Confrontation

Seeing as Bernie was so eager to try his idea, Jade suppressed her annoyance and asked, "Since we'll be throwing Harry's leaving party tomorrow, do you want to make some sets as a test? I recall you mentioned English breakfast tea and Victoria sponge before, that could be nice."

His eyes glimmering almost as brightly as the glitter in his beard, Bernie replied, "Yes, that sounds great. Cough! I mean, if that's what you want…"

After briefly discussing possible display arrangements for the set, Jade left Bernie to planning the sets for the party.

'Since everyone's coming on Friday, I really should finish planning what's going to happen.

'I've said to arrive for afternoon tea, so they should arrive around three o'clock. The end of work rush starts after five, so we should be okay for a few hours.'

A bright smile appeared on Jade's face as she thought that while topping up the flowers on the tables with water.

'We'll have teas, Bernie's sets, scones… I should see if Bernie plans to use scones in a set before I plan for that. Then I have balloons in the back, pink and blue, but I don't have any occasion-specific decorations.'

With a shake of her head, Jade dismissed that idea. 'There's no need for that. I'm sure Harry will be happy that we've all turned up to celebrate her marriage and pregnancy.'

…

In an bright office with floor to ceiling windows on all sides on the top floor of a tall office building, Liam was facing a middle-aged man.

"You cannot make me!" Liam was uncharacteristically flustered.

"You are my son. I can, and I will." The middle-aged man's response was filled with authority, his tone brooking no argument.

Liam simmered for a while before the man continued. "Liam, my boy, this is all just business. People say that it's not personal, just business, but they're lying. Business is very personal; business is a person's life, their family's life, how can that not be personal?

"So, for the sake of yourself and the family, you will be getting married. The merger is something that will benefit both sides greatly."

His shoulders slightly trembling, Liam retorted, "For the family? Ha. For the shareholders, more like."

The man shot back a frosty glare. "Boy, I've sacrificed enough for our family to not warrant that kind of attitude."

Liam shook his head. It seemed some areas of the business they just would not agree on. "Father, I enjoy working at the company, and I respect what you've built, but I'm my own man. You cannot get me into an engagement without speaking to me first."

"But you would have said no," replied his father straightforwardly.

"Exactly! If you knew what I'd say, why did you do it?"

"Like I said, we need this merger." The man glanced at his computer before continuing. "That aside, you went to visit the girl last week, right? She's not bad. It's not like I picked a bad partner for you."

__________

Hello darling readers,

It looks like I'm back now. First of all, I would like to thank all of you who have been asking about me and continued supporting the novel while I was away. It really means a lot.

Secondly, the reason I disappeared. As some of you may remember, I got a new job around Christmas, and it has taken up more time than expected. I should have said something, sorry.

So, I'm back, and I know it'll take some time to restore your trust in me, but I hope you'll continue reading Night Cafe.