PICTURE OF KEVIN

THIRD POV

The music was lively. The conversation a delight and the food extraordinary. Anyone would feel excited to be part of the party of the century. Three hours to New Years, some people were busy making amends and new resolutions for the New Year. Yet by the second week of January, all the promises and the resolutions would be long gone.

For a certain man, his New Year resolution was different. He had done more than make resolve, he had sworn an oath before God and the priest to be a better man. Not for himself but for his wife. For his family. He was going to be a better husband and if chance was on his side a father.

His in-laws did not share the same ideologies as he did. They could not care if he changed or not. He would never be welcomed in the family, in his community. He was an outcast. A drop of blood in the snow. So the rest of the people continued laughing and dancing and chattering in their high voices. It was very hard not to get lost in the excitement and frivolousness of the evening. Wine was overflowing and the food was mouthwatering. Anyone should be happy, yet two individuals this night was a nightmare. It held nothing for them if the people they cared about the most were not here. These parties were dreadful and strenuous on them, they never felt welcomed, even the maids did not spare them a second glance. Just giggles and pointing of fingers as they walked past. You know you have sunk to a new low when even the maids mocked your existence.

In the meantime, Kevin was standing by the bay windows waiting patiently for his wife to finally show up. In the meantime, he nursed a dry martini as he recalled why Mary-Anne always seemed to be late. She called it fashionably lateness to be the center of the attention. It had been a running gag long ago but now it is a big lie. He knew it and the rest of the family knew the real reason why she always run late and insisted that he go ahead and meet him there. It was quite a simple answer.

He was a disgrace. At least she thought that he was a disgrace. The man she had dated for two years and been married for three almost four years, had started to bore her. She had gone for a guy who was completely opposite in terms of social, political and economic structure. In the honeymoon stages she had been completely besotted with his... freshness and humility. Kevin was never into the cars, luxury and fame. He was blind to all the luxury that he was almost considered Amish. In the beginning, it was sweet. But now it was shameful and disgraceful to be married and around a man that was not in your caliber.

And Kevin knew that. He knew that she was ashamed that he was nothing like her ex-fiancé, rich, affluent and effluent in all matters business and social wise. He could only offer his love and faithfulness but that sadly was not enough for Mary-Anne anymore.

Sighing, he turned his attention to his beautiful sister/cousin who was looking pretty in her grey and black evening dress. She always hated the "girly" colors in any interior design or clothing. She had always preferred neutral and earthly colors. Something which earned her the teasing of everyone around her including Kevin teased her that she was not 'girl' enough which always earned him a playful smack across the chest.

The music was still playing in the room but the chatter reduced to one or two decibels. Kevin in his two piece suit had his back turned away from the main entrance, a tactic to avoid wandering eyes. He wondered why the noise level reduced but was not curious to investigate. His lack of interest in gossip and mindless conversation was also a general reason why he earned the scorn of his wife and her family. But as he glancing at his cousin and seeing the blood drain from her face he knew something was wrong. Turning to see what the commotion was all about, his sharp eyes caught the reason for the spectacle. His wife hanging on the arm of Brian Montgomery, her ex-fiancée.

The ultimate disrespect. When she and everyone in this entire rom and city knew the hostility between the two men. He caught himself fast enough to keep his face neutral, most eyes turning to look at him with a smirk and gauge his reaction. These men and women were piranhas always excited to have drama. His cousin, had a look of rage and sadness in her eyes. Brushing it off he decided to do the exact opposite of what everyone was expecting. Grabbing two champagne glasses he walked over to the couple and handed each of them a glass. All the while keeping a smile on his face.

"Hi sweetie. I am glad you got here safely." giving her a quick peck on the check. It did not go unnoticed by him how stiff she became when he got near. Ignoring it, he turned to Brian.

"Brian, good to see you. Thank you for bringing her" trying to keep his voice jovial and light at the same time extending his hand to the man.

Brian on his part shook the hand "Hello Kevin. Well, she needed a man to escort her here and I could not pass up the chance" giving him a smug reply placing emphasis on the man.

It took all his training in the Navy not to pummel this guy to the ground and beat the living daylights out of him. Still, he ignored the insulting comment he didn't want to create a scene as most people were going back to whatever they were doing. So he likewise, ignored the presence of the pest and turned to gaze at his beautiful wife who for some reason had anger in her eyes. Before he could ask her what was the problem. The devil's wife came gliding towards them.

"Hello mom. You are looking charming and beautiful as always" Brian yelled. He once again had the whole attention of the room. It was no secret that Estelle Davis did not allow her son-in law to call her by her first name or even address her as mom. Instead a formal and uptight Mrs. Davis was the order.

"Brian, I am so glad you could make it. My, don't you look handsome" she said in her silvery laugh completely ignoring the presence of her son-in-law. She never approved of the marriage and never would. Kevin Peterson was just not right for her daughter. But would her daughter listen? No! She went right ahead and married that brute. Why did her children have to give her so much grief, she wondered. As if that was not enough, her son just had to get married to his gold-digging cousin. It was like the Petersons DNA was coded with gold-digging.

Dinner began with no further drama. Kevin and Mary-Anne sat at one table along with the rest of the Davis family. Except for Thomas Davis, Gina's husband. He had opted out and instead was chatting with a pretty ginger red head at the other side of the room. He had escorted her to the party but she had been on her own from the moment they stepped through the doors. She nearly burst into tears from Thomas hostility and flippant attitude towards their marriage. She had tried to hold on to his attention but for the past months he had become colder and nastier towards her. Nothing could please him. She prayed to God every night to save her marriage, but deep down she knew it was on it's last strand.

Gina hated being here. She hated the smug looks from the women from her parents-in-law. She had given up so much for Thomas but what did she get in return, nothing. What else will do to her? What more humiliation will she have to suffer?

Her question will be soon answered. But nothing in her wildest dreams would prepare her for what happened an hour and a half later,

...................................................

There was still shock on everybody's faces. They could not believe what they just witnessed. Then a giggle came, then laughter, then chants and booing. The Peterson's didn't know what to think. They were in shock. Kevin who had remained quiet throughout the whole display of humiliation, stood up to gently grab his cousin's arm and slowly ushered the crying Gina out of the lavish dining room.

Just before he walked out the doors forever, slowly removed the silver gold band around his finger. It had meant so much to him before. A promise and a vow. This night the vow had been broken. Turning he threw it at the laughing Mary-Anne's feet. The room went silent at his action. They never thought that in a billion years he would be the one to end the marriage. Turning he continued to lead his weeping sister into the cold but fresh air. Not emptying his pockets and taking off everything that reminded or bought by the Davis. A kind caterer had lent them a couple of pants and t-shirts.

Hailing a taxi he gave directions to the cabbie and in the back he comforted the weeping Gina. He didn't care where they went as long as they were far away from them, the building, the people, the hurt and the pain.

Wrapping up the last of his statement, he shook hands with the men and women in the room. Then without a second word he headed to the parking lot where his navy blue Mercedes Benz CLK 300 awaited him. Throwing his briefcase to the passenger side he brought the car to a sweet sound of drive and took off from the lot into the empty street.

Silence reigned in the car as he took the familiar avenues and streets to his home. Today had been a stressful day. He had lost quite a bit of money. Nothing new to him. He had to gather his team together and work out a way to restore the finances and bring the scales back to the chart. It shouldn't be too hard to get everybody motivated and get business pounding. He was well aware of the fact that more than 95% of his staff were very frightened of him.

He didn't question it but he never understood why. He was a man of very few words preferring to listen and when he did speak the listeners looked at him like he was a prophet. Sighing he supposed he had a lot to do with why so many people were scared of him. He took his business and work very seriously. He was finally reaping the fruits of his intensive labors. And nothing, absolutely nothing would get in his way.

Some people would call his success a typical fortune 500 story. If only they knew how much pain and sweat and blood and tears went into developing his success. It all started 15 years ago. Returning from the Navy, there was not a lot of jobs available for a man with his resume. All throughout his life he had a knack for IT. Having nothing to do with his time, he created an online advertising agency for small businesses. Nothing much but it brought in some cash. He had had to sell the rights when he was in a very dire situation and needed every penny he could lay his hands on.

His big break came when he was cleared to create Jell. Jell had been one of his brainwaves since he was in the Navy. It was two inch long device for monitoring and stabling heart problems. The length of getting it patented and approved by the medical board was tedious but it paid off. It was a million dollar industry. Of course he didn't keep it. He sold it after two years for a little over 4.8 billion dollars (mind you, after taxes and paying everybody, he was left with less than half).

He struck gold again when he designed a generator for increasing open-heart surgeries without any risk to the patients. That brought in good cash. More than Jell, but like before he didn't keep it. Sold it and went into more IT creation software's and tourism business. They had flourished to heights he never imagined possible. And his business and empire just kept on expanding and expanding. Though today he was not so lucky.

His thoughts were distracted by the stop sign for the pedestrians to cross. He knew a long night lay ahead of him. He did not groan but looked at it with glee and anticipation. It was his indifference that had earned him the infamous nickname, 'Mask'. Not only from business associates but friends, family, and of course the media. That and because no one ever saw his face much. Pictures were rarely taken and that had to do with the fact that the paparazzi were less in Germany and all of Europe than the Americas.

Indeed, he had been a masked man, hiding his emotions and feelings and never letting anyone read his facial expressions or thoughts. Years had done little to turn this cold, detached, and calculating man into the carefree man he once was. He had grown and developed his character into a no-nonsense man that kept people at bay. He had no time for love and kept people at bay, until 5 years ago. When the sweet angel Rylan came into his life.

Smiling at the thought of her, he couldn't wait to get home. Thanks to her, he had seen a new intake about life. Her sweetness and kindness had made him want to change into a better man for her. She had fixed him up and mended his cold broken heart. Make no mistake, his heart was still cold. And not even a year ago were they blessed with a handsome boy, Xander. He and Rylan and Xander together made up his small immediate family. He knew the day was coming when he would expand the little family into a much bigger one. A smile formed on his lips when he recalled her previous night's antics with Xander and Rush their German shepherd puppy. He was more than eager to get home to the love and warmth that he had sought for so long.

The car parked into the safety of his garage he let himself into his spacious home of his own hotel. Some found it odd that he lived in a hotel instead of an actual house. But the house offered him security not to mention a spectacular view of the city. He couldn't explain it he just preferred hotels to houses. Inside, he stepped on a squeaking toy on the floor and he shook his head and picked it up.

"I'm home guys" he yelled, he received no answer instead finding the usual ruckus gone. He missed the chaos and laughter his home brought. Thinking they must have gone out, he dropped his briefcase and walked over to the left island to collect his daily mail. In this day and age, he was more than pleased that some people still used the old fashion pen and paper. Tearing the first one open which was another dinner invitation by the owner of the local TV station inviting him and his family to yet another social event. He was constantly badgered by these mails and invites. In as much as they irritated him, he knew it came with the territory of being a business mogul and a billionaire.

"If you are here to kill me, would you do it quickly, there is a shareholders meeting I wouldn't mind missing tomorrow morning" he said to the shadow behind him but he never took his eyes off the letter.

"You wish you could miss it. Do you know that it is really creepy what you do?" the voice replied.

"What?" he asked not bothering to turn his back just continuing to read his letter.

"Being all FBI like" she replied. "It is a bit disconcerting. How do you do it?" she asked him irritated.

At this he turned to look at her "I was in the Navy. And sweetie, I did not become a businessman by not looking out for myself" causing her to roll her eyes.

"That and your Channel IV perfume gave it away" he couldn't help but add with a smirk.

"Ha. Smartass. Where is everybody?" the gentle voice asked looking around the room. Like him, she did not like the silence of his home. It was unnatural.

"I thought you should know that?" he replied. Looking up from the letter and raising an eyebrow at her. And really she should. Being his right-hand woman, she knew every single detail about him. From the clothes he wore, to the food he ate, to his security protocol.

"Well, then they are probably with Gannicus shopping. I swear that man shops more than a woman!" she exclaimed.

"I wonder where he got that from" he said under his breath pretending to read his letter.

"What was that?" came the challenging reply.

"Nothing" he replied quickly.

"I thought so" she said with a smug voice.

Victoria Nnaji was one of the few people he didn't mess with. She was smart, beautiful and very dangerous and had a temper of an active volcano. She was one person he still liked to have as a friend and not an enemy. She had been with his family, since the beginning of his business. First with running the advertising agency with Gina. Then when his business took off she was right there by their side. She was the organizer and the glue that had held his empire together. Today her hard work, loyalty, dedication, paid off, to be able to stand and be called one of the top entrepreneurs in the world.

"So. I think you know why I am here" Vic said with a sly smile.

"Business. Otherwise you would be on a date with my driver" he said with a knowing smile. She was a beautiful woman and it was not hard to see why his driver and most men always giving her a once over. At times, it was downright funny to see what men would do to try and get her attention. Shaking his head he realized that there was once a time he had been in the same position. Making a complete fool of himself for a woman's attention yet never received the reciprocation. That is life. Shaking those unpleasant thoughts away he paid attention to what she was saying.

"What I do is my business honey" she said with a smirk. "But yes its business" she said pausing to make herself comfortable on the plush sofa. She had to admit he had great taste. He was a perfectionist and it showed in everything he laid his eyes and hands and mind on.

"So why are we waiting, let's get right down to it" he said hoping to get it done before Rylan and Xander got home.

"Soon honey. Ugh, so impatient. Just seven more minutes" she chided him like a mother would a child. She cared a great deal about him and was some of the few who could get past his cold exterior. And put up with his indifferent attitude.

"Why?" he asked intrigued.

"Because in two minutes - glancing at her watch- she will be coming right through the door. And five minutes later the other will show up" stating it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Nodding in understanding he knew exactly who she was referring to. Pouring two glasses of white wine he handed one to her and got himself settled. As she predicted 2 minutes later Gina walked through the door in still in her business suit. Looking elegant and beautiful.

Years had been good to Georgina. She had matured and grown into a beautiful woman. She had re-found her voice and her strength to suffer through the circumstances and challenges life had thrown at her. Nicknamed 'King Kong' for her ferocity in meetings, she continued to rise and push toward the mark. Like her brother/cousin she never backed down till she got what she wanted.

And five minutes after her, Brian Montgomery graced them with his presence.

Yes ladies and gentlemen Brian Montgomery. Kevin's arch rival. Placing differences aside five years ago they now worked together. And slowly had built up a close and brotherly relationship. It was shocking how life turned out. Kevin never thought that he would become best friends with anybody and certainly not in his wildest dreams did he imagine that it would be his ex-wife's former fiancée but a lot of things had changed in seven short years. One of them was Brian moving to Germany.

Differences put aside, he knew it was one of the best decisions he ever made. Brian was a decent fellow when he was not being a pest and an annoyance which was 99 percent of the time. But he knew that he had his back. After swearing that he never had an affair with his ex-wife and had no knowledge of that night, they had let go and it was the only time they ever spoke about it. Ever.

He had forgiven him whole heartedly and trusted him with his life. Though he knew it would be a very short life, if the pranks and antics he pulled were any indications.

Pouring them each a glass of the white wine, they followed Vic into the meeting room that he had had custom built. Fully equipped with a projector screen and everything in it that represented a board room.

"So. What is this big meeting?" Gina asked the question that was on everyone's mind. They knew it had to be important when Vic summoned the three CEO's and presidents of Tescon Incorporated and the Douglas and Montgomery Companies.

Vic started the meeting the meeting with a hint of anger in her eyes. She took everything like a preparation for war. Every detail, every Achilles heel, anything and everything that could be advantageous or disadvantageous was noted. Sometimes they thought it was a hobby of hers.

"As you guys know, we agreed upon to buy some shares in the Sun Technology in the U.S right?"

They nodded their head in the affirmative. It had been decided that buying a failing cell phone manufacturing company could turn out to be very useful.

"The soon-to-be-former owners Payne's... Well, let's just say that when the Payne's were selling the rest of the shares they failed to enclose the full magnitude of the managerial problems. I had one of the P.I's do some digging and sneaking and there are a lot of crisis. It is not saying that buying the company was a bad idea just that there are much more problems we have to expect to encounter."

"What kind of problems?" Gina asked.

"For starters there are no experienced men in the data analyzing and creation. Or more fairly there are not up to the par we are used to"

''That should be no problem. We could get someone to go. I'm sure Nico wouldn't mind going" Brian interrupted her. Seeing this as a trivial issue. Vic always oversaw these things.

Shooting him a glare that read 'shut up' she continued. "In addition, I was informed that this morning it seems the other shareholders had also backed out and sold their other half of the shares leaving everything in shambles. It would be in our best interest to go there and scope out the place. In addition, with the path of the economy it wouldn't hurt if we could negotiate new economic floors and ceilings. Either way, it will require that one or all of you preferably, going for the turning over."

"Do we have to?" Brian whined.

"Well, those who have not sold out their shares are insisting upon it" she said pausing. The others in the room could tell that there was hesitation in Victoria's voice and action.

"Ok why do I have a feeling there is more to this than you are telling us?" Gina asked carefully. Vic never hesitated. She said what was on her mind and damned the consequences.

"Because among the new shareholders are the Davis" looking Kevin and Gina in the eye.