One Night with Cinderella - Niobia Bryant Page 0,15

asked, purposely reverting to his brother’s childhood nickname.

It served his purpose to disarm him.

Phillip Jr.’s stance softened. “Maybe the two of you think you stand a better chance at Dad’s favor as a team,” he said.

Gabe shook his head. “I don’t like to share anything. You know that,” he said.

“And I don’t like being the eldest—his damn namesake—and being overlooked,” Phillip volleyed back, once again voicing his opinion that he should automatically inherit the throne.

Gabe remained quiet. He wanted to be named CEO, but he refused to fight with his brothers to obtain the title. It was a horrible use of time, intelligence and energy.

Phillip released a derisive chuckle filled with his frustration before turning to take long strides to the closed door to jerk it open. He paused in the frame. “Good luck on the nominations next year,” he said before taking his leave.

That last shot did cause Gabe to shift in his seat. None of the Cress restaurants had received a nod.

In the past, the family used to gather together for the announcement of the nominees to celebrate or commiserate together. Now he didn’t know if his brother truly wished him well the next time or if he’d let his blind ambition make a loss a reason to gloat to their father as proof of Gabe’s inability to lead the empire.

Sad times.

Gabe wiped his mouth with his hand as he closed his eyes and released a long breath. He wanted to win the coveted seat, as well, but to what end? This wasn’t a nighttime soap opera where hurt and misdoings could be erased or lessened with the stroke of a writer’s pen.

What was happening to the family in their family empire?

Bzzzzzz.

He glanced at his watch and his body tensed, even as he reached over to hit the intercom button once more. “Yes?”

“Lunch is served, Mr. Cress.”

Gabe drummed his fingers atop his desk. “Thank you,” he replied, wishing he had anywhere else to be.

Absolutely anywhere.

He eyed his stocked bar and contemplated a double pour of brandy but decided against it. He needed to be sharp. The verbal daggers were about to fly.

Cress, INC.’s corporate offices occupied the entire fortieth floor of the towering building, and there was a test kitchen nestled among the dozen offices and conference rooms. It had become tradition when his mother wasn’t busy at her acclaimed cooking school for her to fix lunch for the family and support staff. Normally he looked forward to his mother’s cuisine, but of late, the family gatherings could be a bit dicey and swing anywhere between loving and challenging.

The scent of tomatoes and seafood was heavy in the air. Admittedly his stomach rumbled, but he didn’t quicken his pace to the family’s private dining area that was separate from the one for the employees. Barbara, one of the company’s office staff, gave him an appreciative eye as they came toward each other in the hall leading to the test kitchen.

“That’s a beautiful tie, Mr. Cress,” she said with a sly smile as she came to a stop in front of him, effectively blocking his path.

Barbara had made it clear over the years that she was open to more than a work relationship, but Gabe had always maintained a professional distance. Today would be no different. “Thank you,” he said with a polite nod that he knew was stiff. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“Care to join me?” she asked.

Gabe opened his mouth.

“Sorry, Babs, but my big brother has a lunch date with me.”

Gabe glanced back at his brother Cole, a near look-alike for the actor Michael Ealy, strolling up to them dressed in jeans, boots and a long-sleeved black T-shirt. Ever the rebel of the family, Cole ignored their parents’ request for their sons to wear office attire. Just as his insistence on operating his food truck during the weekends was a thorn in their father’s side.

“Another time, then,” the petite and pretty woman said with another lingering look up at him before walking away.

As she passed Cole, he stopped to turn his head to watch her.

“Careful, little brother,” Gabe warned and then silenced any further admonishments as he remembered his own recent tryst with an employee.

“Gabe. Gabe. Gabe.”

Cole finally turned to reach his side and they continued up the hall together.

“Maybe she’ll turn her attention to you,” Gabe said.

“She can play with the fire if she wants,” Cole said. “I’m not the good one who wouldn’t dare break a rule.”

The Good One.

His brothers had often teased him for being a