I look at him.
“It was tough, but you knew that.”
Our eyes stay connected.
“You’re a tough woman.”
“I may be, but it was still tough. I learned a lot, though.”
“Did you have any problems at work?”
“No.”
I pause, and then I remember.
“I had a fight with your father after you left.”
He uncrosses his arms and searches my eyes.
“What did he want?”
“He knew I was in your office. I mean with you in the bathroom.”
“I know. He made a comment when I walked out. What did he say to you?”
His brow creases into a frown.
“The usual stuff. Cheap threats. Dire predictions about my future. He thinks I’ll end up poor. I said I wasn't afraid and wouldn't end up poor. He doesn’t think highly of me. I can say that much. And that’s to put it nicely.”
“He doesn’t think highly of anyone, man or woman.”
“He must think highly of you.”
“He is afraid of me. I can do things to him. It’s true. But there is not a lot that I can do and truly affect him except maybe, tarnishing his reputation. His reputation is everything to him. And his reputation has been established throughout the years. He is notorious for many good and bad things. And he does everything to protect his image. It’s important for his business. And his business is his life.”
He gestures dismissively, his gaze tipped down.
“What he thinks of you is not important,” he adds.
The silence grows, his words still echoing in my head.
He doesn’t seem too affected by my encounter with his father. While I understand where he’s coming from, and I’m not too concerned with what his father thinks about me either, some things will gradually become more important as the time goes on.
What happens if Kai and I will continue to work together after our deal is over? What happens if we’ll see each other?
I don’t even want to think about more serious things.
Do I see myself being close to this family? His father, in particular, since he is the only family member constantly present in his life?
Do I see myself being a part of their life?
On the one hand, there’s Kai’s life––and I’ve already sampled it these past two weeks and then again yesterday.
Frequent business trips, some of them overseas.
Wining, dining, and meeting business people who are instrumental in closing his business deals.
Everything makes sense. Right?