Igniting the Passion With Mr White (4 page)

“
Are you not planning to change the name?” Natasha asked as she flipped through the pages. Naima shook her head.

“
No. Lovell is a brand everyone is familiar with and that is our biggest bargaining chip because we plan to expand to the Americas. Having a brand that was already known will work in our favor,” Naima said.

“
The Americas? Just how big of a campaign are you planning on?” Natasha asked.

“
Eight weeks, maybe more. We will see how the first phase goes, but I know the project is at least eight weeks,” Naima said. “I trust Stacy already gave you our budget. I was hoping your CFO would be here to discuss that,” she added.

“
I am representing the CFO. He is away on another business meeting in New York but he will be briefed,” Mitchell said.

“
Okay in that case please mention that the Nassir Foundation would like to have NSCS on retainer,” Naima said, looking at Mitchell and then at Natasha, who was struggling not to swallow hard.

“
We will be happy to have you on board again. At least this time I get to work closely with you,” Mitchell said with a smile. Naima smiled at him.

“
Yes, I heard that you worked with my grandfather…or is it that our grandfathers worked together?” she said. “So, Natasha. When can you start working your magic?” she asked.

“
We can schedule the first meeting for Monday and then I’ll have a full report for you by the end of the week. How does that sound?” Naima looked at her and nodded.

“
Perfect. I love what you have done with other brands and I am sure that you will be great with our Lovell acquisition,” Naima said. Natasha smiled.

“
The pleasure will be all mine,” she said.

“
Good. Then I guess I will see you all next week,” Naima said standing up. Natasha was surprised. After working with the Malibu Princess, she had expected a headache of a client in Naima but she was exactly the opposite. She was actually likeable. Natasha stood up and shook her hand.

“
Yes we will,” she said. “I’ll have our lawyers liaise with yours on the contract before then,” she added with a smile.

“
By the way, your shoes are to die for. What are they, Christian Louboutins?” Naima asked. Natasha laughed and raised an eyebrow.

“
Good eye,” she said.

“
And here I thought a Middle Eastern woman would be different,” Mitchell said as he shook Naima’s hand. “Shoes seem to be an international language with women,” he said. Naima laughed.

“
Shoes are the one language women of all nationalities, color and creed understand,” she said smiling. “By the way, I am sorry for interfering with your travel plans. Stacy told me that you were supposed to be leaving for a vacation today,” she said.

“
Yes, but don’t worry. It’s no problem,” Natasha said.

“
Where are you off to?” Naima asked as she picked up her clutch bag.

“
Aspen,” Natasha said smiling. Naima raised an eyebrow as her glance shifted from Natasha to Mitchell and then back to Natasha.

“
Aspen? Is there some romantic skiing trip that I don’t know about?” she asked.

“
No, why?” Mitchell asked. Naima laughed and opened her purse. She took out a card and looked at them.

“
There is only one reason a couple takes some time off and Aspen is the farthest thing from romance I can think of. Here, my friend owns this place. I’ll make a call. You guys should have the best time there,” she said as she handed Mitchell the card. “I look forward to our meeting next week,” she said before she walked out of the board room. Natasha looked at Mitchell and shrugged.

“
What’s the name of the place?” she asked. Mitchell shook his head.

“
I cannot even pronounce it. Some chateau in France,” he said.

“
So, no Aspen?” Natasha asked. Mitchell sat down and did a quick search of the chateau. He looked at her and smiled.

“
Definitely no Aspen. This place looks amazing!” he said as he showed her the search results. It was just what they needed. A lakefront manor and a never-ending tree cover. It looked so peaceful. She smiled and kissed his cheek.

“
I’m game,” she said just as Stacy walked in.

“
So, how did it go?” she asked. Natasha smiled at her.

“
We have a new client,” she said proudly. “And that is one of the good reasons I should give you for carrying my laptop on vacation,” she added as she looked at Mitchell.

“
This is after the fact,” Mitchell said.

“
It does not matter. The point is we got a new high end client because of me,” Natasha said.

“
Wow, way to be modest,” Stacy said. “So is this a good time to ask for a raise?” she asked, looking at Natasha. Mitchell stood up and took Natasha’s hand.

“
Yes, this is a very good time to ask for a raise but after we come back,” he said as he led her out of the board room. Natasha looked at Stacy and smiled.

“
I’m sure we can make something work,” she said as she walked past her.

After a great meeting with Naima, Natasha had to admit her mood was more than set. She was never really worried about herself when it came to company matters, but she did worry about the rest of the employees. She lived a life of luxury but she also never forgot where she came from. She would have hated to make cuts in the budget that would affect the lives of some of the hard working employees of NSCS. She could not help but smile as she walked out of the board room. The day had been a great success even though it was still morning.

“
Can we leave already? I’m thinking of a number of ways in which I would like to celebrate,” she said to Mitchell in a whisper. Mitchell looked at her and smiled.

“
Well, I share the same thoughts but the fact is that since we were flying commercial…” he shook his head. Natasha frowned.

“
We missed the flight didn’t we?” she asked.

“
Well, yes, but the jet should be back in a few hours. We can leave then,” he said.

“
How many hours is a few?” she asked looking at him.

“
A couple,” he said, smiling sadly. Natasha looked at him and shook her head. “But I can promise you one thing. We will be in that chateau tonight,” he added in a whisper.

“
Until then?” she asked. Mitchell shrugged and then looked at Stacy who was back at her desk.

“
Girl talk?” he asked. “She needs to talk to someone, especially after…” his words failed him as he looked for the right way, the politically correct way, to tell his wife that her cousin had broken her assistant’s heart.

“
What happened?” Natasha asked.

“
Well, there have been a number of developments,” Mitchell said in a serious voice. Natasha playfully hit his arm.

“
Just tell me what you are holding back on, already,” she said in a hushed whisper.

“
Your cousin and Stacy…it didn’t work out,” he said. Natasha frowned.

“
What? When?” she asked.

“
I also just found out…like two days ago. She put on a really brave face,” he said. Natasha looked at him and frowned. “So, girl talk,” he said again. She smiled and nodded.

“
And where will you be?” she asked.

“
Let me worry about that. See you in a few,” he said before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and then walking away. Natasha slowly made her way to Stacy’s office.

“
Hey, I thought you would be long gone by now,” Stacy said as Natasha made her way to her desk.

“
Well, we planned on taking a commercial flight but the meeting made sure we missed it so Mitchell thinks that it’s just better to wait for the jet,” she said as she sat down.

“
With what they are worth, you would think the Schmidts would have more than one jet,” Stacy said as she typed something on her computer.

“
They only needed the one. And Mitchell had to go above and beyond the call of duty for some client. So I guess that cost us in one way or the other,” Natasha said, frowning. She was not so sure what she had said had made any sense to Stacy. It hardly made any sense to her. Stacy smiled, probably due to confusion. “So, how are you?” she asked looking at Stacy.

“
Good. Why are you asking?” she asked.

“
Because I just found out that things between you and my cousin hit the rocks. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Natasha said. Stacy looked up and shrugged.

“
I didn’t think you needed to know…I mean, not in a bad way. Just that, there was a lot happening…and I’m over him anyway,” she struggled to say. Natasha frowned.

“
You are?”

“
Yes. Are you surprised?” Natasha shook her head.

“
Depends. How old is this information?” she asked.

“
Three months,” Stacy said as she gave her a guilty smile.

“
Three…three months? Are you serious?” Natasha asked standing up.

“
Where are you….” Stacy started asking before Natasha snapped her fingers.

“
We are going out. You and I need to have a talk, a long one,” she said.

“
But what about this, um…file…that, um…”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “For God’s sake, Stace, I know there is no work related thing on your screen and I’m your boss. You have the rest of the day off,” she said, pulling her from her seat. Stacy smiled and grabbed her bag.

“Awesome. Where are we going?” she asked as she followed her out of the office.

“
Right now, the coffee place outside the office building. After that you can go wherever. I only have a couple of hours,” Natasha said as they got inside the elevator. As they rode down, Natasha tried thinking of all the things she wanted to ask as she adjusted the laptop bag on her shoulder. She had a billion and one questions. What happened? Did he cheat on her? Did she cheat on him….wait…was that even possible? The innocent Stacy she knew? But she did sleep with…no, fucked her cousin so the innocence was long gone. Once they were out, they casually made their way to the coffee shop.

“
May I take your order?” the waiter asked when they sat down.

“
Latte, please and…what will you have, Stace?” Natasha asked looking at the menu.

“
I’ll just have the same,” Stacy said. When the waiter walked away, Natasha put the menu down and looked at Stacy.

“
So, what happened?” she asked.

“
Gee and I were okay at first….” Stacy started before Natasha put her hand up.

“
Wait up. Who the fuck is Gee?” she asked.

“
Oh, that’s how he first introduced himself to me. I kind of liked the name so…yeah. I stuck with it,” Stacy said. Natasha shook her head. That was a classic move from her cousin. He had once introduced himself as James Bond to a Russian model. Natasha could not put anything past him.

“
So, what happened?” Natasha asked. Stacy paused for a minute as the waiter came back with their coffees.

“
Well, Gee was a great guy at first in every way but what was supposed to be a one night stand became so much more than what I expected. I developed feelings for him and it was weird because I normally take a considerable amount of time before I even consider liking someone,” Stacy explained. “He was just what I needed at the time, a good friend who I occasionally slept with. I guess I overdid it,” she added smiling.

“
What do you mean overdid it?” Natasha asked.

“
About a month after your wedding, we hooked up again and then he moved back here for a while and we sort of decided to define the relationship. That was the beginning of the end. He was too….what’s the word…possessive, clingy, take your pick. I could not answer a call from a male workmate without him throwing a fit,” Stacy continued. “It was a living hell. So I broke it off,” she said, looking at Natasha.

“
That was three months ago?” Natasha asked.

“
No. That was four years ago. It was just after your wedding remember?” Stacy asked. Natasha nodded and then took a long sip of her coffee. It was evident that she had not been a very good friend to Stacy for a while.

“
So? What happened next?” she asked, eager to know what had happened in Stacy’s life since then.

“
Nothing much. We have been on and off for three years but he only seemed to get worse. Suddenly, he wanted to be around me all the time. He was talking about moving in together and, get this, he wanted me to quit my job,” Stacy said. Natasha’s eyes grew wide. She had known her family to have the crazies but this was a kind of crazy she had never expected.

“
He wanted you to do what?” Natasha asked surprised.

“
I know, right? I told him that was crazy. And he told me to choose. It was either him or my job and of course I chose my job,” Stacy said. “I just liked him. I did not love him nor was I in love with him and unfortunately, I think he was already there with me. I just could not handle it. So I made my choice,” Stacy said. Natasha looked at her and shook her head.

“
So this was three months ago?” she asked. Stacy nodded. “I can’t believe you were in a relationship with my cousin for almost four years and I never knew about it,” she added. Stacy laughed.

“
Technically, he was the one in the relationship. I just had an enthusiastic fuck buddy,” Stacy said, laughing. Natasha laughed and took another sip of her coffee.

“
I just feel really bad that I didn’t know about this. I consider you one of my closest friends,” she said. Stacy smiled at her.

“
I know and it is for that reason that I chose to keep the truth from you. You had a lot going on with you and work and the baby and Rita’s mother. There is only so much you can handle in your life at a given time, you know. You are not Wonder Woman,” Stacy said. She took another sip of her coffee and smiled. “Now that you have given me the day off, I think I will spend it with my new man since he is around this week,” she added. Natasha looked at her, surprised again.

“
New man?” she asked, looking at Stacy who was now nodding. “The way you have just described your life left me thinking you would not have enough time to meet any new people. When did the new man happen?” she asked.

“
Well, somewhere between Gee being an ass and me deciding to have a life,” Stacy said smiling. “It has not been so long. I met him a few months ago but it’s going so well. He is simply awesome,” she added.

“
Okay. I need to know more about him. Like his name, where he’s from, what he does...that kind of thing,” Natasha said, smiling. Stacy laughed.

“
Okay, but this feels like me being grilled by my parents the first time I brought my high school boyfriend home,” she said. Natasha laughed.

“
I’m sorry. I’m just trying to make up for all those years,” she said. Stacy shrugged.

“
His name is Larry. We met on one of those days I wish I was married to your husband,” she said. Natasha frowned.

“
Say what?” she asked.

“
Hey, don’t go all black girl on me. Sometimes there is so much work in that office I wish I could just go MIA for a week and get some much needed spa treatment,” Stacy said. “Yeah, so I was working late and there was literally no one to send on a food run. So I thought I would carry the work home. On my way I walked into one of those late night delis to get a sandwich and Larry had the same idea. He was working on a case and he needed some brain food. His words,” she explained.

Natasha could not help but notice the dreamy look she had in her eyes as she talked about him. She had never seen her like this with any other guy, not that she knew a lot of the men she had dated before.

“A lawyer,” Natasha said smiling. Stacy’s cheeks flushed.

“
Yeah. He is a family lawyer at Smithson and Associates,” she said, smiling.

“
Cool. You are never winning any arguments. You know that, right?” Natasha asked. Stacy shrugged and nodded.

“
Sadly, I came to terms with that fact a long time ago” she said.

“
You said he will be around for this week? Where is he going to be?” Natasha asked.

“
He is working on something in New York starting next week and it may be a while. So I am taking all the time I can with him,” Stacy said, smiling. Natasha looked at her and smiled.

“
You really are happy with him, aren’t you?” she asked. Stacy’s cheeks flushed again.

“
Yeah, I am and I know it is still too early to say this but this is definitely the sort of guy I want to settle down with,” she said smiling. Natasha’s eyes grew wide. She reached across the table and took Stacy’s hands in hers.

“
I am so happy for you, sweetie,” she said looking into Stacy’s beautiful blue eyes.

“
Thanks,” she said before she pulled a hand out of Natasha’s grip. She took one last sip of her latte and looked into Natasha’s eyes. Natasha smiled.

“
It’s okay. You go on ahead,” she said. Stacy smiled and picked up her bag.

“
Have fun in Aspen,” she said smiling.

“
France,” Natasha corrected. Stacy frowned. “Naima gave us a place there. I think her friend owns it or something,” she added.

“
Wow, you guys are sure lucky. You hit the jackpot with the Schmidts,” Stacy said. Natasha laughed.

“
Really?” she asked still laughing. Stacy shrugged and then bent down to whisper in Natasha’s ear.

“
Wherever you go to do the nasty, have a blast,” she whispered before walking off. Natasha smiled. This time it was her turn to blush. She took her bag and pulled out her laptop. She thought that since she had to wait for Mitchell, she might as well journal.