Page 46 of The Bonus

That’s it, I’m done.

Gabriel

“And you’ll see on page fourteen of the proposal.” I point to the graph on the whiteboard with a pen.

The fifteen people sitting around the board table all flick to page fourteen.

“As you can see, the trend is emerging as…”

The intercom buzzes. “Mr. Ferrara.”

I exhale heavily. “Yes,” I snap, annoyed, why is she interrupting me?

“Yes, hello Mr. Ferrara. This is Violet from reception.”

“Yes, Violet, what is it?”

“I have a Grace Porter here; she says she has an appointment to see you today.”

What?

“Ahhh…” I look around the room as thirty eyes watch me. “I see…”

Umm… I take the lid off the pen in my hand as I think.

Shit.

I can’t stop this meeting midway through, people have flown in internationally to attend. I’ve got people with me all day and then a function straight from work tonight with my family.

Fuck…

“I’m booked back-to-back today, Violet; can you reschedule her to come back? Tomorrow, perhaps?”

“Yes, sir,” she replies.

“Send my apologies.”

“Thank you.”

I scratch my head in frustration, damn it.

I want to see her.

With all eyes on me, I try to bring my mind back to the meeting.

She’s here.

“So…these…” I pause as I try to collect my thoughts, “…trends.”

She’s here.

I refocus my thoughts and carry on with the meeting as I try my hardest to keep a straight face.

She came back.

Tomorrow I get to see her.

The round dinner table is filled with family members. It’s my brother Alessio’s birthday.

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