Gilding the L.I.L.L.(Y)

Chapter 1

Nia this is the second time I’ve been in here this morning, you need to get up now or you’ll be late. Nicolas called to her daughter through the partially opened bedroom door; this was part of their morning routine. Nicolas would enter Nia and her twin brother Charlie’s bedrooms each once after showering and being partially dressed. She would enter once again prior to heading downstairs to begin preparing their breakfast. In spite of their busy lifestyles she insisted on being hands on with her family and placed them before anything else.

Morning Nic, I told you to start letting those kids wake themselves up. Her husband Charles surprised her as she entered the kitchen. What are you going to do? Go off to college with them and make sure they get up for classes? They’re sixteen years old now and it’s time they acted like it.

The amount of attention the children received from their mother annoyed Charles, he wasn’t jealous of them but angry at what he felt was her keeping them dependent on her the way she depended on her father. At forty-nine years old, CEO of and sole heir to the family business Nicolas rarely made a move without consulting him. This too annoyed her husband.

Charles recalled spotting the woman in the VIP alumni section during the homecoming game at the university where he was head coach of the football team. She seemed bored and the man she accompanied was old enough to be her father. Charles would later find out that it was her father. At the post game mixer he thought she only pretended to not know that he had been a professional football player; although he wasn’t a major star he’d had a couple of good years before retiring. It was at her parent’s insistence that Nicolas signed a prenuptial agreement and got married seven months into her surprise pregnancy. Charles continued coaching until the university let him go after having one losing season too many. Being released from his job only cemented his theory that it was time to hang up his cleats for good.

Nicolas rolled her eyes briefly before meeting Charles’ gaze over his oversized coffee mug. She knew this was going to turn into one of those discussions that she didn’t like having about how she babied the children and they needed to grow up. Perhaps they were spoiled and she did baby them, in her heart she knew that she did but they were her miracle babies she was told she would never have and she was thankful for them.

Good morning Charles, I’m surprised to see you up this early. Nicolas answered walking toward the refrigerator, The kids are on their way down. I’m just making eggs and toast today, did you want something different? Charles followed her about the kitchen with his eyes before lowering his mug and shaking his head at her lack of acknowledgement of his statement.

I mean it Nicolas, you and I both work full time and they’re beyond old enough to do for themselves. They’ll be out of the house in a couple of years and they aren’t prepared to live in the dorms, they need a new day and new expectations so their transition to college life is smooth. That new day is tomorrow and our front will be united, enough said.

Nicolas sighed deeply at Charles’ proclamation as the children entered the kitchen and took seats at the breakfast table.

Morning mom, hey dad. Nia and Charlie greeted their parents in unison. You both look really serious, and it’s way too early in the morning to look so serious. Nia continued. Nicolas decided she’d had enough of the current conversation and that Charles wasn’t going to bully her into having his way this time.

We need to get moving so that I can get you two to school on time so less talking and more eating. She said placing the dishes of scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit in the center of the table.

After getting the children to school Nicolas Cole Kirkland III sat in her car in her personal parking space of the building which bore her name. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply for her morning meditation before beginning her work day. Nicolas was proud to be at the helm of what was started by her grandfather Nicolas Cole and his twin brother Cole Nicolas Kirkland nearly ninety years ago; she was the majority holder of The Kirkland Group, specialists in office, commercial, and retail real estate sales and leasing.

Her father refused to fully retire to a remote location despite her mother’s insistence, staying on as a part-time consultant at the company. He felt having a woman CEO after two generations of Kirkland men in charge might make her appear vulnerable and his visibility would project a strong male presence even though Nicolas could fire him at any time.

In the early days the Kirkland brothers rented vacant spaces in their building to people of color only. Someone fresh out of college would unlikely be able to afford purchasing their own business space even if the seller didn’t object to their skin color; and few property owners of the era would give a minority dentist or doctor the opportunity to make a decent living by renting space to them. The Kirkland brother’s early business practice would now be considered reverse racism but they saw it as filling a double need. They needed to make money and people who they knew had a marketable skill needed a place in which to practice it. The three-story Kirkland Building stands in the original site of the building won by the Kirkland brothers in a poker game all those years ago. As the business grew the building grew and surrounding properties were purchased to accommodate the growth.

Good morning Maddie, how are you? Nicolas greeted her assistant as she entered her office, How is my schedule today? Did you get the favors and gift certificates ordered for the birthday party?

"Yes Nic, the favors and gift certificates are ready, the caterer has confirmed, and most of the building tenants will be in attendance. Everyone knows you throw a great party and they’re looking forward to it. Don’t act like it’s such a chore, you’ll have a great time!’

Maddie between you and I this is a Kirkland building tradition I would rather not continue. To throw my own birthday soiree for the businesses leasing the bottom two floors is somewhat narcissistic in my opinion. Were I them I would think as long as my rent check clears that’s all you need to see of me, I don’t need schmooze with you on your birthday and during the holidays as a reminder that you own the building. Dad says its Kirkland building tradition to throw a party for the entire building on the CEO’s birthday and at holiday time. I think my fiftieth will be the last one. I’ve attended a couple for granddad and my great uncle Cole, and then for dad when he took over, and now I’m throwing them. It just seems cocky and elitist. I need to create my own legacy, leave a mark with my own way of doing business.

Maddie looked as though she understood but was still concerned, Nic’s party favors were far from cheap little trinkets and her gift certificates were in generous amounts. She didn’t know about everyone else but she looked forward to getting birthday gifts from Nicolas at her party and the Christmas gifts at the holiday party. If the parties were discontinued would Nicolas still give the tokens of appreciation?

Yes it’s a lot of work Nic but perhaps taking a survey would be best. It would give the tenants an opportunity to let you know whether they’re genuinely interested in attending or whether they attend simply because you invite them. I mean, it doesn’t hurt to ask but ultimately the decision is yours. If you’re tired of it then you’re the boss, you can stop them at any time. You have a couple of meetings and then your day is free after your two o’clock conference call with Mr. Elias. He’s still balking at the cost of The Kipling Center and wants you to call him to discuss the pending sale. Maddie replied.

Jakob Elias can kiss my backside; The Kipling Center is part of the Historic District which means he’s exempt from an array of taxes for fifteen years. The only taxes he has to pay are bonds, schools, and special assessments. Not paying real and personal property taxes, local corporate income taxes, state personal income, and local personal income taxes for the exemption period will save him more than the two million dollars he’s paying for the building many times over.

I know Nicolas; he’s stalling the way he always does.

He sells luxury vehicles, there’s nothing under sixty grand on his showroom floor! Nicolas exclaimed.

He’s shrewd but not stupid and neither am I. That building has been assessed by two different assessors and I paid for him to have it done by the assessor of his choice; all exceeded two million. I’ll be certain to remind him his offer isn’t the only one the table.

Nicolas went into her office and shut the door perhaps a little harder than she should have, she was irritated now. The Elias’ and Kirkland’s have worked together longer than she had been alive. Her father would want her to work with Jakob personally as he worked with Jakob’s father personally, even if it meant earning a slightly smaller commission by selling to him.

Jakob Elias gets on her last damned nerve with his pushiness and sense of entitlement; she had brokers to handle this type of thing! This might be another tradition of The Kirkland Group she would aim to bring to an end.

With Nicolas in her office Maddie called the other assistant’s of The Kirkland Group to let them know their gifts might be ending as her boss contemplated ending the twice yearly parties. Maddie was given a generous budget and left her to her own devices as to what party favors and gift certificates she would order. Maddie and her peers then rummaged through catalogues and web merchants to find things that they specifically wanted.

She then ordered those items or gift certificates to the selected merchants so the administrative assistants were always very pleased as they got exactly what they wanted. It wasn’t like they were stealing, they were just being personally preferential and The Kirkland Group was getting a tax break from gifting which made it a win for everyone. Maddie and her accomplices decided she would try to convince Nicolas to continue the parties; they just needed to devise a plan as how to do it.

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Dammit Jakob we know that building assessed at two million, three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars on the low end and two million five hundred thousand on the high end. The highest figure came from your assessor! You’re already screwing me and have the nerve to complain that I’m not taking enough of a screwing. Do you realize how much commission Kirkland would earn on the three hundred twenty five thousand to half million dollars you aren’t paying? Nicolas asked.

Jakob was unmoved by Nicolas’ proclamation and question. He knew that discounted rates were part of the business relationship their families shared and although two million was a bargain he saw no harm in pushing the envelope.

Nicci our fathers did business together, we grew up together and now we do business together. The amount of commission you’re complaining about losing is less than your company makes in forty-eight hours. Since when do you cry over lost pennies Nicci? Jakob responded.

I would prefer to pay one million seven fifty but you’ve broken me down, get the closing scheduled and let me know when to be there. The way you’re acting I would think The Kirkland’s are hurting for money, are you?

Nicolas was offended at the question but wouldn’t allow her tone to change. She and Jakob dated briefly at their father’s urgings with hopes of a super dynasty between the luxury auto prince and the real estate princess. Nicolas saw Jakob as more of an annoying brother than a romantic interest. His talk of marriage and her converting to Judaism by their third date revealed to her the extent of his presumptuousness; she liked him even less after dating him.

Jakob Levi Elias, we’re not hurting for money and neither are you. I just don’t like knowing that you’re trying to take advantage of me and smile in my face at the same time. The Kirkland Group is as solid as ever not that it’s any of your business. When are you going to find someone to marry you and give you offspring so my children won’t allow your children to take advantage of them? Nicolas asked.

We aren’t getting any younger.

Nicolas’ question stung Jakob and she knew it, he pushed his father to convince Mr. Kirkland to encourage her to date him. He had cared deeply for Nicolas; he felt that he loved her even now. Only Jakob called her ‘Nicci’ and she allowed him to. He was jealous that she had gotten pregnant by a washed up football player then married him. To Jakob Charles wasn’t a decent husband; he didn’t treat Nicci the way she deserved. He was a perpetually jobless joke who always had a new fail proof career idea to reinvent himself yet never succeeded. Jakob hadn’t met anyone who made him want to marry again, Nicolas’ not seeing him as a potential mate soured him on it.

Ha, ha very funny Nicci, I’ve gotta go. Just let me know when the closing is scheduled. Was his reply.

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Nicolas was happy to see her home at the end of the day. The meetings and the tug of war with Jakob were exhausting but in her heart she would have it no other way. The challenge of running The Kirkland Group was exhilarating.

When Nicolas didn’t see Charles’ car in the garage she hoped he had remembered to pick the twins up from school