Mr West

Chapter 3

Dylan

Most mornings a routine was in order to make sure the ship sailed smoothly. I rarely ran a staff meeting, only under dire situations did I request a meeting. This moment may seem dire to me but the rest of them were not satisfied. That did not matter for I was the boss, I was the man in charge and I held all of the power. Speaking through the intercom I demanded Caroline gather all of the employees together in the conference room at the end of the first floor hallway. The conference room was cold and dead inside, only used once a month for my league meetings. I gave the employees a good wait before I made my arrival, as though I was royalty. Only was I allowed to enter a meeting minutes late. I expected all of my staff members to be seated once I arrived, ears ready to listen and mouths shut.

I strolled down the hallway with a kick in my step. Arms swinging at my sides I was beaming as I trotted along. I had a purpose to this meeting, however it only required one single person to attend. Convincing him to meet with me alone would be impossible. He was stubborn as heck, and he was also very cautious of me. So he should be! I had a power even stronger than anything he believed he held. I reigned over him and with a simple word I could ruin him. I was the destroyer and he was the meek peasant. He had to be careful with me. Keeping him in check was difficult alone which was why I had Nathan and Larry as my second and third set of eyes and ears.

Striding along I could hear the buzz of chatter floating from the large room. Upon entering the chatter immediately died down, all apart from one. Eyes burning into his, a fire behind my pupils only used for him, Marcel's trap snapped shut and I smiled a mischievous grin. Good. At least he knew who was in charge.

"This will be quick," I informed them, clapping my hands together. In the back I spotted Clark sinking down in his seat. "Clark," I called and he jumped. "What is the latest on the decision for a child friendly environment?"

Clark was in charge of the poolside area, the indoor pool, which I assumed was the easiest place to convert into a child friendly environment. From the look on Clark's face, he was mystified and unsure. I sighed.

"A-Almost finished sir," he stuttered. "I should have a f-finalised report on your desk by the end of the day."

"Thank you Clark. Appreciate it."

Maybe I had judged him too quickly. Besides he was one of my most trustworthy employees.

"Nathan."

Nathan glanced up and fixed me with a bright smile. He stood to attention and mock saluted, earning a few chuckles. I rolled my eyes and paced, arms behind my back.

"Yes sir?"

Dimples dinted his cheeks and his wide smile was almost, almost infectious. I did not understand his sunny disposition. What was he always so happy about? What did he even have to be happy about?

"I trust you have shown Miss Waterford around?"

"I have sir," he confirmed.

I nodded. In my peripheral vision I spotted her watching me. Addressing her directly may have been a better choice. However I could not look deep into her green eyes without losing myself. I cleared my throat and came to standstill. Nathan was another of my most trusted employees as well as a close friend. But my trust in him lay in a different field to Clark. Clark was the man who kept ahead of everything and always made sure I was informed of changes. Nathan, on the other hand, keeps me up to date on my employees. He is an insider man with all the insider knowledge. He scrutinizes their every move, watching them like a hawk and makes sure I know if any were out of line. And then there is my good friend Larry. As I stated previously he looks out for my business. He is my second hand man. I trust him with my life! He is the only friend I have, and the only one I need. I do not have friends. I do not need them. But Larry gets me in a way no other person ever has. And he has stuck by me for years now.

I clap my hands and rub them together. "Alright, that is all. Clark I want that report by the end of the day." Clark nods. "Anyone else with any new ideas, please have drafted propositions in writing on my desk by the end of the day. I will read through them and give feedback by the end of the week."

The grunted replies were all I needed to know they understood. I dismissed them quickly, almost craving the solidity of my office. I have had enough social interaction for one day.

"Marcel." He turned briefly. "Can you stay for a minute?"

He stepped back into the room and waited as the rest of the staff filed out. He closed the door behind Nathan. His jaw tensed and his chest puffed out. I knew he had already figured out the topic of this discussion and he was not pleased.

"You can't tell me not to speak to her," he challenged.

"I can and I will," I grumbled. I stepped closer to him. Standing to my full height and towering just a few inches over him I smirked. "This is my place of work Banks. I can demand anything I want in this building." I pointed to the walls to my left and right. He huffed. "And you will do as I say. If you want to keep your job."

I stepped back. He glared at me with a fire in his eyes. "So stay away from Miss Waterford," I ordered.

"I have to at least say hello to her. That would be rude if I didn't," he mocked.

He was purposely trying to rile me up. And I was furious how easily it was working. My teeth ground together.

"I mean it Banks. Stay. Away," I grunted through tight lips.

He just smirked and shrugged.

"Can't promise she won't stay away from me," he cackled.

I growled and lunged. Gripping a hold of his collar I slammed him back against the wall. He sucked in a breath and cursed.

"Stay away!"

And with that I tore my hand away from his shirt and threw him towards the door. His tutted as he smoothed down the creases in his button up shirt. With a sneer he left the room and I knew already he would not listen to me. I cursed aloud and slammed my palm against the wall. I had to make sure he stayed away from her. I did not know what it was about that brief encounter but something told me she needed protecting. And I had to be the one to do it. I groaned as I left the room, nostrils flared, and made my way to the gym on the second floor. I had too much pent up anger that I needed to get rid of. I knew one way I wanted to get rid of my anger. But that was not professional. So the gym it was.

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