Page 35 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Elijah nodded and clicked into the online meeting. Tim appeared on the other side of the screen, sitting at the head of the table as Francis listed off the estimated profits for the game and informed them of where their money was being allocated. The board members along the table seemed pleased and were eager to hear of their recent work. Elijah doubted they even knew what Francis was talking about—his father’s company usually dealt in real estate, not tech—but they played along as if they did.
Elijah hadn’t told his father yet that he was selling to Nirosoft so that he could break away from his investment. That was a private, in-person conversation. He had no desire to humiliate his father, only to stand on his own two feet.
“How’s the game progressing? I’m—weare taking a risk in investing in this venture. I expect to be informed of updates more frequently,” Tim said, and the call was silent for a moment.
“We are currently finishing the demo for testing,” Elijah informed him, keeping it vague. Tim was clueless about their true progress. It was another reason he’d moved into Tim’s house—to hide in plain sight. He didn’t want his father to discover they were further along than expected. He needed time to sign with Nirosoft, but if Tim and the board got wind of it beforehand, they would pull their shares and he wouldn’t be able to pay back his other investors.
“I’m pleased to hear that we are right on schedule,” Tim said.
“I can assure you and the board that you will see your investment returned, with interest,” he said, knowing this was all the board needed to hear. He had funded the majority of the game’s development himself; it was a risk to put in so much of his capital, but he didn’t want his father’s board to have too much control.
The meeting ended with both sides happy, and he felt like a minor weight had been lifted from his shoulders, at least until the next meeting. But by then, Nirosoft should have signed on the dotted line, and he’d be returning their money.
“Francis, could you give us a minute?” Tim said as the other directors left. Elijah nodded, letting Francis know it was okay to leave. Francis was the only one in his life who knew his true identity as Tim’s son.
“Everything okay? You seemed rather tense,” Tim noted, something he never would have said in front of the others.
“I want to ask you about Autumn,” Elijah said, his shoulders slightly more relaxed now that they were alone.
“What about Autumn?” Tim said, his eyebrows pinching together.
“Why is she staying in your house?” Elijah asked flatly.
His father straightened his tie, and Elijah sensed his discomfort. “Her story isn’t mine to tell. Her parents are family friends, and she needed a place to live in the city. The townhouse was empty, so I figured why not help her get back on her feet? Autumn pays her way; there’s no more to the story.”
“A twenty-something can pay her way in one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the city?” Elijah pressed, hoping for more information.
“She was—is—a music prodigy, but after an incident, she couldn’t play. When she decided to return to the city, I helped her as a favour to her father, who used to work with me. Even if she is a couple of years younger than you, age doesn’t determine success,” Tim said.
“An incident?” Elijah couldn’t imagine how it would feel if someone took his computers away. He was relieved Autumn had been able to find her way back to her passion.
“Enough questions. Let her be—she isn’t your type anyway,” Tim said, placing his hands on the desk.
“That’s not why I’m asking!” Elijah snapped.Isn’t it?He ignored the question.
“I suggest you focus on your work. If you want to know more about Autumn, ask her yourself.”
Before Elijah could ask any more questions, the video call ended.
Chapter Twelve
Autumn
THAT EVENING, AUTUMN was wiping the steam from the mirror when Brinkley moved from lying beneath the sink to the door and started barking. Autumn finished adding some of Charli’s oil to her back, which was feeling a little better after the hot shower.
“I think your dad’s home,” she whispered, opening the bathroom door and letting some of the steam out. Brinkley slithered out, going to greet Elijah. Autumn quickly got dressed and headed downstairs, excited for him to discover his surprise.
“What’s all this? I think you got a bit too much,” Elijah said, gesturing to all the food on the kitchen table. Autumn bit her lip to stop herself from smirking. The T-shirt he wore was far too tight and exposed every sinew—not that she was complaining.
“All organic, from Hewett’s Market. Should be plenty to cook for two,” she informed him.
“Doesn’t Hewett’s charge like ten euros for a punnet of strawberries?” he asked, taking a bite of the ones she had washed earlier.
“That’s the place,” she agreed, “but I figured since I’m cooking for you and to keepthat”—she motioned to his form, which earned her a raised eyebrow—“the way it is, I should probably get the best ingredients. Since you can’t resist my food, I figured I should concede.”
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Thank you,” he said cautiously, smiling.
She smiled back. “Oh no, thankyou.” She winked. “The receipt is on your desk.” She watched the colour drain from his face before he went to his office. “Five, four, three, two…”
