Never Have I Ever

by Remy Marie

  I sat across from my senior executive, Marvin. He seemed to be drowning in the task that I’d set out for him to even notice my internal struggles. I couldn’t get her out of my mind, the more I thought about her, the more I thought about how I was damning my late wife’s memory.

  Why was that? What sickness consumed my mind? I can’t focus because of this damn nanny! Focus…Focus now Jesse…Ahh Fuck it, I need a drink.

  I reached down to the third drawer on my desk and opened it. Inside was three-fourths of Jack and two whiskey glasses. It was the only cure I knew for an unfocused mind. I took out the bottle and laid the glass next to it.

  As I poured my first glass, Marvin broke his attention from his tablet and frowned. “It’s a bit early to be drinking don’t you think?”

  I flicked off Marvin, taking my first swig of the whiskey. It burned going down, but the prescribed medicine was doing its job.

  Finally.

  I poured a second glass and stared at my subordinate in front of me.

  “Are you my mother or my business associate? We’re not meeting with any clients today. I’m fine. Besides, I work better with alcohol in my system.”

  Marvin opened his mouth to retort, but Dorothy walked into my office.

  “Mr. Grant, here are the remaining sale slips you need to sign. It’s after 5 pm, so I’m going to call it a short day. Did you need anything else before I leave?”

  “No, that would be all Dorothy.” My head was already buried into the documents she provided me.

  “Goodnight sir.”

  “Goodnight Mrs. Clark,” Marvin replied.

  Dorothy nodded towards him, but I didn’t speak up. I gave her a simple grunt and she interpreted the sound like a “goodnight”. My eyes left the documents and looked back at my associate, who never kept his eyes off my eight-ball glass since I’ve poured my second drink. Dorothy left the room in silence and closed the door after herself.

  She was a good employee. I could tell she wanted to move up to where Marvin was working as an associate, but she didn’t have her series seven license. If she wanted to be a player in the game, she needed to have her broker’s license. She simply doesn’t have it; therefore, she was stuck as a secretary. I know it annoyed her to chase after me, but last I checked that was the job she signed up for.

  I looked back at Marvin after another sip of my whiskey and his face was getting unbearable.

  “What! Is there something on my face?”

  “No, not at all. I was just thinking, these last two years have been terrible. We have to do something. Our clients…”

  “My clients…” I interrupted. “Last I checked you didn’t build this firm from the ground up.”

  “Sorry sir. Your clients are not going to stick around long if we continue to perform like this. I have a few new investment opportunities to go into. The business of self-driving vehicles is something on the rise, if we could…”

  “No, Marvin. I’m tired of going for these unknowns. That tech is still being played with. We need easy gains. Not something to wait and see. My clients are not going to wait and see. They needed their returns yesterday, not tomorrow.” I finished the second glass and poured my third. I got up with the rock glass in my hand and walked towards the window. I placed one hand on my hip and looked out to the skyline.

  God, I love this building. Growing up, I’d always been fascinated by this city. I still remember when I first came to the city from a small rural town in North Carolina. I couldn’t keep my head forward, because I was always looking up at the tall towers that touched the sky. I knew when I came to this city at thirteen, this was going to be my home. Something about this city, calmed me down.

  When I had a chance to build a looming tower, I jumped at the chance. If my teenage self could see me now… Shit. He would be disappointed. I take it back, no matter how much I’ve built. I’ve still lost part of that kid’s dream.

  “Marvin, what about real estate? Perhaps we should put more efforts in our real estate before the good financial rates dry up?” I looked at my associate to see his reactions. He shook his head as he consulted his notes on his tablet.

  “It’s not going to work Mr. Grant. We are already over-invested in that sector. We need to focus on technology. Or we can always turn to foreign investments.”

  “We can’t do that. We don’t have the manpower to go global. The cost of research and the small return wouldn’t add up. Not to mention, we would have to hire a specialist in international trading. It’s a lot of hoops. It’s easier if we stick to outsourcing for foreign. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I rubbed my head and sat down in my black leathered chair.

  “What about shifting focus on the finance sector?” I thought out loud. “Government is raising rates, higher interest rates equal greater income for banks on loans. It’s an easy trade. People are still afraid of banks due to the financial crisis of ’08. It’s the only avenue that’s not overbought.” Marvin reviewed his tablet before confirming with me.

  I always respected that. Marvin was old school, and never spoke on a topic before researching. I’ve had dozens of “yes sir” interns and employees that would agree with anything I said. Marvin was the opposite. While he was timid and never put up a fight, he was a thorough researcher and a great companion. I picked him up after the great recession. When other firms were closing, I was raking in cash quicker than the snap of a finger. Soon after our first billion, I realized that a two manned band would never work and hired additional help, arming myself with an additional staff of twenty plus Dorothy and Marvin. Since then, I’ve quadrupled my income and was finally able to earn the chance to build a tower in the sky.

  “It could work, but I need more time for research.” Marvin replied as he showed me his thoughts on his tablet. I reviewed his work, nodded, and handed his tablet back to him.

  “It looks good, run with it.” Marvin smiled back at me.

  “Thanks, boss.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I want your best three investments by the end of the day.”

  “End of the day? Sir, I can’t do that. There’s not enough time. I could be able to get solid estimates for one stock, but three at the end of the day. That’s going to take me all night. I have to be out of here by at least seven today boss.”

  The excuse Marvin gave me felt like a punch in the gut as I let out a rough growl. I wanted to say something nasty. Instead, I poured myself another glass, and finished it just as quick as I poured it. Marvin rose a brow at my quick drink, his upper lip lifted with disgust.

  “No.” I finally admitted. I got up from my chair again, taking the bottle and glass with me. I couldn’t look at his face any longer, if I did, I was going to do something I’d regret.

  “Mr. Grant, I told you about today. It’s my daughter’s piano recital. The instructor from Juilliard is going to be there and...”

  “…I don’t give a damn about your daughter’s recital!” My voice grew louder, the more I felt the building rage. It was filled with anger, hate, and liquor. “You’re my employee. I gave you a task. You do the task. It’s that simple. Ask your wife to record it for you or something. I don’t give a fuck how it happens, but your ass is staying here. When I ask you to do something you do it! No questions asked!” I finished my fourth glass and prepared my fifth. The whiskey was already affecting my judgment, as I felt the buzz. The room itself felt like it was on rollers. Marvin shook his head at my actions and whispered to himself.

  “Excuse me? If you got something to say, say it. Don’t cower away like a child, be a fucking man. Speak up!”

  Marvin looked at me, and I could see the sweat growing on his brow. His prior comments to himself were serious.

  “I…I said that you should be embarrassed to be a father.”

  The words from my employee were worse than I expected. It was beyond a low blow. He knew my family situation, but yet he disrespected me anyways. He knew the love that I had for Lamar, and how I strug
gled at being a single parent. He knew the severity of his words, but he still said them. I saw red.

  “Marvin, you have three seconds to apologize. Before I throw your ass out.” Marvin stood up and tossed his tablet aside like a rag.

  “What for? For the past two years, I’ve watched a good friend and partner drink himself to oblivion. Does he get help? No. Does he confront his demons? No. He ruins the lives around him. He ruins the firm that he and his wife built from nothing. You remind me of my father. He was just like you. A college-educated black man, capable of doing amazing things yet pissing it away for a drink. You see, growing up in the south during Jim Crow he always thought that opportunities were denied to him because of the color of his skin. He disagreed with the world, and what did he do? He drank himself to death, instead of trying to fight against a world that was unfair to him. He gave up and it tore apart the family he claimed to love.” His eyes grew wider and his voice overpowered mine.

  “You’re doing the same right now. Look at yourself son, your health is failing you. You’re only thirty-three and you already have high blood pressure. You have one foot in the grave, son, and you don’t even care. It’s a shame too, a young black man like yourself has so much potential, and to waste it like this…” He shook his head in disgust.

  “It’s a damn shame. If Kayla were still here, she would be ashamed too.”

  Her very name pushed me past my boiling point, to where I couldn’t hold my rage. My hands shook with fury and I clutched the glass tight to keep me from putting my hands on him.

  “Get the fuck out!”

  Marvin gave me a funny look. “I haven’t even done the research you requested.”

  “You’ve dragged my dead wife’s name in the mud, and you expect me to keep letting you work? No sir, you need to get the fuck out before I have you thrown out. You’re done at Grant Investments. Get your shit out of your office and don’t come back here.” I shouted. My voice felt like it vibrated the walls.

  “Listen, I didn’t mean any…”

  “I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT!” I took the whiskey glass in my hand and threw at the wall with all the force I had. The glass was the only thing keeping me from punching Marvin in the face. His presence disgusted me at the moment. Marvin understood my rage and placed his hands up.

  “Alright calm down. I’m leaving now.” Marvin kept his hands up until he grabbed the door handle and looked back at me.

  “Take care of yourself Jesse.” He gave me a frown before turning back and leaving. The instant the door closed, I regretted my actions, knowing I was the cause for my own rage. I was taken back from Marvin using my first name too. He had never done that, he had always used my last name or called me boss, until today. Right there, I realized I’d lost all respect Marvin had for me. Depressed, I slumped down into my chair, took out the second whiskey glass and poured myself another one, laughing as I took a long gulp.

  Continue to read this Second Chance Romance here!

  About the Author

  Remy Marie is an interracial romance author who loves to write about charming heroes and brave heroines. While writing never came naturally for Remy, he continued to strengthen his craft, by constantly reading and writing. If he is not writing or reading, he is usually watching TV with his supportive wife, loving his toddler, aggressively cheering for his college and professional sports teams, playing video games, or crunching numbers at his daytime job. If want to learn more, please go to the social media sites below.

  https://twitter.com/remymarieauthor

  https://remymarieromance.blogspot.com/

  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/72321338-remy-marie

  Works by Remy Marie

  Jason’s Awakening

  Before the attack, Jason Barton had a friends don’t date friends philosophy when it came to being with the person he adored, Trini Davos. Trini however shared a different viewpoint and wanted nothing more than to be with the boy next door. For the last five years, the two shared a will they or won’t they relationship. Always friends, but nothing more.

  However, a brazen attack by a group of outlawed werewolves changed everything the long-time friends shared. They narrowly escaped death only to discover they became the wild beasts they feared. Transformed into something else, the two go on a journey not only to discover themselves, but to discover the true meaning of love.

  Jason’s Awakening offers a fresh take on the paranormal romance genre. Filled with non-stop action, steamy romance, and twists no one will see coming, this book will keep the reader hooked from start to finish.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077SFKGQL

  Never Have I Ever

  Never Have I Ever…

  How can a simple game be so complex?

  Never Have I Ever, is a simple drinking game played with a group of people. In the game the players raise a set of fingers and say a truth about their life experiences they have never experienced before. Such as never have ever I gone skiing, been to Hawaii, or been arrested. If another player has experienced this event, they place a finger down, and take a sip of their drink. The game continues until one of the players places all their fingers down.

  This is the game two Eastcliff University students played together. Christina Dennis and Carlos Mendez thought they were going to be playing a simple game. Instead they found themselves admitting truths never spoken before, dealing with complex emotions, and doing the one thing they never ever thought possible, fall for each other.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9XHXJJ

  The Alpha Nanny

  She needs money. He masks his pain. Life gives them a second chance, but reality may tear them apart.

  Deena Zheng is in over her head. With her father’s mounting medical bills, a townhome in disrepair, and more stress than one person should bear, she does all that she can do to stay afloat. Out of options and desperate to pull her family out of the red, she must get out of her comfort zone and accept a nanny position with her firm’s notoriously impossible client or risk her family’s livelihood.

  Jesse Grant struggles to get past his grief after losing the love of his life. Ever since her death, the billionaire hedge fund manager has used alcohol to mask his pain and, in the process, lost a part of himself. With a young son to raise and a business to run, he must pull himself together before he jeopardizes everything he’s worked so hard to build.

  When they meet, the physical attraction is undeniable, but their personal demons and new professional relationship will make any hopes of pursuing a relationship too complicated for either to handle. Will they ignore their growing feelings for each other and keep their relationship strictly professional or will outside forces force them to reveal the truth?

  Find out in this steamy second chance interracial AWBM contemporary romance!

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRXCZHD

  The Date Lottery

  Victoria Evergreen has nothing going for her: she’s a mere store clerk, reeling from the after-effects of a terrible breakup, and the only saving grace in her life is her best friend, Sherri. But when Tori chances upon a $10,000 lottery ticket to an invite-only date contest, her life takes an unexpected turn. Enter Dhruv Patel, Olympic skier, international lawyer, dream hunk. The two chance upon a beautiful, electrifying romance, but little does Dhruv know that Tori stole the lottery ticket. And little does Tori know… Dhruv holds secrets of his own. Will their respective secrets cost the couple their newfound love, or will they move past them and emerge stronger? Find out in this sizzling bwam romance.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQV6LHC

  Blurred Lines: Hill Springs Warriors MC

  Every great love story needs a beginning. This is theirs…

  Jake Johnson is running from his horrible past as a New Orleans police officer. He thinks starting fresh in Norfolk will get his mind off the mistake that still haunts him. Commended for his bravery in the field, Jake gets promoted to go undercover as a member of the Ragin Cajun MC to take down the notorious drug k
ingpin, DeAndre King.

  Aaliyah Washington’s life isn’t the best. She’s trapped in a low paying job and living in the projects of Norfolk. Her one beacon of hope is her best friend, Jada. However, when she losses her best friend in a drive by shooting, she vows revenge. After finding out the person who ordered the hit was her ex-boyfriend, DeAndre, she takes matters in her own hands to avenge her fallen friend.

  After the same ruthless criminal, the two cross paths. Unexpectedly, they are forced to share a bed together by the one person they’re both after. Little did they know that their one sensual night together will be the foundation of their powerful relationship. As their love builds, so does the tension from Jake’s secret of being a cop. Will this secret ruin their relationship before it has a change to begin? Or will their love overcome all obstacles?

  Blurred Lines is a BWWM interracial suspense romance. This story stands as the prequel to the Hill Springs Warriors MC Trilogy. It can be read as a stand-alone or in order with the other books in the series.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088Y9MKJ5

  Mohinder’s Wrath

  When Jennifer found out she was pregnant, she was horrified. Unlike normal pregnancies, to carry a wolf offspring full term always equaled death for the human mother. In a race against time, Mohinder and his friends scramble to try to find a cure. Along the way, they make new friends, but find new enemies that will stop at nothing to hinder Mohinder from reaching his goal. Through his trials, Mohinder is pushed to his breaking point emotionally and physically in order to save the one person he holds dear on this Earth. Can Mohinder create a cure to save his paired mate, or will she meet her sealed fate?