24. Robert

Chapter twenty-four

Robert

"Are you serious? Your parents actually said that?"

"Yeah, they did, Lily. And I almost cracked up when I heard it."

Lily laughs on the other side of the line for a good minute, and I don't blame her. Assuming that their son would ever be happy marrying a lesbian with a girlfriend is probably one of the silliest things they've done, if unknowingly.

"I'm sorry, it's just so funny, Robert. But yeah, that wouldn't have worked out anyway. Dad's full of it, and he's still upset I'm dating Farah."

"He'll just have to deal, though, right?"

"Correct! He can stay mad."

I chuckle as I listen to her words. "Anyway, will you have that contract ready soon?"

Lily's one of my colleagues for trades. She and Andrew have both mentioned a possible venture together involving contracts for real estate collateral.

"'Course. I'll have that sent to you in no time."

"Thanks, Lily."

"And you know, Robert, you've got to understand where they're coming from. They're probably torn that their son's not doing what they want."

"They can deal," I reply, getting out of my seat. "Anyway, I'd better go. There's something I need to do."

"Okay. I'll see you around."

I hang up, sighing as I think about things. I haven't heard from Sara. I've gone by the café a few times, but the employees say she hasn't been there during that time. I'm not sure if they are covering for her or what, but it bothers me.

I look at the papers on the table. There are a couple of contracts that I need my legal team to notarize. It's mostly for deals involving property development. Once those are complete, we can start the fun part, which is the building.

A white envelope sits on the table, and I sigh. I know that I have to go there eventually. I just don't have the heart to do so.

I pocket the envelope in my coat pocket and just as I do, a knock sounds from the door.

"Come in."

The door opens, and my assistant Rebecca steps in. She waves and holds a paper.

"Hey there, Robert!"

"Oh, hi. How are things?'

"Great! Check this out!" she says with a grand flourish.

She thrusts a piece of paper in my hand. I quickly review it.

"Wait, this is—"

"Yes. We got the deal! The problem is, though, they want to discuss the terms in person with you over there."

I clutch the papers and study them. We now have a deal pending with Andrew's German contact, who mentioned some undeveloped land for sale. With this, we could build even more properties.

It would be stunning, absolutely amazing. I read through the terms offered.

"Did you read this through, Rebecca?"

"Not really. I'm not sure a hundred percent what's going on."

I hand them back to her, running a hand through my hair. "It's nothing."

"No, something's wrong, isn't it?"

"Yeah, there is. It's nothing to bother you with."

I mull over this. I know the terms of the contract are important to follow, but I don't want to.

"What's going on?" she persists, like a dog with a bone.

I purse my lips, trying to find the correct words. She does mean well, but there are problems.

"I can't do this. I can't go to sign it."

I hand the papers back to Rebecca. She looks over them. I know she doesn't want to hear that, but the longer I dwell on this, the worse I feel.

"It's just for a month. Did something happen?"

I hesitate, unsure whether I should tell her everything, or even anything.

"I just made a mistake, and right now, I'm trying to fix it and avoid more."

"I see. But this is huge. With this contract, we'll grow and—"

"Yeah, but I can't go right now."

Rebecca plays with the paper, looking away.

"Did something happen with a girl or something? You're almost never the type to say you can't do something. You're one of the most driven bosses I've ever had."

I snort at Rebecca's words. "Appreciate it."

"So, it is a girl then," she replies, winking.

"It's not that."

"All right, but we need to do something about this contract. It's huge, and it could be great for the business."

"I agree. Let me take a closer look."

Rebecca hands the details over to me. Andrew's contact, Herbert, wants to meet in Berlin to discuss the finer details. I pore over the contents, only to get to the bottom.

"Wait a second."

I stare, reading the fine print. I shake my head and hand it back.

"We can't."

"But it's—"

"Don't question. I've got to take care of this. Send an email to Herbert and tell him that I need to speak immediately. Do not wait."

Rebecca backs out, nodding.

"W-will do, sir."

She closes the door and I fold my hands. I know that if I do pursue this contract, our business will skyrocket. I'll be one of the biggest trading companies out there. However, I just can't do it.

When I saw the fine print, that pushed the entire opportunity off the table.

My phone rings ten minutes later with a video call. Of course, it's from Herbert. With a sigh, I press the green button and sit down.

"Hello there, Herbert. Good to—"

"Vat is the meaning of zis!" he screams, slamming his hand on the table. "I followed your conditions. And now you're just tossing away this opportunity."

I nod. "I sure am."

"But vhy? Vhy are you doing zis? I worked with you on Andrew's behalf, and now—"

"Because I saw the fine print of the contract," I explain. "I saw the condition where I'd have to relocate everything to Berlin for two years."

That part of the contract pushed the deal off the table for me. I can't possibly leave this place. Herbert pauses and shakes his head.

"Did you not read za contract?"

"Oh, I did. And I can't agree with this. The offer's final without the relocation. If you don't like this, then I'm sorry, but that's the way things are going," I explain.

Herbert doesn't say anything. The vein on his forehead grows. I know he's upset. This has been something I spoke with Andrew about for a little bit, and he mentioned it would benefit all of us. But I don't see it as a benefit if it means I have to leave.

Herbert sighs and composes himself.

"What do I need to do to get you to come here? What can I offer?"

"A contract that doesn't include me relocating everything to Germany."

"Vhy though? You're not tied to anything—"

"Actually, I am," I explain nonchalantly. Herbert listens, completely taken aback as he hears these words.

"Since vhen?"

"Since recently. I, uh, there's someone that I can't leave behind."

My thoughts drift to Sara. I know I hurt her, and with each passing day, the regret grows. I look at the paper on the table. I have to do this. It's for her, for the good of my heart.

"Robert . . . ."

"I get it. But when you find the right person, leaving them behind, just like that, is impossible."

Herbert doesn't say a word. Maybe I am shooting my company in the foot. Even if I am, though, I know I'm doing the right thing. I have to follow my heart.

Herbert shakes his head.

"Fine. I'll agree to your terms. I vant this deal, even if you refuse to at least put a little bit of ze leg work in."

"I am putting the leg work in. I'm also negotiating. It's called a compromise, Herbert. Think about that for a bit."

"Oh, I vill. As for you, how do you want to go about this."

I half-smile. I know they'll come around eventually and listen to me.

"I'll lay out the contractual terms. You bring part of your manufacturing plant stateside. I have the collateral to make this happen."

He nods. "Very vell."

I hang up and sit back, feeling the relief flood my body. I know that this isn't the best way to do things, but sometimes, you need to stand your ground. Not fifteen minutes later a knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. I sit up and look toward the doorway.

Rebeca shows up again. She smiles, holding a series of papers in her hands. One of her hands moves to her ponytail to play with it and she's giving me a funny look like she's daft or something.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Herbert just signed the agreement and took out the Berlin condition. What did you tell him?" And she breaks out in a smile.

"Nothing that would negatively impact this."

"But he changed his tune right away. I've never seen someone do that."

"Well, expect the unexpected, Rebecca," I point out with a smile.

Her brows furrow as she looks at me.

"I don't know what you said, but you did make my life a little easier. So, thanks for that."

"Hey, anytime."

Rebecca places the papers on my desk, and I thank her. At least I can end the day with some kind of victory. She heads back to the door, but as she grips the handle, I speak.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"I need you to do a little bit of research for me on a certain animal sanctuary."

"Animal sanctuary?"

"Yes. It's for someone that I care about a lot. I want to make things right, and I need your help to do it." And I write down the name and any other details I know.

Rebecca laughs at my words, cupping her hand to her mouth. I sit there, looking at her, and shrug.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, it's just interesting seeing you this soft, sir. I'll get that taken care of right away and see what information I can get on the animal sanctuary for you." Do I detect a smirk on her face?

She salutes and leaves, and as the door closes, I smile. I know that dealing with Herbert would change the company, and if I agreed to all of his demands, things could be different.

I can't, however. I can't go on without telling Sara how I feel and the truth behind my feelings. I want to make things up to her.

Even if she hates me after this, I'll accept the penance and what will come of this.