Chapter 1
Kurt kissed goodbye to his wife of three years as he left for work. But first, he wanted to go to his sister's place to check on her. She had been through a rough patch when her ex left her for another woman. He knocked on her door and waited for her to answer.
"Kat, it's me, Kurt; open up and let me in."
The door slowly opened, and she stepped aside for him to enter. He noticed how pale she was and that she was still in her nightgown and robe.
"You look terrible. Have you not slept?"
She ran her fingers through her hair and poured herself a coffee that had just finished brewing.
"I've been up all night, I couldn't sleep. Would you like some coffee?"
As brother and sister, they were close—closer than any other siblings could be. Maybe it was because of their horrible childhood, and she had gotten the worst of it.
"No, I have to get to work. My boss is a hard ass, and if I'm late, he could fire me. I just wanted to check on you to see how you're doing."
"I'll be fine; you go to work."
He went and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I hate seeing you in so much pain. Your ex was a jerk and you're better off without him. Don't you think going out and getting a real job would be better?"
"I have a job."
"I mean a real job that gets you out of this tiny apartment. You stay trapped here going through other people's manuscripts, typing them out and correcting mistakes."
"It pays me enough to pay my bills."
"Don't you want more? You have so much potential and could have a job making you more money."
"Kurt, we've been over this so many times already. I don't want to be out there around people. Now, go to work."
"I worry about you."
"I'll be fine."
He looked at his watch and knew he had to go.
"Come to my place tonight for dinner. I'll call Clara and let her know."
"You know she doesn't like me."
"That's not true; she just doesn't understand you or what all you've been through. Will you come?"
"Not tonight. I have too much work that needs to be finished by the end of the week."
He hugged her and left the apartment. Getting into his car, he looked at his watch again and hoped he would get to work on time before the meeting started. If he were one minute late, his boss would have a fit and refuse to let him attend the conference.
"Kurt, you better hurry; Mr. West is on his way to the conference room," Mary, the front desk secretary, told him. He had just gotten there and sat down when the boss walked in.
"I'm glad to see that everyone is on time for once," he said as he looked around the table.
As much as Kurt despised the man, he also admired him. He was a self-made Billionaire who owned a finance and investment company and several real estate firms worldwide. Not only that, but he was also one of the partners of a worldwide jewelry company.
"As you all know, I will hire a new CEO to run this firm. Three of you are in the running to take over for Mr. Morris."
Everyone held their breath as they waited to hear who was being picked. Kurt had worked so hard to get this position. When he heard his name being mentioned, it was all he could do not to jump up and down.
"I will decide in a few months, maybe sooner. You three need to prove to me that you deserve this position. I will be watching your every move, and one wrong one, you will be eliminated from the position."
After the rest of the meeting ended, Kurt went to his office and called his wife, letting her know he was one of the three people picked.
"Oh my goodness, Kurt, that's wonderful. Do you know what this means? We'll be on easy street, can afford to travel, and buy a bigger home."
"Clara, we already have a nice home, so don't go on a spending spree. I don't have the job yet, and two others are being considered for it."
"Well, we'll just have to do whatever it takes for Mr. West to pick you."
After hanging up, he sat back before his next appointment. He loved his wife but knew how important it was to her to have him move up in his job. They had a good marriage; the only problem she didn't like was that he helped out his sister financially occasionally.
That night, when he got home, Clara had a special dinner prepared for him and his favourite bottle of wine.
"Sweetheart, you haven't made this in a long time."
"I wanted to celebrate and to let you know how proud I am of you. Just think of how much our lives will change when you get the promotion."
"I haven't gotten it yet, and I may not."
"You'll get it. I just know you will. I've been checking some listings for a new home. This one would be perfect," she said, handing him a picture with the price.
"Clara, this is a bloody mansion. We don't need something like this. What we have now is perfect; it's large and has everything we need."
"Darling, we may not need it, but why not have the best? Let people know how successful you have become. My parents always said you'd never amount to much, which will prove them wrong."
"When did they say that?"
"When we announced our engagement. I told them that one day, you would prove them wrong. Now, will you at least think about it?"
When she sat on his lap, opened his shirt and started stroking his chest, he couldn't say no.
"I'll give it some thought, but let's wait and see if I get the job. Hey, want to go to the bedroom and fuck?"
"Oh yeah," she said, grabbing his hand and leading him upstairs.
For the next few days, he was busy and didn't have time to check in on Kat. So he finally made a point of going over to see her and tell her the good news.
When she opened the door and saw her brother standing there with flowers in his hand, she let him in.
"I'm sorry I haven't called in a while, but I've been swamped at work. I have some amazing news to tell you."
Taking the flowers, she put them in a vase and turned to him.
"Thanks for the flowers; they're beautiful. So, what news do you have to tell me about?"
"Three of us at work are up for a promotion to CEO of my company. I think I have a great chance of getting it."
"That's wonderful, and I'm sure you'll get it. You have put in so many hours and gone above and beyond in your job; you deserve to get it."
She hugged him and felt so proud of him. "I bet Clara is excited."
He chuckled. "That she is. And already thinking of ways to spend the money. She even wants us to buy a bigger home."
"But the place you have now is huge and breathtaking."
"I know, but if it will make her happy, why not? I can help get you into a bigger and better apartment."
"Kurt, no. I don't want you doing that. I'm okay here, but that would only anger Clara. I hope you don't work so hard that it harms your health or marriage."
"I thrive on hard work, you know that. So, how have you been lately, and are you getting out?"
"I went for groceries today."
"Have you been to see your doctor lately, and if so, how did it go?"
"It's been a while."
"Kat, after breaking up with Tony, you need to talk to Doctor Nora."
"I don't need to see her; I'm fine."
"No, you're not. You are depressed and need to talk with her. I don't want to see you go down the path you were in last time."
She looked at him and could see how worried he was. Her brother was all she had left in her life, and she didn't want to see him in pain.
"Okay, I'll make an appointment. You should be getting home to your wife."
"Yes, but before I go, is there anything you need? I could go get it for you before I go home."
"I have everything I need; now go."
"I love you sis."
"Right back at you."
She watched him walk away, feeling so lucky to have him in her life. Because of her, he had lost several girlfriends in the past, but he never once blamed her. When he met Clara and they fell in love, she made a point of not relying on him as much as she had in the past.
Clara was nice enough to her, but they never got close. Kat felt jealous that she and Kurt had a close relationship.
A week later, Xander called everyone to a meeting. It was last-minute notice, and they all had to scramble to finish what they were doing.
"Some important clients are coming into town for a few days. So I have arranged a party at the Plaza Hotel on Saturday evening. I expect you all to be there and give them the VIP treatment. It's formal wear and I demand that each one of you bring a date."
"That's short notice, so what if we can't find someone to take with us?"
"He looked at the woman who asked. "Then don't come. Those who do show up alone will be fired. Is that clear?"
No one dared to cross him, and all nodded their heads.
Kurt was getting a drink from the fountain when Ricky walked up to him.
"Hey, Kurt. What do you think I should do?"
"About what?"
"You know I'm gay, so do I bring my boyfriend or find a woman to take?"
"We all know you're gay, and so does the boss, so there shouldn't be a problem with who you bring. I can ask him if you want me to."
"Please, that would be a great help."
He caught his boss just as he left the office and asked if he had a moment.
"I'm on my way out, so step into the elevator. That will give you a minute to say what you want."
"It's about Ricky."
"What about him?"
"You know he's gay, and he doesn't want to offend you by bringing the wrong sex to the party."
"So he wants to know if he should bring a female. I know the man is gay, and I don't have a problem with it. Some of my clients are gay. Tell him to bring his partner. To do otherwise would be an insult to my intelligence."
The elevator door opened, and he walked out, leaving Kurt alone. As much as he respected his boss, he still considered him an arrogant jerk.
"Did you talk to him?" Ricky went over when he saw Kurt coming out of the elevator.
"Yes, it's okay to bring your partner. I've met your lover and suggest you have him tone down his wardrobe for the party. It's a black tie event, so no flashy jeans and top."
"Okay, thanks. I'll take him shopping for a tux. He won't like it, but wearing one for a few hours won't kill him."
