Georgia On My Mind (2 page)

“Would you like a cup of coffee or some juice while you wait, Peaches?”

“Sure, I'll take some orange juice.  It'll help settle my nerves.  Between you and me, I'm as nervous as a hooker turning tricks at a baptism.”

“Don't sweat it.  Take a look around here.  This place seriously needs your magic touch.  I saw some of your preliminary design sketches and I must tell you that they were phenomenal. Miracle was very impressed.”

“Thanks, but that doesn't mean that Miracle is going to hire me.”

“Of course she will.  Why do you think she's leaving the comfort of her hotel suite to meet you all the way out here?” Chase responded as they entered the kitchen.

“Oh my God look at this kitchen! I swear it’s bigger than my entire house.”

Chase poured Peaches a glass of juice and they grabbed a couple of stools at the large kitchen island. “Here you go. Calm your nerves. Trust me you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you. I hope you're right.” Peaches said after taking a big sip. “Cause I really need this contract.”

“Of course I am.  I'm her personal assistant.  Who would know better than me what Miracle plans to do?  One thing though, just be professional. Miracle is a Class A Diva from hell. Just remember to keep it all about business and don't let her bitchiness throw you off your game.”

“I thought I sensed a bad case of Crazy Bitch when I spoke to her earlier. Don't worry, I'm not letting anything or anyone stop me from getting this contract.” Peaches declared as she finished her glass of orange juice and grabbed her sketch book. “Do you mind if I get started with my sketches?”

“No, not at all.  Miracle's probably going to be a while.  Daddy's home if you know what mean.”

“I think I do and I ain't mad at her.  I sleep with Daddy every night and God knows it's been awhile since he's brought it home.” Peaches laughed as she began to sketch the layout of the kitchen.

Chase pours a glass of juice for herself from a pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice. She takes a quick sip as her phone goes off. “Excuse me one second, Peaches. This is Miracle.”  She apologized.

“No problem, go right ahead.” Seconds later Peaches watched through the large bare windows as a lavish Lexus limousine pulled around and parked in front of the mansion.

“Miracle’s here. I’ll be right back.” Chase hurried out to meet her and escorted her back to the mansion.

The gorgeous Miracle looked like a billion dollar Super Star as she entered the mansion dressed in a full length, white mink coat, leather mini, hip boots and an expensive designer sweater. Her super long, expensive, micro- hair weave flowed down her back to her perfect ass like a waterfall. She was stunning and unfortunately, she knew it. Her purse was worth more than Peaches earned last month. Peaches chose not to notice and continued to sketch the room. 

“Georgia, I see you found the place.” Miracle said as she entered the kitchen.

“Yes, it's hard to miss.  Miracle, this mansion is a breathtaking site. You can literally see it from the interstate.”

“Thanks. We like it! Now if you can just manage to make it as spectacular inside as it is outside I'd be ecstatic.”

“Trust me; I plan to make this the most coveted home in the entire state of Georgia.”

“Great, do that and I'll let you redesign my home in LA. It’s starting to bore me beyond belief.”

“LA?  LA as in Los Angeles?” Peaches asked shocked.

“Why of course!  Where else? There’s only one LA.  So when can you get started here?”

“Actually, I've already started.  I just need to get some photos and sketches of the rest of the house.  And of course there's a matter of the retainer fee and the contract I sent you.”

“Naturally, money is no object.  I just need this done as soon as possible.  In fact I'll pay you twenty five per cent more if you agree to drop everything you're doing and make this your number one priority.  I just can't stand to live in that hotel another day.”

“No problem.  I'll clear my schedule immediately.”

“Good.  I'll write you a check for the retainer and the twenty five percent bonus.”   

“That would be wonderful.” Peaches smiled.

Searching through her oversized designer bag Miracle located her checkbook and wrote Peaches an obscenely large check. The second Miracle looked away Peaches celebrated by doing the happy dance. She was elated her day just couldn’t get any better. Not only did she land the contract of a life time, but she also got a twenty five percent cash bonus.
Oh Happy Days Are Here Again
, Peaches sang to herself as she did her celebratory dance.

Catching movement in her peripheral vision, Miracle turned to suspiciously look at her, only to find Peaches nonchalantly, pretending to admire the marble countertops.  The second Miracle looked away, Peaches resumed her happy dance. Ecstatic and grateful Peaches whispered to heaven, “Thank you God!  Thank you God! Thank you!”

Now Peaches wasn’t the only one who was overjoyed. Across town at the prestigious Law Firm of Myers, Greene and Stokes, Charles was strutting around like a proud peacock that had just learned to display its colors.

“Michael, do I have any messages?”  He asked his personal assistant as he returned from lunch.

“Congratulations Mr. Preston. I heard you passed the Bar, that’s very good news. Yes you have a few messages, here you go.”

“Thank you. What time is my appointment with the Senior Partners?”

“Looks like you're scheduled to meet with them at five o'clock.”

“Sounds good… That'll give me a chance to get a shave and a haircut before tonight.” Charles responded as he leafed through a half of dozen messages.

“Big plans tonight, sir?” Michael asked as he noticed the gleam in Charles eyes.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.  I'm going to ask my woman to marry me.”

“Wow!  That is incredibly good news! This really is a big day. Congratulations all around, sir.  Is there anything that I can do to help?”

“No, I've been planning this for months.  I think I've got it under control.  On second thought...  Michael, make reservations for two in my name at La Chateau de Amour for tonight.  I don't want to leave anything to chance.”

“Will do!  What time do you plan to arrive?”

“Eight o'clock is good.”

“You got it, sir.” Michael immediately got on the phone.  Bursting with good news he considered calling Peaches after securing the dinner reservations, but quickly changed his mind.  After all, it was supposed to be a surprise.

Charles immediately got on his cell to make a date for tonight as he headed for his office. He had waited a long time for this moment. Nervous, he placed his call. Just as the phone began to ring he was approached by his boss, Will Stokes.

“Congratulations, Charles. The Senior Partners are looking forward to meeting with you this afternoon. I think you’ll be very impressed with the offer we’ve prepared for you. You’re a valuable asset to this firm and we want to make sure our competitors don’t steal you away from us.” Mr. Stokes, one of the Senior Partners stated as he shook Charles’ hand.

“Thank you, sir. I’m sure it’s most generous. I’m looking forward to the meeting as well.”

“Great! Well I’ll let you finish your phone call.”

“Thanks sir! I’ll see you at five sharp.” Charles responded.

Now Charles had completely forgot that he was in the middle of placing a phone call.  He returned to his call only to discover that it was going to voice mail. Pressed for time and not sure he’d catch her before it was too late, he decided to leave a message. Tonight was simply too important to leave anything to fate.

“Flowers! How could I forget flowers?” He thought out loud as he immediately paged Michael on the intercom. “Michael, were you able to make a reservation for La Chateau de Amour?”

“Yes, they're expecting you at eight.”

“Great.  Can you have a box of roses delivered to my office for tonight?”

“Red or white?”

“Two dozen red, long stem and very expensive.”

“Will do, sir.”

“Thanks for your help.”

“No problem Mr. Preston.  It's my pleasure.”

Charles hung up and quickly dialed another number. He had a lot to do in a short time. He still had to swing by the barber shop and the jeweler before his date, not to mention his meeting with the Senior Partners. A broad sexy smile transformed his face as he contemplated just how special this day had become.

Now, back at the mansion, Miracle handed Peaches the signed contract, a set of keys and a big fat check. “Here you are, Georgia.  Feel free to come and go as you please.  And please, spare absolutely no expense to get this place ready for occupancy. In fact, do whatever needs to be done, just get it done as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you so much Miracle for this wonderful opportunity.  I promise I won't let you down.”

“How soon can you get together a complete design plan?”

“This is an enormous place.  Give me a couple of weeks to put together a fabulous proposal for you.”

“A couple of weeks?  Oh no, that's not going to work.  I'm living in a freaking hotel suite.  I can't… I just can't do it! I feel like a gerbil trapped in a tiny cage.” Miracle whined as she started to emotionally unravel.

“What I meant to say is I can get you in here in about a week.  Providing the furniture and fixtures you select are in stock and can be ordered locally.” Peaches quickly back peddled as she discreetly stuffed the check into her bra for safe keeping. There was absolutely no way Miracle was getting that check back.

“Look I trust your design sense.  Just order whatever you like, from wherever you like and get it done more sooner than later.”

“No problem, I'll have the design plans ready for you to look at tomorrow.” Peaches' phone rang while they were talking, but she ignored it and allowed it to go to voice mail. ”Trust me, you‘ll be in here in a week and the place will look fabulous.”

“Okay, that’s much better. I guess one more week in that God forsaken hotel suite won’t kill me. Look, I have to go. Chase I need to speak to you before I leave.”

“Certainly… Peaches, I’ll be right back.”

Miracle and Chase pulled away for a power chat as Peaches continued to sketch the downstairs area.  Moments later Chase escorted Miracle to her limo.  While they were gone, Peaches took the opportunity to check her phone for messages.  Discovering Charles had called, she retrieved his message from her voice mail. 

“Hey baby.  I realize that you are in an important meeting, but this is urgent.  I need you to meet me at La Chateau de Amour at eight o'clock for dinner.  I love you girl and I have something that I want to ask you.  So meet me tonight and wear something real sexy for me.” The message said.

Peaches stared at the phone blankly as Chase returned. “Oh my God! I don’t believe it!  Chase, I think my boyfriend Charles is finally going to propose to me.  He wants me to meet him at La Chateau de Amour tonight.”

“Peaches, are you serious?  You're getting engaged?”

“I don’t know, but I think so.  Oh my God!  This day just keeps getting better and better. I can’t believe he’s finally going to ask me to marry him! He told me as soon as he passed the bar, we’d get engaged and he just got his results today. Is this real? Oh my God I’m getting married."

“How long have you two been together?”

“Since we were fifteen!” Peaches snickered. “Charles was my first, my last, hell he’s been my everything. We’ve been living together since we were in college. He went on to law school and I started a Design Company to support us. He finished law school a few years ago, but he just passed the bar. He has a good job as an associate at a great firm, but he’s struggled with the bar exam. There were times when I was convinced we weren’t going to make it and now here we are. It’s been a long road, but so worth it. Oh my God I have to hurry so I can get ready for tonight. I have to get my hair done and go shopping before our date!”

“Then why are you still here talking to me?”

“Miracle wants to move in within a week and I have a ton of stuff to do to make that happen. I have to get some photos of this place and finish my sketches before I can even consider leaving.”

“After looking at some of your preliminary ideas I'm confident that you could design this place in your sleep.  Get out of here!  Go get ready for your big date!”

“Are you sure?  I can finish the design later tonight.  You're right if I'm going to look fabulous I'd better...  Tell Miracle...”

Chase quickly interrupted her mid- sentence. “Yeah.... let's not and pretend we did.  Look, I'll take a ton of photos for you and email them to you tonight.  Now get out of here, you’re wasting valuable time.”

“Thank you so much Chase!  I owe you one.”

“No problem.  Just don't forget my wedding invitation.  Now, go!”

Peaches quickly began to gather her things.  In her haste to leave she inadvertently left her cell phone behind.

Peaches had spent the better part of four hours at the day spa and shopping. She had to get a mani/ pedi and the dreaded bikini wax. Her forest was overgrown and she wanted to make sure that Charles didn’t get lost in the trees. She had one more stop to make and her transformation would be complete. Shanta, her stylist was waiting all but patiently with scissors and comb in hand. She was almost as excited about this date as Peaches was.