Chapter 27-3
*** Lex sat in the conference room of the hotel, her legs jiggling. There were a hundred and fifty shareholders present, and they were scheduled down to the minute all day. Her speech was at 3pm - right now, it was 9:32, and Wilson's droning voice was already frustrating her. It wasn't just the idea of a full day of PowerPoint presentations and seemingly endless speeches that had her on edge; Otis hadn't come home last night. She'd called his phone, the new iPhone 6+ she'd gifted him only a few weeks ago, but it rang within the house, left behind like everything else she'd ever given him. Wherever he was, he was off the grid. Overnight, her grief had morphed into burning fury. How dare he make her feel bad about a decision that was hers and hers alone? Who did he think he was, getting his panties in a knot just because she was an independent woman? He lived in her house, eating her food, using her money - he didn't get a say. If he didn't like it, then maybe he should stay gone. "Ms Carson?" Lex jumped in her chair, the soft voice of her assistant, causing her spill her water on Jenner, the executive next to her. "Sorry!" she whispered, then turned to Violet. "What?" Violet was crouched beside her chair, eyes worried. "There's been an urgent call for you." Otis? "Who?" "St Vincent's hospital. They have Otis there, and they want you to know-" "Shh!" shushed Ramsey, the other board member from further down the row, his lowered eyebrows warning of impending doom. "What's wrong with Otis?" hissed Lex. She refused to freak out if he'd been admitted over a twisted ankle. "They said he's in for alcohol poisoning." Lex barked in laughter, drawing another round of shushes and stern looks. Rolling her eyes, she waved Violet away. "Thank you, Violet. You can go." "But-" "Shh!" Violet looked conflicted, then scurried out of the room with her head lowered. Lex settled back into her chair, feeling oddly comforted. Otis didn't even drink - he probably had two shots to drown his sorrows and then threw up. He'd be dehydrated and fighting a mega hangover, but hospital? Really? This isn't how you win my sympathy, Otis... An hour later, Lex and the rest of the attendees filed out into the foyer for morning tea, to stuff themselves with mini quiches and gluten-free slices of brownies. Lex was trying hard to entertain Mrs Avery, a major shareholder with no fashion sense and more money than God, when Violet returned. "Ms Carson? Can I have a quick word?" Lex plastered a brittle smile on her face. "Is it urgent?" "Yes, it is." "I don't suppose I have a choice then." She apologised to Mrs Avery, whose soured face indicated that Lex had disappointed her by not being able to control her assistant. Violet led her over to the side wall and Lex hissed, "This better be good." "The hospital rang again!" Violet held out Lex's phone. "It's serious, Ms Carson. They said you should come immediately." She pushed the phone away, unwilling to admit her rising fear. "It's just alcohol poisoning. How serious could it be?" "They told me he's not doing well - it's touch and go." Violet shook like a frightened puppy. "I Googled it, Lex. Hundreds of people die every year from this exact thing." "Ms Carson to you, thanks," said Lex, fear making her bitchy. "Fine. I'll see what I can do." Snatching up her phone, she stalked over to where Wilson stood, pouring three sugars in his coffee. "Ah, Ms Carson. I trust there will be no more distractions today? I didn't appreciate your assistant pulling focus during my opening address." "Actually, Mr Wilson, that's what I need to speak to you about." Feeling like a little girl trying to get out of school, she said, "Otis is in hospital." "What's wrong with him?" "Alcohol poisoning." "Oh, is that all?" His reaction was much like hers, and he laughed robustly. "If I could count all the times one of the boys passed out on a fishing trip because he had a few too many. Doctors call it poisoning - I call it having fun." "So do I, and it's probably nothing, but I should probably take off the rest of the day to see how he is." Wilson's eyes narrowed. "Ms Carson, do you know where I was when my wife went into labour with our first child? In a board meeting. I missed the birth by two hours because I had made a commitment to my company, and I was paying my dues." He pointed a fat finger at her. "Make no mistake, Ms Carson - you are still paying your dues. Your work has been shoddy at best lately, and if you chose to walk out the door now to go and watch your boyfriend have a bag of IV fluid drained into him to help him deal with his hangover, I can't promise we'll be extending your new position past the trial period."