Intentions

Two

What do I need to know? How about why you're standing so close? You need to back up and go sit back down. You don't need to be this close to have a conversation. "Well, to start, I need to know everything about you. Even the things your parents or friends may not know." At this he raised an eyebrow but stayed silent so I continued. "If I am going to help you, I need to know who you are behind those closed doors you keep so tight. You want to appear more human—

"Not me, my parents think—

"It genuinely does not matter right now, I am here to do my job and I can't if you do not allow me to get to know you."

"How much are we talking?" I gave him a questioning look. "How personal are we talking?" he clarified. I could already see that look in his eyes and the screws starting to turn in his mind. I damn near rolled my eyes at his antics, "Not the personal you are so obviously imagining. I am here to cultivate a form of you to present to the world, not for you to shamelessly try to flirt." He didn't even have the decency to look ashamed. What kind of hermit-adjacent man is this? "We can start by getting your face out there, maybe do an introductory interview." My mind began racing with ideas as a plan began to form. "I'm okay with doing an interview but, there has to be a limit on the amount of questions and topics." My brow instantly furrowed because it was a strange request but, the more I thought about it, it seemed fair since I didn't need him to be overwhelmed and panicky. Although, he hardly seemed like the type to be overwhelmed. "Alright, that's fair, especially since you have never given an interview. Which I don't even understand how that's possible."

"What do you mean? What don't you understand?" he stood up to his full height, which must have been around six feet, and walked back to his chair. "I don't understand how you have been running this company for so long and working with so many charities and organizations and no one has actually seen your face in any type of publication. The photos that do exist never show you doing anything other than glaring or looking stoic. People know your name, they know you exist but, there's little to no photographic evidence. In the age of social media and advanced technology, that seems more than a little odd. Don't you think?"

"I took over this company because my father became ill. He could no longer manage the day to day operations so we decided that I would do everything behind the scenes while he remained the face for publicity reasons. However, my parents think it is time for me to become the face, which I suspect is only because they want me to settle down since I don't exactly "meet people and build lasting relationships" because I'm always "hiding behind my work" which is not true at all." I digest all the information he just threw at me and although this still doesn't make a lick of sense to me, I'm not here to pass judgment or question anything.

Gathering my things and getting ready to leave, I turn around "I will email you tomorrow with a list of specifics that are good and what is off-limits to discuss during the interview. I'll be setting that up in a few days, so I also need a date and time that works for you." He stands up and begins to walk with me out of his office towards the elevator. As we waited in front of the elevators, I felt him staring, "Maybe we can meet for lunch to discuss your plan of action. Tomorrow at one works for you?"

"I can just send you a list to fill out and email back to me."

"I believe that it will be easier to discuss everything face to face, in a casual setting since we're going to be getting personal and all." He had a valid point but, I didn't want to agree at the moment. I wasn't even sure why, but it was a good idea so I agreed right as the elevator doors opened. I walked in, turning to press the down button and say goodbye when I found him standing next to me. "What are you doing Mr. Parker?"

"I'm escorting you out. And please, call me Wyatt, after all we're going to be good friends, right?"

Wrong. "Okay, Wyatt. Thank you, but that isn't necessary, I can find my way."