Chapter 8

“It’ll just take a second. He told me he may have a job offer for you; there might be something for you to eat there—”

“No, Dad, I told you I’m not really in the mood—”

“Bella, I don’t really have time to drop you off before the appointment anyway—”

“OK, Dad. Sure, I’ll meet the guy. Sure, Dad. Whatever…”

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Bella Lisa fell asleep. When they arrived, she woke up and rubbed her neck. Bella Lisa recognized her dad’s assigned parking space in their condo.

“I thought you said you didn’t have time to drop me off?” Bella asked.

Mauricio didn’t respond.

Perhaps he’s mad at me.

She grabbed her purse and they got out of the car on stiff legs. He escorted his daughter into the elevator and pressed the 25th floor.

“I thought we lived on the 15th floor?” Bella Lisa asked, as the doors slid shut.

“The meeting’s on the 25th floor.”

“The guy we’re meeting has an office in the building?”

“He lives here.”

“Wait a minute. It’s not that guy from the theater, is it? I saw him exercising here when we moved in. It’s not him, is it?”

“It’s just a quick meeting to hear his job proposal—”

“Can’t we go down to our condo first so I can freshen up?”

The elevator doors opened directly into the Penthouse and Bella Lisa stepped out with her Father. She was struck by how expansive the room was with high ceilings, marble floors and a wall of glass windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The foyer was tastefully decorated with leather sofas. There were corridors leading off in various directions.

Did this guy own the entire 25th floor?

An older well-dressed gentleman Bella didn’t recognize greeted them in the foyer, holding some kind of file under his arm.

“Mr. Mauricio. Ms. Mauricio. Hello. My name is Firmin, Mr. Williamson’s personal assistant. Thanks for coming. How was the drive?”

“Long,” Bella Lisa answered.

She started to feel as if something weird was going on. Her Dad’s face had glazed over with a strange expression since they arrived and he wasn’t making eye contact with her.

“Mr. Williamson has been delayed just for a moment. Would you like to sit—?”

“Perhaps it would be better if we came back some other time,” Bella Lisa said.

“No, that won’t be necessary. He’ll be out in just a moment. Would you like a drink while...?”

“No thank you,” Bella Lisa answered, curtly.

“Mr. Mauricio? Can I offer you refreshment? We have a full bar.”

Mauricio shook his head no.

“Well then...,” Firmin uttered.

He gave Mauricio a thick yellow file, filled with some kind of paper documents.

“What’s that?” Bella Lisa asked.

Mauricio took his daughter’s shoulders in his hands and looked her in the eyes, then looked down.

“OK, what’s going on Dad?”

Mauricio kissed her cheek, turned away from her and walked to the elevator.

Bella Lisa followed him.

“Are we leaving?”

“Honey, I’ve got an audition to get to. I can’t be late. Mr. Williamson has a great job offer for you.”

Mauricio pressed the down arrow and the doors instantly opened.

“You’re leaving me here? Alone?”

Firmin reached out and gently touched the back of her arm.

“Don’t touch me,” Bella Lisa snapped, recoiling from Firmin’s touch.

She looked back at her Father, who had already stepped into the elevator without her. His forlorn eyes were focused on the floor. Before she could think to step into the elevator after him, the doors silently closed.

“Dad!” she shouted.

Bella Lisa pressed the arrow repeatedly.

“He left without me!”

“Please try to calm down, Ms. Mauricio. I assure you, you are perfectly safe here. Would you care to relax on the couch? Mr. Williamson will be here presently,” Firmin said in a calm voice, gesturing to the couch.

“I don’t believe this! I don’t see my Dad for four years and the minute I’m home he leaves me in some stranger’s house.”

“Please, Ms. Mauricio, have a seat. This will all be clarified in a few minutes.”

Bella Lisa took a deep breath, pursed her lips and crossed the marble floor to the couch, clicking her heels loudly, clutching her purse to her side. She sat stiffly in a plush seat and crossed her legs, tapping her toes nervously on the floor. She noticed an identical file to the one her father had left with, sitting on the coffee table in front of her. She waited for about a minute while Firmin stood silently by the couch like some kind of haughty millionaire’s butler.

This is too weird.

She uncrossed her legs, checked her watch, impatiently stood up and confronted Firmin.

“Would you mind telling me exactly what is going on here Mr.…?”

“Firmin, Ms. Mauricio.”

“Ok, Mr. Firmin. I suggest you start talking or I’m out of here.”

“Mr. Williamson has an attractive job offer—”

“I am not interested in hearing anything about—”

“Has your father not properly explained to you his particular predicament?”

“Apparently not. Perhaps you could enlighten me.”

“Well, as it concerns a confidential business arrangement between your father and my employer, Mr. Williamson, I’m afraid I’m not able to divulge—”

Losing the last of her patience, Bella Lisa quickly crossed the foyer to the elevator and pressed the down arrow. Since it did not light up, she stabbed at it repeatedly with her index finger.

“What the fuck’s wrong with this thing? The lights not coming on.”

“The keypad mounted into the wall to the left of the arrows activates the elevator. I’m sure Mr. Williamson will give you the security code as soon as—”

“I’m no longer waiting for the famous Mr. Williamson. I’m leaving now. What’s the code?”

“Ms. Mauricio…”

“What’s the code, Firmin?” Bella Lisa demanded.

“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to—”

“What’s the fucking code?” Bella Lisa shouted.