My Emerald

Expectations

William was up at 6 AM. He went out for his morning jog. He never drank enough to curb his routine. Hungover was not a desired feeling since he graduated University. As he went through his schedule of things to do today, he found himself subconsciously on the other side of town where he had dropped the girls off the night before. A smile graced his usually stern face as the thought of the firey attitude his emerald held. He called David expecting voicemail. His friend was never up as early as he was. Voicemail, “David, Will call me when you get a chance.” He hung up and headed back to his place to shower and get ready for work. He went into publishing because of his love for novels and his family's perseverance to take over their multiple businesses. William was raised with a great sense of duty and “owed” his family for the life he had. Most days he did not mind, it was a rough few years when he hired and trained people he trusted to manage the established business while he focused on the publishing company. Now Hartford Publishers is one of the top in the world, 5 years later. Will donned a navy suit, white shirt and brown oxford as he walked down to meet his assistant and head into the office. Joe had been with Will for almost 4 years now and was like family. William wasn’t sure if he had a family of his own. He rarely spoke of matters outside of work unless it concerned Williams' social calender. However, he was at the building every morning with a coffee for Will and would drive him into the office while reviewing the agenda for the day. He never asked for time off, was never sick, never once asked for a raise or promotion to another position, which, of course Will valued and would compensate by giving him annual raises and bi-annual bonuses. If he ever did desire a different position, William wouldn’t hesitate to accommodate, loyalty is very important to him as well as ones character and Joe had both. Just as they pulled into the private parking garage when Will’s phone rang, DAVID flashed across the screen.

“I know you don’t sleep but some of us do,” the groggy David slurred from his sleepiness on the other end.

“It’s 8AM. You need to get to work. I wouldn’t want you to get fired and have to hear from Uncle, would you?” Will stated flatly into the line.

“Yeah you’re right, my boss is a jerk,” David yawned as he stretched and got up to start his day.

“I’m sure that will go over well on your performance review,” Wills rebuttle came, “Come up to my office when you make it in.” “Yeah, alright, I’ll be there by 9.” David replied as the line went dead.

Will walked over to the elevator heading up to his floor. He did have to admit one of his favorite businesses was property acquisitions. This allowed him to scoop up prime realty locations like this office. He walked into his office, sat down and admired his view. Looking out onto the channel, he could see the London Eye and Big Ben. He entered the passcode to check messages. There were only 2. Joe never forwarded anything that he could handle himself and William was thankful for that.

The first message was from his father, ‘William you need to be at the family estate next weekend, we are announcing your cousin's engagement. You will meet the man whose company we will absorb. Now your Uncle has told him he will remain in his current position, but you can decide on the company restructuring. Dinner is at 4. Do not be late.’ Will scoffed to himself. He never thought much of his Uncle or his cousin. His Uncle never amounted to anything and lived off of his father's success, but as their parents died at a young age, Williams' father felt responsible for him. His Uncle’s daughter Daphne was ten times worse than him. Her mother, being an alcoholic from a lower-prestige family, thought she scored big being married to a Hartford. She was disappointed to find it was the younger, less attractive brother, only having one child. She was dotted on and given all that life had to offer. She never had to finish school or get a degree, she was not expected to take over any of the business which Will was okay with. He thought she was a snake of a woman and couldn’t wait to have her off the payroll. He sent Joe a message to block his schedule and hold any calls through the weekend. He only intended to stay at the family estate one night and that was to spend time with his mother. When Daphne was little, his mother would also dote on her longing for the little girl she would never have. After William Rose had an ectopic pregnancy and nearly lost her life, his father decided having more kids wasn’t worth the risk of losing her and they closed her tubes during the surgery. As Daphne got older, however, William's mother removed herself, not able to justify her behavior and character, retreating into herself. William hoped if he did one day marry, his wife might be able to help bring his mother back to him. Williams' phone beeped as Joe came through, “Sir, David is here.”

“send him in”. Wills' office doors opened and David walked straight to Will's desk, taking his coffee, “for the early wake up call”, he said, as he raised the cup in the air and took a seat.

“So what is on the agenda today?”

“The girls,” William replied, “get in touch with Nancy, see what you can find out, call the club, make sure their names are all put on the list. I can’t remember the third but her as well. I want to know more about my emerald.”

David smirked, “of all the things you assign me here, this is my favorite yet.” He clapped his hands together, nodded his head and headed off for his own office. Will had the best office, but David, being the closest thing to a brother he had, was given a similar office at the other end of the hall with a conference room in between. Sipping the coffee he stole from Will, he dialed the club to try and get Nancy’s information.