Beyond Boundaries

04 | conflict of interest

04 | conflict of interest

There wasn't much you needed to do to appease Cole Houston - all you needed was a bottle of whiskey.

I led him inside the hall, taking him straight towards the drinks. As if on cue, the bartender made eye contact with him, and Cole Houston proceeded to open his mouth, but I quickly interrupted, ordering for him instead. "He'll have a Dewar's. Neat, of course."

Cole raised his eyebrow, his expressions in amusement to see that I had anticipated his drink preference - obviously, something that I had researched well before the convention had begun. It was something I spent hours on, not to mention days just figuring out if he was a whiskey guy or not.

Nonetheless, the bartender turned to me, "And anything for you, madam?"

"She'll have a Pino Noir mixed just a touch with chardonnay and neat." This time, it came from Cole - he didn't hinder his gaze off of me. His confident tone assured me that he also did his research beforehand.

So, I wasn't the only one on top of my game. Great.

"Ah, didn't know you did your research so well." The genuine amusement in my tone was evident; I thought I'd be the only one trying to impress him, but it seemed that it wasn't just me.

"Well, you did too and I applaud you for that," Cole smirked as our drinks were served on the counter. I took a sip of my drink, immediately feeling a burning sensation in my throat, but loving the feeling. "You're a drinker," Cole noted, and I didn't miss the glint in his eyes. He had a good observation so far that I had noticed.

"I drink," I shrugged, "occasionally, of course. But tell me, Mr. Houston, what is someone like you doing here at a convention that has nothing to do with you?"

Cole thinned his lips, "Mr. Houston would be my father, Ms. Kensington. Call me Cole." And suddenly, our conversation became a cold exchange. "This convention has everything to do with me; it is the key to understanding the success of your company."

I raised my glass, nodding to acknowledge him. "When are you officially taking over your father's company?"

It was ironic to know that the both of us would be carrying on our own family's reputation; the wealth would be handed down to us and the responsibility we would sustain was unimaginable. But it stunned me to see how confident Cole always was, even if he was just acting.

The fiery presence, his head up high, and the dominance in his actions were unmistakable.

Of course, taking over a company was no small ordeal; the idea of being put under a microphone to have every action of a CEO amplified was the hardest part of the job. You would be watched. Hence, I admired his character.

"In just about a week, my time is approaching," He said, "I know for you though, you have a little more than three weeks before you become the bosswoman."

I couldn't help but add to it, "Well, I am, I mean, the bosswoman - just in training."

"It takes a lot to be a CEO, Ms. Kensington. I'm sure your father would've told you, but it takes focus and commitment-"

I quickly interjected, "I don't believe I need a CEO-to-be telling me how to do my job-to-be." I maintained my cool, sour about the fact that he thought I wouldn't be apt for my father's position, although he had ever right to be - he was the arch rival of our company.

"I'm just saying, Ms. Kensington," Cole put his drink down fixing his blazer although it was not in need of attention. He was now taking steps away from me, heading for the door. "An ambitious little med-school girl isn't going to go far with a prosthetic company her dad established years ago. Now if you'd excuse me, I'd love to look around before I take my leave."