Conflict of Interest

by N. D. Jackson

  “Anytime son. We may not always agree but I’m here anytime you need me. Good luck with your girl Noel.”

  “Thanks. Later dad.” Tossing his phone on a stack of papers he picked up the office phone and dialed Rich again. “Away on business,” his secretary said again, this time in annoyance.

  Where the hell was he? This office is the only big business the company had out of town and Noel would know if he were here. Wouldn’t he? Several new stores had opened up throughout the country but Rich would wear discount designer brands before he would attend one of those. The more the gears in his head turned trying to figure out Rich’s mystery disappearance the closer he came to an answer. “Oh no! No. No. No. NO!” he screamed when all the pieces came together in a well-dressed, annoying and ruthless picture.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  After changing from her work clothes and gathering courage through a quick chat with Alex, Shellie sat outside City Hall in her car working hard to regulate her breathing. The Council Meeting started in less than 30 minutes and the parking lot was already at capacity, which made her stomach roar in anticipation. A steady reminder of her yoga breathing techniques--thanks to Alex—were helping her forget about her nerves for a moment. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out, she coached until her breathing was calm and steady like a boxer before a big fight.

  She couldn’t identify the source of her anxiety. It wasn’t public speaking surely, she’d spoken to crowds larger than this before. It wasn’t even the difficult questions that would inevitably be tossed at her, she was prepared to answer a few she didn’t think anyone would bother to ask. Her stomach did drop slightly at the thought of publicly sparring with Noel, but if he bothered to show up she was confident she could handle him. What caused her the most torment and scared her down to her bones was the very real possibility of failing. If she failed, Shirley failed, Paul failed, Jacques failed, Anda failed. The people of Mustang Prairie would fail.

  There would be no town, no jobs and no money for the people and the town that meant everything to her. No pressure, she laughed sardonically into the night air. Failure was not an option tonight, she thought as she smoothed her skirt and hoisted her bag, tripod and visual aids into her arms. Overloaded, overwhelmed and emotionally spent Shellie held her head high, squared her shoulders and marched into Meeting Room C.

  ##

  Shellie was finally finished setting up at the long oak table to the right of the empty black leather Council seats. They would sit on a slightly elevated stage to give an air of importance not bestowed upon them by the voters, looking down their noses, red from too many liquid lunches, at she pleaded her case. To the left of her was an identical oak table where KitchenMart representatives, presumably Noel, would sit. Scanning the room searching for him, she realized he hadn’t arrived yet and turned her attention to her notes to memorize a few facts and figures. Her impeccable memory had helped her succeed in business because she took the time to learn them.

  A large shadow gradually blocked the blinking fluorescent light, causing Shellie to squint to see the cards in her hand. She ignored the darkness, not bothering to look up until a grating voice rudely interrupted her. “Ah, so you’re the little woman causing my company so much trouble.” The man with the grating voice cleared his throat, straightened his expensive tie and extended a strong hand lightly dusted with fine blond hair. “Rich Daniels at your service,” he smiled a charming smile that Shellie found unsettling.

  She eyed him suspiciously for several long minutes before she would accept his hand. “Shellie,” she said icily, not making an effort at cordiality.

  “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name. I’ve heard a lot about you, Shellie.”

  “Is that so?” She looked up at him blankly, hoping he’d divulge more information she could use against him tonight.

  “Yep. It would seem you’ve got our claws sunk deep into our Noel.” Before she could protest he continued. “Not that this is the first time, mind you, he is quite the ladies’ man. But this,” he pointed around the Council Room, “is the first time it has interfered with business.” He stared at her for longer than was necessary, an intimidation tactic she was sure, before going on. “I can’t have that Shellie. I’m sure you understand.”

  Shellie stared up at this coldly handsome man, shocked at his nerve. She was prepared for a man like Rich Daniels with his perfect hair and his perfect rows of sparkling white teeth. He was too smooth by half but thought he was twice as smart as he was. Counting for several seconds before speaking, Shellie replied nonchalantly, “Then I suggest you take it up with Noel,” and returned back to her trusty notes.

  Rich lowered himself to the straight back chair beside her, leaning close to look her in the eyes. “You don’t really think some backwoods hippie chick from Nowheresville is going to compete with the most beautiful women in the world, do you? I mean Noel has dated actresses, models, singers and a few socialites with last names you recognize and you certainly can’t compete with them.” He sneered at her hoping his words would force her to tears and end this silly charade before it began.

  This time Shellie refused to look up from her notes to respond. “Who’s competing? This ‘backwoods hippie chick’ was it, just wants you, Noel and KitchenMart to go away. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  “That confident are we?” He leaned closer with a smiled glued to his face but he continued talking through clinched teeth. “Don’t get me wrong Shellie you are very pretty, in a cutest girl in the trailer park kind of way. Hell I’d even give you a roll or two, but you’re not the kind of woman who would fit into our world.”

  “Who said I want to fit into your world?” She hissed defensively.

  “Ok well in Noel’s world then. You just won’t fit in. He needs a woman who knows how to dress and interact in high society and you’re not that woman.”

  “Thank the lord for small favors,” she deadpanned.

  Rich was seething. Her cool demeanor was making him angry but he could not, no would not lose this round. “I’m glad to hear that,” he smiled knowingly. “Since you have no delusions about your place in his life your heart won’t be crushed when he goes back to New York with his fiancé, Ava.”

  That sentence got her attention. Her gaze whipped to his cold blue stare as she fought the tears eager to take the ride down her now reddened cheeks.

  Rich smiled, pleased. “I guess he didn’t tell you, then?”

  Shellie took several deep breaths to calm her nerves and she gripped the arms of her chair in an effort to resist the urge to strangle this arrogant man. She was hurt but there was no way in hell she would Daniels know that. She was however furious that he would sink so low even with all she knew of him and his precious KitchenMart. Her gold flecked eyes darted to the clock on the wall before turning to Rich. “Thank you Mr. Daniels,” her words were syrupy, “I was never under illusions with Noel but thank you for letting me know just how terrified you are of this backwoods hippie chick.” She sat straighter and moved to the edge of her chair. “Now move along, the Council is entering and we’ve got business to settle.” She smiled and stood to greet the entering Council members.

  Mouth open like a fish out of water and casting a deadly glance her way, Rich steeled his emotions and joined the half dozen people now seated at the KitchenMart table.

  ##

  The day from hell was finally over and Noel was ready to go home and get cooking. Home. It was a word he had rarely used to describe anywhere, much less his overpriced apartment in the city, but he knew now that this crazy little town with its well meaning people was home. Eyeing his watch, it was already too late to put in an appearance at the Council Meeting. He knew he was being a coward but it was probably close to the end and he wanted to talk to Shellie over dinner where she would be calm. And slightly distracted.

  He drove by City Hall and slowed down at the sight of the crowded parking lot. Shaking his head free of the thoughts that plagued him, he stepped on
the gas and drove around The Square and was home in just a few minutes. Coward, he mumbled as he sat in the car gathering the strength to go inside and prepare for his talk with Shellie. Noel stepped from his car and took a fortifying breath before noticing waif-like figure pacing the length of his porch. His porch! He was beginning to like the sound of that. With long dark hair following seconds behind each abrupt turn he knew it could only be one person. Ava.

  “What are you doing here, Ava?” his voice was cold and stern, wasting no niceties on his social climbing ex.

  Ava used her well practiced Velvet Allure pout on Noel, every so lightly biting down on her bottom lip for effect before pressing her perfectly formed body against his. “I came to see you Noel,” she whimpered huskily, “I missed you.”

  Gently pushing the former model away and holding her at bay with extended arms, he answered flatly. “I’m sorry to hear that Ava because I can honestly say I didn’t miss you. At all.” He did mean to sound so cold but figured it was best not to give her any false hope.

  She pouted again this time adding a crease in her freshly waxed brows. “That’s no way to greet your fiancé Noel Hampton.”

  “Ex- fiancé Ava, remember?” He asked over his shoulder, pushing the door open with more force than necessary. He tossed his bag on the sofa and loosened his tie as he turned to cast a suspicious eye at the seductress.

  A sly smile spread across Ava’s face lighting up her exotic cerulean eyes. She shrugged nonchalantly, “So, I made a mistake.” Locking her eyes on Noel Ava slowly untied the belt on her knee-length coat unbuttoning each button deliberately without breaking eye contact. Allowing the jacket to fall gently into a pool at her feet, she sauntered over to him still biting her lower lip.

  His face hot with frustration, Noel grabbed her wrists and pushed her from him again. “Well you saved me from making a very big mistake, so thanks.” He shook his head in disbelief that the same woman who tossed a two carat ring back in face because she’d caught the attention of a Russian billionaire was now here as though nothing had happened.

  Exasperated, Ava backed up to the sofa and sat slowly crossing her long legs at the knee to make sure his gaze traveled to her best feature. With her seductive eyes locked on his cold ones like a missile, Ava slowly unraveled a blue dress that matched her almond shaped eyes. “You don’t mean that Noel, you’ve just forgotten how good we are together.”

  Noel laughed bitterly, “No Ava I remember all too well how ‘good’ we are together. I am just not interested.” He quickly retreated to the kitchen in search of a rocks glass and his faithful Irish whiskey. When he return he sighed in frustration at the sight of Ava standing there wearing sheer black lingerie, thigh high stockings and her insanely high heels. “What the hell, Ava? You’re wasting your time here. We. Are. Over.”

  Ava raised one leg to the coffee table, highlighting the seemingly endless length of her legs, and adjusted her stockings as she made her way to where Noel stood.

  Noel’s hands shot out in front of him angrily, warning Ava not to come closer. “Noel you can’t mean to throw me aside for some farm girl!” Her blue eyes were lighter now as she pled with him. Ignoring his warning she closed the gap between them and wrapped her hands over his, tilting his glass to her shockingly red lip.

  Fisting his free hand to remain calm, Noel growled loudly. “Ava it doesn’t really matter who she is, she isn’t you and that’s the point!”

  Smiling coquettishly up at him through long inky lashes, she eased the glass from his hand and twisted her beautiful face into an unattractive scowl. “Asshole!” she screamed tossing the leftover amber liquid in his face and letting the glass fall to the floor. “I wouldn’t take you back now if you begged!”

  Wiping the now sticky liquid a smirk spread across his face. “Then we’re good because I have no intention of begging. For anything. Now you’ve said your peace, you can go.”

  Her blue eyes went black with rage. “If you’re really stupid enough to let some, some hick ruin what you’ve worked so hard for then I made the right decision a few years ago Noel.”

  “No arguments here.”

  “I can’t believe you can stand there and look at me like this,” she sculpted her curves with her hands for emphasis, “and not feel nothing. You used to love me and you will again.”

  Noel shook his head, almost sad for this beautiful creature before him. Almost. “I did love you at once Ava. Until you showed me who you really are and instead of hating you for it, I’m grateful.”

  Without warning Ava picked up the discarded glass and hurled it at Noel’s head.

  A quick dodge to the right and he was out of harm’s way. And angrier than ever. “Goddammit Ava why do you have to be so crazy? We’re over and we will always be over, now get the hell outta here before I call the police.” He stalked down the dark hall without so much as a glance back, in search of a dry shirt. He needed to get dinner as well as his mind prepared for what he’d say tonight to smooth things over with Shellie.

  ##

  “The Council has voted to impose a two month delay on the KitchenMart Grand Opening until these allegations,” Councilman Donner said pointedly in Shellie’s direction, “have been investigated and settled.” He paused for a brief moment to wipe the sweat from his brow before resuming, “Two months from now on the second Tuesday of the month we shall reconvene, at which time the Council will decide whether or not KitchenMart may open in the city limits of Mustang Prairie.” With a fierce bang of his cartoonishly large gavel, Councilman Donner adjourned the meeting amidst raucous applause.

  Shellie’s shoulders sagged in relief as the gavel rang in her ears like a clap of thunder. She should have felt triumphant. Victorious. Vindicated. Instead she felt hollow and exhausted from the long fight. In truth she was worn out. Worn out and a bit sad knowing that this decision could be career suicide for Noel. Who of course, didn’t even bother showing up tonight. Must be celebrating with Ava, her inner cynic taunted.

  Brushing aside those troublesome thoughts she handed all of her materials to the Clerk so the Council could go over them at their leisure. Which was funny because it seemed as though the Council did everything leisurely. With a tired smile she climbed up the aisle barely registering the bright smiles, pats of congratulations and overbearing hugs coming her way from her friends and neighbors in Mustang Prairie but also from Sullivan, Shelbyville and Charleston. These smiling faces belong to the businesses and the jobs you saved Shellie, enjoy it, she chided herself. She had been strong enough to fight for these people and to win and it angered her that she couldn’t produce an ounce of satisfaction. Damn you, Noel!

  “Shellie girl, you done it!” Shirley drawled excitedly slapping her back in congratulations. She mustered the biggest smile she could, but Shirley saw right through her act. “Ain’tcha happy, girl? I mean you and you alone saved all of us and you should be beaming brighter than the brightest star in the sky tonight.”

  Shellie looked at the woman and met her concerned eyes. “I’m fine Shirley, just tired is all.”

  “Well I imagine so girl. I don’t even know how you found that information, lord knows I wouldn’t even know where to begin or even think of something as mean-spirited as what them folks was up to. Nope, not at all.” Shirley smiled at Shellie again as they reached the door. “Well we’re all proud of ya Michelle and even your mean ol’ Granny would be proud that you saved Mustang Prairie.”

  She pulled Shirley in for a fierce hug and begged her eyes to hold onto to the tears until she was alone. Shirley would never know how much those words meant to her but she hugged her long enough and hard enough to convey how much the sentiment had touched her. “Thanks Shirley.”

  Shellie rolled down her windows letting the cool night air brush across her skin as she slowly made her way home. Was her home with Noel or was he just another mistake she would live to regret and vow never to repeat? “Of course your home isn’t with him silly girl. He’s probably off somewhere having hot
engagement sex with Ava,” she said her name mockingly, feeling childish but slightly less hurt. Well he could have Ava because Shellie and Noel could never work. Could they? Of course not, he’s a rich business executive who defiles small towns for a living and you’re a small town girl who doesn’t belong. He’ll be going back to where he belongs soon and he’ll be married and you’ll be here in Mustang Prairie. Alone. Where you belong.

  A lone sob broke free as she parked in front of the house she and Noel shared, realizing the truth of her thoughts. Noel will never love me. Love? Of course not because I don’t love him either. Lust maybe, but not love. Couldn’t be. She had simply gotten used to having him around and she could just as easily get used to him not being around because that what she did. Adjusted to people leaving. “I have before and I will again,” she said into the mirror as she wiped the last tears from her cheeks and took a few calming breaths before facing the empty house. I hope her perfume didn’t linger in my home, she prayed as she ambled onto the porch.

  ##

  “Ah! You must be Shellie,” a tall woman with raven hair and the longest legs Shellie had ever seen extended a slender arm capped with bright red fingernails. She took in the pale porcelain skin, starker in contrast to her black hair and the sheer black lingerie she wore. Her gut tightened.

  Confused, she looked around her living room in search of Noel. “I am. And you are?”

  “Oh I’m Ava. Noel’s fiancé,” she clarified as Shellie stared at her dumbfounded. “Didn’t he tell you about me?”

  “No he didn’t. What are you doing here?” Her heart was twisting and the fire boiling inside her was threatening to spill over.

  “Well we did take a little break,” Ava began ignoring Shellie’s question, “but I just missed him so much and knew I had to come and see him. You know how it is.”