Page 7 of The Mogul: Leonard

“Wait, what? Is she old enough for college?” How did she grow up so fast?

Jack chuckles. “Yeah, she’s a smart one. She won’t marry someone rich. She’ll make her own money.”

I’m glad to hear that. I’m not a fan of women financially depending on men. If a woman doesn’t have a job to support herself, she’ll never escape a loveless, abusive relationship. And men are such cowards that they count on that when they have nothing else to offer.

“I know she’s a smart girl, but she was like five just a week ago.” The last time I saw her, she was barely out of her diapers.

Jack’s booming laugh fills the room. “You spend way too much time in this office, and you don’t even realize that time is slipping through your fingers.” He studies me intently with that fatherly gaze I’m accustomed to seeing from him.

I hired Jack when I started this company. He was fired in front of my eyes from the company that was remodeling this place. It wasn’t his fault if the marble slab fell and broke, but it was easier to fire the Black guy who didn’t go to college than the owner’s son fresh out of his pristine education for rich white guys.

I tried to defend him to no avail, so I hired him on the spot and have never regretted my decision since.

“No! It’s your kids that grew up way too fast.”

He shakes his head. “When was the last time you took a Sunday for yourself?”

I think about it, but honestly, I don’t remember. A few months ago, maybe? I’m sure I did it at some point this year.

“I have more pressing things to do.” I smile, pointing at the computer, but I feel like a kid in the principal’s office.

“Are you going to solve all your problems today?” He raises a scolding eyebrow.

“Probably not,” I admit.

“Will they be there tomorrow?” he presses.

I look at my hands and smile. I know he’s trying to make me understand that I don’t have a life. But I’m okay with it most of the time.

“Yes, but if I solve some today, I have less to do tomorrow.” I feel the need to find an excuse because, no matter what, his opinion matters.

He smiles sweetly. “Like you don’t always have your hands full. You founded fifteen companies, for Pete’s sake! You don’t even know what it means to rest,” he points out.

He’s right. I always need something to do or feel like I’m wasting my time. It’s why I don’t have an active social life. I can’t maintain a good relationship with my work schedule. My friends know they can see me only if they plan months in advance and if there aren’t any major disasters when we have an appointment. On the other hand, if one of them is in trouble and needs my help, I will drop everything and run to them. I’m someone my friends can count on when they need me.

“Okay, you have a point, but tell me more about your kid. Where is she going?” I successfully divert the topic that was becoming suffocating and study the proud smile coming back to his face.

“Stanford. She got an early acceptance to Stanford. Can you believe it? It’s an Ivy League college. She’s so smart. She got it from her mother.” He almost trips over his words, incapable of containing his excitement.

“I can believe that. I’m so proud of her.” And I really am. I love his family like it’s my own.

“Now she’s waiting to find out if she has a full scholarship or if she’ll have to pick up a loan. But all her brothers had it, so she’s pretty confident that she won’t have a problem with that.” He seems a bit worried about it even though the smile never disappears from his face.

I make a mental note to look into it and step in if she can’t get the full ride to her dream college.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” I agree with him and I can see his shoulders relax a bit.

Jack nods and looks at his watch. “Better go do my rounds. It’s always a pleasure to chat with you. And go home, enjoy this sunny Sunday.” He winks at me before standing up and disappearing behind the door.

I will leave my office but not go home. There is someone else I need to talk about this money thing. He won’t be able to help me, but he will put my mind at rest. I text my driver to let him know to pick me up.

The helicopter ruffles the perfect grass as it lands on his spot on the hill. I watch out the window, and I smile at the view of Raphael with his arms spread as if to say, “What the hell are you doing?” Right behind him, Silver is laughing and grabbing her dress to avoid flashing her underwear.

When the engine turns off and the blades slow down, I remove my headphones and step off the chopper. I walk to the backyard, where Raphael is shaking his head.

“You know I have a permit to land on this hill just because of my job, right? It’s for emergencies, not for you to avoid the traffic,” he complains.

“This is definitely an emergency.” I grin at him.

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