Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Simon
My father walked over to Bella and hugged her. “That was excellent, sweetheart. I’ve never seen anyone give a better presentation. Simon, join me in my office.”
“I’ll be there in a second, Dad.”
Simon stared at me. “I’m so proud of you. You were beyond amazing.”
“Thanks. It felt good.”
“I’m sure it did.” I pressed my lips against her forehead.
“I can’t believe you fired Greg. You didn’t have to do that, Simon.”
“Yes, I did. Nobody speaks to you that way. Besides, he isn’t on board with the new direction this company is going. I can’t have people like that working for me. Nick will take you home. I have to meet with my father.”
“Okay.” She smiled.
I left the conference room and headed to my father’s office. I stepped inside, shut the door, and sat in the chair in front of his desk.
“Have you slept with her yet?” he asked the second I sat down.
“That’s none of your business, Dad.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. How flexible are you about not kicking her out on October 31st?”
“What are you talking about? What is going on here?” My brows furrowed.
“The entire time Bella was talking, my head was spinning with ideas. I want to create another division for MDG.”
“What type of division?” I asked.
“Montclair Living.”
“Montclair Living?” I cocked my head.
“Yes. A new division for MDG responsible for creating the lifestyle, experience, and identity surrounding our residential properties. Montclair Living will make people want to live in Montclair residences.”
“But that’s what our marketing department is for,” I said.
“And we see how well that’s working out, son,” he sighed.
“We need to take this company in a new direction. Times are tough right now, and people want to make sure they’re making the right decision before buying.
We can sell them that. Make them confident about buying from us.
As Bella said, make them a part of our family.
Montclair Development builds the property, and Montclair Living creates the life inside it. ”
I liked where my father was going with this. I hadn’t seen him this excited, ever.
“I’m guessing you want Bella to head up this new division?” I asked.
“Damn right, I do. But first, before we do anything, let’s hire her temporarily for Montclair Tribeca.
That will be our running ground for the new division.
If she pulls it off, we’ll give her a director position with her own team.
But you have to be willing to tear up those damn rules you put in place.
Can you do that? Or will this be a problem? ”
“As good as all of this sounds, I’m not sure about it.”
“Why?” His brows furrowed.
“Because if we give Bella the position, everybody will think it’s because she’s sleeping with me.”
“She won’t report to you. She’ll report to me. And I’ll make the announcement.”
“People will still talk,” I said.
“People always talk, son.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea to mix business with pleasure.”
“What is really going on here?” His eyes narrowed.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You’ve spent your entire adult life making rules designed to keep everything separated.
Women over here. Business over there. Family somewhere else.
You know why? Because if nothing overlaps, nothing gets messy.
Just like your stupid ten-rule list you have hanging on your refrigerator.
Son, sometimes rules make sense until they don’t anymore.
We’ll start with Tribeca and go from there.
We’ll keep it temporary for now. But you need to rip up that rule list and forget it ever existed.
Talk about it with her over dinner tonight.
I’m sure she’ll be excited. Now, get out of here. I have to call Mary.”
I stood from my seat and headed toward the door. I stopped, turned, and looked at my father.
“You really think we should do this with Bella?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Even knowing the situation?”
“Especially knowing the situation,” he said.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“That means I watched her today, Simon. She wasn’t looking at you for approval.
She didn’t need you to answer for her. When marketing pushed back, she stood her ground.
And most importantly, everyone in the room stopped seeing her as the woman you brought in about five minutes after she started talking.
Tear up the rules, son. Just this once and see what happens. ”
I left his office and stepped into mine.
I’d spent years making sure the women I slept with never crossed into my professional life.
That was why I never pursued anyone at the office.
I kept my life clean, simple, and controlled.
But every day I spent with Bella slowly undid all of that.
I was afraid that if I brought her into the company, it would all vanish and turn to chaos.