I graduated at the top of my class and got a coveted internship with Balman and Pierce, the leading company in machine tools and metal manufacturing. For the past ten years I’ve shot up to where I am today as the chief operating officer. I oversee everything that goes on in this company, but I want the grand prize. The former chief executive officer and my mentor at Balman and Pierce died suddenly last summer on a yacht in what’s been said are unsavory circumstances.
His mistress and a bag of cocaine were found aboard, both of which I was unaware of. It was a scandal to say the least, but I worked hard to keep it quiet and to show that business as usual would go uninterrupted.
Since last summer the CEO position has been vacant, and I’ve done my best to show that I’m the one for the job. Not only am I the natural choice, but I’ve managed to double our production and profits in the ten years I’ve been working for Balman and Pierce.
The problem is the board doesn’t think I’ve put in enough time, but I believe it’s because I haven’t kissed enough ass. So if they want to hire strippers that give million-dollar blow jobs for their annual celebration, I don’t give a fuck.
Part of what Selma said is right, because initially this job was only for a paycheck—and a hefty one at that. But since then it’s become a race to the top, and I won’t stop until I win. Maybe I’m not the man I used to be, but I’ve had to grow up quickly here.
When I got her the job in accounting, she wasn’t questioning her six-figure salary or the perks that came along with it. But since we lost our mom, she’s been pushing back, and now she’s pushing in the wrong direction.
The last thing I need is her ruffling feathers, and although she’s right, I need to keep her quiet. All of this aside, she didn’t take much time off work after Mom died. Although to be fair, neither did I. I think we thought by throwing ourselves back into the company it would fill the void we were scared to face.
Selma needs some time off away from work, but suggesting it might just piss her off more. I need to think of something I can have her do to occupy her time and stay out of the board’s line of sight. The last thing I need is them using her as a reason to not promote me. She might not like my career path, but in the end it will benefit the both of us. That’s how I’m justifying what I do next.
I send an email to HR reminding them to double-check that all staff hired for the event needs to have their non-disclosure agreement signed before entering the building. I tell them that I want the pay doubled and security at the door after they enter. I meant what I said to Selma, that I’d never want a woman to do anything she doesn’t want to, but I’m not going to stop the ones that do. With the money they’re getting paid for the event, I have no doubt they’ll be lining up to be leered at.
After I hit send, I lean back in my chair. I don’t feel good about any of this, but I’ll feel better when it’s finished. Thankfully it’s only the board and a handful of department heads that will be in attendance at the party. Wives and girlfriends aren’t invited to attend this year since the theme is Gentlemen’s Club, but now I can see why after the invoices. I close my eyes and force myself to focus on what’s important here, and a waitress dressed as a bunny is the absolute least of my worries.
Chapter Three
Lux
I rub my eyes, still feeling beyond tired. If I could I’d pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. I’m not used to the sounds of the city, and when the car alarm goes off outside my window I know it’s not going to happen anytime soon. Plus, I have an appointment with a temp agency in a few hours. My plan is to be an hour early so that for once I’m not late.
Tossing the blanket back, I crawl out of bed and almost trip over a pile of clothes before getting to my bedroom door. I pause when my phone starts to ring, and I glance over to the stack of boxes I put next to the bed as a side table. The only piece of furniture I have right now is a bed that was delivered late last night.
“Crap!” I yelp as I stub my toe on something and grab my phone. “Hello.”