Baby For The Jacobs

Prologue

James

I grab my jacket and brief case before walking downstairs. "Look it's daddy" Cathy says in a cute voice as I walk into the kitchen. "Damn buddy, you ate all of that?" I say to LJ as I look at his small plate of food. "Say yes daddy" Cathy says as she claps her hands. He laughs as he starts to clap his hands as well. I rub his head before putting my arms around Cathy's waist.

She lets out a deep breath as she looks at me. "Last few days of the book tour" I say as I give her a kiss. "I can't wait for this to be over, so we can take some time off to spend with little LJ" she says as she looks at him. "Have you started looking for schools for him" I ask as she pours me some coffee. "He's still too young James" she says as she gives me the coffee. "Who LJ? I mean look at him he's a big boy now. Right buddy?" I say in a baby voice as a notification pops up on my phone.

I stand up to give Cathy a kiss before I leave. "Bye buddy" I say as I rub his head again before walking out of the house. "Morning Greg" I say to my driver before getting into the car. I log into my Instagram as Greg starts driving. It has been my main business platform since I started writing. This book has opened so many opportunities for me. I have so many businesses making deals with my businesses. Publishers have even started calling for a second book.

Cathy and I had a hard few months after James' birth. She struggled to connect with the baby. Doctors said it is normal but it put a lot of stress on Cathy. Her mother even came over to help with him. It was the first time she ever came to our house. She doesn't exactly like me.

We had a few months of therapy and Cathy finally came around. "Thank you Greg." I say as he opens the door. I adjust my jacket as I walk through the huge auditorium doors. I wave at the people as I walk in. As I sit on the stage the crowd starts filling the hall.

I ask a few questions as I read the book. Occasionally someone asks a question and I answer. "You went to only the best schools. Your failed business was funded by your father. Then your wife's parents invested in your business, which she basically managed. That doesn't sound like the story of a self-made billionaire to me." on of the ladies dressed in a black suit asks. Probably one of the amateur journalists. She looked young with her hair slicked back into a low bun.

"To have a successful business you don't have to be rich. Sure I had funds for days but that doesn't make my business what it is today. The dedication, patience and vision I had are what made my businesses" I say and she responds a few seconds after. "In your book you mentioned that after your business failed you turned to alcohol. Your wife had to make excuses for you and make decisions for the business without you. She is the foundation of Jacobs Incorporated" she says as she pouts and folds her arms. "His assistant does the same thing on a daily basis. Does that then make her part of the foundation?" another person shouts from the crowd. "However the assistant didn't invest into his business or make big marketing deals that could make or break the business did she" that journalist says looking me straight in the eye.

"She moves around those meetings and business deals which could as you say 'make or break' the business." the other person says. I start talking before the journalist gets the opportunity to say something else. "I love the passion in the room, but unfortunately this isn't the time or place to argue about our opinions." I say and the crowd continues to look at me. "My business is a family. Each and every individual who with me from the beginning forms part of the foundation of the business. Behind every successful business is a CEO with an amazing team. With that being said let's get to the autographs shall we?" I say and everyone stands up as they applaud me. Everyone but the journalist.

As everyone forms a line in front of the table she walks to the front of the line. "You're a phony and a fraud. From an alcoholic to a billionaire all of a sudden. I don't buy it. You don't mention any names besides your wife and her family. Are they the masterminds behind everything" she says with a professional look. "Ma'am if you so interested in my wife you can book an appointment with her, but otherwise everything you need to know is in the book. Now if you'd excuse me" I say dismissively and she walks away.

As I start signing the books people lean in for hugs and pictures. "Hey nice to meet you. Name?" I say as I have been doing to every person. She stands in silence, fiddling with her hands before saying her name. "Mercedes" she says and I quickly look up. I look at her in surprise. I look at her nearly unrecognizable face. Her dark brown hair hangs right above her shoulder. She's wearing less make up than she usually does. Her nose is pierced and her style has completely changed. "You've...changed" I say as I stand up. "You too" she says with a smile and lets out a breath.

I stare at her for a few seconds before she says something. "I'm kind of holding up the line so I'll wait and maybe we can grab some lunch or something" she says in a shy tone. "Sure. Enjoy your book...Mercedes" I say as I give her, her copy of the book. I watch as she walks over to sit on one of the benches. Her mouth turns up in a smile as she opens the book. "Right. Nice to meet you. Name?" I say to the next person in line.