Page 70 of Call Me Sir

“I have a good feeling about you all here at Sealine Voyages. I know it’s not your typical job description, but you could’ve fooled me.” A hand is clamped on my shoulder and I strain to turn and face the man who raised me, in the eye. “You’ve assembled an excellent team here, son. I’ll see you tomorrow for dinner and let you know when I’d like an update for the fall gala.”

The bomb has been dropped in the room and as my father shakes my hand, I can feel the shift.

Julio shows my dad out and I turn to face the room. I try to ignore the shock written on their faces like caricatures.

“Your ideas blew me away. I’d like you all to meet every morning for a couple hours over the next three months of summer to make sure you not only make these ideas a reality, but give more than we’ve dreamed up here.”

Their shock turns to anxiety. Under promise, over deliver. Their top ideas are excellent, but I think we can do even better.

“Tony,” I say, not missing how his eyes light up at the use of the shortened version of his name, “I’d like you to run the show. Come to me with any major concerns. Each of you suggested an idea, run with them and then some, you’re in charge of whatever you suggested. If we need more hands on deck, let me know. Julio is always willing to help and we can even hire or outsource more. Dismissed for now.”

I leave the room, my heart pounding in my chest. This job is far more intense than I originally anticipated, and I know my father seems warm and kind now, but how long can he hide how demanding and harsh he really is? He’s gotta be hiding his true feelings on everything.

I close my office door and lean against it, hanging my head trying to sink in everything that’s just happened. And whatever else that is about to come up on me like a storm.

Twenty Two

Cole

“What the fuck just happened?!” Tony says loudly as soon as we hear the boss’s door click shut just a few feet down the hall.

“Did we just meet Daddy Sal?”

“For fuck’s sake,” I grumble.

I don’t even call him that.

Tony throws his hands out in front of him expressively. “I’m serious Cole, what the hell!”

Kahlid and Rumi both chuckle.

“Why do you sound offended?” Kahlid asks, leaning back in his chair.

Tony huffs out a frustrated breath and starts fidgeting with his curls. “Nothing. Just thought the boss wouldn’t keep secrets.”

Everyone looks at Tony with confusion.

“You’re confused why Mr. Dark and mysterious doesn’t share secrets with you?”

Tony sighs. “Yeah I just thought what happened with Cole…”

This triggers curious looks my way from Rumi and Kahlid.

I sit up a little straighter.

Tony must realize his mistake and says, “being cool with him missing work, I chatted the boss up a bunch.”

This seems to appease them because the three of them start talking about something else.

My mind is finally sinking in what Tony said. He’s got a point. If Sal is the son of this famous guy, why didn’t everyone know? Wouldn’t he also be in the spotlight?

Why didn’t he tell me? I shake that last, pathetic thought away.

He’s my boss, that’s it.

“Cole, I love your idea of inviting Oliver to speak,” Rumi says, tearing me from my thoughts. “I’ve heard he’s actually as sweet as he seems.”

“Yeah, I figured a guy being shunned for being gay is the perfect candidate.”

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