After my swim and coffee, I busy myself with the plans for the new shopping mall. I hate the designs and wonder what I was thinking of picking it? I wanted light, and airy, even if fifty percent of the thing is under ground, in this retched heat, it has to be super cool and light, I want eco-friendly and I want the grandeur feeling for the shoppers. These plans however look like a damn radiation shelter in Chernobyl, all that gray concrete and fake lighting, I’m not asking for a lot, just something nicer than this crap. For the money I’m spending, they should be great. I spend three hours on a phone call to get new plans drawn up, the new guy better be on the ball. Judy is strumming her fingers on her desk she needs my decision like yesterday apparently?
“Judy you’re just giving me a headache, quit it.”
“Yes Chris, made your choice yet?”
“Umm, ham on rye with cheese and coleslaw please.”
“See was that so damn hard? If you take so long choosing your sandwiches, is it any wonder you need help sorting out the bloody mall problems? Have you thought anymore on someone to help you with the design issues?”
“I’m holding an interview at the office in town tomorrow, and then I’m going to the airport from there, I should have done this months ago, I need to listen more.”
“Preaching to the choir Chris, perhaps now you will listen to me more, and take a proper break, you’re never away from this place.”
“Yes Ma’am, right the paper work for the horse sales are there, the hotel plans for Bangkok are approved. The travel plans for New York, Vegas and St Bart’s are great, if I need more time between dates I’ll let you know, the only ones that cannot be changed are the ones for St Bart’s, five days and I want with no interruptions, my company will not crash and burn during the days I’m there. This is the culmination of years of hard work, it’s my last chance, so Judy no interruptions.”
“Sir, and am I allowed to ask what you have been working on, that is so damn top secret?”
“The plans are highly classified. I would have to kill you if you got that information from me.”
“Then who would you get to run around and pick up after you?”
“Umm, you have a point, perhaps if I told you someone else is going to be there, would that be enough for you not to ask me more?”
“Nope, now I want to hear more. A woman, you’re going to meet a woman?” I smile and she smiles as I tap my nose.
“My sandwich please Judy, and then I need to pack.” I’m getting near to departing for Hong Kong and I am packing for my month long trip to America, the longest I have been state side since I left. I suppose I could fit in a visit to see my father too? Gran is coming back with me to live this time, and that I’m really happy about, also coming back with me Mel, who has a few weeks before a big trial starts and is coming here to unwind for a while. Things could be looking up at last. I am taking Jamie with me, he is Henrys second in command, as the in-law thing was planned well before I knew Bella would be going to St Bart’s, so he’s coming with me, and Henry is taking it easy, a whole month with his mother-in-law…
“I was just thinking about you, did the folks get her in one piece, how’s things?” Henry was in the office, from the look of things, he’s escaping Marys’ moaning.
“Fine, so fucking fine, this month needs to pass damn quickly, she’s already brought out the ‘you don’t love me enough’ card so many times already, Lloyd isn’t a problem, but Mary is gonna end up on the next slow boat to where ever the next horses are being sent. I swear the cherry on top was that Tammy’s sister has just bought a massive duplex and they are moving in, and what do you know, next doors for sale and would be frickin perfect for us. Australia is too near as it is, does she really think Tammy and our family want to be so damn close? Can we move Chris they know where we live now?” I laugh.
“Married life includes the parents, sorry Henry, but it’s only a month and they will soon be back state side. Tammy loves them and they adore the princesses. How are my two adorable goddaughters?”
“Parading around in their damn Princess dresses, her mama keeps giving them sugar treats, they will be high on it soon, and I told Tammy to check her damn bags for contraband.” There’s too many swear words in this conversation, and it’s only been hours, gheeze, and the poor guys got a month of this.
“Oh three year old Tasmanian Devils, nice get me photos. I can add them to the frame things Tammy got me, I’m gonna miss my little peaches.”
“Please, take me with you, please boss, I won’t moan? I have never left a man behind, please don’t leave me, you remember how she was last time? No you wouldn’t, you were away then in Europe last year, why exactly do you time your visits to coincide with Mary’s visits?” I laugh again.
“I was dragged over the coals at the wedding thanks a lot, and when she came to help Tammy pack and come here with the twins. She wanted to spank my backside or something like that. I think she swore at me in some sort of Creole patois, but I think it was a curse, she said her mama was a high priestess and she knew her stuff? Please tell me she was bluffing, because I know she has a voodoo doll with an image of my face on it. You, I guess, didn’t tell her I offered you and Tammy stateside employment, running things there for me?”
“Nope, we told her no such thing, this was Tammy’s idea and she likes the distance, loves it in fact. It was the one redeeming feature of you upping sticks so quickly and moving here, the distance between her and her mama, and her mama, Tammy’s Grandmother, is a god-fearing Christian, and is very much alive and lives in Queens, she was born in New York, her Papa was from New Orleans though. The nearest he got to seeing a high priestess too, was being an extra in a James Bond movie, he was one of the many stunt doubles for the fella who played the, you know the big guy the baddy? The main villain Dr Kananga, he had a couple of scenes with Jane Seymour, that’s the extent of the voodoo malarkey, he has a few pieces from the sets as souvenirs, has she frightened you with those Chris?”
“No, her rant was so good too, are you sure she had me convinced.” We both had a cold beer.
“Those rants are what Lloyd shouts at her in Creole, Mary can’t speak it, she can’t speak anything but English. Though she did learn to cook the great Creole food to please Lloyd, when they got married, that’s the extent of Mother Marys voodoo heritage, wow what will she stoop to next? It’s no wonder why Lloyd swears a lot, and why likes his fishing trips back home. I doubt she even knows that what he shouts at her are swear words, and he’s telling her to shut up and cook his damn food.”
“Well, she will love the next few weeks fussing over the girls, take advantage and get some you and Tammy time, with three rug rats you’re not gonna get much down time.”
“Thanks Boss, so I guess that’s a no to me coming too? I better get back I only came to ask you how you getting to the city?”
“Paul is flying me across and bringing the new things I ordered for my two favourite peaches, there are some great big floaty teddy bears for the pool, they looked cool, and they sit in them like rubber rings? I know Tammy was struggling to hold them both, so this way she can play with both of them.”
“You have to stop spoiling them, you do realise they are my kids Chris, you need to get your own or get Mel on the case?”
“I’m their godfather, I have within that title the right to spoil them, so shush and get back to Mary before she pickles your balls.”
“See you before you go.” I laugh as he sulks off. I pack and load the things in the jeep, then say goodbye to everyone, but my two peaches are fast asleep, and I miss my goodbye kisses. The Tanners are nice people in small doses. I grab my electrics and head to the jeep were I drive to the airstrip, I could fly myself but Paul is rounding up cattle in it later. I had taken flying lessons, when I got this place because it’s massive and I’m also a trained helicopter pilot too, as Bella once said rich boys and their toys and I love mine. The flight time is less than an hour the drive is five hours, so I prefer this mode of transport
. I get in the hotel about eight o’clock and settle in for the night, the interview is first thing in the morning for the new assistant and I take another look at the revised plans for the new mall.
I get to the office good and early, and re-read the resume before me, Parker McAlister, he seems good on paper and is willing to live in the outback if we needed him to, and he can fly a plane, which for us is even better. His hobbies are horses and stock car racing, all good and his qualifications are fantastic and at twenty six is the perfect age to be authoritative on my behalf, he will need to be firm and confident, this is a damn ball-breaking environment to have to work in, they don’t mess with Judy, but she’s a freak of nature. Whilst grabbing a cup of coffee, I’m surprised to see a woman waiting in the empty office.
“Can I help you Ma’am?” She turns and wow, she’s stunning, what’s she doing here?
“No, I’m waiting for your boss, so carry on and do whatever you were doing I’m early, I was just getting a feel for the place, are you the handyman?”
“I’m told I’m handy Ma’am, but I do more than fix things here.”
“I’m glad you do other things too, now what’s the low down on this Christopher Holland?” I smile and sit on the receptionist’s chair. She will be in shortly. “I hear he’s a bit of an arrogant arse, and is secretive and a recluse, what’s your take on him?”
“I take him as I find him, personally I think he’s an okay guy, good to work for as long as you work hard. he is pretty good, generous in his salary’s, but he is very private about his affairs.”
“Oh he’s married and he has affairs?”
“No, as in he likes to keep them to himself he’s a private man, not married and no significant other, yet.”
“Yet, he’s young and a billionaire I’m sure he has people and woman hanging off his every word?” I laugh as she pulls out a compact and re does her lips, smiling at me as she does, I’m not sure about her now.
“Right, I can’t be gossiping about Chris, not when there’s work to be done.”
“Thanks for the chat, one more thing does he have a type?” I splutter on my coffee.
“What as in girlfriend?”
“God no, as in secretary, assistant you know, does he like them to take the lead and speak their minds, or prefer them meek and mild and do as he says? God what did you think I was here for to screw the boss? Shit, what do you take me for? God no, sorry shit that was one too many god’s there. No, what I mean is some bosses want you to keep quite if you have your own, possibly better opinion on something. My last boss screwed a mega deal up, I told him it was the wrong way to go, but I was just a woman what did I know? Turns out, I knew he shouldn’t have trusted the slimy little Russian. My boss was a money hungry dick, because all he could see were dollar signs, where there wasn’t any to be had. I told if it sounded too good to be true, it was and to hold off and do more checks, and it was more than likely a con. He ignored me because he was the boss.”
“I guess I should apologise sorry. His personal assistant Judy is a ball breaker, and she takes no prisoners, his included, if he fucks up, sorry messes up. Chris likes to hear all sides before he makes up his mind, he listens to all suggestions, and is I think, not bothered if you call him an ass to his face, if he is being an ass. His preference in women he dates is not up for discussion, he doesn’t date simple as, because he has a very specific woman in mind to fill that void, and hopes to bring her here before very long.” She smiled and her smile is damned pretty.
“Good to know and thanks again.” I rush off saying goodbye as the receptionists is on her way in. I get behind my desk, and drink my coffee and reread about her previous employment. Damn, how did I miss the fact she was an assistant to Derrick Jefferies? He was one of the builders who were conned by Vladimir Rostov, or whoever he was in reality, into buying non-existent land, shit is she here as a plant?
He swore I had a part in it and I didn’t. I too did my homework when he approached me about buying the same land, only I wasn’t as stupid as the others to jump straight in. I wasn’t about to be conned as Parker said, it sounded too good to be true. Besides his wife, girlfriend sister or whoever he was offering to me, was not that good at keeping secrets or her hands to herself whilst drunk on vodka, she had lose lips and wandering hands, which Judy slapped stupid. My buzzer goes and I am told Parker McAlister is here for her nine o’clock appointment, I ask she’s buzzed through. The look on her face, as she approaches my office is priceless.
“Please come in Ms McAlister, I’m Chris Holland. Sit, I’m pleased to meet you, though you didn’t state in your resume you were female, the name led me to believe you were a male?”
“Umm, sorry I get that a lot, it was my mother’s surname, and she died having me, so I guess Dad was just giving me something of hers. Listen about earlier? I’m sorry but I like to get to know how other people see the man I would be working for, normally it’s the chatty secretary or receptionist giving me the low down not the boss himself. I guess I should be going?” I laugh.
“No sit please now tell me about your last boss?”
“I shouldn’t need to, I know you were involved in the scam too, but as I told the shareholders, you were used too. Only you probably listened to your assistants advice, Derrick Jefferies only wanted to screw me, not listen to me and was put out that I didn’t put out, besides he so wasn’t my type.”
“What is your type? It seems only fair I ask you, you asked me.” She blushed.
“My type, I’m not sure you fit the bill, if that’s what’s worrying you? I don’t have a type sorry.”
“Oh, well that’s telling me.” I now am flushed.
“I’m sorry it’s just I don’t do work place romance it leads to too much trouble and in my experience, it’s the women who come the worst off in my opinion?” I agree and finish my coffee.
“So Parker please tell me a little of yourself, hobbies and things about you, why do you think you will fit in here?”
“I am what I am, I have bills to pay so need to work and I work hard. I like to socialise, I like horses, no I love horses that’s an understatement, if I could I’d retire tomorrow and just breed horses, I would. They are what I live for. I learnt to fly to help Dad dust the crops. He couldn’t do it anymore, he was arthritic and being confined in the cockpit of the plane for long periods was killing him, me I loved it, it comes second to the horses.
For a long time I was at his beck and call, until he died last year. Then I thought I would be running the ranch I thought we owned, I found out after he died that we only rented it, and he was in debt. So I came here for a fresh start and started working for the arrogant Jefferies family, what a bunch of male chauvinistic bastards they are and they deserved to get burnt, research and more research is what’s needed in land purchases. I know because I did four years working in the planning department in Sydney, so I know what to look for what to put forward to the planners. I know where time can be saved and more importantly were it should be spent, time on what the planners look for, I would have still been there but for Dad’s illness, I loved it.
I know you don’t trust me, as I worked for those idiots, but had I wanted to con you, or if you think they have planted me as a spy or something equally as stupid, I would not have put them down on my resume. My references from Sydney’s new planning officer should be good enough to get the job here. I will be good for your company, I am hard working and willing to go the extra mile, and I speak French, Spanish and Mandarin.” That I found to be helpful.
“I have here my medical report, which I had done recently, and here are my licences, pilots, driving and gun all up to date and here are the other references you need. The personal one is from my pastor at the church, the job references are from Jefferies of course and Carrie Miller at planning department in Sydney, also there are a two more in there, one from the animal shelter that I also volunteer at, and one from the hospital where I take in recovery pets, to visit patients.” I am pleasantly su
rprised with her and I do the something I don’t usually do… I hired her on the spot.
“You start tomorrow, but there will be security checks done. Now living arrangements, there is a flat above here on the top floor. Several of my employees live in them. You will also have a small cottage on my ranch, and yes before you ask, a lot of my work is done there. Here are the confidentiality papers, here are the bank forms and these are the personal forms, next of kin contact details etc. These are the keys to the company car this is your iPhone and laptop. When you have completed the paper work give it to Stacy on reception, and she will get you settled in your accommodation, now any questions for me?”
“Yes Sir, uniform, dress code, pay day, how much and what do you want me to do first?”
“Smart but casual, your fine as you are, and you get a clothing allowance. I’m not exactly sure what the amount is, so ask Judy, she has all that information, payday is the last working day of the month, your starting salary is a hundred and twenty thousand a year, with a pay rise after your trial six months, your salary includes free living accommodation, the car and phone too. I want you to settle in today and head to the ranch tomorrow. I’m away for a month, so Judy will give you your jobs, Paul will fly you across or you can drive there that’s up to you.”
“You’re away for a month?”
“Yes Parker for a whole month, you may however have to fly out to America during that time too, have you a passport?”
“I do, I renewed it last month, so the ranch is where exactly?”
“Just outside a small place called Wongan Hills, it’s a five hour drive and just under an hour by plane. It’s already programmed into your in car satnav, as are all my properties. Now, do you need an advance of salary?”
“Err no, but thanks for asking, so I am now working for CH Holdings then?” I nod my head and then stand to shake her hand.
Soul Mates. The Beginning. Page 24