Page 9 of Up All Night
"Sir, I was instructed not to.That it was a family emergency.My deepest apologies."
"I need to get to the bottom of this."
"Monsieur Drummond, I promise you, I will.As soon as I speak to my assistant, I will get to the bottom of this."
His voice is still firm, irritated.“Call me immediately once you learn something.”
“Oui, Monsieur.”
Daddy ends the call and shakes his head."This better be good.I did not just sign this agreement for nothing.Nobody makes a fool out of me."
Mum pats his arm."Wesley, I'm sure that there is a logical explanation for this.It was just a misunderstanding, I'll bet."
"My darling."His voice is soft, but his words are poignant."Anyone that I do business with had better check twice.This is a slip.And it's unacceptable.Something happened that I want to know about.Nobody better walk on eggshells over this, either, because I'll smell that rat."
Mum looks at us girls."Why don't you two go and enjoy the day.I'll settle him down."I don't like how she talks about him like he's not here, nor the fact that she's treating him like a child.But daddy doesn't flinch at her comment.In his eyes, mum can do no wrong.It usually works out fine that way, but then, this is the first time in a long time that something has gone awry.
"Are you sure you don't need me for anything?"I ask, addressing them both.
Daddy waves, frustrated.I hate seeing him like this.So upset.
"Take the limo, darling."Mum adds."Have him come back here to get us."
With a nod, both me and Bowie head outside."God, I hope this isn't anything too serious."Bowie says.
"Whatever it is, daddy will figure it out, and heads will roll."
"I've never seen this side of your father.It's so disconcerting."
My lips are pursed as I agree."It is.Daddy is a very level-headed man, but he doesn't like it when his time is wasted.Just like anyone else."
"No, I get it."She changes the subject."I'm starved.Do you mind if we go somewhere to eat?"
"Definitely.This is Paris."
She blushes.
"What is it?"I chuckle as we walk to the awaiting car.
"Don't think I'm cracked, okay?"
My face scrunches slightly.She's so adorable."I would never."
"Well, the thing is.Um, I don't really like French food.Like, a baguette or a plate of French fries is as far as I would go."
I can't help but laugh out loud."God, Bowie.You and I are such similar creatures.It's uncanny.In so many ways, I think we were twins that were separated at birth.I can't stand French food, either.Escargots?Blech!"
She sighs as we get inside the car."Thank God."
Fortunately, the driver knows the best place to go for North American cuisine.It’s a cute little mom and pop style restaurant only about ten minutes from the site.Unfortunately, the wait for food is insane.
“Your dad was so upset back there.Rightfully so, of course, but it’s so out of character for him."
“It’s not a side that anyone gets to see very often, thankfully, but there’s a reason why my daddy is who he is and has gotten as far as he has in life.And I’m sad to say it, but if it is one of the girls at the office, I’m afraid that somebody is going to get fired.That was a pivotal meeting that got completely turned upside down.It’s unforgivable.In fact, I remember once, my father fired his entire office staff."
Bowie leans in closer.“Are you serious?"
I nod.“I saw it myself.Daddy didn’t raise his voice or lose his cool or anything.He walked into the office, having heard that staff were in there poking fun at him.There was a rumor circulating that he was having an affair with one of the girls in the office.Of course, at that time, mum and daddy were completely inseparable.It would’ve been physically impossible.Nonetheless, my mum told me years later that the rumors were disgusting.She’d overheard some of them and knew who had spread them.It had created polarity among the staff.Those who believed that daddy did it and those that didn’t."
