Royally Flushed: Tech Billionaires

by Ainsley St Claire

  “Oh, honey, you’re going to be okay. Did that bastard fuck you over?”

  “We just got back. I went to my apartment, and the designer he hired refurnished the apartment, but they didn’t do my bedroom, so the girls have made it their closet. It’s stuffed with their clothes and shoes.”

  “Are you shitting me?” Leave it to Gabby to say precisely how I feel. “You paid rent, didn’t you?”

  I nod.

  “I don’t have any place to go.”

  “You can stay here.” Gabby gets up, and I hear her in the kitchen.

  “I fucked my life up so bad,” I lament.

  “That’s crap, and you know it,” she yells from the kitchen. I hear the blender, and I’m grateful for the drink coming my way.

  Though I can’t drink too much or I’ll be sorry tomorrow, and I’ll need all my wits about me.

  I reach for the drink she offers me and take a big gulp. Perfect.

  “What do you mean?” Gabby asks. “How did you fuck up your life?”

  I take another big sip and call on the liquid courage. “I slept with Jackson.”

  “Shit, girl! How was that a fuck up? Was it amazing? I bet he’s incredible in bed. Don’t get me wrong, Damien doesn’t leave me wanting more, but I’ve seen those hips of his, and I bet those abs are mouthwatering.” She takes a big gulp of her own drink and shuts her eyes, fanning herself with her hand.

  I want to save some of what we had because it was special to me. But I can’t help smiling. “Jackson’s not a selfish lover.”

  “Let me get some popcorn popped. I want to know all of it.” She jumps up and runs into the kitchen.

  “There isn’t much to tell,” I yell after her.

  “Tell me everything. Did he go down on you? I hate guys who want you to go down on them but refuse to reciprocate.”

  I cover my face with my hands. I can’t have this conversation. I need to talk about something else.

  “I’ll be right back.” I walk to her bathroom and take a few moments to gather myself. I don’t want to hash this all out and dissect it.

  When I walk out, Gabby’s waiting for me. “Let’s curl up in my bed and talk about it.”

  I realize all I have to wear is sexy lingerie, and I don’t want to wear that with her. She wouldn’t care, but I’d be embarrassed.

  “I left one of my bags at the apartment. Can I borrow something to sleep in?”

  “Of course.”

  She gets up, and when she returns, she tosses me a T-shirt and a pair of boxers.

  “What are you going to do?” she asks.

  “I think San Francisco has run its course, and it’s time for me to move home. I don’t have an apartment anymore, and I don’t think I can work for Jackson now that we’ve been together. He moves on quickly, and I don’t want to wait around for that. I want to make my own decision, not let him control me.”

  Tears spring to Gabby’s eyes. She reaches for my hand, and we talk most of the night. I don’t give her the bedroom details, but I do tell her the highlights of our trip. It was a great time, after all. She thinks I’m giving up too easily with Jackson. She has a boyfriend who gave up an incredible job for her. But Jackson changes women like people change underwear—often.

  We both cry and laugh. Eventually, we fall asleep, but for me it’s not restful. I keep trying to figure out a plan. Finally, I get up a little before six. I search for some business-appropriate clothes. I’ll need to pick up the rest of my stuff from Jackson’s place sometime—preferably when he’s not around.

  After a quick shower, I head into the office. My cell is dead, as I forgot to charge it last night. Shit. Rather than order online and pick it up, today I have to go into Starbucks and stand in line with all the stockbrokers. Oh well. It’s a gentle reminder of what it’s like to be normal again.

  I manage Starbucks and walk across the street into the office. Todd, the security guard, greets me in the quiet lobby. “Welcome back, Ms. Woods.”

  “Thank you, Todd. It’s good to be back.”

  “You look rested.”

  “Thank you.” I wish I felt relaxed and rested, but I know what lies ahead of me.

  When I step off the elevator, the office is chaotic—a stark contrast to the lobby. There are police, and I see Jim, Brian, and Ben. Everyone looks upset.

  My heart stops. What happened this time?

  Then I spot Jackson, and he’s a mess.

  Immediately my radar comes alive. Something’s happened, and it isn’t good. If it’s Bobby Sanders’ girlfriend, I’m going to lose it. A person can only take so much. This is over the top for some slimy guy who can’t even break up with a girl like a decent human being. He’s not worth this much passion. I may have to hit her over the head a few times to get her to understand. She can have him. Good riddance. He’s a narcissist and only cares about his own satisfaction.

  “Oh my God, there you are.” Jackson comes rushing over. “Where have you been?”

  Everyone has stopped what they’re doing. I look around, and there are easily ten people waiting for my answer.

  “I went home to my apartment yesterday.”

  “But when we went by, you weren’t there, and your roommate said you’d left,” Jim says.

  “Well, my room had been converted back to a closet. I didn’t have a place there to sleep, so I went to my friend Gabby’s,” I explain.

  “Why weren’t you answering your phone?” Jackson demands.

  “I didn’t realize the battery was dead until this morning.”

  He pulls me into a tight hug. “I was so worried.”

  I step back. “I told you where I was going.”

  “When?”

  “As you were getting out of the car, I told you.”

  He shakes his head. “I didn’t hear that. When I went back to my apartment after working a little, you weren’t there. I kept calling. Brian said he dropped you off at your place, so we went there, but you were gone.”

  “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to panic everyone. I told Angela I was going to my friend’s place.”

  After everyone settles down, the office begins to empty out.

  “We need to talk,” Jackson grouses. “Just give me a minute.”

  I hand off his coffee and go to my desk. I throw the mail we got on Friday and yesterday into a basket on my desk and boot up my computer to print today’s schedule. Jackson’s door is still shut, with Jim and the police behind it with him.

  I’ve really fucked up now. If the writing on the wall doesn’t scream it’s time for a new job, then I’m blind. I send a note to HR via our internal instant messaging system.

  Me: I’m giving my two weeks’ notice to Mr. Graham today. Can you start the search for a replacement?

  Dawn Decker: No problem. We’ll miss you.

  Jim walks out and smiles. “We’re glad you’re okay.”

  Brian is behind him, and he doesn’t look too happy with me.

  I didn’t intend to trick anyone; it just was an unfortunate set of events. “I really am sorry,” I tell them. “I didn’t mean to cause so much commotion.”

  “We still don’t have a bead on your stalker, so just be careful,” Jim says.

  “Hopefully she’s moved on,” I say with more confidence than I feel.

  “You can go on in.” Jim waves me into Jackson’s office.

  I pick up a copy of his schedule and walk in. I feel like I’m facing a firing squad.

  Jackson is pacing behind his desk. “I didn’t sleep last night. I was so worried about you.”

  He isn’t looking at me.

  “I’m really sorry.” I look down at his schedule. “You have a meeting with Cheryl this morning, which includes lunch with the management team. At two o’clock you have a call with the development team. At two thirty a call with the patent lawyer. At three, you have to return calls. Four thirty is your meeting with Dash Gates at Stargate Energy, and you have drinks with Mason Sullivan and Dillon Healy at seven at The
Press Club in the Four Seasons.”

  He looks me over carefully, definitely evaluating me. “That’s a full day.”

  It is, but it’s a typical day for him. “I’ll try to keep the riffraff at bay.”

  “I’d rather spend time with you,” he says quietly, despite the door being shut.

  I sit down across from him, and I will myself not to cry. “I sent a note to HR and asked for applicants to replace me.”

  “No.” He shakes his head. “No. That’s not what I want. We’re a partnership. You can’t leave.”

  It’s nice that he feels that way—or says he does. But I can’t let him control me. I know what’s going to happen eventually, and I need to protect myself.

  “I’ll review resumes and narrow down candidates for you to interview,” I continue. “I know I’ll find someone even better than me.”

  “No. I’m not interested in making any changes.” He stands up and rubs his hands through his hair. “I can’t do this right now.”

  “I’m sorry, but you know that after the ways our relationship has changed, we can’t go back to being just boss and employee. And when I returned to my apartment and no longer had a bedroom, I felt like that was a neon sign telling me it’s time to leave San Francisco.”

  “I don’t know what happened with your room, but we can fix it. And in the meantime, you have a place to stay with me. Given all that we’ve shared, we’ll collaborate even better. And I’ve been working on stock options and a raise for you,” he says with desperation.

  I take a deep breath. “It’s not just the money.”

  His phone rings, and I start to reach for it.

  “Don’t,” he begs.

  “Jackson Graham’s office.” I can’t look at him, but I listen to the caller.

  “Of course. Just a moment.” I look up at him. “It’s your lawyer.”

  I get up to leave.

  “We’re not done,” he tells me as I walk toward the door. “We need to finish this conversation.”

  I close the door behind me. Despite what he says, I can’t stay. I can’t work with him after all the glorious ways he’s made my body feel and know that soon enough he’ll be doing those same things to other women.

  I work through my day and move Jackson around as I’ve always done, making sure he’s somewhat close to his schedule. He receives several calls from women in his life looking for time to see him. I write them down in the daily call log as usual, and I’ll let him know. These only validate my feelings that it’s time to protect myself and move on.

  At six thirty, I give up. It’s been a long day, and I’m ready to watch some mindless television and relax. Gabby is staying with Damien tonight, so I’ll get her bedroom to myself.

  I walk into Jackson’s office and talk him through the phone calls he needs to return. “I’m heading out. You need to leave in ten to meet Mason and Dillon. I’ll see you in the morning.” I turn to leave.

  “Before you leave, can you shut the door?” he asks.

  I don’t want to have this conversation, but I look at him.

  “I heard what you said this morning.” He genuinely looks upset. “You’re the most valuable person at this company. What will it take for you to stay?”

  I look down at my hands. “I’m nowhere near the most valuable person at this company.”

  “You are because you’re valuable to me.”

  Arguing with him is futile. New tact. “I had an incredible time with you in Maui. It’s something I’ll never forget. But I can’t go back to the way it was.”

  “I don’t want to go back to that either.” He sighs. “I’m not very good at this, but I want you in my life. I want you here in the office, keeping me on task and taking care of me at work. And I want you at home, in my apartment and in my bed where I can take care of you.”

  I look down. “I love my job, and I love the time we spent together, but I can’t do this.” I can’t tell him it took fourteen calls today from women who are pursuing him, and my self-esteem can’t manage to watch him move on to date someone else after I’ve had a taste.

  He looks down at his lap. “I can’t lose you. You’re too important to the company, and to me.”

  “I can’t stay.” I look at the pattern on the carpet while I make the decision. “I’ll remain long enough to train someone, but that’s all I can give you.”

  Jackson sits back in his chair and turns to look out the window. “That’s not enough.”

  “That’s all I can give you.” I need to hold firm. I need to make the choice that’s right for me.

  “Where will you stay?”

  “I’ll be at Gabby’s for as long as she’ll allow it.”

  “You’re always welcome in my guest room.”

  That’s a terrible idea. Why doesn’t he see that? “Thank you.”

  Chapter 18

  Jackson

  I’m late for drinks with Mason and Dillon. I need to get my head in the game, but I honestly didn’t sleep last night. Why didn’t Corrine’s roommate tell us where she went? Selfish bitch. She was too busy coming on to me.

  I don’t want anyone but Corrine.

  I’m grateful she’s agreed to stay—at least for the time being. She can try to find someone else as efficient as she is, and I’ll get to approve or veto. I guarantee there will be nothing more than vetoes in our future. And I won’t let her leave until she fully trains someone to replace her. I will use as much time as it takes for her to realize she belongs here at our company and with me.

  I don’t understand what happened. We had a great time in Hawaii. I depend on her for so much, and I’d love to see where we can go personally. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a relationship—since I’ve even been interested in a real relationship. I won’t be perfect, but Jesus, at least I’m willing to try.

  Ben drops me at the Four Seasons, and I head into the Press Club. It’s an excellent place for a discreet meeting, and it’s not too loud. I spot the guys immediately and walk over.

  “Nice tan,” Dillon mocks.

  “What tan?” I’m confused because I don’t have a tan.

  Dillon has a glint in his eye. “My point exactly.” He sizes me up. “No tan means you were inside the entire time, either working or doing someone else.”

  I shake my head. I have no desire to share.

  “Tell us about the estate on Maui,” Mason urges.

  “It’s beautiful. It has several bedrooms in the main house, and there are a few guesthouses. It sits on a peninsula of sorts, surrounded by two-hundred-and-seventy degrees of water, which means every room has a spectacular view. Viviana was in the middle of a renovation, so I had to give them some serious cash to keep it going so they could make payroll. It has almost fifty employees.”

  “What do they all do?” Dillon asks.

  “Corrine went through it with the majordomo, but it’s security, groundskeepers, and an amazing cook—stuff like that.”

  “Maybe you should host the next poker event at your place,” Mason suggests.

  “I never thought about the game moving around. Great idea.” It might be fun to have everybody at the house.

  We get down to business, and I walk them through my conversation with Jeff Wong.

  “Do you think he heard you?” Mason asks.

  “He was angry, but I think mostly because he’d been ducking me, and I managed to get to him in the one place he felt absolutely secure, thinking I would never have access.”

  Dillon drains his beer. “We’ve lined up an incredible IP attorney who has experience in managing these kinds of trade-secret thefts. She’s drafting documents for the Chinese government.”

  “We may also have a small reprieve,” I offer.

  “What do you mean?” Mason asks.

  “We discovered a flaw. We’ve fixed it, but if Hydro Energy’s in a rush to get it out, they won’t have tested it long enough to see the flaw, which prevents the film from working past thirty days. In a month, their buyers wi
ll find they have a panel on their window that doesn’t work and is difficult to remove.”

  “There is a God.” Mason looks up to the skies with his arms open.

  As we’re finishing our meeting, it’s late, and I realize I’m starved. I don’t want to go home to an empty apartment. I debate all of half a second, and I call Corrine.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi. It’s me.”

  “How was your meeting with the investors?”

  “I would’ve rather been with you.”

  She doesn’t respond.

  “Have you eaten?” I close my eyes and say a silent prayer that she hasn’t.

  “No.”

  Relief floods through me. “Will you join me for dinner tonight?”

  “It’s not a good idea.”

  I can talk her into this. I need her, and I need to prove that to her. “I promise I won’t bug you about leaving. I just want to spend as much time with you as I can before you go.”

  She sighs loudly. “Where can I meet you?”

  “My place?” I tease.

  “That will only end with us naked.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “We’re back from Hawaii. We can’t do that anymore.”

  “What are you in the mood for? Thai? Indian? Pizza?” I may not talk to her about leaving specifically, but I have every intention of discussing why being home means we can’t continue our relationship as coworkers during the day and lovers at night.

  “How about Thai?” she offers.

  “Great. Let’s go to Bangkok Alley. I can pick you up, if you’ll let me.”

  “Gabby doesn’t live too far from there. I can walk.”

  “Corrine, I understand your desire to distance yourself from me. I may not like it, but I understand. But you still have someone trying to do you harm. Please, at least let me pick you up. Brian will walk you to the door, so you won’t have to worry about being alone with me.” I don’t understand why she wants to distance herself from me, but I will do what I need to so she’s safe.

  After a few moments, she relents. “Fine.” She rattles off Gabby’s address.