Tyler

“I don’t need you telling me what to do. Sometimes I wonder the reason why I keep you around. We’ve been together long before I became a billionaire. Do you really think I like the way I feel? Look around you. This is not normal behavior.” There were dishes broken and I had literally used a baseball bat to turn my glass coffee table into millions of fragments of glass.

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I won’t be like every other person in your life telling you what you want to hear. I’ve been trying to get your attention, but maybe you need to have a cold hard look in the mirror. Nobody can do this for you. I can make suggestions, but ultimately it’s your decision.”  Stella was one of my dearest friends.

“I can’t believe I let her get close enough to hurt me. I’m losing my mind and I feel the walls closing in on me.” Anxiety attacks were my cross to bear. It was a crippling feeling to let my emotions boil over.

“I was tempted to put together some kind of intervention, but I figured a more personal approach was prudent.” She was a beautiful black goddess with the attitude to match. She was never one to keep her mouth shut when she had something important to say.

“You know me too well. I thought she was the one and she betrayed me for a muscle-bound freak. I wouldn’t have found out had I not come home early from a business meeting.” The migraine was nothing compared to the way she had emasculated me.

“I warned you not to get personally involved with her. Money has a funny way of corrupting the best of us. I can tell you are in emotional and physical pain. Don’t you think it’s time for you to do something about it?” I had been walking an emotional tight wire with no safety net to break my fall.

“The only thing I take solace in is we didn’t seal the deal. There won’t be any lengthy negotiations in court. To think I almost proposed to her. I was going to propose to her during Thanksgiving.” I had bought an extravagant engagement ring. I didn’t even want to think of the kind of money I was willing to spend on her.

“You did dodge a bullet. Not everyone is going to be a gold digger, but there are those willing to do what it takes to get their pot of gold. You need to be more vigilant, but first, you need to take care of yourself.” The last few weeks were growing increasingly difficult for my staff.

In the boardroom, I was ruthless and dominating, but outside I had the reputation of being the nice guy. I was reminded of what my father said about nice guys finishing last.

He was a bitter old man. The only thing he did right by me was make me strong enough to stand on my own 2-feet. His death served a reminder to me that life was fleeting and could be over within the blink of an eye.

“His death threw me into a tailspin and she was right there to pick up the pieces. She must have seen me as vulnerable and pounced like a vulture picking at the bones. I should have seen it, but I was blinded by wearing my heart on my sleeve.” Stella was very vocal on the subject. She was making me eat my words with a heaping helping of humble pie.

“Your outbursts are making those who do business with you nervous. They want some assurance. I’ve done my best to navigate the choppy waters,” Stella switched to a more nurturing tone, almost mother like. She continued, “I have made an appointment for you to spend some time with a therapist in a secret location in Costa Rica. We can tell the press you are going on an extended vacation.” I didn’t like her going behind my back, but I knew she was doing it in my best interest.

“I would say you should know when to stay out of my business, but I forget sometimes who I’m talking to.” I was lucky to find her. I was responsible for pulling her out of the gutter into the financial world of business.

“I have a debt of honor to repay and I doubt I will ever be able to. You will always have my loyalty and respect. It doesn’t matter if you listen, but I will tell you what I think regardless of contrary opinions.” She was wearing a tasteful black skirt and nude stockings to accentuate her long legs.

Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and those glasses didn’t hide the Emerald green of her eyes. The fragrance was familiar, but she never was willing to tell me her secret to seduction. Guys were notorious for dropping like flies at her feet begging for her attention.

“I don’t see it that way. I saw this potential and I was able to envision you in a position of power. Learning from me and taking it into the world is what I’m going to leave behind as my legacy. I will go to this resort, but how do I know my identity is going to remain anonymous?” She had the necessary documents and the reputation of the resort on file.

“I don’t make this suggestion lightly. Business is suffering and those underneath your umbrella can’t afford these distractions. There are those waiting to see you weak and in no position to fight back.” The red blouse with an abundance of flesh underneath had many a man falling victim to her feminine charms.

“Stella, I admit I do have to get my groove back.” I was poking fun at her name and referencing a movie at the same time. It was a defense mechanism.

“It’s a good thing you know how to laugh when your world is crumbling around you. I’ll do my best to keep the wolves from your door in your absence. The jet is fueled and ready to go. I took the liberty of packing a few things. Your luggage is already waiting for you on board.” I stood at the window waiting for some kind of sign, but I knew there was no point in pining for something I couldn’t have.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you. I swear there are times you are my guardian angel. I’m going to have to consider giving you more responsibility. You pretty much know how to run things without me. I will be back. The man you see here today won’t be recognizable.” I had let a few things fall through the cracks. Being a billionaire came with it many headaches.

“You’re only 30-years-old. You have your whole life ahead of you. This is a valuable lesson and one that will serve you well in the future.” Her earrings were made of sterling silver and molded into boxing gloves.

It was my Christmas present to her last year when I found out about her foray into the ring. She was definitely not somebody I would want to meet in a dark alley. I pitied the fool who tried to mug her for her purse.

“I was a scientist and I have a few different patents worth millions in annual revenue. Viagra is nothing compared to what I have ready to go onto the market. It needs to pass a few more tests before getting approval by the FDA.” I had come a long way from when I was wearing a lab coat to the office every day. I wanted to excise cancer from the world, but I was greedy to make a lot of money doing so.

“I don’t know how you are going to replace the little blue pill. If anybody can, then it would be you. Tyler Moore is a name synonymous with pharmaceutical advancements. The Board of Directors is circling the blood in the water. I would, in your position, call them each personally to assuage their fears. I would suggest a tiny gift of appreciation.” I didn’t like bribery, but I would make the exception to make my absence a little more palatable.

“I need to distract them long enough to regroup. An all-inclusive trip to my private island for them and their family should suffice.” I had acquired the island for a considerable sum. It was real estate I had coveted from the moment I was old enough to dream. It was one of many islands uninhabited.

“The car is waiting for you downstairs. I know how to reach you in case of an emergency. There’s nothing on your calendar. I have pushed back any appointments you may have made for the next couple of weeks. This place caters to those who respect their privacy.” I grabbed my laptop and slid it into the black leather case.

“I do need to get some distance. I’ve never been prone to anxiety attacks until recently. The added migraines from my youth are quite debilitating. Have somebody clean up this mess while I’m away.” There was nothing that couldn’t be replaced. I was surrounded by the finer things, but nothing was priceless in my eyes.

“I’ve already taken care of that. Don’t worry about a thing. At the very least, you’ll be able to get some rest without the constant droning of those begging for your time.” She would field any questions. I was confident in her abilities. I didn’t feel like I had to hold her hand. She was my rock.

“I have a reputation for being a philandering playboy in the press. I don’t know who was surprised more them or me when I finally found somebody I was willing to settle down with. I should’ve known it was too good to be true.” I didn’t even want to mention her name.

As far as I was concerned, she was dead to me. I was almost hoping she would come crawling back only to find a cold and calculating man waiting for her. I was never going to let my heart lead me by the nose again.

“I’m reminded of an old saying. Stop me if you’ve ever heard this one before. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I pointed to her to censor her words. She was throwing my words back in my face, but she was doing it in a lighthearted way.

“I almost threw it all away for someone only interested in my money. I should have my head examined. Wait… isn’t that exactly what I’m doing? I feel lost and I don’t like giving anybody that kind of power over me. Keep the lights on and sooner than later I will be back.” I gave her a warm hug of appreciation and then made my way over to the private elevator.

“I feel I need to say one thing before you go. Don’t lump every woman into the same category. You never know what you’re going to find around the next corner. God does work in mysterious ways.” They were words to live by, but my heart was jaded. Love was a four-letter word. I never wanted it to enter my vocabulary again.

I waved nonchalantly and she smiled sweetly while standing with her 6-foot frame intimidating over many people. She was an Amazon with a penchant for business running through her veins like ice water.

The door closed on one chapter of my life and another one was just beginning. I could only hope to put this behind me.

It would be a cold day in hell when I would see ‘her’ again. She could be drowning and I would offer her glass of water. The walls closed down around my emotions like a slamming gate. I couldn’t see anybody thawing my frozen heart.