Page 4 of This Moment

A strange sensation washed over me, and I closed my eyes and quickly opened them again. “Did you say you’re a writer?”

“I did, indeed.”

I slowly shook my head in disbelief. “When I was younger, I wanted to be a writer.”

“And you chose the path your parents wanted you to take?”

I could feel my brows draw in as I turned and looked more directly at the man beside me. “I’m sorry, I’m just feeling like you have an open window into my life.”

His laughter this time was full-on deep from his belly. “Son, I was you once upon a time. I had a dream that wasn’t my parents, but I was raised to do the right thing…or should I say, what my parents wanted me to do. Sound about right?”

“Sounds spot on.”

The stranger shrugged. “I woke up one day and decided I was tired of living a life I hatedandmade a change.”

I nodded as I let his words sink in. I was about to speak when my phone rang. I took one look and sighed. It was Jim Larson, an associate in the firm. “Excuse me, it’s the office.”

He tipped his hat and winked.

“Jim, what’s going on?”

“Where are you, Kian?”

“I’m about to get off the subway; why, what’s going on?”

“I need to speak to you the moment you come in.”

“Get in line; my mother beat you to it.”

“Shit. Well, I need to talk to you as soon as you’re done. I’ll be in my office.”

“Okay, talk soon.”

I hit End and turned back to talk to the stranger beside me, but he was gone. I looked around but didn’t see him anywhere. When the subway came to a stop, I got up, took one more look, and exited.

My mother paced back and forth in front of the large windows overlooking Central Park. It truly was a priceless view.

“Mom, are you going to keep pacing or tell me why you called me into your office first thing when I have meetings to get to?”

She stopped and looked at me. “Don’t worry, I called your assistant and told her to send your associate into the meeting in your place.”

Leaning forward, I glared at her. “You did what?”

“Don’t look so taken aback. Now, we need to talk about this settlement with Parker Construction.”

I stood. “There is nothing to talk about. The meeting is about to start, and Alex isn’t ready to sit in on this deal.”

Turning, I started for the door. When my hand landed on the knob, she said, “You’ve lost your touch.”

Closing my eyes, I counted to ten, opened the door, and walked out. I quickly made my way to the elevator and down to the twentieth floor, where the meeting would occur. I didn’t miss the relief on Alex’s face when I walked in.

“Kian, you made it.”

I shook his hand. “I’m sorry for the delay.”

“They’re ready to start.”

Before I even had a chance to sit down, my father spoke. I hadn’t even seen him in the room when I walked in.

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