A Masquerade Affair

by Elin Magdelene

  “Richard, now that you are here we can leave. I’m famished.”

  “Then by all means we should get going,” Richard replied.

  “Wait a minute, I was not aware Mr. Mcgallan was joining us Emmy.”

  “Richard,” he corrected with a raised brow.

  “Didn’t I tell you?” Emmy asked sheepishly.

  Vivi merely stared at her, making no reply.

  “Okay, I’m sorry I didn’t but could we dine with him please, Vivi? I didn’t make reservation on time and he already had a table at the restaurant so he suggested we could join him.”

  One lift of Vivi’s chin and Emmy knew that she was not buying that. “Pretty please, Vivi?”

  As Vivi considered Emmy’s request, Richard’s phone rang.

  He spoke into the phone, “Hey Terry.”

  He listened for a moment then responded, “Could it wait until later? I am about to go to dinner.”

  Vivi’s attention was drawn to the conversation, “Actually, Richard, Terry can join us for dinner―after all, the more the merrier.

  Richard knew she wanted to get back at Emmy. But he was glad that Terry could come along.

  He extended the invitation to Terry who was only too eager when he learned that Emmy would be there also.

  Vivi smiled as she took in the change in Emmy’s demeanor. She was not happy about the change in plans. Vivi picked up her purse, glad that she had had the last say.

  Dinner went amiably better then Vivi had thought. There was no tension and the conversation flowed easily. Even Emmy and Terry seemed to have called a truce and she realized that they were both amusingly entertaining. So it seemed proper that Emmy would accept Terry’s offer to give her a ride when dinner was over, much to Richard’s approval.

  As they left the restaurant, Richard waited for Vivi to enter the limousine then he went in and sat next to her so that his arm brushed hers slightly. Vivi scooted over slightly.

  Richard noticed and asked, “You had a good time?”

  “Actually I enjoyed the meal, so I have no complaints there.”

  “You know this was Emmy’s idea that we dined together, right?”

  “I assumed so when you showed up unexpectedly.”

  “You know she is trying to play match-maker?”

  “Well, the joke is on her now.”

  “Since she ended up getting a ride from Terry?”

  “Correct.”

  She glanced at her watch and he remembered her warning to Terry. “I’ll call her in thirty minutes so make sure to take her home directly.”

  “But you’re worried about her?

  “I’m not sure if I can trust your brother’s intentions for pursuing her. He is a renowned philanderer.”

  “How did you know that Terry is attracted to her?”

  “Isn’t it very obvious? I’ll be surprise if the entire office is not aware of that.”

  “Emmy is very fond of you and you seem very protective of her.”

  Vivi shrugged, “She is more like the sister I never had so I have to protect her from the snarling wolves around here.”

  “Exactly, the same sentiments she has about you. Did you know she told me that if my intentions were not honorable then she didn’t want me anywhere near you?”

  Vivi laughed, “She can be feisty.”

  He smiled. “Do you think my intentions for you are not honorable?”

  “Even if it isn’t, I can handle you.”

  “You can?”

  “Of course. Someone once told me if I can take on a group of corporate lawyers alone, I can take on anything or anyone.

  “I like that. Now let’s see how much of me you can handle.

  Richard reached over and put his arms around her pulling her close.

  She didn’t resist him because his arms felt warm and reassuring, making her feel protected.

  “Does the reason you are resisting me have anything to do with your self-imposed exile?”

  She didn’t want to ruin their truce so she simply responded, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “If you told me, I’d find him and make sure he regrets ever hurting you.”

  She smiled at the thought of him standing up for her. It made her feel good enough to reply, “I wish I could.”

  Richard was confused. What did she mean by that? He decided to probe no further instead he let his hands take over the probing.

  Richard traveled the next day to begin the process of purchasing another company. Strangely, Vivi realized that she missed him. Was it because of the truce from the night they had dinner or was it because she had anticipated seeing him every day at work?

  She kept her phone close by, hoping he would call. As the days went by, anticipation turned into disappointment when he kept silent. But that changed one evening as Vivi snuggled into bed. She’d turned on the bedside lamp and was reaching for the book she had been reading the night before when her phone rang.

  “Good evening, beautiful.” Richard’s deep baritone came on when she answered her phone.

  “Look who finally decided to call.”

  Her voice was light but was that sarcasm he heard? Perhaps he didn’t call at the right time.

  “Are you available to talk?”

  “No, I have a tall, brawny guy in bed with me who doesn’t approve of me talking to you.”

  “If you intended to make me jealous, then you succeeded. Maybe I should drop everything here and returned to Weisener Enterprise.”

  “What did you expect?”

  “Not sure, what I expected but definitely not that.”

  Was she mad at him for not calling or was she mad at herself for her inability to suppress the excitement she felt because he was calling.

  So, what made me show up on your radar?”

  “I wanted to check in with you if there are any developments in the legal department that I need to know about.”

  “You could have called Willie also you know that.”

  “Yes, but I missed hearing your voice.”

  “If you did, you would not have waited three days to call. But to answer question, everything is fine on this end.”

  “Good. And a point of correction, Elvira, I have not talked to you for two days, twelve hours, thirty-six minutes, and fifty-six seconds.”

  He knew the time down to the seconds because he’d had to wait to say goodbye to her before he left. The owner of a company he’d been trying to purchase had issued an ultimatum. They were to purchase his company within a month or he’d accept another offer. She had gone out to lunch with some of the ladies at the office so he’d waited for her. He had glanced at his watch frequently because he didn’t want to keep his pilot waiting much longer.

  There was silence on her end of the line for few seconds. Was she still there? She was probably surprised by his observation. He wished she would say something. How did she feel knowing that he knew the exact time, down to the minute? She was so unpredictable he never knew how she would respond his comments.

  “Vivi?” He’d not call her nickname in a long time.

  “Yes, I’m here.”

  She felt the strings pulled at her heart knowing that he’d been counting the time away from her. It made her feel special, like he cared about her more than she’d thought. This was “uncharted waters” for her and it would be best to navigate slowly. “So…how are the negotiations going?

  He understood that she needed to change the direction of the conversation. But was the question about work her way of putting him off?

  He responded, “Tiring as always. Speaking about that, I should hang up. You need your beauty sleep.”

  “Good night, Richard.”

  “Good night, Vivi.”

  But before he could hang up Vivi spoke, “Richard?”

  “Yes.”

  “I… want you to know that I appreciate the call.”

  “It was my pleasure, Elvira.”

  Richard sat across from his mom at Il Ristorante Pasta,
her favorite pasta restaurant. They had been regulars here even before they became a big name in the business world and they still dined at the restaurant. It had the best pasta and spaghetti dishes in the state.

  His mother was relaxed now that the fundraising for her foundation was over. It was the week of her birthday and each of her children took turns taking her to lunch.

  “So how did the fundraising event go? Did you reach your goal for the evening?”

  “It was very successful. We exceeded our goal by a very good amount so I am very glad. It’s good to have kids who have the right connections. Thanks by the way for your role in making it a success.”

  “Glad to be of help, mom.”

  “Which reminds me, where did you go after the introductory remark? I didn’t see you after that.”

  “I went out to get some fresh air.”

  Abigail knew better than to pursue the topic. She had her suspicions, because she knew her boys but she respected their private lives. Whenever she could, she did give her motherly advice but she’d raised them well so she respected their judgment.

  Her attention was drawn to a kid few tables across from them who was slurping his spaghetti with zest. There was sauce all over his mouth while his parents smiled at him adoringly. He looked so much like Richard as a young kid.

  In fact, the boy could pass for his kid so she asked, “Richard do you by any chance know the family two tables to your right?”

  He looked over at the family his mother had called his attention to, “I don’t believe I’ve met them before. Why do you ask?”

  She spread the napkin on her lap and picked up the fork to eat her meal, “Just because that kid looks uncannily like you. I was beginning to think I might have a grandchild whom I’ve never met.”

  His mother had been reminding them more frequently that she was looking forward to becoming a grandma. Could this be another attempt at that?

  “Mom, if I had a kid, I promise you I will not keep it a secret from my family. You should know I will not run from my responsibility to my child.”

  “True but sometimes things happen which we might not even be aware of.”

  He shook his head in denial. His mother was not implying that he could have been careless, was she?

  He responded, “Mom, you raised us well to make the right choices. You should be very proud of that.

  He paused wondering if she was convinced so he added, “We take family seriously which means I will make it my business to know and be involve if there were any chances I had a child by a woman.”

  She was proud of how her kids had turned out, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry, Richard.”

  “I’ll be very glad to bring forth your grandkids when I find the right woman.”

  Why did he have the feeling that might be soon? Why did his thoughts go to the woman he’d call the night before?

  His mom smiled at him but couldn’t resist thinking, “I know son but when will you find the right woman?”

  Abigail Mcgallan excused herself to go to the powder room when she’d eaten her meal. Minutes later, the mother of the kid she’d been asking her son about came into the room also. Was this fate?

  She could not resist the urge that overcame her to engage in conversation with the woman. This instinct of hers had made her a good lawyer. Although she’d retired, she still followed her instincts when she felt like she had a lead. She still had the gift of getting people to talk.

  She looked over at the lady who was freshening up her makeup, “Hello, I’m Abigail. I saw you at the table with your son. He’s adorable.”

  “Thanks, he is a blessing. I’m Brenda by the way.”

  She was glad Brenda was talking to her so she continued, “Hi, Brenda. I think he looks very much like his dad, don’t you think so?”

  Brenda debated whether she should tell her the truth since she would normally reply, “I think so.”

  Abigail noticed Brenda grew very quiet and smiled. Of course she had only made that comment to know if indeed the man was the child’s father. The child looked nothing like his father and more like her son.

  What were the odds that she would see Abigail again, anyway? Brenda thought. The older woman seemed wealthy so it was hardly possible that their paths would cross.

  She found Abigail was easy to talk to and did not appear to be haughty so she responded, “That is nice of you to say Abigail, but he is adopted.”

  Abigail understood what that change in her expression was about so she said, “Thanks for sharing that with me, Brenda. He is lucky to have you both as his parents. It’s obvious he is well loved.”

  “Gosh, I love him,” Brenda replied’

  “Good luck with the teen years,” Abigail teased as she left the powder room.

  Chapter Seven

  Vivi did not go out for lunch because she’d brought lunch from home. Kicking off her shoes, she sat at her desk to eat.

  Her phone vibrated and she saw that Richard was calling her on facetime. Excitement bubbled deep within her as she reached for her phone.

  “Calling to inquire on the legal department?”

  He would be straight forward with her this time. “No, I’m calling to hear your voice.”

  “Shouldn’t you be negotiating your latest take-over?”

  He chuckled, “Who says I’m not doing that right now?”

  She knew what he was suggesting. Reading between the lines had helped her to be a good lawyer.

  “You know, I cannot be taken over by anyone.”

  “Probably not, but you’ve definitely taken over here.”

  “What have I taken over?”

  “You’ve taken over my thoughts, so I’m finding it difficult to focus on the negotiations.”

  Was he playing on her emotions or did he mean that.

  “You should be careful what you say so that I don’t get the wrong impression.”

  “But I do mean it.”

  When she did not make a comeback he said, “I was wondering…, could you come over to LA? I would like to have an extra pair of eyes look over the papers here.”

  She was nearly done with the documents she was working on. But she wasn’t quite sure if she should just up and leave because he’d asked her to.

  “I’m not sure if that will be possible because there is a document that needs my attention.”

  “Couldn’t you pass it on to Willie? I could speak to him about that if you want me to.

  She did not want Willie to think that she was getting special favors from the CEO. She could talk to him about working on it until she got back since they sometimes helped each other out.

  “I need you here, Elvira. Please,” he added hoarsely.”

  Her heart somersaulted beneath her breast. She would go to be the extra pair of eyes, she told herself, not just because she wanted to see him―even though being with him would be her only reason for going to LA.

  “I will talk with my colleague and see if he can cover for me until I get back. That means I cannot be in LA for longer than necessary.”

  Richard took that as a yes. “I will send the company jet for you so be ready tonight at seven o’clock. The limousine will pick you up and take you to the airport.”

  “Or I could get the evening flight to LA, which would save the company tons of money.”

  “No, I asked you to make the trip. Allow me to make the arrangements. Let me worry about the cost.”

  “That depends on if Willie has no objections with covering for me.”

  She wasn’t going to agree to the arrangements without consulting Willie.

  “I’ll send you a text if it is okay with him,” she told Richard.

  “Good, I’ll let you go so you can arrange that with him.”

  Vivi stared in awe as she took in the interior of the private jet of Mcgallan Incorporated. So this is how the other side lives. It would be a five star without question.

  “Welcome on board the Mcgallan Bird, Ms. Whitman. We hope you have a nice
ride with us,” the flight attendant said to her.

  “Thank you,” she smiled politely.

  “My name is Thomas and I will be your flight attendant, please feel free to let me know if I can assist in any way to make your trip comfortable.”

  She nodded wondering what else anyone would need to make them comfortable in this high class jet.

  Talk about a luxury penthouse on wings with plush beige colored interior. The cushions in the seat were dark brown accented by leather trimmings. There were four seats arranged around an oak mantel stained table but there were also built in couches with decorative pillows on both sides of the jet long enough to seat a total of eight people.

  A bottled of wine on ice and a flute glass sat in the middle of the table. She walked past that to a cabin door which enclosed a private master bedroom complete with an en-suite.

  Vivi returned from the room and sat on one of the sofas, closing her eyes. The sound of a phone ringing brought her attention to a table hidden by a sofa chair.

  She reached over and picked it up, “Elvira.”

  “Good evening, Richard,” she responded calmly, glad that he’d call to speak with her.

  “I understand the jet will take off shortly, so I wanted to make sure you’re comfortable.”

  “I am, thanks for asking.”

  Why was she being formal? Had they not passed the formality stage, yet? She had just gotten a glimpse of his world so could she be having second thoughts about coming over? He hoped not because he was looking forward to seeing her. He had not been that excited to meet a lady since high school. Could this mean something?

  “Come safely to me Elvira, I can’t wait to see you again,” he said huskily.

  If he was flirting with her then he was surely skilled at it. She felt it was the sweetest thing he could have said to her, at the moment so she murmured, “Me too.”

  “And one more thing, Elvira?”

  “Yes?”

  “If your hair is up in a bun, let it loose for me, will you?”

  He hung up before she could respond. She couldn’t let him think she would give in to all his requests. She had let her hair loose but after what he’d said she found her bag and put her hair into a bun.