Brooklyn
“You’re meeting with the investor tomorrow morning at 10 AM. I’ll pick you up from your place and we’ll head over. Be ready at 8:30.”
Ashley, my business manager, and one of my closest friends, kept her message short and sweet, as she always did. I hardly ever answer my phone on my afternoon run. Actually, I never did. Running was like my church; it was my sanctuary where I wished to never be disturbed.
To Ashley:
How serious is this investor?
I tapped the send button, continuing to run through the tree-lined park in the miserable, Atlanta heat, wiping a line of sweat from above my brow. A moment later, I had a response.
From Ashley:
very
Well damn, it was about time. I mentally crossed my fingers. It had been weeks since I’d actually had a serious inquiry from an investor. I’d been working on my makeup line over a few years now, and 6 months ago, I finally had the prototypes and the formulas made up; ready to be shown to potential investors. Now, all I needed was an investor to back me so I could cover the shipment, the design of the packaging, and finally, the distribution process. Glancing once more at my phone to catch the time, which was 5:30pm, I sighed. I’d agreed to meet Elise at Mason’s bar, which was conveniently located in the middle of the city, right by my apartment.
Sliding into my Lexus GS F, I laid back against the seat, pressing my hands against the steering wheel. The run had really taken all of the energy out of me. Turning her on, I instantly began to blast the air conditioner, finally breathing a bit easier as the cool air started to dry my sweat-soaked skin.
I ran to escape the anxieties I experienced in my everyday life. It helped me so much with my nervousness, and also helped me stay focused, but, damn, I could really go without it being 95 degrees plus the sticky humidity in this Georgia weather.
I turned down into the city, focused on the road and heading straight for my apartment. The Bluetooth rang “Alfred is calling, say yes, or no to answer or decline the call.” I glanced down at the dash with a puzzled look on my face. My father? Why would he be calling?
“Yes,” I told the robotic woman, “Alfred, what can I do for you today?”
“Just checking in on my little business woman. Do you want to grab dinner tonight?”
I’d promised Alfred two dinners a month since my mom had passed away two years ago from breast cancer, but up until that point, he wasn’t in my life…at all. I had no idea he was even my father, the great Alfred Hamilton. He’s comparable to the Hiltons, seeing as he owns a hotel line just like them. I remembered that day at my mom’s funeral like it was yesterday. He had shown up and burst out that he was my father, not even considering how insensitive it was at that moment. He put such stress and confusion on a young woman in mourning. I often wondered as a child how our life was so...plush. Mom had worked three jobs, and I assumed we had a comfortable lifestyle because of that. She did a good job providing for me, and my little brother, Sebastian.
I’d wondered about my father for years, but my mom had kept quiet and never given me any clues as to who he could be, so I gave up and stopped asking her about him. I figured it would just be something I’d never find out. After the altercation at the funeral we completed DNA testing, confirming that I was indeed his daughter. I even did a side test, trying to see if Sebastian was his child too. Seb wasn’t, and we don’t know who the hell his father is.
“I can’t tonight. I’m meeting an investor in the morning, and I already promised Elise drinks. Tomorrow?” I heard him sigh through the Bluetooth. I hated to disappoint him, but I couldn’t just drop all my plans for him.
“Sounds good, darling. I’ll have one of my drivers pick you up.”
“Okay.” My reply was stilted. I was more focused on driving than I was with the conversation.
“Brooklyn, you don’t have to meet with that investor. You know I’ll supply you with the funds you need to complete your project, and I won’t charge you interest. Think of it as a personal loan.”
I had thought about it. I did every single time he brought it up to me. But, I couldn’t. I couldn’t use his money. No matter how much he’d argue that it was as much mine as it was his. He’d gifted me my Lexus last year and even purchased an apartment for me, both of which I tried to return to him, as much as I could. He wouldn’t have any of it. Instead, he told me to save my money that I was using on my old piece of junk car and apartment and use it for my makeup line. That sealed the deal. I could tell myself he didn’t know me, but he knew parts of me, and that was enough. He knew enough about me that I would accept that.
“Alfred, you know I can’t do that.” I heard him chuckling in the background, his British accent becoming thicker.
“Yes darling, you can. You won’t because you’re as stubborn as your mum.”
Mom. Why did he have to bring her up? I missed her. These past couple of years had been pure torture. I went through so much in my personal life, both good and bad. I just wished I could call her. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I wasn’t grateful for Alfred. He was my father, but our relationship was cold; stagnant. It felt forced. It wasn’t like that with Mom. I could tell her whatever was on my mind without having to worry about the reaction she might have.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I jabbed the red button on my steering wheel, ending the call. I wasn’t in the mood for any more small talk. We’d have much more of that tomorrow anyway.
****
I pulled into the parking garage at my apartment building, parking in my reserved spot, greeting the concierge, Marco, as I made my way inside the lobby. The elevator ride was quiet, and I was okay with that. I didn’t feel like talking when I had so much going on in my head, preparing mentally for this meeting tomorrow. I had to convince someone who was most likely a multi-billionaire on why they should invest in my product; why they should bet on my horse. When I really thought about it, all I had was a load of passion and knowledge. I didn’t know if they’d bet on my horse, and that scared the daylights out of me.
The doors to the penthouse opened, perfectly lit, contemporary but comfortable furniture spread out all over. Alfred wanted to make sure I liked it there. He insisted I took the penthouse, and he furnished the entire thing. As much as I appreciated his kindness, money couldn’t buy me, not even his. He had to show me he cared with actions. He had to be there. He missed so much of my life, twenty-two years to be exact. I set my purse down on the table in the foyer, walking down the hall into the living room. I scanned over the area, assessing that everything was the same way that I left it. I’d done this every time I left, as a precaution.
I could never be too safe.
Turning the corner, I spotted a silhouette in my kitchen, flipping flapjacks on a pan. Cautiously, I made a few quiet steps closer. The figure’s back was facing me, so I walked a little further. It was Seb. Thank God!
“When did you get back?” I shrieked, causing him to drop the spatula.
“Just a couple hours ago. Where have you been?” I yanked at my sweaty attire, and he pulled me into a hug, my little but big brother.
He towered over me, I wasn’t short, maybe 5’7”, but he was a mystical fucking creature at 6’5”. Mom always joked that he’d make a great basketball player, until she made him try it. Let’s just say that basketball did not agree with Seb. He looked like a toddler when he tried to dribble the ball across the court, barely making any shots into the basket.
“What are you doing tonight?” I slid onto the barstool closest to Seb as he flipped the flapjacks, putting them on a plate.
“Nothing, why?” He cocked an eyebrow at me, reading my expression.
I smiled widely. “Why don’t you come out with Elise and I?”
He shook his head, “No, not gonna happen.”
“Seb, c’mon!” I walked over to him, pulling his shirt “Pleeeeassseeee!” I begged like a child. I hadn’t seen him in almost eight months. I missed him, and we had a lot of time to make up for.
“You’re no better than a child, whining and all.” He knew me all too well.
“I’m your elder, and you’re supposed to listen to me,” I laughed, half kidding but mostly serious.
“Fine. Mason’s?”
“How’d you know?” I joked, smacking him on the back. “I’m going to get showered. I’ll be ready in an hour.”
“Yeah right, more like two.”
I walked back towards my room. “You know me so well!” I shouted back, hearing his familiar laugh in the background.