Chapter 2

Bare feet stride purposefully on the hardwood floor coming to a halt close to the bed. Rock music plays in background. A pair of boxing gloves fall with a thud on the floor by the man's feet and a pair of gym shorts follow. He walks towards a dark wooden door and steam emerges from the running shower.

The man walks back into the room, his long muscular legs now dressed dark navy blue suit pants and shiny leather shoes.

The man pulls a crispy white shirt from the hanger and puts it on, walking by the full length mirror and buttoning the cufflinks. He is a good looking man, with an overall disarming appearance that screams cocky, but sexy beyond the somehow rough exterior. He's tall, has broad shoulders and a ripped physique, filling the suit. His chiseled facial features are striking: strong jaw, well sculpted nose, topping it off with eyes a shade of blue-grey and a full head of dark hair. He has a distinctive cut on his brow adding a bit of rough to his appearance.

A beeping noise sounds from his phone and a woman's voice follow shortly:

"Good morning Mr. Snyder! I'm letting you know that the board meeting is moved to ten thirty, as per your request last night. I called Arthur to let him know you'll be expecting the B.W.C files by eight-forty-five. They're here, revised and corrected. I already checked."

The woman takes a break and a sound of ruffling papers is heard, while Richard mechanically buttons his shirt up and tucks it in his pants, buckling the leather belt.

"The Shanghai team is heading to court at noon. You have roughly one hour to catch up on any last instructions." The woman speaks again. Richard fixes his tie tightly around the collar. He then puts on the jacket.

"Marcus from Berlin called. I let him know that the sealed envelope came yesterday afternoon and you will receive it today. He was hesitant. Something didn't feel right" she takes a breath.

"That's about all. I'll see you in a while. Drive safe!" another beep sounds, indicating the end of the message.

Richard checks himself one last time in the mirror. His actions convey confidence, his piercing gaze dominance and crooked smile he has by the end of the message inclines a little on the sweet side.

He walks through the apartment, towards the exit and lets the door slam shut behind him. By the doorway, a pile of magazines lay carelessly on a shelf. The covers of each have pictures of Richard, the headlines giving away more about his arrogant, serious, at times inappropriate, bad boy persona:

'Richard Snyder's history with women: Girlfriends, dates, accusers.'

'Insatiable Tycoon: Snyder L.C acquires failing local companies.'

'Supermodel Claudia Snyder back on the party scene. Brother Richard comes in handy, buying the silence of third parties.'

******

Richard speeds his classic Ferrari GT 250 down the highway and to the center of LA. He stops in front of a towering glass building, steps out, throws the keys to the valet and walks past the doors sliding open for him. Walking into the private elevator, he rides the floors up to the top and exits in steady steps towards his office, ignoring the people around him.

Closing the door behind him, he walks into office, which has floor to ceiling glass windows watching all over LA. Richard walks immediately behind his desk and buries his head in a pile of papers awaiting him.

A couple of phone calls later, he looks irritated reading the same file over and over again until his door busts open.

"Earth to Mr. Money!" a woman's voice fills the office.

In the doorway stands the smiling supermodel bomb-shell Claudia. She is tall, lean, her hair styled in perfect buttercream beach waves.

Richard glances up briefly, offering her a humorless smile.

"This is your beautiful sister saving you from the abyss of your thoughts." She ignores his irritation and walks inside nonetheless.

"Lose that pet name, will you? You know I hate it." Richard replies his eyes not moving from the file on his desk.

"Look at you, all blissful and cheery; Rainbows coming out of your ass and all…"

"What do you want?" he dismisses her comments.

"I'm here for lunch. You forgot?"

"I don't have time for you today…nor nerves. Rain check?" he looks off faking a smile.

"No! Get up! Now! I'm not leaving, unless it's with you. And we're going to that Bistro down the street. They have good wine." Richard sighs defeated, knowing his sister well.

"Looks like I might need something stronger." He gets up and walks out the door without further comment. Claudia remains dumb founded in the same spot, until Richard calls over his shoulder.

"Let's go pest!"

******

Richard smokes his fifth cigarette, looking thoughtfully outside the window, while Claudia is busy on her phone. His food is untouched, while her plate almost empty.

"Sorry! That was my agent." She puts the phone away and Richard turns his attention to her. "Anyway, I was telling you. Mom and I think you should take a break." She throws casually and his brows raise in surprise.

"Where the fuck did that come from?"

"Well, unlike you, we do notice how consumed you are in this shit-sow you're running every day. Donna is worried." She shakes her shoulders like stating the obvious, leaving Richard more confused.

"Donna's still trying to arrange me a wife. Excuse me if I don't take her judgment for granted." He puts off the cigarette in the tray.

"She wants to see you settled. You can't blame a mother for wanting a happy life for her son."

"Yeah, right! In an arranged marriage." He snickers. "Anyway, I can't take a break. We're losing a client. C.C.M. I'm flying to Berlin tomorrow." Claudia shifts in her chair, troubled by that news.

"Should I call mom, or will you let her know in your own sick twisted version?" Richard tries to lighten the air, noticing his sister's mood shift.

She ponders her options and answers:

"I'll tell her you went chasing after love. She refused you, you obsessed over her and followed her to Berlin to win her heart. Tadaa!" Claudia beams.

"Right! I'd believe that too." Irony laces his words. Claudia gets serious once more.

"Jokes aside, I know where your mind's ticking. I've got the mill running here, no worries. Go take care of C.C.M and I'll keep you updated."

"Finally speaking like my Head of Finance. Fits you much better than the bimbo act." He lights another cigarette. "Finish your food. Gotta be at the public hearing in fifteen."

"Right, I forgot you still do that nonsense for free."

"I'll help in any way I can, sis. Not everyone has the money to pay for my company's services, but my services as a lawyer, they're for free." He winks, a genuine smile playing his lips.

“I think you should talk to dad too, before leaving. C.C.M was contracted when he was in charge.”

“Don’t remind me. I’m already dreading it, but I will. I’ll come by the house later tonight.”

“I’ll let mom know then. You know how she loves to spoil you and make your favorites every time you come for dinner.”