Cameron was incredibly bored with Aiden gone. His lunch breaks were now spent texting Jennica (who was often unavailable due to auditions) and sitting alone at their usual table. The silence was oppressive.
To make matters worse, Aaron seemed on the verge of a breakdown. It wasn't immediately apparent unless you spent significant time with him, but Cameron was convinced his calm was a façade. When stressed or upset, he became almost robotic; expressionless, and his usual coldness less severe.
Some might consider this a positive—his usual chill was enough to give people goosebumps in summer—but Cameron sensed an impending storm. One wrong move, and he'd unleash a torrent of icy fury.
Cameron suspected the cause: the strain of the fake engagement was wearing on Aaron, compounded by Keeley's apparent anger and avoidance. He'd asked his fiancée, Jennica, about it after she'd overheard a phone call, but she was almost as clueless as he was.
Jennica recounted, "Aaron visited me while I was packing to move here, and she told me to get rid of him. So, something happened. We talked—I asked why she'd never mentioned he was her ex-boyfriend—and she was shocked I'd guessed. I asked why they broke up, given his intense love for her, and she was even more shocked. I told her what I'd overheard when I was his fake date, and she immediately jumped up, yelled 'he's dead,' ran out in her pajamas, and refused to discuss it further. That's all I know."
Cameron already knew they'd fought, but Aiden's theory being correct was shocking. How badly had his boss messed up to be dumped by the woman he loved? He wanted to tell Aiden, but decided to wait until his return in a week; Aiden's reaction would be priceless.
Jennica believed their breakup stemmed from Aaron's inability to express his feelings—a communication issue. She said, "I can totally see him being a tsundere—Keeley would hate that." Cameron had to ask what "tsundere" meant; it certainly sounded like his icy boss. He mused, "Women need to know they're cherished, don't they?"
Still, he felt sorry for Aaron. The pressure would eventually break him, and he'd likely take it out on Cameron and Aiden. Personally, Cameron hoped the "ice volcano" wouldn't erupt until Aiden returned; Aiden handled Aaron's moods well.
During the board meeting, Cameron closely watched Aaron. He couldn't afford a breakdown in front of Alistair or the senior board members; maintaining his image as a rising star was crucial. Stock prices were rising, making a sale more lucrative than holding, an opportunity Aaron might seize.
The presenter droned on, but Cameron's attention returned to the shares. Even if Aaron acquired them, how would he consolidate them? Without over 50%, he'd need board support. That's why Cameron and others held shares—a temporary arrangement allowing Aaron to reclaim them anytime. Cameron didn't mind; he looked forward to escaping dull board meetings, retaining his analyst position. Roger and Kyle were in the same boat.
But what about Alice? What had Aaron promised her? He never said.
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As the meeting progressed, Alistair looked increasingly uncomfortable before announcing, "I believe everyone knows about my son's engagement."
Murmurs rippled through the room, making Cameron uneasy. Alistair continued, "I promised him 10% of my shares upon marriage. Congratulations, Aaron. The paperwork's here; please sign after the meeting. We'll need a witness."
"I'll do it," Cameron volunteered; something felt suspicious.
"Thank you, Mr. Singleton. Before we conclude, we must discuss the Monaco expansion. My son is leading negotiations, but other concerns remain…"
Alistair launched into another long speech that Cameron ignored. Aaron would fill him in later. Observing Aaron's reaction to the 10% stake, Cameron noted his usual poker face. He seemed unaffected, as if he hadn't even heard.
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