Five Star Desire

“Good morning,” his parents responded in unison.

“Did I interrupt something?” he inquired as he loaded his plate with homemade biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs and grits. “Sounds like you two were in a deep conversation when I came in.”

Barbara wiped her mouth with the edge of her napkin. “We were discussing the plans for a hotel in North Carolina.”

“I’m assuming ADDG is handling all phases of the designs,” Kellen said. He stuck a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

“They are,” Malcolm confirmed. “Your mom suggested that we consider Atlanta, as well.”

“I think that’s a great idea, but have you thought about going international?”

Malcolm met his gaze. “You really think so, son?”

Kellen nodded. “I do.”

He finished his breakfast while they continued to discuss the future of the company.

Fifteen minutes later, Kellen was in his car and on the freeway heading to the office in Beverly Hills. He could hardly wait to see Addison—he wanted to discuss his participation on the Alexander-DePaul Hotel project.

He sat his backpack in his office before heading to Addison’s office.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Kellen asked from the doorway.

“Sure,” Addison responded calmly. “Come in and have a seat.”

Even now she was trying to assume control, he thought silently. This was a woman who felt her position was threatened, and was determined to stand her ground.

“My dad mentioned that we are going forward with a new hotel in North Carolina.”

“We are,” she confirmed.

“I actually designed one while I was in school.”

“The one in your portfolio?”

“Yes.”

Addison sat up straight in her chair. “It’s nice, but the design specifics are not what your father wants. It’s too modern.”

“I don’t mind making changes,” Kellen stated. “I can sit down with him and—”

“Your father has already approved the initial design of the hotel,” Addison interjected.

His mouth tightened.

“Kellen, I know that you think you’re ready to take on a project this size, but you still have so much to learn.” Nervously, she moistened her dry lips. “It’s a bit more involved.”

“What is with you?” he asked.

“Excuse me?”

“Are you this threatened by me?” Kellen knew he was going too far, but he forged ahead.

Anger flashed in her eyes. “Just because you are an Alexander doesn’t bother me in the least. I have been in your shoes, Kellen, and I had to learn the technical. You have to do the same thing.”

“I studied hotel models in college, Addison. I do know what I’m doing. Besides that, I am an Alexander.” He studied her face for a moment to see if her expression would change, but it remained the same.

After a moment she got up and closed the door to her office. “It’s becoming pretty obvious that we can’t work together.”

“So what are you saying?” he wanted to know, folding his arms across his chest.

“I’m saying that you’re fired, Kellen.”

His eyebrows rose in surprise. “I’m sure I didn’t hear you correctly.”

“You’re fired,” Addison repeated. “I have treated you fairly and as any other associate, but you insist on challenging me at every turn. I can’t have you here undermining me or my leadership.”

He met her gaze straight on. “You can’t fire me.”

“I just did.”

“You’re making a huge mistake, Addison. My father is not going to let this stand.”

“At some point, you need to take responsibility for your choices in life and stop counting on your father to bail you out.”

Anger flooded through him. “I don’t need my dad to bail me out of anything. You have an issue with men. You’re so insecure in your position that you don’t know how to just be a leader. In fact, I think my being an Alexander does bother you, Addison. I have the talent and the brains for this. I know it and you know it, too.”

“You have a lot of potential, Kellen,” she admitted. “You also have a lot of arrogance, which overshadows that potential. You’re a brilliant man, but your egotism gets in the way. It’s such a waste of talent.”

“This isn’t over,” he uttered before storming out of her office. Kellen shook with anger. He imagined that Addison would have a hard time explaining to Malcolm that she had just fired his son.