C14 Chapter 14

Before Marcia can speak, Jullian stands up from his seat, speaking in a professional tone, “Good morning, Ms. Clarson. You're most welcome, I understand that we have a significant contract to sign today. I asked for us to use this room because I wanted us to have adequate privacy.”

As he steps forward, he continues, “We have important matters to discuss and I would like that you sit, and we talk about this deal set to go through by this weekend.” Subtly reminding her of why she was there and what this contract means for Oltre Bacchus.

Marcia steels herself. Her gut wrenches, but she holds everything in. This is for Oltre Bacchus, this is for my baby, this is for my life.

She walks forward stiffly and sits.

Kyle, recognizing Jullian, opens his mouth to say something, but his eyes shift to Lucas, who meets his gaze with unwavering intensity, silencing him without moving a muscle from across the room. Kyle shuts his mouth and takes a seat beside Marcia.

“Ah! Great! Great!” Mr. Conway says excitedly. “Yes, so, Mr. Grayson has purchased our company and, as the new chairman, has insisted on, I mean…is interested in leading the contract sign-off for today,” Alister says, looking from Marcia to Jullian and back, explaining the reason for and the changes to the close-out meeting, succinctly.

“So the contract, as we have said…” he goes on to talk about the contract and its terms and conditions that have all already been agreed beforehand and is now ready for sign-off.

He places a copy of the contract in front of Marcia and another in front of Jullian, who has since returned to his seat at the head of the table.

Handing Marcia a pen, Alister glances at her with a meaningful look, an apology evident in his eyes.

He says to all present, “Well, since the signatories are all here, I will step out. Looking forward to doing business with you, Miss Clarson, the terms are exactly as we discussed before. It is going to be a wonderful season for all of us.” He bows to everyone in the room and leaves.

The silence could kill a ghost.

Marcia still as a statue, her gaze fixed on Jullian, whom she'd been watching since she sat down, finally shifted her eyes away from him, after what seemed like an eternity.

Looking down at the paper in front of her and glancing back up at Jullian, “What is this?” She says, her voice steady – not high, not low, not shaking – just cold, detached, and even.

“It's a contract, Ms. Clarson,” Jullian responds, courteously.

“Ms. Clarson?” Marcia says, the threat, the violence, in her voice clear for anyone to hear.

“Let's have the room,” Jullian says, his eyes fixed on Marcia.

Lucas, positioned behind Jullian, gives a slight bow and starts to walk toward the door. As he approaches the door, he locks eyes with Kyle for the second time, again silent but intense. And again, Kyle reacts without the need for speech. He stands up and leaves the room with Lucas.

“What absolute nonsense is this, Jullian?” Marcia growls, her eyes narrowed, shoulders tensed, looking like she was ready to pounce.

“It's a contract that needs to be signed, Marcia. Please sign it.” He replies, voice even.

“I will do no such thing until you explain to me exactly what it is you think you are doing!” She says in a rage, beginning to shake.

“Marcia,” Jullian responds patiently, “I told you that I'd see you again. Let's sign this first and then –”

“I can't believe you!” She screams at the top of her lungs. “How dare you?! What are you doing here?! How can you do this?! You?! Buy my customer's company?! Are you insane?!” She screams at him.

In the back of his mind, Jullian feels grateful that there is a room like this, with such a solid door and solid walls. It is basically soundproof.

Jullian stands up, hands open at his sides, palms facing forward, like a hesitant surrender just before you raise your hands fully in the face of a loaded weapon – which is what Marcia was right now, “Marcia, I know…”

Marcia stands up and heads for the door.

Jullian loses his composure, “Why won’t you give me just five minutes? Five minutes to talk to you? You don't know my side of the story!”

“Your side of the story?” She screams at him, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

She turns again, reaching for the door handle. “I know everything that happened to you! Everything! I heard it from your father, I heard it from your mother; even that recluse sister of yours, I heard from her! Even June –” Jullian catches himself.

Marcia perks up at the mention of June’s name and she turns her head slightly, still with her back to Jullian.

At this point, Jullian’s eyes are downcast, his gaze on the ground, catching his breath before continuing, “I've heard from everyone about what happened back then. I know your story. I heard it for days…for weeks…but you won’t even give me five minutes…” His voice cracks.

At that sound, Marcia’s hand begins to drop.

“Just five minutes to tell you my side. Is it too much to ask? Yes. Yes, I was wrong,” he says, eyes still on the ground, voice forlorn, “But don't you own me?”

Marcia blinks, not sure if she had heard him right.

“Don't you know me? Don’t I get five minutes?” Jullian’s voice trails off. Marcia slowly turns away from the door and faces Jullian.

Jullian, in the silence, thinks that Marcia has left the room and glances up at the door. Their eyes meet and Marcia sees such pain in Jullian's unguarded face that she looks away almost immediately, taking an unconscious step back towards the door.

Jullian, stunned to see that Marcia is still in the room, quickly gets a hold of himself and straightens, standing away from the table he had been leaning on during his confessions and looking towards her expectantly; wiping the despondent look off his face.

Marcia turns and places her hand on the door handle. Looking to the side, without looking at Jullian, she says, her voice tight, “Parios. Parios restaurant.”

She opens the door and walks out.