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KINGSLEY
“Now, just listen to me before you get upset,” the president of the board says over the phone.
I let out a sigh and rub the bridge of my nose, waiting for whatever bullshit is about to be dropped on my lap. It’s Monday morning, and as the owner and CEO of King’s Holdings Real Estate, I have more important things to do than coddle my board members.
“No promises,” I mutter under my breath.
Staring out of the floor-to-ceiling window in my corner office, I watch snowflakes make their lazy descent to the slushy city streets. The snow falls on people scurrying around doing last-minute holiday shopping and planning huge holiday parties.
Suckers.
“The Jorgenson’s are spending the holidays here in New York City.”
I’m not sure what I was expecting him to say, but that wasn’t it. “As in Jorgenson Financial?”
“One and the same,” he confirms. “The whole family will be here for a wedding and staying to visit their grandchildren. I think they’ll be agreeable to a few business dinners with us, especially if we can get them on board with our plans to develop overseas.”
“Why would I get upset at the possibility of having a multi-billion-dollar, international financial institution backing our latest projects across the globe?”
“Well…”
“Out with it,” I grunt.
Dan, the President of the board, clears his throat, which I know from years of working with him means he’s mustering up the courage to tell me something I don’t want to hear. “The other members of the board and I think it would be appropriate to throw a holiday party this year.”
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I stare at the damn thing and blink a few times.
“A holiday party? What does that have to do with anything? And furthermore, what was wrong with the celebration we did last year?”
“We didn’t have a party last year,” Dan says, though his tone is cautious like he doesn’t want to say the wrong thing to set me off.
“Exactly. Big bonuses, no time-wasting soiree where everyone sucks down drinks and stuffs their faces with expensive food they’re too drunk to appreciate in the first place. Seems like the perfect holiday celebration to me.”
“But–”
“And,” I continue, on a roll now, “giving a big bonus is technically the most appropriate way to celebrate the festivities this time of year, what with rampant consumerism and FOMO masquerading as Christmas joy.”
I’m met with silence on the other end of the line and then a long, weary sigh. “Look, Jorgenson’s Financial has always boasted its family values and humble beginnings as a family-owned business. Every other Fortune 500 company CEO in New York has a spouse, children, a vacation home, and plans for the holidays. You, on the other hand…”
“Am staring down the barrel of forty while being on the most eligible bachelor list for ten years running,” I finish for him.
Dan doesn’t answer, but we both know that’s what he was getting at.
I don’t mind being single. In fact, I prefer it that way. My old man, God rest his greedy, greedy soul, was never faithful to my mother. She knew about every single mistress and even added some of her favorites to the Christmas card list over the years. She didn’t care about anything other than the money and status that came with marrying into the Bowman family.
With that as my only model for love and marriage, I’ve spent my life steering clear of relationships and commitment. I don’t want to be used for my money, and I sure as hell don’t want to sleep around and have women hanging all over me. I can barely stand my own company, let alone the constant company of others.
“And throwing a party is going to help my family-man image?” I snap, bringing myself back into the moment.
“It will be an all-inclusive, family-friendly event with carnival games for kids, lots of food, and drinks. There will also be plenty of time to sit down with the Jorgenson family and discuss our very profitable futures together while their grandkids run around, having the time of their lives.”
He’s right. I know he’s right. Hell,heknows he’s right, but at least he knows me well enough not to boast. Still, I can’t go down without a fight. This is still King’s Holdings, after all, and I’m the king.
“Dan, I appreciate what you and the board are trying to do, but I don’t–”
“Have time to plan a holiday bash that will secure a future deal with the Jorgensons?” he finishes for me.
