Chapter One
Scarlett Rose.
Goodness my name sounds like a porn star. I promise you however, I am not one. It is a name my dear beloved father gave to me. Red is a fierce colour, dominant and strong. Which is exactly how my characteristics are. Scarlett is a girl’s name of French origin which means red, and my dad believed it would suit me perfectly.
Him and my mum built up their company, Helios Hotels, from the ground, with some help. Helios Hotels was an empire. With over 70 hotels across the globe, we had made a name for ourselves. From Paris to Las Vegas, from Sydney to London. We were everywhere.
The company was also still expanding. We had hotels being built everywhere and if we weren’t there, you could bet your arse we had plans to do so. The elite would stay at our hotels exclusively and they would get the best service money could buy.
As well as making an extraordinary profit each year, we also make sure that we donate to charities across the globe. My family were brought up being poor and they wanted to make sure that money was donated to those in need.
Something they never got.
My dad, Arthur, was a fine gentleman. Loving to me and my mum. He always made sure to have time for family. Dad was always busy being on the board of the company he worked so hard to build. However, there was always time for his little girl.
As I reminisce behind my desk in my office, I remind myself why I’m here. ‘Keep your chin up darling and never let anyone tear you down.’ I can hear dad’s voice in my head. I take a sip of my coffee. I lean forward and rest my elbows on my desk.
‘So, Mr Cavendish, you are proposing for me to invest in your floral business and in return you will kit out my hotels?’ I look at the man sitting in front of me. He’s older than my 35-year self and he’s got a couple of greys showing.
‘Yes Miss Rose, I have the finest flowers money can buy. Your hotels will be smelling of luxury and looking like it too.’
‘Do they not look luxurious now?’ I raise an eyebrow at him.
He stutters, ‘N-no ma’am that’s not what I meant. Their beautiful but my flowers will bring a whole new luxurious look,’ he adverts his gaze from mine. I can tell he’s nervous.
‘Flowers have never been a priority at my hotels, Mr Cavendish. However, I am willing to try new things,’ his face lightens up. ‘This deal would need to be something that works out for the both of us. So, I propose you kit out the London, Paris and New York hotels, top to bottom. I also get 15% of your business but I will invest the money you have asked for with a five-year review. If the company makes a profit of £100k or more by year five, then the review will be in your favour.’
Flowers are not my thing. They wilt after such a short time and make a mess when they do so. I see the cogs in his head turn. 15% is a big stake-hold for a small business, but he is asking for £350k. It needs to be worth my money.
Small businesses are up and coming and flowers are recyclable. They’re something that are needed or wanted, all the time. They’re not a one-off item. If the florist does well and gets into places like Helios, their business will skyrocket.
He shifts in his seat, ‘I will be grateful to have you as a business partner.’ My Cavendish smiles at me, such a warm smile. I return the gesture and hold out my hand.
‘Pleasure doing business with you.’
As the door shuts, I lean back on my chair and exhale. I peek a look at the clock, 5.45pm. I was in two minds as to what I wanted to do with my evening. Do I go back to the house and chill out with a glass of wine and a bath or go out with the girls? My phone vibrates in my desk draw.
- We’re going to Davinci’s, 8pm DO NOT BE LATE!
Looks like Amelia had already made my mind up for me. I shoot a quick response back to her, grab my coat off the back of my chair and head out. As I walk towards the lift, I notice a lock of black hair peeking over the top of one of the desk panels. I couldn’t work out who it was, but I hate my employee’s working longer than they need too.
‘Hey! You should get going!’
The guy lifts his eyes to meet me, but I can’t see his face. I hate not knowing half of my employees. My PA, Luke, keeps telling me I should organise a team day and get to know everyone. I think I might take him up on his suggestions.
‘Nearly finished ma’am.’ I see his blue eyes crease a little as he smiles, not that I can see it.
‘Ask one of the drivers to drop you home when you are done. Have a nice weekend.’ I never normally offer my driver’s services to employees, but I felt exceptionally generous today. I chuckle, since when have I gone soft? I walk into the lift and press the car park button.
It’s 15 flights down to the car park. The Helios floor in the spacious Palm Tree Building was one of the smaller buildings to grace London’s skyline. I liked the fact it wasn’t too big but was enough for what we needed.
I hop into the waiting BMW iX and pat Jasper on the shoulder.
‘How are you? Thanks for waiting for me.’
Jasper has been a driver for the Rose family for a long time as well as a family friend. He looks back at me with his hazel eyes.
‘I’m good Scarlett. Not a problem, I hate the thought of you roaming around on your own or trying to find your own way back home.’
I smirk at his comment, ‘You know I can handle myself Jasper. You, of all people, should know.’
I watch his faded, ever so slightly wrinkled, tattooed hands glide along the steering wheel. He pulls us out the underground car park onto London’s busy roads.
‘I do Scarlett, but it’s not you I actually worry about.’
I cock an eyebrow at him.
‘Anyone who come’s near you are who I worry for.’ He chuckles at his own remark. Jasper’s not wrong. I could take down someone just by pinching their neck in the right place. I take My phone out my handbag and knocks my 9mm.
I hear Jasper tsk, ‘you should put that somewhere else rather than your bag. It could go off at any time. Is the safety even on?’
‘Yes, dad, the safety’s on and I can’t put it anywhere else. It would show through my pencil skirt.’
I flick my auburn hair off my shoulder and lean on the door. I see the world flick by as we drive towards the estate.
‘You don’t need to worry about fashion if you’re dead.’
‘You’re so dramatic,’ I roll my eyes at him, ‘that’s what my folding single shot gun is for!’
Many people believed that I carried a firearm for protection due to being the boss of a well-known company. Home invasions due to stalking were common, especially those who had such big businesses like Helios.
Criminals would follow the CEO home and strike when they least expected. Most were slaughtered as they slept next to their spouses in bed. Their security detail sent home for the night as it was a weekend, and the boss gave them the night off for a change.
Or they were slain in their marital bed with their lover. Their spouses would’ve been on a visit somewhere for a night or two and the boss would send their security detail home so as not to be caught with their lover.
My father fell into the latter.
‘Have you got plans tonight, Scarlett?’, Jasper’s voice breaks through my thoughts.
‘Yes actually, would you mind dropping me and Amelia off at Davinci’s for 8.15pm? I’ll ask Cyrus to pick us up later. I know you need your beauty sleep.’ I chuckle at him. He is the most loyal guy, but even I wouldn’t keep a 65-year-old man from his much-needed sleep.
‘I’ll tell Cyrus whilst you’re getting ready.’
‘Thanks, also remember about tomorrow 5pm. I have a meeting at the hotel with the De Luca family. I’ll need you there in case things go side ways.’ I shoot him a look but I already know, I don’t need to tell him twice. Jasper simply nods.
I needed this night out. The meeting tomorrow with the De Luca family was going to be a stressful one and I needed to let my hair loose a bit. I had no plans to work in the morning so I could cure any hangover I had.
After all, it’s not every day you meet with the Italian mafia boss.
