Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Chapter 21 – A Waiting Game, part 1 A While Later…(Day 23) Brian was still sitting at his desk, casually sipping his glass of beam, when Cynthia entered without knocking. “Are you all right?” she asked. “I’m fine, or at least I will be once I locate Justin,” Brian calmly explained. “Can I get you anything?” “No. I’m fine.” “I’m sorry, Brian. I know how much you wanted that account.” Brian simply shook his head. “Sorry’s bullshit!” “I don’t understand what happened in there. Everything seemed to be going so well, and then it all fell apart. What happened?” “Not now, Cynthia.” “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” “No, I’m fine. Just handle things here. If Justin calls, I’ll be at the loft.” Cynthia left to return to her desk, trying to figure out how things could go so wrong. The day had started with such promise, and now it ended like this. Cynthia was trying to understand what had happened. She really wanted to talk to Brian about it, but she decided by the look of him that now wasn’t the right time. Cynthia decided that her questions would have to wait. Brian was gathering his things to leave the office, when Ted entered and made himself comfortable in the nearest chair. “Theodore?” “I really sorry, Bri. I know how much you wanted that account. That account would have put Kinnetik on the map.” Ted said, using quiet tones. Brian recognized this as Ted, trying to be supportive, so he tried to put up with it. “We’re already on the fucking map, Theodore, don’t you read the trades?” Brian teased. Realizing at this point that Ted was in no hurry to leave, Brian settled himself in a comfortable chair, as Ted continued. “That’s not what I meant.” Ted tried to back pedal, obviously missing the teasing tone in Brian’s voice. “I know what you meant,” Brian said with a smile, letting Ted off the hook. “I just don’t know what got into Justin. I’ve never seen him like that,” Ted continued. “I have always said Justin was a drama princess. Well, you have just witnessed a true drama queen moment.” Brian said with a laugh. “So what are you going to do now?” Ted asked, waiting to hear the master plan for damage control from Brian. “Except for finding Justin…not one fucking thing.” Brian explained calmly, looking directly at Ted. “What do you mean?” Ted couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I don’t understand how you can you be so calm.” “Theodore, I’ve spent the last six years with Justin…” “No. No. I watched you and Justin for six years. I don’t even begin to understand the two of you,” Ted rambled, without taking a breath. “That’s not what I mean.” “Then what do you mean?” Brian asked in frustration, hoping Ted would finally get to the point. “What about damage control? Brian, it’s not like to you just accept this.” “I can accept this because he was right.” Brian said quietly. “What?” “Justin was right in everything that he said.” Brian then started to laugh as he continued to speak. “Now there may be some question as to whether or not he should have said it…as if that would ever stop Justin.” Brian laughed again. Ted interrupted Brian train of thought with an accusation, “You didn’t even try to stop him. Why?” “Theodore, did you not hear Justin rattling off in two different languages in that room. You’ve seen him at family dinners. Once Justin gets on a roll in one language, I can’t get a word in edgewise. You know that. You saw me try to get a word in, but Justin paid no attention to me and just kept switching languages. How in the fuck did you expect me to stop him under those circumstances? Plus, I was as much in shock as everyone else,” Brian revealed, returning to a standing position and hoping that Ted would do the same. "But I figured out what was going on faster than everyone else in the room…so I stayed out of it.” Ted made no movements, so Brian simply made himself comfortable at his desk again. “But why would he do it, Brian? Justin isn’t destructive!” Ted continued, still trying to make all the pieces fit into place. “No, he’s not! He did it, so I wouldn’t have to. He did it for me,” Brian said quietly. “Brian, I’m not sure I understand.” “If I had said those things…and believe me I was almost ready to…everything would be over now. There would be no room for discussions or apologies or negotiations that could ever be made. The deal would be over. Because Justin did it…and the way he did it…we all have time to think things over. Everyone has an opportunity for one more play, if they want it, before this thing is finally over. I just have to leave it alone and let it play out.” “Why do you think this isn’t over?” “Because while Justin was creating his little scene with Signor Silvestri, I had a chance to watch the faces of everyone else in the room. Susan and the Eyeconics team agreed with Justin. Maria and Cristina Silvestri and the Belluss Occhiali team agreed with Justin. And finally, Justin handled Signor Silvestri with such kindness and respect…kindness and respect that he didn’t deserve…that he can simply change his mind if he wants to and still save face.” “So you’re not upset with Justin?” Ted asked with complete surprise. “I wouldn’t go that far. It would have been nice Justin had spoken to me quietly…maybe taken me aside, and said: ‘Now Brian, this is what I thinking about doing.’ ‘Can we discuss this?’ ‘What do you think?’” Brian said, using his little squeaky voice. Ted laughed hysterically. “Justin?” Ted laughed again. “You’ve got to be kidding?” “Theodore, is this necessary…” Brian said with exasperation. “I’m sorry. You were serious…” “Look, I’ve had as much as I can deal with today. I have to go. I’ll see you later,” Brian said, leaving a laughing Ted in his office. Brian reached the loft and looked for signs of Justin. There were none. The loft looked the way it did when they had left it a few days ago. Now Brian was starting to worry.