Chapter Twelve
1666 Words
Catalina adjusted her skirt as the elevator doors slid shut. The high-waisted emerald pleated maxi skirt with the gold brush top and matching oversized blazer had seemed like the best power combo for a day like this, but her designer had sent her one with a high slit. Now she kept shifting to be sure no unsightly image came from this.
‘‘Will you relax? The skirt is fine. Slits are very in this year, like a bougie skirt for female CEOs.’’ Sophia chimed in beside her.
Catalina smiled and faced her friend, balancing the tablet she had been studying on one hand. ‘‘Yeah, but public disasters are very in for me. I can’t have a ‘‘Giordano Estates goes naked headline right now.’’
‘‘Well, at least then they will write a good article about you in flattering clothes,’’ Sophia responded, swatting Catalina’s hand away from the skirt. ‘‘I have prayed about today. Nothing will go wrong because I’m taking a vacation once we sort this whole thing out. Two months of raw marinated crab and street food in South Korea. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing will get in the way of that.’’
The elevators dinged open, and Catalina smiled. ‘‘We’ll see.’’
The bloodsuckers were already waiting, flashes of blinding light almost blinded them as they moved through the throng of bodies.
Catalina blocked them out, and moving forward, she took her place on stage.
Behind her, the massive screen illuminated the entire hall.
GIORDANO ESTATES ANNOUNCES SMART COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
Backstage, Sophia watched the monitors with a stopwatch in one hand and a tablet in the other.
“Slide one ready,” she whispered into the earpiece.
The lights settled, and the room quieted.
“People have asked how Giordano Estates intends to move forward. After the merger with Rinaldi Technologies, and unsightly articles and rumors that have been published about us. We believe we owe the public some insight into our current plans.”
She clicked the remote, and the screen changed.
A futuristic city appeared.
Glass towers connected by green spaces. Smart transportation systems. Energy-efficient buildings. Digital infrastructure designed for modern living.
Another click.
Projected employment numbers appeared.
Then projected revenue.
Then international partnerships.
Catalina watched their expressions change to curiosity and hunger.
Investors and Competitors alike had it.
Finally, she reached the last slide and continued.
“Beginning next month,” Catalina said, “Interested investors will have the opportunity to participate in this development through a public offering. We believe a smart housing community should be done by the community, so we are showing our cards if you would like to be a part of the future and pave the path for generations to come. Thank you.”
For two seconds, nobody moved.
Then the room exploded.
Camera shutters.
Phones lifted into the air.
A reporter from the PASS raised her hand. “Ms. Giordano, there have been accusations that your company is financially unstable. What do you have to say to investors who will be skeptical of sinking money in a dying ship?”
Catalina smiled. “The market will decide whether those accusations were true. After all, I don’t control the global stock exchange.”
A few reporters exchanged looks.
That answer would make headlines.
Another journalist raised his hand.
“Is Rinaldi Technologies aware of this public offering announcement? It’s strange that no one from their side is here to back up your claims.”
The murmurs resumed. Backstage, Sophia’s knuckles tightened around the mouthpiece. This was a situation they hadn’t prepared for since Julian okayed the conference from his end, yet he said nothing about a representative being in attendance.
Catalina opened her mouth. ‘‘Our…,’’
The side doors opened before she could finish the sentence, and Julian walked in.
Avoiding the reporters and raised eyebrows, He simply walked to the front row and sat down.
Catalina looked at him. For a second, the noise disappeared. She was almost transported back to the fundraiser, how close they had come to crossing a delicate line.
Julian met her eyes, grey eyes beaming with pride, and gave the smallest nod as though to say, 'Your stage. Not mine.’
A warm smile spread over her lips, and Catalina turned back toward the reporters.
“Our partnership has never been stronger, and no decision gets made without approval from both sides.”
A stream of applause followed as Catalina stepped offstage, the phones were already buzzing, and Sophia smiled, no embarrassing pictures came out after all.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘‘Oh my goodness, Herald Technologies wants to invest with us,’’ Sophia said as they stepped into the office, sliding the tablet to Catalina, a prominent smile on her face.
‘‘This is surreal. When are we meeting?’’ Catalina asked, smoothing back a few loose tendrils from her face.
‘‘Virtual meeting. I set it up for next week. The CEO hates traveling for business, and since she is in Taiwan on Vacation, she wants to in quote ‘Get in on this before it gets crowded.’’ Sophia clapped her hands in glee. ‘‘And, in other good news, ’’ she swiped to a different folder. ‘‘We found him.’’
Catalina opened the folder contents.
David Park. Ten percent shareholder of DeLuca Holdings.
Current location: Norway. Lives alone.
Rarely speaks to anyone outside his small circle. Has been a recluse since he lost his wife.
A hard-to-please man who had rejected every offer before now.
Catalina studied his profile.
“He owns ten percent? That can’t be right; his stock share is seven percent.”
Sophia nodded. ‘‘That was before losing his wife eight years ago. According to updated records, he now owns her remaining stake.’’
“So why has he been refusing any of our companies approaching him to sell?”
“Because he is an old-fashioned family man. His motto is ‘Things should stay in the family and business should be done face-to-face.’ If you want him, you have to go to him.’’
Catalina closed the folder. ‘‘Then I guess we’re off to Norway. Call the pilot; we’ll take the jet and get there by Saturday.’’
‘‘ERRRR! That’s where you are wrong. You’re going alone.’’
Catalina looked up and leaned back into her seat. ‘‘Why? What do you have going on?’’
Sophia smiled. ‘‘I’ll have you know that my cousin is getting spontaneously married and I have to be the bridesmaid or get banned from future impromptu weddings.’’
Catalina raised a brow.
‘‘Don’t give me that look. I have to go. Family events are the only way to stock up on food for the month. The whole family is coming in, with food from different parts of the wedding. It’s an opportunity not to cook.’’
‘‘Fine, I’ll go alone.’’
‘‘Where are you going?’’
They both turned.
Julian leaned against the doorway, one hand tucked into the pocket of long, dark pants that traced the long lines of his legs.
His eyes lingered over her form, and though her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the slit of her dress, Catalina secretly relished the way he looked ready to devour her.
He stalked into the room, revealing the hand behind him holding a small paper bag.
She raised an eyebrow.
“What’s that?”
He placed it down.
“Lunch.”
She smiled. “You brought me food?”
“I figured you’d forget again.”
She laughed, waving Sophia away, and opened the bag to reveal the delicate white wrap. She sank her teeth in and groaned in delight. ‘‘Oh my god, this is so good. You have to tell me where you got this. Sophia and I need a new wrap place for lunch, and these,’’ She took a second bite. ‘‘Are a hit.’’
Julian crossed the room, setting the bottle of water on the table. He leaned in close, completely invading her personal space. ‘‘Well, I am happy to make it for you anytime you want. Just say the word.’’
Catalina gazed into his eyes, gulping down the remnants of her last bite. ‘‘You made this for me. Why?’’ Her voice was almost raspy.
He raised his hand to her face, thumb brushing softly against her bottom lip to wipe away a stray crumb. His heavy gaze lingered. ‘‘Because I like you. Didn’t I make it clear the other night? I intend to pursue you to the ends of the earth, making you a meal is just an added bonus. So, where are you going?’’ He moved to her side.
Catalina turned away, cursing her light skin as a telltale blush crept across her cheeks. ‘‘We are not going anywhere. I am going to Norway to meet David Park. He is crucial to my current plan, and a social recluse.’’
‘‘Norway, you say?’’ Julian asked, lacing her fingers with his on the table. ‘‘That’s perfect. My family has an estate there that we rarely use. It will be an opportunity to visit.’’
‘‘What do you mean?’’
‘‘Isn’t it obvious?’’ He placed his head on her shoulder and sighed. ‘‘I can only pursue you if I stick to you like glue. We are going together.’’
‘‘You are a persistent man, Julian Rinaldi. You are lucky you’re a good cook too.’’
- Writer
