Read What They Don't Know (Won't Hurt Them Trilogy #1) for Free Online

don’t want her mad at either
of us, do you?”
    “No.” I drop my
shoulders in defeat.
    “Besides, who’ll
know? I’m not talking.”
    “Me either.” I
shake my head.
    “Bria?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Have you ever
thought about going into business for yourself?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Have you ever
thought of running your own small business?”
    “Well, no. Are you
firing me?”
    “No, Bria, nothing
like that. Should I be?”
    “No,” I sternly
say.
    He laughs and says,
“Silly girl, I was thinking about maybe investing in a small
entertainment business. Ya know, what you do for the missus and me.
You’ll have full control, just a little something on the side,
nothing major at first. Schedule appointments with clients. Get
accustomed to what they like. Book, and set up suites for their
fantasies. You have the financial background. You can submit a quote
to me, start with a budget, and we’ll go from there. Oh, you can
add in amenities also.”
    “Okay, where would
the clientele come from?”
    “Well, that’s where
the missus and I will come in; and of course, we’ll provide the
startup cost. We will provide a few clients; and hopefully, word of
mouth will help you grow your own clientele.”
    I gesture a thinking
motion with my eyes.
    “What are your
thoughts, Bria?”
    “Well, it sounds
exciting, but what if I can’t create what they ask for?”
    “I’m sure you’ll
find a compromising median.”
    “Would my clientele
be men or women?”
    “Both, unless you
have a preference.”
    “No preference. I
just want to know who I’m dealing with.”
    “Sooo, are you game?”
    “Do I have to give
you a decision now? Can I give you an answer on Monday?”
    “Today is?”
    “Thursday, boss,
Thursday.”
    “Yes, okay. Do you
need an entire weekend?”
    “Well, I’d like to
put together a budget portfolio. A few stipulations of my own. You
know?”
    “Ah, your
compensation package?” He raises his eyebrows.
    “Yeah, something like
that.”
    “Don’t worry, Bria,
you’ll be well compensated.”
    “Boss, you know
that’s not my concern.”
    “Well, what is it?”
    “How will you be
compensated?”
    “Well, present me
your package; and I’ll fit the Wilke Industries Finance corporate
touch to it.”
    “Whoa.” I shake my
head in disbelief. “You changed the name of the company?”
    “Yes, yes, I did,
sunshine. It will be official; what’s today?”
    “Thursday, boss.
Thursday.”
    “Monday it will
officially be W.I.F. Wilke Industries Finance.”
    “SHUT UP!”
    “Like yeah, shut up,”
he mimics me. We both let out a hysterical laugh.
    “Congratulations, Mr.
Wilke; you really have been working hard. You deserve this; how is
Charlotte taking it?”
    “Better than I
thought; she said it was time. I couldn’t agree more. My roots have
outgrown the Wilke and Foster brand. It’s a good, no, it’s a
great change.”
    “Oh, I’m so happy
for you, Mr. Wilke.” I get up to hug my boss because I am happy for
him; he gives me a tight squeeze.
    “Great things are
happening, Bria, and I’m taking you to the top with us. Are you
ready?” he says excitedly.
    “I’m ready!”
    * * *
    I’m all smiles
sitting in my office. My boss is probably the best boss I've had thus
far. I've had quite a few in college, but he has taken a very strong
lead. I check my cell and see I have two missed calls and messages.
One’s from Bryant, and I'm nervous about opening it.
    (Bryant) Hi, Bree. I'm probably the last person you want to speak to, but we need to talk.
    I stare at the screen
and I don't know if I want to talk to Bryant. Instead, I dial my
voicemail to check the message. It's probably just Bryant before or
after the text. It's from a number I don't recognize. I press the
button to listen to the message.
    “Huhhhhh?” I drop
my phone and pick it up right away. I continue to listen. How in the
hell did he get my number? Mr. Pool King. I press the button to
listen again .
    “