Page 42 of Sebastian.

I know Karl is about to explain that Elise no longer works at Van den Bosch Industries, but something inside me stops him. Instead, I step in and reply, “She's taking a few days off. She'll be back soon.”

The men nod, seemingly satisfied with my response, and we proceed to our table. But as we walk, I notice the hushed whispers from the other diners, curious about our presence. It's clear that the gossip article has taken its toll, and people are talking about my family's situation.

“Looks like we're becoming the main attraction,” Karl remarks with a hint of amusement, but I'm far from amused. The unwanted attention only adds to my growing stress.

I don’t have anything to say to him, so I just stay silent. Karl frowns in my direction after a second, but doesn’t seem bothered for more than a minute. The menus are handed to us once we sit, and I glance over the innovative dishes, trying to focus on the present moment. Karl enthusiastically suggests some of the chef's specialties, his mood contagious.

I try to engage in small talk with the clients, but my mind is still preoccupied. I’m here at lunch with the very man that is making my life so chaotic. Still, the idea of cutting him out of my favor makes my stomach churn. I know there will be consequences for it, but there’s nothing else to be done.

I take a deep breath, trying to push aside the conflicting thoughts in my head. Today is about the clients and sealing the deal.

Everyone else is discussing mundane subjects, and Karl seems to be the one participating the most in it. My thoughts drift back to Elise and the rest of my family. I regret not defending Elise's choice when she decided to stand by the family, instead of choosing Karl's side. At the time, I had been so angry with her that it had blinded me to what I was really doing. I’ve spent so much of my life wanting Andries to take over the company once I retire, but all of this time, Elise has been waiting to take up the mantle instead.

The server approaches, and I order the chef's signature dish, trying to appear engaged in the culinary experience.

“Good choice!” Karl commends me, a smile pulling at his lips. “The mushroom risotto is one of the best things on the menu, I promise you.”

I don't respond to Karl's comment besides a grunt, and again, I can tell that he doesn’t know why I’m being so distant. Every road of thought leads back to Elise. Damn. I’m not going to be able to let this go until I do something. Glancing over at Karl and the two clients, I confirm that they are busy talking among themselves, before I reach for my phone and discreetly send my oldest daughter a text, “Are you available at 3 p.m.? I need to talk to you.”

It’s only 1 p.m. now, so this gives her plenty of time to decide and respond. She always has her phone on her, so I shouldn’t have to wait long to know if she will give me the time of day.

Of course, I’m wrong in this instance. Elise is clearly reluctant to speak to me. The lunch carries on, but there's no reply from her as the minutes drag into an hour. I subtly check my phone, over and over, for any updates from her. Still nothing. I can't help but feel anxious about our relationship. I don't want her to think I'm using her to gain favor or to manipulate her in any way. I genuinely want to repair our bond and make amends for my past mistakes. Concern gnaws at me, and as soon as I finish the meal, I excuse myself from the table.

Once outside, I make a quick call to my PA, Paula, asking her to find out Elise's schedule for the afternoon and if she can make time for a meeting.

“Are you saying you want me to call the university and ask them to give me private information about a student?” She sounds reluctant, and when she says it like that, I can’t exactly blame her.

“I know it's short notice, but it's urgent,” I insist. Paula remains silent, mulling the request over, so I add, “I know you can work wonders.”

She sighs heavily, but I am her boss, after all. “Okay, sir. I will see what I can do.”

It’s better than nothing. While waiting for my PA's response, my mind drifts to memories of better times with Elise––the laughter, the shared moments of joy, hunting with her, and the father-daughter bond we once shared. Having her work with me, being my right hand, had made me proud in ways I didn’t even realized before.

“Sorry about that,” I announce when I make my way back to the table. The two clients look up, but they are uninterested in whatever I have to say, clearly wrapped up in whatever tale Karl was regaling them with.

“Not a problem,” Karl assures me, adding, in a quieter voice once I sit, “Is everything okay, Seb?”

I barely look at him, lying through my teeth, “Yes, don’t worry, I just had to take a personal call.”

The meal concludes, and everyone seems full and content. Once the server brings the check to the table, I'm about to take the initiative and treat my clients as usual, a gesture I've always upheld. Even when a client invites me out and not the other way around, I make sure to pay, just to make a point that they are our estimated client after all. However, when we’re presented with the payment terminal, Karl swiftly places his employee card down, ignoring the fact I’m already pulling mine out. I feel an immediate surge of frustration and irritation at this subtle display of ignoring me.

I quickly place my hand on the terminal, preventing Karl from reaching it. With a stern glare, I say, “I've got this,” and hand over my own card to complete the payment.

In that moment, it becomes painfully clear that Karl was seizing the opportunity to behave as if he has more status at the company than he really does. It’s partially my fault since I’ve been so distracted, and he’s been like the host of this lunch meeting the entire time, not me. That is all well and good, but Karl trying to pay when I was already pulling my card out is a step too far. Somehow, this little situation seems like a good reflection of the power dynamics between us.

The atmosphere at the table changes in an instant, from laid back to awkward. Karl retreats without hesitation, but there is a look on his face that I’m not familiar with. He’s not angry, or embarrassed, but maybe…entitled? I understand that these are his clients, but Karl is also the one who invited me out with them this afternoon. He could have played boss all on his own had he not insisted I come. Could he have invited me just to give me the smallest taste of humiliation? Displaying to his clients that he’s above me somehow?

No, I’m thinking about this too deeply.

It has to just be an oversight. Karl won’t ever try to challenge me like that, especially with how I’ve gone beyond to ensure that he excels and stays out of trouble.

Outside, in front of the restaurant, I tell Karl to just take the car back, and that I will follow behind. Once he’s gone, and I’ve bid the clients farewell, I call my personal driver and arrange a ride. As the afternoon sun casts long shadows across the city, I find myself still anxiously awaiting a response from Elise. It’s been over an hour since I first text her, so I decide to contact Paula once again for an update.

“Any word from Elise?” I inquire, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I was just about to call you,” Paula begins, before pausing for a beat. “She’s on her way and will meet you in your office.”

I blink a few times, surprised. “Really? How did you even know––”

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