10
Oliver
Pierce leaned back in his desk chair looking like the pictures of his father when he was thirty years younger. The two men had a relationship similar to my father and me, but Pierce followed in the family footsteps and continued with the whole world domination quest. My parents and I would always be the black sheep of the family, the ones who risked it and travel the world on my boat. Even Jerome grew up searching for power and money.
I never cared much for finding a wife or making money. Life needs to be lived, not purchased. I set out on my own in search of more—to see the things money couldn’t buy—but now I longed to fill the hollowness in my heart. I desperately wanted to fill the void, and I hoped my quest to help the people in Africa and elsewhere could provide it. Even if for the first time in years it wouldn’t be enough.
“I appreciate you coming to this meeting with me today. The more Kensingtons we can get behind us the better.” It would take all the power I had to win over the new producer we were meeting with and get him to convert his factory.
If we secure this factory for our production means, it would be a tremendous step in bringing renewable energy to Africa on a large-scale basis.
Pierce nodded as he fidgeted with a pen between his fingers. Something was bothering my cousin because Kensington men didn’t fidget. It was a sign of weakness and not one of the Kensington men were allowed to display a weakness.
“What’s on your mind, cousin?” I asked realizing he wasn’t half as concerned with this solar energy as I was. It wasn’t his life’s work. Pierce didn’t mind helping. He made many monetary contributions to needy groups throughout the year, but it wasn’t his calling.
Pierce dedicated his life to improving Pelican Bay, even when his father and mother ditched the place for New York City full time ten years ago. I didn’t know what had him clinging to this town, but he refused to give up on it no matter how hard they fought back.
If he took Mari as his fiancée for the next six months, I bet it had something to do with the fiery little blonde minx named Katy. I’d been hearing her troubles for years. He never divulged more information, and I never asked, but there were questions. The line between hatred and love is thin.
“I’m sorry. I am dedicated to helping you with the solar power project. As I promised, I will head up the East Coast headquarters if you find a place close. I just have a lot of my mind this morning.”
“Want to talk about it?” I didn’t believe I asked, but the words were out before I could stop them. If he gave me details of his and Mari’s relationship, I didn’t know how I’d keep a straight face. Had they gotten close when I wasn’t around?
As some point over the last two days, I’d developed feelings for my cousin’s fiancée. Pierce’s explanation of using her to win the town over sounded flimsy, but he wasn’t trying to woo her either. At least not from what I’d seen. If I admitted my feelings now, it could create a colossal mess.
“Melissa left me six voicemails since I terminated her employment. She’s called me every name in the book and made threats you wouldn’t believe.”
I laughed. Pierce never let a death threat rattle him. “Katy has been threatening to dismember you for years.”
Pierce shook his head. “Katy is different. She’s a kitten.”
“Last I checked, kittens have claws, too.”
“Something feels different about these. Melissa’s grandmother is in the nursing home with Katy’s grandma and her health has been deteriorating. But my estate is still covering the nursing home bills, so I don’t understand why she would need more money, especially for her grandmother. It doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s your problem. You’re so nice to your employees and you don’t tell anyone. Most men in your case would have billboards made of their philanthropic endeavors and have them plastered around the city. You need a public relations person.”
Pierce laughed. “I’m not my father.”
True. Pierce’s father used to take out a half-page ad in the newspaper every year thanking his employees for their dedication, and he always mentioned what the Christmas bonus was for the year. It worked in most cases. Everyone wanted to work for the Kensington estate in Pelican Bay.
Pierce learned to treat employees well like his father taught him, but he hadn’t taken on the same need to have his accomplishments win him pats on the back. It was a respectable quality, but one that often left me wanting to throttle him. Half of New York thought he was languishing out here in no-man’s-land. They had no idea what he’d done for the town or how he didn’t consider life in Pelican Bay a punishment.
“Not that it will make you feel any better, but you were perfectly fine to fire her. You’re paying for her grandmother’s nursing home stay even after her retirement. As you said, this isn’t the first time Melissa has been caught in a questionable situation.” Three months ago, she’d been digging through his closet. Said she was looking for loose change. “It’s not as if the girl didn’t have chances.”
Pierce nodded. “I just can’t stop thinking about what Mari said, even if I believe Melissa wanted the money to help get her boyfriend out of jail.”
“Really?” I hadn’t heard that story.
Pierce hummed. “Yes, he was caught up in a big bust with Ridge Jefferson recently.”
“Mari, sweet girl she is, has never had an employee. Sometimes you have to make hard choices.” I hated it when I opened my mouth and my grandfather came out, but it was the truth. I found it noble and appealing that Mari focused on work in Guatemala, but I’d bet money that before she left the states her life was pampered. Never worked a day in her life. It didn’t make me want her any less, but it did negate her beliefs on how to handle disloyal employees.
Pierce employed Melissa’s grandmother for years, and when she retired, he set up a nice nest egg to pay for any of the care she would need later in life. Which she needed sooner than anyone expected. When her position came available and Melissa needed a job, he’d given her one as a favor to her grandmother. I think the man went beyond what polite society required of him.
“I contacted Ridge this morning and forwarded the messages. He told me he’d look into it, but I’m still worried about leaving for the next two days. I’d cancel the meeting with my father if I could, but you know how he gets.”
I did indeed understand how Pierce’s father behaved when he didn’t get his way. Richard Kensington expected everyone to be at his beck and call. If he set up a meeting with you, you better be at that meeting. No excuses.
