by Kailin Gow
“You don’t know shit,” Callum said.
Helen just smiled and then breathed in, before calmly saying, “Until you see and appreciate what you have, and find out what true beauty and self-worth is, you deserve a rude awakening to knock some sense into you.” Then she took Charisma’s hand and walked away.
I wanted to run after them, but the moment was so heated that there were no words that I could say that would offset what Callum had done. I’d have to put some effort, thought, and time into coming up with a solution. It was possible that he lost us our strongest new partner with his rude manners and arrogant demeanor. And if he did, well, he’d have a lot more to deal with than he had just ten minutes ago.
Dad showed up the next second, probably witness to the debacle. “What the hell happened here?”
I looked at Callum and he was looking at Dad, his two bimbos giggling next to him. Dad looked irritated and I didn’t blame him. I’d let him scold Callum for this one, because that would be the only way Callum would listen—even a little bit.
“You better not have upset Helen Chu,” he cautioned. “You know how long we’ve been trying to get her to come to our stores so we can carry her line. She’s the fastest growing cosmetics and fashion business globally.”
“She’ll cheapen our stores, Father,” Callum said.
“Why would you say that?” he asked, glaring at him. “Are you questioning my business judgment?”
For most people, this would have been dangerous territory, but not for my brother, the clueless dolt.
“She’s self-made, not someone of distinction,” Callum said.
“You damn fool,” Father said. “You had better not have done any irreparable harm. Self-made is even more impressive because it shows more hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance than someone who just inherited wealth, like you. Everyone who became ‘someone of distinction’ was self-made at one point.” Then Father turned to me—his clean-up man. “Did you have anything to do with this? Did you insult Helen, too?”
“No,” I said, shocked that he’d even think that. “I had nothing to do with anything this damn fool did. I’m not responsible for the stupidity that comes out of his mouth, Dad. I’m ashamed to be called his brother for calling Mrs. Chu what he did. If he is the face of Beast’s, then he just about showed everyone the ugliest face we can be – racist. This stupid fool just alienated more than half of the human population, and he also had no respect for women and hard-working people. As far as this gala, everything is shot. She was a distinguished guest this evening and it’s clear that something went on. We have the press here. We have her fans, which I reached out to invite. If they hear one thing from Helen Chu, who is more well-known than we are, as a brand name cosmetics and fashion line around the world, our business would tank. Now…”
Father grabbed Callum and pulled him close. “You fix this or you are no longer my son.”
Chapter 1
Charisma
I’d never been so shocked and offended by anything in my life, and that was saying quite a bit considering some of the jackasses I’d met over the years at school and in the various neighborhoods Mom and I had lived in.
“I can’t believe that brute!” I hissed. “Where does he get off thinking he can talk that way to you—to anyone, really? Who does he think he is?”
“He thinks that just because he’s Callum Beast, he can do whatever he wants. Well, his name means nothing to me and just being handed wealth is not impressive. He clearly lacks integrity, which should embarrass his father. Perhaps I misjudged Theodore Beast III. I thought he had integrity, but his son certainly doesn’t show it.”
“And he’s an underwear model,” I said.
“True, Charisma. But the company he models for puts up with a lot, because in exchange they get good store location for their product. He’s too full of himself to realize he’s being used,” Mom said.
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Mom. It makes me so angry. I swear that if I ever see him again I might just slap him and call him a jerk, because that’s what he is.”
“You don’t need to be overprotective of me. I’ve dealt with plenty of people like him in my life. They always get what’s coming to them—in one way or another,” Mom said.
“Well, he deserves whatever he gets. His brother seemed okay, not that we got to talk much. But what he did ruined their entire event and caused quite the scene. The media will have a field day with it. Surprised they’re not calling you already,” I said.
“Lucy will tend to it if they do,” Mom said. Lucy was her personal secretary. “But I’d better fill her in so she knows what’s happening.”
While Mom was on her phone with Lucy, composed and purpose driven with her instructions, I was still fuming. I just couldn’t believe that anyone would have such inexcusable behavior. Didn’t the guy have a filter? He may have been considered one of the most physically beautiful men in the world, but inside, he was an ugly individual—shallow and incapable of human decency.
***
Well, my night had been cut short so I thought it would be a good time to catch up on the beauty blog and my youtube channel showcasing how to use the products, which was my responsibility for Mom’s business. I love doing it so I could showcase Mom’s products and also her achievements. I was so proud of her and I always remembered, even as a kid, how special it was that she worked so hard for a better life for her—for us.
After replying to a few comments on the blog, I went to a report that I receive daily to show when either Helen Chu or Chu Cosmetics was mentioned online. We had a spike in comments and mentions. All about the Beast’s Newport Opening event and Callum Beast. Oh boy, the incident had only been an hour ago and it had already caught fire in the virtual world.
I began to investigate and my stomach sank. “Oh no! What is this guy’s problem?” Callum Beast was in all-out jerk mode. Not only was there a blow up of news about him, but he was fueling the fire. As though he was proud of being a racist jerk.
Shared my mind with low-class bitch who calls herself the cosmetics queen and she walked out of her own party. #HelenChuCosmeticsCheap
Cheap Helen Chu has cheap knock-off cosmetics. Wouldn’t buy anything made in Chu. #HelenChuCosmeticsCheap
Driving my father home from a botched gala. Peeps—not my fault it fell. Blame the crazy bitch. #HelenChuCosmeticsCheap
Don’t care if #HelenChuCosmeticsCheap is funding the full budget for a top secret film I’m doing, she will not be my Executive Producer.
I was mad and offended by what I’d seen. My mother did absolutely nothing to him to have him pick on her and call her vile things. The only reason he was picking on her was because of what she was born as. He should be picking on me, too, except I looked more like my father, who was anglo, than Mom.
Mom better not see this or who knows what she’ll do, I thought. I wanted to go off on a rant like the appropriately named Beast did, but I was better than that and Mom would definitely not be happy with me if I did it. “Decorum is important, Charisma.” I don’t know how many times I’d heard her say that. So, knowing it was best to lie low, I took solace in Mom’s words of caution to heart. She was always eager to throw ancient wisdom and folklore in with modern life situations. And when Callum Beast got his comeuppance, I’d be there smiling about it. Jerk!
Okay, maybe one thing, I thought.
@TheCallum, you have widened my small exotic eyes tonight. Hope you get everything you deserve.
What a jerk, thinking all Asians have small eyes. Mine was practically manga size, meaning too large for my face. And so were many of the girls who modeled for us in our Asian division. It goes to show how wrong and off base stereotypes were. After my feed, it was silent. It seemed too good to be true that it had done the trick and shut up the arrogant ass, but fortune was on my side. Maybe he’d broken a nail and had to get an emergency manicure or something—from a kung fu fighting nail tech.
After a shower to further calm me down,
I ran back out into my bedroom to my phone ringing away. I didn’t recognize the number, though.
“Hello,” I said, a bit winded.
“Charisma?” someone said, in more of a question, really.
“Yes, this is she.”
“Hi, this is Mason Beast. Do you have a minute?”
I glanced at the clock. It was late, but I had a minute. Should be interesting to hear what he had to say. “Sure.”
“I apologize for the late hour, Charisma, but on behalf of the Beast Company and my father, I apologize for Callum’s horrendous behavior tonight. He can be a jerk, granted, but tonight he was in rare form—even by his standards. We’re not sure why, but we’re trying to get to the bottom of it.”
“He’s part of your image, your brand,” I said, not wanting to let Mason off easy. It wasn’t his fault, but what I said was true. Callum was the “look” of Beast Brands.
“Agreed, but what he said is not reflected by anyone else, and I hope to God not him, either. And the way he acted wasn’t acceptable. If he wasn’t family, he’d be fired. Can you come in tomorrow with your mother Helen so we can discuss a way The Beast Company can make it up to you?”
He clearly wasn’t his brother and we owed him that. After all, he’d put a lot of work into the event. “It’s clear you are not the same as your brother, Mason. I’ll tell my mom about the meeting tomorrow. What your brother did was truly offensive, though, and I think it would be in everyone’s best interests if he was not present at the meeting.”
“Agreed,” Mason said. I was pretty sure he sounded relieved about that and in agreement. Maybe I shouldn’t have let them off so easy and insisted Callum be there and have to keep his big, fat mouth shut.
“Okay then,” I said.
There was a small silence and finally Mason spoke again. “I really do want you to know that I don’t feel the same way and I’m ashamed to call Callum my brother. We’re nothing alike and I’ve always known that, but it has never been as apparent as it was tonight.”
“I can tell,” I said.
He continued talking despite me accepting his words at face value. I guess he just had to get it all off his chest, maybe. “Sadly, my brother is ignorant of your mother’s success and everything in general. He insulted a very nice and good lady, and I just can’t stand for that. If I ever take control of this company, I will make sure he gets put in his place. I feel quite confident that he’ll get what’s due to him. People who act that way always do.”
I felt bad for Mason. It must be tough having an older brother like Callum. Made me glad to be an only child. “Well, I’m sorry to hear how tough it is on you, Mason.”
“My father is talking to him right now, while Callum drives him home. Father seemed serious about having Callum fixed what he’s done about your mom, and if he doesn’t, he would disown him. That’s how sorry we are about all this. And how serious we are to keep your products in all of our stores. Good night, Charisma.”
Whether it was just a PR call or a genuine apology, I admired how Mason had handled it. He seemed quite sincere and I felt drawn to the way he said my name. There was a soft sigh in the way he said it and it was strangely intriguing. Men had always paid attention to me, but I could tell which ones were true gentlemen, and I sensed a gentleman in Mason. Plus, he was very handsome and wore a tux which made him look so suave like James Bond.
I’d planned on working on my graduate paper that evening, but found myself distracted by Mason’s call. I’d just have to work on it tomorrow after the meeting. The paper was ahead of schedule for my professors at USC, but graduation from the MBA program would be happening soon enough so I could not slack off.
Chapter 2
Callum Beast
As I blinked my eyes and tried to focus, I couldn’t understand why Father and Mason were so mad about what happened with Helen Chu and that gorgeous babe next to her. If they couldn’t take a joke—screw them. I thought it was damn funny, and everyone else should have, too. That was the problem with uptights; they lacked a sense of humor and didn’t enjoy all the great things that had to laugh about when money wasn’t a concern.
I walked into the back room of the store, the soon to be executive suite, and saw my buds, Terry Snod and Sherman Temple sitting there, each snorting lines of coke. After college, they’d gone the Wall Street route, but they liked to party just like they did during the frat days—screwing beautiful women and enjoying some of the best drugs. Earlier, they’d given me some ecstasy and a little pot. Must have been some good stuff, because I was still fuzzy from it. Add in the champagne, and I was definitely flying high.
“Man, you were supposed to come back with some women for us. Hot, horny, and desperate women who are endowed with tits and money from their parents,” Terry said. Then he went right back down to the mirror in front of him.
“Shit, had a SNAFU,” I said.
“Yeah, what? Nothing messed up ever happens to you, underwear man,” Sherman said, leaning back and looking at me.
“Some Asian bitch, Helen Chu, didn’t have a sense of humor is all. My dad and brother busted my ass for it.”
“The cosmetics woman?” Terry said. “Man, her stock has soared ever since she went IPO. Would love to have her for a client.”
“Maybe she wouldn’t be so uptight if you slipped her the big one,” I said. Then I smirked. “Or little one; little like her eyes.”
Again, only I laughed. What the hell was wrong with people?
“Um, you have to check your eyes, Man,” Terry said. “Helen Chu is your Dad’s age, but look barely 30, and her eyes are so gorgeous they had a feature on them in Vogue.”
“She wouldn’t have sold the most eye makeup this year in Cosmetics if she didn’t have gorgeous eyes,” Sherman said. “You sound like a jerk, you know, Callum.”
My friends’ disapproval of me only mad me angrier so I pulled out my phone and decided to spread a little Chu dislike on my Twitter. I’d enjoy every delightful second of my faithful following siding with me and bashing her. But I also lost a ton of followers right after my Tweet.
No sooner did I get a few Tweets out then the door opened up. My eyes widened, not wanting anyone to see the drugs. It was Dad and he barely stuck his head around the corner. He demanded, “Callum. Hallway. Now.”
“When the master calls, I listen,” I said, more to Terry and Sherman, but Dad heard it, too, and frowned even further. He looked damn tense, like he might have a heart attack or something.
“Yeah,” I said. I was aware that my voice was slightly slurred and hoped that he couldn’t tell.
“Son, you embarrassed the whole company and family with your racist and dumb remarks earlier. It is inexcusable.”
“But…” I began, but Father raised his hand and shut me down.
“Your mother and I have taught you better than that. You’re going to have to make up for what you did. We’re leaving right now and hoping we can catch Ms. Chu and her daughter before they get home and make this right. Do you understand?”
“No, I don’t. Why is it my problem that they couldn’t take a joke,” I said, crossing my arms. His voice faded in and out like I was lifting my head in and out of water.
“That was no joke, Callum,” he said, smacking me on the head, which made my head spin even more. “If you would have said that to anyone else, they would have beaten you to a pulp. You said it to an innocent woman who had a rough life until she worked hard to pull herself up to the success she is today. She’s the kind of person we, as men of good fortune, are supposed to protect and support. The more we have, the more we are supposed to be benevolent and kind. Haven’t you learned that lesson at all? If not, I failed as a parent. Today, you’ve really disappointed me, Callum.”
“Ok, okay,” I said, shaking my spinning head. “What do you want me to do?”
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Father said, trying to control his voice. “I just told you. We’re going to go after them right now and try to strai
ghten out this mess.”
“Now? It can wait,” I said.
“No, it can’t. This will be taken care of tonight.” Then Father grabbed my arm and showed me that I would be leaving with him at that moment. Conversation over.
On the way out, we went past Mason, and Father filled him in. The way Mason looked at me was irritating. He was my younger brother and his condescending look was out of place. He’d best be served to remember who the head of the Beast enterprises would be some day. Me—number one, and him, number two, if I was nice enough to let him stay there.
***
Standing in front of the Bentley Continental in the underground parking garage, Dad tossed me the keys and commanded, “Drive.”
