Time to Play(14)

“Why did you buy this company?” Cole asked.

“Because there was a time when this place was thriving with business. They were making a profit and turning over the goods with a sound reputation.” Callum stood and began pacing the room.

“So, your purchase of this company had nothing to do with little Simone?” Cole didn’t want to say her last name. Her father was a total bastard. The name Allusifa left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“She may have encouraged my decision.”

Cole sighed. “She’s gone now. You can’t force her to work for you.”

“Then I better start chasing her.”

“What is so special about this one, Callum?”

His friend turned toward him with a smile on his lips. “I’ve always loved a challenge.”

“After going through the books I don’t think she’s going to be worth the amount of money it is going to take to run this company,” Cole said.

“What did Simone do for this company again?” Callum asked.

He shot his friend a look. Callum had read her file over a dozen times. The man knew what she’d done for this business. “She’s part of the finance group.”

“She may not have to work here, but she has to properly train up her replacement.”

Callum pulled out her contract then handed it to him.

In a blue marker at the bottom clause of her contract was highlighted. “She has to come back to work to train someone else.”

Cole looked over her contract. He threw it on the table. “I’ve got a better idea,” he said.

“I’m listening.”

“What about a story that was leaked to the press? A story about a young millionaire’s daughter, leaving the hotel room of the notorious Callum Gallagher. Not only is there video evidence but also a couple of intimate shots of you two in the bar?” Cole had been waiting for plan B. He’d gotten in touch with one of his sources working in the press that morning. He was waiting for the opportunity to use the footage he’d gained. “This will also drive Malcolm crazy. His only daughter shacking up with his worst enemy.”

Callum smiled. “She’ll have to stick around for the problem that is going to create.”

“Bingo.”





Chapter Five





Simone was so angry she could spit. How dare he barge into her life like that? They were supposed to be two strangers in the night. Not business partners or any of that crap. She walked back into her apartment foyer. The receptionist was on the phone as Simone placed her box on the counter.

Several minutes later, the woman put the phone down then turned to her. “Okay, I guess it has not been a good day for you?”

“You’ve got that right. Do you have any mail for me?”

The postal service always left packages and mail at the front door.

“Nothing.”

“Great. Thank you.” Simone grabbed her box and made her way up the stairs. She needed to start looking for work. There was no way she’d be under control with Callum as the boss. She wasn’t doing what some of the other women had done at work. Sleeping with the boss was not a requirement to get up in the world. She was an intelligent woman and would use her brains before using her pussy.

Simone let herself into her apartment then dropped her box onto the floor. She went to the fridge, grabbed a beer then sat on the couch. The phone began ringing the moment she sat down.

“Hello,” she said.

“So are you going to work for me now?” her father said over the line. She rolled her eyes.

“Nope, there are plenty more places to work, dad.” She hung up on him then grabbed the remote for the television.

There were a couple of cartoons playing. She skipped the cartoons as the phone rang once again.

“Hello,” she said, changing the channels. She stopped turning to grab a swig of her beer.

“I thought you had more sense, young lady. I can’t believe you’d do this. Your father is going to be cursing all kinds of things at you.”

“Mom, sheesh, slow down. What are you talking about?”

“It is all over the news. You silly girl,” Helen said. Her voice was practically shouting at her.

“What have I done wrong?”

“Turn on the blasted news?”

Sighing in annoyance, Simone turned on the news and froze.

“Son of a bitch.”

“Language, Simone.”

There on the screen was her walk of shame. “News is just in, long time Millionaire Callum Gallagher is seen pursuing the estranged daughter of wealthy businessman, Malcolm Allusifa...”

The report continued on as she watched the pictures of them together at the bar followed by a small bit of footage of them in the elevator. She looked completely taken away. Her whole face was burning with humiliation. She didn’t think Callum was capable of this.