“What's the occasion?”

The next morning, Donovan was in the study going over the plans for Nigel’s honorary award when he heard a knock.

“D”, Kenny called out again. Even if he was three years older than Donovan, a large part of Kenny still feared him, especially when he was in this state—brooding.

“Kenny boy”, Donovan called out. Donovan called out, “Kenny boy,” Kenny adjusted his body until his shoulders were perfectly squared..

“How many times”, he took a pause to let down his shades. He was always a fan of dark shades, even indoors he would wear them.

“Have I told you—”, he pounded his fists on the desk then continued.

“Never to call me ‘D’ again?”, he finished saying. His eyebrows had now formed a crease.

“I’m sorry-y—”, Kenny said with lips almost quivering.

Donovan dropped back into his leather chair and took a spin. After he was satisfied, Donovan turned to where Kenny stood. He contemplated before speaking.

“Please continue”, he let out a huge sigh.

“Your grandfather wants you,” Donovan sat up quickly.

“I’ll be right down”, Kenny nodded cautiously. He really didn’t want to strike a nerve.

They walked out of the study, their usual muster point, to the dining room.

Everyone was seated already. Rachel, Donovan’s mother, Nigel, the oldest son a few years older than Kenny, and Keila, the last child and only girl.

“Okay, the man of the hour”, Mr. Stanford stood up with open arms. He was always seated at the head of the table.

Every inch of the table was covered with food, and a huge cake stood at the center.

“Well, wow, this is too much”, he stuttered and held one of the chairs trying to find balance.

“What’s the occasion?”, he shot a puzzled look at everyone on the table and they returned the look. It was kind of “how don’t you know” look.

He racked his brain, trying hard to understand what was going on. He looked at Kenny, who stood behind him. Kenny threw his hands in the air. “I’m clueless”, he said, smiling mischievously.

“Wait, wait, is it because of the Seth’s tower deal? You guys didn’t have to”.

“No, Dony, it’s your birthday!” Keila growled.

Kenny gave him an apprehensive look. Donovan was always so focused on work, he could list out the company clientele without batting an eyelash, but here he was forgetting his own birthday.

Keila pulled out a candle with the numbers ‘23’ on it. Green was Donovan’s favorite colour.

At an early stage of his life, he had one of those rare cases where his colour blindness just disappeared. Green was the first colour he ever recognized properly, so he fell in love with it.

“Damn, nobody told me it was my birthday”, he said, trying to form a smile, meanwhile all he wanted to do was cry.

The birthday breakfast went on, but all Donovan could think of was Catherine and the secretary’s position.

***

“Don’t be late? Really?”

“Yeah”, Donovan answered with open arms. “What should I have said?”.

“You should have let me type it”, Kenny had an exasperated tone. He walked out of the study and into the elevator. Donovan followed after. He held the elevator door.

Kenny rolled his eyes. “What?”

“Help me pick out a suit, Kenny boy”

“Sure”. They walked into the game room. Donovan always loved to play games, even as a kid. He had a whole room dedicated to it. His father always said “work hard, play hard”.

“Hey”, Keila shot at them. She sat in the dark room playing a wrestling game.

“What are you doing here lady bug?”

“What does it look like?”, she answered.

“Failing”, he scoffed.

“Sit down dude, I’ll to school you”

“No time lady bug, I’ve got a business meeting”, he smiled. Even in the dark, you could see how his teeth glittered.

“Yeah, business meeting”, she put down the pad and made air quotes.

“What do you mean?”, he glared at her. She turned backwards after pausing the game.

“That smile you have is not business appropriate,” she smirked.

“Keila”

“You see, you know I’m telling the truth, that’s why you called me by my name”

“Enjoy your meeting Dony “, she walked out of the room with a slight chuckle.

“What?”, he glared at Kenny.

“Well—”

“Well—what?”

“You’re too happy”

“Really?”

“Yeah”, Kenny nodded.

“No”, he said dryly. “Get out. I want to get dressed”.

***

“Which car?”

“The Brabus”

The two men got into the car and made their way to the hotel.

“How do we know where she is?”

“I believe her presence will speak for itself”, Kenny answered. They were on the ground floor of the hotel. The hotel staff became tensed. There was this effect Donovan’s presence had. It demanded respect. His brooding stare would silence anyone within a ten-mile radius, especially his subordinates.

“Goo—d morning sir”, the concierge stuttered. Everyone on the floor paused to steer at the gorgeous men. As each member of staff walked past, they made sure to send a warm greeting, bowing slightly. No one ever had the effrontery to look him in the eyes, they looked downwards instead.

“I’m looking for a lady, Catherine Flora”

“I’ll check sir”, he was shivering in fear. He picked up the phone at the front desk and made a call.

“Umm…I’m looking for a Catherine Flora, the boss—“

“Did someone say my name”, a soft voice cut him off. Donovan turned in a haste, he was shaken.

“You clean up well”, he said with a wide grin.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” she answered dryly. “You said in private, this doesn’t seem very private to me,” she glared at Kenny, who had his eyes fixed on his screen.

“He is part of this. He must be present at all my business meetings and arrangements.” His eyes scanned her composure, he observed her thoroughly. “Effeminate,” he whispered.

She cleared her throat.

“Okay, let’s go”, he gestured towards the elevator, letting her lead.

Her steps were elegant and calculated. Every arm swing timed, and the way she swayed her hips when she walked. Donovan wanted those hips in his arms.

They got out of the elevator. It seemed like a member of staff thought it wise to polish the marble tiles. Catherine slipped, almost breaking her heel.

Kenny pulled her from behind, and Donovan held her from her hips.

“Nice save”, she said, completely out of breath. Donovan glared at the first person he could hold eyes with.

“Go on ahead”, he walked the opposite direction Kenny and Catherine did. Immediately, he mustered the staff. After a really brief meeting, he was done.

The hotel had private rooms set aside for only the owners. This particular one was a VIP spot. They usually hosted extremely affluent and influential clients here.

He joined Cathy and Kenny. The two already seemed to be getting acquainted. His eyes caught a glimpse of her shoes—emerald green. He was dazed.

“Anyone lose their job?”, she chuckled.

“Not yet, but soon”, he scoffed, making her giggle.

“Okay, down to business. “, he opened his suit button with his right hand and sat on the large leather chair opposite her.

“What is this business you would like to discuss?”

“A position just opened up—”

“Wait. This is about work? I thought we were done, you said—”

“Yes. As I was saying, there’s a position open,” Donovan emphasized.

“What he’s trying to say is we need you to cooperate for your own benefit,” Donovan chuckled slightly at Kenny’s words.

Kenny glared. “Anyway, our boss would like you to consider the position of an assistant for his brother’s upcoming campaign,” Kenny explained.

“What? Is this a joke”, she had disbelief written all over her expression.

“We know you don’t have experience in that field, but we’re willing to teach you everything you need to know,” Kenny continued.

“Actually, it’s a secretary’s position, and it’s better than any job you’ve ever had in the past. If you refuse, I’ll press charges,” Donovan growled. His arrogance could not be hidden.

“What he’s trying to say is—”

“I know very well what he’s trying to say, and I’m not interested. I’d prefer jail time than spending another minute with you!”, she snapped.

“You are actually really full of yourself,” Donovan shot at her.

“Yeah, says the huge dick with a fragile ego,” to show she shot back. Donovan smirked. “Do you want to try?”.

“I’m done”, she raised her hands in defeat. Kenny was stunned. How did this simple meeting spin out of control?

“Wait, wait”, he tried to pacify the already annoyed Catherine, who was up from her seat and halfway across the room.

***

“Really, Do you want to try?”, Kenny mocked. He pulled off his tie with force,” almost injuring himself.

“I’m sorry, but someone really needed to put that girl in her place,” Donovan said dryly.

“And that someone had to be you? Sorry is not going to cut it! You know well enough,” his behavior enraged Kenny.

“Okay, I’ll apologize,” he yelled.

“No, I will. I don’t need you messing this up”, Kenny rolled his eyes and walked out of the room.

Donovan was left to recollect his thoughts. “Shit”, he muttered, what was he going to tell Mr. Stanford?