“Correct my dear. So what we are going to do is walk him straight down to the police station and press charges. But I wanted him to see just what the impact of his deception has been. John, please look at Verginius now, in her eyes. You have to see her pain first hand. We are a family here at Bellafonte, and it seems you have been playing some very silly games with some unsavoury people. I hope they have paid you well for your work because I will ensure no-one in this country will ever hire you again, not even to clean the shit off of a subway toilet. Maybe I need to remind you of our heritage. We may no longer speak with an accent, but my Nonna and Pappy, rest in peace, they taught us just how to deal with anyone who crosses our family. And trust me, it burns in my blood. That is all, we are good, off you go,” Grandpa dismisses the four people behind us just as coffee is being served by Sara and her team of assistants.
“So the next thing that I just decided was, oh hang on, Sara love, grab the door please,” Grandpa offers as he waits anxiously. “Hunter my boy, come in now please.”
My eyes flare in alarm before I turn and hiss at him, “What have you done Grandpa?”
“Oh Ginny, your grandpa has a sixth sense for what must be done. You need to start trusting that intuition of yours a little more too. We keep telling you that we will support you no matter what. Bellafonte thrives on good risk in business and in, oh hello…..” Mary’s mouth falls open as Hunter walks into our board meeting and my head drops into my face in embarrassment. Mary is nearly sixty years old!
Honestly, I should be furious at John’s deceit but I suspect Grandpa and I unwittingly sensed something askew with him, hence the reason we didn’t involve him in our cyber investigations.
Grandpa stands up and walks to Hunter with his hand outstretched, ready for a handshake.
“Come on, come on, meet the team. Okay everyone, this is Hunter. He will be our new Head of IT, although I have engaged his company. Ian will draft up the formal agreement when he is back from the station, but I have a feeling Hunter knows all about confidentiality and discretion. Now, welcome time,” Grandpa leads him over to the table and all but pushes Hunter into his seat, which used to be my seat.
“Okay, anything else we need to do before I hand the reins over to Verginius?” Grandpa asks a few hours later.
Hunter pulls a face that reflects his astonishment, but it flashes away in a millisecond, faster than light. But I saw it, and for some reason it stings.
The table all leans forward in their enthusiasm before the side door to the boardroom bursts open as a flood of people rush into the room yelling surprise, I startle at the noise and look over to Grandpa who is standing, a massive smile lighting up his face.
"Congratulations Ginny. On behalf of all the staff and board at Bellafonte, we are so very proud of you and I know, myself, that I couldn't have asked for a better person to hand this corporation over to. You make me very, very proud. Now, Sara, get the champagne. Let's toast this very beautiful girl with all the successes in the world!"
I could feel the tears sitting in my eyes at his thoughtful gesture. I look around the room full of our staff even though I feel so overwhelmed.
Sara and her group of helpers, pour out numerous glasses of champagne, and she places a bottle of Verve in front of me. Mary wraps her arm around one of my shoulders and pulls me in for a kiss on my head, "You got this," she whispers before raising her glass. "To Gin!" and a chorus of voices return her cheers, before suddenly it feels like everyone descends on me to pull me in for a hug, or to shake my hand.
I spy Grandpa sitting over the table watching it happen and he raises his glass silently at me in toast.
I am not sure how many bottles are popped, but the happiness of my staff is contagious and despite my nerves, my smile hasn't left my face. Eventually though, people break up into smaller groups or leave to find their way back to their desks. I am speaking with Mary again, when a tap on my shoulder has me turning, before a presence leans behind me closer to Mary, asking for her permission to interrupt.
I twist enough to see that it is Hunter who has garnered my attention and he offers me a very small cautious smile, his dominance asserting itself as he pulls me out of the crowd into a small alcove in the back of the board room. Mary turns and walks over to the other board members who are chuckling and enjoying the impromptu celebration.
"Gigi, I like that we keep bumping into each other. What fortuitous timing. I like that I am here to witness this. Congratulations. By all accounts there is no-one more deserving than you," he raises his glass to clink gently on mine. His eyes never leave my face, his hands twitch at his side.
"Thank you, Hunter. You know you don't need to let Grandpa push you into this position, don't you? He can be a very persuasive man when he wants. I understand that he sprung this on you and honestly, if you feel pressured please don't. I can advertise and find a suitable replacement," I say as I turn my back on the festivities behind me.
Hunter tips his head in confusion of my words.
"Sorry?" he questions me, his good mood seeming to disappear in just a few words.
"If you don't want to be here, I won't keep you," I slow my words down so that he can understand them. I mean, I don't think I am talking Russian.
"I have already accepted the position thank you. You don't think I want to be here?" he speaks with a little bite now and he starts imposing into my personal space. As usual though I let him.
"I didn't say that Hunter, I simply said that Mansueto can be....."
"I can be what Verginius?" my Grandpa interrupts and I take a small step back to let him into our circle. "Now, you two hush up. What is done is done. Stop and listen to each other, you are going to have to work hard at that. Hunter is where he should be. Here." Grandpa speaks low so that only Hunter and I can hear it. "Now Hunter I want you to meet your key staff and Ginny, sweetheart, go drink champagne and celebrate!"
A quick look at Grandpa and I see his determination written over his face, his heartfelt belief that what he just said is gospel. I will probably need another discussion to reach some semblance of agreement but he is right, tonight is not the night for me to start questioning coincidence and timings. I will no doubt spend countless hours psycho-analysing every word and look, Hunter and I shared later, but for now I turn on them both leaving Hunter with Grandpa, wondering what is going to happen next.
I take my time as they chat behind me to mingle with everyone in the room, finding out, unsurprisingly that everyone has been in on the surprise, except me. It is a beautiful gesture made even better when Grandma, Mum, and Aunt Addy walk in, carrying a bunch of beautiful flowers.
They all break into a quick walk once they find me in the boardroom, before enveloping me in even more celebratory hugs and kisses. At which point those tears that have been threatening all day win out and fall down my cheeks. As always their support is endearing.
Most of the staff have left and the Board members stay milling around enjoying Grandpa's last few moments as an official employee at Bellafonte's. We are all sitting around enjoying the late afternoon, watching the sun set.
"Okay, time for dinner. I have made reservations for us all. Please come join my darling Regina and I, along with the rest of our very extended family," Grandpa offers as he stands up. "Hunter you will join us, yes?"
Hunter looks over to me quickly, before he laughs out loud, "Of course, thank you! Let me just make a call." He walks out of the boardroom, like he has been a part of our family for decades. My eyes can’t seem to pull away from him, he has always commanded my attention.
