That One Ride

Chapter 4: The man himself

Alex's POV

"Alex, your meeting is in half an hour with US client." Jacob, my assistant's voice boomed from the phone speaker as I put my shoes on. Had I been desperate to open a new branch of AM hotels in New York, I need land for that. Adam Lewis was having a location large enough for an authentic yet modern hotel, and today I was having a meeting, discussing the deal. It will increase the profits and company value drastically. Not that I did not have hotels in US or in the exotic countries, A new branch in the middle of airport and main city would boost up things.

I cleared my throat as I wiped my hands to dust out unwanted dirt on the shoes. "Yes, Jacob. I am just heading out for the meeting. Oh, and why are you not coming to the meeting?"

With a single glance in the mirror of my closet, I exited the room, getting the file I will need.

"HaHa! Because umm... I need to sleep, duh!" Jacob said, and I could practically feel him rolling his eyes at me.

"Oh right, yes. I know sleep is more important to you." I pouted my lips, "Important than your job, I see."

I did not wait for his reply as I exited the mansion. Mark, my driver and bodyguard, opened the car gate with a light nod and a pleasant smile on his face. Returning the gesture with a light nod, I rested myself inside. My fingers drummed over my thigh as I shook my legs frantically in nervousness. It had been like that from day one of my business.

A little smile appeared on my face at the initial struggle days of my life. Becoming a billionaire was difficult, especially when all I came from a middle class family. My father was a working man, happily doing his 9 to 5 job to provide for me and two of my siblings. My mother was a housewife, caring for us the best way she could. Robert, my elder brother, and I were inseparable like glue stick, always on the edge to wipe out young boys who came near Amelia, my sister. Typical of us.

A huff escaped my lips. I did not even remember how many years had passed since everything crumbled and broke our little happy family.

Half an hour of ride, and I reached my office. Which was in the hotel where that girl I dropped the other night, Teresa, was staying. A chill spread down my spine at her thought as a tingling sensation crossed my heart at her thought. Interesting. I collected myself and reached the conference hall, where I had men waiting already. I did not enjoy going to the empty room, waiting was not my forte. Hence, a rule of mine was to join the meeting before me. I inhaled a sharp breath. My right hand unbuttoned my suit jacket as I reached inside.

Audible murmurs died at my footsteps. Heads of financial department, security team, marketing team and other departments were capturing half of the oval-shaped table. On the right side of head chair, a man in his 40s or something looked up at me and I recognized him as Adam Lewis.

"Gentleman." I said without glancing at any of them. Adam stood up, his hand stretching in my direction for a handshake. I merely took his hand and signalled to sit down with a nod, not returning his smile.

Finance HOD stood to start the presentation, and how much I wished for the first time in a long time to have Jacob by my side. Anyhow, the meeting took longer than expected. At the end, I was satisfied, but Adam needed time to have some time to discuss it with his team. Throughout the meeting, I kept glaring at everyone present there, and the look on their face made my chest fill with cunning calmness as a smirk formed my lips. A barely visible smirk, though. Other than money and fame and connections, this... their face was a reward for my hard work. A face of respect yet fear of losing their job if the work was not up to expectations.

Starting days were no joke. Sleepless nights, working to collect the money for a startup and then growing with it. Immediately after college, I had enough savings and a reasonable amount of loan to start a small cafe. It merely had a capacity of 3 tables along with a counter. But, I guess that was all I needed to kick start the rocket of my life. One became two, two became three and soon I had my first ever hotel with all the savings. Sometimes all I had in my mind was fear of not succeeding or if it was a dream. What made me wake up the next day was the face that I started this and it depends on me where to end it. For me, sky was the limit. The fire inside me burned my heart with the desire to spread the wings, even if the wind was in the opposite direction.