Kanton.
“I ’D LIKE TO extend a special thank-you to all of you. I’m one man, which means my abilities are limited, but with a team like the one I have, we are unstoppable. It’s because of your hard work and dedication that Global is so profoundly successful.”
I lifted my champagne flute, and so did my team. We were small but mighty, and I meant every word. My drive and tenacity for business got us started, but their hard work and commitment to my vision allowed our continued growth.
“Cheers to Global, ending another year at the top of our game.”
“And to you for closing one of Global’s biggest deals to date.”
I offered a smile. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I don’t have the signatures just yet. I have to convince Brighton that we are the best choice he can make—the only choice he should make.”
“But you will. It’s why Global is the number one financial conglomerate on the East Coast and soon to be worldwide.”
“I’ll let you take that up with the big guy upstairs. For now, I’ll humbly accept that affirmation of our company’s continued growth and prosperity.”
“So modest. I’ll try to be you when I grow up, but for now, let’s toast to Global taking over the world.” Shelby smiled smugly.
“I second that.”
“Third.”
“Fourth,” my team rattled off.
I chuckled, tipping my glass as we all drank to the affirmation. “Okay, guys, the holiday officially begins today . . .”
“For us .”
“Right. While you’re all roasting chestnuts over an open fire with your families and loved ones, I’ll be closing the deal with Brighton to ensure you can all afford such luxuries.”
“Speaking of luxuries . . .” Gerald lifted his hand, rubbing his fingers together. “When should we expect those Christmas bonuses, boss?”
“Gerald, really ?” Shelby shot him an evil glare, but I wasn’t offended. They were all likely thinking the same thing and had more than earned the very generous gift they’d be receiving.
“Hey, I’m just saying what we’re all thinking. Consider me the sacrificial lamb or team advocate. I prefer the latter.”
I chuckled. “Accounts payable sent them out already. They should hit your accounts tonight. You’re welcome.”
“Thanks, boss.”
“Yeah, thanks, ”
Shelby tapped her watch, and I nodded. “Enjoy, guys. I’ve catered breakfast for you, which should be arriving shortly. After that, you’re free to head home. I have a flight to catch, and I’ll see you after the New Year. Enjoy your holiday.”
“With that Christmas bonus, you better believe we will,” Gerald stated with a wide grin.
“You’re terrible.”
“Nope, I’m real.”
Shelby and I left the conference room, and she fell in step with me. We stopped by my office to get my packed and waiting bags and then took the elevator down to the lobby, where Shelby filled me in on any last-minute details.
“I sent the final confirmation for the booking. You have the door code to get into the apartment. They have a doorman who works at a station there along with concierges in case you need anything, and I have a cleaning crew on standby, just in case.”
I frowned at Shelby, who brushed over my concerns. “I said, just in case. You never know with these types of bookings. It’s listed in the contract that they’ll have the place professionally cleaned before your arrival, but in the event it’s not up to your standards, I can have someone there to take care of it within the hour.”
I offered a nod.
“I would have had a backup place ready, but—”
“That won’t be necessary. I can’t imagine the place will be that bad. I can survive for one week.”
“Good to know because there isn’t an available space anywhere near the city. The closest is about forty minutes away. Atlanta is having the tenth anniversary of the inception of their town’s Christmas Festival, so it’s a huge deal. Everything’s booked.”
I groaned at the thought, and Shelby smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve secured your tickets to all the events for the week. Figured with you missing Christmas with your family, this would be right up your alley.”
I narrowed my gaze, and she smiled wider. “Kidding, boss. Lord forbid you actually enjoy the holidays for once in your life.”
“I don’t know what ‘enjoying the holidays’ means. Christmas, for me, is a production used to paint my family as the American dream. Perfect, wealthy, and happy. Which, by the way, two out of three we are not.”
“Well then, maybe I should snag a few tickets. That way, you can experience the real spirit of Christmas. Just might be exactly what you need.”
“I’ll pass. My focus will be on securing this deal with Brighton. Being in the same building means access. I simply have to figure out how to get to him. If I’m lucky, I can be back home by Thursday evening and I’ll be sitting on my sofa, drinking a beer to celebrate closing the deal with Brighton and my newly empty apartment.”
After some research, I found out Brighton had a huge Christmas Eve party yearly. The guest list was exclusive, but if I was in the same building, then surely I could crash the party, steal a few minutes of his time to corner Brighton, and convince him that my company was not only unfairly left off his list but we were also the only firm that should have been on the list in the first place.
I knew my shit, and if I could get to him, I could convince him of such.The problem was getting a meeting, which had been impossible; hence, my brilliant idea to fly out and crash his Christmas party.
“Sounds exciting.” She sounded anything but. “And I told you, just say the word, and the empty apartment thing is as good as handled.”
I smirked and wrapped my hand around the handle of my rolling suitcase when I noticed the Town Car pulling up in front of the building. “Stay away from Jordan. I mean it, and closing deals is all the excitement I need. If I’m right, that’s my ride.” I glanced at my watch, and she glanced at the vehicle.
“You are, but they’re four minutes late.”
I chuckled and tipped my head in her direction. “Merry Christmas, Shelby. I’ll let you know when I land and reach the apartment.”
“Merry Christmas, ”
I started toward the door, pausing just before pushing through the glass roundabout. “And Shelby?”
She looked at me with a raised brow, waiting. “If your perfect proposal isn’t so perfect, don’t give the guy a hard time. Things happen in their own time.”
“Or by way of subtle manipulation.” She smiled wickedly, and I shook my head. There was no talking any sense into her, but I believed with all my heart she would find a way to get exactly what she wanted. She always did.
“Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You too, boss. Go do what you do best.”
“I plan to.”
A moment later, I was meeting my driver, who took my bags and opened the back door for me. On the drive to the airport, I reviewed Brighton’s financial statements. I needed to make sure I had every angle covered because there was no way I was letting this deal slip through my fingers.
I arrived at the building with no issues. It was just after lunch, and I was exhausted from traveling, hungry, and ready to order some food, then dive into my business plans for the evening.
“At least the building is nice,” I muttered, stepping into the lobby, where an older gentleman in a tidy black suit smiled and greeted me.
“Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to Grey Plaza Towers. Who are you visiting? I can ring them for you.”
“Not visiting anyone. Just here for the week on business.”
The guy frowned and nodded. “Staying here?”
“Yes. Shared Space.”
“Ahh. Got it. I’m familiar. Many of our residents are getting into that. It’s a little weird if you ask me. Letting strangers live in your house while you’re not there to supervise. Never know what people are into these days, ya know?”
I raised a brow, and he quickly rolled his shoulders back and smiled. “Not that I think you’re into anything weird. Just speaking in general. You look like the normal type.” He frowned. “But then again, most of the weird ones do.”
I chuckled. “I assure you, I’m the normal type and not into anything weird. Just here on business. One of my potential clients lives in the building, which is why I opted for Shared Space.”
He perked up. “Oh yeah? Who’s your client?”
“Richard Brighton.”
“Ah, Brighton. Penthouse. Grey suits and a wife who’s way too young for him. But I know why he married her.”
“Or possibly why she married him?” I smirked, and he offered me a nod of understanding. Brighton was a very wealthy man. “You know him?”
“Sure do. I know all the residents. Been here since they overhauled the place and raised the property value of everything around here ten years ago. What unit are you staying in?”
“Twelve C?”
“Noel Anderson. She’s one of my favorites. I didn’t know she rented out her place. Just saw her a few days ago, and she was bummed about not being able to spend Christmas with her family. Christmas is kinda her thing.”
“Her thing?”
“Yeah, you know what I mean. She’s one of those that decorates. Bakes all of us cookies and hands out presents to the staff, and not just socks or ties or smelly candles. She really pays attention and gets us stuff we like. Last year, she got me and the wife tickets to a play. She remembered me mentioning how my wife loves theatre; it wasn’t anything fancy. Just something the college put together, but it was still nice, and the wife loved it.”
“I see why you like her. Thoughtful.”
“Very.”
I frowned and nodded, thinking about the fact that he’d just seen her. “Well, maybe something changed with her plans. I have my confirmation for the week.”
“Seems that way. Enjoy your stay, and again, welcome. I’m Lewis. I work the front desk Monday through Friday. If you need anything, I’m your guy.”
“Thank you, Lewis. It was a pleasure.” I extended a hand, which he accepted and shook.
“Elevators are that way.”
I offered a nod and followed his instructions, heading to the elevators, getting off on the twelfth floor, and locating my home away from home for the week. Once I had my phone in hand, I went to the email Shelby sent with the security codes to enter. I quickly keyed the four-digit combination and waited for the light to turn green, signaling I could enter.
Immediately, I frowned at the chaos surrounding me. The place was nice and colorful, just as the photos had shown, but there were plastic bins stacked in the living room, one with the lid off filled with tangled Christmas lights and ornaments.
Lewis did say she was a bit of a holiday enthusiast and that she’d had a change of plans. She might have left in a hurry.
Further inspection brought me to the kitchen,where a few dishes were in the sink: mugs, plates, and several food containers. What I’d walked into didn’t seem like a space prepared for visitors. I thought about what Lewis had mentioned and got Shelby on the line.
“Please tell me there’s not a problem with the apartment. You got in okay, right?” Shelby rushed out.
“I did. I’m here now.”
“Your tone sounds cryptic. What’s wrong with the place?”
“Nothing is especially wrong . It just looks a little . . .” I paused. “Lived in. Not what I was expecting.”
“Lived in?”
“There are dishes in the sink and Christmas decorations stacked in the living room. You did confirm my week here, didn’t you?”
“Are you really asking me that?” I smirked at the annoyance in her tone. “I confirmed and have the email as proof. We had to confirm within twenty-four hours of arrival that you would be there, and they had twenty-four hours before your arrival to cancel. There was no cancellation, The place is yours for the week. Hang on. I’ll get the cleaning crew on the line and have them there within the hour . . .”
“Let’s not go that far yet. Give me a moment before you call in the cavalry. I want to check things out. It’s not a huge deal. Just a few dishes which I can handle.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, not a big deal. Like I said, the place is nice. Just a minor detail.”
“Minor, my ass. I’m noting everything and leaving it in the review.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure you will. Let me get settled, and I’ll call you back later.”
“Will do, boss.”
I ended the call and folded one arm across my chest, bending the other at the elbow to brush my fingers over my chin, looking around to decide where to start.
Kitchen.
May as well get those dishes handled. I removed my coat and folded it over a stool positioned at the counter outlining the kitchen. Next to go was my tie, and then I rolled up my sleeves to get to work.
Not a great start to my week. I prayed this wasn’t a preview of what was to come.