Lib Novel Page 29
When I return to the room, my gaze lands on Charles’ laptop bag on the coffee table. In the middle of a white table runner are two water bottles symmetrically placed. The half-visible water ring clearly indicates that the flower vase has been recently adjusted to be at an equal distance from the two glass bottles.
Oh, Charles. You and your OCD tendencies. How are you holding up in that room?
The thought brings up a fresh wave of anxiety, prompting me to grab my phone.
Me: Everything okay in there?
Jimmy: Thank goodness you’re here. Your boss is about to lose it at any second.
Me: What? Why?
Jimmy: Just join us and see for yourself.
Me: I can’t. I’m in Charles’ lounge. I’ll explain later, but I can’t step out of here.
Jimmy: Dammit! Then I’ll have to wrap up this interview.
Me: Why? Don’t we have half an hour more?
Jimmy: Trust me, the media won’t survive. Charles Hawthorne is on the verge of exploding.
Me: I don’t get it.
A second later, my phone rings, with Jimmy’s name flashing on the screen. I pick up and hear an unfamiliar voice.
“Mr. Hawthorne, what about your personal life? We’ve spent the last hour discussing your plans for the town’s future, and we believe in your vision. But people want to know more about you, the real Charles, the man behind the future leader of Hawthorne Empire.”
“Being a Hawthorne is who I am. Since I can remember, I’ve known I’d be leading the family business someday. Every decision I made, from my studies to my university choice, was geared toward leading the company, growing Cherrywood, and serving my legacy.”
Silence stretches in the room before a female reporter says, “Everyone in this town admires your dedication, but this is the first time we’ve had direct access to you. I hope you understand our curiosity about the real Charles Hawthorne.” Her voice dips low, invoking an irritated vein in my temple.
“I don’t think even I know everything about myself, so I’m afraid I can’t share.” Charles’ serious and clipped response is met with her giggles.
Seriously, woman. Get your hormones in control! You’re exhibiting unprofessionalism of the highest order!
“Okay, then give us something,” she probes further. “What does Charles do to destress?”
Easy. Organizing stuff to precision.
My chuckle stops short when Charles replies, “Aikido.”
What the heck?
Keeping the phone on speaker, I quickly search Aikido on the internet. As opposed to my thinking that it might be some sort of computer game where you get badges and money for cleaning, images of people in martial arts uniforms—white kimono-style gis and black loose-fitted hakamas—fill my screen.
“Wow! That’s completely unexpected.” The woman’s surprise is genuine, and my initial annoyance toward her subsides.
She’s definitely onto something. After all, in the past four years, I had no idea how my neat-freak boss spent his free time.
As if everyone in the room shares my feelings, no one interrupts her when she asks, “What is the most important thing in Charles’ life?”
Work and Hawthorne Holdings, of course.
“My family,” Charles replies instead.
0 for 2. Do you even know your boss, Daisy?
“What is Charles looking forward to the most right now?” the rapid fire continues.