Page 7 of Words Unspoken

“Yes.”

“Dad didn’t know?”

“If he had ever found out that I had put my money to your fund to help those affected by our company is mistake with that diabetic drug, I would have been fired,” Michael said dryly. It was the truth. David could be ruthless. He was pretty sure David had never known.

“What is the vote for?” Max folded up the papers and gently set them on the kitchen table. He grabbed a cup of coffee and handed it to Michael.

It was a reconciliatory gesture. Michael took the coffee gratefully. He needed the caffeine. “I would rather not say.”

“Come on, Michael. You cannot just come here asking for my vote and not tell me what it is for,” Max was angry and disappointed. “It is obvious you think that the other members of the board aren’t going to like it because you would not be lobbying for votes otherwise. I need to know because I am not going in blind.”

“Please Max,” said Michael. “I need you there. I need you to vote with me. You will hear the motion when everyone else does. I need you to second the nomination I put forwar. It is imperative that you do so. The emergency meeting of the board is for six in the morning tomorrow.”

“That early? What is so important?” Max persisted.

Michael set down his coffee.

“I know I haven’t been a good brother to you for the past six years. I am sorry for that. I should have done more to help you. I should have done a lot of things,” he thought of Ann with regret. “I will never be able to apologize enough. If you can make it to tomorrow’s meeting, I will be eternally grateful.”

Max reluctantly took Michael is proffered hand. He knew that he was not going to get any more details.

Michael turned to Piaget and congratulated her on the ring. “Max is a very lucky man.”

He took his leave of both of them. Michael hoped that he had said enough to convince Max to come.

Max would come. Max would vote correctly. Michael tried to have faith, yet it was difficult under the circumstances. An ominous black floating cloud kept pace at the side of his vision and his head felt like the woodpeckers had been upgraded to jackhammers. He had not bothered to take any of the prescribed pain pills. One of the major side effects was drowsiness and possible confusion. He needed to be alert.

Or as alert as he could be considering the constant pain and brain fog.

Would Noah vote as Michael wanted him to? He didn’t know. He was not going to ask. It would be better to simply surprise him along with the rest of the board. If Noah had time to think about the implications of what was about to take place, he would fight it tooth and nail.

Thirty minutes later the car was outside a high-rise apartment building in a much classier side of town. Michael rubbed his tired eyes. He desperately wanted to sleep but there was no time. He would sleep during the surgery which was looming ever closer.

Walking to the front lobby, Michael selected the appropriate button and waited.

“Hello?” Ann is melodious voice floated back to him.

“Ann, I would like to talk to you if I could.”

It felt like a full minute passed before she buzzed him in. A short elevator ride and he stood awkwardly outside her door before knocking. He could hear her release the security chain before opening the door. She stood before him in yoga gear, her hair down and her feet bare. He realized he had never seen her hair down. It reached just past her shoulder blades. It was gorgeous, like her.

“I am not coming back,” she stated quietly.

“I am not asking you to,” he realized that was true. He had not come to ask her back, no matter how desperately he wanted her to. “I want you to be happy and if you are not happy at Ramesly Pharma then you need to do what is best for you.”

Ann digested this for a moment. “Then why did you come?”

“You have been the best secretary that I have ever had. You have also been a good friend.”

“Thank you,” she waited patiently while he sorted his thoughts.

“I would like to present you with a token of appreciation for your dedication and service to the company. I have put a package together to help you while you transition your life,” he explained. Michael could see that she was getting annoyed and hurried to add. “I hope that you will accept it.”

“Thank you, Michael but it is not necessary.”

“It is necessary,” he insisted. “Ann, I can never thank you enough for all that you have done for me. Please accept this gift.”

She looked so disappointed. Rather like the time when he had come to pick her up for their first social occasion outside of work. He had explained it as a learning experience to get her to know the clients better, but he had really wanted to show up at the country club with her on his arm. She had worn some frothy peach dress that had hugged her curves and showed it off with an expectant ta-da! as he stood there dumbstruck unable to give voice or words to the vision that was before him. The moment had passed and no matter that he had tried to compliment her after, it had fallen flat. She had been very disappointed then and he had never been able to make it up to her. Michael had the feeling that he disappointed her a lot and he was not sure why.