Keisha had grabbed a note pad from the table and was already scribbling furiously.
“Anything else, sir?” she asked as she finished noting his last words. She looked up at him but remained quiet while she awaited a response. He seemed to be in thoughts.
Eventually, he shook his head.
“Nothing I can think of. The rest will be discussed in the meeting. I’ll let you know if anything else comes up.”
Keisha bobbed her head. “Of course. I’ll be on my way, now.”
She turned around once more to go. She was almost at the door when he stopped her this time.
“Ms. Young?”
She spun and raised her brows.
“Can you travel? Today? Would it be too sudden?”
Immediately, she began to do a run-through in her mind. Could she travel? Did she have any plans? Engagements? No… she didn’t. Jordyn was going to her mother’s place for the rest of the week, tomorrow. She had no other friends, no boyfriend… her life was a sad one. Of course, she could pack up and leave.
“Yes, it would be too sudden, but I wouldn’t be missed.”
When Kane sighed, it seemed as though he was truly relieved. Relieved that she was free to travel with him, but she knew it was strictly for business purposes. They worked well together. As he often would say, she was his eyes and limbs. Sometimes, his second mind.
“Good. You may leave after the meeting to go pack a bag. Pack for two weeks, and light clothing, please. Miami is always warm, this time of the year.”
Of course, she knew that. “Of course. I’ll do just that.”
“Thank you, Keisha. It always feels better knowing you are with me. I need to be there to find out what’s happening.”
Keisha nodded her head, understanding him perfectly. Kane Wells wasn’t one to stay away from problems that affected his company. He liked to be on site and tackle things head-on, and this would be like just one of their many business trips.
“I totally understand. I’ll be ready as soon as you are.”
He nodded and wordlessly, she slipped out of his office – this time, with no interruption.
Chapter 2
As soon as the meeting ended, Kane was on his way home to pack for the trip too. He had a closet filled with a handful of clothes in his office, but not enough to cater for two weeks. The meeting had been helpful, as all the minds of the board members put together had revealed a pattern he and Keisha hadn’t noticed at first.
Someone, a group of people – whatever – all that was clear was that funds were being siphoned. The company’s money was being stolen, goods were being hijacked during shipments and substandard goods were being sold in their place – leading to the drop in sales. Whoever they were, they had been covering it up pretty well, up until this moment.
Now that the problem had been revealed, Kane had to find out who was behind it. He was very certain that this wasn’t the handiwork of just one individual. The individual had plenty of help, and help from high places for that matter, for it to have gone on for this long, unnoticed.
It hurt him beyond words to accept this truth. If there was anything they did in Wells Holdings, it was to provide their employees with the best work environment possible. There were incentives, bonuses, regular promotions, raises, vacations, name it! He was a good boss and they had an HR team that listened to the needs and complaints of employees and fixed things.
In simple words, Wells Holding operated like one big family and it was destabilizing to know that a group of people had chosen to ruin that relationship by betraying trust this way. For what reason? Greed? Wells Holdings prided itself in making certain that their staff were satisfied and well paid.
Every member of staff was considered well above the middle-class strata. However, it was common knowledge that when greed ruled a man, no amount of wealth could satisfy him. A part of Kane ate at him. How could he have been so blind for so long? How could he not have seen this?
The truth was, this was going to be a hard nut to crack. They would have to perform serious investigations to uncover the culprits, and even then, it was quite impossible to hold on to hope that they would be able to recover the money lost or repair the market damage.
These were the thoughts on his mind as he arrived home. As soon as he turned off the engine of his Rolls Royce, he got out to find his mother waiting for him on the porch. After his father died five years ago, he had moved back into the home he had grown up in. Before that, he had been living in a penthouse. Kane had never bothered with building another house for himself in Denver, knowing fully well that this day would come.
The penthouse had served its purpose when he had needed to lead his own life, outside the watching eyes of his parents – oh well, as far outside as he could get. As a public figure, most of his life was in the media, anyway. And that, his mother kept up with.
After his father had been laid to rest, he had moved back into the house to keep his mother company. She would be here with him until she breathed her last. The house was big enough so that if Kane ever decided to have a family, they wouldn’t get in each other’s way.
“I heard the news, Kane. I’m so sorry,” Evelyn Wells said as Kane ascended the steps to stand in front of her.
A sigh broke from his lips. Of course, his mother had heard. She was the Chairman of Wells Holdings, after all. She had many eyes and ears. So many, that Kane rarely had to give her any information himself, these days. He did not mind that one bit. There was nothing concerning Wells Cargo, that he wished to hide from the woman who had been there when the company had simply been a dream in a garage.
“It’s quite devastating, mother. I still can’t wrap my head around it all. Who would do a thing like that? We treat everyone well.”
Evelyn, energetic, tall, blonde and still a breathtaking beauty at sixty-one, smiled at her son as she cupped his cheeks.
“You keep beating yourself up with those questions and you’ll do nothing good for you. People do terrible things all the time, and that’s not on you. You need to understand that most times, people’s treatment of you is not a function of your treatment of them. Can you believe that?”
Kane let out another sigh as he nodded. Of course, it would be easier to believe that and remember it too. It was the same words Keisha had said. Lord knew he would never be able to fathom where these women got their wisdom from.
“Keisha said the same words.”
Evelyn’s eyes twinkled at the mention of her favorite staff. It was common knowledge that she nursed a fondness for Keisha. Right from that very first day, three years ago when she had laid her eyes upon the woman. She had taken one look at Ms. Young, turned to her son and said, “I like her.”
That of course, had marked the start of many lunch dates, Saturday brunches, and Sunday dinners. Kane would be lying if he said he wasn’t happy about the friendship his mother shared with his P.A. He was. His mother wasn’t the only Wells who held a fondness for Keisha Young. Although, for Kane, it was more than just mere fondness. It was something else. Something he had never dared to consider.
All he knew was that he liked seeing her. In fact, he looked forward to seeing her every morning, right from the moment he said goodbye, every day. She had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen on any woman – aside from his mother, of course.
She was full of wit, and charm. Resourceful, sarcastic, a quick thinker and a problem solver. There was also the fact that she was a bull, stubborn and unyielding, and that had helped them get many results in matters that had seemed unresolvable. As he often told her, they worked well together and he wasn’t looking forward to when that working relationship would have to end.
He knew that if his father, Richard Wells, was still alive, he would have liked Ms. Young too.
“Oh, Keisha. She is going with you on the trip, is she not?”
“You know I never travel without her, mother. A part of me feels as though I would be hopelessly lost without her around to help.”
“Ah, yes. You have become terribly reliant on her, these days. Surprising for a man who used to think no one was indispensable.”
Kane smiled at this. Moreso, because he indeed, remembered those days before Keisha. Then she had come into his life and changed everything.
“I do not think Keisha is indispensable, mother. But, I do believe she is irreplaceable. I could get someone better – or not. But they would never be Keisha. I would rather not dispense with her, seeing as I am unwilling to have her replaced.”
“Not to mention, you are addicted to her coffee.”
“Haha! True, very true.”
They were in the house now and climbing up the stairs that led to the rooms.
“I was wondering if you would want me to come along with you. I don’t mind packing up. I haven’t been to Miami in a while. And perhaps, the presence of the chairman would make things… easier to handle?”
Kane said nothing for a while. Instead, he quietly ruminated on his mother’s words until they got to the top of the stairs. Then, he came to a halt and turned to look at her, a decision made. This time, he was the one who cupped her cheeks, oh so affectionately.
“I do not think there is a need for that, mother. You are only just recuperating from that terrible flu. I don’t want you going on any business trips. Besides, I would be leaving Denver. Who is going to be in charge of the headquarters when I’m gone?”
Evelyn shrugged. “Dallas can do a great job at that. He is the M.D. for a reason.”
“Indeed. Yet, I would feel better if you were at the helm of things. Look what has happened in Miami. We are trying to keep it from the press, but it is only a matter of time before word spreads in the office. People may feel that if such embezzlement could be done in Miami, then they might as well try their luck. This is a very vulnerable moment for us and I wouldn’t put it past the enemies to strike now. We can see who wins when greed is placed side by side with loyalty.”
Evelyn heaved a sad sigh, obviously seeing the wisdom in her son’s words.
“You are right, Kane. As always, you have the sharp mind your father had. They need a power figure in place. I will hold the fort while you’re gone.”
“As you should. And don't worry, mother. I am more than capable of handling matters in Miami.”
“I have never doubted that for a second. Now, let’s go pack you a bag. We don’t want to keep Ms. Young waiting now, do we?” she asked with a wink.
Before Kane would respond, she was already headed for his room. He knew that his mother knew about the feelings he had for Keisha. But apart from suggestive looks, and innuendos, she had never said a word about it, and he appreciated that.
Keisha was his P.A. and he was every bit interested in respecting and preserving that relationship.
***
An hour later, he was at the airport. The company’s private jet was already out of the hanger upon his arrival, and ready for takeoff. Keisha was right outside, waiting for him. She was still dressed in the clothes she had worn that morning, as he was. This was another reason why he appreciated her.
She didn’t fuss like most women did. It had taken her less time than it had taken him to go home, pack and get to the airport. He knew that if he went through her luggage, he would find perfectly practical things. Less spare clothes and make-up and more business-related stuff.
For a man like him who went after the stereotype bimbos, it would be surprising to people, to learn that Keisha Young had somehow, over the years, became his type of woman. A woman who worried less about her looks because she was already extremely beautiful, but still managed to look just perfect, every time.
Keisha was one of the many black women he knew. Most of whom he had rolled in the sheets with. He knew they were popular for their natural beauty and great body. Still, Keisha stood out amongst the rest. She wore her hair straightened, most times. Sometimes, she had it packed in a frizzy fro. He preferred it that way, especially how curly it always got whenever they were fortunate enough to get caught up in the rain.
Her eyes shone like sapphire orbs did under a chandelier, and her face, shaped like an oval, often emphasized how truly delicate, like an egg, she was. Despite her undeniable strength, Keisha was a woman to be cared for, to be loved, to be adored.
She was tall. He would give her that. At his own 6’3”, she was barely a head shorter than he was, reaching him just where his chin jutted out – in her four-inched heels, that is. She walked like she had taken princess lessons at some point in her lifetime. Spine straight, shoulders squared and head high.
Her body, he knew had been specially carved by God. There were no other explanations for the perfect curves that went out at the right places and came in at the right places – all in beautiful proportions. No wonder her customary suits and pants or skirts, often fit her like a second skin. It didn’t matter that she showed very little skin and for the life of her, she could not pretend to have a whim of seduction in her bones. Keisha Young exuded raw sexual appeal and she did it well.
Those darn nerd frames she wore, her shy smile, and how she enjoyed being by herself, added an innocence to her that just made everything about Keisha Young all the more appealing. Coupled with her brain and personality, Kane could not blame himself for feeling jealous about the man who had access to all of that.
Stop it, Kane. Now isn’t the time. Indeed, it wasn’t and a vigorous shake of his head managed to keep those less than proper thoughts at bay – for the while.
She had a warm smile on her face for him, as usual. A smile he had grown used to over the years. It was a smile that felt like coming home. And as his lips often did whenever his eyes saw that smile, they curved into one of their own.
“Hi. I kept you waiting, didn’t I? I am sorry,” he greeted as he came to a stop, in front of her. She nodded at his chauffeur, Ian, who walked past them, taking Kane’s luggage into the plane.
“I haven’t been here, long. Ten minutes at most.” She turned around and started to climb the stairs, and he followed behind her. He kept his eyes up, resisting all the powerfully stirring urge inside of him to let them stray below to the fine backside he knew she owned.
Oblivious of his dilemma, Keisha kept talking. “While I was away, I placed a call to Blackwell to let him know we are coming. I also made reservations for us at the Hotel. I was able to get the Gold suite for you. We were in luck. A couple checked out of it this morning. It will be ready by the time we arrive.”
Kane nodded as he listened. She had done all that without directives from him and she had done it well. Who in his sane mind would want to lose a P.A. like Keisha?
“And you, Keisha? What suite did you get for yourself?”
“Oh, I just got a room. It’s fine by me. You know I don’t like overkills. We’ve gone over this several times.”
“And we have also gone over the fact that I want you close by.”
“I am close. I am just a floor beneath you. All the apartments on your floor are suites. You know that.”
“Yes. I do. Money isn’t the problem, Keisha, you also know that. Get the suite. I want you close by.”
“Oh well, seeing that we are at the edge of bankruptcy, I wouldn’t exactly say money isn’t a problem right now. But yes, of course, I get you. I’ll be just a call away. Still close enough, if you ask me.”
Kane didn’t know why he was insisting. He never had, before. Yet, he found himself unable to let it go this time.
“Call the hotel and request a suite, Keisha. I want you on the same floor as me. That’s not request, it’s a directive. I am speaking as your employer.” They got on the plane then and she stopped. She turned around to protest, but before she could speak, he did, cutting her off.
“This may be bigger than we know and we will be having security details – just in case. It would make more sense to have you on the same floor. That way, we don’t have to ha
ve so many men all over the place.”
“Ohhhh… Okay” was all she said. Then she spun on her feet and continued walking.
Relief broke through Kane’s lips. He didn’t know how he had come up with such a clever lie. Now, he had to call Hardy and have him send some of his men over. In truth, he did think it would perhaps be sensible to have security personnel over. Just to be on the safe side. Thirty-three years on this earth was long enough to know that people would go to great lengths to cover their tracks. Often times than not, one crime had to be covered by another. There was no sense in taking chances.
There was silence until they got to their seats and settled in. His chauffeur bade him goodbye and left. As he stepped off the plane. The door closed and the cabin crew came to say hi. Once warm pleasantries had been exchanged, he and Keisha were left alone.
That was when she spoke again.
“Halley Security?”
He bobbed his head. “That’s right.” Halley Security was one of the best in the States and he happened to have a cordial relationship with its CEO, Hardy James.
“Have you placed the call?”
“Uhm… sure, yes.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits, her nostrils flared and her lips curved into a mean pout. Kane knew at that moment that he had been caught.
“That’s a lie,” she said matter-of-factly. “ You haven’t placed the call. I bet the security detail was just a last minute lie, made up to make me do your bidding?”
Damn. She was way too smart for his own good. “Oh well, when you put it that way, it makes this sound like a slave-master relationship.”
She cocked her brow at him, ever so slightly, but he knew every facial expression she had – too much to not notice.
“Yes. It does. And that isn’t what this is. I am your boss, and I am allowed to pull rank if it means getting you to do something in your own best interest.”
“So that is what it is, pulling ranks to keep me safe?”
Have My Baby Page 2
