Samantha opens the door and enters the office first.
"Mister Claude has arrived," she announces like we're in a palace, and then gestures for me to come in as well. There are two men in the office waiting for me, both wearing full suits like me. Thank goodness I'm well dressed, "I'll be right outside if you need me."
"Stay here, Sammy," Charlie stops her with a casual tone and stands up to walk toward me. Imposing and just as tall as me, Charlie Lambert is a healthy man, which makes him look much younger than he is. Fifty two. And he comes over to greet me with a hug, as if I'm as important as he is, even though a couple of days ago I was a literal nobody, "It's a pleasure to meet the man behind the best idea I've heard in years."
"Oh, that's very kind, Sir. Thank you for this opportunity," I reply and pat his back gently as he hugs me again.
"This is my son, Cain," he says once he releases me and a near perfect copy of Charlie Lambert approaches us, greeting me just as effusively as his father, "Cain is the director of operations, so you'll be working side by side with him for a long time."
"It's so nice to finally meet you, man" he greets me with a big welcoming smile and as soon as I make eye contact with him, I know he's incredibly important in my life, almost as important as Sam. Or maybe more. He'll be my friend... my best friend. My brother. I can't help the real smile that comes to my lips, "Sit down... How have you been, Sammy?"
Samantha swallows as Cain turns his attention to her and replies that she's fine, in a shaky little voice that sounds even more nervous than when she first met me.
"I'll order breakfast for everyone," Sam announces to get rid of the attention Cain is giving her and grabs her cell phone, "What would you like, Beau?"
"Anything, as long as there's coffee," I answer. Sam nods and turns her attention back to her cell phone to place the order, without asking for Cain and Charlie's orders like she knows them by heart.
"How's Chicago treating you? Did you enjoy your first night in the city?" Charlie asks me, sitting down at the long table by the window and making us all follow him without saying a word. I want to be as imposing as him one day, it's the only thing I want.
"Yes, although all I've done is sleep… by the way, the house you're lending me is amazing, Mister Lambert, but it's way too big for me. I'd be happy in an apartment."
"Nonsense, I want you to be as comfortable as possible," he mumbles, looking relaxed. It's much calmer and less scary than I imagined, "Make yourself at home."
It will actually be my home soon.
"Thank you," I repeat, meeting Sam's warm gaze, which immediately makes me feel better.
"Now, I need to know," Cain speaks, leaning with his elbows on his knees to move closer to me, invading Sam's space in the process, though I don't think she'll hate that, "How did you come up with the ring idea?"
"I didn't really know if it was possible or not, so I had been sitting on the idea for a while without daring to mention it," I start with my practiced lie, gaining everyone's attention, "I was thinking one day about how we specialize in building and home security but there isn't something that ensures personal safety, so I thought of a simple way for each client to buy something that connects them to someone on our team in times of danger and tracks them immediately. That way we're making their lives easier, improving our image and…"
"And securing millions of sales from those who are already our customers," Charlie finishes, nodding as if fascinated, "It's so simple... there are apps that work the same way, but it's still innovative. A new service that may change everything. It's never been done before."
"It seems to me that in a moment of danger it's much easier to press a button on your ring than it is to grab your cell phone and open an app. It's mere seconds that can save lives," I continue, making Charlie smile as if he loves my words. And I imagine he does because they are literally the same words he said in his interview, in the future I destroyed with my decision.
"What do you think, Sammy? Would you buy a security ring, even if it means losing a sense of anonymity?"
"Of course I would. Times are changing, we carry our cell phones everywhere anyway, we are identified all the time. As a woman, I'd feel incredibly safe with one... And if it's reasonably priced, I'd make sure all my family and acquaintances have one, too," she answers easily, causing Charlie to think silently for a few seconds.
"We need to work on a prototype as soon as possible to present to the board and investors," Cain lets go, sounding excited, but stops himself as someone carrying containers of food approaches, he immediately gets up to help her. Sam bites her lip and tries to hide a smile as he watches him helping the girl, "Thanks, Monica... uhm, we also need to get the marketing team together now. We'll have to invest in a lot more advertising than usual but it will clearly be worth it."
"Your brain moves too fast, son. Worry about logistics and prototyping first," Charlie says, grabby his container. Sam hands me a chicken sandwich and a large coffee, I thank her with a smile, "Bernabeu, I imagine you know what to expect. The board will want to hear more about this invention from your own lips. You'll have interviews and events at my side for a long time... Are you ready?"
"I think so," I nod, trying to contain my excitement. Charlie gives me a smile before he starts eating his fruit salad with yogurt, "And... you can call me Beau."
For almost five full hours we talk about everything related to 'my idea', from different ways to get to the prototype and different operational options, to how we would need more jobs and how that will lift the company even more. And they're right, job growth is what took Lambert to the sky on the future when Charlie originally put this idea into motion.
"Come on, I'll show you your office," Sam says as we finish the meeting. I say goodbye to Charlie, but Cain joins us before I can say anything to him.
"I'll come down with you... my office is on the same floor," he mentions with that easy smile he's had all day, "It's great isn't it, Beau? It's been a long time since I've been this excited to work on something."
"Yeah, really cool," I reply when the three of us are alone in the elevator. And it's true, but I'm much more excited about getting to know these two, "We'll be working together for a long time, won't we? How about we go out for a drink and get to know each other? Sam, you too."
"Yes!" Cain replies, hitting my arm with his hand as a sign of friendship, I guess, "There's a bar near I like, it's called Janeiro. Let's go there today."
"I-I'm not sure that I..."
"Come on, don't leave us alone," I push and her cheeks turn red, "Or do you dislike Cain? You can be honest."
"Of course it's not that," she answers immediately, giving me a laser look that tells me to shut my mouth, "It's just that..."
"If you say no, I'll assume you hate me," Cain interrupts her, trying not to smile, which seems like a challenge to him. Sam lets out a snort and nods, "Perfect. Ah, shit... Pinky wanted to go out with me today. I'll invite him, too. He's cool."
He doesn't ask us, he just pulls out his cell phone and calls 'Pinky' to offer him an invitation to Janeiro.
Something after his call leaves me feeling strange inside, but I don't give myself permission to inspect what it is about. I focus on reality and manage to ignore whatever disaster may be going on in the background of my mind.
Something very big is changing in this future, but I don't want to see what it is. Not yet.