CEO of real estate conglomerate the Hudson Group, Christopher Hudson, stood at the front of the conference room next to the huge screen as he told his president and VPs what he wanted their next project to be.
“This is four-hundred and seventy acres, gentlemen,” Christopher said. “Where can you find that much land anymore? I’ll answer that for you. Hardly nowhere. This land in Vermont is begging to be developed.” He slowly flipped through the slides of trees, grass, and mountains as far as the eye could see.
“Into what?” Trevor, his brother and president of Hudson, asked.
“A resort,” Christopher answered plainly. “It will be for upper and middle class customers. We’ll build a hundred and thirty room hotel. The rest of the land we’ll use to build private villas for guests who want privacy and more luxury. Of course, they’ll be a bar, golf course, and restaurant. Being in Vermont, we can develop ski slopes and have trails for snowmobiling. This place can be the crown jewel of this company and of the state of Vermont as a whole if built and marketed properly.”
“Where in Vermont?” Trevor asked with raised eyebrows.
“Bethel.”
“Never heard of it,” Trevor said flatly.
“No one really has, but after we acquire the property and start developing it everyone will not only know about it, but they’ll be coming from miles around to stay there,” Christopher said with confidence.
Everyone was quiet.
“It’s a big project,” Bruce, the VP of International Real Estate and Christopher’s youngest brother commented. “It will take a lot of capital.”
“Yes, that’s why I’ve already secured three separate investors. We’re not going into this alone. Hudson will carry fifty-two percent of the risk and ownership. The rest will be carried by the other investors,” Christopher explained.
Bruce pursed his lips together.
His brother’s expression told him that he didn’t like it, but it didn’t matter. He was the boss and what he said goes. He wasn’t asking anyone’s permission. This is what they were doing. The rest of the VPs remained silent. They knew better than to question Christopher when his mind was made up.
“This will be at least a two year project,” Christopher stated as he shut down the presentation.
His secretary stood up and cut the lights on.
“Lockwood,” Christopher began, addressing his VP of the architectural department. “I want you and your staff to start developing sketches right away. I want to see at least three drafts of the hotel by next Monday.”
“Yes, sir,” Lockwood said.
Christopher looked at his VP of Finance “Finn, start getting estimates. I also need financials on our accounts for me to look over so I know what funds to move for the escrow account.”
“Yes, sir,” Finn said.
“Just out of curiosity,” Bruce began as he twirled a pen in his tanned fingers. “How much is the property?”
“I’m still in negotiations with the owner,” Christopher answered. “But, I’m sure I can get it for a reasonable price. He isn’t doing anything with it, but letting wildlife live there and the foliage take over.” The truth was Christopher was still trying to find out who owned it.
“If it wasn’t up for sale, then how did you find it?” Trevor asked with curiosity.
“I was in Vermont two months ago when I was on vacation. I was riding around in my rental and discovered the land. I went to the hall of records in the little town, looked up the property, and asked the clerks some questions.”
Everyone was quiet again, but Christopher saw the looks they were trying to hide. “This is in the bag, gentlemen. All of you have worked here long enough to know that I get done what I set out to do,” he said sternly.
****
Selena sat at her desk outside of Mr. Hudson’s office typing up the minutes from the VP meeting yesterday. She didn’t know what the meeting was going to be about before had. He had worked on the presentation himself with no help. It was obvious Mr. Hudson was working with outside sources to find out who owned the Bethel property because he hadn’t asked her to do any research. If he had, he would have found out that she was the owner.
She was thankful that the room was dark during the meeting because her mouth had dropped and she was sure her eyes were bugged out.
Dozens of questions ran through her mind. Should she tell him? Should she stay quiet? Should she call the lawyer over the trust?
That’s it. I’ll call Uncle Bill. He’ll know how to handle this. Bill Stabler wasn’t really her uncle. He was her godfather. But he was the lawyer over the dummy corporation slash trust that paid the upkeep and taxes on the property.
“Selena,” Mr. Hudson bellowed as he came out of his office. “I’m taking the rest of the day off. Finish those minutes, I want them on my desk first thing in the morning.”
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled. He had a meeting at two o’clock, but she had learned a few years ago that when he said he was leaving for the day he didn’t expect any objections. Selena would just reschedule the meetings.
Mr. Hudson tossed a folder on her desk. “I also need you to build a spreadsheet for the Bethel project. Use the outline in the folder as a guide.”
Before she could say yes, sir, he started walking to the door. Selena checked out his ass as he slammed out the door.
You’re a sexy asshole.
Selena called Uncle Bill as soon as Christopher left the office. Uncle Bill had said that the clerk at the county office had called and told him some guy was asking about her family’s land. The description fit Christopher Hudson. The clerk didn’t know Selena owned the land, but she did know Bill was the overseer of it. Bill hadn’t thought anything of it at the time because a handful of folks had stumbled upon the serene land and inquired about it. Some folks were just curious. Others wanted to rent the property temporarily for something like shooting a movie. Selena had allowed movies to be shot on the property for a fee. The money always went back into the trust. “Do you want to sell the land, sweetheart?” Uncle Bill asked. “No. The on
Christopher had taken a break on Friday after work by visiting his favorite good time girls, identical twins, Angel and Heavenly. When he had first met them, he couldn’t believe that was their really names, but they were. The sisters were sweet, did what he liked, and didn’t expect anything afterwards – not even money. They just liked fucking him. He didn’t blame them. He was an excellent lover and he knew that because women had told him – even his history professor during his junior year in undergrad had said so. Now, it was Saturday and he had to get back to work. The Bethel Project was too big – too important. No stone could be left unturned concerning research. He still hadn’t found out who owned the property, but he had his people working on it around the clock. 
It was ten p.m. and Christopher was sitting up in bed with his laptop on his lap. Since he didn’t have the flash drive he needed to work, he enjoyed the works of Winter Rose. He had to admit he was flattered that Selena lusted after him like this – even though she thought he was an asshole ninety percent of the time. And he was. He proudly admitted that. Having a reputation for being an asshole made people think twice about screwing him over. It was a good rep to have in business. His secretary three years ago had gotten pregnant and was on maternity. Human Resources had called a temp agency and Selena was in his office the next day.When his old secretary had called and said she wasn’t coming back, Christopher had hung up the phone, walked to the Selena who was at the file cabinet and asked, “How wou
Selena thought she was going to faint and piss on herself at the same time as she glared at Christopher Hudson with his arm cocked up on the door dangling the flash drive between his fingers. He had on a black silk robe and black silk pants. Beverly turned quick as lightening, threw her bag out the window, and her body right behind it. Selena would have followed her lead, but her legs were frozen. Christopher chuckled. “I take it that was Mistress B.” He took his arm off the doorway and closed the door behind him. “She fits the description.” Selena’s heart stopped. It was too late. He had re
Christopher had to have misheard her – or she was joking. That’s what it was. It was a joke. She’s fighting not to smile. He exhaled as he bent over to pick up his glass. “This is no time for jokes, Selena. This is a serious business discussion.” He stood. “I know that – and I am serious,” she stated with a straight face. “You marry me and the land is yours.” Christopher’s eyebrows furrowed as he examined her. Jesus, she is serious. “Have you lost your mind?” he asked with astonishment.
Luckily for Selena, Beverly was waiting in her Camry a mile outside of the Hudson Estate. She had said she thought Selena was behind her until she realized she wasn’t. She had gone back, but by the time she did, the window was closed. Beverly had raced back to Joanna’s living quarters and told her what happened. They had decided that it was best for Beverly to leave the estate before it was lockdown at midnight and wait. Beverly had said that she was sure a cop car was going to come racing up the road, but instead she got a call on her cell from Joanna stating that she waited outside on the grounds to see Selena walk out the front door. It had been three minutes to midnight when Joanna got Selena to the gate. Theo was still on. He had opened the gate and stayed with Joanna and Selena until Beverly circled back. He had asked what hap
Today was the day and Selena came prepared. She carried a big brown box into the office and sat it on her desk. There was a part of her that was surprised that her keycard still worked in the employee door. So either he was going to agree to her terms or he was expecting her to make a counter offer that didn’t involve matrimony. Selena thought it best to carry out her duties until Christopher arrived. Selena started the coffeemaker. Then, she went through the mail she had picked up on her way to the office. All of it was junk for the exception of one invitation to a charity event. She took the invitation out and paper clipped the RSVP card to the invite and carried it to Christopher’s door. She opened it and nearly jumped when she saw he was perched on his des
A few days later, Christopher had tossed a checkbook on Selena’s desk and had said that was her one million dollar wedding budget and strode into his office. The account had her and Christopher’s name on it. That’s when Selena knew she would be planning the wedding with little input from the groom to be. No matter. She enlisted Beverly and Joanna as consultants. They were a little apprehensive once Selena had explained how she ended up engaged to her boss, but they rallied and supported her. They had helped her pick out a two carrot ring engagement ring and they also had helped her find a wedding coordinator who wasn’t extremely expensive, yet, good. Selena had made it clear to the coordinator that they had to stay on budget. The coordinator had understood and started coming up with tasteful and cost reducing ideas