Chapter 15
Isaac
I can’t believe that we’re just sitting here facing each other and no one’s saying a thing. Granddad begged me to tag along, and he’s not even making an effort. I watch as Olivia tries to sip on her coffee and then she doesn’t have the means to taste it. I don’t blame her; I don’t feel like drinking myself.
“I want to try again, Olivia.”
“What?”
Both Olivia and Granddad blurt it out at the same time.
“I’ve forgiven granddad for what he did. My dad killed himself in our house. Maybe he was pushed for the business or whatever, that’s all in the past. I was living a dangerous life, and he saw an opportunity to help me. What he did with you was inexcusable, but I know that in time he did it out of love. He’s not a mean man. You’ve lived with him for two years. Did you at any point think that his feelings for you were of a man that’s just using you?”
She shakes her head, but I know that I shouldn’t guilt trip her into this because it wasn’t just her fault.
“Olivia, I’m not saying that you should forgive us. But I would like to help. I know that you’re here for your independence.”
“I’ll like to do the same,” Granddad chimes in with a smile on his face.
Olivia ignores him, “I could do with a job.”
“Really, well there’s a need for an admin assistant that I could put in a good word.”
This time I’m the one holding the cards. The one that’s pulling strings and I’m going to milk it for every dime.
“I don’t want you to try.”
I say as I cross my arms. “I need you to do better than that. You see I could have stayed in the city years ago if an old man didn’t convince me otherwise.”
“You’re right. You’ve got a job. How soon can you start?”
“Tomorrow.”
Then she finishes her coffee and stands up.
Granddad says in a panic, “Are you not going to stay?”
She shakes her head, “I don’t need to. I planned on having one coffee with Isaac. I’ve done that, and now I need to prepare for my new job tomorrow.”
“You start at nine.”
She shakes her head, “I’ll start when I like.”
She winks and then walks away, I murmur as Granddad’s complaining about her change of heart what does he expect?
“Yes, I’m glad that you’re coming to work for me and giving us a second chance.”
She chuckles, “You, may be in time. Him, I’m not too sure about.”
Then she leaves us in the coffee shop alone. I realize then that I’ve created a monster.
“Seems that you taught her well Granddad. She’s going to make us suffer.”
He shakes his head, “I’ve never begged for anything in my life.”
I look at my watch and sigh, “Well it looks as if you’ve met your match because I can see that little lady’s going to make you suffer for it. And you know as well as I do that she means more to you than you want to admit. You better get used to begging. On your hands and knees, because I intend to do that until she trusts me once again. Until I have her back in my life.”
On that note, I left him in the coffee shop as I thought about ways to win Olivia’s heart and I didn’t have a clue how I was going to do it, but I knew that getting her a job was one step. I just needed a thousand more to make sure that I get her back into my life.
***
She walked in close to twelve, and in the same yellow dress that I bought her, it was as if she was tormenting me and I hated her for having me on a string. I deserved it, but someone like me isn’t used to being at someone’s mercy, and neither is granddad as he walks behind her.
“So, Isaac where do I start?”
I look at her completely confused as she sits at my desk and puts her feet up in the air.
“Are you taking over the company?”
She shakes her head, “Nope.”
“Granddad?”
“She demanded that I come in and get to work she said, if I wanted to earn her trust and respect again then I’m going to have to show it.”
She nods, “Actions speak louder than words. Now, if you boys don’t mind. Whatever you wanted me to do today and every day that I don’t decide to come in. Neil can do it.”
We both look at each other and blurt out, “What?”
She repeats herself as she stands up, “Whatever you wanted me to do around the office. He can do it.” She points to granddad who just shrugs his shoulders.
“If you need coffee, he’ll do it. If you want him to shine your shoes, he’ll do it. Whatever you fucking need, he’ll do it.”
Shit! I did create a monster.
“And maybe, just maybe I’ll talk to you both again.”
She starts walking out of the office and then she says, “But if either one of you even think of stopping what I’ve just asked you to do. Then you can forget it. Because if you don’t, then I’ll never trust either one of you ever again. I already don’t. So, it won’t be hard to once again. Do you understand?”
Like a bobbing head toy we both nod our heads, we expect her to come back and tell us that this is all one big joke, but she doesn’t. I sigh as I head to my chair the one that Olivia was sitting on and acting like she was the boss.
“Granddad we better get started then.”
He walks up to the desk, “If you want me to get you coffee, then you better start calling me Neil.”
We laugh as we face each other. Olivia’s making us spend time together. She may think that she’s smart and that she’s the one that’s manipulating us. She is to some extent. But, I know her game, and I’ll play along with it. Maybe we need someone like her to put us on the right track because granddad and I only have each other and we’re not good at showing love. Maybe for once, we’ll have to do it or at least try.