8. Robert

Chapter eight

Robert

"Okay, great. I'll send over the investment report, and then fax you the rest of the details as well as the net profits from closing. Got it. Bye."

I hang up the phone, sighing as I rub my temples. Another long business call with a whole bunch of issues that I must resolve sooner rather than later.

It can be challenging being the head of the company, and frankly, it feels like everything is against me. However, I try my best, focusing on these deals and getting them to fall into place.

So far, it's working despite the hiccups.

My phone buzzes, and I look down, seeing a text from Sara.

Have a good day.

A smile falls on my face. Ever since that date with Sara, I haven't been able to get her out of my head. It‘s now worse than it was before when we first met in the café. She looked stunning that night, and I couldn't help but gravitate toward her with every passing second.

It's been two weeks since then. Part of the time lapse is due to our conflicting schedules and my running these deals, ensuring that they get done before the end of the quarter. However, another part of me is hesitant to reach out.

Am I ready to move on? I want to say yes, to call her up and tell her that I want to be see her again. But there's still hesitation, especially with the potential this offers.

I text her back, saying that I hope she does too, and once my schedule gets a bit more lax, I want to take her out again. I mean that when I text it.

I put my phone down, checking the final numbers on a property. It looks as if it's ready to go. I just have to drum up the last of the paperwork, and then it's smooth sailing from here.

At least something is going right.

I fill out the paperwork, including the last couple of lines, indicating that I know I'm responsible for the financial well-being of each of these. Then, I text Rebecca to come up here and grab them. I check my watch, seeing that it is nearly lunch.

She opens the door, gathering the papers.

"Going somewhere?" she asks.

"Yeah, lunch."

"Okay. We can meet those investor requirements later, right?"

I nod slightly. "Yeah."

I walk briskly past him and to the elevator. As I go down, my watch beeps, and a text from my dad flashes across the screen.

Call me.

What could Dad possibly want at a time like this? He does have a bad habit of calling at the wrong time. I reach for my phone after I exit the building, dialing Dad and waiting for his response.

"There you are."

"You texted me two minutes ago."

"I know. I'm just kidding. Anyway, how are you doing?"

"Good. Been busy with work."

"Always busy, I see. There's something I wanted to ask you, if that's okay, Robert."

I stand in front of the entryway to the office, holding my phone a bit tighter.

"What do you need?"

"Well, your mother and I were talking, and we want to have a family gathering. We'd like to go to the island if that is something you can fit into your schedule."

"With the aunts and uncles?"

"Well, a couple of the aunts: the ones who aren't always asking for money. Also, great Uncle Willie lives out there. He wants to have a celebration since it's been, like, five or six years since we saw him."

Willie made his lot out there ages ago. He doesn't come to the States often, and our family tries to see him when we can.

"Oh yeah, that's right, I have property out there too, as well as you, Dad. How's Uncle Willie doing?"

"As crazy as ever. I don't think that man will ever die."

"I hope not. I like him."

"Yeah, well, don't tell him that. It's going to get to his head."

My father laughs, and I stifle a chuckle. He's definitely an interesting guy. Dad acts much younger than he is, and despite having carcinoma for a couple of years, the man's as spry as ever. He even sits on the beach and fishes for hours despite his doctors insisting otherwise.

"So, what did you need to ask?"

"Oh yes. Let's get back to that. Well, Mom and I are thinking that, at the end of the month, we could go down there together and have a family gathering."

I adjust my watch, checking my calendar.

"The last week?"

"Yes."

"Works for me. It's an empty week for me since it's the beginning of the quarter."

"Wonderful! So you're invited, and we're thinking of just going down there for a couple of days. I want to make sure that the stuff growing on my land is surviving."

That's right. Dad has a sugar cane farm on his. It's run by this sweet older couple, who gives him reports about net sales and profit each quarter. There's also a house on the property where Uncle Willie can stay if he wants to, but he'll likely want to stay at his own place.

"Anyway, I wanted to make sure that you were okay with this date and if you planned on bringing someone. It can be a business partner or a friend or—"

"Actually, there is someone."

The line goes silent. My father clears his throat, surprised by my words.

"Really, Robert?"

"Yes, Dad. I've kept it under wraps for a reason, but there's a girl I'm speaking with."

"Oh. I see."

My father doesn't say another word. That can only mean one thing. He's surprised and has no clue how to approach any of this.

"Yeah, it's a girl I've been talking to a whole lot. She and I hit it off, and well—"

"I'm happy for you son."

"We're not dating. Don't get that idea. But she knows about my business and the properties."

"So, she knows about the wealth."

"Yes, and she's fine with that, and I feel that she is not the least money-obsessed" I explain.

My father whistles but doesn't utter another word.

"Well, I knew this day would come eventually. This is quite the surprise."

"Sure is, Dad."

"I'm happy for you, though, really. But, when I tell Becca, you know she's going to ask for the finer details."

"Mom can have them when she meets her," I reply.

"Fair enough. Anyway, I'll let you go. Just wanted to make sure that you got the message and that it's on your radar."

"Copy that. Love you, Dad."

I hang up the phone, thinking about what he just said. A family vacation. I want to bring Sara, not just because of how nice it is but also because I want my parents to meet her. She's the first person who's managed to capture my heart in recent years.

And the first to make me forget about Maria.

I still have thirty minutes before I have to get back to the office. Even then, I can have Rebecca move my later appointment to tomorrow. I make my way to the garage, where my Bugatti sits in the reserved parking spot. As the engine roars to life, I back out and speed through the parking garage.

There's one place I want to go.

I head down 61 st street, where the coffee shop is. Sure enough, the spot right in front, where I parked the other day, is completely unoccupied. I slide in and get out of the car. As I walk inside, the door rings.

"Hello and welcome to—Robert?"

Our eyes meet, and I nod.

"Hey, Sara."

"Hi, what ‘cha doing here?"

"I wanted to talk with you. Can you go on break?"

"Just a second . . . ."

She looks around rapidly and then heads to the back. A moment later she walks out, wearing a light green button-up and some slacks. It's simple, but it matches her allure, making her absolutely adorable.

"Sorry. Had to make sure Bianca had finished her lunch before I run off on her."

"No sweat. I wanted to ask you something, and I didn't want to wait."

"Sure, what is it?"

I open the door and we sit outside, away from other people. I don't want to bring it up in front of her coworkers.

"Sit."

She plops down on the black metal chair, and I join her. My fingers drum against the table as I figure out where to begin. There are so many ways to do this.

Maybe asking her so fast isn't the best idea. She leans forward, curious about what I want.

"What's going on? This is the first time you've been out here in a couple of weeks."

"Right. Sorry. I've been really busy."

"It's fine."

My mind goes over the variety of different ways to approach this. Should I ask directly, or maybe weasel it in? This is a huge offer, and I don't want it to come off as weird or anything.

"I'm just trying to figure out how to approach this."

"You're good," she says, smiling. "Trust me, I'm just happy to see you again."

I blink, taken aback by her words. She actually wanted to see me. Most of the time, when I went on dates with other women in the past, they were excited to see my money, not me. That was even before Maria, so a long time ago.

"That's a welcome change of things," I reply, nodding. "I'm glad to hear it."

"Yeah, and I'm sure work keeps you nice and busy."

"Oh, trust me, it does."

The words linger, almost coming from my lips. I know that avoiding this will only make things worse. My thoughts swarm like bees as I try to figure out the right way to ask this.

I don't know why I'm so nervous. I mean, this is Sara. She will probably love it. Maybe it's the implications of what this means for both of us, coming a bit too soon.

"I wanted to ask you if you'd like to come with me on vacation."

She sits there, nodding.

"Where to? I mean, if it's a day trip, I wouldn't mind it, but—"

"Bermuda."

Her jaw drops. I catch her breathing a little bit deeper, processing this.

"That's, uh, a little farther than I thought we'd be going."

"I have a family gathering out there."

"It won't be a burden on you, right?"

"Course not," I retort. "I asked you, so I'd like it if you came."

She takes in these words, and I wait. I hope she says yes. Not just because I want to be around her but because I would love to show her around the island and my property. Plus, there's a part of me that wants to introduce Sara to the family. I haven't wanted to do that in a while, but the more I'm around her sweet face, the more she tempts me.

"This is a lot," she finally replies.

"I'm sorry if this is a little sudden."

"No, you're good! I'm just trying to figure this all out. I've never been there and—"

"I have connections. You just have to show up."

"Right. I mean, I have my passport but never used it."

"Now's as good of time as ever."

"True."

She thinks about this, and my eyes look down at my watch. I need an answer soon. If she says no, I don't know what I'll do, but I guess I'll figure it out.

"If you need some time to think on this, I can give it to you."

"No, it's fine. I think I have my answer," she replies, leaning forward. Her eyes light up, and I can't help but grow mesmerized by her sweetness.

"I'd love to go with you," she says.

My heart races and the weight on my chest disappears when I hear those words. I smile, happy to hear this, while keeping my expression muted.

"That's great!"

"This is just, wow. I didn't expect this today."

"Well, sometimes you need to expect the unexpected," I reply.

"True."

We sit there, and I try to find the right words. This decision is huge, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the nervousness practically overwhelm me.

"So, like, what's the plan then?"

"Well, we'll be going for the weekend at the end of the month. There's an extra room so we don't have to stay together."

"Right. Sounds good. I'm not ready for anything like that," I clarify.

Looking at the time and the flashing message across the screen, I stand up, and she does the same.

"Well, duty calls." I tell her. I hope that the pure exhilaration in my voice doesn't frighten her. I'm just overjoyed that she will go.

"Right. It's good to see you. And I'm excited for our trip."

"Likewise, I really want to introduce you to my family," I tell her.

I turn and walk away, heading back to my Bugatti. She disappears back into the café, and as the door closes, I process what just happened.

I did it. I asked her to come with me. I know this is different from meeting the parents after a date, but I'm happy it worked out. I can't help but smile thinking about it.

I don't know if this will mean something else, but I want to take a chance. Maybe Sara is exactly what I need to finally get over my past failed relationship.