Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Chris wasn’t one to meddle so the fact that he was so passionate about what was upsetting him told me that he wouldn’t relent. I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but it would just lead to another blow up I didn’t want to deal with. Besides, while I didn’t expect more from my employees that I didn’t expect of myself, my goal wasn’t to make them run away in fear from me. As for Cheri, I couldn’t ask for a better assistant, and the fact that I’d upset her to the point of crying didn’t sit well with me. I made a mental note to have some flowers sent to her.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Chris demanded, breaking me out of my silent musings.
“It’s complicated.” I released a heavy sigh while slumping in my seat.
“It’s only as complicated as you make it. Look man, you brother hasn’t been dead that long, and I know how much he meant to you. You only took a week off, and that was because you were helping your mother plan the funeral. Have you actually taken the time to properly grieve?”
I was about to deny his claim, but Chris held up his hand halting me before I had the chance.
“No, hear me out. I know what you’re going through. When my dad died, the first couple months I went through the motions. I didn’t cry, and I tried not to think about him that much. But one day I just woke up angry, and I didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until his birthday rolled around and I broke down. All those emotions I was going through was because I couldn’t allow myself to say goodbye to him. Because if I did, that would mean acknowledging he was gone. Maybe you should take some time off to get yourself together.”
“I don’t need to take any time off; besides, I have meetings lined up for weeks.”
“They can be rearranged. You’re not doing anyone any good here. In fact, I insist that you take some time off. We have competent people here that are more than capable of stepping in. I know how to reach you in case of emergency.”
Maybe I hadn’t truly said goodbye to Kenny, but there was something else going on that I couldn’t ignore. Against my better judgment I found myself confessing. “Frankie is staying at my house.”
Chris’s eyes doubled in size, and his mouth fell open. “Frankie as in Kenny’s widow?”
“Yes and before you ask me why, it’s for reasons I don’t want to get into now, but it certainly doesn’t help issues.”
“I suppose it wouldn’t considering you never got over her.”
I snort, shaking my head in disdain. “More so disgusted.”
“Well if you’re so disgusted then why is she staying at your place? Look, you don’t have to answer, but I hope you know what you’re doing. I know how torn up you were when the two of you broke up. Strange thing is, even after what she did to you, I never got the impression that she’s not a horrible person.”
I rolled my eyes. Chris had a soft spot for beautiful women, but he didn’t know this succubus the way I did. But now that she was the topic of the moment, I at least didn’t have to focus on the loss of my brother. I could direct all my emotions to the woman who was responsible for it. “You don’t know her like I do.”
“Maybe not. But if she’s so bad, why invite her into your home? I don’t see why you’d want more chaos in your life.”
“As I said, I have my reasons. I shouldn’t have brought her up. You’re right. Maybe I do need to take a little time off, but I can’t completely stop working. How about this: I take a few weeks off and work mostly from home. I’ll teleconference in for the meetings I can’t miss. I’ll turn over some of my portfolios to some of our more promising associates. It might give them a chance to shine.”
Chris stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You are a perpetual workaholic, but if this is the best I can get out of you, then I suppose your solution is a fair compromise. It’s okay to rely on other people sometimes.”
“I know. I appreciate your looking out for me.”
“I hope when you’re home you’ll take some time to relax and maybe just sit and think.”
I doubt that was going to happen with Frankie in close proximity. On the other hand, with my being home I could keep her on her toes. Perhaps working from home wouldn’t be a bad thing after all. “I think I have something I’d like to do while I’m home that will keep me occupied.”
“Care to tell me what that is?”