Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Iwake up to Jake rushing around the room, putting his clothes back on. “What’s wrong?” I ask him.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I have to get to the office.”
“Now? What time is it?”
“Seven.” He continues getting dressed and I continue staring at him. It’s not that strange for him to leave this early. It is strange that he seems to be in so much of a rush. Once he’s fully dressed, he leans over and presses his lips to the center of my forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too. What has you spooked?”
“I’ll tell you everything tonight. But I need you to promise me something.”
“What?” I almost say anything. Because, let’s be honest, I probably would do anything for this man.
“I need you to promise me you won’t leave this house,” he says.
“Why?”
“Jazzy? Please, just stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kisses me once more and then he’s walking out the door.
Something’s happened. I can tell. I just don’t know what. I know I’m not going to be able to get back to sleep now. It’s pointless.
Rolling out of bed, I find my robe and then head down to the kitchen. I need coffee.
“Morning,” my dad says. He’s at the stove, making pancakes.
I smile. I love my dad’s pancakes. “Morning. Are you making pancakes?”
“Yes, it’s been way too long since I’ve made them for you,” he says.
“And me! I’m here too, also your kid,” Aiden pipes up from where he’s sitting at the kitchen counter.
“I’m well aware who my children are, Aiden,” Dad retorts.
“Don’t worry, Aiden. You’re still my favorite sibling.” I pick up the coffee pot and pull a mug down from the cabinet. After filling my cup, I go and sit next to my brother.
“We don’t have favorites in this house,” my dad says.
Aiden snorts. “Sure you don’t.” He looks to me. “We all know Jazzy is the favorite.”
“I am not.”
“She’s not the favorite. She’s just the nicest. And the cleanest,” Dad clarifies.
“Smartest too.” This comes from CJ as he enters the kitchen. “Are we just listing Jazzy’s good traits? When do we get to name all the shitty ones?”
“I don’t have any shitty traits,” I tell him.
“You have one.” CJ smirks.
“What is it?”
“Your choice in men,” he says.
I shrug. He’s not wrong. I have chosen some shitty boyfriends. Current one excluded. I think my family is having more of a hard time forgiving Jake for breaking my heart than I am.
Have I forgiven him? I think I have. I like what we are building together now. I like the prospect of a future with him.
“I’m ready to show you my presentation today, Dad,” I say, changing the subject.
“Really? I can’t wait.”
“So, when can you squeeze me into your busy schedule?”
“Jasmine, we’re in the same house. Just come into my office when you’re ready,” he says.
“I’m trying to be professional. No nepotism, remember,” I remind him.
My brothers laugh at me. “Right, because being the daughter of the boss isn’t going to get any nepotism,” CJ says.
“I can easily go and work for any other company. In fact, Jake already tried to get me to work on a project with him.” I’m telling a half truth. He did tell that one old dude that I was at his office because we were working on something together.
“Tell Jacob I don’t take kindly to my staff being poached,” Dad grunts.
“And sleeping with the boss isn’t going to be jumping from one form of nepotism to another?” Aiden asks.
“Shut up,” I hiss.
“Don’t speak about your sister like that.” Dad places a plate full of pancakes in front of me.
“Why does she get them first? I was here first,” Aiden says.
“Because she’s the favorite child.” Dad laughs as he turns back to the stove.
“You just said you didn’t have favorites,” Aiden whines.
“I lied,” Dad says.
“Well, I’d love to stay and chat but some of us have shit to actually do.” CJ leaves the kitchen.
“Where is he going?” I ask.
“Nowhere you need to be,” Dad tells me.
After breakfast, I shower and dress as if I’m going to the office. I’ve been lounging around in sweats or tights for the two weeks I’ve been cooped up here. It actually feels good to do my hair and makeup.
I want to make a good impression. I’m nervous.
I don’t know why, but I’ve never been more nervous to make a presentation about company improvements to anyone before.
This is my dad, though. I don’t want him to just go along with my ideas because I’m his daughter.
I want him to be impressed by them. I want him to like my ideas.
Picking up my laptop and the printed presentation folder I prepared, I head down to my dad’s office. When I knock, the door swings open, and my Uncle Louie is standing on the other side.
“Princess, how you been?” he asks, tugging me into a hug. “You okay?” He pulls back, his eyes searching my face.
“Yeah, just nervous,” I admit.
“About what?”
“Presenting my ideas to Dad,” I whisper.
“Jazzy has some improvements she wants to make to Aces. You should stay and hear them, Louie,” Dad says.
My eyes widen. Seriously, now I have to present them to my dad and my uncle? Great. “I only have one portfolio. I thought it would just be you.” I tentatively approach the desk.
“We can share,” Dad says.
“Right, okay. Well, I want you to be honest. Don’t tell me you like these ideas if you really don’t.”
“When it comes to money, I’m always honest, Jazzy,” Uncle Louie chimes in.
“The floor is yours.” My dad gestures in front of him.
“Okay.” I hand over the folder to him and sit on the opposite side of his desk. Then I open my laptop and pull up my presentation and key points.
An hour later, I’ve spoken about all the areas I think could be improved at the casino. I’ve answered questions from both my dad and my uncle.
And at the end, I take a breath. “That’s it.”
My dad and uncle continue to stare at me. I can’t tell what they’re thinking. But my nerves are skyrocketing right now.
“This is fucking brilliant, Jazzy,” Dad finally says.
“I agree. Your ideas are fucking epic, Jazzy. Why the fuck haven’t we already implemented any of this?” Uncle Louie turns to Dad.
“Because we’re not as smart as she is,” Dad says proudly.
“You really like my ideas? You’re not just saying that?” I ask.
“No, I love them. In fact, I want you to run through all my casinos. I want them revamped, and you’re the girl who’s going to get it done.”
“You’re not poaching my staff,” Dad grunts.
“It’s not poaching if she wants the job,” Uncle Louie counters.
“Okay, thank you. I… uh… You can let me know which bullet points you want to act on first, and I can start making them happen. Thank you for your time.” I stand, pick up my laptop, and run out of the office. Sighing in relief that it’s over and that they seemed to actually like my suggestions.
I head back upstairs, find my phone, and message Jake.
Me:
I presented my ideas to Dad and Uncle Louie. They loved them.
Jake:
Of course they did. You’re fucking smart as hell, Jazzy. You are going to be an asset to Westmead Industries when I convince you to join me here.
Me:
My dad would probably kill you.
Jake:
Nah, he loves me now.
Me:
Love is too strong. He tolerates you.
Jake:
Same thing.
Me:
How’s your day going?
Jake:
Have you seen the news?
Me:
No, why?
Jake:
Levine got arrested this morning, insider trading. Also, one of the family members is being accused of syphoning all the liquid cash into untraceable accounts.
I gasp. What the hell? Bradley’s family? I can’t imagine Brad would do that.
Me:
Is Brad okay?
Jake:
I don’t fucking care. If he contacts you, Jazzy, ignore him. He cannot be trusted.
Me:
We’ve known him all our lives, Jake. He’s been our friend forever.
Jake:
I’m serious, Jazzy. Do not trust him.
Me:
Okay.
I hate that he has so much distrust for someone we used to hang out with every day. I’ve kept in contact with Brad since leaving school. I honestly have never gotten a bad vibe from him.