3. Kent
Chapter Three
KENT
I sit in one of Dad’s chestnut leather wingback chairs, keeping my eyes and hands steady.
He stares at me for nine seconds. It may not sound that long, but try sitting in utter silence across from an overbearing, narcissistic dad-slash-boss in his office for almost ten seconds and tell me how fast your heart is beating.
My palms are damp, but I mirror his expression, showing no fear. Then again, Dad’s the kind of beast who can smell fear. I’m dying to say something, but I know better than to speak first. He’s made it quite clear in the past that he’s the king of this castle.
“We have a problem,” he says finally.
“A problem?” I quickly scan over the current list of Bonnaire Capital deals in my mind, but I can’t think of even a single “T” that isn’t crossed.
“It’s about the vote,” he says, looking me straight in the eye.
“What about it?” Now my heart is practically tachycardic.
“The board isn’t going to name you head of Bonnaire Capital. They’re giving the position to Collin.”
“Wait, what? Why?” Collin? I ball my fist and grit my teeth.
I figured the board would “consider” other candidates as a way of not seeming too nepotistic.
Then, I remember a brief conversation I had with Dash just a few weeks ago.
He said there were rumors about this. But Collin?
It makes no sense. He would be my absolute last choice.
“Well, for starters, he’s spent his entire career at Bonnaire Capital, and he’s been loyal to the company.” In my experience, Collin is loyal to no one but himself.
“So have I,” I argue. “I’m more qualified for this position in every way than him.”
“Every way except one. And unfortunately for you, it’s an important factor.”
My chest tightens. “And what’s that?”
“Collin is a stable family man.”
“Hardly. Didn’t you hear about him coming on to Kate last year when she was a prospective client?”
“I know of no such thing,” Dad growls back. “As far as I’m concerned, Collin has been an upstanding gentleman with a proper reputation.”
“And this is the board’s decision or yours?” I press him.
He huffs a frustrated sigh. “Kent, you’re missing the point.”
“Then explain it to me because from where I’m standing, this makes absolutely no sense. You and everyone else around here know I’ve earned this position.”
“This is not a judgment against your work. But you have to admit, you don’t exactly display the stable, focused man in your personal life. You’re on display in the rags with different women. When I was your age, I was married to your mother, with Mick and Drew on the way.”
“It was different back then. These are new times.”
“Then consider the board old school. You’re young, rich, successful. But the board is concerned about your immature reputation. We believe that shareholders will be more comfortable with a family man in the role.”
“I can’t believe this.” I can’t believe they expect us to work under Collin Evans.
I won’t back down. There’s still time. “Okay, then I’ll prove to the board that my dating life has nothing to do with my ability to run the firm.
” Though, what more can I do to show them?
I’m already working from dawn ‘til dusk. My portfolio speaks for itself. Not to mention, I’m well-liked by my colleagues—except for Collin, of course.
But there has to be something. Some way to show that I’m the best man for the job.
“If you want to prove yourself to the board, you need to grow up and settle down. Get yourself a wife. Perhaps then, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
Get myself a wife, huh? That’s what I need to do?
Hmm. I’ve never considered getting married.
Who has time for a wife these days anyway?
I know I don’t. But it’s clear from this conversation I need to do something, even if that something seems rash.
If I can show the board that I’m a changed man in a stable, committed relationship before they vote at the end of the month, then what?
The job is mine? “You mean if I were engaged, they would reconsider?”
“That would be a start.”
A start is good enough for me. And with the vote inching closer every day, it’s the only card I have to play. I can’t believe I’m about to do this but what choice do I have? Besides, I have a good feeling about this. This could work.
“Well,” I begin and clear my throat, ready to take the plunge. “I was waiting for the right moment to tell you and the rest of the family, but as a matter of fact, I’m recently engaged.”
Blimey, I actually did it.
Ballsy move, eh?
Dad blinks, twisting his lips this way and that. He looks like he’s a corporate bot about to malfunction. I’ve never seen my father so flabbergasted. Finally, he manages to say, “Engaged!”
“Yes. My brothers are settling down, and I realized that it’s time for me to move on to the next stage of my life.”
Or more like the next stage of my plan to get this promotion, which isn’t totally clear yet. But I’ll figure it out as soon as I get over the fact that I’ve just announced my engagement.
Dad narrows his dagger-like stare. “Engaged to whom?”
Good question, Dad. Good question. There’s only one woman I’m interested in playing fiancé with. Now I just have to get her to say yes.