Whatever It Takes
1271 Words
The elevator ride down was stressful. Dorian had come into the meeting with four others, his PA, legal advisor, and two senior executives, all of whom were considered old dogs in the business world. They knew when to shut up and pretend they were just air, and this was one of those moments.
Dorian smiled at the stoic-looking Jason. “Didn’t you mention you wanted to discuss something?”
Jason didn’t bother talking, he just stood quietly staring at his reflection on the mirrored walls. Dorian’s smiling face irked him but he wouldn’t let it show. Years of upper-class training have at least taught him how to school his expression.
Dorian wasn’t the least put off by Jason’s cold demeanor, instead, he felt this urge to tease the younger man. Dorian is a ruthless man but when it comes to interesting people or toys, he becomes curious, almost childlike– that is until he breaks them.
“Is Connie your girlfriend?”
A corner of Jason’s mouth twitched ever so slightly which wasn’t lost under Dorian’s scrutinizing eyes. Dorian’s smile broadened. “Do you need some hints on how to chase a girl?”
When Jason ignored him once again, Dorian leaned in and whispered into his ear, “I’ll give you free advice, don’t chase after her…”
Jason, still calm, turned to meet Dorian’s laughing blue eyes, their nose was a hair’s breadth from each other.
“She’s going to be mine.”
Jason’s eyes flashed and his hands balled into tight fists.
Dorian leaned back on his heels and started laughing. What happened to Jason was the talk of the social scene years ago. The upper-class ladies mourned the loss of such a good suitor for their daughters. He was perfect, both rich and smart but when he returned a broken man and a social recluse, no one wanted their precious daughters to marry him. At the time, Dorian neither pitied nor cared for the young man, s**t happens and in his world, fate is often unkind. It was just bad luck. But now that he met Jason, it felt like he met a younger version of himself. Jason was cold and aloof, but his heart beat for someone special.
Someone special…
Pausing on that thought, Dorian stopped laughing and his eyes grew cold. The smile on his lips froze into a twisted grin. His underlings who saw his reflection in the mirror quickly looked away, cold sweat dripping down their necks. Dorian was wearing his signature crazy look and that was never a good sign.
***
The moment Dorian and his executives left, the meeting room turned into a battleground. Everyone voiced their opinion on the partnership deal.
Johnson watched with a serene smile as they continued their original debate.
“Don’t be daft! We don’t need Brown Inc.! We have enough resources of our own!”
“You are an i***t to say no to free money!”
“Come off it you old fogey! Nothing comes for free! What does Brown really want, hm?”
Johnson let them go at it for a while before he resumed control of the room. “Gentlemen, let me show you one more piece of information before we conclude this topic.” He nodded at Darren and soon the projector showed a series of documents.
“Before we consider a partnership with Brown Inc. do you know who Dorian Brown is? If anyone did their due diligence, it wasn’t hard to find out that he is the new head of Krait, the underworld mob that has taken over the West.”
Red-faced, an executive stood up and argued, “What proof do you have?”
Johnson sneered, “Proof is all here. If you go back and do some digging, you can corroborate my findings. It’s not like Dorian was trying to hide who he is. But the point here, gentlemen, is this: if we align ourselves with a mobster, what do you reckon the public's perception of us will be when they find out? Are you willing to risk everything for such short-term gains?”
Kyle glanced at his men but they all kept their heads down, refusing to meet his eyes. Johnson watched with satisfaction and added the final punch.
“This company doesn’t need traitors nor incompetent leaders. I have launched a formal investigation to look into this case. I suggest you all cooperate and not play any dirty tricks lest I sue you for company espionage.” With that, Johnson stood up and half of the room followed him with smug smiles on their faces. For too long the company stood divided amongst the Kensington brothers and today one faction was about to be ousted.
The moment the door closed, Kyle’s followers flocked around him.
“What do we do, sir!?”
“You have to get your father to help us! He’s our only hope now!”
Kyle seethed and slammed his fists into the table. The executives immediately grew silent but their eyes remained indignant.
“Shut up, all of you! Why didn’t any of you look into Dorian Brown? Hm!? Why didn’t anyone warn me!? I wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble if one of you imbeciles actually did your work around here! f**k you all!!”
Kyle stormed out of the meeting room amidst the protest. He knew he was done the moment Dorian’s ties to the underworld were brought to light.
Damn it all to hell! This whole time he thought he finally made it out of Johnson’s shadow only to find out that Johnson had been laughing at him, letting him dig his own grave. Well, two can play that game. If Johnson wouldn’t let him be happy then he would return the favor. Kyle jammed the elevator button in irritation and rested his head on the wall.
What could he do to irritate Johnson!? What would piss him off…
Wait…
The image of Jason protecting his little PA gave him an idea. He laughed maniacally as he got into the elevator. Kyle pulled out his phone and pressed on the last call.
“Dad, I need your help.”
“What’s wrong? Did something happen while I was out on vacation?”
“I want Jason’s PA to be transferred to my department.”
“Jason is working at the company now!? Since when?”
“Dad, that’s not important. I need that girl under me as soon as possible.” Kyle grinned lewdly at the double entendre. She was a pretty young thing, it would make work much more enjoyable but the thought of taking Jason’s leftovers left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you at home for dinner.” Kyle hung up before his father could ask about the meeting.
Although Johnson was the CEO of the company, their father, Brutas remained head of personnel, and thus caused Johnson a lot of headaches by assigning people loyal to Brutas and Kyle into key roles. Of course, Brutas couldn’t do so blatantly, but small changes over time would be enough to subvert Johnson’s authority. It was only a matter of time before the company owner, the senior Mr. Kensington, kicked the bucket and then Johnson would be all alone amongst a pack of wolves.
Kyle rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He can’t let Johnson kick him out of the company when he is so close to the end. He has to pull all the stops to stay at the company– whatever it takes.
- Writer
