Chapter Three

NATHAN

(February 12 - Miami)

Giovanni, a member of my party team, asks, "What are the stats of this week's campaign?" as he fills his glass with white wine.

 He settles comfortably into the cushion, throwing one arm across its head, and takes a sip.

 I grab the remote from the center table and press the button, and the TV glides down automatically from its hiding spot behind the ceiling.

I show Giovanni the unsatisfying results of my campaign over the past weeks. Despite actively campaigning and investing heavily in the project, my opponent, Simon Grills, consistently has an edge over me.

 We've brainstormed ideas and explored various avenues to gain the upper hand, but nothing seems to work in my favor. 

I regret considering Giovanni's idea to step into politics, especially since my business is running smoothly without the added stress.

Giovanni's expression turns sour as he reviews the stats. "This doesn't look good," he says, echoing my sentiments.

 I run a hand through my hair, holding my liquor glass in one hand, and sigh. "I know."

 I've spent too much on this project to back out now, but spending more seems ridiculous given my opponent's success. However, backing out isn't an option either; I haven't built my business into a multimillion-dollar shipping company by giving up easily.

The political game is draining my account quickly, and the prospects don't look favorable.

 "I need an edge," I say through gritted teeth, calculating my next move.

 Giovanni leans forward, setting his cup down on the table, and begins stroking his jaw thoughtfully. 

I wait for his ideas, trusting his judgment after over a decade of working together.

The silence in my office space is palpable as I stare at Giovanni, willing him to come up with another brilliant idea to get me out of this gridlock. 

Finally, he speaks up, "Have you consulted with Mr. Potiphar Alvarez?"

 I furrow my brows, vaguely familiar with the name.

 Giovanni looks baffled, clutching his knees. "You don't know him?" he asks, his voice laced with incredulity. He points a finger at me, his eyes wide with surprise. "This is why your stats are flunking."

My frown deepens as I shake my head. "Who's Potiphar Alvarez?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

Giovanni's expression turns from surprise to exasperation. "Potiphar Alvarez is a long-standing godfather for this region," he explains, his voice patient. "He's an influential businessman, trading in stock exchange, real estate investments, you name it. That man has set his precepts in both the corporate and political world."

I tilt my head to the side, curious. "So, how does he fit into this conundrum?" I ask.

Giovanni leans forward, his eyes locked on mine. "You need him," he emphasizes. "You see, politics isn't just about how well you play. It's more about the connections you have and the ones you make. I bet you've been playing by the book all along."

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical. "Are you telling me to bribe Potiphar Alvarez to up my chances of winning this election?" I ask, my tone cautious.

Giovanni's chuckle fills the air. "Bribe is such a crude term," he says, waving his hand dismissively. "Bribe is bullshit when it comes to Potiphar Alvarez. You heard the list of his accomplishments, didn't you? That man's wealth spans generations," he emphasizes. "Let's just say that having Potiphar Alvarez on your side can open doors, grease wheels, and make the impossible possible." He stresses the importance of having someone like Potiphar Alvarez on my side, given his vast economic and political influence. "You need him as your godfather," Giovanni says emphatically.

I express my skepticism aloud, "I'm not just going to walk up to him and ask him to be my godfather." 

Giovanni shakes his head, clearly disappointed. "Don't make me feel like I'm talking to a novice. I've given you a tip; now act on it."

I shoot back, glaring at him, "Your tip led me to this political quagmire." 

Giovanni raises his hands in defense, "Deal with your inefficient campaign manager. My predictions never fail. Work on this lead," he says, nodding towards the TV screen. "Those election results will be a joke."

Giovanni's words are laced with conviction, but I'm still unsure about how to approach Potiphar Alvarez. It's clear that Giovanni believes having Potiphar's backing is crucial to my success, but I need a more concrete plan to make that happen.

I murmur "Potiphar Alvarez" under my breath, my mind racing with questions.

 If he's as influential as Giovanni claims, why haven't I heard of him before? I take pride in staying up-to-date on every detail in the business world, from mergers and acquisitions to industry trends. 

My journey to the top hasn't been easy, despite my family's wealth. I've always been driven to create my own success, to prove to myself and others that I'm more than just my family's name.

Growing up as the only child of affluent parents, I thought I'd have every privilege at my fingertips. But behind the glamour and glitz, my family's reality was far darker.

 My father, a controlling and demanding man, placed me on a pedestal, expecting me to follow in his footsteps. I felt suffocated by his expectations, like I was living in his shadow. I knew I had to break free and forge my own path.

So, I cut ties with my father and set out to build my own success. It wasn't easy – there were countless late nights, early mornings, and endless cups of coffee. But I persevered, driven by my determination to succeed. And now, I'm proud to say that I'm the owner of a thriving, multi-million-dollar shipping company.

But I'm not content to rest on my laurels. As Giovanni mentioned, getting into politics is a chance to expand my business reach, gain more connections, and solidify my influence in the high-hierarchy world. I'm ready to take the next step, to see where this new path will lead me. And with Potiphar Alvarez's name echoing in my mind, I know that I'm on the cusp of something big.

Giovanni sets his emptied glass down on the table and rises to his feet, breaking the silence that had enveloped us.

 "The next time I visit," he says, his voice drawing me out of my reverie, "I want better news than this." He nods toward the TV screen, where the disappointing results of my campaign still linger.

I stand up, clearing my mind of doubts and uncertainties. Giving up is not an option, not when I have a new lead to pursue. My focus has been resharpened, and I'm ready to tackle the challenge ahead. 

I extend my hand, and Giovanni shakes it firmly.

"Your visit is always insightful," I say, genuinely appreciative of his guidance. 

Giovanni pats my shoulder encouragingly, his hand still locked in mine. "I'm rooting for you, Nathaniel," he says with a warm smile. 

I manage a smile in return, feeling a surge of gratitude toward my friend and mentor.

"Thanks, pal," I reply, releasing his hand. I walk with him to the door of my office, bid him farewell, and head back inside to get to work. 

The clock is ticking, and I have a lot of ground to cover if I want to turn my campaign around.