Chapter3
1076 Words
Adrian
My phone buzzed four times in a row and I let out an exasperated sigh before declining the last call.
The sun was glinting off the Justice Bureau Building so I glanced up from my desktop, looking out over the window.
It's been nothing close to easy since my father made me in charge of the firm. It's been a string of problems and although every firm has its own challenges, these ones seemed to be more than I needed.
My phone buzzed again and I declined the call. Despite all the pleasure Jenny seems to be offering, nothing has been able to afford peace of mind.
I remained on the chair with my left hand on my keyboard and the other one massaging my jaw softly.
My office door opened and my brother Mark walked in, not bothering to knock.
"Guess what?" He blurted. "We have a problem,”
I looked up at him and frowned at his way of announcing it.
"A damn big problem," he finished, throwing his wideshouldered frame into the leather chair on the other side of my desk.
"I don't get to have breaks," I mumbled and sighed. "There's always one problem or the other. What is it this time? Tell me."
Mark is my CFO and although he doesn't have a degree in law, spending most of his time with me and our father who is a senior Attorney seems to have influenced his career.
"Let's just say we have a problem retaining our top clients because two of them have just met with another firm to represent them."
I paused.
"Not just that— take a look at this," he blurted turning his iPad to me. On his screen was a line chart and I was just about saying I don't understand s**t when he cleared his throat.
"Apparently, this data point indicates the number of clients we had between the last three years but here— there's a downward trend and that means we have a decline since—"
"Since I became the Boss," I finished standing to my feet. “You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me.”
"I wish I was, bro but the news is spreading fast and soon—" he paused. "Well I hate to be this guy."
He exhaled and continued. “They’re going to send through the full report this afternoon. We have until two weeks from friday to figure out something but my team has assured me they can buy us plenty of time."
By team, he meant everyone working in every department.
"We don't know that," I argued and walked to the door. As I did, there was a light knock. I yanked the door open.
“Mr. Volvo?”
It was my Assistant, Alicia. Her eyes turned to see Mark, and she paused. "I meant, Mr. Adrian Volvo."
"I know that," Mark said, scrunching his nose up. "There's barely anything important you have to come to my office to say."
I stood there watching the two love-birds or better still, the two adults who kept acting like they weren't fond of each other.
"Alicia," I called, getting irritated. "What's the problem?"
Alicia did her best to ignore the tension in the room. “Your car will be here in ten minutes to take you to the airport."
Airport?
Holy s**t. I completely forgot I’m supposed to be going to Texas this afternoon for a business meeting.
"Do you want me to reschedule?" She noticed the instant change in my countenance.
"No," I replied brusquely. “Could you get a bag packed for me? I'll pick it on my way to the airport."
"Of course, sir. I'll let you know when your car is here.”
I gave a nod as Alicia ducked back out of the office to call my housekeeper, leaving me alone again with Mark.
"You look—"
"Stressed?" I interrupted. "Yes, I am stressed as fuck."
"I was actually going to say shitty. There's this look you always have when you no longer have control of how things are going and you know the last time I saw you look like this?"
He didn't wait for me to say no before he continued. "When you and Britney got divorced."
A lump formed in my throat at the mention of my ex-wife's name.
I ran a hand through my hair and exhaled sharply. And then, there’s Britney. Her image filled my mind, black wavy hair spilling over pale shoulders, deep dark eyes gazing up at me with equal parts.
"That's a long time ago, Mark."
"Exactly but you still miss her, don't you?"
"Not even the slightest," I muttered and reached for the few documents I knew I'd be needing.
"I'll act like I believe you," the asshole blurted and I resisted the urge to give him another response.
Mark is the only one who didn't buy my story. I had to come up with a damn story to keep my family from trying to fix a marriage I was tired of so I told them Whitney already made up her mind to return to her former lover and I was okay with it.
Dad didn't believe it at first but when he tried to reach out to Britney and never got a response, he seemed to believe me.
As for Mark, he just couldn't believe it because he knew Jenny and I had something going on even before the marriage ended and so he barely pinned blames on Britney.
"Well, I better run along. I trust you can handle the company while I'm away and uh—try not to get into trouble especially with Alicia."
He rolled his eyes. "Coming from someone who has been ignoring his partner's call."
"Partner?" I asked, c*****g an eyebrow and he gave a nod.
"Jenny. She's been telling everyone you both are dating and are madly in love with each other. To be honest? I don't know what to do with that information."
"Look," I said pointing out a finger. "I am not in love with Jenny or any other woman."
Maybe that's not completely true. The last woman I remember being in love with is somewhere far away and I really don't give a s**t either.
"Tell Cowen I said hi," Mark added. "And make sure you come home as soon as possible."
"Of course," I answered. Except that I had other plans.
- Writer
