*** Jessica's POV
Jessica looking across the table at Nyman. "I am glad we were able to get lunch together."
"Of course! I would do anything for you!" Nyman said, holding her hand across the table.
Jessica jumped a bit when her phone suddenly rang. "Sorry I thought I turned that off."
"It's ok, it could be important."
Jessica looked down to see her mother calling, "Mom?" she answered.
"You will not believe who dared show his face at the mall today."
"What? Who?"
"That bastard, Brantley. He had some harlet with him. I told you he was no good."
"Mom, leave the poor man alone. He signed the divorce. He is allowed to move on. I have." She smiled at Nyman, who mouthed, 'Conor?' She nodded at him.
"That bastard tried to ruin us and ruin you! You are lucky Nyman was willing to take you in. Jess, I don't want him to ever work in this town again. I told him as much. You should ask Nyman to make sure he is blacklisted from the Jinstain Bank and Trust as well."
Jessica signed. "Mom"
"Don't Mom me. I am doing what is best for our family. There is no place for him in this town and he might as well figure that out. The sooner he decides to leave and move on the better."
"Fine, I will ask Nyman. I am eating with him now."
"Good. And tell him we look forward to his future success. He promised our women's auxiliary that he would strong connections with Dragon Corporation now that Miss Lokir was looking at Jinstain for expansion. Once he lands that contract, I expect him to get us another speaking engagement with her."
"Yes, Mother. His is busy working on such relationships, but right now Jinstain Bank and trust is focused on the Bayan Rail line expansion project. After that, I am sure he will help you reach out to Miss Lokir. I am going to enjoy my lunch with him. I will call you later."
"Fine, dear. Be sure to ask him when he plans to get you a ring. I want a wedding before too long."
"Yes, mother." Jessica signed as she returned her phone to her purse. "Sorry about that."
"She is just worried about you. What has Conor gone and done now?"
"Nothing really. I think he was just out shopping and mom bumped into him. But that is enough to set the woman off and she wants you to blacklist him. He was just out shopping with a lady so I suppose she thinks anyone associated with Conor should be banned from ever using a bank again as well."
Nyman chuckled. "Conor is already blacklisted. Honestly I am amazed he managed to hold on to that shell of an office this long."
"Have you checked into it at all?"
"No, I actually have been busy as you said. The rail line expansion is huge for the bank and for the area. If the Benedicts complete the new line, we will have twice the capacity moving through here. But it will take another five years to complete. They just want to get all the investments lined up first."
"Well, you would make my mother happy if you made it public that Conor was not welcome. He already has a poor reputation in town it shouldn't be an issue to anyone that matters."
"Of course, dear. I will ask my father if we can release a public statement about Vokrizin. Can I do that tomorrow? Today I would like to spend with you."
Jessica smiled, "Yes! Where are you taking me tonight?"
"Oh, I might have a room reserved for us at the beach side resort." He said with a grin.
"Hmm, you had better have been extra good if that is what you have in mind."
**
Tuesday morning Jessica awoke to a brilliant sunrise over the ocean. She slid out of bed and found a robe, donning the silky fabric as she wondered through the room. Nyman was in the kitchen and walked out a moment later with a cup of coffee for her. They stood at the balcony watching the waves crash across the sandy beach below.
Jessica rested her head on his shoulder. "This is nice. I never got to do anything like this before."
"I thought your family had vacations on the islands."
"Sure, family vacations, but I didn't exactly get to bring a guy along on those. Once Conor was in the picture, we spent all our money on his shop and then dealing with the aftermath."
"Ah. Well, why don't you go get dressed for a swim and we will test the hot tub out." Nyman said with a grin.
"I don't really need to get dressed for that." she whispered. "but, give me a minute and I will meet you there."
Jessica went to the bedroom and flipped on the news as she dug around in her bag. She was hoping she had some of the silicone lubricants that didn't wear off so easy in the water. The News lady finished up her weather forecast and the pivoted to a reporter.
"We bring you a live report from the Park at the Dens, where Dragon Corporation President Kerrigan Lokir is making an announcement with Vokrizin's rather elusive CEO."
"NYMAN! GET IN HERE!"
"What? What is it?" he said as he stumbled in, dripping where he had jumped out of the tub.
Jessica turned up the volume as Kerrigan Lokir stood at a small podium before the empty field that would hopefully be the future site of the community center.
"I am Kerrigan Lokir. I have spent several weeks here in Jinstain getting to know your citizens, your businesses, and your community. I have had the pleasure of working with the CEO of Vokrizin, and his staff. I am pleased to announce that we have decided to work on a joint project. We finally reached an agreement with the Harden group to purchase this land, and plan to make it the site of the future Jinstain Community Center, and headquarters of Celia's Blessing charity. As part of the fundraising efforts, Dragon Corporation and Vokrizin will host a Gala in three weeks' time. We invite the community to come out and see the plans and our business partners to come forward with their pledges. To start this off, Dragon Corporation and Vokrizin will partner Dreadnaught Investment to match any donation made at the Gala.
On a sad note, I must pivot to some housekeeping. I was unfortunately informed while here that my business and that of my dear friend the CEO of Vokrizin are not welcome at the Cochan family mall. So, I wish to honor their request. Vokrizin and Dragon Corporation do not wish to force anyone to work with us who do not want to. So effective immediately, we will comply with their wishes and cease any and all business, including our subsidiary businesses.
VoKrizin has also has unfavorable dealings with Jinstan Bank and Trust.
In light of this, we are also launching a new initiative. We have seen fit to ensure our own funding moving forward and want to assure those who work with us of our sincere intentions. So, we are pleased to announce, that this afternoon we will start construction on a brand new financial institution! The Golan National Bank shall serve all provinces but will begin with its headquarters right here in Jinstain!"
The reporters in the area rushed Kerrigan, "Tell us about this new bank, does it already have investors?"
"This is not a bank that needs investors. It is the investor. The Golan National bank is something we have been working on for some time and has been the dream of Dragon Corporation long before I became president. This new bank though was only possible because it is not of Dragon Corporation, but its own entity, with its own funding."
"A new bank would have to have a massive cash base to establish. Are you telling us it already has this?"
Kerrigan smirked, "Golan National is opening its doors with a 10 trillion Dragon asset balance sheet, plus will immediately handle all of Dragon Corporation, Vokrizin and Dreadnaught Investing business. Even if no one else joins, it will do just fine on its own."
The reporters clambered with more questions but Kerrigan walked away, guards blocking the cameras. She was joined by a man in a tan suit, and a tan fedora hat who tilted his hat to the cameras, and walked off with Kerrigan on his arm.
Nyman sat down hard on the bed, "We are fucked."
"What? Why?"
"A new bank with 10 trillion? Jess, if they had 1/20th of what they claim, they would still be ten times larger than Jinstain Bank and Trust.
Jessica stared blankly at the TV as the screen switched back to a studio. The reporter was talking about business world shake ups.
"Today is indeed a big day for news. A new bulletin just alerted us that the Bayan Rail line has had an emergency board meeting this morning, where the share holders voted unanimously in a vote of no confidence in the board members. Effectively, the stock holders have voted out the entire board! New board members will be selected in the coming weeks, but this likely puts many projects in question for the near future."
"We heard from the President and public face of Dragon Corporation just a few minutes ago. Her own board has been busy. After Miss Lokir's own appointment at 18 shook the business world, the board seems to have finally found her some much-needed help. Somehow they managed to secure a very strong alliance with none other than the heir of Benedict group, Kelan Benedict. This gentleman is a legend, and they are very lucky to have him join their team as the new General Manager. He will likely work closely with Kerrigan as he takes over some of the daily operations, leaving her to continue with the public relations and expansion projects."
Another reported piped up, "What may be the more unexpected news from that meeting was that they also elected the Prima of Abraxas temple, Zadok Sudeas as CEO above both miss Lokir and Mr. Benedict. He is the spiritual leader of the temple and now taking his place as head of Dragon Corporation."
"These are bright days indeed for Dragon Corporation as they now have a complete corporate structure again! We wish them well. Many eyes will be on if a relationship is brewing for Miss Lokir and the Heir of the Benedict fortunes."
"FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!" Nyman screamed at the TV.
"What? I don't understand."
"Jess, your mother fucked us!"
"What?"
"She said she met Conor, and some girl. She called her ugly names, right?"
"Yea?"
"Said not to do business with the Cochan family right?"
"Yes?"
"It was Kerrigan Lokir who was with Conor! Don't ask me how or why, but that bitch your mom was talking about was Kerrigan LOKIR, OF FUCKING DRAGON CORPORATION! They just blacklisted Cochan family, Jinstain Bank and Trust, and... don't ask me how but also sank the biggest deal we had going with Bayan Rail line! FUCK!"
"How? But why? Nyman, what are we going to do?"
"Do? How am I supposed to know? Five minutes ago, we were doing great. Yesterday, I didn't have all of Dragon Corporation ready to fuck me! Shit! You have to go to Conor... I don't know, crawl on your knees, beg him, fuck him. Frankly I don't care, but dam it, when my father sees that news... I'm dead... that is. I'm dead."
Nyman walked out of the room in a daze, leaving a confused Jessica on the bed, still wrapped in only a robe. "Nyman?!" No one answered.
Jessica paled as she tried to process what had just been said. Memory began to flood back to her.
Conor suggesting AperturePhoto. Conor talking about Vokrizin, Conor asking for just a bit more time. Conor promising that things were turning around. Conor at the scavenger hunt with Kerrigan Lokir, tipping his goofy hat to the camera. A tan fedora hat.
The End - book 1