Chapter 4: welcome to my empire

Pepper grabbed her handbag and took her car keys from the table. She was halfway to the door when she came back to her office.

She opened the laptop on the table and it revealed the latest car on her screen - a Bugatti la voiture Noire. Pepper kissed her index and middle fingers and touched the screen.

"You are a weirdo, Pepper"

"Ahhh!" June's voice startled Pepper. "You scared the crap out of me, Junie!"

"If you are done making love to your laptop, can we go? You need to drop me at the clinic" June said and walked out.

Pepper picked up the laptop and left too. She had this ritual about her. She picks an impossible dream and tries to achieve it. Five years ago, it was a three bedroom condo on the right side of town. A picture of it was on her laptop and she kissed it every day after work until she achieved that dream a month ago with hopes that she would be promoted. Except she wasn't, Marks got the job and Pepper spent the next two hours throwing up.

Pepper unlocked the car and entered. So did June.

"I got an offer about the space I want to rent out" Pepper fastened her seatbelt.

"You did? That is wonderful, Pepper" Junie adjusted her make up after she took out a mirror from her bag.

"Yeah. Yeah it would be except the creep wanted to know if he could pay with a lifetime supply of medium sized pizza. The idiot owns a pizza place. I might have spat on his face...well, I spat on my laptop that contained his face. But it's the thought that counts, right?"

Pepper didn't even realize June was trying to suppress a laugh until the annoying sound was high up in her car that she turned around and hit her arm gently.

"Oh shut up! You are the one dating a married man and have to get yourself checked out every week" Pepper said and drove off.

"At least, I am getting some action. How long has it been, Miss I-am-25-going-on-26-yet-i-am-still-a-virgin?" June said and pulled out chips from the stash Pepper kept in the car.

"Well, I tried once...the dude had a heart attack.... on top of me! I am cursed, remember?" Pepper looked at her friend momentarily.

"Oh please, that guy was ancient"

"He was twenty nine years old!" Pepper honked twice and the gate to the clinic opened and she drove inside.

"Thanks for taking me but... we've got to get you a guy to do stuff with. Bye"

Pepper drove off. She decided to grab a quick bite before heading to her grandparents' place.

"Hey, Pepper. What can I get for you?" The waitress had a nice smile about her.

"The same thing I order every time, Nelly. And none of that vegan crap, you tried to trick me into eating"

"You can't blame a girl for trying. I will go make you a plate now but just a heads up, the manager is looking for you. She is not happy" Nelly shook her head. She had a smile on her face as she left.

Pepper took out her laptop and started on a presentation she has to give if Marks screw things up again. The last thing she wants was for her district office to be shut down because an idiot was in charge.

Working for a branch of the KWX group was a dream come true and Pepper would be damned if Marks puts a dent on her six year plan of working her way up to the main office.

It would be an earth rotary thing to work for the camera shy and elusive CEO of KWX group. If Pepper was correct, Liam A. Queen was just about her current age when he took over the family business. Now, He was the richest man in the country and was named by Forbes as the most influential man of the year.

Pepper was halfway through the first page of the presentation when someone sat opposite her without asking. She raised her eyes and looked at the person. A tiny smile spread across her face.

"Mrs. Mateo, don't you look damper. But I am busy and I am just waiting for my food which is taking..." Pepper turned towards the counter and yells "A lot of time!"

Mrs. Mateo's eyes dimmed considerably as she gawked at Pepper.

"I did you a favor" Pepper told her.

"You called the police on my son!" Mrs. Mateo said in between her clenched jaw.

"He was only held for two hours..."

"You told them he was breaking into the house..."

"Oh please, he is twenty four and still living with his parents. I did you a favor..."

"Yes, you did"

"Mrs. Mateo, he was released....wait what?" Pepper stared at the woman.

"Am I a horrible mother for being happy my son was intimidated into moving out?" Mrs. Mateo looked around before she quipped in.

"Probably but who cares. Since I did you a favor, I guess I don't have to pay for the meal that Nelly is bringing to me"

Nelly dropped the streaming plate of dinner on the table.

"It was a big favor" Pepper reminded her.

Mrs. Mateo started laughing "of course not… I am not running a charity organization" she left pepper alone.

Pepper shook her head and took the spoon to take a bite when her phone started ringing.

It was her grandmother. Pepper picked up.

"Gigi, you don't have to put the phone so close to your mouth...yes that is better. What's up?"

"You are not here"

"I know. It's because I am here, Gigi"

"I am getting your grandfather"

"No, Gigi do not get Gramps. I repeat do not get Gramps...oh well, you got Gramps. Hey, Gramps"

"Callie, Where are you? I am not getting any younger and I didn't build an empire for you to just swoop in and take over without giving me something in return" Gramps Hart cleared the fog that lined his throat.

"What do you want for the heritance that by law will be mine if you die, Gramps?"

"A great grand baby would be appropriate, I guess but a husband will suffice"

Good lord! Not this again!

"Gramps. You. Are. Breaking. Up. Bye" Pepper hung up before it would turn into a bigger conversation.

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