Page 29 of Aaron's Patience

“At his home?”

I glanced up. “No, atBuona Sera.”

“Okay, don’t forget to remind him of the agreement. You know our stock prices have dropped…”

I sighed. As if I would’ve forgotten such a thing. Thiers wasn’t even a big time power dealer in the world of energy, but he was a close family friend…well, as close as business associates could get. My father and Thiers went back years to their childhood, having grown up on different sides of the tracks but attending the same school.

“You need to be on top of things while I’m in Japan,” my father continued.

“You think I don’t take my position at Townsend seriously?”

My father grumbled, “I did not say that, Aaron. I know more than anyone how hard you work. You want the CEO position, and as far as I’m concerned, once I retire, it’s yours. But I’m not the only one who has a say on the matter.”

“I understand.”

“I know you do. Go have dinner with Thiers. Give him my apologies for missing this outing and get back to work tomorrow morning.”

“Will do.” Hanging up the phone with my father, I entered the restaurant door that was held open by the door attendant.

“Welcome, sir. Your name?” the hostess asked.

“Reservation is under Thiers, first name, Gary.”

She smiled, beckoning me to follow. “Right this way.”

I did so, scanning the dining space as we moved through it. I caught Thiers’ eye a moment before the hostess stopped at the table that sat next to one of the restaurants’ windows.

“Aaron.” He stood, extending his arms for an embrace.

I frowned.

“I forgot,” he chuckled, then reached out for a handshake.

I obliged. My father was more of the hugger, at least with Thiers he was.

“How’re you doing these days?”

“I’m well.”

“I bet you are. Next in line to be CEO of Townsend and not even thirty years old.”

“I’ll be thirty in a few months,” I reminded.

“Nonetheless, you’re on track to surpass even your father’s expectations, I’m sure.”

I nodded. “And yourself? How are you?” Unfolding the cloth napkin in my lap, I leaned back against the wooden chair, awaiting his reply.

“I’m very well.” He smiled. “Ju-Oh, Patience.”

I looked over my shoulder to see the same hostess approaching our table, this time a woman behind her. I squinted, noting the walnut skin, and sepia, wide-set eyes. I let my eyes trail down her frame which couldn’t be more than five-foot-four. She wasn’t overweight but her body was incredibly curvy. Our eyes locked as soon as she arrived at the table. Hers widened in surprise and the muscles in my stomach clenched.

“Patience,” Thiers stated.

She pulled her gaze from me. “Dad.” She smiled and moved to place a kiss on his cheek.

“Patience, you remember, Aaron, Robert Townsend’s son.”

She turned to me again, nodded. “Hello.”