Chapter 11. Distrust
Jackson Johnson
Johnson Building...
"Good evening, Mr. Johnson." Freddy, the night shift attendant, greeted politely as I walked to the elevator.
"Good evening," I replied, raising my hand in a gesture of greeting. I pressed the button to call the elevator, watching the numbers indicate it was coming down.
"Good evening, Jackson." I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw tightly. Seconds later, I opened them and turned my face. It was Georgina, wearing her blood-red coat. Her red hair stood out against her milky, flawless skin.
"Good evening. What are you doing here?" I asked, intrigued.
"Waiting for the elevator, just like you." Her full lips, painted in a deep red, stretched into a smile. "I bought an apartment in this building."
"Great." I turned my gaze back to the numbers. When the doors opened, I chivalrously stepped aside to let her in. She entered triumphantly and reached to press the button, but I didn't step in.
"Aren't you coming up?" she asked, alarmed.
"No. I'm waiting for someone," I said as the doors closed, taking with them a woman likely ready to curse her way to her new apartment. I headed toward Freddy, who quickly stopped what he was doing as he saw me approaching.
"Yes, Mr. Johnson?" Freddy gave an elegant smile.
"There's a new tenant, and no one informed me?" He nodded, puzzled by my question.
"Yes, sir. I thought you knew. She bought the Silver's apartment this morning."
"Who even informed her there was an intention to sell an apartment in this building? In my building?" I emphasized the last words. Freddy noticed my irritation from my tone.
"An employee from your company, Agent Williams. Solange Williams." Damn it. I pressed my lips together, then looked at Freddy, who seemed to see a ghost. "Please don't fire me, Mr. Johnson."
"I won't. But this will be the first and last time I let it slide. There are explicit rules when someone intends to sell their apartment and more before even selling."
"I'm sorry, sir. Since the agent is one of the best in your company, I wrongly assumed you were aware."
"No, I wasn't." I turned to take the elevator up to my penthouse. I entered the code, and moments later, the doors opened on my floor. I reached the foyer and loosened the knot of my tie with my fingers. My mood had shifted. Georgina Vans, the blind date my mother had forced me to go on a month ago, was now living in my building. I knew it would cause problems sooner or later. Reaching where I am and now having her as an owner of one of my apartments in my own building... it was the last straw. But something felt odd. I narrowed my eyes and locked myself in my office.
Johnson Real Estate
The next morning, I was determined. With my briefcase in hand, I walked straight to my office. My secretary stood up and handed me the mail.
"Sir, should I call Miss Williams?" she asked.
"In five minutes, call her," I said as I entered, threw the mail on my desk, placed my briefcase in its spot, took off my jacket, and hung it over the back of my swivel chair. I was furious. Very furious. My lawyers were aware of what I wanted to do. After five minutes, there was a knock on the door. I announced they could enter. Then one of my company's top agents appeared.
"Good morning, Jackson." I crossed my arms, and she tensed at my gesture. "Sorry, good morning, Mr. Johnson."
"Who authorized you to sell the Silver's apartment?" She opened her mouth, but no words came out, so she closed it. "You've abused the power I gave you to handle the apartments in my building."
"Jackson, I... I mean, Mr. Johnson, the Silvers were interested in selling. They wanted to spend their retirement in Miami. They contacted me, and I advised them on the sale."
"And who authorized you to sell the Silver's apartment?" She pressed her lips together.
"I'm sorry, there was a client and..."
"And how did the client know so quickly that an apartment was for sale? It happened overnight. You didn't wait to make the necessary arrangements to put it up for sale as required. You broke my rules. And the worst part of this..." I walked to a certain distance from her. "...is that my signature isn't on those documents. Can you explain that?"
"Miss Vans is from a very important family. Her mother contacted me, hoping there was an apartment available in the building. Since I had already spoken with the Silvers, it was easy to offer it."
"Why did you offer it without my authorization?" Solange's eyes widened. "How are you going to explain to Miss Vans that the apartment isn't for sale and she'll have to move out? I didn't authorize it. I never agreed to the sale." She paled.
"Why make it a big deal? She needed the apartment, and I expedited everything." I clenched my jaw.
"Do you know the legal trouble you'll face for forging my signature?" I took the document from my desk and showed it to her. "That's not my signature, Solange."
"It was just a provisional signature while I waited for yours. The Vans were in a hurry to buy the apartment."
"Right now, you'll go to Miss Vans, refund her the purchase money, and come back for your things to sign your resignation letter."
"What? You can't fire me. I'm the best agent you have. You can't just use your power to treat us like puppets at your damn whim!"
"Of course I can fire you! You've forged my signature! Besides suing you, I'm going to meticulously review every sale you've made. If I confirm that you've forged my signature, I swear to God I'll bury you in jail. I won't let you tarnish my company's name because of your greed." His eyes filled with tears. "Tell your best friend Georgina Vans to find you the best lawyer she can, because what you've done is going to cost you dearly." I turned to the desk and picked up the phone. "Call Leopoldo, tell him to come immediately, and call security." I hung up and looked at Solange, who was still pale.
"Jackson, please, let's not do this." I leaned against the edge of the desk and crossed my arms.
"I don't beat around the bush, Solange. You knew what you were doing. Doing things wrong was more important to you than doing them right. You could have avoided being fired." There was a knock at the door. I announced that they could come in, and one of my trusted agents, Leopoldo White, appeared.
"Did you call for me, Mr. Johnson?"
"I want you to escort Miss Williams to my building to resolve an issue with a sale where she forged my signature." He opened his eyes in terror. "And make sure she returns the key to reception. Then, bring her to HR to ensure she signs her resignation. Also, make sure she doesn't take ANYTHING with the Johnson name on it."
"Yes, sir." Leopoldo looked at Solange.
"Please, Jackson, don't end it like this," she wiped her cheeks. "If you fire me like this, I won't be able to get a job anywhere."
"Tell your best friend Georgina Vans to give you a job."
"She manipulated me, and I didn't see it. Please!" She started crying again. The security guards stood by the door, waiting for instructions. I waved my hand, and they came in. I explained what I wanted them to do, and then they all left. I should have called the police, but I opted for the second option: she would clean up what she had done, and then I would sue her. Minutes after they had left, there was another knock at the door. I grunted that they could come in. I expected my secretary with a question, but I was wrong again. It was Maxima.
"Jackson, what happened? I saw Solange crying on her way to the elevator. Leopoldo was escorting her with the security team."
"Trust abuse issues," I said. From her expression, I could tell she needed the full context. "Solange forged my signature to sell an apartment in my own building."
"No way!" Maxima exclaimed, looking astonished. "She was the best of all the agents."
"Was," I emphasized with annoyance as I walked to my chair. "I'll have to personally evaluate each agent and every sale made in the last six months. I've always been distrustful; now, even more so." I tried to calm down. I motioned for her to sit, but she shook her head.
"I have the new administrator waiting for me in the hallway." I raised an eyebrow.
"I already have a new administrator?" I was surprised to hear that.
"Yes, I've introduced her to the rest of the team. I was about to introduce her to you, but I wanted to confirm if you were available."
"I'm not available right now after what just happened. I have a lot on my mind."
"I figured. Well, I'll see you later. I'll show her around the company and then take her to her new office on the administrative floor."
"Sure, go ahead." Maxima said goodbye, and I watched her leave.
In the afternoon, Solange did as I ordered. She signed her resignation without a recommendation letter. My lawyers would handle the lawsuit against her. I couldn't just let it go. She had abused her power, and there was still an investigation to be done on all the sales she had made during her time in the position. My anger had finally calmed down a bit. I was getting ready to leave and rest in my penthouse. I had planned dinner and a documentary to watch. I was already looking forward to Friday when I could go to my new place in the Hamptons, relax on that renovated terrace, listen to the waves crashing, soak up the sun, and...
My phone rang. Reluctantly, I reached into my jacket pocket and saw the number on the screen. I slid the button to answer.
"Mother, it's rare that you don't call."
"You missed your appointment." I raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?" I tried to buy time for an answer.
"I was informed that you didn't have dinner with her. She left, and you dined alone. How is that possible? You are a Johnson, raised and educated with good manners."
"She didn't want to have dinner." It was the first thing that came to mind. With so much on my mind, I didn't think as quickly as I usually did with her.
"And that's why she had to wait outside the restaurant, freezing while you dined?" I let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Who told you that lie? I hope it wasn't the blonde at the entrance." I walked with the phone to my ear, picked up my jacket, and with some juggling, put it on, grabbed my briefcase, and headed for the exit. "Or have you hired people pretending to be diners to spy on me? That's low, Mother."
"I have my sources."
"Well, your sources are wrong." I walked to the elevator, entered, and pressed the lobby button. Richard was waiting at the entrance with the SUV.
"Fine, then tell me something to confirm that you really kept the appointment, despite what I've heard."
"And then you'll leave me alone?" I smiled.
"Yes," she said on the other end of the line.
"Okay, then tell me how I can confirm it."
"Just one question, and I want an answer. If you fail, I'll resume the appointments."
"Fine," I replied confidently.
"Then..." she paused to create more mystery and anxiety. "What's her name?"