Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Emmy sighed. “It’s the people who own Mageia.”
“The de Konigh Consortium?” Robert asked, startled.
“You three are old fudges and see a consortium of royalty and corporate executives in one family, but the masses see it differently. They see one place where they’ve been guaranteed – and I tell you, it’s written in their brochures, it’s a guarantee – that there will always be at least one de Konigh present overseeing business in Mageia every day. So think about it,” she urged her co-hosts. “You’re promised a chance to see your favorite de Konigh celebrity or royalty whichever day you visit Mageia. For many people, that’s worth the price Mageia charges them for.”
“Now that you mention it,” Robert murmured pensively, “I can definitely see the attraction.” He chuckled self-consciously, adding, “I’d be willing to pay the really expensive fees myself if I know when Farica de Konigh’s coming to work.”
“Exactly,” Emmy said smugly.
Edward nodded in understanding. “Yes, I see it now, and no doubt for the opening, all the women are there to see the head of the de Konigh clan, Willem de Konigh.”
His co-hosts murmured in agreement.
“Speaking of Willem de Konigh,” Emmy said, “have you noticed he’s been on a roll lately? Just last month, he was able to close that deal in Milan, which no one saw coming.”
“A roll’s putting it lightly,” Edward argued good-naturedly. “I’d say he’s on a mission to prove to everyone on earth that he is the best negotiator in town. Before the Milan deal, he also won the bidding for the next island in Dubai, and then there’s the hotel chain he’s starting in South Africa.”
“It’s like he’s determined to impress,” Robert interjected. “And perhaps all this is for his future bride, the Dutch model, Shane Raleigh?”
“Possibly,” Emmy acknowledged. “She is the last woman he has been seen with, and it could be they’re keeping everything under wraps while planning a secret marriage. It’s the usual thing celebrities do these days, isn’t it?”
“Oh boy, imagine the buckets of tears women all over the world would cry when that happens.” Jared, being openly gay, added, “I’ll cry with them, too.”
Willem switched the TV off as the rest of the hosts of the morning show laughed at their co-host’s quip. Placing the remote control on the bedside table, he strode back into his suite’s walk-in closet and began dressing himself.
As he buttoned his shirt, he wondered with detached interest if it was time to put an end to all the rumors swirling around him and Shane. Over half a year had passed since that time, anyway, and it didn’t seem likely she would approach him for any reason.
Even now, Willem didn’t allow himself to think about her, didn’t even allow her name to cross his mind. As far as he was concerned, she had ceased to exist the moment she had decided to go against the rules he had set for them.
Once he was dressed, he went down immediately to join the other de Konighs in greeting their newest batch of guests. As he strode down the hallways leading to the VIP rooms of the casino, the employees who caught sight of Willem happily greeted him.
The first time he and that person had parted, he had been an abominable employer to work for and this time, Willem had been determined it would be the opposite. The day he returned to work, he had immediately given all the employees working at the executive floor paid leave for the week, telling them they deserved it after their years of loyal service. He had also instructed payroll to provide the thousands of people working in his employ a cash bonus, something that had so pleased and surprised his employees they had gotten together to come up with a video thanking him for his generosity. The video had gone viral since then, and just last week Willem had been informed he was in the running for Time Magazine’s Person of the Year award.
It was gratifying, but it had not given him any pleasure.
In Willem’s mind, being a success at work meant that he was moving on, and so he had also forced himself to close one deal after another, taking business risks like he had never had. All of it had paid off, but none had given him any satisfaction either.
Every night, he would come home and he would feel...empty.
Every night, he had to force himself to sleep, had to constantly fight against thinking about her. Every night, he cursed her for forcing his hand, just as he cursed himself for not being strong enough to resist what she had foolishly surrendered—-
Enough, Willem told himself savagely.
Inhaling sharply, he took a second to compose himself before entering the suite of rooms reserved for the casino’s VIP guests. Inside, he slipped into his role of welcoming host, greeting his guests with courtesy and just the right amount of charm. He mingled with them for as long as necessary before proceeding to take a seat at one of the baccarat tables, knowing that doing so would encourage the others to play as well.