Page 50 of All Your Hate

“Be grateful that you do,” I say loud enough for them to hear. The two men look my way, one gives me an apologetic smile while the one that was talking shit glares at me. I don’t know their names. Don’t care to.

“Is there a problem?” my father asks, looking straight at me. It wasn’t even me that started it.

“Not at all. Just thinking about who’s done enough to secure their position here when it’s me standing up where you are.” I smile smugly as I get comfortable in my chair, propping my boot up on my knee.

“Well if you’re done planning for the future, I’ll get straight to why we need this meeting today. As you should all be aware stocks have been down and we’ve had to sell a few of our smaller locations, but you don’t need to worry anymore. I’ve been talking with someone for a while now and they’re willing to invest in ourcompany.” He looks straight at me and there’s something in his eyes, like he’s apologizing to me for what he’s done. I sit a little straighter in my chair.

“I can assure you he’s eager to help the company. What he’s offering will get us back on our feet. It does make him a majority shareholder—”

There’s a loud murmur as half the people in the room start to protest this mystery man’s deal. I’m with them, but I keep my mouth shut and focus my energy on staring my father down. To my surprise, he actually shrinks under my gaze. The company must be in some serious trouble if he’s this worried about bringing someone new in.

I just wish he’d told me.

He looks different. Older somehow. His dark hair has more grey in and the lines around his eyes are deeper. I don’t remember when exactly I saw him last, but I didn’t think it had been that long. He looks like he’s lost weight and there are dark circles under his eyes.

Maybe we’re in worse trouble than he’s making out?

The rest of the meeting is tense. No one’s happy about the latest mystery addition to the team and we can’t get through a single topic without someone arguing over logistics.

When things finally wrap up, I stay behind to talk to my father.

“Noah,” he sighs. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions, but I can’t answer anything now. Nothing’s been signed yet. This is what we need though and it’s not like you’ve ever cared about any decisions I’ve made here before.”

“This is different and you know that,” I raise my voice at him.

“Noah, please. Just let me do what my company needs.” He slumps down in one of the office chairs. I’ve not seen him look this defeated in a long time.

“Your company? It’s my name on the paperwork as well.”

“Yes, and once you actually invest some energy into it then you can call it yours. Noah…you think I want to be doing this forever? I’m tired. I thought by now I’d have you working alongside me, but I rarely see you anymore.” My father’s brow creases like he actually cares. He’s never mentioned any of this before.

“What do I need to do? I can invest whatever this guy is offering, probably more.”

“I wish it were that simple. The best thing you can do is show up and pay attention." Pushing off his knees, he gets up and lets out a tired groan. He places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes softly as he says, "You’ve always been smart, you’ve just made some bad decisions in your life. Now is as good a time as any to start making the right ones.”

“Does the board agree with your decision?” I ask pointedly.

“It took some persuading, but yes, I have the majority shareholders onside. This new investor will be on the same level as them, but he’s told me he’s happy to sit back and let us keep doing what we’ve been doing. He has a few requests, but nothing I can’t handle.” When he starts heading for the door, I follow after him.

“And my inheritance?”

His posture tightens and he stops, turning to me. “Is that really all you care about?”

“No. I don’t care about the money, I’m talking about the company. About fuckingChiyo.”

He looks like I’ve just slapped him. In a way I have, bringing Mom’s name into it like that.

“The company will be yours as long as you do what I’ve stipulated. I’ve never kept it from you, I just want you to be prepared for what’s involved.” Giving me a tired smile, he pats my shoulder and heads into his office.

I watch as he closes himself away.

“You need to tell me everything I’ve missed,” I say to Janine.

“That’s quite a bit,” she raises one pink eyebrow at me.

“Then send me everything. Every file, every bank statement, anything you think will help. I need to know what’s been going on with my father.”

She scans the room before beckoning me closer. “I’ll send you what you need, but take it easy on him. He’s going through a lot, he comes in exhausted each day. Whatever it is seems to be eating away at him.”

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