Chapter 4 Chapter Four: Darius Kyle, the Heartless Beast.

Chapter Four: Darius Kyle, the Heartless Beast.

Of the four regions, had a family that reign supreme throughout whole region. For Everpoint....it was the Kyle Family. The worlds largest hotels and resorts conglomerate, Kyle Dynasty and Corp was one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Pier Kyle was a business genius and corporate beast! He’d built his entire empire from scratch becoming one of the world’s largest. After he stepped down, his son Miles took over the reins following diligently in his father’s footsteps and expanding the empire even father.

Miles Kyle was married to Gina Rauche. Her family was the prominent Rauche clan, the region's largest hospital and clinic facilities, ranking number one. Miles and Gina had four children. Their oldest daughter Serena Kyle who was said to be one of the most beautiful women in Everpoint; was now married to a top plastic surgeon and currently president of one of the family hospitals. Their youngest sons Andrew and Alexander were a year apart and in high school. Each were academic scholars and sports champions, while also being two of the most popular students at their prestige private academy.

Their second oldest and eldest son....was Darius Kyle. Like his siblings, Darius excelled academically and physically. Graduating two years in advance from the academy and then a year early in college, Darius quickly began following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps. However, as academically suave and business structured as Darius was, when it came to his personality…..he fell below zero.

Unlike his parents, and siblings who were very personable, Darius had the personality of a brick wall. And although he was extremely handsome, because of his lack of emotions, he’d been dubbed the “heartless beast” by many throughout his academic and professional career. Throughout the years, his family tried numerous times to set him up on blind dates so that he could marry a sensible suitor. However, Darius saw now reason.

“What exactly is the benefit of me getting married?”

He asked his parents one day when they tried to yet again to play matchmaker with a prominent investment banker’s daughter.

“B-Benefit…..you mean other than spending the rest of your life with someone you love?”

His father stared at him in disbelief, he’d known for a long time his son wasn’t the most affectionate person, but surely he didn’t plan on spending the rest of his life alone…..right?

“If that’s the only reason…I don’t see why that’s something I should be focused on right now. I still have time to marry and produce an heir.”

Gina smiled nervously.

“Dary….honey it’s not just about producing an heir. We’re all just worried about you. You’re only twenty-five…..I know you take your work serious, but you should be having more fun! Dating, hanging out with people other than Troy.”

Troy Thompson was Darius’s best friend since grade school. He was one of the few people who didn’t cower at his cold demeanor and one of the few people besides his family that he could stand. Though he wasn’t the most affectionate, Darius loved his family very much. They were the only ones allowed to see his vulnerable side…..the few times he’d shown it.

“I don’t just hang out with Troy mom-”

“Warren doesn’t count honey….that’s work related.”

Warren Peterson was Darius’s personal assistant and one of the few people that actually understood Darius.

“Mom….right now I’m working on something huge for the company, I would think that takes place over my ‘love’ life.”

Darius had begun working on a new cruise line resort project. He wanted to build the largest cruise line ships in the world; while incorporating the many amenities their hotels and resorts offered. The problem, however, he was running into issues with the designing. Now matter how many different ways his architectural team would design the ship, there always seemed to be either a safety hazard or something missing.

“Son, I know the cruise ship is a big project for you….but we just want you see there is more to life than work.”

Miles looked at his son with a wary expression, fearful that he would never find love.

“So I was thinking….if you’re too busy….why don’t your mother and I setup a matchmak-”

“Absolutely not! No matchmaking! Mom…dad…..I love you both, but please, let me handle my own love life. I have to go. I’ve got a meeting with our lead designer.”

With that, Darius stood up to leave after hugging his parents. It wasn’t that Darius was against dating. He knew eventually he would have to marry and have children if not for any other reason than to have an heir. But Darius was a man that valued control and results above everything else. Some people were fortunate to marry for reasons like love and happiness. His parents were that fortunate as well as his sister. But for Darius, marriage was nothing more than a business transaction. One that he had no plans of entering until he met the one that would serve the best purpose.

As soon as he got int his car, Warren called him.

“Hey Warren, I’m actually on my way to the office now.”

……….

“Oh that’s not why I called you sir.”

“Okay….is something wrong?”

“Um….I would say interesting more than wrong.”

“Wh-What are you talking about Warren?”

“I’ll tell you when you get here.”

There is a slight hint of humor in Warren’s voice causing Darius to wonder even more what was going on. Pulling out of his parents’ estate, he headed straight for his office.

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The day Savannah told Abbie about the marriage arrangement, she’d informed her of the suitor she’d chosen. Darius Kyle.

Abbie could hardly believe her ears! Had Savannah gone mad! Everyone in the entire eastern region knew Darius Kyle never went on dates let alone showed any signs of getting married! He was known as the “heartless beast”, and many women though they found him handsome, was turned off by his cold demeanor and condescending tone. He had no personality and showed no interests the few times he’d went on dates. He treated everything like a business transaction, no romance, no emotions….just business.

Abbie sat next to Savannah at the island. Her face was riddled with confusion. Of all the people her friend could have chosen….did it have to be the beast?

“Um….Savie, I know you want to stick it to your stepfather and the board….but don’t you think this is a little drastic?”

Savannah finished her wine in one final gulp and turned towards Abbie.

“Abbie….Richard already has the board in favor of me marrying Kevin. If I’m going to be beat them….I have to chose a suitor they wouldn’t dare deny. The best choice is Darius Kyle. Not to mention…I won’t have to worry about him wanting to takeover my company. He has his own company to run.”

Abbie considered what Savannah said, and it wasn’t that she didn’t understand….it was just…of all people…..him?

“I mean….I get your reasoning but him? There’s nobody else?”

Savannah shook her head.

“No….they are going to find fault with anyone I suggest. The only person they won’t challenge is Darius Kyle. My stepfather….he wants me to marry Kevin because he’ll be able to control the vote.”

Abbie’s eyes widened with confusion.

“What do you mean by that?”

“As of right now…..I have 40 percent shares of the company, and the board has 40 percent collectively. Richard has three percent, but he’s not allowed to participate in company decisions.”

Abbie nodded.

“Okay….so that means worse case scenario, you and the board are at a stalemate in terms of voting?”

Savannah nodded.

“Yup….which rarely happens. For the most part….they agree with the decisions I make for the company….except for one….me becoming CEO. No matter how hard I work, no matter how much money I bring in….those fossils want a MAN to be CEO.”

“Part of the reason they are pressuring this marriage is because I’ll officially be able to put my request in for CEO after my 23rd birthday as I will have officially been president for two years which was part of the stipulations. I’m sure those assholes thought they would have more time, but they didn’t bank on me graduating early or pulling the contracts I did.”

Abbie’s brows furrowed, she was beginning to get the overall picture of what was going on.

“So where does Kevin’s stupid ass fit in all of this?”

Savannah’s brows furrowed.

“That 17 percent of shares that’s left…..well twelve of it goes to my husband after a year of marriage. The board thought of it as a way to curve stalemated votes. And the remaining five….that goes to the CEO. If I had to guess, Richard planned to have me married to Kevin for a year, he would get his twelve percent….and then cast his vote for CEO; banking on the board siding with him over me.”

Abbie’s eyes widened with anger! She couldn’t believe Richard would scoop so low to steal her friend's company!

“And then what! Fire you!!”

Savannah smiled.

“That’s the one thing they can’t do. I can never be fired from the company. Besides…even the board can’t deny my talent….they would have me doing all the grunt work while he sat back and got all the glory.”

“Those scumbags!!!”

“Yeah….they are….so you see….I HAVE to do this….even if it means marrying the beast. That being said….it’s not like my reputation is any better.”

Abbie laughed aloud; it was true, her friend didn’t exactly have a favorable reputation with many of Everpoint’s most eligible bachelors. Though they thought she was beautiful, they also found her to be aggressive, cutthroat, rude, and impatient.

“Y’all are two peas in a pod.”

Abbie laughed as she poured her and Savannah another glass of wine.