Chapter 2

The Billionaire

March 29, 2009

Beuford Randolph Ellison III

"I'm coming. I just got held up a bit. I went by the hospital to get some papers signed then I helped this girl that was being harassed by her ex." I got out of my car and walked fast. The Chrysos, a building my great grandfather built, stood in the center of the city.

"I'm literally walking on the grounds now, Corine." I hung up and put my phone in my pocket. 

"Good morning, Mister President," Frank, the head security, said. "Hope you have a good day today sir." He saluted and smiled. 

"I already did, Frank. I already did." I grinned from ear to ear. It's been a long time since a woman ever made me interested like that. 

God, I hope she calls me soon.

"Morning sir," Janice, my secretary of five years, said in her usual happy tone. "Your coffee is on the table and Miss Corine has been waiting for about two hours." I knew Corine must have given her a hard time for my tardiness. "Tnx, Jan and sorry about you know who." She winked and went back to her desk.

"Hi. Sorry. I'm here now." I smiled at Corine sitting stiffly on the office couch. She pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow before saying, 

"What did you mean you saved some girl? Like you intervened in a fight? That's the stupidest thing you've ever done, Boo. You could've gotten hurt. Do you know how many people in this city own guns now?"

Corine stood up and walked towards me. She held my chin up and turned my face left to right, checking for any injuries. 

"You do remember I'm a black belt, yes?" I stepped back from her. Being too close to anyone always freaked me out. Even Corine. As I sat in my chair, the memory of her love confession months ago made me smile. 

"Why are you smiling?" Corine snapped. Her eyebrows met and formed a single line. Boy, was she irritated today. 

"Nothing. I thought of something, that's all. So, how did your meeting with the Yashimo group go?" I opened the folder on my table. "We have to finish all these today.  I'll be unavailable next week." 

"What?! Where are you going?" Corine said, her voice a pitch higher than usual. 

"Ferguson Inc. finally wants to sell," I boasted. "We’re gonna make billions, Corine! I’m going to fly to Seattle on the 31st, work out the details and seal the deal. It’ll take a week, give or take.” Corine folded her arms and only stared at me.

“What's wrong? A billlion dollars can't even make you smile a little bit?

“Yipee..”  She said without the faintest excitement. This woman really needs to get laid soon. I smiled. If it wasn't for her strict demenour, men would probably fall in line to date her. 

By the time I was done with all the papers that needed signing, it was already four in the afternoon. Janice knocked on my office door and brought in my coffee. It happened in a flash. She tripped on a loose rug five steps from me and the coffee burned me right in the chest.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry Mr. Beuford, sir. I’ll get you napkins.” She ran outside before I could tell her not to worry because I had a handkerchief.

I put my hand in my pocket but it wasn’t there. Lucille. The memory of her radiant smile warmed my already burning and wet chest. I definitely have to see that gorgeous girl again.