Page 33 of Something New

“Dude, I’m kidding. Can someone give him a snickers bar or something?”

“Finally.” My father’s voice booms into the living room, and we all jump to attention.

He walks in and sits down on the far sofa. His usual spot.

“Sit, for fuck sakes I haven’t got all day.” He snaps at my brothers.

My father drones on about the new product we are incorporating into our shipments, and I feel my insides roll over. We’ve already had this meeting. We’ve had it twice. We have prepared for the new product until our eyeballs were floating in information about it.

Yes, it ships tomorrow. Yes, we are ready. Why the fuck are we wasting our time talking about it still.

“Tuomo?” His deep voice snaps me to attention.

I look towards him. His eyes are right on me. I didn’t fucking hear what he said.

“Are we interfering with your busy schedule? Do you have somewhere better to be?” his sarcasm is rich.

“No, why?” I say, holding back any attitude I want to throw in his direction.

“Do you want to take part or at least pay attention then?” he snaps.

I nod. Clenching my jaw shut to stay silent. There is rarely any point in disagreeing with my father. It never goes well. So, when you do it - you better have a fucking reason.

For the rest of the meeting, I sit forward in my seat, resting my elbows on my knees with my hands folded in front of me. I focus.

Not because I want to. But because I want this to go smoothly so I can get back out there and see what Nerissa is up to.

The meeting ends. As pointless as I thought it would be.

Rufino heads straight to the kitchen, Masaccio flicks the television on, and I walk straight out of the door.

“See you guys later.” I say, not waiting for their response.

I need to get back to Nerissa.

The morning of our date arrives, and I wake up eager. But I am impatient, checking the time throughout the day and wanting it to move faster - to be eight o’clock.

After I’ve shown my face at work and got everything, I need to do done I head over to Nerissa’s apartment.

She inside, standing by the mirror on her closet. She is holding dresses up against her body, trying to decide which one to wear.

I watch her with fascination - wondering what she is thinking.

She is trying to look pretty for our date.

She wants to grab my attention.

I guess she has come around and perhaps remembered just how close we used to be.

Well, even if she hasn’t remembered, she will soon. She will have no choice because I am going to manipulate her world to the point of no return. She will have no choice but to be with me.

Especially when she falls pregnant with my baby.

She will be trapped without a choice.

She will be mine.

I smile. Not wanting to drive away, but I need to go home and shower and get ready as well.

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