Elo Smurflettes

As promised, a new story from Radish. It should be updated weekly.

you can read it on Radish. My username is KMoncho.

Enjoy. ❤

***

Kingston 'The King' of the World

24 November 2013 – 13:02

As the year comes to an end, notorious businessman Xavier 'The King' Kingston can celebrate it with a bang. This week, Kingston Empires revealed their new deal with Lancelot Industries, which will kick into effect at the beginning of the New Year. The deal saves Lancelot Industries, while making Kingston Empires a heck of a lot of money.

Kingston, who will be celebrating his twenty sixth birthday in a month's time, has been in the news for various reasons in the past six months; the main one being his successful business that shot through the markets out of nowhere. While he is considered young by many, people have learnt not to doubt him or his skills. The man is intelligent and has a good eye on him. These are just some of the things that make him the brilliant businessman that he is.

Earlier this week, he was spotted having dinner with a young blonde lady. He looked his usual detached self while she laughed at whatever he was telling her. He was spotted a day later, entering a jewellery store and departing with a package in hand. As expected, he was in one of his tailored suits, looking like the billionaire he deservedly is. It was no wonder his grandfather Lyell Kingston, another prominent tycoon, was proud of him:

"What old man wouldn't be proud of their grandson when they give you so much to be happy about? I'm proud of him!"

Sporting a brand new sports car customized to his specifications, it looks like The King is really on top of the world, and who can really blame him? With looks like that, brains like that and a wallet to match, many envy his life.

Robyn Wiley

Xavier put his iPad down as his jaw locked. He couldn't fathom why the woman persisted to write about him, or why in the world her bosses let her publish such subjective material, even if it was mostly fact. He knew better than to trust the snake, as much as he knew that she would be thrilled to know that she'd evoked such a reaction from him.

He walked over to his office window, watching as the mundane humans of common society went about their lives in the late Sunday afternoon. The hues of pink, orange and yellow were beginning to mingle in the sky as he unconsciously fiddled with his cufflinks.

His thoughts were clouded by numbers and theories, even though he may have looked lost in thought. The impending files that awaited him put his mind at ease as he sighed and walked back to his desk.

While he would never admit it to anyone beside the four people who knew him; working made him extremely happy, especially if numbers and challenges were involved. Having acquired his qualifications rather early (surprising most people), he was proud of who he was and what he'd built.

While others would consider him an egotistic tyrant, he considered himself a deserving tyrant. He wasn't going to deny that he was a tyrant because he knew that people feared him.

He knew of the power that emanates from him the moment he steps into a room- how people hold their breaths and all conversations cease until he has passed. He knew that he thought highly of himself, but that was only because what he thought of himself was entirely true.

He is good-looking.

He is intelligent.

He is feared.

He is wealthy.

He is arrogant.

Why deny the truth when it's staring you right in the eyes?

That had been the motto taught to him by his mother. While many people would view Dorothy Kingston as a cold-hearted woman who isn't to be reckoned with, her son knows better.

He knows of the struggles she went through for him to have the best life, which is why she's his number one priority. He loves no woman the way he loves his mother, except for his little sister.

At the thought of the vile word, he felt bile rise to his throat. He wasn't against love or anything of the sort, but he certainly wouldn't entertain it once more. He'd done so once and it ended with him having his heart shattered by the very woman he 'loved'. Macy insisted that it was merely a case of 'the wrong one', but he'd sworn off of finding 'the right one' in any case.

He had no time for such trivial matters.

Sharing in his blessed genetic appearance, his little sister by eight whole years had just graduated high school and was looking for her next big adventure. They'd had a lengthy conversation with their mother and grandfather about her taking the year off to backpack.

Xavier was fully against it, insisting that she needed to focus on her studies, but Macy had argued and begged so much that he ended up not only agreeing, but sponsoring her year round adventure.

He shook his head, a little smile on his face as he thought about his bubbly sister. She is definitely everything he is not in terms of personalities. Macy loves life and she's happy all the time.

Even the harshest of things don't bother her.

She has a big heart and her puppy dog eyes are her brother's greatest weakness, though he would never reveal that kind of valued information to her. It would be the end of him if she knew.

"Sir, Mr Holmes is on line three for you," Emery, his secretary, informed him.

He'd yet to get around to hiring a personal assistant. Emery was the one person who was qualified for the job, but he liked her just where she was. Even though she answered to his every call (like coming in on a Sunday afternoon), she was fantastic with handling clients and his floor in general. He knew he would need a personal assistant soon, especially with the new load that would be coming in with the new deals.

"Everett, you better have good news for me," he said into the phone.

Everett Holmes laughed. "Would it kill you to greet a person first?"

The man was probably the closest thing Xavier had to a friend.

"Yes it would, now get to the point," Xavier replied nonchalantly.

"They gave in! You officially own Ingrid Tech," Everett delivered.

Xavier smirked to himself. "I knew they would eventually cave."

Everett chuckled once more. "How could they not? You basically bullied them into it."

"I did no such thing. I don't bully people. I give them choices, and they just so happen to always choose the choice that makes me happiest," Xavier replied.

"The lies we tell ourselves," Everett teased.

"Fuck off Holmes," Xavier said before hanging up the phone.

Looking to the time on his laptop, he wasn't surprised to find that it was now a little past six in the evening. His job entertained him all through the week, and he wasn't bothered by that fact.

It's not like he had anything to look forward to in his penthouse.

The place was exceptionally clean and clinical. For the most part, it didn't look lived in, but only because it wasn't. He preferred to be away from the coldness of the place, and rather drown himself in his office.

Emery stood at his door. "Sir, will you be needing me any further?"

He looked up at the petite brunette and took her in. While she'd been called in on a Sunday afternoon, she still looked professional and beautiful in a grey pencil skirt, light pink blouse and matching heels. Her hair was tied up in a tight ponytail, while her lips were adorned by a pink lipstick. He noticed the slight rings around her eyes and pegged it down to being tired.

"You can go home Emery. Thank you for coming in. I'll see you on Wednesday," he replied.

She was about to turn to leave until she registered his words. "Wednesday?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'm putting you on two day's mandatory leave."

"Oh Sir, that's not necessary," she interjected quickly.

"It's non-negotiable Miss Applegate. I want you to use the next two days to rest. I will be booking you a session at a spa for Tuesday and I expect you to comply with my request. Rowland will pick you up at ten o'clock sharp and he will take you back home after your appointment," he said sternly.

Emery couldn't believe her luck. She'd had a rough week with having lost her boyfriend after she found him screwing her closest friend. She'd cried herself to sleep just the night before, but she didn't think it would be obvious.

She never in a million years expected her boss to be so gracious and generous to her, going as far as offering his personal driver. She knew that he wasn't the monster most people had deemed him to be, and it was moments like this that proved her right.

She smiled, tears in her eyes. "Thank you Sir."

"It's my pleasure Emery. You're my best employee and I need you in top shape. Whatever is bothering you isn't worth it, especially if it has a penis," he joked. She blushed while he chuckled.

"So it is a man," he said knowingly.

She sighed. "I found him screwing my closest friend."

"It's his loss Emery. Don't lose any more tears over him. He clearly doesn't know a good woman when he has one. Now go home and rest, and don't forget to be happy. You're too beautiful to be upset," he complimented. Emery couldn't even begin to understand what had just happened.

"Thank you Sir. See you on Wednesday," she said, blushing, before walking out.

Xavier wasn't kidding when he told her that she was his best employee, which is why he was angry to find out that a man had crushed her spirits like this. He'd grown to care greatly for his secretary, especially since she was the very first person he hired during the early days of his company. Four years later and she's his most valued employee.

He turned his attention to the folder on his table that had been demanding his attention for the past three days. He'd been lazy to look through it because he already knew what it had in store for him. His eyes skimmed through the papers, proving his predictions right, until he spotted one thing that was at least a surprise for him.

"Gee, I get a call back? This must be my lucky day," his voice mocked as he answered the phone.

"Everett, who the hell is Hamish Wellington?" Xavier asked.

"How do you not know the answer to that question?" Everett asked in confusion.

"Just tell me," Xavier snapped.

"Hamish Wellington is a big shot in Europe. The Wellingtons are of royal descent and are highly respected abroad," Everett replied.

"Please don't tell me that Katherine Wellington is one of them," Xavier groaned.

"She's actually the heiress of the Wellington Empires and the only daughter of Hamish Wellington. Her brother Marcellus Wellington is currently running the businesses with their father," Everett informed him.

"This is bad," Xavier mumbled.

Everett chuckled. "What did you do now?"

He knew that tone very well.

"I may have told the bimbo that I'm not interested in her, and if she's a daddy's girl, she might run to him and tell him not to do business with me. I've just gone through a folder and it pertains to Wellington Communications and I want it," Xavier explained.

"I don't think it's something to worry about. You're a brilliant business partner and Hamish would be stupid to not do business with you just because his daughter says so," Everett argued. He knew that this was one of the rare moments where Xavier's vulnerability was showing.

Xavier sighed. "I hope you're right."

Everett chuckled. "You know I am. Now close that folder and go home. It's a Sunday night Kingston. Normal people are resting."

"It's a good thing I'm not normal then," Xavier replied before hanging up the phone.

Three hours later, he finally shut down his laptop and grabbed his stuff before making his way to his Ferrari. The car was actually a gift for him from his grandfather. Lyell Kingston really was proud of his grandson, and the car was just his way of showing him that. The registration plate made him smile to himself.

People really believed that he was The King.

He made it to his penthouse twenty minutes later. He'd bought the place after moving offices so that he could be close to the office. He set his laptop and keys on the counter, opting for a hot shower to finish off the day. He knew that his mother and sister would be calling him within the hour to check up on him.

The hot water did miracles for his tired muscles. While his work brought him joy, it also brought him physical strain and mental exhaustion. His shower was the one place where he let his thoughts run wild without restraint. It was the one place where he didn't force himself to think systematically.

He was one with himself, something he rarely got to be.

He stepped out of the shower and stepped into his designer chequered pyjama bottoms. He headed to the kitchen to prepare a sandwich after realizing that he hadn't had anything to eat the whole day. His appetite seemed to be the last thing on his mind and his sister would be horrified if she knew.

As soon as he'd thought that, his cell phone rang.

He sighed. "Macy."

"What are you doing?" she demanded. This was the side of her that reminded him so much of their mother.

"Just made myself a sandwich and now I'm walking to the lounge. I'm about to sit and watch TV," he replied as he moved off to the lounge.

She giggled. "Good! How was your day in the office?"

"How do you know I was in the office?" he asked.

"It's your home," she replied knowingly.

"Ok good point! It was just like any other day really," he replied.

"When are you going to open yourself up to a new lifestyle Xav? You can't live like this. I won't let you die alone," she complained.

"Macy, I'm only twenty five. Why are you making it sound like I'm on my deathbed?" he countered.

"Oh? So you're not rejecting the idea of changing your lifestyle?" she cleverly played back.

"You think you're slick! You know I don't entertain the idea of settling down," he reminded her.

"Love doesn't have to count as a lifestyle change," she pointed out.

"What are you saying Macy?" he asked in confusion.

"I'm saying that maybe making friends instead could be a start. You need to go out and have fun," she explained.

"I do go out," he argued.

"Taking gold diggers out on dates and attending charity events does not count as going out," she commented.

"Gold diggers?" he asked incredulously. Macy had never expressed her opinion of the women he decides to date.

"Look, all I'm saying is that you should step back and start enjoying life. You've already worked hard to get where you are. Now go out there and enjoy it. Love you big brother!" she said before hanging up.

She deliberately didn't give him the chance to reply.

His sister's opinion mattered a lot to him and for him to find out that she thought so little of the women he picked was bothering him immensely. He began to wonder what his mother's opinion was. Just as he was about to call her, she beat him to it.

"Hello mother," he answered the phone.

"Hello son! How are you?" her tender voice reached his ears. He smiled to himself.

Just her voice made all his worries go away.

"I'm tired but okay I guess. How are you?" he asked her.

"I'm ecstatic! I just got word back from the sponsors. They're all willing to fund the Christmas Charity Ball again this year," she replied happily.

As the Chairwoman of The Kingston Foundation, it was Dorothy's job to handle things like getting backing for the annual Kingston Christmas Charity Ball held on the 24th of December of every year.

She'd started the ball twenty six years ago while she was pregnant with Xavier, who was born in the early hours of Christmas morning, the following day. The ball is the one thing he knew brought her immense happiness, together with giving away the money made on the night to worthy causes.

"I knew you could do it mother. They still trust in your skills," he said proudly.

"I was beginning to think I was losing them when Rubin and Jackson pulled out," she admitted. He finally understood why this year's ball had her so worried.

"Mother, Rubin is about to declare bankruptcy and Jackson is following close behind," he made her aware.

She gasped. "They're broke?"

"Yes! If I'd known that this is the reason you were so worried, I would've told you long ago," he replied.

"Now I feel ridiculous for worrying so much," she admitted.

"You were worried about the charities mum, and that's not ridiculous," he comforted.

"I can always count on you to lift my spirits. Have you eaten?" she asked.

"I'm in the middle of doing so. I'd just started before you and Macy called," he responded.

She peaked at the mention of her daughter. "How is she?"

"Has she not called you yet?" he asked curiously.

"She's still upset about her car," she sighed. Dorothy had confiscated Macy's car before she left for Europe.

"She'll get over it. She sounded happy as usual, but she seemingly called me to scold me about my lifestyle. She believes I need to sit back and enjoy my achievements," he informed her. He knew what was coming before his mother replied.

"She's right Xavier. When do you plan on settling down? She's only eighteen, which means it's up to you to give me my first grandchild," his mother argued.

He scoffed. "My life is too busy for a child, let alone love and a wife."

Dorothy sighed sadly. "When are you going to let it go Xavier?"

There's no greater pain for a mother like watching her child hurt. Dorothy knew that her son had sworn off of love because of that despicable gold digger, but she still hoped that he would meet a lovely woman who would change his mind about love. She couldn't stand watching him date replicas of the snake, whether or not he knew it. She just wanted someone to fix him.

"Do you happen to approve of the women that I date?" he remembered to ask, ignoring her question to him.

"Honestly, no," she replied.

"Why not?" he asked, a little exasperated.

"They all remind me too much of that snake," she confessed.

"Mother! Why didn't you bring this up earlier? Had Macy not called them gold diggers, I would've never known," he said furiously.

"Son, you were never one to listen to people and we were afraid you would be mad at us if we voiced our opinions," she said.

He sighed, frustrated. "Mother, I value your opinions over everyone else's. Please don't feel afraid to be honest with me about anything."

It unsettled him that the two closest people to him felt afraid to talk to him.

"I'm sorry Xavier. I know better now. In that case, I hate your apartment," she informed with a little laugh.

He chuckled. "That makes two of us."

"It's too impersonal," she commented.

"No-one lives in it mum. I'm barely here and it daunts even me," he admitted to her.

"All the more reason why it should be filled with love and laughter," she hinted.

"Nice try mum! I'm not doing anything of a sort," he retorted.

She laughed. "Ah well, it was worth a try."

"Oh, before I forget! Can you please arrange a temp for the secretary stand for tomorrow and Tuesday?" he requested.

"Where's Emery?" she asked. She's very fond of the young lady.

"She recently had her heart broken so I gave her two days mandatory leave and a spa treatment," he replied.

She was shocked.

"That was nice of you to do," she said, not bothering to hide her surprise.

"I surprised myself too, but she's the most important employee in my company and I need her in top shape. Also, she's never had a day off, and neither has she ever bothered to apply for one. She deserved it," he bothered to explain.

"It was still gracious of you son. I'm sure she's grateful for it. A broken heart needs time to mend, but not too long," Dorothy ingeniously played.

Xavier's laughter boomed. "Macy is undoubtedly your daughter."

He didn't miss what his mother had done either.

"We just want you to be happy Xavier," she said.

"I know Mother, and honestly, I am," he replied softly. They may not believe him, but his life did make him somewhat happy.

"I believe you, for now," she added.

He chortled. "I'll take whatever I get."

"Well alright then! Let me arrange that temp and then head on to bed. I love you son," she said lovingly.

"I love you too mother," he replied just as lovingly.

Having ended the phone call, he finished off his food before washing the little dishes he'd made. He decided to call it a night too, hoping that the new week would go smoothly.