The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

At a glance, I walked down memory lane.

We decided to visit Grandpa at the Kross Corp. He was more determined to work in his office than at home.

I remembered those days when Dad brought me here-it felt like yesterday. Though this place had gone through a lot of redecoration, the memories were still fresh to me.

I scanned through old photos. Grandpa kept the picture while I was just a kid, taken at the private airport. It was the day I lost my parents. I put it back when the emptiness in my chest became too much.

I looked at Mykel. He was in deep thoughts as he stared through the cityscape outside.

I was about to say something when Grandpa walked in.

“Mykel, Adley, what are you two doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you both.”

“You should have told me, Lex. It happened in your home, and I was there the next morning,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Grandpa sighed deeply. Regret and pain reflected in his eyes. “I felt ashamed. I was about to push my only granddaughter to that sick son of a bitch, and I didn’t know he was temperamental and delusional.”

“He’s mentally unstable, too. See, how families can keep their deepest dark secrets?” Mykel snorted.

“I’m sorry, son. I did what I thought was right. I specifically ordered his father to get his son a doctor and treat his drinking problem, but I guess we have different ways of handling our families. He cut Gary’s trust fund instead and fired him from work. And I knew his father. He’s too proud of his son that he doesn’t accept failures even the slightest.”

“Yeah. I can see that. I don’t like that son of a bitch ever since,” Mykel admitted.

“We’re pressing charges, Grandpa.”

He looked at me. “Do whatever you must. But if his parents will come and talk to you about dropping the charges, try thinking about it for old time’s sake.”

“No way, Lex.” The harshness in Mykel’s voice reappeared.

“Listen to me, Mykel. I wanted to keep this issue away from the media and the boards as possible. And I’m not talking about business. We haven’t been through with the plan yet.”

“What did Merick have against you? He knows you’re sick, is he?”

Grandpa looked down. “I don’t want it to draw much attention. If they know I’m sick, he will call an emergency board meeting, and the rest, you know what will happen. He has a share and is also the COO. And I can’t throw my responsibility on Adley.”

“I think it’s time I step up, Grandpa. I’m a business ad graduate. I may not have executive experience in a major corporation, but I can handle it. We still owned Kross Corp, and I’m still one of the major shareholders. At least before my parents’ asset is transferred in my name, let me be your representative.”

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” The worry in Mykel’s tone was audible, but he looked proud of me as well.

“Yes.” I went to sit beside Grandpa.

“Very well then.”

“Your parents would be so proud of you,” Grandpa said and smiled.

I smiled back, even if this was not part of the plan.

I hated when people blackmailed for their gain-that was unfair. No one should use my grandfather’s illness against him. I also knew a shark when I saw one. And the Merick had not seen me yet.

“I’m turning over my seat to Blaze. It’s time I handle the family business.”

“Are you sure you don’t wanna think about this first?” Mykel looked surprised by my words. I knew he cared a lot about me and knew how hard it was to run a multi-industry corporation in a male-dominant environment.

“Are you afraid that I will fail?”

A smile slowly curved up his lips.

“What?”

His smile widened. “You’re smart and determined, not to mention head-strong. You won’t fail. You will make your parents proud.”

“Are you still up for buying my parents’ assets?”

“Are you still considering selling it?”

“I wanna see the look in their eyes when I turn over the CEO position to you. I think they underestimated Kross, and they thought Grandpa was weak and that he couldn’t control his own little rebellious granddaughter. I’ll show them what Kross can do.”

“I think you are playing with fire, honey. You know how dangerous it is.”

“Oh, I’m fully aware, but not when you are the fire.”

Mykel laughed out loud and walked in my direction. He knelt before me, cupped my head, and kissed me with a loud smack, making my grandfather groan.

“For the love of God, Mykel.”

“I will kiss my wife whenever and wherever I want.”

Grandpa shook his head in both dismay and amusement. “Just be careful, Adley. Never trust anyone.”

“I will, Grandpa.”

***

I was engrossed in reading a book about leadership management. I was done with the structure of the company, its organizational chart, boards’ backgrounds, the company’s visions and missions, and its policies. Yet, I was not even close to done with my plans.

My eyes were aching, my head hurt, my butt was numb, and my shoulders could use a good massage. God, I missed Madelyn. I wished she was here right now.

We had a dinner plan at Hartford’s residence, though. I just discovered that Mykel changed his surname to his mother’s years ago.

The office door creaked open, revealing my husband in a shirt and sweatpants. “You’ve been here, obsessively reading books. You haven’t showered, and you ate here and never rose from that seat, Adley Creed. This is not healthy.”

I smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Won’t be long. You’ve forgotten the fact that you also have a husband who needs you.”

“I don’t want them to tell me that I’m not capable.”

“You have what it takes, Adley. You are smart, quick-witted, accountable, and have tenacity. You are very creative, strategist, and committed.”

“You’re making that up.” I continued reading. When he came closer, I lifted my gaze. “They have experience. When the boards cast their votes, they would never choose me.”

“Sometimes, it’s not about experience. In business, you’re maybe the head, but there are people below your position who execute the job to make the company strong. You know that. That’s why you have your team. You’re the thinker, but you are not always the doer. And don’t underestimate the trust of the boards on Kross.”

“Honestly, I feel weak and insecure.”

He came to me, held my hand, and looked directly into my eyes. “You are capable of doing something great. You built a multi-million dollar business at the age of twenty-two. What other proof do you need? Give yourself a little credit, Adley. If they would look so little at you because you have a vagina? Then show them how pussy they are.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t know how I learned to like you with that dirty mouth of yours?”

“Because I’m awesome, and my mouth, tongue, fingers, and dick work magic.” A huge grin emerged from his lips.

I faked a cringe. “You’re so filthy.”

“You like me anyway.” He pressed a kiss on my lips. “You really have to stop this obsession of yours.”

“I’m almost done.”

He rose to his feet, shaking his head. “No, baby. That’s enough for today. It’s three in the morning. You need to sleep.”

“What? It’s still nine.”

He showed me the time on my phone. “Why would I lie to you? I want you to rest and energize for the next day. You need it, and trust me, baby. You’re gonna need it. You’re going to thank me later.”

I sighed deeply, finally giving up. I shut the book close.

When we reached the room, he told me to strip off. “Come on, baby.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“I’m kinda tired.” I grinned sheepishly. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I saw the bed.

“No sex tonight, baby. I want to clean you up.”

“Can we do that in the morning?” I stretched my limbs and yawned.

“No. You smell like yogurt right now.”

“Really?” I smelled my armpit.

“It was a joke, but you can sleep well if you’re fresh.” He helped me out of my baggy shirt. “Get in the bathroom. I’ll be there in a second.”

He had already filled the tub, and the smell of lavender was divine. I sunk in, soaked myself, and moaned as I closed my eyes.

I felt Mykel walk in toward me. “See? You badly need that.”

“Thanks.”

He then started massaging my shoulders, and it felt so good. “You are so tense.”

“I can have an orgasm with your touch alone.”

“No sexual innuendo, baby. You need a long sleep.” He pressed his lips on top of my head.

“You’re no fun.”

He chuckled. “Not tonight. If you keep doing what you’re doing, then no sex either. I’m good with my hand.”

My eyes cracked open, and I turned to look at him. His eyes were twinkling. “Is that a challenge?”

He smiled meaningfully.

“Then I should invest in vibrator and dildo. I’m calling my accountant tomorrow.”

“Where can you find my size?”

I hit him on his arm. “I’ve seen bigger than yours.”

“Really? Who? The first time I had you, you were tight as a glove. It felt amazing, by the way.”

“You’re such have a filthy brain.”

“Coming from someone who just said to invest in vibrator and dildo.”

I snaked my hand around his neck and pulled him closer to me. I kissed him on his cheek. “You’re the best, Mykel.”

After my short time soaking in the tub, I quickly hit a shower. Mykel was already waiting for me when I got in bed, yawning.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I instantly felt sleepy; I could barely keep my eyes open. “Night, Mykel.”

He wrapped his arm around me. “Sleep tight, baby.”