by A P Gore
If he ever got a chance to renovate his parents’ house, he would run a bulldozer over this gate.
Shaking his head, he quickly entered the dining hall. Dad would be waiting along with Mom, and maybe Gram and Tan; Graham and Tania, his younger brother and high school age sister. Unfortunately, both were absent from the dinner table, so it was him, alone, against the lions of the house.
Gavin sat opposite his mother at the forty-seat dining table. A maid placed a hot bowl filled with a calming fragrance in front of him as soon as he took his seat. Another waiter followed and handed him a new towel after he washed his hands. Once that waiter moved away, another one came and placed a napkin on his lap. It was probably because of these formalities that Tan and Gram avoided eating with their parents. Gavin himself had enjoyed eating in his own room when he still lived at home. Dining with Mom and Dad felt like eating with the Queen of England.
“Son, I heard you’re taking charge of Tecme Systems tomorrow.” Gavin’s father, Robert, lifted a piece of beef with his fork. He seemed older since Gavin last saw him, a hint of white in his beard and black circles below his eyes. Just two months had aged him quite a bit. The handsome, square jawed, blue-eyed Robert looked tired.
“Yes, Dad.” Gavin lifted the glass of orange juice and sipped a little. Though he didn’t like it, he had to finish it.
Robert wiped his hands on his napkin and pushed his plate away. It was time for the lecture. “I’ll ask you again. Why do you keep lurking around these small fishes and avoid the big shark? If you really want to play around, then play in our empire. Why buy these filthy million-dollar businesses and turn them into fifty-one million?” He coughed.
“Darling, let’s stop for today.” Gavin’s mother, Martha, patted Robert’s back. “The doctor asked you to avoid high tension conversations, didn’t he?” She too seemed tired. Her perfectly modulated tone wavered, dark circle creeped below her brown eyes, and her hands shook.
“Dad, are you all right? What did the doctor say?” Gavin asked, concerned. Was he being too difficult? Not joining his dad’s business, and playing on his own? Guilt crawled into his mind. He’d never wanted to look after his dad’s oil business.
Robert slammed his hand on the table. Pieces of meat from his plate jumped around, dirtying the pristine white tablecloth.
Shaking her head, Martha leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Clearly, she thought it was out of her hands.
“Gavin, I’ll repeat. Why don’t you come and play with the big fish?”
Gavin sighed. Same question, same tone. Robert had done it ten times, once for each of the ten companies Gavin had bought and sold.
“Dad,” he said, spinning his fork between his fingers. “We’ve discussed this. Gram is good with your business. Let him do that. I’m good at my business, so let me do it.”
“What nonsense. What’s good in doing that dirty work? You build these companies up and sell them off. What do you get out of it? A few million?” He lifted a glass and gulped some water, reflecting his impatience. That wasn’t like his father.
“Join as a director, and I’ll give you ten million as a starting salary. Play as much you want with it.”
Gavin placed his palm on the table. “Dad.”
“You want more, then take it. Nobody’s complaining.”
“Dad, I don’t want your money.” He controlled his tone, trying not to hint at any disrespect for his father.
Robert rose to his feet. “So, you won’t join our company.”
Gavin shook his head.
Robert picked up a fork and stabbed it into the dining table. The table quivered under the impact. “Then return the seed money you loaned from me. One hundred million, wasn’t it?” Robert smacked the table once again. “You have one month. If you don’t repay me by then, be prepared for a lawsuit.” And like that he walked away.
Martha furrowed her brow. “Gavin, think about us for once. He’s not wrong for wanting you to join his company, and I’m not wrong by asking you to get married and give me a grandchild.” She rose from her seat. “For once, you should think about us as well.” Turning, she followed Robert out.
Gavin’s forehead throbbed. He didn’t need his dad’s money. All he wanted was his acceptance, and all he got was this. Humiliated, scorned, and now threatened. And his father would do what he said. Once, Robert asked Gavin to throw away his extensive manga collection. When Gavin refused, his entire collection was carried outside by servants and burned on the lawn. Sometimes, Robert could be downright cruel, even to his children.
All in the name of discipline and family ethics.
Then his mother. Every few days, she bugged him to get married and produce children. What was he? A machine? Why couldn’t she understand he had no time for marriage?
“Hey, when did you get here?” A playful tone echoed from behind him, followed by a slap on his shoulder.
“Gram, why are you here? And now?” Gavin asked without looking back.
Gram chuckled. “Come on, give your brother a hug. I know you took a beating.”
Gavin tilted his head and glared at Gram, his younger brother with a clean shaved square jaw and neatly combed hair. He was the iconic son of their father, always wearing a three-piece suit and listening to his every command. Good for him. He enjoyed the benefits that came with the discipline. He was free to enjoy after-office time. But Gavin didn’t want that kind of life. It was too restrictive for his soul.
Gavin preferred the thrill and panic of the bankrupt companies. He enjoyed raising them from the ground and pushing them to the top. Blue chip companies were his favorite.
“He wants the seed money back. A hundred million dollars.” Rubbing his neck, Gavin took a deep breath. Suddenly, the expansive room shrunk on him, igniting his claustrophobia.
Gram patted his shoulder in sympathy. “How much do you have?”
“Twenty-five million. I recently bought a company with two hundred million. If I knew this was coming, I wouldn’t have bought Tecme Systems.”
“Can’t you sell it?”
“It wouldn’t even fetch ten million if I sell it now. I need at least a year to turn it around.”
“I’ve got thirty in my account. Tan should have some too. Do you want me to ask her?”
Gavin shook his head. It was nice to see his younger brother standing up for him, but he couldn’t take his money.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a month. I’ll find a way.” Gavin rose to his feet and turned to leave. He didn’t want to linger in this house, not now. He needed to gather some money somehow.
Gram grabbed his hand. “Gav, I know a way.”
Gavin stopped. If Gram used his nickname, that meant he had some crazy, wicked idea. Something on the level of kidnapping their sister and asking for money or robbing their own house. “I don’t want to hear it.”
Tightening his grip on Gavin’s hand, Gram pushed him back into the chair. “Come on, brother. At least hear me out.”
Gavin arched his brows. “Shoot.”
“Do you remember Grandma’s will?” Gram asked.
Gavin scratched his beard. Grandma had passed away a few years ago and left a large sum of money for her grandkids. Almost two hundred million each. But she had a weird condition attached to it: The kids would inherit the money only after they got married and spent six months with their partner. There was a trustee who oversaw everything.
Gavin rolled his eyes. “So, you’re suggesting—"
“Yes, brother. Bring us a sister-in-law.” His words skidded together, and he sounded way too excited. And exactly like their mother.
“No. It would only bring me distraction. Marriage isn’t in my plan for the next...” He went through his plan mentally. “Ten years.”
Chapter 7
Samantha patted Aaron’s curly hair and kissed him goodbye from the day care’s gate. He rubbed his forehead on her blue tee. Once released from her arms, he ran like a bird chasing the sky, but before he entered the c
aretaker’s hands, he turned back and waved with his cute tiny hands. His big blue eyes sparkled with unending love for her. Everyone said he looked like her, but his small chin reminded her of James.
She hugged herself, remembering the warmth of James’s touch. He would have been happy to see Aaron’s growth.
Wiping away a lone tear, she padded toward the bus stop.
“Good morning, Sam.” Sasha, the flower lady of their neighborhood, waved at her from the corner of the street. The mixed fragrance of various flowers wafted over the morning air, enthralling her and making her back pain go away a little.
She replied with a two-hand wave. The lady loved Aaron and always kept a candy with her for Aaron. Seeing her filled Samantha’s heart with happiness. Her neighborhood was perfect for her and little Aaron. Filled with lovely people.
It could have been a nice and easy stroll, but the view of the bus rushing toward the bus stop sent a jolt of panic through her. She leaped forward as if her feet had springs, rushing toward the bus stop. If she missed this bus, she would have to take the express bus, and that would cost her four dollars extra. Though the express buses were nicer and faster, the extra four dollars would buy a week’s worth of milk for Aaron.
Faster and faster she ran, jumping over garbage bags and kids’ bikes lying across the sidewalk. It was an exciting neighborhood. Somehow, she managed to get through the closing door and made it into the bus in one piece.
“Good morning, Sam. How’s Aaron today?” Matt, the old bus driver, flashed his chipped teeth.
Samantha replied with a smile. “As naughty as he can get.” She pulled her metro card from her brown leather tote and flashed it across the scanner. It replied with a red beep that sounded like the metal sensor on airports.
“Try again. Sometimes it throws a tantrum,” Matt said, pushing on the gas.
Samantha did, but the scanner still refused to comply. What was wrong with it?
“Maybe it’s gone bonkers.” Samantha shrugged helplessly. It happened sometimes.
The bus halted at the next stop, and an older lady stepped in and scanned her metro card. It worked perfectly.
Dumbfounded, Samantha tried her card again, but it refused to work. It couldn’t be out of funds. Yesterday she had topped it off with ten dollars, and she hadn’t used it since then thanks to Gavin the nice security guy. He said something like putting it on her tab. Well, the gesture mattered, anyway.
Maybe she would see him today in the cafeteria or the lobby.
“Move, lady.” A rude grunt pulled her out of thoughts. Casting the man behind her an apologetic smile, she moved aside. Searching her tote, she managed to find $2.75 in change for her ride. She would need to find more for the evening, if she couldn’t get her metro card fixed. She couldn’t let her card go bonkers on her. It had ten bucks on it. Ten bucks.
The next hour and a half went smoothly, and by the end of the journey her mood had swung back to the joyous side.
Tecme Systems.
She read the large flashy sign perched atop the building before heading inside. It had become a ritual since she joined this company three months back as a temp worker. Working here was much better than working three part-time jobs. A sense of belonging spread through her as she stepped through an open door heading toward the elevator. If the lobby seemed barren last night, right now it seemed like half of New York ended up there. Especially men in suits. There were so many around, it was like the President was visiting.
Oh, right. The new CEO. He was coming. She hoped he liked her arrangement of the machine and manga magazines. It was strange to find the manga in his box. Maybe his kid liked it. They had nice illustrations and fight scenes. Aaron would love to go through one. He loved action anime on TV.
“Sam, come to my office now.” A shrill voice filled on her ears as she stepped off the elevator on her department’s floor. It was Melisa, her boss. Something was wrong, and if her tone was anything to go by, it was Samantha’s turn to face the bashing of the day.
Jesus, what a bad start to the day.
A little scared, Samantha entered Melisa’s small corner office. It could only accommodate two people at a time, and everyone outside could hear what happened inside.
Melisa stood across the desk, her hands firmly planted on its surface, her sharp nose reddened. “I gave you a simple task, and you made a mess out of it.” She picked up her paperweight and slammed it on the white desktop, sending a tremble through the papers placed on the desk. “Why?”
Samantha quivered along with the papers. Moving her hands to her back, she clasped the hem of her tee hard. A weight settled on her heart.
Jesus! Please!
Sweat formed on her palms and neck. Violence, or even a hint of violence scared her witless. Samantha’s gaze jumped to the ground. She was unable to defend herself, too scared to even ask what went wrong.
“Do you know what you did?”
Samantha shook her head slightly, trying not to provoke the might of Thor from Melisa. She was known for bursting into anger every ten minutes, and the first beating in the morning was the worst.
“Did you unpack the CEO’s stuff?” Melisa shrieked.
Samantha nodded, her legs trembling.
“Then why didn’t you call security to set up a passcode? Mr. Mason, the director of security, called me this morning and read me the riot act.”
Samantha opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her throat went dry, and the weight on her heart doubled.
“This is unacceptable. I gave you an important task, and you completely screwed up. Damn, what am I going to do with you?” Another crashing sound echoed as the paperweight rolled on the floor. “You’re fired. Go pack your desk and leave.”
The weight on Samantha’s heart doubled once again, and she lost the ability to stand.
Chapter 8
Tecme Systems’ lobby bustled with people running around in business suits and overenthusiastic workers in the morning light. Gavin glanced at the sign before entering the forty-five-floor building. Along with the company, this property also became his. That would fetch him somewhere around twenty million, but he urgently needed one hundred million.
A man in a dark gray business suit and matching tie came rushing forward when Gavin stepped out of his F015, his go-to office car. Rosie, his secretary, stepped out of the passenger seat and shook hands with the man in the gray suit who smelled like a bottle of wood flavored perfume.
Gavin sniffed and ignored him.
“Gavin, this is the Vice President, Steven Macula.” Rosie leaned on the word “the.”
Gavin paused, looking the man over carefully. “Fire him.” And he pushed forward without waiting for Rosie to do her job. She was good at this, firing people when needed. Now he was alone, but he didn’t need anyone to navigate his own company. He had done that last night with the cute box lady. Samantha. Her back should be fine by now. At least he hoped so.
“Gavin.” A familiar voice met him when he entered the lobby, but he couldn’t put a face to it.
He turned to his right and blinked as Samantha hurried toward him throat the crowd. In an oversized blue T-shirt and faded black jeans, she looked odd beside the suits that flooded the lobby. Unique. No, unique wasn’t the right word. As he looked carefully, she didn’t look too plain. With her light magenta-shaded hair, she had a unique charm to herself.
“Thank God, I found you.” She stopped in front of him, breathing heavily.
“Why were you running?”
“To catch you.” She grabbed his elbow with her long fingers.
Intriguing. “Why?” He glanced at her hand but said nothing.
Her fingers clenched tightly around his elbow. “I need you. Come with me please.” She pleaded, shoulders taut, cheeks wet, and hands slightly shivering.
“What happened? Are you all right?” He covered her hand with his.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Rosie charging toward him with pursed lips. If allowed,
she would definitely unload on Samantha. And he didn’t want that. So, he signaled Rosie to stay back.
Rosie’s eyes widened, but she slowed her pace. He could sense her discomfort. Well, anyone would get tense if a random girl in an oversized T-shirt started dragging their boss away.
“Come on.” Samantha pulled him hard.
Gavin chuckled inwardly while keeping his face straight. She was interesting, barging in anywhere and doing things he wouldn’t imagine.
“Let’s go.” He let her drag him toward the elevator.
Seeing him, many people rushed forward, but Rosie was already on them. It was no wonder she’d remained his secretary for the last four years. She was a pro at running interference.
Samantha dragged him into the first available elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. To his memory, the third floor housed the planning and maintenance department. The elevator stopped with a shriek of grinding gears, and he made a mental note to get the planning department to check these damn things first. They seemed to break down randomly, something he wouldn’t want to happen when he was inside.
The floor was busy. People ran around with tools, boxes, and so many other things. Samantha efficiently pulled him through the bunch of boxes and stopped in front of a small office.
A lady that looked like a witch with golden framed glasses and a deadly gaze stepped out of that office.
“What?” She shrieked like she owned Samantha’s life. She annoyed Gavin with one word.
Samantha’s finger quivered. “Melisa, please listen to me. This is the guy from security I told you about. There has to be some misunderstanding. I did nothing wrong, believe me.”
Melisa stared at Gavin like he was a frog from some well. “And who are you? Director Mason clearly said no one was called.”
Gavin pondered for a moment. Pulling his business card from his soft leather wallet, he handed it to Melisa in a way that Samantha wouldn’t read it.