Chapter 4 - Changing the Schedule
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"Mr. Cole?"
The sharp, professional voice of Laura, Nathan’s executive assistant, broke the heavy, insulated bubble that had formed around Nathan and June. Laura was standing three feet away, holding his expensive cashmere overcoat, her tablet glowing in her other hand.
"The photographer is ready for the final check-presentation photo, sir," Laura said, gesturing toward the front of the room where the program director was waiting with a giant, novelty-sized check. "And your conference call with the Tokyo investors begins in exactly forty minutes. We need to leave."
Nathan did not stand up. He didn't even look at the exit. He turned his head slowly, fixing his assistant with a stare so intense and terrifyingly cold that Laura instinctively took a half-step backward.
"Cancel the Tokyo call," Nathan ordered, his voice vibrating with absolute authority.
Laura blinked, completely taken aback. "Sir, we’ve been negotiating this merger for six months. If we postpone now, the Japanese board will take it as a massive insult."
"I don't care if they take it as a declaration of war, Laura," Nathan snapped, standing up to his full six-foot-three height. He towered over the folding chairs, his presence demanding the immediate attention of the room. "Cancel Tokyo. Cancel my dinner with the mayor. Cancel everything on my calendar for the next forty-eight hours."
"Nathan," Laura whispered, dropping formalities as she recognized the sheer desperation in her boss's eyes. "What is going on?"
Nathan ignored her question. He looked down at June, who was shrinking back into her oversized coat, clearly terrified by the sudden display of volume and power.
Nathan immediately softened his posture, crouching back down so he was below her eye level.
"June, I need to go speak to the lady in charge of this event," Nathan said gently. "I am going to leave you here for exactly three minutes. I promise you, I will be right back. Will you stay in this chair for me?"
June clutched her coat pocket, where the paper heart was hidden, and gave a small, hesitant nod.
"Good girl," Nathan breathed.
May you like
He stood up, bypassed Laura entirely, and marched straight across the linoleum floor of the community center. He ignored the polite smiles of the adoptive couples and the photographer holding the camera. He walked directly up to Mrs. Higgins, the county program director.
"Mrs. Higgins," Nathan said, leaning over the refreshment table. "I need the complete county file on June Cole. And I need it in the next sixty seconds."
