Chapter 5: Chapter 5 - Across the Atlantic

A knock on his office door pulled Nathan out of his reverie. He wondered why his mind had wandered to the day he had met her. Clearing his throat he straightened his shoulders and turned the opaqueness of the glass walls of his office to almost 100% transparent.

"Come in," His voice was strong, clear, and held no indication of any of the emotional turmoil that had led to his reverie.

As his subordinates walked into his office he greeted and smiled at each one. His mind went over the facts that were pertinent to the meeting. He opened the blue file on his desk and perused it once more to ensure that his first words were in line with the tone that he wanted to set for the meeting.

As the last pair of feet shuffled into his office and settled around the large table in his office he placed his hands behind his back. For those who knew him, they knew that this was a serious meeting. The talk around the rumor mill had been that things were about to change.

From the looks of it and the rising tension in the room, it wasn't good. The nervous chatter quietened as Nathan moved from behind his desk towards the table where the Heads of Divisions sat in front of him. He turned the opaqueness of the glass walls that looked out into the hall to the fullest.

Everyone still had the view of the city skyline and his personal secretary's office which also overlooked the city skyline. Nathan could feel the tension rising in the room. He wondered who in his organization might be involved and whether they had any idea that there was a probe within the organization. He hoped he had caught the right information this time, too much was at stake for him to be wrong.

"As you all know, we are about to take in our annual round of Graduate Trainees. I trust that all Division Heads will conduct themselves above board. This year we are making an effort to select the best across the world.

"ALL applicants MUST meet our criteria. They must be able to appear for an interview, for the applicants from the other continents we will conduct the interviews in their hometowns. For those in other areas of the US and North America, we will select interview locations based on the geographic locations of the interviewees."

Nathaniel Woodcombe surveyed his audience. The newer division heads were taking notes. The older ones nodded as they noted the change in procedure.

A few looked bored. He noted the faces: head of engineering, head of civil works, and head of marketing. He also noted that the tension that had filled the room just minutes before had lessened dramatically.

The nervous fiddling of pens and shuffling of feet and papers had stopped. The nervous glancing around had lessened as well. He continued with his address with his left hand in his pocket.

"This year, I will not be part of the selection process." Heads rose from the notepads which were half-filled with notes. "I will be out of the country for an indefinite period."

Pens dropped to the table. The IT Division staff dropped their styluses in shock.

"My leave of absence begins within the fortnight. I expect to have all the usual reports, as and when they are due. Your primary liaison with this office will be Milton Fairwood.

"He will be taking over fully. I will warn those of you who don't know, he runs a very tight ship in the least likely manner. I would not advise you to try and contact me while he is running this office.

"EVERYTHING must go on as usual. Particularly as the time which I may be away could extend veritably for months, if not beyond that."

The anxious buzz of whispers rose like the sound as one approaches a hive of bees until Nathaniel raise his hand and called out the name of an executive who had raised her hand. "Meryl."

"Where will you be sir?" The older blonde woman spoke with unveiled curiosity.

There had been a rumor that the eligible bachelor was finally going to select a wife lest he forego his billions in inheritance. There was wide speculation as to who he might be marrying. There was that brunette who always came through and flirted with him shamelessly.

There was even a rumor that he may be gay and would be marrying a man. All the straight women thought it was a shame. Many of them had fantasized that he would wake up and realize he was in love with them at one point or another, even the married women. Nathaniel's firm jaw and masculine features were a pleasure to observe.

His dark brown hair that was shades away from being black was just long enough to allow one to run their fingers through it and yet short enough to keep the curl, which had kept him looking like an adolescent into his twenties, away from his forehead. He smiled, all of his straight teeth gleamed white under the bright florescent light. Each of the small lights seemed to bounce off his teeth in a signature sparkle.

He assured everyone he would be nearby but merely unable to attend to daily work issues. The buzz of chatter increased to a crescendo once more. He raised his hand and the silence was as immediate.

"You will barely notice my absence. Who knows I may return with that wife that many of you have hinted I should have in the past." His grin made many at the table chuckle. It was no secret that everyone on staff had tried to assist the head of Titanium Holdings to find a wife whether overtly or covertly.

As the meeting progressed many of the other pressing questions which had been created by the rumor mill were answered. The issue of him moving to Africa, his impending marriage, the financial stability of Titanium, the restructuring of senior management, the company being run by his mother, his involvement in an FBI investigation, Titanium being contracted by the government to create state-of-the-art listening devices and many other colorful rumors were addressed as they listened to their dynamic leader map a way forward for the next financial year.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Will Parker drove into his grandmother's long driveway and frowned. He'd have to talk to Uncle Milton about this thing that kept happening to him. He parked his car and strode into the house.

He greeted the butler warmly making fun of his aloofness as usual before asking where Uncle Milton was. Ruffling the butler's hair before heading to the study Will ran up the stairs two at a time. He didn't catch the grin on the old butler's face as he straightened his hair in the foyer mirror.

"William, don't abuse the butler. Your Uncle Nathaniel would be upset to find his trusty manservant gone because of his unruly nephew." His grandmother's voice came from the window overlooking the extensive grounds.

William walked past the reading chairs and side tables and kissed his grandmother's cheek. "Sorry, Mama. Is Uncle Milt here?"

"My boy...I'm right here. What is it that's bothering you?"

Will groaned, he couldn't believe it was that obvious. "I think it's a girl. There's a teacher's house on campus that every time we pass it, when Bryan, the guys, and I run by, I find myself literally drooling. The other day I just wanted to ask for water so I can find out who she is.

"I mean, we'll be jogging in preparation for this season's training and I'll space out sort of. Gramama, I swear, it isn't just hormones it's like I have to see her. What if it's not a her?" Will turned to his grandmother to check if he was going nuts.

Ever since the accident, his senses were improved several times over. They'd tested it to see if it was permanent and so far it seemed to be. Last semester he could tell when a girl liked him and when she was just saying it to get props for dating the new guy.

Uncle Milton chuckled. "Looks like you have a situation. Which house did you say it was?"

Will told his great uncle which house it was and he got a nod as well as a promise that he would know if a girl lived there or not. Until then he was forbidden from going there on his own. Will frowned. "Why can't I go and check it out?"

"I have a feeling it may be more complex than you think. Don't worry my boy, I'll sort it out. You just rest and we'll talk again after you return from your season preps." Uncle Milton smiled briefly before glancing at his sister-in-law who seemed visibly upset.

Will nodded knowing that Uncle Milton would have it sorted out by the time he got back from pre-season practice. The guys on the team had decided that they would warm up to Coach's grueling season training by working on a few drills before season and school started. He kissed his grandmother good night and got a nod from Uncle Milton before heading to his room.