[ON GOING] All Of Me 18+ Only (Book 3 of Lastor series) #Wattys2020

Chapter 13: Jude

I sat at the head of the conference table with the members of the board, listening to the team of Presidents report the performances and developments in the strategy we recently implemented for the subsidiaries they were respectively overseeing. They were going on and on about operating budgets, fiscal progress, and redundancies, always taking too much time to explain what should be a straightforward topic of discussion. I grew more agitated and uneasy the more diversions they made. When it reached halfway down the table, I cleared my throat audibly, garnering their attention and stopping Geoffrey Turner as he was about to take the floor and make his report.

"Let's break for lunch and return in an hour," I said, getting to my feet and they all followed suit. "Gentlemen. Ladies."

I nodded curtly and headed to the door, letting Luis open it for me while Keith stepped aside to let me pass. I adjusted my tie, pocketing my hands when I realized my fingers were trembling. Levi stood from his desk when he saw us nearing, opening the door for me. I unbuttoned my jacket as we entered the office and Luis swiftly pulled it off me. Sighing, I laid back on the couch, rubbing my temples while holding out my arm to Luis. He was folding up the sleeve of my shirt when I heard Keith and Levi arguing with someone outside and a moment later, Geoffrey was striding into the room. I shifted to sit, waving a hand at Keith and Levi when they kept trying to block his way.

"Just why exactly did you put me in this position if you aren't even interested in what I have to say or what I've done?" Geoffrey demanded, inexplicably furious.

Despite not having the Lastor name, he had all our qualities. Namely the ego we were infamous for. He and Angel used to drive each other up the wall whenever we spent vacations with Gramps at the same time. I was always left trying to keep the peace between them while Gramps amused himself with their rows, calling them spirited youngsters.

"Was it just politics? Erik wouldn't bend to you so you disposed of him?" He scoffed. "I have worked hard at my career and I was perfectly satisfied living in obscurity before you plucked me out of it. I accepted this position because I respect you as an innovative business mind but I will not be used as a pawn in your power play with the council, Jude. If you're not going to take my work seriously, then I'd rather you replace me with some other willing lap dog."

"Sir, would you like me-" Luis began but I raised a finger, cutting him off.

"I'm sorry," I began, steeling myself to remain composed. "I meant no offense. I'm under doctor's orders not to miss meals, you see."

His brows furrowed slightly and he raked his eyes over me. "So it's true what they've been saying. You're ill."

"It's only known within the council," I said, gesturing at the chair opposite me.

He unbuttoned his jacket, sitting down. "How bad?"

I shook my head, crossing my legs. "Perforated ulcer. I had surgery three weeks ago. There's no sign of long term complications."

"You're not eating?" He raked his eyes over me again, as if searching for evidence. He looked troubled by whatever he found. "You always got overwhelmed whenever we played those war games against Gramps, even though nothing was at stake and it was all done on paper," he said, loosening his tie. "I was no better at it, though it was mostly because I found it boring and wanted to get out of the game quickly. Only Angel bothered to play along with Gramps' silly whims and listen to him drone on all damn day."

"Have you developed sentimentality, Geoff?" I muttered, looking at him indifferently. "Why are you suddenly recalling a childhood anecdote in the middle of a conversation?"

He shook his head in dismay. "It always annoyed me, how every time we played that stupid game, we'd survive longer after each time," he went on, steepling his fingers together. "I just wanted to watch TV and hang out with my friends but Angel would get better at the game every time we played it that it would go on for hours. The first time we beat Gramps, she was maybe thirteen, I think? You remember what she said after we won?"