Contract with CEO

th

considering it," I said, s

n, be re

of my voice rises even louder.

ce, for starters," Dad hisses. "Do you want all o

and I take a deep, calming breath, tel

o hard to throw

bile rising in my throat at the thought that everything

ecause he'

w that this company I've spent my life

who knows the business inside out. It was always intended

papers on my desk. "But your life is chaotic, my son. You jump from

"Have I ever missed a board meeting, or made a cos

to see-," Dad starts, an

top of the takeout cup. It's the only thing stopping me from tellin

ant to do that, even though every

s. That will do for now. I'll call my secretary,

ffee is decent, and the shop is on my way to work. Well, it would be nice if the

supposed to

ence, Nathan, on her husband but also on the business. People trust a family man more. And wh

can't be that my future depends ent

n important role. But I believe Benjamin i

Whether I sleep with the same woman every night or a diff

de my point. Don't forget the family dinner t

look me in the eye, but who would after hearing m

d I've noticed she's quite attractive. Her cu

is too important for a lovesick girl to wait fo

r my love for women and good wine

decided to put a ring on his girlfriend's finger four

ah to get another one before I change my mind. A walk will do me good. I need to come up wi

ven't helped him out of several financial jams in the past. But ap

counter is the same as usual. Does she ever take a day off? Her black hair is piled up in

oud. She starts to replace it, and the line moves at a glacial pace. I can't focus on the

ired. I'm sure of it. Even Benjamin. Where did this change of

t parading a girlfriend around won't convince Dad. He wants it all

for him to suggest that it's

tionship with Benjamin? We got along pretty well, but since

ork for him

n-dollar bill on the counter when I finally rea

ne, anger flashing through them. "I'm g

over a year, and she's never talked to me like that. She fiddles with the mac

work to do, and I

reath. "It will be ready when it's ready," she says,

sks, and the man behind me or

arting to cool, and my irritation grows. I already have enough to deal with

reach out to her, wanting to get her attention, to point out that my coffee is ready. T

it's been a few weeks since I last slept with someone? Whatever it is, it

trying to keep over her mood has clearly vanished. Maybe

r around us seems charged with heat, anger, and electricity. "Just because you'r