Page 69 of Call Me Sir

Yet my stomach sinks and it’s hard to breathe.

Can everyone tell?

“It’s nice to meet you all,” he says, and it’s tense for a minute.

“Please, have a seat. Someone will be in to bring water and a food tray soon.”

My father reaches over to me and I flinch! He laughs it off and his white wrinkly hand hangs in the air.

Why is he so pale? Has he not been in the sun? We’re in California for God’s sake.

My body automatically accepts the gesture and his hand is warm and sweaty.

Is he… nervous?

I smile and gesture for him to sit, resisting the urge to wipe my hand on my pants.

We both sit across from each other and I gesture to my team, introducing them one at a time.

Julio brings in bottles of water and cans of some sparkling drink along with a cheese and cookie tray.

It’s quite sad given that this is one of the many important faces running the biggest event centers in the city.

Then again, our company isn’t usually involved with events.

“So, what can your team offer that someone else can’t?”

I’m so unprepared for this whole meeting. I should have a presentation.

Kahlid comes to my rescue. “Influencers are the way of the future, sir. If we find the biggest accounts on Tiktok here in California, and perhaps the country and invite them, it would be a worldwide phenomenon. Everyone will have eyes here and we can allow them to join in by hosting a live stream of the event.”

Holy shit that’s brilliant.

“And if we invite some of the biggest names in music, fashion and social justice, we can unite the creative world and fundraising. Plus there can be a raffle for those less fortunate to attend. We could have the creatives prep them the week before,” Rumi says comfortably, as if she has had this speech planned for months.

“That sounds like the Hunger Games,” Cole whispers.

“Minus the violence,” she responds.

They’re so damn quick and witty and my father is laughing.

“You’re all so creative!” He beams.

“I can calculate how many tickets we can fit into the event and even set up some leading up events to get the community involved. This could also include handmade ornaments and other decorations to be sold,” Tony adds.

Did everyone meet beforehand and talk about this?

“All proceeds could go to the Trevor Project,” Cole says. “And we could invite Oliver Davis to speak about his experiences and the foundation that he opened with Ace Maverick’s help.”

My stomach twists.

Not only because of the mention of their names but the fact that it’s coming from Cole.

“Holy shit! Okay, I think you’ve all sold me,” my father says chuckling.

He stands, his water and other offerings remaining untouched on the glossy table.

I follow suit in standing and we stand side by side at the head of the table.

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