| |
NAVIGATION
|
|
|
|
|
James Callaghan thought life was pretty good until he met his new boss. Now the man who took pride in the vast number of women that had shared his bed is trying to become the perfect catch, but only so he can get the job he always wanted; his boss' job. He'll do anything to be executive director of Mirage Productions...anything. |
|
|
|
“I’m leaving.” She said as soon as I entered through the door of my studio apartment. Like if there was a reason for her to tell me she was on her way out.
I nodded and continued walking inside toward the kitchen to get a beer out of the refrigerator. Then I thought, as long as she was out she could get me something to eat, so I asked her.
“Where are you going?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said I was le-av-ing.” She answered cutting the word into syllables like if I was an idiot. The truth is I really wasn’t sure that was the correct way to cut the word. But I understood she was leaving, which meant she was leaving me.
“Wait a second you can’t leave me!” No one leaves James Callaghan. James Callaghan breaks up with women all the time but no woman breaks up with him. “You aren’t leaving I am letting you go.”
“Of all the things I had imagined you would say this was the last thing that crossed my mind! You arrogant jerk!”
She had a point there, I really didn’t care whether she left or stayed. After three months of “living” together she had been the longest relationship I had had in years and the truth was I had gotten bored after the first two weeks. It was convenient to let her stay she did the laundry and made sure I paid my bills, you can think of it as having a personal assistant except she also assisted with physical recreation.
“We are through!” She screamed at me picking up the suitcase she had filled with her belongings.
I laughed at her need to make such a drama over the situation. It wasn’t as if she had expected me to propose to her, had she? Hannah knew I would never propose to her or any woman for that matter.
“How about a kiss goodbye?” I asked between laughs. She let her suitcase drop on the floor and returned to slap me. She tried to at least, my hand held hers in the air. If she wasn’t going to kiss me then I would have to kiss her. I got close to her lips and barely brushed them, she pulled away.
“And just to let you know you are a lousy boyfriend and a bad photographer”
“Okay Hannah I think you’ve been drinking.” I said to her “Turn around, pick up your suitcase and leave.”
She did just as I asked without protest. However not five seconds after she had closed the door behind her she popped her head back in.
“And not that good in bed either!” She shouted at me angrily.
Okay that did it. One thing was to insult my morale and my work, but she was messing with my sexuality, now that was off limits. And if I was not a good lover then why did she stay for three months? I don’t think I imaged her screaming for more all those nights. My Bob that was the only thing we enjoyed together! What the fook was wrong with this woman! Saying I am not a good lover, bull crap!
“Out!” I screamed furious.
Now, why exactly she left me, excuse me… why exactly we broke up I will never know. It was for the best but it would have helped to know what she did wrong so that I could keep my eyes open against that in the future. Whatever, at least she had time to do the week’s laundry before she left. Just in time too, I have an important meeting with Nathaniel Rogers, my boss, the next day.
|
|
|
|
James walked through the revolving door of Mirage Productions’ and smiled as he noticed the women that turned to look at him as he passed by them. It was a known fact women desired him, his allure was eminent. Hannah was crazy to say he was not a good lover. After all they had met at the Critic Choice Awards after party and practically rushed out of there to end up in his apartment. She had slipped in when the guards weren’t looking to meet her favorite actor Garret Butters but as soon as she had spotted James she forgot all about Garry. James had been invited due to his connections with the film industry. It had been a usual reaction to invite Hannah back to his place, had James known she was going to stay three months he would have never have asked. Yet the past was gone and so was she, thank Bob. Now he needed to get back in the game and explore his options, three of them were eyeing his rear at the very moment.
“Charming, day, isn’t it?” He asked the women staring at his virtues.
“Very.” One of them replied smiling wickedly.
She was too old for him but he found pleasure in flirting with all women, not only the ones he considered worthy of his bed. It was good to strengthen his skills and it always made him feel good to have them smile at him as if he was a living god.
Eventually he reached the fourth floor of the building and walked inside his office, stopping only to say hello to his secretary and his old friend Marcus.
“Rogers has been waiting for you.” Marcus told him after his initial ‘good morning’.
“Really?” James asked winking at his friend. It was a whispered secret among the employees of Mirage Productions that James was going to be promoted to the position of executive director of the company.
Nathaniel Rogers was retiring after twenty five years as head of the company and everyone knew he favored James Callaghan as his successor. After six years of working for Mirage, James was more than ready to be the ‘big boss’.
“You better get your butt in there now, Mr. Callaghan.” Marcus said mockingly.
“Watch it! I will be able to fire you in a couple of minutes.” James replied moving away in the direction of the director’s office, his boss’ office, his future office.
He had a big accomplished smile on his face as he entered Rogers’ large office, a smile that faded as soon as he saw Regina Thomas.
“You’re here, at last.” Rogers exclaimed pointing to the chair facing him and ordering James to sit next to Thomas. “Come on I have to be leaving in thirty minutes.”
James took a seat and gave one quick glance in Thomas’ direction. The woman did not even bother to turn to look at him. She was the one person in all of Mirage Productions that James loathed. Her arrogant attitude and her need to undermine James’ every action were more than enough to grant her total alienation from the rest of the staff. Rogers knew of his discontent with Thomas, James was sure of that. But the woman had a good head on her shoulders and was a fierce producer. So good that she was second in accounts behind James and her clients seemed to be increasing speedily. And yet that was no threat to his promotion, was it?
“James, Regina, I have called you both in here to speak about my upcoming retirement.”
“Does she have to be in here?” James inquired pointing to the woman.
“If you don’t like my presence get out.” She said staring him down.
“Yes, you both need to be here. Stop the childish fight and listen to me.” Rogers told them sitting down. “I am retiring in a month and I need someone mature, responsible, intelligent and able to take over for me. This is a hard decision to make and I still have to think it over but I have decided to do that while vacationing in the Bahamas.”
James pressed his hands together and narrowed his gaze on Rogers. What did he mean by ‘a hard decision’?
“You two might already know that your portfolios are very similar, and that the revenue you have acquired the company rival each other. Therefore I am finding it difficult to decide which one of you I should make executive director.”
“Mr. Rogers I…” Regina started.
“You are not seriously thinking of making her executive director?!” James said jumping from his seat “Why the staff don’t even like her. That would be company suicide.”
“Excuse me?!” She asked insulted and furious as she stood to be face to face with him. “You actually think being Mr. I Slept With Everyone On This Building makes you a great executive director?”
“I have not slept with everyone, only the women under forty.”
“Oh that is almost half the staff. Still more than any descent man on Earth.”
“And you know a lot about descent men Miss I Will Not Date A Co-worker?” He asked her.
His attack came from the rumors being spoken a year ago about Regina declining every offer she got by using such a line. She could have just said no, or even stated that the men weren’t her type, but she had used the lamest excuse in existence and that truly angered James.
“At least I don’t go around fu…” She tried.
“Enough!” Rogers interrupted walking around his desk and standing between the two of them “I don’t think I want to know the root of your problems.”
“Rogers I really don’t think…” James attempted to explain why Thomas would be such a bad director.
“I really don’t care what you think right now James. I have made a temporary decision, and one I know you will respect being the sensible man that you are.” Rogers insinuated. “Regina will be executive director while I am gone. You will continue to work on your specific accounts and when I get back I will give you my final ruling.”
“I will not disappoint you.” The woman said smiling triumphant.
“Why does she get to be temporary director?” James whined feeling his blood boiling.
“At this time I think it is for the best that the most established candidate have control.”
“And exactly how did you come to the conclusion that she was it?”
“Wouldn’t you like to ruin it for me?” Regina teased “It is obvious that I am the most…what was it again?” She asked a bit confused herself.
Rogers took a deep breath before speaking.
“Ms. Thomas is just as good as you in her job.” He told James “But she is here on time, she puts in extra hours, arranges meetings.”
“That’s because she has no life.” James attacked again
“Oh you…”
“She is the most stable woman I know. She is even engaged.” Rogers added raising Regina’s left hand and showing James the ring on her finger. “Now, when was the last time you even had a girlfriend?” He said releasing her hand.
Regina grabbed her hand and looked down at the ring tracing its edge and blinking several times.
“What does that have to do with work?” James asked stunned.
“It is a sign of maturity to want to settle down.” His boss responded.
“Well, as a matter of fact I just broke up with my girlfriend.” He said crossing his arms over his chest and looking up and down at Regina. She stopped looking at the ring.
“You had a girlfriend?” She asked him shocked.
“Yes. We were together… for a while. Don’t think you are the only one who can manage a hidden relationship.”
“Hidden relationship? Just because I didn’t go around showing everyone my ring doesn’t mean I was trying to hide it.”
“Oh really?”
“I am running out of time and would really like to wrap this up. Regina will be temporary executive director and that is my final say.” Rogers stated “Now Regina please give James and I a few minutes alone.”
“Of course.” The woman replied exiting the room but not before throwing James one last angry look.
Once his nemesis | | | |
