Mind your business

Max

I arrive at the company fifteen minutes to eleven. I look around cautiously for any signs of Tate, a supervisor in finance I accidentally slept with. Well, the sex wasn’t accidental, but sleeping with an employee was. Now, every chance he gets, he pesters me to give him another chance. With no Tate insight, I make a beeline for the elevator, quickly pressing the top floor.

The elevator doors open and Ryan greets me with my regular cup of coffee.

I grab the coffee and the files.

“Do you have the folders?” He hands them to me.

“They are in conference room B. The official start time is 11. However, Mr. Abercrombie is already giving an impassioned speech.”

“I bet he is. Go back to work and let me know if anything important happens. I’ll head to my office to take a breather before going in.”

“Go get them.” He says before hurrying off.

I smile, planning to have heads rolling if they mess with me.

I walk into my office, place the files on the desk, take a seat, and enjoy my morning coffee. They won’t see me before 11 am sharp. I will not give them the impression they have me rattled. Hunter can give all the speeches he wants, but this is my company and he will not take it.

A minute to 11, I grab the folders and head to the conference room, ready for whatever Hunter is about to throw at me.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.” I glance at Hunter, who is smirking as if he has already won.

“Why have you people called me here to waste my time?”

“Is the image of your company a waste of time, Ms. Swallows?” He asks. I clench my teeth. This asshole knows how to push my buttons.

“Of course not, Hunter, but our company image is spotless. We are a green company that donates millions a year to charity. What image are you concerned about?” I ask with the best fake smile I can muster.

“The one of the C.E. O carrying on an around town like some cheap floozy.” He remarks casually, tossing his hand in the air as the other members of the board gasp or nod in agreement. I’m pissed off, but will let him have this because it will be more fun when I crush him.

“Hunter”

“I have told you repeatedly to address me as Mr. Abercrombie.”

“And I have told you repeatedly, Hunter, that my private life is none of your business. Who I sleep with is not the company’s business,” I say.

“It wouldn’t be if you kept it private, but it’s splashed all over page six, a different man every night. Honestly, Max, you cannot think this is good for the company.” He says.

“I don’t know what you mean by that. What is good for the company is the C.E. O and brainchild’s happiness. When I’m happy, the company is successful. Did you not enjoy the fact that profits were up 30% last quarter? And up 35% this quarter. Multiple men in my bed make me happy and the company’s rising profits make our investors happy. Excuse me if I cannot see the issue. It sounds like you have a problem and, frankly, I don’t care what you think.” I finish.

A pained look in his eyes before it is quickly replaced with anger.

“This is a family-oriented company. What would people think?”

“Considering our rising profits, it seems they don’t care.” I retort.

“Max, this needs to stop. Why can’t you settle down and get married?”

“Oh, because I’m a woman. I should get married and have kids?”

“No-I” He frowns. “I just want you to take….” He sighs and settles back in the chair. “This conversation is pointless.” Finally, he’s giving up. I knew I would eventually wear him down.

“I’m glad you finally see it as I do. You all can lea-”

“Let’s a vote.” He says, cutting me off.

I frown. I should have known he would never give up, but I keep thinking there is a decent human under there somewhere. I guess I was wrong.

“Fine, let’s take a vote but before you do.” I stand with the folders in my hands.

“I have something I think some of our board may be interested to see. Please take a second to review before you make your decision, gentlemen.” I go around and hand out six dossiers to key members of the board. As they review what’s in it, the color drains from their faces.

“Have you reviewed properly, gentlemen?” I receive a nod from each before turning back to Hunter beaming.

“Okay, ask your question.” He looks at me puzzled, but stands and asks.

“Can I get a show on hands for all to support setting a date to vote on the future of our C.E. O position?” I smirk as no one raised their hands. Hunter’s face turns red. He realizes that the game is over and once again he’s lost.

“Mr. Stern?” He asks pleadingly, but the man just holds his head down and shakes it.

“It’s over, Hunter. Please stop wasting our time with this foolishness. We are all very busy individuals.”

He looks at me as if he is about to explode before walking to the window, hands stuffed in his pockets, looking sad and defeated. I furrow my brows. I can understand his feeling of defeat, but the sadness confused me. Is he that twisted? He’s sad he could not steal my company? I shrug, ignoring the confusing man, turning my attention to my female board members who have always supported me.

“It’s lovely to see you, ladies. I am sorry we could not have met under better circumstances. We should have lunch soon.” I say to the group of women on my board.

“Lunch sounds fabulous. Have Ryan set it up.” Mrs. Heinz says.

“Yes, please. I need a dose of your juicy stories, Max. You know I live vicariously through you.” Mrs. Zuckerman says.

“Oh, I have plenty to share. I’ll have Ryan schedule it for this weekend.”

They giggle like high school girls as they leave the boardroom. I was lucky to have found such supporting open mind women. If only I had made this an all-woman board, there would be no need for meetings like these.

I get lost in my head, not realizing everyone has left except me and the devil, until he clears his throat. I look at him as I often do whenever we get together. He’s what I consider classically handsome. He is tall, muscular with dark brown hair and brown eyes, exactly my type. If only he wasn’t such an uptight prude, we would have had one amazing night together. He clears his throat and I realize I’m staring, but I am not one to be embarrassed, so I continue looking until I get my fill.

“Do you like what you see?” He asks.

“Hardly,” I say, denying it as I turn to leave. “It’s always good to see you, Hunter, but if you’ll excuse me.”

“May I have a word with you, Ms. Swallows?”

“Haven’t you said everything you needed to?” I stop and ask, annoyed.

“No.” I sigh. I wish I could throw him out, but he owns 20% of the company and is respected by the board, so I have to play nice.

“Fine, you can speak to me in my office.”

We walk in silence. He ensures he’s keeping a safe distance from me, and I wonder if he thinks I have cooties. I chuckle.

“What’s funny?” He asks.

I’m about to tell him it’s nothing, but I feel the urge to play with him.

“Were you one of those boys who thought girls had cooties when you were younger?”

“Yes.” I laugh, amused. He probably thinks I have cooties. “Why? What does that have to do with anything?” He asks as he furrows his brows.

“Nothing, just curious,” I mumble as we approach my office door.

We walk into the room, and I offer him a seat while I take mine.

“What would you like to discuss?” I ask, hoping to get him out of here quickly.

He looks around before settling in. You would think this is his first visit, but he shows up at least once a month with the same b. s then requests a private audience.

“Ahem.” I clear my throat. “Make this quick. Some of us work.”

“Are you saying I don’t?” He frowns as he turns to face me.

“Who would think you do when you’re always here bothering me?” I say with a curt smile.

“I’m looking out for the company’s best interest.”

“So you claim. Tell me what you want.”

“Ms. Swallows, I think you should settle down and get married.”

Of course, it’s the same crap. “Hunter, I think you should mind your business.” He scoffs as I look at him pointedly. I have no reason to mince words with this vulture.

“This is my business.” He glowers at me and I wonder what I’m missing here. So he wasn’t getting laid. Does that mean everyone should also not get laid?

“I cannot see how. Men sleep around all the time Hunter and some liberal women enjoy it as well. I happen to be one of them.”

“Yes, that is painfully obvious you are…”

“Loose? You’ve called me that before.” He looks at me, shocked as if it is the first he’s heard of this.

“When did I?”

“Look, Hunter.”

“Please refrain from using my first name.” He barks. He has asked me on multiple occasions to not call him by his name because it is too familiar, but I don’t care.

“Hunter, I’m tired of this conversation. Please see yourself out.”

I pull up my computer and start typing, ignoring the obnoxious man sitting before me.