CHAPTER 5
Joshua
I turn the stereo knob, and the music kicks even louder through the speakers. Take Me Home Tonight, by Eddie Money plays inside my car at a volume much too loud to be considered safe for my ears. That’s exactly how I feel right now…like money. About two billion dollars worth.
The meeting went better than I could have imagined. I quickly found out why the gentleman wanted a face-to-face. He was none other than the legendary Satoshi Nakamoto, the original creator of Bitcoin. He, or at least the face of the group if rumors were correct, wanted to buy all my computer hardware and my Bitcoin. Two billion for the entire thing. Okay, two point one billion to be precise, but what’s a hundred million between new friends?
Brianna was going to be set for life. Me too. Everything I ever wanted would now be within reach. Not that I wanted much though, and the things I always wanted were the things you couldn’t put a price tag on. Honesty. Commitment. Loyalty. All three both given and received. And of course the woman of my dreams.
Although extremely rare, the first three could be traits of anyone, a man or a woman. The last could only be one. By definition there’s only one woman of my dreams, and up to this point I’d never met her. Not even close.
I’d never admit to it, but I’m a romantic at heart. It’s just that being as old as I am, I’ve tempered my thoughts about it. But I haven’t given up. I never met Miss Right, and was starting to think it wasn’t in the cards for me.
Truth be told I didn’t think much about it at all anymore. I was already a hair over 40, and now I had a different kind of woman in my life. A young girl to watch over and raise as my own.
But ever since Diana rang on that bell yesterday, things have been totally different.
Months and months of trying to connect with Brianna and I couldn’t succeed. Diana reached her on a level I couldn’t, and only in a matter of seconds.
And Diana’s magic touch didn’t end there. Brianna seemed happier today, especially when I told her Diana would be spending some time with her tonight.
And if that wasn’t enough, now I have an agreement to complete the sale of the company and my Bitcoin. Just another thing that I’d been working on, without much luck, until suddenly Diana walked into my life.
Was she my good luck charm? I believe more in hard work than luck, but the saying is true…sometimes it’s better to be lucky.
Diana texted me about thirty minutes into watching Brianna and told me everything was going great.
I thought to check up on them after I finished the meeting, but it would only take me ten minutes to get home. I’d rather save my enthusiasm for the face-to-face, than to give the good news over the phone. Call me old-fashioned, but nothing beats the enjoyment of sharing good news the good ol’ way…in the flesh.
I was out of the car almost before I had it stopped. A couple seconds later and I’m on my doorstep, turning the key.
“Hey girls!”
I lock the door behind me and put the keys in the bowl on the table.
“I’m home.”
Nothing. That’s strange. Did they fall asleep already?
My enthusiasm carries me right into the living room at breakneck speeds, expecting to find them curled up on the couch watching a movie in the dark.
Nope.
I run upstairs and knock on Brianna’s door.
Nothing.
I’m concerned, and I don’t like this one bit.
I call Diana’s number and it rings, and rings, and rings. No answer.
I feel my temperature rise and my hair stand on end.
Where are my girls?