One night stand with my daddy's best friend
119

People might love watching Gigi up on stage, but they hated her in our gym. But how was I supposed to tell her that?

"I'm afraid," I began, choosing my words carefully, "that it wouldn't be the most e cient strategy to see the campaign into the next phase of proceedings."

"What does that mean?" she asked, whipping her neck and pointing her nails at me.

"It means he's dropping you from the campaign," Bertie announced harshly. "An unwise decision, if you ask me."

"Not unwise," I replied. "Just sensible regarding our market feedback."

"I hate all you business boys and your jargon," Bertie spat. "Come on, Gigi. We've well and truly wasted our time here."

He stood up to leave, gesturing for the rest of the group to follow him out. Everyone trotted out after him except for Gigi. She hung back until it was just the two of us in the room and sauntered over, swaying her hips.

"You can't really be dropping me from the campaign," she purred, sitting on the edge of my desk and leaning over to push her cleavage in my face. Her platinum blonde hair extensions fell across my face, and I swiped them out the way. "I'm sorry our working relationship couldn't have ended under more agreeable circumstances."

"I love it when you say big words," she said, licking her glossy lips. "Say something else."

I just stared at her.

"Look," she said. "I get it. You don't really wanna drop me, but the big guys in suits are pressuring you to do what they tell you. I get that all the time. If it ain't Bertie telling me what to wear for the fans, then the producers are telling me to do this and that and sometimes I end up making decisions that don't feel like they're my decision at all. You get me?"

"Yes," I said, watching her lean even closer to me. "Anyway," she continued. "Just because our little

campaign together has ended doesn't mean that you and me can't..."

I lifted an eyebrow rather than acknowledge her obvious hint.

"You know, still hang out. Have some fun. The Emmys are this weekend. Would you like to be my plus one?"

"Thanks, but no. I have plans."

"What could be more important than going to the Emmys with me?" she asked, offended.

"I've got a night out planned with my best pal," I told her. "Pffft. Come with me instead."

"I appreciate the offer, but no."

Standing up, I walked over to the door and held it for her, willing her to leave. When she continued to sprawl herself out across my desk, I yelled to Sandra. "Sandra, see Gigi out, will you?"

She appeared in the doorway immediately, ready to escort the pop star out of my o ce.

"You're missing out," Gigi said as she strutted past, hitting me with her handbag as she left. "Just to let you know, Gigi doesn't give second chances."

I burst out laughing, a response she wasn't expecting. "Okay, bye now. Have a nice day."

She walked away, seething.

"So, that went well," Sandra laughed. "I told you she was into you. Although it sounds as though you're not getting another chance."

"I don't want it," I chuckled. "I'm pretty sure I just dodged a bullet."

"Eddie! Good to see you!" As I walked into the board room, I saw the sentiment wasn't shared. His face was as warm as granite, his eyes dark and unwelcoming. "Hello," he said, rising to shake my hand.

"Thank you for coming earlier than expected. Can I get you anything?"

"No, your lovely assistant took care of me. Now, shall we sit down and discuss business?"

Wow, that was abrupt. What's he in a hurry about?

I sat across from him, the two of us alone in the vast space of the room that normally housed a dozen of the top members of the corporate sector. They had wanted to be there, of course, but I found their presence irritating. I liked to talk business face to face like a man and not hide behind a team of suits.

"Yes, let's discuss the matter at hand," I said, leaning back in my seat to feign a relaxed demeanor.

Usually nothing ru1⁄2ed my feathers, but I had to admit as I sat in front of Eddie Goldwyn, a man I had admired since childhood, I felt my palms begin to sweat. It was he who had been the inspiration behind my career in the first place, the guy I had modeled myself after.

But he wasn't the spritely athlete I had adored decades ago. Now he was older and spent more time in the o ce than he did in the gym. Yet he still held a youthful, fiery appearance with his red hair coiffed to perfection and his posture strong and commanding.

"I'll be honest," I told him. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. I'd assumed that perhaps you'd have some more thinking to do on certain matters and-"

He raised a hand to silence me. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to just come out and say it."

Annoyed at him for interrupting me, I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned. "Say what?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

He ran a hand through his greased back hair, sighed, and said, "The board voted against the sale. They simply don't want it."

"But the decision is entirely up to you," I reminded him. "As far as I remember, you own Goldwyn gyms, not the board."

He shook his head again and looked me up and down as though I was just some stupid kid with a head full of pipe dreams. "You and I both know that's not how business works. If the board says no, then the answer is no." "Bullshit," I stated. "This sale was already set in motion.

I had your word, Eddie."

"My word," he laughed and gave me a pitiful look.

I was sick of the way he talked to me, like I was nothing but an upstart compared to him, an old sage who had been in the business a lifetime. Never in my life had I felt the urge to hit an old man, but I felt as though I could have made an exception.

Eager to burn off the anger, I rose quickly and walked over to the window so I didn't have to look at his smug face.

"You really let me down," I told him, forcing my voice to remain calm. "This could have benefited both of us tremendously. Your board has made an enormous mistake."

He said nothing, but I could hear him slurping his tea.

At the window, I looked out across the Boston skyline. I could see a few of my gyms dotting the cityscape, their blue and green lights glittering among all the brown brick. But there should have been more of them where Eddie's gyms now stood.

I tried to fathom why he was being such a di cult old bastard. Didn't he want me to buy him out? Didn't he want to be rich? Surely, he couldn't go on working as he did, not at his age.