MichaelOn Friday, Rainey and I worked until eight at night finishing up all of the final tasks for the charity event the next night. I couldn’t believe the event was already here. I had the same feeling each year. The preparation took over my life until the night of the gala. This year was no different in that regard, but I had the added pressure of the situation surrounding Sal Rossi’s death. I felt like my limbs were being pulled in all directions at the same time.“I think it’s quitting time,” I said to Rainey.She yawned and nodded a few times. “I think so too. We both need our beauty rest for tomorrow.”“Well one of us does,” I said.She gave me a strange look.“I mean me,” I said quickly. “Obviously.”She gave me a half-smile and started to gather her things.We were finally back to the working relationship we had before Colorado, even though I kept thinking about when I almost kissed her the other day. I knew exactly what I was doing, but since she was the one to break this of
RaineyAfter the week I had, the phone call with Michael changed everything. We were somewhat back on track, and it wasn’t that awkward for us at the moment. Admittedly, the charity had something to do with that. This was Michael’s most important event of the year, and I doubted even a strange relationship like ours would get in the way of that. In fact, our working relationship was stronger. We were able to find each other's strengths and made up for the weaknesses of the other. I’d had a feeling that I wasn’t Michael’s first choice, but I made a point to prove that he’d made the right decision and not because I was willing to sleep with him.I thought that feeling had passed, but I was so wrong. With the almost-kiss the other day, my feelings for him had ignited again. But this time I kept them to myself. If anything was going to happen, it would have to be after the event. My need to prove myself at work outweighed any emotional feelings or physical stirrings I had for him.And tho
MichaelAfter changing into a different suit than I normally wore to work, I took a cab down to Kadia. Other than nights where I had planned events late at night, I let Constantine off whenever I arrived home from work. I didn’t mind taking a cab at night since there were more of them at that hour. During the morning and evening rush times it was simply more convenient to have someone ready and waiting for me.At Kadia, I entered through the back door as I normally did.And when I reached the VIP room, I saw Frederick wasn’t alone.Two young women dressed in skin-tight, almost nude colored glittering dresses sat on the edge of the sofa. They were sipping on champagne and giggling with each other.Frederick was on his phone before he looked up and saw me.“Hey!” Frederick got up and embraced me.“Am I interrupting something?” I was under the impression that we were going to have a private conversation.“Not at all,” Frederick said, then snapped his fingers. The girls got up from their
Michael“It’s taken care of,” Demetri said, holding his hand out. It was his gesture for me to stop going on about it. While I didn’t appreciate him cutting me off, until this was over, I’d have more and more questions. I trusted him. At least until he gave me a reason not to.“Alright, we need to boost morale in this place,” Frederick said, getting up from the couch. He whistled to one of his bouncers and made a gesture to the guy. Then he sat back down. “Let me take care of you guys tonight.”The two girls from before came back into our room. One of them went for Demetri, and he smiled up at her as she started to dance seductively in front of him.The other girl came up to me and bent over, resting her hand on my shoulder and pressing her lips to my ear. “I’m Sammi,” she said and then stood up, turned around and started moving her ass slowly in front of my face.I let out a sharp breath and turned to Frederick. “This is nice and all, but I’m not interested.”“Come on, man. She’s new
RaineyTessa came over to the house bright and early Saturday morning bearing coffee and donut holes. While she and Tanner ate the donuts, I sipped on my coffee. My stomach was a jumble of nerves, and I couldn’t imagine eating. I hoped that feeling would subside by later since the menu we chose was exquisite. I wanted to taste everything.We took off around nine to get to the city. When we arrived at Bloomingdale’s, we went straight to the floor with all of the gorgeous dresses. A woman named Joanne helped us. She was in her late sixties and had the fashion sense of someone who knew her way around a red carpet. I was in good hands.Tessa and I had way too much fun trying on dresses. With Tessa’s advice, I brought my budget to anything under a thousand dollars. It took some convincing on her part, but she guaranteed that Michael wouldn’t mind.“It would probably come off as a business expense,” she’d said.She had a good point.Two hours later, I narrowed my search to two dresses. The
RaineyConstantine stood outside of the car and opened the door for me.“Good evening, Ms. Foster,” he said.“Michael didn't need a ride tonight?”“He's in the hall already.”Should I have gone in earlier too? Why didn't Michael tell me? Or was he giving me time to get a dress and get ready for the night?If that were the case, for next year I would get everything prepared earlier so I could be there with him. I didn't need the recognition from anyone, but this was as much my event as his. I wanted to be there every step of the process to make sure the event ran smoothly.When I got to the building, there was a line of cars pulling up. Several members of the press snapped photographs of whoever was getting out of the car. One of the incentives for people with deep pockets was to be seen at an event like this. Appearing on Page Six would draw funding for future events if the right petiole were seen there. That had been Michael's idea. He was the one in charge of the bigwigs while I pla
MichaelEven with the number of people at the event who demanded my time, all I wanted to do was be in Rainey’s presence. From the moment she stepped out of my car, my entire view of her shifted. She had everything I wanted; the intelligence, strength, and looks of a woman I could see myself with. Granted, the situation we were in as boss and employee complicated things, I’d make sure Rainey never needed or wanted for anything. I hoped with my commitment that she would make one of her own… that she would stay by my side till death do us part.During my speech, seeing her in the audience caused me to go off-script. She was simply stunning, breathtaking. I wanted everyone to know what I thought of her and to adore her – from a distance. I had a lot of influence over those in the room and by announcing her to everyone in the room, I stated my claim on her. It might have embarrassed her a little, but I didn’t care. I wanted her to be mine, and I wanted everyone to know it. Her momentary u
MichaelAs I weaved through them to find Rachel, most were empty. Between the dance floor and the auction room, there was no need to waste time at any table. Only the older patrons or those in wheelchairs, stayed behind to watch the party unfold before them.Rachel was in the back of the room, speaking with the other hospital board members who were honorary organizers of the charity event.“Michael!” she said and shook my hand. “This is the most beautiful venue. Wherever did you find it?”I glanced over my shoulder at Rainey who was chatting with Chrissy White’s assistant at the table. That girl hadn’t been allowed to leave the table as she was expected to guard Chrissy’s purse, which had her Maltese puppy inside. If she weren't one of our top donors, I would have requested she left the dog with her driver.“Rainey was able to secure this place,” I said proudly. Rainey had exceeded my expectations of the event, and I was happy to pass on the responsibilities to her next year.“Well, i