Second Chance on St. Patrick's Day

by Mia Ford

  Chapter Two

  Sebastian

  My morning paper was unfolded in front of me with the Daily News mocking me with every word. My robe was cinched closed with the black coffee intravenously connected to my veins metaphorically speaking.

  The long table made me well aware of my lonely existence. I never could keep a relationship more than a week. My parents left me a small fortune when they died in an avalanche at Whistler.

  I was one of the lucky ones to get in on the ground floor of an amazing opportunity. The dividends were still paying off annually. There was no way I was going to be able to spend what I made in my lifetime. Being a billionaire wasn’t as easy as it appeared.

  I had hot and cold running servants at my beck and call. My man Friday was someone I depended on to keep my calendar straight. Business was conducted with a few taps of the keyboard. It was almost too easy to make the kind of money people only dreamed about.

  “I apologize for the interruption, but you had a phone call while you were sleeping. A woman is coming over here to speak to you about something of the utmost importance. I tried to stop her, but she was quite adamant. I believe she said she had an offer you couldn’t possibly refuse.” My curiosity was piqued by Steadman’s description of her no-nonsense attitude.

  “I admire the tenacity and she has my undivided attention. Make sure you bring her to the parlor when she arrives.” He lifted the cloche where my breakfast was waiting for me.

  A perfectly sunny side egg was accompanied with three strips of bacon. Freshly squeezed orange juice every morning was sitting there filled to the brim. I pushed the black coffee away to exchange it for an injection of vitamin C. The aroma was intoxicating.

  “I’m a little surprised by your reaction. I was expecting to duck when you began to hurl implements at me. It’s refreshing to see you without that chip on your shoulder.” Steadman had been with me for too many years to count.

  No one man could ever say they were unfortunate enough to be under the gun of my emotional mood swings. He was the exception. How he didn’t walk out the first day of his employment was beyond me.

  “You caught me in a rare good mood. Take the paper with you on your way out. It’s depressing to see the world burn. I don’t like schoolchildren killing each other. The human race can be its own worst enemy. Forget about life outside of this solar system. We don’t need an invasion when we are killing ourselves.” I saw what could only be considered an unidentified flying object.

  Seeing it hover in the air and shoot straight up had me believing in little green men. That was 20 years ago. I was still fascinated by what I could see through my telescope at night. Nothing ever matched up to that teenage boy looking at something that couldn’t possibly be real.

  “Brock is waiting for you in the exercise room downstairs. He can be rather impatient. Don’t make him wait for too long.” My body had become my temple without an ounce of fat making me a marvel of medical science.

  My annual checkups consisted of one Dr., but then an audience would suddenly form around me looking at the results of my tests. I did indulge, but there was such thing as moderation. I did have an unhealthy obsession with Doritos during the big game.

  “I have him to thank for turning me into the specimen I am today.” A full head of jet black hair down to the nape of my neck was nothing compared to the muscles bulging in the reflection in the mirror.

  “I’ve seen some dramatic improvements over the years. Your confidence has grown by leaps and bounds. You no longer walk in the shadows of others. The steps you make are yours and yours alone.” Money could only buy certain things, but there were things considered priceless in my eyes.

  I finished breakfast and made a conscious effort to take it into the kitchen. I was never born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I knew where I came from and the roots of my origins. This city could easily swallow you up and spit you out. I’d seen it happen to too many people with the gambling vice they couldn’t get off their back.

  I went upstairs and found my workout clothes laid gently on the bed. I never asked him to go above and beyond the call of duty. He was elderly, but Steadman moved like a gazelle on the African plain. The man could appear out of nowhere.

  I found Brock waiting for me with his finger tapping the watch on his wrist. It was a Christmas gift from me worth thousands of dollars. My main passion was antiquities. I never sold, but I did buy those unique items.

  “You are telegraphing your right. When you walk through those doors, I expect you to leave everything out there until after the session.” He was a testament to determination and this strict regiment never to be repeated twice.

  Some days martial arts were used to hone my senses and skills. I could probably hear a pin drop. I could dispatch a mugger, but the occasion had never presented itself. I didn’t tempt fate by walking down the street on the other side of the tracks. I was never born to lose.

  “I hired you on your reputation and you haven’t disappointed.” I tried to predict what he was going to do next, but he was never going to go easy on me.

  The man was a chick magnet and had regaled me with several stories of his conquests. It was always in the details. His description of those women made me feel like they were standing right in front of me. He had the gift of narration.

  “I give my clients a workout that surpasses all others. I never get complacent and I always make sure every muscle group is worked into fatigue.” He was a health nut, but his words of wisdom had transformed my life.

  “I always leave feeling those muscles tense up. I’ve seen the results and there’s no denying how you have molded me into something I never thought was possible. It’s money well spent. These daily sessions give me a boost of energy and adrenaline. That first cup of coffee in the morning is the only one I need.” I moved around him doing what I could to limit any kind of physical damage he could do to me.

  It was always 2 hours of complete hell, but it was part of my daily routine. I had a female visitor arriving shortly. Sweating wasn’t going to make the kind of first impression I was looking for. I wore my success and wealth on my sleeve. Charities formed in my name gave back to the community. I couldn’t have this fortune and not do something meaningful with it.

  I left there a little winded, but it was far better than the alternative. I fainted the very first time and bruised my ego in the process. I almost gave up, but Brock saw me as a work in progress. He was the one that finally convinced me to keep going. I cursed him every step of the way.

  I showered in my private bathroom lined with black marble. The two shower heads massaged my body with the heat penetrating my exhausted muscles. I stepped from the enclosure and wrapped a towel around my waist. I was still dripping when I emerged to see my clothes laid out on the bed. They weren’t there 20-minutes ago. Steadman was a ninja of efficiency.

  I draped my body in the custom-made suit. It was ironed to perfection with not one wrinkle. Steadman was from the old school of being a butler. His dedication and eye for detail were above reproach. My six-foot body with 200-pounds of sculpted muscle looked like a million bucks in my eyes.

  I went down to the parlor and chose a volume of Shakespeare from the library on my way there. Intellect was not something I lorded over others. I had found comfort in the pages of some of the great literary masters. Shakespeare was the one that spoke to me in a language I could understand.

  Fine China was sitting on the table with a freshly brewed cup of tea. I heard the clicking of high heels on my expensive teak floors. Steadman was quiet as a church mouse. There were many times I jumped out of my skin when I felt him breathing on the back of my neck.

  The door opened and I folded one leg over the other with my hands interlocked together. There wasn’t one hair out of place. I lost my composure when this beauty stepped in to proffer her hand in greeting.

  “I would like to get right down to business. This broach is a family heirloom crafted in pearl.” I was startled by her dulcet t
ones making it impossible to get the cotton out of my mouth.

  “I will have to verify your claim. At first glance, I do believe this is of the Victorian age. Are you sure you really want to part with this? It might be better to hold onto it.” I never let my personal feelings interfere in procuring something that was one of a kind.

  “I don’t want to sell it, but I have no choice. I have no right to ask, but could you hold onto it for a few days? I would like a chance to buy it back at a reasonable price.” It was old and had character.

  “I don’t normally entertain the idea of giving it back for any amount of money. I could be convinced if you would agree to have dinner with me. It’s short notice. I’m not suggesting anything untoward.” I wanted to know what was underneath the pretty packaging.

  “I will agree to your terms on the condition you give me one month to buy it back from you. This doesn’t mean you can put your hands on me. I don’t know what kind of woman you take me for, but sleeping with you is out of the question.” Her mouth was saying one thing but her body language was saying something else.

  Chapter Three

  Jessica

  I felt like I was pimping myself out, but it was for a good cause. My father was beside himself worrying with sleepless nights. Coughlin hadn’t made any bold claims, but it was only a matter of time before he came knocking on the door.

  My family heirloom was set to fall into enemy hands. I thought he was smug to ask me to have dinner with him. I couldn’t shake this feeling of anticipation in the air. I’d gone out and found a knockoff original in flaming red. It slithered down my body like a second skin.

  I’d already called the taxi and it was waiting at the curb idling in neutral with the meter running. I grabbed my knee-length leather jacket from the back of the door. An unfinished masterpiece was covered with a cloth by the window where I found my inspiration. The cityscape and my neighbors were my muses for my paintings.

  I turned the knob and opened it to face Coughlin in a grey trench coat. He breezed right past me and into the living room. He sat down with his eyes clearly ordering me to follow suit. I was about to protest, but I knew better than to argue.

  “I’ve been thinking about this for the past few days. If I was only 20 years younger, I would seriously consider making a play for you myself. Family means the world to you. It’s a trait that you don’t find very often in today’s generation. You have a kind heart.” He was buttering me up for something and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “Just tell me what you want. What is it going to take to make this go away? I don’t mean to be curt, but this is my family we’re talking about. My father has made his fair share of mistakes. I can’t let him be ruined financially.” Living beyond his means wasn’t something I hadn’t seen before.

  “Jessica, a man is defined by what he decides on the spur of the moment. A child should never be in a position where the sins of the father are laid at their feet. With that being said, there is a way to give your father back his life.” I was all ears until I heard the next few words coming out of his mouth.

  My mouth started to drop and by the time he was finished I was stunned beyond words. The world was crashing down around me and I had no control over it. Coughlin had articulated his position to the best of his ability. He wasn’t asking me to kill somebody. There was nothing illegal and I breathed a sigh of relief despite his demands.

  My apartment was an open concept with exposed piping and wood beams. I looked around and the investment was paying off.

  This decision couldn’t be made lightly over an empty stomach.

  “It’s not unreasonable, but you’re going to have to give me time to think about it.” I had heard through the rumor mill Coughlin wasn’t a very patient man when it came to negotiations.

  “I will give you until the end of the week. There is a time constraint. You’re obviously a smart woman. This is the best deal you are going to get. There’s no reason to bother your father with this foolishness. He already has more than enough on his mind.” I saw a flicker of concern in his eyes.

  “I don’t keep secrets from my father.” There were white lies made to prevent somebody from getting hurt.

  “This arrangement has to be between the two of us. This isn’t ideal. It would be nice if we could do this the old-fashioned way. In this age of convenience, everything is the quickest way to the finish line. I’ve never been a big believer in procrastinating.” I wanted to get him to make some concessions, but I didn’t know where to begin.

  The family heirloom could stay in my possession. I wasn’t sure this was the answer to all of my problems. The thrill of the evening was marred by his presence. Coughlin had come here with a purpose. His proposition wasn’t easy to swallow.

  “I understand the need for secrecy. I might have to bite the bullet and do this for my father’s own good. He can’t seem to help himself. The lure of the big payday is hard for him to ignore. We both know you set him up to fail that night. You waited for the right time to strike.” He scooted forward with the leather of the chair squeaking in protest.

  “I’m an opportunist. Business is built on knowing when your opponent is bluffing. Your father thought he was holding all the cards. It was nothing personal. I have no vendetta or grudge against your father. I watched you all evening. I know you were signaling your father. He shouldn’t have used you like that.” I felt relieved to have somebody to talk to about this.

  “It wasn’t like he put a gun to my head. The money was hard to walk away from. It’s easy for somebody who has loads of it. The temptation of getting that piece of the pie can make people do some strange and interesting things. I wasn’t expecting this. It’s highly unusual, but there has been a precedent for this kind of thing.” Living in sin had become a staple of my generation.

  We didn’t need the almighty piece of paper for any kind of commitment. Standing in front of our loved ones to declare our intention to spend the rest of our lives together was steeped in religion. I was happy to cohabitate with my significant other. It gave me the chance to learn those quirks that made me go mad in the middle of the night.

  “I will sweeten the pot. I will take care of all of your student loans. You can start fresh without having the educational system with their hand out. I will even introduce you to a few art dealers. I’ve seen some of your creations. You have some raw potential. I’m not just saying that.” He knew which buttons to push.

  This was another instance where he was doing his due diligence. His life revolved around the art of the deal. Personal or business…the results were still the same.

  “You do drive a hard bargain. I will tentatively agree to your terms.” We sealed the deal with a handshake.

  It was legally binding, but there was going to be no paper trail in this negotiation.

  I heard the dripping from my faucet. It was something I had argued incessantly with the landlord about. I had even gone ahead and bought a book, but everything in plumbing was like speaking a different language.

  “I’m glad you see it my way. The first test is a dinner party. I will send you over something appropriate to wear. You’re going to be the Belle of the ball.” He walked towards the door and stopped with his hand pressed up against it

  I was young with my whole life ahead of me. This was a pothole with my path clearly marked in the art world. I was trying to convince myself this was going to work. I didn’t have to give Sebastian something that was emotionally priceless. I could’ve called off the dinner, but I thought it was rude. Besides, I wanted to see him again and I didn’t know why.

  “I’m not going to fit in. They will see through me.” He walked back and lifted my chin with my neck straining towards the ceiling.

  “You are an unpolished gem looking for some validation. Acceptance doesn’t come easy. I’m giving you a way to walk through the door.” I was wasting my breath and this was nothing I planned.

  “I’ve never aspired to be of highbrow society. I had no p
roblem being the one looking in from the outside. I live modestly without the trappings of the finer things to get in the way. Watching all of you in your ivory tower is a particularly interesting pastime. I bring to life the faces you don’t show the public.

  “What do you see about me?”

  “I see the scared little boy inside you. You weren’t born into this, but there’s no way you’re going to give it up without a fight. Once you have money there’s no going back to eating Raman noodles. The root of all evil is in the dollar bill.” I was waxing poetic knowing full well he was not going to see the underlying meaning of my statement.

  “When you have more than you can spend it affords you opportunities of a lifetime. The value of a dollar is hard to assess. Having children comes with pitfalls. I remember the first time my son wrapped his hand around my little finger. I became a prisoner of his every whim. I wanted him to have the things I never did growing up.” He was looking at me underneath the microscope and smiling.

  “You’re wasting your time, but it’s your time to waste. I will be at the dinner party fashionably late. It will set the tone for the evening. I’m going to need some lessons. You can’t throw me in with the sharks with the blood churning in the water.” Everything depended on pulling this off.

  “You have street smarts. It’s not enough. You will come to the estate. Refinement for most of these socialites is something they were born with. I have a few favors I can call in to make it easier for you to swim with the sharks. They can be vipers with no filter. Don’t underestimate them.” Failure wasn’t an option.