Billionaire's Last Kiss

Chapter Four

Kennedy's POV:

It’s another new day again and I had to go to work. I didn't work yesterday night, I finished reading Yvan's profile and that made me awake until midnight. Thinking about how smart he is. My schedule for today is kind of free. I only have two meetings that I have to attend today, one in the morning with the revised design proposal and one in the afternoon with another investor. This is better than my past schedules. 

I will just spend my time by reading the reports and signing the documents in my office while waiting for the boards to come. I am signing the papers when my secretary enters my office with a nervous expression.

“Good morning. Sir. The Chairman is here with your Mom.”

After my secretary informed me that their bodyguards opened my office doors, my parents entered with their stiff expressions while I welcomed them with an unwelcome one. They are the last persons that I would want to see for now especially that I am stressed with my workloads!

I still stood up as a sign of respect to them, after all, they are my parents. I kissed my mom on her cheek and just bowed my head a little to my dad. I hate their presence in the company but what could I do? This is theirs, after all. I don’t like the idea of what they are supposed to tell me because I’m sure, it’s about something that I’m against. My f*****g marriage.

We sat on the sofa. Silence enveloped us. Father crossed his arms while staring at me. Mother is just giving me warm smiles.

“Get ready for your wedding.” Dad started.

“Why would I? I strongly disagree with this idea.” I answered back, holding my temper.

“Our flight to Italy will be tomorrow. We’ll meet them in their mansion in Venice.” Dad continued. He disregarded my words!

“The Gorgazzi accepted our letter. There’s a big chance that they will accept our offer. Besides, I’m sure, Herschelle is still in love with you. She will like the idea, son. Give this a try.” Mom smiled at me but I just gave her a cold stare.

I hate it every time mom follows dad’s order. She’s so in love that she’s willing to follow everything that he will say even if it is against her son’s feelings.

“Have you ever considered my opinion about this?” I coldly asked them. “This is about my marriage. Not yours. I will never marry for the convenience of the Arizona Empire. If you are just forcing me for their money, just wait and watch me. I can triple the money they can give us.”

“Really?” Dad mocked me as if he knows something. “I heard about the meeting yesterday. You and Mr. Ferro almost fought in the meeting. You are not doing your best and you also don’t consider the people around you.”

Because I am a monster in this field, Dad… I know the best for us. For the money.

“Of course, dad… Because I am an Arizona.” I said making eye contact with my father. “I know exactly how to play and when to take risks in the business, Chairman. I make the best decision.”

My secretary excused herself and informed me that the boards are already there. I stood up and bowed my head before leaving them in my office.

I am spacing out while I’m in the meeting. I remembered how people see me as the nicest person that they ever met in their life who never dealt with any problem and never got mad. They thought of me as a person who follows and never leads but sad to say, they never saw how I manipulate everything and make them my followers. Because they never saw how monstrous I could be. I played in a very innocent way without knowing that I can win because I already know how things are going. I am hiding in the mask of a beginner but they don’t know that I am already the champion.

That was me back in my childhood up to my teenage years. But when I entered the den of the tigers, I’ve been the lion who everyone fears. It’s now the time to remove the mask that I’ve been using since then.

But I just don’t know why this lion who is feared by many, becomes a dog every time I am with Khione. She’s the only one who can tame me and make me a follower. I wonder if this is really my personality or I’m just pretending to be soft because I don’t want her to fear me… Because she’s the only one I have who will never betray me and will choose me in everything.

But, I’ve been once a follower of Herschelle, too…

We were high school sweethearts. I loved her. I spoiled her the way I spoiled Khione, the only difference was I loved Herschelle romantically. But, it just happened one day that I cannot see her as my wife. I realized, is she really the one that I want to keep my life with forever?

We were a good couple, she was a good girlfriend but I broke up with her when we got in college. Not just because I was confused with my future with her, but she cheated on me with her thesis partner.

I am not holding a grudge on her or to anybody else. Maybe, just her love for me was not that strong. Besides, I am partly at fault too. I didn’t do anything to make her stay. Maybe, our relationship was lack of assurance, trust, and vision.

That is when I started to play around with women. I spent my youth dating girls on socialites. Spending our money on trips and dates, of course, with my chaperone s***h my best friend, Khione. People thought that I am a hot Casanova bachelor but far from their knowledge, I am doing this because I want to know who I want to settle my life with.

But, none of them passed until I just got tired of dating and decided to focus my attention on the Arizona Empire.

“This is a better design compared to yesterday’s design proposal.” One of the boards commented.

“The vibrant colors are put in the right places. It turned out in a classy and bold way. I’m impressed.” Another director said.

More of them commented too. After almost everyone gave their comments, silence enveloped the conference room waiting for my final words.

“How many revisions have you done?” I asked curiously.

“This is the third revision, Sir.” He said nervously.

I nodded.

“Honestly, I only give two tries or chances to everyone. The first fail is considerable. You will consider your client’s words to your next presentation. If you fail again to reach or surpass the client’s expectations on your second try, it just means you are not capable of the job.”

I leaned on the table and clasped my hands while staring on his nervous eyes.

“Change the objectives of Arizona's Pride of the Seas.” I said. “The population consists of more adventurous youth and kids. Every household consists of children who seek for fun and adventure and the Arizona Empire will provide for it with your proposal. I hope you get what I mean.” I smirked and leaned on my chair.

“The design surpassed my expectations. You will be working in the company from now on.” I stood up and dismissed the meeting.

The advertising team will work on the advertisement persuading the children and teens who want fun and adventure.

“What’s with the change of mind?” I didn’t notice that Mr. Ferro followed me to my office.

I smirked on him.

He didn’t know that I am a monster by playing with everyone’s mind and feelings.

“The final decisions are always with the CEO, Mr. Ferro and part of my decisions are from the board. It just means I consider my people’s words and capabilities. Excuse me.”

I know how eager and determined the presenter was with his proposal. I pushed him to change his ideas expecting him to change the whole design itself with my wants, but I am wrong, because he put our ideas together instead of changing it. The outcome is superb and I loved it.

It is really Arizona's Pride because the Arizona Empire’s mission is to fulfill everyone’s dream. I have dreamed of going to Safari with my family before because as a kid, I always loved animals and adventure that my parents’ failed to give me. I am always with Khione’s family trips because my parents have a lack of time to travel because work always comes first. This cruise ship’s target is the children’s dream together with their family. They will not just come as one or two but a group.

I am now on my way to meet my investor while I am riding in my Tesla driven by my personal driver. While we were stopped by the traffic light, I saw a familiar face descend his Sedan.

“Oh, this smart f*****g rich boy.”

I murmured to myself when I saw Yvan entering a Spanish restaurant.