Jackson Johnson

New York, United States

Jackson

I took a long sip of my coffee and felt the warmth as it slid down my throat; it was the best moment of the day. I finished reading the end-of-month sales analysis. A waitress approached and placed a slice of cake on the table. I frowned and looked up at her.

"I didn't order this." She smiled apologetically, her cheeks turning a pale pink.

"It's on the house." I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh, thanks." I managed a half-smile.

"Have a nice day." And without waiting for a response, she disappeared.

"Well..." I then turned my attention back to my tablet.

"Mr. Johnson..." I heard beside me and sighed, knowing it was time to go.

"So soon?" I sounded a bit irritated.

"You have a meeting at nine, we have ten minutes to get to the building."

"Alright, alright," I packed my tablet, finished the rest of my coffee, and got up to grab my coat since it was freezing cold. I weaved through the tables to reach the exit. As I stepped outside, I stopped when I saw a red-haired woman in a blood-red coat. She smiled at me.

"No way," I said to myself.

"Jackson, this time you won't escape, let's have breakfast together." I walked up to her since she was blocking the armored SUV's door.

"I think we'll leave it for another day, I have a meeting at nine and only nine minutes to get there."

She tried to pout.

"Come on, slow down a bit and have breakfast with me."

"I really can't, Georgina." I politely sidestepped, causing her to move aside automatically.

"You owe me breakfast then..." she said suddenly, as I was closing the car door. I turned to her.

"I'll call you..." Then I closed the door. She waited for the tinted window to roll down, but she'd be waiting a while. The car started moving, and finally, I could sigh.

"I hate blind dates," I muttered. My bodyguard smiled; I saw him in the rearview mirror. "I don't understand the rush to get me into a relationship."

"Your mother wants to see you married with a family in the future."

"I'm only thirty; I still have time before settling down, before living..." I turned to look out the window. What are you going to live? You're on autopilot, Jackson. Just on autopilot. Your mind is only on business.

"But with the lady you just saw, I thought there was some chemistry..." commented my security man, Richard.

"Remember, all the women who approach my mother or my family do so because they want to get close to me. And if they get close to me, they get fame, connections, and, most importantly, to tie me down in holy matrimony, and of course, my mother is happy." I snorted. "I'm like a lottery ticket..." Richard nodded with a smile, not taking his eyes off the traffic.

After the nine o'clock meeting, I focused on the new properties I was going to acquire. I was enchanted by a property in the Hamptons; the land was extensive, with a private beach, and the area had only a few neighboring houses. The farther from prying eyes, the better.

There was a knock on the door, and I announced they could come in. I heard the door open, and when I looked up, I smiled at the sight of my only brother: Jacob.

"Good morning, bro! Am I interrupting?" I quickly shook my head.

"Good morning, come in, come in. What are you up to now?" Jacob laughed.

"Can't I just come to see my little brother?" I rolled my eyes for a moment.