“Yes, we can mold them into what we want and need them to be skills-wise. And our trainees will learn from the best minds in business consulting,” Mother chimes in, giving me an encouraging nod.
My heart leaps.
It’s the very first time that she and I have worked in such a perfect synergy on a proposal, and it’s a pretty nice feeling indeed. I’m almost sorry that now, when our collaboration has turned so agreeable, she’ll be retreating from AMEA. Though, I understand that she wants to dedicate more time to her private life. Which, in itself, is a world-shattering novelty for me already.
“So, it’s a win-win to all,” Larry says.
“Indeed.” I nod.
“But, Nathan,” Erica’s doubtful soprano intervenes, “…we all thought your highest aspiration was to become CEO. What changed?”
My eyes meet Mother’s and I see the approving smile tug on her lower lip. She must be curious how I intend to answer this question.
I don’t hesitate for a second. Honesty is my new shiny sword, and I aim to use it whenever I can. “Thanks to certain events in my life, I realized that I prefer to hone some of my abilities before stepping up to lead our company. As the official supervisor of the trainee program, I’ll be able to deepen my mentoring skills. Who knows, I might even like it so much that I’ll prefer to stay in that role in the future too!” I accompany my last phrase with a smirk, so if some of the board members want, they can interpret it as a joke for now.
Even if I didn’t intend it like that. The memory of my last conversation with my father returned to me several times in the past days. I’m eager to test whether my childish dream of teaching is something that could give me the same, or even perhaps more, pleasure than just chasing numbers.
And Alejandro will be one of my first candidates to try it with.
This had been a hard one to get through Mother’s approval. As much as she wanted to help me mend what I’ve destroyed with Eva, she wasn’t happy to take on board someone with a criminal record. But I managed to argue my way and promised to be the boy’s personal mentor to ensure he’s off to a good start in becoming a poster-child for our training program’s success.
“Well, if it is so…” Larry stands up and reaches over the large mahogany table to shake my hand. “I’m happy to accept this honorable duty. And I wish you, Nathan, the best of success with setting up the trainee program.” He grins at me. “You’ll, of course, have all the support from me that you need.”
“Thank you, Larry.”
There’s a knock on the door, and after Mother calls back, Rachel’s head appears.
“Excuse me for the interruption, Ma’am, but Mr. Montgregor asked me to notify him when the, uhm…” She bites her lip, obviously realizing it wouldn’t be appropriate to state my specific request in front of the board. They might wonder why I asked my secretary to monitor Litchfield’s release schedule. Finally she continues, “…the package he ordered was sent out.”
Mother arches a brow at me, but I’m already on my feet. I clear my throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, excuse me for stepping out this rashly from this important discussion. I believe, however, that we’ve addressed the most crucial points on the agenda, right?”
Mother nods. “No problem, Nathan. This package is an urgent matter, we won’t keep you from it.”
I bolt to the door and when we are in the corridor, I ask Rachel, “So Alejandro Flores was released?”
“Yes, this morning. He should be on his way home. I was given the information that he got picked up by his sister.”
I sigh. “Good. Please call Cathy’s florist shop and make her put together a bouquet that implies, “Congratulation for your new job.” Okay? I’ve already written the card, and it’s on your desk. Make sure they deliver it with the flowers.”
“Certainly, sir.”
“And, Rachel, did you check on the progress of the school?”
“Yes, I did. I already have the keys, too. Though, the rooms have been freshly painted, so they wanted to wait an extra day to let everything dry.”
“Perfect, thank you, Rachel, for taking care of everything so diligently.”
Rachel blushes and smiles. “Of course, sir.”
As we reach the elevator, I let Rachel take it alone and decide to use the stairs. My body is humming with a parade of emotions, and I need some physical movement to ensure I won’t explode. The anticipatory excitement is just too much to bear.
I didn’t know today was going to be the day. But it is. If I know Eva well enough, and I hope I do, she won’t be able to wait after she sees the flowers. She will have to come to me.
And I need to be ready when she does.
Chapter 37
(Eva - One week after the ball)
“Alejandrito!” Abuelita exclaims and pulls my brother into the tightest embrace, just as we step inside our house.
Her vigorous gesture confutes the common belief that people past seventy start to lose their grit. My grandmother, in particular, certainly has much zeal left in her. She might have swollen ankles and arthritis, but when her grandchildren need her, she demonstrates inexhaustible energies.
No one knows this better than I do.
Abuelita has been my champion these past days for sure. While I’ve been walking around like a living-dead with a hollow in place of my heart, she kept everything together. Shame grips my stomach as I remember how she even called to excuse me from work for the whole week, claiming I’d gotten sick from eating her chimichurri—as if that could ever happen. She let me sit around in my sweatpants, cooked my favorite dishes, and took care that Juan or Espie never pronounced
