He held up a hand for silence. He was on the phone, and I couldn’t tell incredibly well, but it sounded like he was speaking Italian. I waited a moment, taking the small amount of time I had to look over the day’s schedule.
I couldn’t help but look up from the schedule a couple times to admire the man who had given me such an auspicious position. He was quite handsome, if you were into tall, clean-shaven men. His cropped hairstyle promoted his professional businessman persona, but his slightly unkempt tie and unbuttoned white dress shirt belayed what little professionalism he tried to exude. His dark brown eyes were piercing when he looked at me as I looked back. Distracted now, he finished his call, and I produced a portfolio with some particulars he needed to look over.
“Mr. Ellis, this was faxed over from legal this morning. They need you to look it over before they make final arrangements.”
He looked down at the folder, opened it for a moment, and then folded it closed.
“What do you think, Nia?” he asked.
I made it a point to look over all legal documents; it was good practice for my business degree.
“They want to close it out at 15 percent, a 4 percent increase from the last proposal. You’d make an estimated 4 million from signing, and that’s before ground is struck,” I said confidently.
He opened it back up and sifted through a few of the papers. “What do you think? I want your opinion.”
I paused and thought. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was testing me or if he really did value my opinion. I considered lying and agreeing with the numbers on the page, but I had a distinct feeling he wouldn’t enjoy his personal aide lying to him.
“The numbers are a little rough, but it’s a good deal. I think we could come up 3 percent on the back end, but it’ll be a good investment either way, Mr. Ellis.”
He handed back the portfolio, and I stuffed it inside my briefcase. “Tell them to come up 3 percent or I won’t sign.”
I couldn’t help but feel a little giddy that he’d taken my advice, but I also worried that I may be wrong and might have cost him the deal.
“Mr. Ell—”
“Nia, I know you haven’t been working here long, but after a month you’d think you’d get over the formalities with me. Just call me Tom like everyone else does.”
“Of course, Mr. Ell—” He shot me a look, and I realized my mistake. “Tom.”
Another well-dressed man approached from the other side of the stage. “We’re just about ready for you. Another five minutes and we’ll be set.”
“Good, good. I have to get back to the office as soon as possible,” Tom replied.
The stranger disappeared into the small crowd that began to swell.
“Tom,” I said, feeling a little more personal, “come a little closer.”
He leaned in, smiling, and I took the opportunity to straighten up his collar. I couldn’t avoid the amazing smell that wafted from him. The cologne he wore must have cost more than my old apartment. He seemed not to be paying much attention to his clothing, as he lingered a little longer than was needed.
“You’re all set,” I said. “I’ll have the documents drawn up again for the meeting later.”
“Nia, what would I do without you?” he asked with a smile.
“You’d find another personal assistant capable of making a slob like you look good,” I said with a wink.
He couldn’t help but laugh,. but it was cut short by the man from before tapping him on the shoulder. Tom nodded, flashed me another smile, turned around and joined the rest of the suits onstage.
I took a moment to send an e-mail to the lawyers to have them draw up the new documents. Before long, there was applause onstage as Tom stood behind the podium.
“Today we are here for an historic occasion. What used to be an open parking lot will soon become low-rent housing for so many citizens who need it.
“I wish I could provide a home for every man, woman, and child in need, but one man can only do so much. I would like everyone to know that this will not be the last development project in this area, as I am in the process of creating new places for people both young and old to relax and play in.
“We are also building a new park and a new community center that will be free for anyone and everyone to enjoy. Today is the dawn of a beautiful and bright future for us all. Thank you.”
The crowd cheered at his comments, and I felt proud of my boss. So much money in the world sat in banks, but he wasn’t afraid to spend it to improve the city in which he lived.
I knew this area well, as I had grown up not far away. I could remember staying indoors to study while avoiding the gangs. And when I did play on the street during the summer with my friends, I remember wishing I had a real place nearby to play. To be honest, it really had made me into the person I was today, and looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.