Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
GATSBY
I hate analysts, commentators, and journalists.
Everyone in this world is on the lookout for robbers, viruses, and freeloading family members. I, on the other hand, have to worry about anyone who has the power to post articles on any kind of media. People love to air everything about my life—corporate and personal.
I loathe it.
How much is Gatsby Spearman worth?
It’s none of your business.
Who is he dating?
Again, none of your business.
Is he buying a new company?
Leave me the fuck alone.
I glance at the papers of the 59PM takeover strewn across my desk. Have I decided if I’m going to buy it? No. But everyone in the industry knows I’m thinking about it. They’ve been posting articles about it since last month when I first approached them.
The phone rings. I check the caller ID, and it’s Jerry Wilson, the chief technology officer of my company.He works in the San Jose offices. I wonder if he’s calling to give me the weekly report or…what else can he need at six in the morning pacific time?
I answer through the speaker and rise from my seat. “What’s going on, Jerry?”
“We have a problem, Gatz.”
The concern in his voice tightens my gut. I hate to start my week with bad news. I plunge my hands into the pockets of my slacks, staring at the floor-to-ceiling window that faces Park Avenue. Looking over one of the busiest cities in the world is usually relaxing. Not today.
I like New York well enough, but at this moment, I feel like packing my shit and driving back to San Francisco. I hate to admit that life is more manageable when I’m home.
I sigh. “Just tell me what’s wrong, Jerry.”
“ She’s at it again,” he says.
Jerry is a competent man, except when he sounds how my youngest brother, Huxley, did fourteen years ago when he complained about his twin, Cordelia. “Can you explain further? Who are you referring to, and what is she doing?”
“Another company is interested in acquiring 59PM,” he growls. “Any guesses of who might be doing that?”
I grin because, indeed, she’s at it again. Maia Azul Ocampo.My Little Blue.
Last year, she bought two companies from right under my nose—three the previous year.
I want to know her endgame because even though her company is doing well, she doesn’t have the same cash flow as I do.
The times I’ve asked to meet with her—forty-three and counting—her assistant has claimed she’s too busy to speak to me.
Going back to my computer, I google her name.
What are you up to, babe?
According to the images on the internet, she’s looking gorgeous as always.
In most of the pictures, her hazelnut-brown curly hair is tied into a chic and sleek bun.
I like it more when those curls rest on her shoulders.
My gaze moves to her hazel eyes, which are a work of art—hues of green blue and the scattered gold flecks.
My hand reaches toward the screen. My fingers yearn to touch her plush, kissable lips.
This is all I get, the cold screen and the perfect image of a girl I knew a long time ago.
I fucking miss her.
I miss that mouth that burned my lips with her ardent love.
But I don’t have the right to miss someone I relinquished fourteen years ago.
“You went silent again, Gatsby.”
“I’m searching for any indication that Ms. Ocampo is the one who wants to acquire it.”
“I know she’s doing it because I heard it from Mr. Robertson’s assistant. And before you say that I shouldn’t listen to gossip, I saw her last Friday, leaving the offices of 59PM. That chick has to be stopped. If you don’t watch it, she’s going to be on top of you.”
Funny that you mention it, Jerry. I love to have her on top of me and under. I never cared how. The only thing that mattered was being inside her.
Jerry doesn’t know that Maia and I go way back to my early years of college.
In fact, no one knows that before I graduated from Stanford, I went to Georgia Tech for five semesters.
That’s where I met her, just as her parents were helping her move into her studio apartment.
She reminded me a lot of my sister, Fern.
I thought she was a freshman, but it surprised me when I learned that she was starting her junior year of college.
The girl wasn’t just beautiful but also a genius. We had a lot of classes together. In the beginning, I made it my mission to look after her because she was too young and inexperienced. Then…well, then I fell hard for her.
So fucking hard.
I lost my heart to her and never cared to recover it.
That should’ve been the beginning of our love story, but I had to end it.
My father died unexpectedly. I had to move back home to take care of my younger siblings, and…
well, it didn’t make sense to call her when I couldn’t be with her.
My life was upside down for years. Now…well, now might be a good time to sit down with her and talk about the past and maybe ask her what the fuck her deal is.
I’ve been trying to contact her for years, and she rejects me at every turn.
And yet, she’s been fucking a few of my business deals because…why is she doing that?
“What were you doing at 59PM?”
“I—I…”
“Please tell me you’re not sleeping with someone at 59PM,” I growl.
And this is why people think I’m screwing every breathing being I come in contact with. He fucks around all the time. People spread the rumor. The company’s name comes into the conversation, my name follows it, and at the end, I’m the one fucking around. I’m not.
“That’s not important.”
“Until I have to call the public relations department and legal, so they can fix what you broke. Listen, I need you in the office. We need to research MarkTech and come up with a plan.”
“I will, but you need to stop disregarding this company. I’m tired of your typical, ‘she can have it,’ response. She’s just a woman. We can take her down.”
Angry heat burns my insides at the way he refers to my Maia.
He should be thankful I’m not there to fuck up his face.
“What does that mean? We’re not a misogynistic company that thinks women can’t be our competition or lead.
If Maia were a guy, you wouldn’t be making a big deal, would you?
And if Maia ends up on top of me…” I’ll be fucking thankful.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“This is your first and only warning. If I hear you make another misogynistic comment, you’re fired. I have two very successful sisters, and they’re deserving of that and more.”
“Whatever, but I think you need to take this more seriously. This company isn’t small. Maia Ocampo plays in the big leagues, man.”
“If 59PM is the right company for us, we’ll get it,” I respond, instead of telling him that if she wants it, she can have it.
But maybe, maybe , I should fight back this time. I’ve been letting her win too many times.
What happens if I change the strategy?
I might get to see her in person and switch things around.She likes to power play. I should’ve remembered that.
“You shouldn’t worry about it. I’ll handle it. Maia Ocampo is about to learn that the house never loses.”
For the first time in fourteen years, my heart thaws. I can’t help but grin at what might be my most successful takeover. Why didn’t I think about doing this before?
I might be able to win my prize back.
My Little Blue.
He laughs. “You’ve lost quite a few times to her.”
But have I? Maybe subconsciously I was getting ready for this moment. Sometimes to lure your prey, you have to leave some bait.
Get ready, Maia.
I plan to win.