WHATEVER SHE WANTS

What Women Want

James' POV

“Babe, please don't do this. I'll take more jobs; anything! You know how hard I've tried, baby. Please, don't walk away from us. Look at Jamie; he still needs you."

“How's that going to get us off food stamps, anyway?"

McCartney Jnr swallowed hard and looked around at his apartment. It was majorly bare in the living room, but the single bedroom had a sizeable bed.

“But Angela, walking away won't help."

Angela rolled her eyes and pulled her hand harshly out of his grip.

“It will, at least, prevent me from looking fifty when I'm just twenty-eight! Is it my fault that you can't keep a job, or you keep buying courses and business models that never really pull off?" She burst into tears. “How long can I live like this? We've been married for ten years, McCartney! Ten years! Our son is six. You can raise him all by yourself."

Young James walked out of the kitchen, where he was hiding behind the counter, into the living room. He clutched Angela's hand.

“Don't go, mama. I still want you around."

Angela looked down at her son as he stood there looking hopeless with tears in his eyes. But her mind was made up. She would have taken him if he was a daughter. Since he isn't, he has to stay.

“Jamie, baby, I'd love to stay or take you along with me, but I have to do this on my own. I deserve a better life."

“Why are you leaving, mommy?"

“There isn't enough money for all three of us to be happy. You two can be happy together once I leave."

Young James nodded and walked away, back to the kitchen where he was earlier. McCartney Jnr felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach as he watched Angela leave. His whole world was very much undone.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Sir?"

I turned away from the glass window of my office that overlooked most part of the city and faced my personal assistant.

“What is it, Terry?"

“A call just came in from the jewellers’. The parcel has been delivered."

“Alright. Any other information?"

“No, sir. Is there something you want that I could get for you on my way out?"

“Chill alkaline water, please. Thank you."

I watched his back till he shut the door behind him. I resumed my executive chair and my eyes fell on my father's portrait hanging on the adjacent wall. He began all of this, but he didn't stay long enough to see it come through to this stage. He didn't stay long enough to see the beautiful doll of a wife I was able to get myself because of how powerful I'd become over the years.

I look back to my PC. I have lots of files to sort out before the audit. I'm glad that Erryn understands perfectly; after all, I know what women want.

My mother walked away from my father because he didn't have the type of money that could keep us comfortable and also attain luxury. She didn't take me along because she didn't want an extra mouth to feed. I've come to understand that these days, what women want is a soft life of spoiling with lots of money, a life free from the stress of children; and freedom to do as they please.

Erryn has no domestic chore waiting for her, she has no children running around to stress her; she's not lacking anything, and she's free to go on as many vacations as she wants every year. I'm sure she enjoys her small social circle because they're all women with a common factor - extremely rich and hardworking husbands. What more could a woman want? I'd buy every and any thing she could state without flinching.

For the dinner party tomorrow, I have to order that shimmering red dress I saw from that new designer. It would be perfect, and make her stand out. I'd be so bathed in pride when she walks into that hall in all that glory. I'll order the new shoes, and other accessories to match the dress. The code is to be dressed in one's best; she'll set the pace for others to follow. I was about to click the ‘shop’ button when I heard the knock on my door.

“Come in", I called, a bit agitated.

“Sir, your wife hasn't been informed about the dinner party tomorrow evening. I also got a report that she appears very weak after the shopping she did today."

I raised a brow. My wife should be all things but tired.

“Open a vacancy for a new employee. I don't know how we'll tag that, but this will be the person doing all the shopping for Erryn."

“Right away, sir."

He walked out. I relaxed into my executive chair. That idea was so brilliant - why didn't I think of it since? Someone to do the shopping for her. We have local and international cooks, a good butler; even a connoisseur. I can add more employees; because I can pay them all. All for Erryn.

All women want is an easy life. I've given Erryn a luxurious one. Soon, I'll have to employ someone other than my assistant to handle the orders for vanities. We both need to focus more on the business related issues for improved efficiency. This upcoming board meeting is for the rise and fall of many. Some board managers will be getting laid off; especially that head of PR. My assistant does his job, and he literally gets paid for nothing. I'll promote my assistant to that position, and give him all the benefits of that position, in addition to his being my assistant. Everything just gets better.

I picked up my phone as the screen came on.

“Honey, I was only just informed that you wouldn't be joining me for lunch. Why's that?"

Oh, Erryn. She needs me all the time! That's how important a man gets once he has the right money.

“I'm sorry about that, pookie pie. I'll be chairing a long and important board meeting today. It hasn't begun yet, and it's well past lunch time. I'll be home early for dinner, I promise."

“Alright. I'll be waiting."

“And something more, pookie: you'll be accompanying me to a dinner party tomorrow evening. Don't worry; I've sorted out all the logistics."

“Thank you so much, honey."

“My pleasure."

I smiled as I put the phone down. I have accomplished more to life than just wealth.