The Billionaires (#1)

30 || Ireland

Jorge and Anita arrived in Ireland very early in the morning in order to take a rest before attending the long awaited meeting.

Aaron McEnroe was desperate to save his father’s company and had been begging to meet with them for weeks now, but the meeting was impossible with MJ’s sudden business trip and Jorge’s court cases and the taking over of Billings Corporation, so the meeting had to be rescheduled for today.

Jorge had only had the pleasure of working with Aaron McEnroe Senior, and never worked with the son. He had only met him a few years back when he was still in high school, and Jorge had to help Mr McEnroe close a business deal. He was still just a little scrawny tall brat back then, with pimples, braces, and glasses. He was the type of boy all girls ran away from, but funny what time and money could do. Baby Aaron was officially a womaniser. If Jorge thought he mistreated women, then he had no idea what the meaning of mistreatment was, because what Aaron McEnroe Junior did was far worse.

Then there was that little fact that he was only twenty-one. He was too young to run a business, and perhaps that was why he caused the mess he did. Jorge was not so sure about working with him, but then he had known the old man for way too long and he would not just abandon him because of his irresponsible son.

The meeting was scheduled for 10a.m., and when Jorge and Anita arrived, Mr McEnroe’s old secretary, Beth, directed them to the boardroom. On their way there, she told Jorge that it was her last day at work because McEnroe Construction was retrenching workers. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Jorge had asked her with concern, but the woman just smiled at him.

“Not for me, I’m too old anyway; I need to rest. But maybe you can do something for Mr McEnroe, you have known him for so long and he trusts you. His son may be of inconvenience, and he might make you want to reconsider your offer, but please don’t do this for him; do this for Aaron, his father. He needs you now more than ever.’’ The old lady had said, and Jorge gave her a firm nod. They arrived outside the boardroom, but before they could enter, Beth pulled Jorge back and squeezed his hand. “Whatever happens in there…” She said, pleading to Jorge with her eyes.

“I understand.” Jorge reassured her and squeezed her hand before he let go and walked into the boardroom with Anita by his side.

The moment they walked in, all heads turned in their direction and everyone stared at them. Most people would have shuddered at the thought of having every single person in the room staring at them. However, Jorge and Anita had attended more than enough meetings and conferences to be comfortable in this kind of situation. So instead of dwelling much into the looks, they took their seats.

“You are late.” Someone said. Jorge looked up to be greeted by Aaron McEnroe Junior’s eyes. The guy had this look on his face, he looked almost like he was constipated, obviously trying to look intimidating, but Jorge just blew his efforts off.

“It is 10:05.” Jorge said, glancing at his watch.

“I don’t appreciate tardiness, Mr Billings.” Aaron said, and silence followed as everyone watched Jorge’s muscles tense. Jorge wanted to rebuff, but Anita squeezed his knee from underneath the table, and he was grateful because whatever he was going to say was not going to be pleasant.

“Let me guess; we were supposed to be here at 9a.m. because our company is bankrupt?” Anita commented with a raised eyebrow, and this time, Aaron was the one who froze, and the other five men’s faces grew red from embarrassment. Aaron opened his mouth to say something, but Anita beat him to it, “shall we begin?”

“We are waiting for someone.” One of the men answered, and Anita’s eyebrows shot up. So they told them that they were late while one of their own members was still on the way? Anita was about to ask whom they were waiting for when a man stepped into the room.

“Sorry, am late; we had a few issues with my helicopter.” His voice rang throughout the boardroom, and Anita found herself standing up. She would recognise that face anywhere; the five o’clock shadow on his face, the broad and pointed nose, the thin pink lips, bushy eyebrows and those sharp blue eyes - not to forget his short brown hair; he always had his hair cut in all of his pictures on the magazines and tabloids. His tall and muscular figure was adorned in a grey suit, and he had a powerful aura around him.

He just stood there and when his eyes met Anita’s, they stared at each other for quite a long time until someone cleared their throat. The man tore his gaze away from Anita and threw Aaron McEnroe a sharp look, which made him shift uncomfortably in his chair. Jorge gently nudged Anita to sit down while the man took a seat right opposite Anita and Jorge. Anita shifted closer to Jorge and whispered in his ear, “Jorge, that’s him. That’s my brother, Javier Mendoza.”