Do Us Part

20 "Retreat"

"Uhh uhh... I need to come back home."

"You should. I miss you."

"I'm not coming back for you. I'm coming to meet that woman."

"What do you mean? You can't."

"Oh I can and I just might."

"Don't. It's been almost 12 years and everyone moved on. "

"Really?"

"Yes. Really. And before you end up finding out through papers again, we'll most likely be photographed together again.

"And why will that happen?"

"Because we will be travelling together today.. for work."

"Alone?"

"No. With three other members of my team."

"So...if I didn't call, you weren't going to tell me?"

"Well..you don't exactly tell me your work matters either."

"This is different and you know it.."

"What I do know, my friend, is that I have to go. Flight's in an hour and I don't want to be late."

"Does Maria know this?"

"Of course."

"Little wonder she was against the whole merger."

"Actually...she didn't know about Natalie until she came back here."

"Then why was she so against it?"

"She just doesn't want me to make rash decisions."

"I completely understand her."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you know... just that despite being one of the most successful men in tech right now, you are infamous for your shitty personal life."

I faked a smile. "You are so lucky that you are behind a screen." I gritted my teeth.

"I know... that's why I can speak so confidently."

"The moment we meet again..you are a dead man. I'm sure Jane will understand why I had to do this." I assured and he hisses.

Natalie

The crew and I have just arrived at the retreat destination after a long and nearly full day of flying. There are five of us; Sam, Amanda, Clyde, George, and I. We all got out of the car after the limo was parked.

We'd only just gotten out of the car when we heard a person nearly yelling at us. "Here. Please come this way." A well-built man in his 50s, standing at least 6 feet tall, spoke from the compound's right end.

I locked my gaze on Sam, and based on how stiff he went, I'm betting he recognizes him and isn't fond of him.

"Howell." We approached him, and Sam feigned a smile. Sam shook his head when we arrived at his location.

"Thank you for finally showing up." In a sarcastic tone, he said.

"Hmmm.." Sam grumbled back and drew his hands away.

"Amanda." He greeted her with a kiss on the hand.

"No." Sam hid a smile as she took her hand away, much to the embarrassment of the Howell guy.

"I see you're still a tough one." He smirked before greeting George and Clyde and then turning to face me. "Who is this beautiful lady?"

Clyde speaks up, "Err..this is.."

"Natalie Bryce. Special consultant." I replied, beating him to it.

"Oh, that new team member I've heard so much about..." I accepted his hand when he extended it to me. "May I say that you look delectable?" I smiled pleasantly and drew my hands away.

"Avoid him at all costs." "He's a jerk," Amanda spoke in hushed tones, and I let out a soft chuckle.

As he led us into the hotel, we followed him. He came to a complete stop as we arrived at the reception.

"By the way, my name is Dylan Howell." "Sam's partner." He mentioned something to me.

"You're not my partner. Just a stakeholder." Sam corrected.

"EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STAKEHOLDER."

"We'll see about that. " Sam muttered something to himself, which I overheard.

Dylan made a gesture at someone, who then proceeded to hand out keys to each one of them.

"That is the key to each of your rooms, as well as the room number. Get some sleep. The presentation will begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow, followed by an after-party."

"After-party?" Clyde has a few inquiries.

"Yes. Following the presentation, there will be a party. We'll drink and dine together."

"What a load of nonsense," Amanda murmurs something under her breath. Something about this man, or the entire situation, makes her antsy.
____

I clutched my stomach, which was hurting from laughing so hard. This retreat was not turning out to be what I had anticipated.

I thought everyone will be  all business-like, but since we finished the presentation an hour ago, the majority of the folks here have been recounting one embarrassing story after another.

It would be an understatement to say they were blown away.

Of course, some investors thought it was too good to be true and had questions about the feasibility of bringing it to reality, but by the end of the night, the team and I had reassured them of our unwavering commitment by presenting them with the beta we had produced on the project.

Right now, everyone was in the courtyard, sipping new wine from Howell's vineyard, which is a mile away from the hotel where we are staying.

The dinner was excellent, and the dessert was out of this world.

"So, you and Sanderson have something going on?" I choked on my drink when Howell asked. "Hey, easy."  He takes my glass and replaces it with a new one filled with water. I took a deep breath and gently exhaled.

"Thanks." I hand him the glass. "No. Why do you ask?"

"Because he keeps staring at you all night long?"

"Oh," I said, and turn to face Sam, where our gazes unexpectedly meet. His eyes expanded slightly, and he smiled as he walked away.