Chapter 5 Friends with the boss

At five minutes till eight A.M on Monday morning, Kelvin made his way into the lobby of

Morgan Investments for the first time as an employee.

His ID badge was fashioned to his suit's lapel, and Kelvin

felt like holding it out as a shield, proudly putting it out on display so that

people seen he belonged there too.

His anxiety diminished as he saw Karen Tshini standing in

front of the security desk, smiling in greeting. "You look very

handsome," she greeted Kelvin, admiring his smooth grey suit. "Did

you have any trouble getting the suits?"

"Not at all Miss Tshini," Kelvin replied, smiling and

nodding to the guards in greeting as he passed.

They didn't nod back in response, and Kelvin was beginning

to wonder if they were robots or something. "By the way, may I ask you a

personal question?"

"Of course," Karen replied, as the they entered

the elevator. "

"I noticed that you and Mr. Tshini have the same family name..."

"Yes, Shalem is my half-brother," replied Karen

with a smile. "We both share the same father."

"So I guess that means you aren't just a lobby

secretary then?"

Karen chuckled. "No, not at all. Shalem asked me to

welcome you as a favor to him. I actually help him run the company. I

specialize in corporate finance law, but I mostly just oversee what is being

done by the other lawyers. We have a few dozen lawyers here."

"Geez. And who is Miss White?"

"Jasmine is my administrative assistant. Like you,

she's also very educated. She's a great asset to me and our firm.

We currently don't have a lot going on in the legal

department, so I've asked her to help your transition and to learn the ins and

outs. She should be able to help with anything you need. Before the elevator

stops, would you like some advice?" Karen asked, her voice changing as she

turned to face Kelvin.

Kelvin turned, curious. "Of course."

Karen's face shifted to a penetrating gaze that made Kelvin

slightly anxious.

If this woman wasn't

in corporate law, she sure would make a great prosecutor, thought Kelvin.

Any defendant able

hold up to that gaze was made of stern stuff.

"Shalem.....Mr. Tshini, is taking a risk with you. Being in

charge, he can do that. But my job is to protect this firm and my brother. So

work as hard as you can, and when you think you can't possibly work any harder,

find a way to give him just a little more. If you do that, you'll fit in well

here. If not, there will likely be problems."

Kelvin swallowed twice before he replied. "Yes,

ma'am."

Karen's face morphed into a gentle smile almost scary fast.

"Good. I'll never have to speak that way to you again."

For the next six weeks, Kelvin's life became a whirlwind of

hard work. He found himself routinely at his desk starting at eight in the

morning, but from there the day would vary.

Sometimes he would spend the whole day working on his

computer, sending e-mails or booking reservations for Shalem or just handling

his calendar.

He grew skilled at finding dinner reservations at

restaurants all over the Tribeca area on short notice, as he seemingly had

dinner meetings show up with little to no notice.

On other days, he would find himself going all over New York

with Shalem as he carried out his business. One morning they'd be at the New

York Stock Exchange, then that afternoon they'd be in the East Village checking

out an art show.

During these times, he would often find himself talking with

Shalem not as an employee, but as a friend.

"So, what do you think about this place?" Shalem

asked once, as they were seated in an Indian restaurant eating lunch together.

Shalem had come to Kelvin that morning telling him to grab

his tablet. He was looking to invest in some local restaurants. "It's got

a better location than the Thai place in Brooklyn."

Kelvin dipped his na'an bread in the buttered chicken curry,

and took a bite. Immediately, he shook his head. "Nope, not here," Kelvin

said, pushing his curry aside.

"Why?" Shalem said with a glint in his eye, as he

spooned his own curry and rice into his mouth.

Kelvin had noticed Shalem had a huge appetite, easily eating

three to four times what he could, yet he was always trim and built.

He must have a crazy metabolism, thought Kelvin.

"The curry," he answered simply. "Indian food

is about passion. It's about loving the food and loving the life. This curry

doesn't have that, it's flat. It probably won't be here in five years."

"I see. Would you call yourself someone who possesses

passion, Kelvin?"

Kelvin blushed, and took a bite out of his bread. At least

that was decent enough. "It took a lot of passion to get myself together

and finish school after my mother passed, sir. Without passion, I would never

have gotten into a school like NYU, and never would've gotten to work at Morgan

Investments. Passion is something I think I know."

Shalem smiled kindly, and Kelvin felt his emotions tug at

him.

When Shalem smiled,

he didn't look quite as powerful or haughty. He looked kind, and Kelvin had to

remind himself constantly that he was his boss and not his friend. On top of

that, Kelvin had no idea if he was into men. The last thing he wanted to do was

offend his boss with an unwanted comment taken as an advance.

"Okay, I'll

accept that. But I've told you before, Kelvin. When we're alone, don't call me

sir. I happen to like my name."

"Okay, Mr. Tshini," he said playfully, shocking

himself as soon as he said it.

Shalem's chin dropped, before he laughed and threw a small

piece of na'an bread at him. "You know I can't stand that! My father was

Mr. Tshini. Just Shalem."

Kelvin laughed along with him, and sipped at his Coke.

"All right.... Shalem." The way the word rolled off Kelvin's tongue

sent shivers down his spine, and he knew that he wanted to say that name many

times.