That Woman, Emma.

Victor

"Unfortunately, he's still not back from his vacation," I confirmed to my father over the phone, casting a quick glance at Victoria, who sat across from me. She offered a polite smile before discreetly looking around, giving me space to converse with my father, who had inconveniently interrupted what could barely be considered a date – especially since I had no intention of pursuing anything romantic with her, or anyone else for that matter. I was only here because Jasper had insisted.

"I've tried reaching out to him multiple times, but no luck yet. How about we meet tomorrow morning, or perhaps you could swing by my office before lunch? There are a few other matters I'd like to discuss with you as well," I suggested, hoping to resolve the issue at hand and tackle any additional concerns in person.

"There does seem to be some underlying issues brewing in the office," I admitted, feeling the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air. Though I couldn't quite put my finger on the exact problem, there was an unsettling sense of silent chaos permeating the atmosphere. And then there's James Silvester, one of the equity partners, who has been absent for over ten days now, despite initially stating he'd only be away for a week. It's unlike him to extend his vacation without prior notice, and it's leaving me with an uneasy feeling.

"I've already requested another board meeting for tomorrow to address these concerns," I informed my father. "Given your wealth of experience in the field, I could really use your guidance through this situation."

"Alright, I'll be there," he replied after a brief pause. Then, he suggested, "How about joining me for breakfast tomorrow before our meeting?"

I typically skip breakfast, but considering the pressing matters I need to discuss with my father, it seems like an opportune time to catch up over a meal. "Alright, I'll be there," I replied, stealing a glance at Victoria. I offered her another apologetic smile, hoping she'd understand the necessity of the call. If anything, it might signal to her that I'm not interested in pursuing anything beyond this one date.

There was a slight shuffling on the other end before my father let out a sigh. "Perhaps you could invite Justin to join us as well?" he suggested unexpectedly. "I haven't seen him in a while," he added softly.

I was taken aback by his request. Dad rarely mentions Justin, let alone expresses any desire to see him. Ever since Justin came out, there's been a noticeable distance between them. While Mom occasionally persuades Justin to visit, his busy schedule lately meant he hadn't been able to adhere to her "visit once a month" rule, resulting in Dad not seeing him for months. His request hinted at a longing for Justin's presence, revealing a softer side that I rarely witness. I can only hope that one day Dad will muster the courage to express his feelings directly to Justin.

Though I wanted to urge Dad to reach out to Justin himself, I hesitated. Bringing it up now might dampen the mood, and I didn't want to miss this opportunity. Perhaps in the future, I'll broach the subject and encourage them to reconnect. For now, I simply smiled and agreed, "I'll talk to him," eager to do whatever it took to bring my family closer together.

As Victoria and I engaged in conversation, I found myself drifting away, my attention waning as she shared anecdotes about herself. She spoke animatedly about her background, her connection to Jasper from their university days, and her journey from Massachusetts to New York. I reciprocated with brief mentions of my qualifications and work, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Justin.

Despite my disinterest in dating her or anyone else at the moment, I maintained a facade of attentiveness, nodding along as she spoke. We ordered drinks and food, and I continued to feign interest in her anecdotes.

Amidst her chatter, my eyes discreetly scanned the room for Justin, but he was nowhere in sight. He was likely occupied at his sports bar or running errands. Before I departed, I needed to discuss Dad's invitation to breakfast with him. Anticipating Justin's straightforward refusal, I knew I had to ensure he attended. It was crucial for them to reconcile their differences at this juncture.