We Can Return

13) Meeting

Gun's POV

I was going through the hotel documents that Earth handed me at the meeting today, and I swear he was trying to flirt with me. Not even my ring stopped him; I don't like people like that.

Since people tend to underestimate me, I've learned to act tough and emotionless at work. This has helped me build a good reputation in business, and now no one dares to look down on me. Another problem is that almost every business partner suddenly mentions their single daughter or granddaughter, trying to set me up. I know they don't care about me; they just want to merge their family with my wealth. Over the years since we founded S.G.W. Company, we've grown significantly. New's first book was a hit, and he decided to invest all the earnings into our company when I was starting from scratch. With the help of Krist, a talented architect, we soon owned a beautifully renovated and highly sought-after hotel. Then came another hotel and more properties. We could each live in our own house separately, but over the years, we decided that the three of us would be "Mommas" to our boys. We don't distinguish who is biological and who isn't; we raise them together and share praise and punishment equally. Krist and New were a great support when Win got sick; I thought I would lose him, and I wouldn't have survived that.

I was playing with my wedding ring. Yes, I wear a wedding ring, the same as Krist's. No, we're not together. As I mentioned, there's always some marriageable person showing up, and neither Krist nor I are rushing into any relationship. Even though we've tried dating over the years, we couldn't open up to anyone and eventually gave up. So, we wear rings and occasionally mention family. We're not really lying; the boys and we Mommas are one family. Of course, New has the same ring too; we didn't leave him out of our little "I'm married" game. New practically never leaves the house; he's a bit of a cave man. But when he goes out, he wears the ring too. Some might find it silly, but it's our thing, and no one outside knows about it anyway.

I returned to the documentation. I'll officially take over the hotel next month, but I already have several meeting requests since the conference hall is booked for three major conferences over the next four months. I've already thought about the renovation plan and will try to minimize the hotel's downtime. The preliminary plan is to start with the rooms, then the conference hall, followed by the casino. I'll close the hotel for one week to renovate the bar, restaurant, lobby, and reception. Although Krist will be in charge, we'll need to hire an external architectural firm to ensure everything goes smoothly. One of the upcoming seminars is for architects, so I'll send Krist to scout for a suitable firm to collaborate with.

I looked at the seminar details scheduled for mid-next month, practically a week after the hotel officially becomes mine. My secretary informed me that the host of this seminar wants to meet with me. When I saw the name of the seminar organizer, my heart sank.

Off Jumpol.

This can't be happening. Do I really have such bad luck? I know we're in the same business, and I even know that in the past, he tried to collaborate with my company, which I firmly rejected. But I can't refuse this.

"Krist, do you have a moment?" I called down the hallway. Yes, I'm at home; there's no point in renting an external office when I'll soon have an office right in the hotel.

It only took a moment for Krist to come, with messy hair and home glasses. It looked like he was working on some design. "What's up?"

"Look who wants to meet with me tomorrow to discuss the conference," I said, handing him the tablet.

"Off Jumpol. Wait, is that the Off?" he asked incredulously. "Wow, the world is really small. What are you going to do?"

"I have to meet with him; I can't cancel the conference, it's already arranged. I hope he enjoys it because he won't be hosting another one with me," I said angrily. Krist looked at me sympathetically for a moment, then started laughing with a mischievous smile.