Chapter Two

Maddie returned, carrying a mug and the coffee pot just as another gentleman walked into the cafe.

Black hair cut in a punk style, feet light like a cat's, eyes sweeping every corner of the cafe as though searching for danger, everything about this gentleman told Maddie that he was someone that flirted with danger.

Those sharp eyes landed on her handsome customer and he made his way to join him.

Her handsome customer saw him and smiled. Not a polite 'what can I do for you' smile, but a 'good to see you' smile.

Maddie snagged another mug and made a way to their table.

"Where in God's name did you find this place, Drew?" The dangerous looking guy asked her handsome customer.

Drew. He didn't look like a Drew, yet, she realized, it fit him. She placed the mugy on the table and filled them with coffee.

"Stumbled into it, actually." Drew replied. "When you called asking to meet, I simply mentioned the first cafe I saw." Then Drew smiled up at her and nodded his thanks.

She turned away, giving the other man time to browse the menu, but she kept her ears attuned to their conversation.

"So, you're gonna tell me why you hauled me from my peaceful mountain cabin back here, Aiden?" Drew asked.

Yes, the other man definitely looked like an Aiden.

When she entered the kitchen, Bruce had already plated Drew's order. So she carried it.

She was almost at their table when she heard Aiden say, "You are returning to McBride Foods. As the CEO."

She almost stumbled. The expensive clothes. The expensive shoes. The sunglasses. McBride Foods.

Her handsome customer was Drew McBride, heir to the multibillion McBride Foods.

Wow!

Rache and Andrea, the other waitresses would bite their tongue.

"What?" Drew's harsh whisper got her feet back to moving.

Drew and Aiden glared at each other.

When she slid Drew's food on the table, they both turned to her.

She pulled out her notebook and flashed a smile Aiden's way. "Are you ready to order?"

Aiden nodded at Drew's plate. "What he is having."

"Coming right up." From her side eye, she saw that Drew was still scowling, so she glanced at him and winked. It was real quick but he caught it and his lips tipped in amusement.

"You like her." Aiden said when she left.

She didn't know what Drew said in response, but Aiden started sputtering, "I didn't…I wasn't hitting…I had no…you know what, I'm just gonna…"

"Don't." Drew fairly growled.

She handed Bruce Aiden's order and hurried back to adjoining door, cocking her ear, straining to pick out their words.

"You came over to my house," Drew sounded angry. "... I'm dragged here. With no explanation …. And after dropping that crap, you still aren't offering any explanation ... Because jokes are supposed to be a stamp of approval."

"Would you stop eavesdropping and go and serve the customer his food?" Bruce growled.

Offering Bruce no response, she picked up Aiden's order and exited the kitchen. It wasn't as though there was any other entertainment.

"What do you want?" Aiden finally asked.

"A reason?"

She slowed her pace.

"The money?"

Drew snorted. "Even without my parents estate, I am not a poor man. I've made too many wide investments to be bothered about money. Besides, I have my games."

"How about you trust me?" Aiden asked as she arrived at their table.

Drew didn't say anything, just waited till she finished serving Aiden. When her back was turned, he finally spoke, "give me one reason why I should?"

Aiden laughed. "Which do you want me to pick? The fact that I've put up with you since we were still in diapers?"

Uh, childhood friends.

"We both know that you've always been the reckless one." Drew shot back. "Remember the time you drove us into a tree? Or the time you stuck a stupid drawing on Ms. Reeves butt and got us both in detention for a week? Or the time you made me steal your dad's credit card? Or the…"

"You can stop, Drew. I get the idea. But you are also forgetting the time I fought for your innocence after that runnynosed-slobby Jim accused you of making out with his girlfriend."

She swallowed her laughter. She slid into a booth at the rear end, grateful for the small size of the cafe as well as the slow morning.

"That was one out of how many?" Drew responded.

"What matters is that I don't lead you wrong…always. This is one of those times, Drew."

"What's wrong, Aiden?"

"Have you listened to the news lately?"

"I avoid the press."

"Everything isn't has it ought to be in the company. There's a rumor that the quality of the ingredients of some products have been reduced."

"I haven't noticed anything."

Neither had she. Except she had to use the product in the first place to notice anything wrong. McBride Foods weren't exactly cheap.

"How often do you eat the company produts?" Aiden asked. "Everyone of them? And it's subtle, but I've noticed that the ketchup is thinner. The potato chips have become flakier. I haven't used the mayonnaise and the mustard recently, but I'll bet my last dollar that something has happened to them.. If I'm noticing, then others are also noticing. And that is bad news for the company."

"I don't care what happens to that company."

Interesting.

"You might believe the company took your parents from you, but are you really going to stand back and watch the one thing they built with their sweat go down the drain? They might be gone, but this isn't and they wouldn't want it to."

Drew paused. "No. As much as it pains me to say this, you are right. What do you need me to do?"

Aiden's voice dropped a notch, and Maddie had to lean backwards to hear him. "By inheritance, you are the CEO ... It's time to take them back ... Two things you must never forget. One, keep your cards close to your vest. And second, don't trust anyone … those you consider close to you or your parents. You get my drift?"

The bell jingled and in walked a disheveled mother herding a toddler, while holding a baby to her waist. And Maddie knew, her eavesdropping was officially over.

                            *****

Drew wouldn't say he had missed this life, decked up in suit and tie. Still — he looked himself one more time in the mirror and gave his suit jacket a little tug — he looked downright good.

"Are you done drooling over yourself?" Aiden stuck his head into his room. "Come on, walk me through the plan."

"Walk in like I own the darn place…"

"Well you do."

"Call a meeting with the employees."

"Because a company is as strong as its workers. You have to win them to your side."

"Let them know I'm in for the works." Drew continued reciting. "Don't let anyone intimidate me. Make a press release. Yada yada yada."

"Those yada yada are the important things, goofball. Listen for nuances. Notice what topic causes a shift in their demeanor . Who is always edgy, secretive. Listen for what is unsaid."

"In simple words, behave like you."

Aiden shot him a droll look.

"Look, I'll be fine. I'm not clueless. You can stop your grandmothering."

"That is not a word."

"Well, now it is. It means portraying the behavior of a fussing eighty year old grandmother."

Aiden cracked a smile, then sobered up. "Don't forget to be careful."

"What could go wrong?"

"A hundred and one things?"

He sent Aiden a 'seriously?' look. "It's just the first day. They are going to be caught off guard."

"Doesn't mean you have to be lax."

"Yes, Grandmother."

Aiden growled and made a lunge at him.

Laughing, Drew walked out. "Chill, I've got this."

Anxiety flashed through his friend's eyes before he covered it with a smile. "Of course, you do. Come on sir, your ride is ready."

"Thank you, my chauffeur."

When Aiden had insisted that he be the one to drive him to and fro the company, they had argued for fifteen minutes. Finally, he relented, even if he saw no reason for it.

They walked out, Aiden stepping out first and scanning the area like there was a target on the house. And even though Aiden kept up a conversation throughout the drive, he kept glancing at the rearview mirror. Someday, he was going to tell Aiden to go see a shrink about his psychopathic behavior.

McBride Foods came into view. His heart hitched at the sight. He couldn't remember the last time he had been here.

His father had not been one who believe that a company had to stay in the family. Right from the time he turned nine and began tinkering with video games, his dad had pushed him to pursue his dreams.

"It's as far as your eyes can see, as wild as your mind can imagine." His dad used to tell him. "There's no limitation." Then he would laugh and add, "money is definitely not a problem."

A lump rose in his throat.

"You okay?" Aiden asked softly.

"Yeah."

"It isn't the same without them, is it?"

"Never."

There was a moment of silence. Then Aiden said, "let's do this. For them. For their honor."

"For their honor." He opened the door, climbed out and sauntered into the building.

The McBride Foods company had been located right in this building for over twenty five years. Standing tall and proud, the building showed off bold Grecian columns — a tribute to Mom's Greek obsession. Warm lighting, plush couches and a large smile on the receptionist's face welcomed him.

He sent her a nod, not breaking his stride. He turned on the path that would take him to the offices.

"Excuse me." The receptionist stepped away from her desk, walking towards him. "You can go in there unauthorized. How can I help you? Who are you?"

He flashed a humorless smile. "I am Drew. Drew McBride. The new CEO."