Page 117 of Yours, Forever

"Max." Daniel stood to shake my hand. "Welcome. Thank you for coming."

I frowned but pretended Daniel's formality wasn't strange. I had missed too much of the meeting to challenge him or make a joke of it.

"This is Cameron, and Alfonso." Daniel pointed at the two men across from us, as I sat down next to him. "They are here with Hernán, who you know already. They want to know more about the current plans the town has with your donations, as well as investments."

"I know Alfonso." I arched an eyebrow. "You've been working with my father for a long time."

"We heard you were in Toronto," he said.

"Is that why I wasn't invited to this meeting? Or the one you called the Board to attend?"

"It's because we don't have anything to say to you… yet."

"That's not suspicious at all." After a long look back at Alfonso, I turned to Hernán. "Et tu? Interesting to see you here."

The old man shrugged. "Some of us are concerned about the direction the town is taking with your investments."

I nodded. "I understand your interest, Hernán, but why is this any of my father's concern?"

I gazed at Cameron and Alfonso again. Neither bothered to respond.

Daniel grumbled. "They don't have to explain that, as anything related to Laguna Island and the Heritage Committee has to be public. They can ask any questions they like about how we're using the money in our coffers. Unfortunately, it's not hard to deduce where the recent lump sums come from, considering it's mainly one single source."

I crossed my legs in an unbothered gesture. "I'm sure you've heard that these investments are good for the town. As for how they affect me and, by extension, my funds, you could have asked my team for the business plans and my personal projections. Why come here?"

"Public donations are all nice and welcome," Hernán said, "but from a business perspective, some of us in town are not sure how they make sense. That's why these gentlemen requested my presence. We all want to know."

"They make perfect sense in my mind." I smiled. "If the town isn't strong on the public side, the private side can only do so much to grow. The town as a whole has to work together and, if we do, everything points to some incredible ROI."

"And with your fingers in everything, you get a percentage of every dollar, don't you?" Hernán accused.

I arched an eyebrow his way. "Yes. That's the definition of ROI."

Daniel chuckled.

I continued, "But the town won't have to report on that to me, nor the Heritage Committee. My calculations have to do with all my investments, but the returns only account for my private interests."

"What about the Heritage Committee's interest in the direction the town is taking?" The old man complained.

"You're going to get a say, Hernán." Daniel glanced at me, his usual frown in place.

Guessing his intention, I nodded. It was a conversation he and I had had before, when contemplating on the Hernán problem.

Daniel addressed the committee's president. "The town wants to bring together a working group to help with the planning. As the Public Works Director, I'll preside over it… but we'd like you to have a seat at the table."

I watched Hernán, and tracked any signs about whether this was a bridge we could repair. I crossed my fingers that we could get him on our side.

"To do what?" Derision twisted his face. "Talk about making a park a little prettier? The maintenance of the pipes?"

Daniel shook his head. "More than that. We want to create policies for the beautification of Avenida del Mar and Main Street, and we had recent inquiries about changing the commercial status of the mansion. We believe it would be best for the town if we made sure to have a coherent look throughout."

Hernán cast suspicious eyes my way.

I gave him a winning smile. "I plan to turn the mansion into a boutique hotel, which you already know. I would still like your opinion, if you're willing. I value your experience, as it could help assure we keep the charming spirit of Laguna Island alive. Thiscould be a great tourist destination, yes, but I happen to agree with you. It shouldn't come at the expense of its history. Rather, it should celebrate it."

He squinted at me.

"It's better if you work with us, Hernán," Daniel added. "Cameron and Alfonso are outsiders. I can't believe you would rather work with them than with us."