Second Marriage

FOUR

Everyone had gathered as Jack Keningston, CEO of Star Corporation stood at the podium. Against the backdrop of a large white board, Jack looked confidently at all his business colleagues. He pressed the remote in his hand, making the projector pointing at the screen change its appearance.

"As you can see, this is a graph of the development of sales this year and last year. In the last one, the trend circulating on social media has been one of the most influential." Jack lowered his hand, he put his hand on the table and continued talking using the microphone. "In the following year, this trend will still be useful. Maybe we need to re-research what platforms we will use, but Star Corporation will still use soft selling methods with influencers on social media."

After giving his explanation, Jack heard whispers from his colleagues. Most of them looked satisfied, and that made Jack even more confident.

Jack cleared his throat to end his presentation. "That's all for this presentation, thank you."

The sound of applause filled the room until the meeting was dismissed. People started to leave the room, but Jack was still sitting at his desk with Ken, his personal secretary. He was still observing the surroundings as people passed him by with respectful glances. One of them, Michael Tornato, a well-known investor from Toronto came up to Jack. He stood with his secretary, Julia, as he took Jack's hand who stood to greet him.

"This is an excellent business presentation, Mr. Keningston," Mr. Tornato praised. He chuckled softly, then lowered his handshake.

"Thank you, Mr. Tornato."

"The company's profit from one product reached over 200% thanks to the strategy you used. It's truly a trick I admire." Jack grinned. Mr. Tornato furrowed his brows, he looked enthusiastic. "I wonder if you can clear your schedule next week? I'd really like to talk business with you, Mr. Keningston."

Although Jack and Michael were very different in age, Jack was not awkward at all. He faced his colleague in a very professional manner.

"Did you hear the question, Ken?" Jack glanced at Ken, his secretary, who was now busy checking his boss's schedule on his tablet. "Can you check the schedule for me and Mr. Tornato?"

"For next week, you already have a lot scheduled, sir!"

Mr. Tornato's face took on a disappointed look. He and his secretary exchanged glances, before the man finally returned to making an offer. "I'm interested in investing in the latest design to be released by Star Corporation, can you give me just one day?"

Jack grinned again. He was a good businessman, he was good at playing the opponent's feelings with a single tap. And so, the man tapped Ken on the shoulder as he said, "Please arrange a meeting between Mr. Tornato and me, Ken. Wouldn't it be rude to turn down a good offer from a well-known investor in Toronto?"

Michael chuckled, he did like to be praised and Jack had learned that. Michael then nodded his head. "Thank you very much. I'm very flattered by this honor."

"See you at our business meeting, Mr. Tornato."

Jack turned and left his colleague with Ken at his side. They walked to the car. Jack's car was available at the main door, and as Jack approached, his personal driver got out and opened the door for Jack.

"Please, sir."

Jack sat in the back seat with Ken. He sighed, then said, "Are we really busy next week?"

"That's right, sir! You have to meet with investors from Japan on Monday, have a meeting with the internal team on Tuesday, attend a charity event from First Media on Wednesday, have an audit discussion with the company's auditing team on Thursday, have a meeting with the design team on Friday and-"

"Wait, wait! I even have a weekend schedule?!"

Ken looked hesitant as he finally nodded his head and said, "That's right, sir. Because of the preparations for the latest product launch, your schedule is really tight. I've received a lot of meeting requests for you, likely due to your success in making sales and making excellent profit development."

Jack spluttered, he massaged his head slowly. "No, no. Please clear my schedule this weekend. I'm going on a date."

Ken's eyebrows were furrowed. The man with very neat hair looked surprised. "Are you going to continue the arranged marriage that your father requested, sir?"

"Why not? She's beautiful, I'm attracted to her."

"This is the first time you've accepted an arranged marriage, sir."

"Well, I suppose it can't hurt to try, can it? I'm 30 years old, it looks like I already need someone to accompany me on all this work," Jack said, "and that woman... seems to cheer me up quite a bit."

There was a pause before Ken nodded his head and said, "Yes, sir. I'll schedule your meeting with Ms. Moore right away. I'll give Anna a call."

"That sounds good. And, oh, can you get my Lamborghini ready? I want to make something memorable for the lady. At least to make her realize that she's been set up with a perfect CEO named Jack Keningston."

"Yes, sir."

Alexa's ridiculous behavior in rejecting the arranged marriage really made Jack lose his mind. Of all the ways, why would Alexa choose to pretend to forget? Jack grinned, he found it amusing to think back to the elevator incident.

This wasn't the first time Jack had been required to get married. Jack's mother, Amora, wanted Jack to get married and have children. It's what everyone wants in general. But all the women his parents introduced him to didn't interest him at all. The women would come to meet Jack, and then fall in love without knowing Jack's true nature. And being pursued by women was something Jack hated. Jack would lose his appetite and the match would be canceled, because he had the principle that a masculine man should pursue a woman, not the other way around.

Or else the laws of nature... would lose their balance.

"I wonder if Jessica Moore will end up like the other women," Jack muttered, before the car sped off down the highway.