Uncovered (3 page)

“Mr. Roland, how are you? A VIP package tonight?” The voice oozed obsequiously.

“No Claude, thank you, just dining.” Jace was wearing his dark cream Armani dress shirt. Tight fitted and tailored it hugged his ripped muscular body with precision. A couple of buttons were left unbuttoned at the top, demonstrating the upper V of his rock hard pectorals. Sleeves were rolled up half way, showing off his large forearms. A platinum Rolex glistened on the wrist finished off his portrait.

“Very well, sir. Please come right in, Armando will sit you.” The bouncers separated the red velvet rope and ushered Jace inside the building, to the outcries of the hopefuls nearby.

Upon entrance to the steakhouse at La Rouge a small Italian man by the name of Armando excitedly shook Jace’s hand.

“Bueno Notte, signor. A table for you tonight? We are quite full but of course for you we will be happy to accommodate any request.”

“Good evening, Armando, I have number four reserved.”

Armando looked down at the reservations in front of him. “Si, of course. Please follow me.”

Inside everyone from one table to another was draped in sophistication and luxury. Jace studied the room and realized he knew half of the people present. There in the corner was the general manager of the Sears tower, Rich Jones. There was Ed David, the owner of Bentley Gold Coast, the largest exotic car dealership in the Midwest. At the big table Victor Russo, who owned half of the waterfront property, was entertaining a group of friends. At one social event or another they had all managed to make their way over and make an introduction to the young marketing hotshot, who had been on fire long enough to be taken seriously. They listened attentively when he shared his thoughts. Treating people with respect was important for Jace, but here and now he would have rather preferred to be somewhere a bit more private.

He arrived at table four, which was still unoccupied.

Good, I could use a drink to relax a bit.

“Scotch and soda, please.” Jace said to his table’s private waiter as he handed his Black American Express. Entirely made of titanium, this card was reserved only for the elite. Those who could afford to spend a ridiculous amount of money per month Amex required were in turn showered with perks such as private 24/7 concierge and absolutely no worry about any spending limits.

He was still solo when he finished his first drink. He ordered another and looked around the room. Some guests were moving on, looking to continue the night. Some were just arriving and starting theirs. La Rouge buzzed with the rich and the famous enjoying themselves while sharing laughs and the latest gossip at the tables around him. Jace looked down at his watch.

Nine thirty. Well, at least getting out of the house was a good idea.

He was in the middle of deciding whether to order the third drink when a pair of hands reached from behind him and covered his eyes.

“Guess who?” A heavy accent gave her away immediately.

“Catwoman?” Replied Jace.

“It is me, your Russian princess!” Her hands opened and a face full of blond hair appeared over his head. She had playful blue eyes and light sun kissed freckles. Her wide smile was contagious.

Jace smiled back, “Hey Sasha. Thank you for coming.”

“Pleased to meet you!” she said with a strong accent. “Very nice, you looking. I see you on the magazine, Fortune, it say very nice man you are. Sorry I am late. You know true lady she is late often, need look fashionable always.”

Sasha was indeed looking true to her word. She made a statement by wearing a white lace dress that hugged her impressive body. A pair of long tanned legs completed the picture well. She would be a desired companion anywhere, and even at the fancy La Rouge she caught the looks some clearly jealous trophy wives were giving both to her and their husbands who kept sneaking peeks her way. Her clear big blue eyes were smiling non of a less, she was full of life.

“You look great Sasha. Nicely done.”

“Oh thank you Jace R-r-roland” she rolled the hard R’s, “the Chicago playboy. I too excited!” She giggled and squeezed his hand.

“I’m glad you are here, do you want to eat?”

“Yes, very hungry. But you give suggestions to me, da?” she looked at him with eyes full of sincerity.

“Here is the menu, Sasha, order anything you’d like. The filet mignon here is one of the best in the world.”

“Steak I like, but first, cocktail? You need one, da? And me order sex on the beach. May be we both soon see it come true, eh?” She winked and pulled a cigarette out of her purse, then lit it up. A waiter was already rushing over to help explain the local laws to the excited tourist.

~~~~~~

Kate

The Calvin Klein fashion show was in full effect, as hundreds of people buzzed around show. A long runway stood as the centerpiece, with models walking up and down the podium, glamour in toe. They were lit with the bright lights displaying the latest fashions. It had been an important event and I was glad things were going smooth. The show was getting quite a bit of press as one of the highlights of Chicago fashion culture. Even Xavier seemed to be acting better. Busy with dozens of things to check and hands to shake, he barely said more than ten words all evening. After a hectic few hours, the designers finally had entered the podium for the final bow. I made my way to the backstage, ready to go straight home after the stressful workday.

Xavier found me by the photographers and grabbed my elbow.

“We are going to the after party at La Rouge, you need to be there.”

I got this. Time for the boyfriend defense.

“My boyfriend flew in today from Minnesota, we kind of have plans already.”

Coolly he turned to me, “We work around the clock. This is important for client relationships so I expect you to be there.”

He was full of it and I knew it. The designers already told me they wanted to check out a lesser known place where they could enjoy some privacy and La Rouge would be the last place on the list for the anonymous
atmosphere.

“Shit!” I muttered as he walked away. “So much for that strategy.”

A white limo was waiting to take our VIPs to where they desired to go next. I walked along with the group wondering how much longer this night was going to take.

As we pulled up to La Rouge people turned to see who might emerge from the limo. Xavier went out first with a handful of key designers, then me and the assistants. All of us were quickly led inside to the VIP area upstairs. As we walked by the restaurant I noticed a very animated slender blond girl try to loudly explain the advantages of a Russian wife to someone at her table. We entered the night club upstairs and entered our huge VIP booth. The loud music and the lights were making it hard to make conversation so I proceeded to get busy relaxing with my drink. My relaxation was soon disturbed.

“Here, have a glass of Dom!” Xavier held a drink in front of my face.

“No thank you, the last one was more than enough.”

Indeed it has, and the two before that. I got consumed being angry at my not wanting to be there so much that I completely lost track of how much I’ve had to drink. As soon as I realized this, alcohol rushed to my head and I had to catch myself from swaying.

Damn, how strong was this stuff?

Xavier must have sensed an opening, as he completely switched attention from the girl he was talking to for the last twenty minutes.

“Come on, company policy!” he said with a sharky smile.

“Oh yeah? Well, that’s a shitty policy.” I shot back, surprising myself.

“What do you mean, we always treat employees well. Especially such appealing talent like yourself.” He winked as I rolled my eyes.

What an asshole, why can’t he get the message?

My confidence fueled by alcohol meant I was not backing down this time, “Listen, Xavier, I am tired of these games. Can’t you see that I don’t want anything to do with you?”

Wow, that felt great!

“What do you mean, Kate?” He looked at me as if I said something completely ridiculous.

I stared straight at him, “Oh, cut the bullshit, please. You are hounding every girl that works for you, and I am not going to be the next one. Can’t you see I am not interested in you?”

“You don’t know what you are talking about.” He tried to look unaffected but I saw his eyes dart around, making sure we were a safe distance away from others, especially women.

I stood my ground. “Both of us know exactly what I am talking about.”

The message was delivered and finally started to register in his brain. His face suddenly changed. The permanent smirk he annoyingly insisted on showing at all times turned into more of a scowl. The gaze, which would most usually look through people, turned furious as he burned through me.

“What the hell are you talking about?” He exploded, “You think I want a piece of some young and dumb employee? You think I can’t have whatever I want?”

I took a step back, “Look, I didn’t-”

He cut me off, “You think you are so special, so talented? You think that if you didn’t look like this, you would have
any
shot with this company?!”

What the hell?!
Now it was my turn to get angry.

“Good to hear this heartwarming truth, Xavier. Really, go to hell!” I turned around and stormed off.

“Let me know how hell feels, because you are FIRED!” He shouted as I walked towards the stairs.

“You just learned a valuable lesson, don’t pick a fight with a guy who knows the important people to the jobs you want, little girl!” He sent another verbal slap my way, his words drowning out by the loud bass.

About halfway down the stairs my mind suddenly came to it. “Oh, shit! What did you just do? You need this job and the money for school! How can you be so stupid?”

Feeling the panic rushing in, I started running down the next flight, knowing that my emotions will burst at any moment.
No talent, no hard work? All this extra time and effort I’ve put in going over presentations and client meetings, and the only reason I was still employed is because I look good in a dress?!

I couldn’t hold back the tears, I needed to get outside quick.

I ran towards the exit afraid to cause a scene, as his words kept replaying in my mind. I felt good for taking a stand, but blamed myself for being so undiplomatic about it. What was I going to do about tuition now?

Lost in thought with tears welling in my eyes I thought I heard someone call my name behind me and instinctively turned my head. Suddenly I bumped into the table in front of me with a loud crash. I turned my head and saw the couple sitting at the table looking up at me. She was the same long legged blond that I noticed earlier, her eyes filled with confusion and compassion. My eyes shifted to the man she was with. Oh my was he handsome. I immediately noticed his gorgeous olive eyes looking inquisitively at me. His beautiful tan face floored me, as I stood there speechless. He had the look of a guy who knew what he was worth, and wasn’t afraid to prove it to anyone. The muscular body dared anyone to challenge him. It took me a few moments to realize that I was flat out staring at this super hot guy in front of me.

Oh gosh, I must look awful right now!

“I am so sorry.” my eyes welled up again.

“Nothing at all to worry about.” He said calmly.

His voice was so smooth and deep. I could feel the confidence resonating through it.

“Please excuse me.” I dashed off.

“He’s notta worth eet!” A thick female accent shouted behind me.

I ran out outside into the humid Chicago night, past the stretched out line of people still waiting outside.

Xavier is such a jerk, I can’t believe I tolerated him for so long. God, what did I do, I must be drunk. I have to get home.

I ran down the block to the corner and stretched my hand out for a taxi. As I did a thought registered in my head. Something wasn’t right.

“Oh shit. My purse!”

After the heated exchange, I completely forgot about my purse that I left at the VIP table. Overwhelmed, I must have left without thinking about it.

Overtaken by emotions, and the unfairness of it all, I suddenly felt the wall coming down. Stuck here, without any money to get home, and faced with the possibility of going back inside was too much to handle.

No, I won’t go back in there. I’d rather walk.

Exhausted, I sat down on the edge of the large flower pot that decorated the street. My hands covered my face, and I began to feel tears stream down my cheeks. My sobs started to shake me, rocking the flower pot slightly.

“Excuse me.” I heard someone speak.

That voice.

“Do you need help?”

I know that voice. His voice?

I looked up. There was a glossy sports car parked in front of me. Staring out of the passenger window was the hottie from the restaurant. His beautiful olive eyes looked straight at me, waiting for my turn.

“I am… I am…”

Kate. A mess. Nice to meet you.

“I am trying to get home.” I said stifling another sob.

“Looks like that flower pot is doing a crappy job. Get in I’ll drop you off.” His voice was full of confidence. Usually I’d never do anything like get into a car with a stranger. Even if he drove a car that costs more than my parent’s house, e
specially
if he did. However the sincerity in his voice and the way of matter-of-fact made something inside me trust him. Plus let’s face it, I needed a damn ride.

“Thanks.” I muttered and got in.

As I gave him the directions to my place I had a chance to study him more. He looked good with dimmed lights before and now was even more handsome up close. His intense eyes and that gorgeous bone structure, the strong jaw and the muscular neck completed the Adonis in front of me. The muscular body relaxed into the tight sport seats, strong big arms gripped the wheel.

“Jace Roland.” he said casually as the car roared through the freeway ramp.

“Kate Simms. Thank you for doing this.”