Phoenix

21. Cold War

Contingencies.

That's all what they are George.

You know what you have to do.

I couldn't exactl-

You could, you're a businessman. If he were in your shoes he would do the same. If he had your power he would not have second thoughts about this.

No, I refuse to be such person.

Then prepare to lose.

"George" The all too familiar voice of his wife rippled the air as she strode into the secluded side of the kitchen to join him. He had excused himself from the remaining guests to get some alone time to think about what major step he was going to take next regarding the acquisition of NEXUS. "I've been all over the place looking for you"

His wife as usual was in all glamour; her skin as resplendent as the moon day sun and her attire for the night which was a violet satin gown didn't fail to flaunt her hour-glass shaped body. All eyes had been on her all night, and many men didn't fail to tell him how lucky he was.

He was leaning over a counter, his gaze transfixed to the wall opposite his vision, his signature ring placed on the counter. She came up by his left and linked her right arm with his left and joined him in his pointless inspection. "I'm sorry Kendall, I just have a lot on my mind"

She beamed up at him and rubbed her palms on his left shoulder to soothe him. "You haven't exactly been open with me lately?"

He shook his head. "I wish I could talk to you about this, but I just can't."

Kendall hadn't given up yet. "Well you don't exactly have to put it the way it is. You could just put in a subtle way you know"

George smiled and then turned to face his wife, taking both of her hands into his. "Really, well let's do this. What would you do if you have to do something to get something really important but you can't exactly do it because, well it could change the person you are totally"

Kendall's eyes opened in comprehension, albeit still maintaining her smile. "Well, I guess I would ask myself if that new person that decision would make me is really worth it. Or if the prize is really worth me transforming into something else"

NEXUS is worth it, George.

It's never enough reason to-

"I hope that puts you out of your gloomy mood for the rest of the day" Kendall continued as her hands snaked up his neck to pull him closer. "Because I'm in a really good mood"

"Uhun" George chuckled as he wrapped his arms round Kendall's hips and pulled her closer to claim her lips but right at that moment, his security personnel strode in without warning.

"Sir we've been..." Jack trailed off and swallowed as he saw his boss and his wife in an intimate embrace. "I'm sorry I should have-"

Kendall chuckled and finally let go of George, turning to face Jack. "It's nothing Jack, we don't exactly own the place. Is there any problem?"

Jack ventured closer to Kendall, holding out his phone. "Your daughters have been calling all day ma'am"

Kendall frowned as she plucked the phone from Jack's hands and turned to face George. "These girls know they have something better to do than to-" she trailed off after sifting through the phone for a while and her jaw dropped open. "No, not again"

A cold chill ran down George's spine. "What's it?"

What happened?

"It's Jace. We forgot his birthday again"