Tangled Love

~ Chapter Eight ~

      After my chat with Casey, I went back to my dad’s office to have a little chat with him.

           “So, dad, why now? I mean I still have a year left at Cornell and I really want to focus on school.” I asked as I walked into his office, and he looked up at me.

           “I think it’s time. I’m getting older and if anything should ever happen to me, I want procedures and documentation already in place. If I could be honest, I was hoping by now you would be getting serious and possibly proposing to some beautiful well-established Debutante but every girl you have courted over the last three years you have dumped with or without cause and my biggest mistake was having you much older in life. I think you will follow in my footsteps and have no heir to leave my legacy or yours to.” My dad said then stood from his desk and walked around it to stand directly in front of me.

           “Well, I will have you know that I have taken interest in a beautiful girl. I just haven’t figured out my approach yet. I will let you know when I have progress. Meanwhile, don’t worry so much about me. The new Hotel name should be ‘E’ Jordan Boutique Hotels, a Jordan Dynasty Hotel Group LLC branded Hotel. That way it bears both you and me.” I said looking at my dad with a smile and he smiled back.

           “Okay, I will announce ‘E’ Jordan Boutique Hotels before the groundbreaking tomorrow. What do you think about Casey?” My dad asked with a raised eyebrow, and I laughed.

           “Dad how much do you know about Casey?” I asked with a chuckle.

           “I know she's a sweet, beautiful, hard-w**********l that gets the job done. Is there anything else I need to know?” He said with no shame at all.

           “Yes, as a matter of fact there is much more you need to know.” I said with a laugh and he looked at me curiously.

           “Like?” He asked and I straightened my face so he would take what I was about to tell him seriously.

           “Like, she’s a mother to a five-year-old daughter and the father of her child asked her to marry him just before he left for deployment. Deployment as in Armed Forces, US Army to be exact. So, she is not only an acting single mom, but she’s also an acting single military mom. How did you not know this already?” I asked as my dad stood there with his mouth wide open in shock.

           “Are you serious? I don’t remember any of that being on her resume.” He said in pure frustration.

           “Dad, that type of information isn’t normally on resumes. But I’m going to give her a trial run. I just think ultimately, it’s going to be too much for her to handle. The Jordan Dynasty reputation may need somebody with less personal responsibilities.” I said and he looked confused but nodded.

           “I think I need to get some dinner now. All this information has my head spun.” My dad said and I laughed but nodded.

           For dinner dad and I went back to my childhood home and dad had his staff make us Bar-B-Que Ribs and Chicken with all the sides to go with it. We enjoyed our dinner and prepared for bed; we have a very busy day scheduled tomorrow.

           The next morning I had a text from Damien updating me on what’s happened at school.

           ‘Hey man, the Communications Conference kicks off tomorrow. Dr. Piper is giving six senior students one shot at personally meeting Ty Bennett or Kindra Hall in a round table discussion on Saturday morning at 11:00 am. To be considered you need to send an email to Dr. Piper by 5:00 pm today. In your email, tell her who you are? and why you want the opportunity to meet Kindra Hall and Ty Bennett? Also, tell her your class standing and current GPA. Good Luck man, I know you would love this opportunity more than anybody else. – Damien’

           That text made my morning because Damien was right, I would love this opportunity. After I responded to his text, I pulled out my computer and started drafting my email to Dr. Piper. When I was happy with my email, I sent it to Dr. Piper and quickly jumped into the shower to get ready for all the press events scheduled for today. The first press event was scheduled for 10:00 am but since we were changing the name from ELIAS to ‘E’ Jordan, Casey needed to push that press conference back until all the marketing material was updated. So, the new press conference is scheduled for 12:30 pm which gives me and my pops plenty of time to discuss some of my thoughts.

           “Good Morning son, come on in. Darlene and I were just discussing the cocktail hour at the groundbreaking.” My dad said when he heard my light knock on his office door.

           “Good Morning Elias, it’s been a while but boy have you been missed around here.” Darlene said with a big smile pulling me into a tight embrace as soon as I walked in.

           “Good Morning Pop, Good Morning Ms. Darlene. It has been a while. How are you?” I asked Darlene and she smiled.

           “Well, I welcomed my first grandchild yesterday. My daughter Diamond had a beautiful baby boy. It was so exciting. Your father told me you asked about me yesterday. I didn’t think you would remember me.” Darlene said and I smiled.

           “Well first of all, Congratulations on your new grandson but I haven’t been gone that long, Ms. Darlene, you’ve been my dad’s assistant since I hit double digits. I could never forget you.” I said with a smile, and she smiled back shyly.

           “Darlene, do you mind grabbing me and my son a cup of organic coffee? Mines black, his with two creams and three sugars, please.” My dad asked her, and she smiled and nodded.

           “Wow, dad you remembered how I take my coffee.” I said with a smile looking at him and he chuckled.

           “Like you said you haven’t been gone that long. Come and sit, take a look at these new ads for the new hotel.” He while pointing to the seat in front of his desk.

           “These are nice, that was really fast.” I said looking at the new ads and dad laughed.

           “Well, I tried to tell you that Casey is sharp. I sent her the name after we spoke last evening, and she had these delivered at 7:00 am.” Dad said with a smile.

           “That’s great. She just might work out after all. I received the schedule update from her around 5:45 am. That tells me she’s an early riser, which is another benefit with me being on the other side of the country.” I said and dad nodded with a smile.

           A few minutes later, Ms. Darlene walked back in with our cups of coffee and sat them on the desk in front of us.

           “I brought some pastries also. Elias, you do still eat the mini cinnamon rolls with your coffee, right?” Darlene asked and I nodded with a big smile.

           “Yes, Thank you Ms. Darlene.” I said as I grabbed a mini roll and placed it in my mouth before taking a sip of my coffee.