Professional Disaster

Chapter 12

"So you're really gonna take over the company?" Jackson questioned Jenkin. They were sitting in the living room of Savannah's place watching television, waiting for Ethan to arrive.

"That's the plan, yes." Jenkin nodded and popped another grape in his mouth.

"Who'll be taking over Savannah's role?" Jackson was very interested in the business, he found it rather amazing how something was made of nothing, and that soon enough his best friend was to take over it all.

"My second in hand will choose that."

"Who would that be?" Jenkin felt rather good that not only his friend was so interested in his family business, but that he was able to answer all the questions without a worry. Ethan already knew everything so had little to no questions, but for Jackson, it was like a new book.

"Not a clue yet. It's stressing my Father out though. He's already getting younger workers in, getting them ready and stuff, but when it comes to the bigger people in the business he just gets frustrated. He insists no one is good enough." Jenkin explained the frustration he had been hearing from his father the last few days. It's all Robert had been talking about and it was driving both Jenkin and his Mother insane.

"Well, wouldn't it be fair for Arabella to step in for Kimberly's position?" Jackson said what he presumed to be an obvious solution.

"Yes it would, but she doesn't seem to care, she doesn't bother with training, none of the business stuff. She barely likes that we aren't 'normal' because of the business so I'm not even sure if she'll get into it at all." Jenkin sighed. He wanted Arabella to be his partner in the business, but she just wasn't warming up to the idea of working there and of course, nobody could force her to be something she didn't want to be.

"Ah, right okay I understand the frustration." Jackson nodded.

Jenkin sighed and sunk further into the couch. So much more stressful than I could have ever imagined.

*****

"I have a simple solution." Cole smiled and nodded. Robert was telling his best friend of the trouble he had with finding new workers, similar to how Jenkin was also complaining to Jackson.

"And that is?" Robert raised his eyebrows in interest.

Cole sat in front of Robert's desk with a grin. "Tests."

"For fuck sake, what is it with you and tests?" Robert huffed and shook his head.

"They worked well last time, didn't they?" Cole smirked. He was happy, he knew Robert would agree, and he also knew that the tests would be fun. For him at least. He loves testing people.

"You almost killed me. My wife shot you. Need I go on?" Robert gave a stupid look his best friend's way. He must be kidding.

"But this time it won't be on your wife. It won't be on any of us." Cole wore a shit-eating grin, if Robert hadn't known the man for so long he'd think he had officially gone off the rails.

"How does that make sense?"

"It'll be on the kids."

"Ramsey, you make me nervous." Robert sighed.

"We test all the kids over time. They're the most trusted ones we know. Ethan and Jackson. This can also test Jenkinand Arabella to see how ready they are." Cole kicked his feet up on Robert's desk, kicking a pot of pens off of the dark oak wood.

Robert gave a frustrated look. "And don't you think they would get suspicious with so many things happening all at once after nothing has happened for months if not years?"

"That's why we space them out. Trust me, let's plan them together, see who is best fit, test them and offer the job if they pass." Cole was eager to begin already, even before Robert had agreed. Alarmingly, he looked like a kid on Christmas. "Come on, Rob, please. I'm not made for paperwork, I'm so bored."

Robert sighed. "I can't believe I'm saying this but fine. No aggression placed on the kids though."

"Black 2.0 first." Cole smiled and nodded.

"I presume we test him to replace Elijah?" Robert got comfy in his seat, knowing he'd be there for an awfully long time.

Cole nodded.

"Okay, I'll let him know-"

"No no, we don't tell them. If we tell them they'll be ready. They'll need to be able to act under pressure, so we don't let them know at all." Cole spoke. He had a point in what he was saying, Robert had to admit that.

"Okay, fine. We will tell the others though? The girls and Elijah?"

"Yes, they'll be a part of all this to help test the boys." Cole nodded.

"Okay. Set it up." Robert sighed with a nod. "Don't take it too far like last time."

"I won't. It won't be too bad at all." Cole shook his head.

"I trust you."

*****

"Get on my back, be my weight." Elijah looked up to Kimberly. She was sat besides Elijah, chatting his ear off while he did floor exercises. Kim had previously been doing a workout herself, but Elijah's usually lasted much longer than hers.

"I'm resting." Kimberly threw her head back with a frown.

"Then rest on my back. Or go and grab me some weights." Elijah pushed.

Kimberly stood and shook her head. "Okay okay, fine. But if I crush you that's your fault not mine."

"You're obviously not going to crush me you goon."

"Charming." Kimberly couldn't help but slip out a little laugh as she took a seat on Elijah's back, she kept her legs together over his right side, and held on to his right shoulder with her left hand, then he began. "This scares me."

"Shush. If you fall it's not exactly far." Elijah shook his head and continued with his push-ups.

"If you actually had a missus you could bother her with your shit instead of me." Kimberly shrugged, bringing up a topic that she knew frustrated Elijah.

"Don't start." Elijah grunted.

"I'm just saying. Wouldn't you much prefer doing this with your wife instead of me?" Kimberly continued to push on the topic.

"I said don't start." Elijah became more distracted, causing his push-ups to become more aggressive.

"I just think you deserve-"

Elijah nudged Kim off. She fell to the side and rolled onto her back. Elijah stood up and grabbed a towel with frustration, aggressively wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Kimberly May, I'm not saying this again. I don't want to get married. I don't want it, okay? All I care about is work and Ethan, that's the way it is, that's the way it's staying now quit it."

Once Kimberly got her bearings she sat up, but continued to speak. "But I just want you to be happ-"

Elijah took her face in his hands, crouching down to her height, trying to get the words he spoke into her brain. "Darling, I know you want me to be happy, understand that I am happy, not everyone needs to be married. Okay?"

Kim sucked in a breath. "Okay okay, I'm sorry."

"After finding out my brother is going to be tested I want to make sure he's ready, I'm going to make sure he is good enough to be a part of Mitchell's L.T.D. That's all I care about."

Guilt overtook Kim. She had known the man for many years and had watched how loving he could be, she just wished he would allow someone in to give him that love back."Okay. I'm sorry," she said with a nod.

"Don't say sorry. Let's just make sure that the new generation is the best it can be, okay?" Elijah smiled and stepped back from the woman.

Kimberly matched Elijah's smile and nodded. "Okay."