Page 4 of Next Door Billionaire's Surprise Baby

The echoes of greetings from my staff start to trickle in the second I leave the elevator. The hallway on the top floor is somewhat quiet, but I'm not worried because I know why. I'm meeting with the executives along with their assistants, and they're all gathered inside the conference room awaiting my arrival.

The privileges of being a boss…

My personal assistant, standing outside the conference room door with a phone held up to his ear, looks in my direction and starts making his way over to me. He is in his mid-thirties, looking nice and professional today in a sleek, black three-piece suit.

"Good morning, sir," he calls out to me, and when I skewer him a sharp look, he starts to smile, "Fine. Good morning, Kane."

I would like to consider myself the typical strict boss, but some of my employees have been with me long enough to pass the overly formal stage. Mike, for instance, has been with me since the first day I opened my company, and as such, he can be less formal around me. No need for him to call me ‘sir’ or ‘boss’ as everyone else does.

"I almost thought you'd lost your mind for a second back there," I grumble, rushing forward in the direction of the conference room.

He increases his strides to match mine, still smirking, "I thought I should mess with you a little bit."

"All right. That’s enough, Mike."

"But seriously, don't you think we should reserve the informality for behind closed doors only? I'm really starting to feel weird being the only one to address you that way in the office."

Complains complains...

We approach the double doors, and just before I push them open, I tell him, "You should be called Modest Mike."

The doors give way to the huge conference room with a large dark wood table in the center. Arranged around the table are thirty chairs, twenty-eight of which are already occupied.

The room falls silent as Mike and I head to our seats. Once I'm settled, I address the executives and their assistants.

"Good morning, everyone."

They echo their responses, and I continue, "I'm sure you're all aware of the purpose for which I called this meeting. There are some mild internal issues I have to address so they don't turn into major problems."

Mike pushes a copy of the memorandum to me, even though I don't need it. I take it regardless and focus on the list of topics I have to address, starting with the impending resignation of one of my most competent software developers.

Letting out a shallow breath, I start, "Let's begin, shall we?"

I'm too caught up in the lengthy conversation with a client to realize that it’s getting late. By the time I end the call, it’s getting dark already, and I remember I have to be at the country club in an hour.

I’m busy packing my things to leave when I hear my office door open.

"Ready to leave yet?" Mike asks, and I look up to see him all packed up and ready to head home. Lifting a finger to signal for him to wait, I grab the last important document off the desk and shove it into my laptop bag before making my way to the door.

Mike turns off the lights when I exit the office and locks the door behind me. As we make our way to the nearest elevator, I say to him, "I'm going to the country club."

I don't even know if I'm informing him or inviting him. No matter how many times I invite Mike to the guys’ gatherings at the country club, he always finds excuses not to tag along.

True to his nature, he just hums, "That's nice. Have fun."

We discuss everything and nothing on our descent to the ground floor in the elevator, and when it's time to go our separate ways, I call out, "See you tomorrow, Modest Mike."

I get into my car and drive off in the direction of the exclusive country club. I arrive at the elegant property in record time and make my way inside to the lounge where my friends are waiting.

The first person to see me coming is James, and he welcomes me with his signature big smile, "Well, well, well...look who it is!"

The four others follow his gaze, and I'm greeted with grins and back pats. I sit down and immediately pick up a whiskey bottle from the selection of drinks on the table.

"Hey guys," I greet back as I begin pouring whiskey into a glass, "What are we up to?"

Nico, the only other CEO of a successful business empire, tips his wine glass to me, "The usual. Discussing the troubles from work as well as marriage."

"Yeah," James leans forward and lowers his voice to a conspiratorial tone, "I got kicked out to the guest room last night."

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