***
"It's been a while hasn't it Miss Young?" My instructor walked into the small meeting room, ready to start another lesson, and seeing how he walked into the room with only his laptop, it seemed we would either be working on worksheets for practice, or he was going to present a large presentation, and ask question afterward.
"It has been." I returned with a small smile, and he took his time setting up the projector pulling up all the slides that he need. When he finally got the presentation started, I was relieved that it wasn't another topic that we were reviewing, it seemed we were finally entering into another topic, and it seemed to be about the management groups, related to the company.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask, this is anyway beneficial for your career." He started presenting, and occasionally I would write down the names of the groups and some hints of what they were to do, and by the time we were finished with the lesson, he handed me about five worksheets, to match and define each group, before leaving with a smile on his face.
Although he seemed like an aloof man, he was considerate, keeping his distance away from me, and breaking down the things that he needed to, before quickly moving on to the next subject. As he could tell that I wasn't here to stay on a subject for two hours unless there was an absolute reason to have a long discussion, the main goal of this class was to give me the basics of the business world.
And soon it wouldn't just be me in these lessons, Eli is about to join the class, since he agreed to my offer.
As soon as he stepped out, George walked into the room, widening his eyes seeing the small pile of homework that was to be finished by next week, but since I'll be out of the country I'll probably just scan them and send them to his email, returning to see how I did on them.
"You're even going to be so busy while you are on your trip. Huh..." He let out a disappointed sigh, either because I was piling up things like no problem, or the fact that he was being dragged to Paris with me because the Mafia King had me relay a message to him, more like a threat from George's point of view.
"I have no choice, I have to learn one way or another." I shrugged, staring at one of the sheets, glancing back at the notes I took, before writing in fancy cursive the answer. "What are you doing in here anyway?" I asked, still working on the paper, and he thought for a moment before taking a seat beside me.
"Since I've become a bodyguard for you, per request and order from two people that I can disobey, I have to follow you. Besides, this gets me out of small errands." He replied in a smug tone, and I glanced at him with an unamused expression, and all he did was chuckle.
"If you're wondering when I'll leave tonight, I'm planning to stay till five. I'm not even going to bother with going off for lunch." I announced and he went silent, before pulling out his phone, ordering something from a restaurant, and by the sound of the young lady's voice, it was Italian. "Shrimp Alfredo," I whispered and he repeated it louder, adding a bottle of water and broccoli with it.
And I was happy to have someone who knew what I liked to eat, he was slowly becoming a private secretary too. When he finished with the order, he leaned back in his chair.
"Fine, but once it's five o'clock, I'm dragging you out of the building. By the way, it's the day of a small gathering at your father's place, and he mentioned earlier this morning that he'd be returning home early." He announced with a shrug and I glanced up from my notes, with a confused expression, processing the last sentence.
'Wait that event is today?'
"Wait that's today?!" I asked in a shocked tone, as the realization hit, and when I pulled out my phone, glancing over the new text from Jacob, to my calendar which did have an event pulled up. "Argh, how could I forget about that. It's the gathering between the president, vice president, and the major shareholders." I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated that I overlooked that, despite setting many reminders.
"So are we staying late?" He asked, with a hint of hope in his voice that I would say no. Letting out a sigh, already picturing my father planning to leave in the next hour since the get-together was around five. Sadly he needed about three hours to prepare himself for those important people while dragging his sons into the meeting.
Since Matt was abroad, and Josh was business with fashion classes, only Eli and I were available, however, there was the question.
Since his fourth child has been revealed to the public, and the news has reached the ears of the shareholders, will Alex give me the chance to get involved with the business? Luckily, this decision was also up to the major shareholders.
However, knowing how these old people like to keep the business clean and calm, I'm sure their opinions of me weren't positive, seeing how I managed to have a major incident whether I meant it or not.
Even if I don't know what their opinions were, this would be a great opportunity to figure out. Although at the same time, this is the perfect chance for Eli to get some favor as well, since he agreed to our deal, whatever can help him become the substitute of my father. Or at least the vice president, since neither one of us is ready for the position yet, and Alex would have his current vice president move up.
"We'll leave around two," I answered his question, rubbing my temples as I was figuring out how to continue forward without making a mistake for both my brother and me. "I don't want to get involved with this, since I have different plans," Shifting my gaze from the far wall to his brown eyes, I noticed the worry and shock mixed in his gaze. And not long after, he narrowed his eyes, while reaching to feel my forehead.
"Are you sure you're the same Mackenzie that I know?" He asked, pulling back and I rolled my eyes. Picking up all my notes, sticking them back into the small bag that I carry around with me all the time.
"Yes, it's just that I've become more cautious since the situation. Although I want the business, I have to work in steps and have to rely on people that I can trust. So while I'm helping someone grow up, I'm going to focus on other things." I tried to explain while being vague with my words since the company was not always the place to speak about the mafia.
It seemed that these walls had ears.
"So while you are leaving the company at the same time as your father, you're not going to the small get-together?" He asked trying to put together my words and I nodded. "Then why are we leaving, not that I'm complaining?" He asked while shrugging his shoulders and I took in a deep breath.
"While I'm choosing not to go, I have to make sure the one that I am sending will understand what is happening, and not embarrass himself, while he's in front of my father and the shareholders. And once that is settled, then we can start preparing for the trip to Paris.
"Speaking of which, have you sent a message to that fellow, in Paris?" I asked shifting the subject, and George looked down at his hands, refusing to meet my eyes either because he forgot or he hasn't received a reply.
"Sorry Kenzie, it's been a hectic couple of days, as I've been burdened with a lot of things, including a new shift in my position. I'll send a message to the Romeo clan, requesting for a meeting, specifically leader between leader if that's what you want?" He still looked down at his hands, unsure how I would react.
"It's alright, I know you've been busy with countless things. It's not easy being a bodyguard and working as a right-hand man for the heir of both positions. Within the next couple of days, when you have the chance, tell me his reply since this meeting is going to be important, and the main reason why we are going to Paris." I reached to pat his shoulder and he nodded his head, glad that he got off easy.
As I said, we left the building thirty minutes after Alex, who didn't bother to check up on us, rather he just silently snuck out of the building returning to the house. I called out Eli, who was shopping for a tux and sent me the address, and when I arrived he was just sitting there playing games on his phone.
"Are you ready?" I asked, stepping into the fancy shop greeted immediately as they seemed to recognize me. One was a young man and the other was a young lady, and I couldn't tell if they were happy that I stepped into the building as one was blushing while the other looked irritated.
Dragging him to the coffee shop next door, I picked out a spot in the corner, away from prying eyes. Breaking down the basics for him, who each person was, and why they were a shareholder until Alex started calling his cell, interrupting the lesson.
"Are you not coming?" Eli hung up on our father, after agreeing that he would be arriving. I nodded to his question, and he looked bummed. "Alright, wish me luck." He forced a smile and I gave him a thumbs up for support before watching him walk out of the cafe.