He's So Bad (9 page)

He pauses to survey my expression. I can’t stand cockiness. I’ve been known to be a cocky prick every now and then, but it’s a part of myself that I want to leave in the Dumpster.

Tyler looks out the window, surveying the floor. His eyes stop on Carter. “I see a lot has changed.”

“All it took was five weeks, and this is only the beginning. I look forward to surpassing this firm’s former glory.”

Carter takes her seat, and Tyler puts his focus on me. “Didn’t you come from the world of media?”

“Yes, I did.” I’m getting used to answering that question.

“Then what do you know about architecture?”

“I have my credentials.”

“What are they?”

“I’m not the one being interviewed. But the short of it is, I have an MFA in architecture along with an MBA in Business Administration. I completed my apprenticeship under Barney Arsenault of Customize Designs.”

He sits up in his seat. “You worked directly with Arsenault?”

“Yes, I did.”

“How in the hell did you swing that?”

“I’m talented—just like you.”

Tyler smirks. “Okay then, let’s get to the important part.”

I open the offer folder Zoe compiled. Zoe’s more thorough than Mavis and without the fucking superior attitude. The first offer is a lowball offer but not so low it would insult him. As expected, Tyler rejects it. I ask him to counter, and he comes up just below the amount I was prepared to pay. I appear generous when I offer him the salary I had in mind.

“That’s a lot of money, Mr. Tango.”

“Robert,” I say, “and you’re welcome. When can you start?”

“When do you need me?”

“I thought you had another job?”

I see that strained look in his eyes. He’s happier than he’s letting on, and there can only be one reason that could be.

I look at him suspiciously. “You don’t have another job?”

“No.”

“You knew I would be at City Hall on Monday night?”

He shows me his cocky smirk again. “Perhaps. Someone told me you might be looking to hire some of us back, and I wanted to be the first.”

I’m impressed by his boldness. “Well, then you’re the first.”

Then we negotiate his position. He agrees to start as another principal architect. He wanted to become chief principal architect, but I suspected he merely wanted to be over Carter. There’s something going on between Carter, Tyler, and Grace.

Tyler will start tomorrow morning. When I catch the strange look on Zoe’s face as she watches him leave, I ask her into my office.

“How did it go?” she asks as soon as she takes a seat.

“It went well.” I show her the kind of smile that normally puts her at ease. “Hopefully I’m not overstepping my boundaries if I ask you this, but I sense tension between Carter and Grace, and I think it has something to do with the man who just left this office.”

Zoe sighs and rolls her eyes as if she can finally let go of what’s been troubling her. She doesn’t take many pauses as she recounts how Carter and Tyler used to date. They were pretty hot and heavy. Zoe thinks they were together for two years. Then he cheated on her with Grace. However, the rumor was he did it because Ralph favored Carter as an architect and everyone thought that he would promote her to a principal before Tyler. When Carter found out he had cheated with Grace, she was devastated.

“There was nothing gracious about the way Grace flaunted their relationship. That’s kind of why Carter stays in her corner and talks to no one.”

“I see her talking to Matt.” I desperately want to know what’s really going on between the two of them. I’ve pictured Matt fucking her, and it drove me crazy.

Zoe rolls her eyes a little. “Oh, Matt. He’s had a crush on her forever, like most of the guys around here.”

I detect resentment in her tone. “I see…”

“Anyway, that’s not the end of the story. After Tyler was promoted, he started up with Carter again. He was seeing them both at the same time.”

She explains how when Grace found out, she wanted to have Carter fired, but Ralph wouldn’t allow it. However, Grace made things as difficult as she could for Carter. She gave her the worst assignments, which lowered her rate of commission.

“She basically tried to starve Carter out. Then there were rumors of financial instability, and layoffs soon followed.” Zoe grunts thoughtfully. “Once again, Grace tried to convince Ralph to let go of Carter, but in a surprising twist, Ralph fired Tyler. Shocked all of us.”

I tap my fingers on my desk as I ponder. I wonder if bringing Tyler back into the fold was a good idea. “Thanks, Zoe. That’ll be all for now.”

Zoe stands, walks to the door, then turns to face me. “I want to say thank you for making this place what it is now. Everybody’s excited to come to work everyday. It hasn’t been this way in a long time, and for some, never. And everybody here respects you. And, um, if I may…”

“You may,” I say.

“I see the way Carter looks at you and vice versa. It’s so easy to lose respect around here, you know?” Her facial expression says it all.

I glance at where Carter sits. We had fun at lunch last Friday, and I want to spend more time off the clock with her. She’s constantly on my mind. I’ve been in an embittered battle between maintaining my integrity as the man in charge and my desire to be in her presence. I hate that Matt and now Tyler were allowed to make an effort to be with her, but I can’t. I haven’t forgotten the harsh opinion Maggie and Mavis had of me. It wouldn’t have been so impactful if I hadn’t been fucking a chick whose name I never knew when I overheard them. What Zoe just said abolishes the shame and disappointment within me. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Carter is one that I’ve caught but I’m forced to release back into the ocean. I choose duty over desire.

T
he conference room
erupts in applause. The entire company is gathered together. We’re one hundred fifty-three employees strong, and I try to take in as many faces as possible. To think, three months ago, I was rich in resources but poor in self-worth and faith in my future.

Yesterday, Richard Darling and I spent the afternoon at Ralph’s lawyer’s office, finalizing the sale of Kennedy Creative. I sat back and let Richard do most of the talking. Ralph and I were in agreement on all the terms except one, and when Richard lowered the boom, Ralph could hardly believe it.

“Regarding the name of the company,” Richard said. “My client is allowed to add subsidiaries, giving them equal weight as Kennedy Creative.”

Ralph looked at his lawyer for clarification, and he explained that I could create subsidiaries to the architecture firm and assign them functions at will. Ralph glared at me as if he wanted to rip off my head.

I said, “I’ll respect the initial objectives of the company.”

“Which are?” Ralph’s posture indicated that he thought I was bullshitting him.

“Integrity first,” I said, although the shit he’d pulled with the interest payment wasn’t very scrupulous.

Ralph and I engaged in a stare-off.

Richard put the finalized document in front of me to sign. “I’m sure Mr. Kennedy doesn’t mind a little name change. He just got a half a billion dollars richer today.” He winked at Ralph. “Collecting all of that interest money my client refuses to contest.”

That was a point that needed to be made. Ralph took the snide out of his grin, shook my hand, and wished me luck.

At this very moment, as I stand in front of my entire enterprise and run the state-of-the-company meeting, I can happily say that this all belongs only to me.

I’ve just finished giving them the rundown, including why we’re operating in the black even after losing Ralph’s capital. Last month, our acquisitions team submitted bids for eight of the most coveted projects in the city, and we’ve heard back from seven out of eight. We were chosen to represent all of the projects, and there’s a good chance that we’ll receive the eighth as well. The room erupts in applause once again. I notice how the project teams eye each other. They all want the most expensive account, and I’ve developed a system where the only way to be rewarded is by merit and not favoritism.

I lift my hand to quiet them down. “We’ve slaved like hell in the last three months. Some of you have gone for weeks working fifteen-hour days, which doesn’t leave much time for fun or sleep.” I raise my hand. “I’m guilty.”

There’s laughter. I adopted the motto that I’m the first to arrive and the last to leave. I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t want to be perceived as a failure, but I never let my employees out-work me.

I wait until they quiet down to deliver the next much-needed news. “And that is why this Monday and Tuesday, we’re closed for business. I want you all to take a four-day weekend to try to reclaim your lives.”

The applause isn’t so loud this time.

“Whoa, I think I’ve created a bunch of workaholics!” I smile as a rumble of laughter fills the room. “I realize your minds are heavy with all of the shit that you have to get done; mine is too. But I’ve always respected the idea of work-life balance, and we’re all way out of balance. And don’t worry, you’re still getting paid.”

They laugh again.

I allow myself to finally glance at Carter. Just like everyone else in the room, she’s watching me. It’s been a while since I focused on her face, and it takes a moment before I realize that my eyes have lingered for too long on her. I look down at the lectern and clear my throat. When I lift my face, I’m grinning big.

I look at my wristwatch. “It’s Friday, 1:48 p.m. I’m closing shop early, so go home. Our clients will hear and see you all on Wednesday morning!”

I take in the last round of applause. The sound reverberates through me like the melodies of a full orchestra. I would’ve never believed that I could earn this sort of adulation without being Vince’s sidekick.

M
y employees
quickly trickle out of the building. I apparently don’t have to tell them twice to call it a day. I, on the other hand, have a lot of work to finish up before embarking on the four-day weekend.

I’m typing on my computer when an envelope is thrown on my desk. I look up. It’s Grace.

I throw up my hands. “What the hell?”

She closes my office door. “You want favors from those people, then I want Carter out of here.”

I open the envelope mainly out of curiosity, and I read the names. I snort cynically. Gerald Bush is on the list, but a handful of key names are missing, and one of them is Jack Lord.

I fold the page, stuff it back into the envelope, open my desk drawer, and put it away. “You know what I think? I think someone has convinced you that I’m a buffoon. You think I’m going to crack and binge on young, hot employee sex and cocaine before I run this company into the ground.”

She snarls. “Young, hot sex and cocaine? Is that what you’re addicted to?”

I glare at her with narrowed eyes. “I wanted to respect your father, but you’ve made that impossible. You’re fired. Get the hell out of my building.”

She squares her shoulders as if she’s ready to rumble. “You can’t fire me!”

“I can, and I have.” I pick up my desk phone. “Do I have to call security?”

“Those people on that list will make sure you never get clearance for the permits you need, or any other kind of agency approvals.”

My expression is as cold as ice. “You’re bored, Grace. Get the fuck out of my office.”

She shakes her head as though she’s been struck by shock. “Wait. I mean it, Robert. Those people are very important to my father’s operation, and you need them and me.”

“I’m also bothered by the fact that you can’t seem to remember that I made your father a half a billion dollars richer and now I own this company. Why don’t you go ask him for some of it and go lie on a beach in Tahiti or somewhere?”

“Ha!” she scoffs.

“Okay, make it Mars, but regardless, I need you to get the fuck out of my presence.” I’ve become slightly distracted by the email that just popped up on my screen. It reminds me what I was doing before Grace walked in here with her troth of bullshit to shove down my throat. I type on my computer as I say, “You have until I finish answering this email to get out of here, or I’m calling security.”

Grace has become an enemy, and one never tells the enemy why their strike didn’t draw blood. I’m richer and more connected than she is. The people on her list will ultimately answer to the highest authority—my cash. Grace has proven to me that even women can be narcissistic idiots who think their strategic charisma is all it takes to dominate. She’s a star in her own mind—powerful in a pea-sized universe.

Although I don’t look up, I sense that she’s turned her back to leave.

“I don’t ever want to see you again,” I say.

I wait for her to get the hell out of my office, but she stands still. I look up. Her entire body is shaking. I don’t want to be sympathetic to whatever’s going on with her at the moment. She came in here with both guns blazing, took her best shots, and didn’t even graze the target. Now she should go lick her wounds like an adult and move on. But she’s wearing another tight red dress that shows off her tits, along with a pretty face and tears trapped in her eyes. Those are the best powers of influence she has to use against a guy like me.

“What is it?” I ask harshly.

She puts a hand over her mouth and shakes her head.

“Do you need a moment?”

She nods. It’s awkward as hell. I did not expect this show of weakness from Grace.

“I need you to rethink your decision to fire me,” she says.

“If you were me, would you trust you after the stunt you just pulled?” I ask.

She stares at me pleadingly. This has to be a game she’s playing.

“I thought so,” I say.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

“I accept your apology, but I can never trust you again. I wish you luck though.”

“It’s just…”

I set my gaze. Even a fool can see that there’s no changing my mind.

“I just can’t stand that he chose her over me. That’s all.”

“If jealousy can make you pull a stunt like this, then maybe you should seek help.”

She wipes her eyes. “I guess I should.”

Whether she’s fucking with me or not, seeing her in this state makes me empathetic. “I’m not being facetious. Get help, then maybe we can talk in the future. Your father built this company from the ground up. It would be a shame if you weren’t part of its future, but after what you pulled, I need some assurance that I can trust you.”

We stare at each other. Grace finally turns and walks out of my office. She proceeds slowly down the aisle, keeping her head up. Carter hasn’t left yet, and I wait to see if Grace shoots her a final glare. She doesn’t, and I’m thankful. After she’s gone, Carter looks toward the exit then at me. We lock gazes. She’s the first to let go. Shit, I think she took my breath away.

I stay at my work for a while. Zoe was one of the first to leave. She wanted to stay, but I insisted that she leave. If anyone has pulled more than their share, it’s Zoe. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to reward her for the work she has done. Ralph had given her the job title of administrative assistant. I’ve considered changing her title to executive assistant and tripling her salary, but I haven’t yet spoken to her about where she sees herself in the next five years. The last thing I put on my calendar is “Meeting w/Zoe.” It’s set for nine Wednesday morning.

I rub my eyes and look at the time on the computer screen. It’s ten thirty at night. It’s time to return to the hotel. I have a busy weekend ahead of me, including house hunting and having one of my cars transported from LA to San Francisco. I believe I waited so long to handle these details because deep down, I thought I would fail at making this company float. I’m learning to never doubt myself again.

I yawn. That’s the final sign that it’s time to go. I power off my computer, turn off my desk light, and gather my things. The main floor light is off, which means everyone has left. As soon as I step out of my office, the main floor light turns on, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Carter is still in her chair with her face resting on her desk. She’s asleep.

I walk over and stand above her for a moment. She has the prettiest face. I don’t want to disturb her, but I can’t leave her here alone. I touch her shoulder. “Carter?”

She wakes with a start. “Shit…”

“You fell asleep,” I say.

“I did.” She rubs her eyes. “Shit, I was just…”

I wait for her to finish whatever she was going to say, but she doesn’t. Instead, she looks me in the eyes. Her pretty face makes me smile.

Carter shakes her head. “Nothing, I was just working.”

“No plans for the long weekend?” I ask.

She yawns. “I’ve got nothing. What about you?”

I’m surprised she asked me that so casually. She’s normally nervous around me. “I’m going to move out of that goddamn hotel. I have a friend who’s going to let me stay in his house until I buy my own.”

She perks up a little. “You’re going house hunting?”

I’m entranced by the sparkle in her eyes. “Yes,” I say breathlessly. “Do you want to come with me?” Shit, that slipped out.

“Are you serious?”

Extremely
. “Yeah. Sure. Yes.”

“Okay then.” She smiles. “I know of some great homes on the market that will suit your taste.”

I grunt, intrigued. “What do you know about my taste?” My heart skips a beat. I’ve been waiting for Carter to bat her eyelashes at me like that for the longest time.

“More than you think,” she says.

I know that I’m smirking. I want her to see that I’m thinking naughty thoughts about her. “Then lay it on me?”

“You’re a contemporary man but in the way that you like new materials.” She shakes her head. “No… you like to take the old and reform it into something that has never existed.”

“But there’s nothing new under the sun.”

“Exactly. But you don’t mind giving it the old college try.”

I want to kiss her, but instead I bite my lower lip. “Get your things. I’ll walk you out.”

Her smile is full of warmth. “That’s okay. I’m going to stay and work for a little while longer.”

“Oh yeah, what are you working on?”

She follows my line of sight to her desk. There’s nothing in front of her. As far as I can tell, she hasn’t been working on anything but sleep.

“I was just taking a break.” She lifts the top of her desk and takes out a drafting pad. “You gave me the Wilmore Estate. I was working on some options for the upstairs.”

She’s nervous, and I also suspect that she’s lying.

“That can wait until Wednesday, can’t it?” I say.

“I feel inspired now. I don’t want to lose momentum.”

I still sense that she’s more stressed than she’s letting on, but I don’t push. “Okay. Have a good night.”

“I will,” she says with another yawn.

“Good night then.”

“Good night.”

Our gazes linger. I don’t want to leave her. I take a few steps away then stop.

“Are you sure you have no plans for the weekend?” I ask. My heart is racing like a locomotive. This isn’t like me. I’m never nervous around women.

Her eyes expand. “I’m sure.”

Oh shit, I can’t believe I’m about to ask her this. “I’m staying at my house in Napa…”

“You have a house in Napa?”

“Yeah,” I say with a grin. “I was wondering if you wanted to come up. Maybe we can go house hunting from there.”

I anxiously await her reply. Her pretty face is so tired. She even has dark circles around her eyes.

“Sure, absolutely,” she says.

“Good. Then I’ll pick you up at around eight in the morning. What’s your address?”

She looks off to think. “You can just pick me up here.”

I grimace. “Here?”

“Yes.”

I wonder why she doesn’t want me to see where she lives. I don’t think she lives with a boyfriend or else she wouldn’t spend the weekend with me. Regardless, I don’t think I should stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.