The Lies

Samantha opens the door and enters the office first.

"Mister Claude has arrived," she announces like we're in a palace, then she gestures for me to come in as well. There are two men in the office waiting for me, both wearing full suits just like me. Thank goodness, I'm well dressed, "I'll be right outside if you need me."

"Stay with us, 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 and he looks much, much younger than fifty two. He comes over to greet me with a hug, as if I'm as important as he is, even though just 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 Chief Operating Officer, so you'll be working side by side with him for a long time."

"It's so nice to finally meet you, man," Cain greets me with a big welcoming smile. 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, let’s talk... how are you, Sammy?"

Sam swallows as Cain turns his attention to her and she 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, trying to get rid of the attention Cain is giving her and then grabs her phone, "What would you like, Beau?"

"Anything, as long as there's coffee," I say. Sam nods and turns her attention back to her phone to place the order, without asking for Cain and Charlie's orders as if 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 letting me stay at is great, 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 says, looking relaxed. He’s cool and calm and way less scary than I imagined. He even looks like just a regular man, even though he is worth billions, "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, let’s get to business. I really 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 hates 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, trying not to shake under everyone's attention, "One day I was thinking 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 device and a new service that may change everything. It's never been done before, not like this.”

"I think that in a moment of danger it's much easier to press a button on your ring than to grab your 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? Would you feel safer with it?”

"Of course I would. As a woman, I'd feel incredibly safe with one... And if it's reasonably priced, I'd make sure my family and acquaintances have one, too," she answers easily, making Charlie nod and 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 out, sounding excited, but he stops himself when someone carrying containers of food approaches us. He immediately gets up to help her and Sam bites her lip to hide a smile, "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 I think it will be worth it."

"Your brain moves too fast, son. Worry about logistics and prototyping first," Charlie says, grabbing 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,

Sir."

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 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, I have a good feeling.”

"Yeah, it’s really cool," I reply when the three of us get into 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 better? Sam, you too."

"Yes!" Cain replies, hitting my arm with his hand as a sign of friendship, I guess, "There's a bar I like, it's called Janeiro. Let's go there today."

"I-I'm not sure that I..." Sam tries to back off, but I won’t let her.

"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 th—“

"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 finally 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 with us.

Something after that 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.