by C R Riley
“I don’t remember an email like that. I would have reported it had I gotten one.” I am still very confused. “Wait, what kind of information did this particular email have in it? Are you suggesting that I knew all along whom Antonio was? That I got myself assigned to this project to do what exactly, seduce the man perhaps. Are you freaking kidding me right now? Tell me one time when I have ever once shown any interest in doing something like that. During the Seattle project, when the client came to me asking about our dating policy where clients were concerned, do you remember my response?”
Zach’s amused response doesn’t calm me down. “You called Nicolette.”
“Actually, I called you, except you were unavailable, so I asked for a senior manager, she was the only one available. I called because I didn’t want anything to look as if I was taking advantage of a situation. That client was in the room when I called while on speaker. I asked Nicolette about the policy then I had him explain why I was asking.”
I remember that day very clearly.
The client Jerrod, was a very well-off man. He ran one of Seattle’s top businesses, electronics I believe. He was in his late twenty’s and not all that bad looking for a proclaimed nerd. We were there because he just bought an older building he wanted to renovate. Wanted to turn it into several lofts and then sell them. The building was in the historical district, so he needed us to help him stay within all the regulation and what not.
That day we were discussing my plans for the project. When we were done, he asked me if Manchester International had a policy about staff dating clients. Instead of answering him right away I called the Chicago office. I wanted to make it very clear from the get go that I had not been the one to pursue, and couldn’t think of a better way than to have my superiors answer that question for me.
Nicolette answered him and then asked him to give us a few minutes. Took the time to make it clear that I was not obligated to accept. If I wasn’t interested than I had the right to turn him down, and if it became an issue, she’d deal with it.
We went on three dates. He never asked for a fourth and once I finished the project I moved on. Got a great review from him even and that was that.
“We weren’t …” Bradley starts to speak but I cut him off.
“Yes, you were. Or maybe you were only doing it because someone tried to make a suggestion about my reasons for taking this job so quickly. How many men have I dated?” I know this sounds like a silly question, but it’s not really.
“How are we to know that?” Chandler laughs mockingly. “Your personal life isn’t this company’s business.”
“Thank you.” I straighten up. “My point exactly. My personal life is nobody’s business but my own, unless it is affecting my work.”
“I believe you just made my point for me.” Chandler leans back in his chair now looking smugger than before.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” I glare at him. “That is a bold face lie and you know it.”
“Is it? Tell me Larkin. Would you have spent all this extra time on the Maximiliano Chateau issues if it weren’t intended to be your future home? Those passageways are a nightmare and should all be removed. Instead we are wasting resources and time just so you can have a much swankier home.” He slaps his notepad on the table and points at it. “The cost alone is slaughtering the budget. We are weeks behind. And then there is this proposed library, don’t even get me started on that one.”
I am about to rip Chandler a new one when there is a knock on the door. Bradley stands to his feet and opens it to let whomever it is inside.
Since I am on the edge of my seat—half seated, half standing—as soon as this guest walks into the room I do what seems to come naturally. I literally fall out of my chair and land firmly on my rear.
Will I ever not react like that when this man strolls into a room? I don’t imagine so. And like the first time, I roll over onto my hands and knees so I can stand.
“There is no need to start kneeling in my presence now my love.”
His words remind me of that first time and I once again slap at his offered hand away. “Oh, shut up. I’m just surprised to see you and you caught me off guard that’s all.”
Antonio chuckles as he reaches down and cups a hand under my arm. “I have missed being told to shut up this week. No one else has the courage to speak to me the way you do.”
As soon as I am back on my feet, he wastes not one second to give me a proper greeting. Not at all concerned that we are in a room full of my colleagues, or that it might not be an appropriate time for showing such affection.
“I hope you gentleman will excuse my behavior.” Antonio tells them when he breaks the kiss. “But five days is way too long to go without such a kiss. I hope you all understand.”
“I uh … sit down and be quiet.” I point to the now empty chair next to me. “You should have waited until we were done here.”
“Perhaps.” Antonio takes his seat and then motions for me to take mine. “But I was invited to join you so that might have been considered rude.”
“Invited by whom?” The voice I am beginning to despise asks.
“By me.” A female voice responds from behind us.
Hope is standing their looking rather upset at the moment. “Is that a problem Mr. Sloan?”
“Baby girl you are looking rather lovely. How are you sweetheart?” Timothy asks when he spots his daughter.
“Hi Daddy. I’m good. Can we move this along?” She takes the now vacant seat on the other side of me, and then whispers. “Dang girl. We have so much to talk about.”
“I don’t believe you were invited to this meeting.” Chandler addresses Hope, not even seeming to care Timothy is on the video call.
“I asked her to look into a few concerns Chandler.” Timothy’s voice is stern. “I wanted her opinion about some of those discrepancy you pointed out about the work being done at Maximiliano Chateau. Had her review the entire project and then give me her honest opinion on what she thought should and shouldn’t be done on this project. Afterwards I asked her to meet with King Antonio to find out what he wanted done. Get his thoughts about how it was all going. All of it by the way, not just Larkin’s project.”
“No offense Timothy, but Hope doesn’t have the experience or knowledge to properly evaluate a job of this magnitude. She is …”
Timothy cuts him off, “My daughter. I said I asked for her opinion. And no one says the words, no offense, unless they intend to offend. Go ahead Hope; tell me what you have learned. Let’s see if we agree.”
“I did as you asked. Went back to the original proposal that …” She pauses and looks at Antonio. “Can I call you Antonio or do I need to add the title?”
A sincere smile crosses his face. “Antonio is fine Hope. Thank you for asking.”
“No problemo. So, like I was saying, I went back and looked over Antonio’s original proposal the two of you discussed when you agreed to this these five, I believe it was five, projects. Focusing mainly on Maximiliano Chateau for now.
“It stated that he wanted the integrity of the structure to remain. That he wanted it brought back to the original design with some minor changes. One major change I guess, since he had no use for a tower that was once used to hold prisoner inside. He wasn’t sure what he wanted done with that section of the home, but knew he wanted it to be completely revamped and made into something that was useful and pleasing to the eye.”
She stops there and looks over at me. “Wow is all I have to say about the design you came up with for that area. I so cannot wait to see it completed.”
“Thank you. I just sort of came to me.” I sigh remembering how I couldn’t stop the night I came up with it. “I can’t wait to build it.”
“What else honey?” Her father obviously wants to keep this discussion moving along.
“Oh. Sorry. Yes. So, I called Antonio in for a meeting and asked him about his thoughts on the project. He said that he was aware of what Larkin was cur
rently working on. That the two of them had discussed it thoroughly while they did a walkthrough of the passages, and later together decided which ones would be saved and which ones would not.” She nods once. “Oh, and he also said that any future concerns should be taken up with his fiancée. That she was a whole lot more knowledgeable about these sorts of issues and he trusted her completely. Assured me that she would come to him if there was a concern and that together they’d tackle it. Just thought you should know his feelings about that one.”
“That’s convenient.” Chandler grumbles.
“Did you say something Chandler?” Hope scowls at him.
He scowls back and sits up nice and tall. “I said that was convenient. We all know who his fiancée is and that he is telling us all to go …”
“I’m doing no such thing Mr. Sloan. I’m simply delegating this over to the person I know will follow my wishes on the matter. Larkin and I have talked about my ideas for Maximiliano Chateau in detail.” Antonio’s tone discloses his opinions towards this man loud and clear.
“And when did you discuss these ideas?” There is an equally unimpressive tone in Chandler’s voice.
“The first time was during a morning meeting I scheduled after a very late one with you.” My man squares his shoulders.
“You mean the morning after your date with her. Again, I believe that seems rather convenient.” Chandler actually rolls his eyes. “I’m pretty certain post-coitus meetings aren’t ethical and probably not the best time to discuss work.”
I’ve never seen a man react so quickly in my life. Before anyone was able to respond to Chandler’s outrageous statement, Antonio has him out of his chair and halfway across the table, clutching the front of his shirt.
“Ever disrespect Larkin like that again and I’ll end you. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear.” He growls and then shoves him backwards, sending Chandler flying back into his chair. “Perhaps if she didn’t have to repeat herself, because you can’t seem to understand her logic, then she wouldn’t have passed out on me in the elevator. We could have gone on that date I had planned and then I could have meet with her like I had scheduled that next day here in her office. Since that wasn’t the case, I’ll admit I took advantage of having her being near, not as near as you are suggesting, and took the meeting. Not that I need to explain any of that to you Mr. Sloan, because I don’t, nor does Miss Cross. You would be very wise to drop the matter and move on.”
Straightening his shirt Chandler sits back up appearing a little shaken. “Are you seriously going to let him get away with that? Isn’t it obvious what is really going on here?”
Now it is my turn to have a go at him. “You mean because things between us didn’t work out the way you had anticipated, so now you are out to sabotage me. Yeah that is becoming very clear to me actually.”
Chandler rests his arms on the table and blinks a few times. “I don’t know what you are talking about Larkin. I believe you are the one who kissed me that night and then backed out later when things got heated. I’ve tried to move past it, not making a big deal out of it. You are the one that made things complicated by ignoring emails, calls, and business dinners when I was extending a hand to fix it. And since my arrival here, you have done everything possible to impair my project, by not being available when I requested. I had to start over again because the sketches you gave me were inadequate and garbage.”
Hope stands to her feet and leans over the table so that she is nearly in Chandler’s face. “I call bullshit. Complete bullshit. If Larkin had to suffer your not so subtle advancements, along with all those very inappropriate comments while in Mexico City, and did so without punching you, she deserves a medal. I’ve had to bite my tongue many a times over the course of several weeks while reminding myself that one day I will get the pleasure of reminding you of who I am. I guess today is that day. Daddy may I please have the pleasure?”
“Yes, my dear you may.” Timothy smiles at his daughter. “Thank you by the way for being my eyes and ears over there. I knew I could count on you to come through. You are well on your way honey. Keep up the good work. Gentlemen if you will excuse me, I have a date with my wife.”
Chandler glares at Hope like he would really like to take her out. “What is it he is giving you the pleasure of doing exactly?”
Reaching down Hope pulls out a stack of papers with this wicked smirk on her face. “These are sexual harassment accusations that have been filled by three employees since you have been here. Two women who for now wish to remain anonymous and me, did you really think I would let all that slide. I haven’t yet filed them with HR because I am giving you a choice. You can do the right thing and hand in your resignation, go home, and start over somewhere else without the scumbag reputation. Or you can fight these. I promise you that I will locate every woman inside this company that you have intimidated. Encourage them to come forward. I’m sure there is evidence that can be uncovered if we know where to look. As you know all emails are monitored and stored. I think I’ll start with Larkin and then see if Janice would like a stab at you. What will it be, Mr. Sloan?”
I’m not sure I could contribute, but then again maybe I just wasn’t paying close enough attention. “I’m in.”
Chandler abruptly stands. “I’ll send it within the hour. Best to get away now before this mess all blow up in your faces anyways.”
“Our apologizes Larkin.” Zach leans back in his chair as soon as Chandler storms out. “We just wanted to establish how he would react. We’ve been watching him for a while now. Heard about what happened between you two in Mexico City. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time he’s behaved badly or had been warned about it either. Bradley and Cameron thought it would be best to transfer him to determine if he would display his true colors for them.
“You are doing great by the way on all projects. Your work speaks for itself. We have no problem whatsoever with this relationship that is transpiring between the two of you. Timothy sent Hope here for two reasons actually, one of them was to see if she could possible tempt Mr. Sloan and get him to approach her like he has done to so many others.”
“Wow,” is all I can say as I scan around the room. “Remind me to never cross you Hope Manchester.”
“No worries about that Larkin. I like you. I like your man there as well. How about you help a girl out and let me come visit you at Maximiliano Chateau so you can show me around. While I’m there we can go over all your Aragon Palace notes since I am taking over that project now. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Chapter 27
Antonio
We just left the most interesting meeting I have ever been a part of. I think I was almost as shocked as Larkin about what transpired during it. Even though I never really thought much of Chandler, I had a hard time believing the nerve he had. I mean seriously, what kind of man is so sure of himself to harasses the founder’s youngest daughter and believe that he will get away with it. I guess it just goes to show that some people really believe that if they have gotten away with it so far, then it means they will continue to get away with it.
Good for Hope for volunteering to take a man like him down and not give her cover away. From what I know of the woman she is quite a force to reckoned with. I’m pretty sure she can hold her own and not that many people out there get to her. So, for her to play the role of the victim must have been difficult.
I escort Larkin to her car and once we get there, I hold out my hand for her keys. She just looks at me for a few minutes like she is trying to figure out what I am asking her for. “Keys love.”
“Do you even know how to drive?” Larkin reaches in her bag to retrieve them.
“No.” As soon as I see them in her hand, I snag them. “Figured we’d put our lives in our own hands. Of course, I know how to drive, I just don’t get the privilege to do so often anymore.”
I walk around to the passenger’s side and open the door. “My lady.”
The smirk on her face declares she is
amused right now. As she slides past me to sit, she utters, “My king.”
Hurrying around to the driver’s side I spot my men in the cars that will surround us. That was the deal I had to make with them in order to be allowed to drive Larkin’s vehicle. There would be four cars with at least two men in each—the driver and the observer—all of whom are armed. I also had to carry my tracker and then give the one I had made for Larkin to her. I’m not sure how she is going to feel about that, or how she is going to feel about a few other details I am about to reveal to her.
I climb in and wait for the signal. While I wait, I reach in my pocket and find the tracker that is now hers. “Here, you are to carry this with you at all times.”
She stares at the devise in her hand that looks kind of like a coin. “In a pocket I take it. What if I don’t have a pocket? Is this a GPS tracking device? Does it pick up sound?”
“It needs to be on your person, so I guess you have to figure out a place to put it.” I move my eyes towards her chest. “I’m certain you have shoved a few items down your brassiere before. Gabriela keeps her mobile phone in hers when she can’t carry a purse. That device is much smaller, so it should be fairly easy to hide inside.” Shamefully I keep my gaze on her chest while I talk.
Sadly, I’ve thought a lot about them lately, especially after observing her in a swimsuit.
While I was in Homero I took Larkin and Isabel to the natural spring we have on the property. It’s hidden in the north woods near the bluffs and the entrance of a cave. The spring bubbles up from the twelve-foot deep pool and is around seventeen degrees Celsius—or sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit for those of you who are like my Larkin. On a hot summer day, the water is rather refreshing, and since summers can reach as high as thirty-three degrees—near ninety—it is a fun activity to do. A natural pool that doesn’t need to be maintained like a regular swimming pool does. Plus, it provides water for the house. There are several other springs on the property that help water the trees and animals—that is when we add some animals.