Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Sure,” the barista mutters. “Name?”
“Lillian.”
When Lillian pays for her beverage and moves to the side, I notice the barista, Eddie, writing Julian on her cup. He probably heard wrong.
“Hi, Callan,” Eddie greets.
“Morning.” I gesture at the cup. “You got the name wrong. It’s Lillian.”
He nods and fixes it before asking, “What can I get you today?”
I give my order, and after paying, I join the rest of the customers waiting for their fix of caffeine.
My eyes scan over the people in the store. Some are seated at tables, engrossed with their phones, while others look like they’re barely awake.
One thing I’ve learned from watching people is that most put on an act. I seldom see someone with a genuine smile on their face.
Everyone’s faking it while they’re trying to make it.
“Lillian,” Eddie calls.
There’s a shocked expression on Lillian’s face as she whispers, “Wow, that’s a first. He actually got my name right.” She hurries to the counter to get her latte.
She looks like the shy and introverted type. Experience has taught me introverts suffer when they have to be out in public.
Thank God I’m an extrovert.
“Callan.” Hearing my name, I head to the counter to grab the three beverages.
Taking a sip of my medium freshly ground coffee as I walk toward the exit, I notice Lillian sitting down at a table that’s just opened up. It surprises me. I would’ve thought she’d want to escape the crowded space as quickly as possible.
I step out onto the sidewalk and walk the two blocks to where Perfect Gentleman is situated. I started the company with my best friend, Dylan, while we were in college. We needed extra cash and figured being male escorts was a quick way to earn it.
It all happened because Dylan agreed to take his neighbor to the prom. She used to be bullied and just wanted one good experience before school was over. It made us realize there was a demand for male escorts to accompany women to various events.
We never performed sexual favors and always kept things professional. If a girl needed a date to a function, whether it was a funeral, wedding, or business event, we were the guys they called.
By the time we graduated, we had over twenty men working for us, and Perfect Gentleman was born. To this day, we still stick to the same principles.
Now, I have branches nationwide with over ten thousand employees working for me.
I wish Dylan were here to see how much The Perfect Gentleman has grown.
Thinking about Dylan, there’s a stab of heartache in my chest. It’s been six years since I lost my best friend and I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing him.
Thank God I still have Harper. She’s also been there since the beginning when she started as our PA. Now she helps me run the company. She’s one of the few people I trust.
Entering the sky-scraper where my offices are situated on the thirtieth floor, I glance around the lobby. The security desk is on the left, while on the right, an abstract art piece covers the entire wall.
Up ahead are two sets of three elevators and a single black velvet couch. The rest of the décor is dark steel and glass, with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing natural light to spill into the lobby.
Nodding my head at the three security guards, I grab the designated elevator for the top five floors.
I sip on my coffee as I’m taken to my floor, and the image of Lillian ghosts through my mind. Something about her left a lasting impression on me.
The elevator comes to a stop, and stepping out, I’m met with a wide grin from Easton.
“I’ll take that while you take this,” he says, grabbing the beverages from me and shoving a tablet into my hand. “We’re going to have a busy two weeks. We need to hire more men. Harper is talking with HR to set up interviews as we speak.”
I glance at the extensive list of bookings, and walking to my office that’s at the end of the hall, I say, “Let me verify the bookings before you go into panic mode.”
I run an exclusive business, and not every request gets approved.
I take a seat behind my desk, and setting the tablet and coffee down, I open my laptop and log into the system.
Easton hovers in front of my desk until I lift an eyebrow at him.
“Sooo, I’m going to need next Friday off,” he says, giving me a pleading smile.
“For?”
“Personal reasons.”
“You can’t take care of this personal issue any other day of the week? We’re busy on Fridays.”
Easton sits down in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk. “Josh and I are hoping to adopt a child.”
My eyes widen with surprise. “Wow. Okay. That’s a huge step.”
“We’ve talked about it for ages, and we feel the time is right to expand our family.” Easton lets out a nervous-sounding sigh. “My stomach’s been a tight ball of nerves since we got notified about the meeting.”