We pull up to the green farm, and Luca, Anderson, and I walk inside. We’re given a tour of our prospective plot, and we’re handed papers about the size, capacity, and chemistry of this particular farm, which overlooks the ocean. Anderson talks to them about numbers, pulling out his tablet and asking questions about profitability. Rows of greenhouses line the back of the farm, absorbing the direct sun, and after we’re done with logistics, the owner invites us to eat at one of the picnic tables.
He’s prepared a large salad with macadamia nuts, ricotta, and papaya, homemade bread, fresh butter drizzled with local honey, and star fruit for dessert. We devour the meal, and the light breeze is a welcome reprieve, since my blouse has begun to stick to my back. Luca and Anderson talk business while I tour the kitchen and record interviews with the native chef and his sous chef. I take professional-looking pictures of our food, the kitchen, and the surrounding farm to use for social media, and when we wrap up, Luca and Anderson are in agreement that contracts will be signed soon. The restaurant is set to break ground in the next couple of months, so nailing down our farm plot is essential.
On our way back, I get drowsy from the delicious food, and we all agree to reconvene for our business dinner with another investor. I proceed to take a two-hour nap, and I have just enough time to shower and change before Luca is texting me. I’m slipping into my heels, straightening my red skirt and black blazer, when my phone buzzes.
Luca: I’m heading out, please take a cab with Anderson. Will meet you there.
I glower at my phone and grab my purse, exiting my room. When I turn away from my door, I yelp when I see Anderson leaning against the wall, waiting for me.
“Hi,” I say curtly.
“Hello.” His lips are a thin line as he turns and walks toward the elevator, a few steps ahead of me.
Asshole.
Once inside, he presses the button for the lobby.
“Let’s keep this meeting professional, Natalia,” he chides, and my hackles go up instantly. I am constantly on the defensive with him.
“What makes you think I wouldn’t?” I ask, smiling at him sweetly.
“This is the most important meeting we’ll have the whole trip.”
I nod. “Well, maybe to you,” I reply, keeping the smile plastered on my face.
“What does that mean?” he asks, taking a step forward.
I shrug innocently. “I don’t know. You strike me as someone who cares deeply about our bottom line, at the expense of other things.”
His jaw ticks—just once. He fists his right hand briefly and then releases it. I smile and look straight ahead.
“I care about Gather, Natalia,” he growls. “I want to see it succeed.”
I laugh. “You want money. There’s a difference. Don’t you see? Luca doesn’t care if you guys get richer. He just wants more people to be able to experience Gather and the options we provide, the food we source, and the future we have at our fingertips.” The door opens and I walk ahead of him, but just as I step out, he pulls me back into the shaft and the doors close with us inside.
“You think I’m doing this for the money?” he snarls. His face is pinched, and he’s frowning angrily.
I pull my arm away and move to push the open button, but he swats my arm away and pins me against the wall. I gasp.
“I don’t know, you seem to have a shady past dealing with the IRS.”
He lowers his face. “One mistake, Natalia.” His eyes narrow, and my breathing hitches. “Have you looked beyond the one mistake I made? At the success stories? There aredozens,” he whispers, and his breath sends shivers down my spine. “I’ve taken start-ups and turned them into multi-million-dollar corporations. I’ve worked with college students who’ve sold their company and retired at twenty-two. I’ve changed lives. Do you understand?”
I sneer. “I don’t trust you. I’m trying to look out for Luca.”
“Why? Do you think he can’t take care of himself? That he doesn’t have the world’s best lawyers? Luca is fine, and he knows what we’re doing. He trusts me.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t.” I push him off me with both hands and jab the open button.
I fly out the door and take a quick look behind me as I head out to the car, but Anderson is watching me with a pained stare.
16
Anderson
I’m barely payingattention at dinner. Natalia’s words are eating at me.
You strike me as someone who cares deeply about our bottom line.
