Conrad hit the pause button and inhaled sharply, his stomach knotting in dread. Whatever Brian had to say, it wouldn’t be good. He had been one of his earliest hires for the company, with him from the very beginning when he was still living and working in a small Brooklyn apartment with five other guys he had hired to help him. All of them were gone now for various reasons, but Brian’s departure was the hardest. Conrad had hated firing him after he got caught sleeping with one of their clients. Brian had insisted it wasn’t a big deal, but Conrad explained it reflected poorly on the company, especially because the client had been married. Brian had sworn revenge; this must be how his former employee planned to get it.
He pressed the button, unpausing the video and letting the reporter continue. “Known for his ruthless business tactics and keeping his private life out of the spotlight, the now infamous footage of the billionaire getting angry is our most viewed video of all time.”
It wasn’t surprising they would bring up the time when over a dozen reporters ambushed him outside his apartment and started asking all sorts of invasive questions about his personal life. When he refused to comment, one of them cited that he shouldn’t have been featured on Manhattan Magazine’s Most Eligible Bachelor list if he didn’t want the attention. He had pushed through the crowd, trying to get away, and had accidently elbowed one of the reporters. Of course, the angle the news outlets released made it look like he had attacked the other man. It had taken Conrad a pretty penny to quietly settle the lawsuit with the reporter, but the video still remained on the internet for all to see.
After showing the video of the attack for the hundredth time, the tabloid-style TV show cut to the new footage with Brian. “Conrad Gaines is the coldest and most calculating man I have ever known. Don’t get me wrong, he knows how to turn on the charm when he needs to get what he wants, but as soon as he does, he can turn it off just as quick and ice a person out. I mean, I was with him from the very beginning, right when he got out of college, and I helped him build up his company to the global name it is, and he fired me without a second thought.”
Brian spent the next several minutes giving examples of Conrad behaving in callous and cutthroat ways. They were all misconstrued or exaggerated to prove his point, but he knew it wouldn’t matter to the people watching. They were going to eat it up.
“Any words of advice for someone coming into contact with Conrad Gaines, either in a personal or professional way?” the reporter inquired.
“Yes, stay as far away from Conrad Gaines as you can. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.”
Conrad clicked the button to dismiss the pop-up window on his monitor. He leaned back in his chair and let out a heavy sigh. Why did this keep happening to him? Sure, he was a determined man who took all matters in his life seriously, but he didn’t consider himself to be ruthless or callous. If that was how he came off to other people, he wanted to find a way to change it. He just didn’t know how.
* * *
Tiffany couldn’t waitto see her new friends at Journey Church. Her parents had never been very religious, occasionally attending to keep up appearances and to socialize for her father’s business. The church they had gone to had been stuffy and rigid, all about rules and protocol. So, she hadn’t loved the idea of going to church when her brother had invited her to go the previous week. If she were honest with herself, she didn’t think it was going to be for her. When she entered the modern, industrial building the first time though, she realized she had the wrong impression of what church could be. The place was comfortable, the people friendly, and the music modern and enjoyable. The pastor’s sermon had been exactly what Tiffany needed; like a glass of cold water on a hot summer day. It left her feeling encouraged and wanting to come back.
As Tiffany approached the doors that lead into the main room of the church, an older woman with graying brown hair and a friendly smile stopped her. She handed her a bulletin with the church’s name on it.
“It’s good to see you again. How are you doing today, Tiffany?” Diane inquired.
“I’m doing good. How about yourself?” Tiffany politely asked in return.
“Fine, other than my grandson is sporting a broken heart after his latest breakup. He’s a good boy, he just goes for the wrong type of women.” Giving Tiffany a hopeful look, she added, “I haven’t seen you around here with any men besides your brother. Are you dating anyone?”
Tiffany’s eyes grew round with surprise. She hadn’t expected the woman to question her about her relationship status and had a bad feeling she was about to be fixed up on a blind date if she didn’t navigate this carefully. “I’m not; work keeps me way too busy.”
“It’s not good to focus all your time and attention on a career, Tiffany. You need to let there be room for more,” Diane gently reprimanded. “Why don’t you take a chance on my grandson? You never know, the two of you might hit it off.”
“I really don’t think I have the time—”
Before Tiffany could finish her objection, Diane was waving her grandson over to her side. “This is Timothy. He just finished his medical degree at Columbia and has already been recruited to do his internship at Johns Hopkins. Timothy, this is Tiffany Boswell. She works for her brother at Boswell Oil.”
Timothy was good looking, with a tall, lean build, and black hair and green eyes. Though she could tell he didn’t like what was happening any more than she did, he reached out his hand to her. “Nice to meet you, Tiffany.”
Not feeling she had any other choice, Tiffany took the man’s outstretched hand. “Likewise.” Glancing between them, she added, “Like I was telling your grandmother, I’m very busy co-running my family’s business,” she gently corrected, wanting to make it clear she didn’t just work for her brother.
Timothy gave a nod. “I understand. I’m busy myself with preparing for my internship.”
“You weren’t too busy to date that little twit who broke your heart,” Diane interjected with irritation. “Tiffany would be a way better option.”
“Grandma, I understand that you’re only trying to help, but Tiffany has made it quite clear she doesn’t have the time.” Then turning his attention back to Tiffany, he added, “If your schedule ever frees up, maybe we can meet up for coffee sometime.”
Tiffany didn’t want to encourage the man, so she stood there trying to think of what to say. Luckily, the familiar voice of Celeste Allen, Roger’s fiancée, interrupted, allowing her to remain quiet. “Good morning, Tiffany. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thanks,” Tiffany replied with relief, as Celeste came rushing up to her and pulling her into a friendly embrace. Awkwardly, Tiffany hugged the other woman back. Physical affection, actually affection of any kind, wasn’t something Boswells displayed, but she was learning that she didn’t have to be that way. Since attending church and watching her brother with Celeste and his son, Marcus, she realized she could break the bad habits their parents had taught them.
“How are the wedding plans coming?” Tiffany inquired as she pulled back from the hug. “We should probably go talk about them,” she suggested, wanting to get away from Diane and Timothy as quickly as possible.
Celeste looked at everyone as if sizing up the situation. Then a knowing look crossed her face as she looped her arm through Tiffany’s, saying, “Yes, yes, we need to talk about the wedding right now.” Once they were far enough away that no one could hear them, Celeste inquired, “What was that all about?”
“Diane was trying to fix me up with her grandson.”
“You could do worse,” Celeste pointed out, glancing over at the soon-to-be doctor. “Timothy is smart, nice, and making a name for himself in the medical world, not to mention handsome.”
“Don’t let Roger hear you saying that.”