“We are,” she confirmed.
“I actually designed one while I was in school.”
“The one in your portfolio?”
“Yes.”
Addison sat up straight in her chair. “It’s nice, but the design specifics are not what your father wants. It’s too modern.”
“I don’t mind making changes,” Kellen stated. “I can sit down with him and—”
“Your father has already approved the initial design of the hotel,” Addison interjected.
His mouth tightened.
“Kellen, I know that you think you’re ready to take on a project this size, but you still have so much to learn.” Nervously, she moistened her dry lips. “It’s a bit more involved.”
“What is with you?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Are you this threatened by me?” Kellen knew he was going too far, but he forged ahead.
Anger flashed in her eyes. “Just because you are an Alexander doesn’t bother me in the least. I have been in your shoes, Kellen, and I had to learn the technical. You have to do the same thing.”
“I studied hotel models in college, Addison. I do know what I’m doing. Besides that, I am an Alexander.” He studied her face for a moment to see if her expression would change, but it remained the same.
After a moment she got up and closed the door to her office. “It’s becoming pretty obvious that we can’t work together.”
“So what are you saying?” he wanted to know, folding his arms across his chest.
“I’m saying that you’re fired, Kellen.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “I’m sure I didn’t hear you correctly.”
“You’re fired,” Addison repeated. “I have treated you fairly and as any other associate, but you insist on challenging me at every turn. I can’t have you here undermining me or my leadership.”
He met her gaze straight on. “You can’t fire me.”
“I just did.”
“You’re making a huge mistake, Addison. My father is not going to let this stand.”
“At some point, you need to take responsibility for your choices in life and stop counting on your father to bail you out.”
Anger flooded through him. “I don’t need my dad to bail me out of anything. You have an issue with men. You’re so insecure in your position that you don’t know how to just be a leader. In fact, I think my being an Alexander does bother you, Addison. I have the talent and the brains for this. I know it and you know it, too.”
“You have a lot of potential, Kellen,” she admitted. “You also have a lot of arrogance, which overshadows that potential. You’re a brilliant man, but your egotism gets in the way. It’s such a waste of talent.”
“This isn’t over,” he uttered before storming out of her office. Kellen shook with anger. He imagined that Addison would have a hard time explaining to Malcolm that she had just fired his son.
Chapter 5
Wet, yellow leaves clung to the rain-slicked, winding road. Kellen handled the curves in the path with confidence, his Audi A6 hugging the pavement. He switched on his headlights, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel in rhythm to the old-school music blasting from his Bose speakers. But no matter how fast Kellen drove, he couldn’t outrun his fury.
His tires squealed as they spun slightly, seeking a connection with the rural highway.
Twenty minutes later, he walked into the house and tossed his keys on the table in the foyer. Kellen heard the television in the family room and headed in that direction.
I might as well get this over with.
His mother was sitting on the love seat, completely engrossed in the book she was reading.
“Hey, Mom,” he greeted, grinding his teeth in frustration.
“What are you doing home so early?”
“I got fired,” Kellen announced.
“What on earth happened?”
“Dad hired the wrong person, but that’s just my opinion,” he uttered. “I wanted her to consider my design for the new hotel in North Carolina, but she wasn’t interested. She said it wasn’t what Dad wanted. I offered to make any necessary revisions.”
“Did she give you the reason why?”
“She didn’t give one and it wouldn’t have mattered if she had. I was honest and I told her that I felt she was holding me back. I’ve gone through the technical training and passed everything. All she wants me to do is shadow—she won’t even give me a small project to work on. She didn’t like it and she fired me.”
“Do you have the design with you?”
“Yes,” Kellen responded as he opened his portfolio and laid it on the table.
“This is very nice.” Barbara looked at him. “I don’t suppose she told you that your father’s vision for the North Carolina hotel is to re-create the old DePaul Hotel.”
He was surprised. “No, she didn’t tell me this.”
Malcolm walked into the kitchen. “I just got off the phone with Addison. Kellen, what were you thinking?”
“So I guess you’re going to let Addison fire me just like that?” Kellen asked. “Without even hearing my side of things.”
Malcolm nodded. “Addison told me that you accused her of being threatened by your talent and your being an Alexander. If this is true, then you deserved it, son.”
“I just want the chance to actually work on a project. That’s what I’m there for, Dad,” he argued. “And I do feel that Addison is threatened by me.”
“Believe it or not, you do not know everything, Kellen. I need you to understand something. You have to learn how to be led before you can lead.”
“You didn’t even know your father and he left you a multimillion-dollar estate. He didn’t even have a relationship with you—yet he entrusted all of this to you.”
“This is not about trust.”
“Dad, you and I are never going to agree on this subject. I’m sorry.”
“Kellen, sometimes you just have to learn the hard way...so be it.” Malcolm walked out of the kitchen.
He turned and looked at his mother.
Barbara didn’t utter a word.
“I liked it much better when you and Dad were just my parents.”
Kellen went to his room and packed a bag. He didn’t want to stay in this house with his parents a moment longer. He called Dreyden and asked, “Can I crash at your place for a couple of days?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll be there shortly.”
* * *
“What happened?” Dreyden questioned immediately after Kellen arrived. “What are you and Dad fighting about now?”
“Addison fired me,” he announced as he settled down in the living room. The three-bedroom condo featured floor-to-ceiling windows similar to the ones in the Alexander-DePaul Hotel & Spa residences in Beverly Hills. Dreyden had chosen to buy a place elsewhere, instead of living at the hotel.
“Dad’s not going to override her decision, right?”
Kellen nodded. “He’s supposed to have my back.”
“This does not mean that he doesn’t,” Dreyden countered. “Dad wants his children treated like any other employee. You know that.”
“I need to start looking for another job, thanks to Addison Evans.”
“What is your responsibility in this?” Dreyden asked. “You do have to take ownership for your part.”
Kellen frowned as he met his brother’s gaze. “What are you talking about? I just wanted to know why she wouldn’t let me work on any projects. I wanted to know why she was trying to hold me back.”
“You gave Addison a hard time, but do you really think that you’re ready to take on a project? You just started working.”
“How would I know if not given the chance?�
�� Kellen asked.
“It’s pretty obvious that you don’t trust Addison. Why is that?”
“It’s the other way around. She doesn’t trust me, Dreyden.”
“Okay, so you don’t trust each other. I ask the same question: Why is that?”
Kellen shrugged in nonchalance. “I don’t know what her problem is—I am just ready to get to work.”
“Maybe she didn’t think that you’re ready, little brother. She comes with a lot of experience—you have to give her some credit, Kellen. And one thing you need to remember. You have to crawl before you can walk.”
“I learn more by doing.”
Dreyden settled back in his chair. “Did you tell her that?”
Kellen shook his head. “Not really.”
“Perhaps the conversation should have started there,” Dreyden advised.
“You have a point,” he acknowledged. “I jumped straight to accusing her of holding me back intentionally.”
“No wonder she fired you. I can’t say that I would’ve reacted any differently in her shoes.”
“Thanks.”
“You know I’m going to be straight with you, and you didn’t handle this the right way, Kellen.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” he admitted. Kellen had no idea how he was going to make things right with Addison. He had a feeling that it was much too late for that. He’d messed up big-time.
“You can’t take things so personally,” Dreyden was saying.
“I guess it doesn’t matter now,” Kellen stated. “I no longer have the job.”
“Why are you giving up so easily? Talk to Addison and convince her to give you another chance.”
Kellen could tell Dreyden was getting sleepy. He was yawning nonstop and his speech was a bit slurred. “Why don’t you go on to bed? I don’t need you to babysit me.”
“I think I will,” he responded. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Kellen did not stay up too long after his brother went to bed. He watched the news and then headed to the spare bedroom.
The guest room was highlighted in a walnut-colored crown molding complementing the wine-and-gold color palette throughout. The small sitting room featured a sofa, TV and an overstuffed chair with floor lamps.
Kellen considered calling Addison but decided that not enough time had passed. She was probably still angry with him and wouldn’t listen to anything he had to say. He thought it best to give it a few days.
He had made a complete fool of himself.
Kellen realized that he never should have come at Addison the way he did—it was not the most professional way to behave. He had let his ego overcome his senses.
What is wrong with me?
However, the more important question was how he was going to set things right between him and Addison.
* * *
I actually fired Kellen Alexander.
When she gave the news to Malcolm earlier, Addison could tell by his tone that he was not pleased; however, he told her that he would back her decision. She also made him aware that should Kellen prove he was ready to work under her leadership, he would be welcomed back.
Only thing, though, Addison was relieved that Kellen was gone. At least now he wouldn’t be such a distraction for her. It was a selfish thought and she knew it, but it didn’t change how she felt. A thread of guilt snaked down her spine. Perhaps she had been rash in her decision to fire him.
Addison tossed the thought out of her mind. She would never behave so unprofessionally. She needed to teach Kellen a lesson, however. He would have to respect her as his boss.
Addison hadn’t really wanted to fire him like that, but he had given her no other choice. She preferred to have him as an ally and not an enemy.
When she gave him the news, there wasn’t a flicker of emotion in Kellen’s expression, and the muscles in his face were rigid. Although he tried not to show it, he was understandably upset.
She was going to miss seeing his handsome face at the office, and that sexy grin of his. It was hard not to respond to the open friendliness in Kellen’s face, the amusing curiosity in his eyes. He had tried to challenge her a few times. However, she could not let Kellen disrespect her. It did not matter that he was an Alexander—at least not to her. She intended to treat him the same as the other members of her team.
Addison picked up a ruler to measure the dimensions of a project she was reviewing.
Yeah, things definitely weren’t going to be the same now that Kellen was gone. She felt a profound sadness deep within.
* * *
Saturday morning, Kellen woke up early to work out.
Afterward, he showered and changed into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, and then made his way to the kitchen to help his mother prepare for a family cookout.
“I guess I need to find a place of my own,” he announced. “I’m sure you and Dad are enjoying being empty-nesters.”
Barbara laughed. “Honey, we enjoy having you home with us. It’s been a long time.” She retrieved a covered pan laden with raw fish from the refrigerator and sat it down on the counter.
“Still, it’s time for me to get a place of my own.”
“If that’s what you want, Kellen,” she responded. “We’re not rushing you out of the house. Have you met someone special? Is that why you’re in such a hurry to move?”
“No, Mom...this has nothing to do with a woman.” He picked up a can of beans. “I’ll make the baked beans,” Kellen announced, changing the subject. He didn’t want to get his mother started on his love life.
Barbara did not press him. She seemed caught up in her preparation of the food, seasoning the meat for the grill. “Thanks, sweetie.”
He sat a large pot on the stove.
“Have you decided what you’re going to do about your job?” Barbara asked.
“What can I do?” Kellen countered while pouring the beans into the pot. “I was fired.”
“Why don’t you go talk to Addison,” his mother suggested. “Maybe you can try and work things out.”
“I don’t think it would work.”
Barbara glanced over her shoulder at him. “Now, I know you’re not about to give up on something that you want. This is not my child talking like that.”
Kellen chuckled. “Addison and I can’t work together, Mom. I think that much is pretty obvious.”
His mother turned around to face him. “Can you say that you’ve honestly tried working with her?”
He thought long and hard before he responded. “In all honesty—maybe not.”
“Then why not try a different approach?” Barbara began making hamburger patties. “Talk to Addison and keep an open mind.”
“I guess the worst thing she can say is that she’s not going to give me my job back.” Kellen added barbecue sauce, a family recipe, to the beans.
Barbara nodded. “It can’t hurt.”
Two hours later, Kellen sat outside on the patio with Ari and his family. Sage and Ryan arrived a few minutes later followed by Zaire and Tyrese.
Zaire moved about the kitchen, helping her mother apply the finishing touches to the meat. Malcolm carried it outside to the grill.
Kellen saw his nephew sitting by himself. He got up and walked over to the lounge chair. “What’s up, Joshua?”
“Nothing,” he responded.
“What’s wrong?” Kellen asked, noting the unhappy look on his face.
“I want to play video games, but Mommy said I couldn’t and I’m bored.”
“Why don’t we do something else?”
“Like what?”
Kellen tried to think of something to do with his nephew. Eleven-year-old Joshua was in remission from leukemia. Three years ago, he had to attend school via satellite because
of low blood counts, which placed him at risk for infection. He was still being monitored by his doctors for side effects of the chemotherapy treatments he received.
“How about playing some basketball?”
“You’re gonna play with me?” Joshua asked.
“Only if you promise not to beat me too badly.”
“I promise.” Joshua burst into laughter.
“I don’t know,” Kellen said. “I’m not convinced from the way you’re laughing. You were killing them on the football field.”
“Uncle Dreyden said he loved coaching me. He said that I listened and did what I was told.”
“I know.”
“This season I might get to play all four quarters,” Joshua stated. “My doctors say that I’m doing real good. I still have to be real careful, though.”
“That’s great news,” Kellen said.
“Where is Uncle Dreyden?” Joshua wanted to know.
Kellen was wondering the same thing. “He should be here shortly.”
He and Joshua walked over to the basketball court.
Joshua scored six points courtesy of Kellen. He enjoyed seeing his nephew laughing and playing like any other normal boy. He was not the same little fragile child he’d met a few short years ago.
Dreyden arrived minutes before they settled down to eat.
“Hey, I called you twice to see if you were coming, but I didn’t get an answer,” Kellen told him. “I was getting worried.”
“I’m fine,” was Dreyden’s response.
“Have you seen a doctor yet?”
“You don’t have to keep asking me about this,” he snapped in irritation. “I told you that I’m doing fine.”
Kellen was taken aback by his brother’s tone. This wasn’t like Dreyden at all. “Sorry for being concerned, man.”
“I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I’m sorry, Kellen.”
“It’s okay,” he responded, not trying to pretend he wasn’t affected.
Dreyden sat down beside his brother. “Kellen, I really didn’t mean to be so snappish.”
“We’re just worried about you.”
“I know, and I love you all for it, but I’m tired of everyone bugging me about seeing a doctor. I just had a bug.”
Five Star Desire Page 5