Freedom to Love

Like A Game Of Chess.

Usually James never strayed too far from the offices and today proved why he didn't. Yet, he had to admit that he liked it in some aspect. Maybe, minus the coffee stained Armani. Since his assistant was able to push his meeting with the board back an hour, he had more than enough time to think. It wasn't a great thing, especially it being his first day in office as CEO, but it was necessary. He was reduced to taking his own calls while she was out retrieving him a new set of clothes. He replayed the encounter over in his head for what felt like the hundredth time. 'Maya.' The girl with the head full of wild curls and beautifully set lips against a chocolate skin tone. 'Don't forget the attitude!' He reminded himself. Taking a look at his discarded jacket and shirt that lied balled up in the corner chair of his office, he smiled. Little did Maya know she made his day with her unexpected mishap. He was tired of the same expected occurrences and she changed that today.

Daniel walked in with a wet towel to his lip. He closed the door behind him. James' aura instantly felt stifled. Rocking back and forth in the chair, he studied Daniel and the portfolio in front of him at the same time. It appeared as if Daniel was contemplating his approach before he spoke. "You want to tell me what went on out there?" He removed the towel from his lip awaiting some sort of response. None came. "Sometimes I wonder if your grandfather made a mistake naming you the new CEO." Closing the folder in front of him James tried to make sense of his childhood friend's words. "You let a woman, a nigga woman at that run over you today." He barked. "I wont put it past you to give them money." He was heated and being irrational.

"Look Mahoney International Enterprises is a fortune 500 company. In this day and age where there is a need and cause for a black lives matter movement we cannot afford to be on the wrong side of a racial slur scandal." James stated clearly. Daniel had seemed to hear nothing he had said because he still wore a stubborn expression on his face. "So, you're sympathetic to the melon munching section of society?" James placed his face in his palm. Releasing a loud sigh, he hadn't bothered to answer, but that didn't stop Daniel from talking more. "We already get enough s**t for your hair as a CEO from our clients now you want to spare little black girls' feelings." Daniel rubbed his hand down his jaw that was lined with fresh stubble.

Vanessa walked in after a brief knock relieving what could have been a very chaotic conversation. "Mr. Mahoney, the board has gathered. " James nodded. "They are expecting you within twenty minutes." Removing the light blue t-shirt he had on he placed it on the chair. Vanessa held out the dress shirt as he placed his arms into the sleeves. He had not missed the shock and admiration on his face as she checked out his toned body. "I'll go prepare your portfolio." She said , quickly excusing herself. "Thank you." He said softly as she stood near the door. Smiling she let herself out once again closing the door. "Jamey", Daniel said softly. "Danny." James was tired of Daniel's third generation racist views. Right now he just wanted him to disappear so he could go back to thinking about Maya. "There is a thin line between being a philanthropist and searching for a charity case." His words lingered in the air after he left the room. For a brief moment James wondered if it was right or wrong to keep him around.

Just as he thought he had five minutes to collect himself in barged his little sister, Megan. Her walk told him her lunch date didn't go as planned. "That little troll Maya Harris stood me up." James pinched the bridge of his nose as he leaned against his desk. "Meggie, I do... wait did you say Maya?" He asked his sister who was digging through her purse for her ringing phone. "Yeah, the step daughter of Reginald Douglas from Douglas and Associates." She clicked her phone before waving a hasty goodbye to her brother and leaving.

He had no time to figure out Daniel's issues or how to remove the bad taste from his sister's mouth. He walked around to the back of his desk. Picking up the phone he chose a line before dialing a number. He waited for the phone to answer. "Yes, this is James Mahoney the third, I was wondering if I could be put through to Reginald Douglas?" Maybe he was a bit more old school in some ways, but in others he was more advanced. A few brief moments passed. "Mr. Mahoney, what can I do for you sir?" His voice was chipper. "Call me James." He picked up his pen , twirling it between his fingers as he spoke. "I just spoke with my sister. She is sorry she missed your daughter this afternoon." James wished he hadnt lied but Meg only needed his black card to forget all about it. "I was wondering if we could reschedule, was considering the business proposal you made my company." He paused.

In truth this was all really a plan so he could see Maya once again. To see the way she stubbornly set her lips and to see what it was about her that had kept the thought of her on his mind.

"Yes." "Can we discuss it over dinner tonight?" There was hesitation on the other end of the phone. "Mr. Douglas?" He looked over some paper work making a note or two on the pages. "Sure sir, I was actually just about to make reservations for my family and I." "Good stuff, forward my office the finer details. My sister and I look forward to dinner and to doing business." He said sternly. He placed the phone onto the cradle. Straightening up he removed the jacket from the suit bag. Putting it on. He walked towards the door. When he came to Vanessa's desk, he stopped. She didnt look him directly in the eye as she previously would. He assumed she would get over it soon enough. If alot wasn't already riding on this day before, it was now and James couldn't afford for anything to fall through. "If a young lady by the name of Maya calls for me, patch it through to me in the board room please." She nodded and with that he went towards the board room.