Conner found the washroom down a secluded corridor. What he didn’t expect to find was Summer having a heated discussion with Joseph Mandela. A rather intimate one. His needs forgotten for the moment; Conner listened to what he walked in on. “You’re a beautiful woman, my dear. That beauty won’t last forever. You’re chasing after a dying horse chasing after Conner O’Keefe. He won’t matter soon enough. Now let’s get better acquainted and you can call me, Joe going forward.” Joseph crowded Summer where she stood in the small dead-end corridor that only led to a cleaning closet and the two washrooms. The four large artificial flower arrangements that hid the doors from passersby made its small space smaller. He leered at her still and in the dimly lit space. He looked as evil as his intents were. Conner’s first instinct was to step in and break up the incident, but he hesitated because he knew Summer appeared able to handle herself and everyone around her. Conner al
Summer couldn’t believe her bad luck. She’d left the lady’s room to return, believing she’d avoided any confrontation with Gabriella in the small, enclosed space of the lady’s room. What she hadn’t accounted for was her father following her. He’d been trying to flirt with Summer most of the evening. He wasn’t alone in doing that. The other women appeared displeased across the table. Summer avoided the restroom during their presence. Gabriella’s father was five years older than Summer’s. While Summer’s father didn’t flirt with women his age, it was clear Gabriella’s father didn’t have a problem with flirting or accosting women the same age as his daughter. Something Summer didn’t want pointed in her direction. Many men of different ages flirted with Summer. Most were harmless, but a few crossed the line into creepy stalker territory. There didn’t appear to be a happy medium in her life. The lascivious look in Joseph Mandela’s eyes told Su
Initially, Conner was unsure of the situation or the nature of his observation. How could he treat her in such a manner? It didn’t matter that Conner wanted Summer for himself. No, that only compounded his feelings into a ball of hate, disgust, and anger. He wanted to confront Joseph Mandela, but he escaped while Summer debated who should handle him. Now she was storming off after defending his honor against Gabriella’s accusations that she’d caught Conner kissing Summer. Gabriella didn’t stop with her spiteful attack on Summer, either. When Summer announced Gabriella’s father had kissed her, Gabriella turned on her again and accused her of luring her father for his money. Conner was unsure of how to respond. He’d seen Summer turn Joseph down and continued to tell him she wasn’t interested. He’d forced the kiss on her as though it were his right. Conner knew he’d found Gabriella uninteresting and even annoying. However, he witnessed her
Andre hurried to his room and dialed Merina’s phone number. He had to speak with her. What had he witnessed back there? Spying as a secretary was one thing. Then what was she pulling with that Mandela fool? As least she had the sense to turn him down. The Mandela family arrived when the sabotage began. Their companies weren’t the first to suffer sabotage, ending in them going under or entering a partnership with the Mandela family business. Merina’s phone rang for so long he thought she might not answer it. “Hello?” Finally, Andre heard his daughter’s voice. “What the hell happened there, and how badly did he injure you?” Andre wanted to do violence when he saw Joseph forcing Merina against the wall. If the O’Keefe boy hadn’t stopped him, Andre would have. “What no hello? How has your day gone? How are you feeling? Did you enjoy dinner?” He could hear how emotional Merina was right now. The acid that dripped from her words hi
Summer couldn’t believe how the evening ended. She wanted to scream. Conner wouldn’t stay in his lane. This brought too much attention to her. Joseph Mandela’s actions had no impact on O’Keefe business, but if Conner takes advantage of the incident, all attention will shift to her. She couldn’t afford anyone looking too close at the situation or her. His concern about a few bruises, though. Summer didn’t know how she’d handle that. Conner stood so close and then he was touching her arms and shoulders as he looked at the state Joseph had left her skin in. Her father, unfortunately, stood aside and did nothing. Hell, he called her and blamed her for the incident. She’d do what she had to just to prove to her father he’d made a mistake. She would leave them to clean up the mess they made, aware that she was the only one who could fix it. Summer, knowing it was childish, desired revenge as the most fitting option. Then she rememb
“Okay, that’s why I want to have the facts at my fingertips. I think they’re scamming families out of their businesses and changing the landscape of the industry. If my suspicions are correct, they’ve involved themselves in too many things. But they’re sending the families into chaos by setting the family members against each other before they attack the businesses. Look at it this way. If you must choose between saving the family business or saving the family relationship and dynamic, which would you choose? At least five companies here tonight have ended up in the gossip columns with their families exploding before the Mandela company takes their family companies over or they end in bankruptcy.” Summer tried to put some space between them, but Conner had her cornered. He could see how flustered she was.Conner studied failing businesses, but overlooked their connection to families. “How did you connect these things, Summer?” Conner had said little about his f
Conner looked up unprepared to hear Gabriella’s angry voice. When did she enter? What did she hear? “How did you get in here?” He couldn’t believe this woman. “Why are you here?” “I came to ask why you didn’t follow me, but instead I find you pursuing your secretary.” Gabriella appeared nauseated by an odd smell. “Gabriella, how dare you make such claims here? You dare enter and make uninvited claims, forbidding me from following? That’s on you, Gabriella. I don’t come when I’m called or when you try to yank my chain.” Couldn’t believe her nerve. His father wanted him to date her. How could he do that? She looked like she needed serious mental help. Conner accused Summer of stalking, but he couldn’t prove she broke into a hotel suite. “That’s not the point Conner. This part of the suite is my space, and she’s invading it. She’s coming in here calling me names. No, I’m off the clock and no one does that to me.” Summer pushed past Conner a
Summer shut the door behind Gabriella. “Damn it Summer, she didn’t tell me how she gained entrance to this suite.” Conner said. He complained because he now feared he’d wake up or enter his room to find Gabriella trying to pull something with him. Or trying to harm Summer. “Probably the same way any woman does.” Summer said to him. She sounded like she hated the kiss. But her reaction was nothing like her reaction to Joseph’s attempt at kissing her. “Now, let’s forget what happened before she entered. That was a mistake. We can’t progress with that obstacle.” Conner watched Summer as he tried to figure out why she said this. “You know how she did it? Then why don’t you tell me? Explain how she did it.” “Simple. She told a staff member that she belonged in the suite and her husband would kill her if he learned she’d left the suite. But she couldn’t get in again because she left her key inside. Then, to ensure the staff member said nothing
[SIX MONTHS LATER] The family piled out of the limousine. Baby seats and gear carried by a happy Conner, Ian, and Andre. Merina noticed her father wave at a man in a wheelchair who was being pushed by a female attendant. That was Ana’s father. He appeared to be headed into the house from somewhere in the garden. Today was Ana’s wedding and the hive of action revealed how close the ceremony was to take place. Merina and Conner had to hurry to get ready. The two grandfathers were taking care of their two little bundles, which worried Merina a little. Merina caught sight of their fathers showing off the babies to everyone who showed any remote interest. With that, the wedding planner whisked her and Conner off for the final preparations. Hair, makeup, dress, champagne, photographs became a whirlwind of excitement and activity. Security was exceptional, with news of Jeff’s wedding and news leaking about his new album. “It’s a perfect day for your weddin
[SIX MONTHS LATER] “That goes into the front living room by the main table. Please place gifts at the entrance. There’s a table for them there. Until it’s time to open them and then, while we are in the dining room having lunch, you’ll bring them into the front living room. Oh, I must go, the special guests have arrived.” Joyce said to her housekeeper as her staff rushed through her home, performing the last-minute preparations for the party. Many guests were here already and gathered in the front living room. Joyce, Merina, and Ana were all surprised to receive acceptance responses from RSVPs for their invitations. Instead of rejections or being ignored all together. Merina avoided the public eye as much as she could for the long months that the arrests and crimes made news. She didn’t want to deal with the media and the questions. Joyce could understand for Merina it’s far more complicated. She could only imagine an interview being like walking th
Jeff wanted to celebrate. His plans were going as expected. Ana agreed to marry him. He wanted everything perfect. Later that week after the party, Merina held her housewarming for their condo rebuild. Despite Merina being a wreck, it went off without a hitch. He’d learned from Conner that they’d confirmed that afternoon that Merina was pregnant. However, they didn’t know how far along she was yet. They’d have those results in a few days. He showed Ana around his home, pointing out the details he had overlooked before because of other priorities. She’d returned to the house and come prepared not to feel impressed about what he showed her. This house stood for their future and his first step towards stability in life, which Ana came to accept. “I don’t understand. If you record your album at the studio at the production studio, why do you need this room here?” “I don’t write in the studio. I don’t enjoy writing with background noise as it
Doctor Sutton arrived in less than an hour after his father called. Their fathers sat in the living room, refusing to leave until they learned what Merina had. They’d made a bet that she might be pregnant. Conner admitted they weren’t doing anything to his knowledge to prevent the pregnancy. But with all the stress and anxiety, she could have worn her immune system down and caught something. He didn’t remember her avoiding food or being ill. But Andre claimed her mother didn’t have morning sickness, so that changed nothing for him on what the cause of her illness could stem from. “Conner, I thought I said not to bother the doctor about this? If I still feel like this tomorrow, I’d make an appointment.” Merina said. Her voice appeared groggy and disgruntled to everyone. “It’s alright Mrs. O’Keefe. It’s better safe than sorry. I’m Doctor Sutton and I’m well paid for nights like this. It’s fine. Do you have any idea why you feel well? What
For the first time, Merina stepped inside the condo. He’d found an experienced designer to remodel it into a fashionable, spacious home for their needs. She moved through it. The movers had already done their job. She had only her business things needed to move in, and she had a company licenced to do that coming in later that day to set up her office. They didn’t keep a physical office because they ran on word of mouth. That meant they could work wherever their secure files were. Now she walked through the top floor of O’Keefe Industries Office building where Conner set himself up with his condo a decade ago. He liked the ease of commuting, and they were downtown with a private elevator. Staff wouldn’t be knocking on their door at all hours. The chef and housekeeper were present as day staff. They’d leave after they served dinner most nights. They had space to grow and entertain. But Conner insisted this would be their home until they had children.
Medina observed men with their differences in appearance and demeanor. “It’s like they’ve left all serious business at the door.” They’d seen Conner drop an ice cube into Dan’s lap and then they were wrestling. Jeff proposed to Ana in an unusual manner, but she still had to respond. The position he put her in. Merina was like Ana. She didn’t know how she’d respond. Conner gave her a choice that wasn’t a choice. “So, you won’t punish me or give me grief for working? You won’t belittle me in front of other people for having goals in life that don’t include what you want?” Ana asked. Her questions revolved around how he’d treated her and how he wouldn’t do it again. “That’s right. I promise there won’t be any extra details.” Jeff said to Ana. He aimed to calm her thoughts, enabling them to move forward, and for her to feel at ease enough to agree.“What about your photos with other women?” Will they end too?” Ana hated seeing those photo
Merina sat eating dinner with everyone. They ate in a more relaxed setting. They forgo the dining table for the living room. Staff disappeared, leaving Merina unsure as everyone began eating. Conner had something planned. She knew he must. That was Conner. Conner had reasons for his actions, often known only to him. It didn’t take long for Merina to notice Ana’s change in mood and her disposition changed toward Jeff. He’d worked some kind of magic on her. Merina heard something, unable to distinguish between Ana’s joyful cries and Joyce’s sounds. Conner held her back, saying they’d have fun later with everyone. Two of his friends came without lovers. When she asked how this worked. Conner said they enjoyed watching and acting as coaches. He claimed it gave an impartial opinion on how to become more creative. He offered to call someone in to show her how it worked. But Merina couldn’t see herself as the hostess getting off and ignoring her guests. Th
Jeff smirked as he followed Ana into the guest room. “What are you doing?” Ana said. Her tone demanded an answer as her eyes flashed with fury. “They told me to use this room. It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before. Live a little Ana.” Jeff caught Ana’s arm as she tried to leave. “Hey, you don’t want your friend and host to feel horrible, do you? We’re all adults here.” “Some more than others it seems.” Ana pulled her arm from his hand, but he didn’t step back. Jeff let his height give him the advantage. “It’s time to stop this, Ana. Sometimes I forget to drop the persona because people prefer it over the real me.” “I’ve always kept that I didn’t care for the persona or the job. You never got it, did you? I wasn’t dating you for others to see me with you. I didn’t see you for your money or your capabilities. Yet, you tell me you believe I’m lying to you. Fine, I have lied to you about two things. But only two t
Ana watched the men come toward them. A worried woman trailed behind men ready for battle. “Ana, we need to talk.” Jeff said. “You need to hear me out.” He looked stern and foreboding when he said that. Joyce came around the men and tried to avoid notice or interrupting the drama. “Nice romantic setting. It’s a pity we can’t distract the gaggle of ganders behind him. They don’t need to see this.” Merina nodded, where she stood off to the side in Ana’s peripheral vision. “We didn’t plan this, but it’s like an Edwardian romance scene. This’ll become lost on them. I believe. They won’t see the chance to use it to their advantage.” She said, her voice was low to not interrupted Ana’s words. “Sad, I agree with you. It could have become a fond memory.” “Jeff, I don’t need that. You’ve made it clear that I filled gaps in your life, but there weren’t many. But heaven forbid that my time doesn’t align your schedule. Then I