New Business
Old Business
Board vote
Introductions? Why would we need introductions? I remembered Roberto’s comment about the out-of-town guests. My stomach turned, as I noted there was also a vote.
What were we voting on? What was my father up to? Normally, we’d do votes inside new business. I quickly paged through the financials. There were summary bank statements,Nico would lead that part of the review with support from Roberto. Fine.
I needed to make sure I was on the agenda for new business. Surely my parents hadn’t neglected to include my Carnival proposal. There were a number of projects up for review in the packet around hotel pricing, holiday discounts, and I was relieved when I saw my Carnival proposal listed as a highlight.
I saw a single page with three words that made me turn cold. Street Entertainment Acquisition. Acquisition? I knew the name Street Entertainment. It was one of the biggest media and entertainment brands in the world. What did Street Entertainment want with my family’s properties?
The meeting was about to begin, so I opened the doors and walked inside, still scanning the packet for more clues. In the center of the room, about fourteen seats had been arranged in a U-shape.
“Bella, good of you to join us,” my father said, the tone of his voice snapping me to attention. He stood by the espresso bar in the corner, eyebrows raised. “The meeting is about to begin. Did you bring the agendas?”
Suddenly, Lissa was beside me. “Let me distribute them, Signor Uzano,” she said. “Leo confirmed,” she mouthed to me as she took the copies out of my hands.
I nodded a thanks and walked toward my father, my head spinning. I needed to stay calm. My father kept his brown eyes locked on mine as I approached.
He wore a black suit and tie. He was never without the finest Italian clothes. His brown leather shoes were polished and gleaming. Today, my father looked especially tall and broad to me.
“Buongiorno,” I said, pasting a smile on my face. Stay calm, Bella, I told myself. Getting upset would not help anything today. “I thought the meeting was tomorrow, Papa.”
“We had to adjust the meeting time to accommodate schedules,” my father said, his mouth a thin line. If he was not going to smile, so be it. I assumed that a warm greeting was reserved for people who did not disappoint him.
“I’m glad Roberto was able to locate you in time to deliver my message,” my father said, his tone stony. “Your mother and I were surprised you were up so early.”
“Yes,” I said, unblinking. This was my father’s way of telegraphing to me he knew that I hadn’t slept in my bedroom last night.
“The agenda is different than I expected,” I said.
“Yes, and I’d like to introduce you to one of our guests,” my father said, stepping aside.
I noticed a man standing behind him, his back turned to us, as he faced the breakfast table. I felt unsteady, like the ground had begun to shift.
The man wore a long grey winter coat. He was tall with broad shoulders and dark brown hair. My mind tried to reconcile the shape of him against my memory.
“Bella, I’d like to introduce you to James Street. James and his team are here to discuss an investment opportunity.”
James Street. My stomach dropped and my legs felt weak.
“It’s nice to meet you,” James said, turning, his hand outstretched.
I stood, frozen to the floor as if my feet had grown roots.