The Table

By Steve Taylor

About the Book
Dorian Smith seems to have everything going for him. Friends love him, people want to be like him, and he has more money and success than one man can handle. It almost seems like his perfect life will never end.
With his best friend David beside him, Dorian is living the life he’s always dreamed. As his company and career expand and his influence hits a global scale, Dorian will soon learn that even those closest to you can harbor a hatred never imagined.
With the event of the year approaching, David begins to gather a secret cohort of friends and associates to enact a plan to knock Dorian off his pedestal and watch him come crashing down.
A story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue, faith, and family drama, The Table is an edge-of-your seat tale about the consequences of success and learning who to trust on your way to the top.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Aug 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887298221

Book preview

Dorian Smith

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As the alarm rings playing the old songs of the ’70s on Alexa, Dorian rolls over in still a drunken slumber and looks out the window. Who would have guessed that a young man from the streets of Memphis would one day be the future CEO of the world’s largest financial advisory company. He stumbles out of bed, still reeling from his twenty-plus-hour flight back home from Sydney, Australia. He stands at the foot of the bed, contemplating if he made the right decision. Alexa, play Donnie McClurklin playlist. As the music begins to play, he meditates on the blessings he now has been given. He remembers the days of hard nights in a cold house, the days of walking to the store, not knowing if he would make it back home safely because a bullet from a gun does not have a name on it.

As tears begin to flow, he shakes his head in amazement at the life he now has. The small eight-hundred-square-foot-house with one bathroom that was shared with his family is now replaced with the seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom home he now owns. The journey to the store on his own for groceries is now replaced with a full kitchen staff with three personal chiefs. The thought of not having enough has been a thing of the past. The overwhelming feeling of thankfulness is an understatement as he begins to sing and praise God for the many blessings he now enjoys.

Today is a big day, he tells himself as he walks towards the large master bathroom with a double walkthrough entryway shower and three overhead rain shower heads. As the water hits his body, he remembers how nice it is the take a shower in his own home. The luxury five-star hotel presidential suites are always nice, but it is nothing like being in your own home. Stepping out of the shower, he hears a familiar voice over the speaker.

I know you are not just now getting up, lazy. You know what today—

Well, hello to you too, best friend, says Dorian playfully. Yes, I know what today is, he yells as he walks into his massive walk-in closet the size of a kid’s playroom.

You’re going to be late, and everyone is going to know that you were not the best—

Dorian turns around, looks at David with a puzzled look. They were going to know that I wasn’t the best what, David?

Nothing, big D….just hurry up. You’re going to be late

Dorian steps back into the closet, then pulls out one of his favorite suites from his Prada collection and matches it up with his Prada watch and money clip. Alexa, play Dorian’s mood music

…Playing Dorian’s mood music playlist…. ‘Started From the Bottom Now We Here’ by Drake. As the music plays, Dorian looks in the mirror.

Yeah…today is the big day.

As he walks down the double-sided staircase to the front door, he can’t help but have a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. He stops at the front door. David, where are you?

I’m here, big D. What’s up?"

I need an extra fifteen minutes. I forgot to pray, Dorian says, looking at his Prada watch.

Big D, really? You can’t pray in the car on the way there?

Just give me fifteen minutes! I will be right down. Have the car out front in fifteen minutes.

Dorian runs back upstairs and opens the double doors at the top of the staircase and enters the room. Its walls are pure white with gold trim. In the middle of each wall there are Bible verses that are meant to uplift and inspire. The floor is made of white marble, and in the middle, there is the star of David in gold. On the back wall is sky-blue paint with white clouds painted on it, with rays of glorious light omitting from them. At the top of the wall, written in royal purple and outlined in silver, is the scripture Matthew 6:33: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Kneeling on the floor in the middle of the star, Dorian begins to pray:

"Most Great God, I humbly seek your face; do not ever let me leave from your presence. I ask that you first forgive me for any wrongdoing that I may have done. Always keep me near you. I pray that you continue to bless me so that I may be a blessing. Do not let a day go by that I don’t give honor where honor is due. I pray that your love will always be in my heart, that your spirit will always be seen through my life. I also ask, Father, that you keep me covered. For my enemies are great, but YOU are greater.

For your word says that you will prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. BUT surely GOODNESS and MERCY shall follow me all the days of my life. And now to Him who is able to keep me from falling. I say thank you now. AMEN."

Big D, what you doing? God didn’t ask you for a book this morning, David says earnestly.

I’m on my way down now, David. Bring the car around.

David looks at Dorian with the famous puzzled look he always has. You have been crying again. Why can’t you talk to God like a normal person without cry—

Just go get in the car, David says while pointing to the car as it pulled up.

As they enter the white-on-white Rolls Royce Maybach S-class Phantom, David squeezes Dorian on the shoulder. Let’s go, friend…. I mean boss.

The squeeze was so tight that it nearly hurt down to the bone. Dorian’s inner mind started racing. Why did he squeeze me like that? Maybe it was a good squeeze to loosen up the nerves. Oh well, who knows what goes through that boy’s head.

Are we taking the expressway or street way to the conference? asks David.

The street way would be faster, sir, replies the driver.

"So, are you ready, friend? I would hope you are. Speaking in front of a crowd of three hundred thousand people. That is almost as amazing as what is on the cover of this month’s Time Magazine and People."

What do you mean as exciting? Dorian asks.

You have not seen the front cover this morning? I thought you knew! says David, sipping on his morning coffee.

David hands him the cover of People. ‘The newest member of the four hundred million under forty club. Dorian Smith, with an estimated net worth of $750 million, joins the list at number three on the countdown at age thirty-two.’ And here is Time Magazine… ‘Forbes newest multi-millionaire stands to be a part of the elite few in 2029 with an estimated net worth of 2.5 billion dollars if good fortune continues in his favor.’

You’re going to be Oprah and Beyonce/Jay-Z rich, my friend, says David with a hearty laugh.

Well, let’s hope that you and I are both around to see 2029 first, Dorian says as he looks at his calendar of events for the upcoming months. I am always busy, he mumbles.

That is a good thing. That means you’re making money, David says as he puts the magazines back into his Calvin Klein briefcase.

David looks over and gives a half smile. "What’s wrong now, Big D? I do not get it. You are the youngest most successful person I know. You are becoming a fortune 700 company CEO today. You have built nineteen partner companies, which bring in a combined revenue of over 108 billion dollars a year. You have scholarships in your name, you appear on TV talk shows and have YouTube channels, you have cookbooks and magazines, you mentor young people on how to build success the right way. You have created over 190,000 jobs for people of all ages in the South, you live in a 5.3-million-dollar home with an eight-car garage, that actually has eight cars in it!

So, tell me, Big D…what’s the problem? You have it all.

Nothing is the problem. God has truly blessed me with the life I never knew I could have. It just makes me think am I utterly worth all this, says Dorian with a shake in his voice.

Well, naw, you not worth it, Big D, but God truly does have his hand on you. Let’s just hope he doesn’t take it off. People would kill for a small portion of what you have. You are protected for now, David says while finishing off his coffee.

Look, we have made it to the conference. I will go make sure everything is ready for you. As David leaves out the car, Dorian cannot help but think on the words his friend has just spoke. God truly does have his hand on you. Let’s just hope he doesn’t take it off. You are protected for now.

As he emerges from the shadow of the inner car, lights from cameras blind him. Mr. Smith, Mr. Smith,

Dorian Smith, Dorian.

Hello, Dorian. How are you doing this evening? a reporter for ET asks. "It’s a pleasure to be here with you Dorian at the seventh annual Fresh Minds Leadership Conference. I swear, each year this conference gets bigger and bigger. You now have over three hundred thousand people coming to hear you speak and give words of wisdom as it relates to leadership and taking charge. It’s truly an exciting event taking place here.

What do you think, Dorian?

 Yes, it sure is. I am always amazed at how many people come from all over the world and from different walks of life just to fellowship together and learn more to grow their business. It never fails the impact this event has on the world of business. For me, it’s all about the people and helping them grow, Dorian says while smiling into the camera.

Dorian, will you be having your celebratory dinner party this year? the reporter asks while looking at the nervous Dorian.

Yes, it will be happening this year. I’m excited to have some of my closet friends and colleagues come and enjoy the company of each other.

Will the infamous Miss Kim be in attendance this year?

Dorian laughs playfully. It wouldn’t be a dinner party without her.

Thank you for talking with us, Dorian. I’m sure your message will inspire us all on tonight.

No, thank you. As Dorian walks towards the doors of the stadium, he takes a deep breath inward and opens the doors.

Over here, Dorian. David waves his