This next piece is continued on from when Summer shuts the door on Seth
Outside the air is freezing and with every breath Seth feels like he's inhaled a huge icicle. He's careful walking down the path from Summers, noticing the icy appearance the concrete patterned tiles he's walking on have taken.
"Damn woman making me go out on the coldest day in history", he struggles through the branches of the hedge that's at the end of the path, the icy tendrils slapping him in the face. The hedge is supposed to be controlled and neatly trimmed by the gardener, but Summer had fired her and hadn't got round to getting someone new. Hence there now appeared to be visible entrance to the house.
Finally Seth emerges from the hedge, and removes the leaves that have collected themselves atop his head.
"Seth, just the man I wanted to see"
Surprised Seth steps closer to the parked car where the voice came from
"Grandad, wow didn't expect to see you here"
Caleb smiles and steps out slamming the door to his red Porsche
"Your father told me I could find you here, I was just having a bit of trouble working out exactly how to get in", he points at the hedge surrounding the property.
"Yes, I often wonder that to", Seth looks at Caleb closer and his face has taken on a gaunt looking appearance, like he's lost weight he shrugs it off.
"So anyway I have a proposition for you, would you like to hear it?"
Curious Seth nods "Sure, what's it about?"
"Well come with me and we can discuss it in the warmth of my office"
"So Seth take a seat"
Seth silently obeys, now dubious as to what his grandfather could want
"Right I'm going to lay all my cars on the table Seth and you should feel no pressure to accept what I'm about to ask" he eyes narrow trying to get a read of Seth, but his face is emotionless.
"Lately and especially since your mother resigned, I have thought hard about who I want to run this place when I'm not around" he gestures round his office
"and well frankly Julie made some decisions last time I left her in charge, that I thought were well…..not profitable. And Kiki has shown the she cant handle the pace at lower ranks so there is no point…"
"Mom could have handled anything you threw at her" Seth cuts in defensively and he thinks not for the first time he entered Caleb's office of leaving.
"I didn't bring you here to argue Seth, now the offer I'm gonna make you could changer your life and open you to a whole new world of opportunities"
Seth sits still trying to banish the multitude of jokes playing in his mind.
"I er.. The Newport Group would like to take you on as an employee"
The jokes in Seth's mind screech to a halt and his jaw drops open "What, I have no architectural experience or anything of relevant use to the company"
"Your of Nichol blood and that guarantees your usefulness"
Thoughts swirl around in Seth's mind and he slowly shakes his head "No, nope the job isn't for me. I couldn't do it to my mom and I couldn't do it to myself"
"Forget your mother for a second and think of your future. What kind of life you would be able to provide for your future wife and children", Caleb leans forward in his chair locking eye contact with Seth
"Yeah that's really no incentive seeing as how I hate this society we live in and would never wish it on any child let alone my own"
"Seth, answer this question honestly. Do you have direction in life, do you know what you want to do? because from what I've heard your currently well…..lost".
Seth sits back in stunned silence. He has no reply to that and instead he stares at the desk in front of him. While Caleb smirks pleased at finally finding an opening. Seth glances up at Caleb for a second.
Caleb brings his hands together under his chin. "You would be sort of shadowing me, learning what goes on, how to handle situations and the like" he pauses to let it sink in
"What do you say Seth, I would be deeply honoured if you did"
"I…I think I really need to think about it" he glances up his eyes not really focussed.
"Of course", Caleb stands "Get back to me when ever you feel ready"
Seth slowly stands still deep in thought…would he ever find a way to break through in his comic drawings, hell would he ever be able to get his creativity back to actually draw anything. Was it foolish to think he could make something of himself when he couldn't even pick up a pencil.
The mist in Seth's head clears "I'll take it, I'll….I'll do it"
Caleb's face lights up, "You've made me a very happy man Seth" and he leans forward to shake Seth's hand
"Congratulations….welcome to the Newport Group"
It could have been all in Seth's head , but he could have sworn an ominous voice not unlike Ryan's said 'welcome to the dark side'…..if only he knew.
So tell me what you thought of that. A bad track to go down? A good one?