I was up early and wide awake so I put my big boy clothes in the car and started coffee. Cole appeared and I said let go. We breezed through the 5 miles and I was thinking more, but not today. Inside it was our mutual shower and I looked in the mirror and thought haircut. We filled the travel mugs and I dropped him off at school and and drove to school. In the parking lot I saw Rob and Carrie and walked in the building with them. I went straight to class sitting in my usual seat and Carrie sat beside me. She started to say something and I shot her a look that stopped her in mid sentence. I opened a book and started reading.
Class was pretty normal, I guess but I was not paying attention. On the way out the door, after class, someone tugged on my arm and Carrie asked, is this how it is going to be? I said, it is rapidly becoming what it is going to be. So figure it out and do it fucking soon. I went to Spanish and figured History would be interesting. Things like this make me intensely focused and I participated speaking a lot of Spanish with quick sharp responses. JJ was all smiles. On the way to history, I ran into Sam. He stopped me and I said, what's this a double team? He said no, what's the task? I said there isn't one, just move on. Carrie was there in the usual seat and I sat beside her, looking straight ahead. Class went on and I participated more than usual as WWII actually interested me in how the country morphed into a wartime factory.
At lunch I called Tim and asked about the sale and he said Mike the deal is off. I asked for details? He said that the check did not clear and that he was told they changed their minds. I laughed and asked him to have the Major set up a 5:30 news conference at the job site and that I would be in the office around 2:00. Please have Mason and Dillon aware and that I want them there. I'll call dad. He said ok, what's the announcement? The new project and details about the investors and change of mind and the law suite for expenses. Also, ask Brian to met me in my office at 2:30 and if you can please attend as well.
I was starving and grabbed a quick lunch and Carrie appeared beside me. She said, Michael I get the sense we are done, is that correct? I said I'm so pissed off I'm not making that decision. Mike, why? Carrie your wanted to have sex last night and then when I said no you sent me home. That's not and will never be a way for you to get what you want. I'm more than a boy toy for you to manipulate. I threw my lunch away and went to class. At 1:00 I went to the office and signed out for work release. In the car I called dad and briefed him and asked him to meet me in my office in 20 minutes.
I pulled into the parking lot and ran into the building carrying my change of clothes, saw Mason and asked for fresh coffee and anything to eat. A quick change of clothes and I unpacked a package that I had sitting in the corner. I look at the board with the rendering of the next building and smiled. Just then dad and Brian came in and I asked, so what do you think? It was a basic rectangular building with the first floor being stone and glass, the second floor being rusted steel and glass, the third floor being aluminum and glass and the fourth floor being all glass. The entire fourth floor had a large seating area or deck and the two corner offices matched the top corners of the existing building. There was a small court yard with a fountain and tables. Dad just sat there with his mouth open and Brian being more practical asked who designed this wonder? I simply replied, Three Rivers Design. He ask who are they? I said the real estate subsidiary of Enterprises. They will be housed on the 4th floor with Enterprises. Mike what about J & J? I said my feeling that once the loan is paid off they will want to be on their own. The design firm will be an architectural firm, an interior design firm and I will add a commercial real estate firm as well.
Just then Mason appeared with the coffee and a ham sandwich, saying he was sorry it took so long it needed brewed. I said no problem, please sit. He looked uncomfortable and I said, please relax. So how are the Classes going? He said great and in about a month he would be taking his test for a license? I said that perfect, but are you sure about that? He said, yes commercial and he wanted nothing to do with residential. I said, Mason as soon as you pass the test you are being transferred to Standard Properties and there will be a comp change. You and I will have a talk about that and that's is my newest company. He sat down and said damn and I thought you were taking it easy. Brian handed me a folder with confidential stamped on it and I said, can we please go to the board room.
On the way to the board room my phone buzzed and it was Carrie, I answered with what's up, Carrie? She said we need to talk and said yes we do I'll try to stop over your place. She said try to fit me in? I said I'm very busy and check the 6:00 news and don't be a bitch and I hung up. Dad, apparently listening asked if I called Dr. Jenkins and I said not yet. He placed a call and came up to me and said 4:30 tomorrow, I said thanks.
In the board room were dad, Brian, Tim, Ryan, Kyle as were Mason and Dillon. I asked Brian to lay out the info in the confidential folder. Very quickly he laid out the 5 investors and their companies and net worth. I asked what about the Mayor? He said not an investor but the puppet master. I asked why the scheme? He said, he wasn't sure but they seem to be gaging who is actually in charge and simply messing around. Mike, we all know things are never as they seem. I asked the Major, press release or statement. Mike, are you announcing the blown deal, a project or both? I said both and not looking to take prisoners. The rubber check is a PR nightmare for them. Look guys, you need to stop me if you think this is too much. It is aggressive and i have been working on it for weeks.
First of all, as to who is in charge the answer is Dad, Tim, Brian, Kyle and me. That's the Trust and Technologies as well as the growing Enterprises. In a few months the trust goes to me totally but the same players stay involved. The final decision and all that falls to me but I expect to have push back. Mason and Dillon, your jobs are to grow and move into that circle.
Right now the plot of land is owned by my Trust and Technologies. I would like it out of the Trust and into Enterprises, can we do that and is that a sound decision. Legal, let me know by the end of the week.
Building 2, the design was done by Tri-State Architecture. It consists of two architects and an interior designer. That will become Three Rivers Design. It will include an architectural firm, as well as interior design component. The real estate company will be known as Standard Properties. The companies will be contractually joined. Standard Properties will have a Real Estate broker and Mason will be the Vice President of sales. All of this will be housed on the 4th floor of the new building. Working down the third and second floors, those will need to be rented. Half of the first floor will house the startups funded by the Foundation. The balance of the first floor will be a food court and or a restaurant. Thoughts, anyone? Brian was first with how does this get paid for? You are adding a lot of expenses and building a building?
Ryan answered, well Enterprises is already profitable and I'm sure the Architects will pay their own way as they are a young aggressive firm. Brian again, why not just use J & J? I said look they will want their freedom once the loan is paid off and it eliminates other complications for me. The construction can be financed by the land, similar to building 1 and I am willing to scramble 1.5 million eggs from the trust.
I said, legal it's your responsibility to see to it that this is legal and I mean very legal. I don't want to spend a minute in court. This time it was Tim who asked, So when are you going to roll this into one company? I said never, the most is that they will be divisions of Enterprises, but never one group? So you are reserving the ability to sell off parts? I said, well I guess. You see, it's diversity and so far it is technology, and real estate. Anyone have an idea on what's next? Dillon asked, so who is the owner of the restaurant? I smiled and said lots of athletes own restaurants and dad, just put his head down on the table.
Ok, Major how is all this happening and when? Well, 5:30 in the almost lobby of building 1. I said that's perfect but I think I'll give the Mayor a heads up anyone want to listen in? The Major said, he had work to do and everyone else was staying. I dialed the Mayors private number and he answered saying, hi Mike it's been a while? Well Mr. Mayor, I have a heads up for you. I'm holding a press conference at the building project at 5:30 to announce the plans for the vacant lot. Since your deal blew up with a rubber check and I'm pissed, my team and I thought it was time to move ahead. I won't say a word about the deal being blown up, well unless a reporter asks the question. I have names, companies, emails and offers and counter offers. Oh you are mentioned in a few of those emails. There was silence for a while and he said, ok what do you want? Absolutely nothing, this was just me informing you. By the way county and state officials will be at the event. Enjoy your afternoon and I hung up. I looked at Tim and Brian and asked, so was that legally acceptable? They both laughed and I looked at Mason and Dillon and they were pale. I said I'll see you at the building and dad and I need the room.
Once we were alone I said, I know I sprung a lot on you, are you ok? He said, Michael I knew about the building and the different architect. How I knew is me watching over you. You do know you just broke up with Carrie? I said dad, not yet but later tonight. I'm good about all that and this project. I won't out the investors or the Mayor but give enough information that the reporters will do it in a day or two. The drama will be good for business. Oh, you need to send out information on the Board Meeting for Enterprises. First Saturday in May and lunch with golf if weather permits. Tim will assist you with that. Oh, dad I won't break up with Carrie tonight, she will do that tomorrow when I cut J & J free after they turn down my offer. See dad, I'm going to let her save face and break up with me. But we are finished - no one fucks me into submission, ever. I'll see you at the building, I need to get into my big boy clothes. He laughed and said, well get a big boy haircut and do that soon.
As I was walking to the office, my phone rang and it was Sam. I said, hey dude what's up? He said my task? Dude, I'm really busy so I'll let you know. Can you do me a favor? He said, what do you need? I said please tell Carrie, I'm busy tonight and to watch the local news. He laughed and said, no fucking way in hell, I'll put her on. She got on and I said babe, I can't make it tonight, I'm swamped with work issues, please watch the evening news and you'll understand. She said, Michael James, with all do respect to your status as a business mogul go fuck your self. I said, well good night and hung up. A quick change of clothes and a traffic congested drive to the building and it was game time.
At the site the Major had things well established and set up and I had Masson find the construction manager and dig up some hard hats. Alan asked if the workers could watch and I said certainly, thinking a PR boost. At 5:30 the Major Introduced me and the workers applauded and hooted and hollered. I laughed and thanked them and said; many of you may be aware that for a number of months MJS Enterprises has been negotiating with Mon River LLC to sell the adjacent lot. Well this morning that deal fell apart. I always have a plan B but this time Plan B better is a better plan than selling. We will be building on this lot a building designed by Three Rivers Design. It will house Enterprises, startups founded by my foundation as well as a restaurant and we will be looking for tenants.
The project, naturally requires financial approval and zoning changes to accommodate the restaurant. We are looking forward to a fast start and the usual great cooperation with the city and county officials, questions?
Mike why did the deal fall apart? Well they either changed their mind or could not raise enough money. This was a complicated deal from the start with a group of investors somehow linked together. Things like this happen, you might want to ask them.
Mike, how will you finance this? Well the land will be a down payment on the construction loan and my Trust will infuse capital as needed.
What about jobs? Well as I always do, it will be a union built project and we are not bringing in a bunch of NASA jobs so, no promises.
When would you like this second project completed? I said, sooner than later, but no time frame like the other one.
Mike, we notice that the mayor is not here, why is that? Well this was short notice and he must have been busy.
I said, thanks everyone and have a pleasant evening.
Everyone left and I invited, dad, Tim, Brian, Major and Kyle for dinner and everyone accepted and I said, we are all dressed, does South Hills work? They all agreed and while walking to the car I called the club and made reservations for 6.
When we got there and the manage said, Mike I hope you don't mind but after the news we set up a private dining room. I said, damn thanks I forgot about that. Dinner was a great time and it was relaxing and I was drinking Arnold Palmers. About 9:00 I said that it was time for me to go and I thanked everyone. I got home and there was a call and a message from JJ, the Mayor, Cole and Carrie. I called Carrie and it, as expected, went to voicemail. I left a message saying please call, I'm not listening to your voicemails. I was doing reading for English and she called back. I said Carrie, I really was busy. Yes you were, throwing J & J under the bus. Carrie it was a business decision and I told you about it weeks ago, besides you guys are too busy. She said you know they would have but your work first. Carrie I don't know that but again it was a business decision. What do you want to talk about. Well this is hard over the phone, how about dinner tomorrow? I can't I have a doctors appointment. She asked what's that about and I said rule 6. She took a deep breath and asked, so when can you fit me in? I laughed and said, well I'm not sure? She said well, I'm sure and I don't know how this happened but I'm done? I said, so you are breaking up with me? She laughed and said well you engineered it that way so yes. Damn you always get your way. I said, good night and I hung up.
I got up and went to find Cole. He was in his room I knocked and he said come in. MJ you had quite a day. Very impressive on the news and very correct answers. I laughed and said, you are easily impressed. He said, I bet the real reason for the visit is to discuss Carrie. Cole, who is Carrie? He said, so MJ you let her break up with you? I smiled and said exactly. So why? Cole to let her do it and save some face. So you are good? Cole, I could not get over the I'll just fuck you into submission. I refuse to be a boy toy. He laughed and said so two single brothers? I said I thought you had a gf at my school. Cole laughed and said, I'm single till we are fucking. It's hard to spend a lot of time together till I drive. Cole, I can help? MJ I'm not ready for than and she would stress out, you intimidate her. I said, dude I don't bite. I'll see you in the morning.
It was late and I went downstairs to say good night to dad. As usual he was in the office, reading, smoking and drinking. I sat down and grabbed a cigarette and before he said anything lit it and took a big drag. Mike, I'm guessing you and Carrie are finished. Dad she broke up with me tonight saying she was doing what I wanted. I couldn't argue so is simply said good night. Mike, you two care about each other, so now what? Dad, I don't know about her but I can't risk that it would be fights like this all the time. She is mad because I'm in control and she should be mad. Like you I need it that way and if her only weapon is sex, I am done. I gave in on a lot and she doesn't know when to stop. Dad said, let's see what Dr. Jenkins thinks or what he makes you aware of. I know you well enough that you are done, the question is for how long. Dad when was the last time, I changed my mind on something this important. He said well that's a good point. I grabbed another cigarette and dad said, that's the last one. I changed the topic to the Mayor, saying he called and I have not even listened to it. He will be happy till the press figures it all out. I put out the cigarette and said don't forget about your Board Meeting notices. He said, Brian is on it good night. I said dad, I'll see you for dinner.
Upstairs I went to the bathroom cleaned up and back in my room stripped and jumped into bed. I was almost asleep when my door opened and Cole came in saying, I'm sleeping with my big brother tonight. I grabbed him, pulled him close and said good night. Enjoying the company I fell asleep.
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