’s only now that I realize how awkward I’ve been acting. My mouth hangs open and the last word I want to say escapes in a low whistle. “Yes?”
Ahem!
Mr. Mayfield one of the boards of directors clears his throat. I turn and stare at the old man who adjusts his hands over the table and says,
“Uh, Mr. CEO, you’re acting way too clumsily this morning…Far different from the cold and detached man you used to me.”
“Yes, I must agree.” Mr. Nazari seconds.
Oh, well. I blow out a breath as I tug my shirt together.
“Nothing. I’m just happy the presentation went well, is all.” I croak out.
“Happy about the presentation or about something else?” Ms. Edna asks.
Then, I realize I’m way too happy this morning.
I think of what can be the cause but it’s only one thing rings in my head.
My love for Vera.
Fuck. Confessing my feelings for her last night lifted a weight off my shoulders.
But the sweetest part? The fact she equally loves me back.
I swear I loved Helen when we were together but with Vera, it’s way more.
I’ve never loved a woman the way I fucking love my girl. She makes me happy on every level.
I know that this dirty relationship is one I’ll never get out of once I’m in it and trust me, I have no plan to. That’s because I know no other woman out there will give me what I want.
While I’m dreamily picturing Vera and I in my mind’s eye, my gaze mistakenly drops lower, and oops…
Everyone’s mouth is hanging open.
“There seems to be a woman in the picture, is that right, Mr. Truman?” Mr. Nazari tweaks, quirking his brows.
“I think so too.”
“Men only act in such a way when they find a woman they’re in love with.”
Surprisingly, my board members go into discussing me as if I’m not there with them.
“What?” I blurt, taking my seat instantly.
Yes, I love Vera. Yes, she knows I’m so crazily in love with her. Yes, I’d want the whole world to know about what I so damn feel, but I still don’t want to make it known to the public for obvious reasons.
“But you’re clearly acting like a man in love.” Ms. Edna chimes in.
“Oh, Mr. Truman, do tell us who the lucky woman is now?”
“Yes, tell us, Mr. Truman.”
All my board members begin chirping, watching me in anticipation of the news.
Fuck no, I ain’t doing this. Not with them.
One spill of Vera’s name and the media will sure as hell know about it and poof! Vera will be everywhere online. That’ll bring the men closer to her which I don’t want.
“It’s not, my people. I’m just happy Truman empire is making more momentum in the automobile market.” I quickly cover up with business-related news.
I beckon Charlie closer and he inches toward me, handing me the file that contains the news.
“Just this morning, I came and was greeted with news that our empire is making waves, and we sold about three hundred cars in Asia. One million in Latin America…”
“Oh, that’s been our base for years.” Ms. Edna says, smiling.
“Yes, exactly, Ms. Edna.” I nod at her words. “And in Africa, particularly in the Southern parts, we boomed with the sale of more than five hundred cars.”
At that, the board members begin clapping, an ovation that has me giggling.
“I’m truly grateful,” I comment.
The board members all laugh and smile with me, sharing in my joy but only I know what is truly exciting me.
Moments later, Charlie and I rush down the elevator after dismissing the meeting.
I can see the questioning look on his face when he sees me smiling but I don’t bother explaining.
Vera challenged me this morning about my cooking skills and I want to surprise her.
Trust me, I’ve not been in the kitchen since I can remember. I only did it this morning and that was for me to boil a cup of tea for Vera. But I have this urge to impress her. So I’m gonna be a chef today.
“…and by 2 pm you’ll move to Encantado for your private meeting with congressmen…”
I didn’t even know Charlie had been rattling on about my unending schedule, only when he crashed into me after I paused did I realize that.
Turning to Charlie, I say. “Cancel all the meetings!”
His eyes bulge at my words. “But Mr. Truman, we’re far behind in signing the contract with the Encantado…”
“Charlie, I said cancel all the meetings!” I drag the words out one after the other.
Charlie looks confused but he quickly recovers and nods slowly. “Al…right, Mr. Truman.” He stutters, clearly stunned.
“Great!” I hum, smirking as I trot away.
I take the elevator and arrive at the down floor where I bring out my phone and call Irene.
“Irene?”
“Sir?” She sing-songs.
I understand the woman is confused because I don’t usually call her for anything.
“Great. I’d need you to meet me at Whales grocery store.”
“Why sir?” She asks, perturbed.
“Oh, woman. It’s about time I learned how to cook. Meet me there in twenty.”
Irene didn’t finish her sentence when I ended the call.
I prance to where my driver is and grab the keys from him, driving myself to the local store.
Irene arrives just as I do and we both launch into the store. Irene holds the cart while I access the shelves.
“I need a cookbook.”
Irene’s face is red as she argues, “Sir, men like you shouldn’t be in the kitchen.”
I chuckle. “Trust me, Irene. I’m dying to do this.”
I throw my gaze away and start checking the shelf as I say over my shoulder to Irene.
“I want to make, Pasta, basil chicken, tiramisu, and some homemade juice, tell me the right ingredients to use.”
“Oh, my…” She swallows and we go into the business of filling our cart with all the right ingredients.
It seemed like forever by the time we finished shopping but it was only two hours.
Irene gets the best cookbook for me and we hurry to the counter and pay.
While I’m about to drive away Irene says, “I hope it turns out great.”
I chuckle as I drive away. That same minute I stop in front of a Prada store and order sexy outfits for Vera and then I give them her company’s address where they’ll deliver it.
I write a short sentence, “Date night with daddy. Look sexy for me, baby.” And I put it in the bag before they leave to deliver it.
Lastly, I drive to Nathan’s company.
Shooting into his office, I boom. “Nathan, I want to book your whole restaurant for the night.”
Nathan gazes up at me and chirps, “What? You’re going on a date?”
“Not just that, I’m handling the kitchen…” I say it so confidently as Nathan watches me with wide eyes.
To be continued…