James
I makemy way to the VIP section after entering the crowded Club X. Ryder claims it would be the quietest part of the club, since the new client insisted on meeting us here. I argued that having it in a clean quiet office sounded like a better idea, but apparently, my old man mindset didn’t get through, so here we are. There’s nothing wrong with it I guess, I just don’t have the patience for clubs and bars after everything that happened with my ex. This was the scene she lived for. Men chasing after her, trying to buy her drinks and take her home, even when she was already in a committed relationship. It didn’t end well with the media trailing my every move and then hers, secrets tend to come out faster when there are cameras following everything you do.
A cocktail waitress stops me at the ropes and asks for my poison. If only she knew… “Whiskey is fine, thanks.”
Apparently, the VIP section here only allows acertain quality of liquor for the attendees to make everyone in here seem like more of a pompous asshole. This is going to be an expensive meeting, so this guy better sign our contract. This level of income will help us subsidize the smaller companies that don’t have large marketing funds but could use our help. The smaller companies are the ones my dad always loved, so we are adamant about finding a way to make it work for as many as we can per year.
“JAMES! You made it.” Ryder is screaming over the music and waving his arms at me from where he and the client sit on the couch. I already want to turn around and leave, but I guess I should give Thomas a little time to find something to eat before bothering him again. “James, this is Patrick. Patrick, this is James, the founder and CEO of Kemp.”
I reach my hand out to shake Patrick’s, but he slides it up his woman’s shirt and grabs her breast, hard. She winces but leans into him.Great.
I shoot a look at Ryder, who grimaces but subtly rubs his fingers together in the telltale sign for cash. I slide my hand into my pocket, ready for this night to end. Alester walks up from behind me and pats my shoulder, then we both take a seat in the chairs across from Ryder and Patrick.
“What did you think of the packet we sent to your office regarding your future marketing opportunities?” I ask.
Patrick’s other hand is resting on the woman’s thighas it slowly slides higher. “You know, man, I haven’t actually looked at it yet.”
I look at Alester, and watch as his eyes narrow at the guy. “Are you ready to sign then? Or is this meeting a waste of our time?”
“Whoa, man. Let’s just get to know each other for a bit before we start talking numbers,” he says, and I want to punch him. I’m about to tell him we don’t have time for this when he adds, “I’ll make it worth your time. This will all be on the clock. Let’s say fifty grand for the meeting? And if I like what I hear, I’ll sign before I go home to Jessica here. Deal?”
I take in a long, slow breath, the mixed scents of booze and sweat threading through me. I need to calm down. “Deal. So, how do you two know each other?” I point to the woman in his lap.
His eyes light up. “I rented her for the weekend! It’s crazy the things you can do with the level of money I have. She’s an escort. I’ve never done it before, but there’s a first time for everything.”
I look to the woman. “Do you enjoy your line of work?”
“It’s new, but yes, I suppose.” Her words don’t match the dead stare in her eyes.
I pull a business card out of my wallet. “I’m hiring quite a few positions, in case you want to change your career.” She leans forward and takes the card from me. “We pay well, you could start tomorrow if you want, and you’d be working with a lot of other women. Thenumber on the card will go to Stacy. You can tell her James gave you a card, and she can set you up. If that’s something you want.”
She slips the card into her small purse, water lining her eyes. “Thank you.” She slides further away from Patrick, but he doesn’t seem to care or notice. I watch his eyes dart around the club as he takes in a girl in a silver dress.
Great. Is this just going to be us watching him chase women all night?
I look around for the cocktail waitress with my drink, but I don’t see her anywhere. It could be hours. After this little introduction I’m already checked out. “I’m going to the bar to get a drink.”
“Get me one, man,” the insolent child throws out, but I ignore him.
Pushing through the piles of bodies makes me more than ready to go home. Finally, the bar comes into view. I feel my mouth lift into a smile when I see a woman in a large sweater and spandex pants leaning against the bar. I’m jealous. I wish I could’ve changed into my sweats for this meeting. Then maybe we could avoid working with this guy altogether.
No, the company could use the additional funds, so I need to suck it up. Every account matters. Technically we have plenty of money, as my net worth is now in the billions, but I like to gain more to donate to various charities, help smaller accounts, and invest in whatever new idea I can find.
I continue to watch her, noticing now that she’s trying to lean away from a man invading her space. Her head is swivels looking for a way out, but she’s cornered. I grab a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and hold it up for the bartender.
He drops what he’s doing and jogs straight to me. Throwing his rag over his shoulder, he yells, “What can I get ya?”
“A double whiskey and a glass of red from your top shelf. Add it to the Edward tab. The cash is for you.” I shout back then lean on the bar and wait as he grabs the bottles off the shelves.
I watch the skinny guy with tight pants put his hand on the woman’s shoulder, which she pushes off immediately.
He yells towards her ear so loud that I can hear it across the bar. “Y-you lookin pretty cozy. Bet you’d l-look great draped across my couch!”
I can’t see her face, but her head whips back and she glances at the ceiling.
I’ve got to get over there.
The bartender sets the drinks down, takes the money, and disappears. I pick up the glasses and make my way towards the two as he grabs her arm this time. I balance both drinks in one hand and shoulder-check the guy as I place myself between them. I don’t spare a glance at the dipshit as I peer into the woman’s wide brown eyes. “Sorry the wait was so long, baby. I got your wine.”
