INVESTED (Dunning Trilogy Book 1)

by Iris Bolling

  Elaine nodded. "Not to mention the notoriety." She let that one hang in the air for a minute. "Then if we get the Boeing Industries Technology account, and it looks as though we will, that will be another 250K bonus for him. Looks like Myles is coming out on top all the way around. And the Dunnings get richer."

  "Yes...that will be an additional half-million on top of his regular salary."

  "If the board had voted later in the week that bonus would have been yours."

  Mitch stared past Elaine's shoulder out the window behind her. His eyes returned to her. "Who has the lead on the BIT account?" BIT was their acronym for Boeing Industries Technology.

  "Preston, I believe. You know he is looking to be promoted. If he pulls BIT off, well, he may be moved from Small Business acquisitions, to my position."

  Mitch nodded, acknowledging her statement. Then she folded her arms across her chest, pushing her breasts up, revealing a little more cleavage at the v of the dress she was wearing. Mitch all but licked his lips.

  "You know, I think you should be the lead on BIT."

  Elaine unfolded her arms, sat forward and smirked. "No, I'm sure Myles will not agree. He has his people and I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them. But thanks for the vote of confidence." She flashed that hundred-watt smile of hers on him.

  "Let me talk to Myles."

  "About what?"

  "Giving you the lead on BIT. I think you can close that deal."

  "Listen, I appreciate the thought. But you just had a run-in with Myles. It's not a time for you to be asking for favors. Take cover for a minute. Just make sure you are okay. I kind of like having you around."

  Mitch smiled as he stood and adjusted his suit jacket, while sucking in his stomach. "Don't underestimate what I can accomplish. I still have a little pull around here."

  "I never underestimate you, William." She held her smile.

  "We'll talk later," Mitch replied, as he opened the door.

  Her expression turned to one of concern. "You feel better now?"

  "I always do after one of our sessions." He smiled and walked out the door.

  Elaine pulled out her cell phone. She pushed one button and waited. When the call was answered on the other end she smiled. "He is poised and ready to pop."

  A deep snicker flowed through the phone. "The thighs reeled him in?"

  "Works every time." She grinned as she crossed her legs and sat back in her chair.

  "Any word from PI?"

  "It's still early yet. Give them time. Whatever they do it has to appear to be random. If it appears they are attacking Dunning it would be a PR nightmare for them."

  "You are certain they are going to react?"

  "I'm betting my future on it. Have you taken steps on the home front?"

  "I'm on my way there now."

  "Keep your temper in check."

  "Winnie is no match for me. I'll get what we need." The call ended.

  "Men are suckers," Elaine said as she turned back to her computer. The file on BIT, waiting for her to return, lit up. "You are going to be my ticket to bring down the mighty Dunnings, once and for all." She laughed, and began reviewing the account.

  Chapter Ten

  It was well after eight at night when Chrystina knocked lightly on Myles’ office door before walking in.

  "Are we done for the night?"

  Looking up from the file on his desk, Myles allowed Chrystina's smile to ease some of the tension of the day. He sat back and sighed. "It has been a hell of a day."

  "Tell me about it," Chrystina replied with a weary sigh as she dropped into her usual seat. "Twelve meetings, four hundred and seventy-two calls and I don't even want to discuss the emails."

  The beat look became her, Myles thought, as he watched strands of her hair fall from the customary French roll. He thought back to the night at her place then quickly wiped it from his mind.

  "Have we responded to all of them?"

  "No, but we put a big dent into them. The calls, yes." She hesitated. "All except one. Well, make that five," she corrected as she placed the pink slips of messages on his desk.

  Myles smirked as he read them. "All from Savannah." He placed them to the side. "That doesn't surprise me."

  "Me either, but please return her calls. I can deal with being replaced due to your promotion. However, I cannot handle losing my job again because of Savannah Whitfield and her holier-than-thou attitude."

  Myles laughed. "She can be a bit dramatic. Losing your job because of her antics should not be a concern."

  "I'm happy to hear that." She inhaled, then gave him the other piece of paper. "The top person on that list is actually with another agency. But I'm pretty sure she could be persuaded to make a move here."

  Myles glanced at the list. There were names of Executive Assistants on it. "Why are you giving me this?"

  Chrystina stopped talking and looked up at him.

  "I'm sorry, did you want me to handle the hiring?"

  "No. I want you to answer my question," he snapped. Sitting back and shaking his head, he exhaled. "You know, I expected this from others, but not you, Chrystina. All day, I've dealt with employees, one after another with concerns about their jobs and how my becoming president of the bank will impact them. Everybody is positioning themselves as if this was a game of chess. Preston, Mitch and a few others, I expect it from. But not you. I am baffled as to why you want to leave now, just when I need you the most."

  Chrystina shot up from the chair with hands on hips and fired back at him. "Now wait a minute. I don't want to leave. But it seems to be the general consensus around here that you have to replace me. I was simply trying to streamline the process for you because I knew you would not have the time to deal with hiring an assistant."

  Myles stood with his hands on his desk and leaned towards her. "Did I ask you to find a replacement for you?"

  Chrystina replied, "You don't ask me to do a lot of things, but..."

  "But what, Chrystina? But what?"

  "Well, everyone believes I will not fit in down the hallway." Her tone a little less combative this time.

  "When did the sassy Chrystina begin allowing others to define her? Do you have a problem fitting in down the hallway?" His tone more questioning, than angry now.

  "Myles." Chrystina held her arms out and smirked. "Look at me."

  "I'm looking at you, Chrystina. You want to give me an idea of what I'm looking for?"

  Chrystina huffed, "Myles." She gestured with her hands. "All of this. Look at it in all its glory."

  Myles stood back and folded his arms across his chest. "You care to be a little more specific?"

  "Arrrrgh...my weight, Myles. Everyone down that hallway is a size six or lower."

  Myles shook his head and sat back down. "Chrystina, I don't have time for petty stuff."

  "Petty?"

  "Yes, petty. If you don't like your size, do something about it. But don't ever presume I'm so shallow as to hire and fire based on someone's looks. This is not a beauty pageant. You don't get points because you can walk upright in a pair of heels." He picked up the piece of paper she had given him. "Is everyone on this list a size six?"

  "Yes, except for the male. He's about your size." The bluster all gone, she sat back down. "I was kind of looking forward to interviewing him."

  Myles’ lips curved a little at the end. "You would be," he murmured.

  "What was that?" Chrystina asked with a raised eyebrow.

  "I said you still can see him." He handed the paper back to her. "Hold interviews for an assistant for whomever will take over my position. When I move down the hallway, you are going with me. So I suggest you start walking thirty minutes a day, drink plenty of water and eat healthier. If you ask me a size six will not do you justice. Size ten or twelve will do just fine. A man needs a little something to hold onto."

  "Myles," she laughed.

  "I'm just saying. I know what I like." He shrugged. "This brother likes flesh, opposed to bones."

/>   "Ha, you seemed to like that boney Savannah Whitfield just fine."

  "Where is she now?"

  "Hmm? On a pink slip."

  He smiled at her. "Go home. It's been a long day. I'm sure tomorrow will be longer."

  She stood to walk out, then remembered the sound her thighs would make. She took wider steps. "Are you calling it a night too?"

  He looked around. "Yes. I don't think there is too much more damage I can do tonight. Besides I need to check in on AnnieMarie."

  "Please tell her hello for me. I really miss her around here."

  "I will do that."

  "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow," Chrystina said as she walked away.

  "Do me a favor," Myles started.

  She stopped at the door and turned back to him. "Sure, anything."

  "Stop with the penguin walk. You got thick thighs...live with it."

  She gasped. "You knew what I was doing?"

  "Swish-swish-swish," he laughed.

  She laughed with him then waived him off. "Myles Dunning, you are certifiable."

  "Look, all jokes aside. If you need a walking partner, I'm here."

  "I can't keep up with you. You work out every day."

  "So join me. You know the schedule. Meet me upstairs in the morning."

  "Are you serious? You would help me?"

  "Together we can conquer anything, even the battle of thick thighs."

  “No one has ever volunteered to help me lose weight before. Others have all had opinions on how I should do it, but no one ever said I will do it with you.” She nodded. "I may take you up on that."

  "Please do. See you tomorrow."

  "Good night, Myles."

  "Good night, Chrystina."

  Chapter Eleven

  As she clicked the lock on her car all that was on Chrystina's mind was a nice long bath in her soaking tub, smooth music and a tall glass of wine. Opening the front door to her apartment she knew it was not to be.

  "Turn off the damn water, Money. I'm trying to listen to my show."

  "You told me to give Crystallite a bath. That's what I'm doing."

  "Don't you talk back to me. Turn the damn water off."

  A stunned Chrystina stood in the open doorway gaping at her living room.

  "What in the hell is going on here?"

  Her sister, Gina-the gorgeous one, turned towards the door. "Oh, hey. You're home."

  Chrystina's purse fell off her shoulder. She caught it just before it hit the floor. "Operative word, home. Why are you in my home?" The door slammed behind her as she picked up a trash bag filled with clothes.

  "Oh that. My water got cut off and I needed to wash some clothes and give the kids a bath."

  "In my apartment? How did you get in?"

  "Mom dropped us off then went to the store. She tried to call you. Didn't you get her message," Gina said as she turned up the volume on the television.

  Frustrated with the answers she was getting, Chrystina stomped over to where her sister sat, grabbed the remote control then turned the television off.

  Gina's head snapped back. "What the hell is your problem? I was looking at that."

  "YOU...you are my problem at the moment." Chrystina put the remote on the coffee table only to find it covered with empty plates. "Get this food off of my coffee table. Your trash bag full of clothes from in front of my door and your feet off my white sofa." She turned and dropped her keys onto the breakfast bar. When she looked back Gina hadn't made a move. "Are you deaf?"

  "You cut off my show."

  "Your ass is going to be next if you don't get off my sofa...now!"

  "Damn, you think more of your sofa than you do of your own sister," Gina huffed as she stood and grabbed the chips and empty plates off the glass table.

  Chrystina decided to ignore that statement when she saw the red stain on her kitchen floor. "What is this?"

  "Oh, Lilwayne had a drink in his hand when he was running through the house."

  "He wasted it and you didn’t think to clean up a red stain?"

  "I was going to get to it. I just haven't had a chance yet."

  "You were sitting on your ass watching television when I walked in."

  "That was my show. I was going to clean it up after my show."

  "And my kitchen?" Chrystina asked as she walked in to see pots and pans where someone cooked spaghettios and hot dogs. She could tell because the tomato sauce from the spaghettios had dripped from the pot to the stove. The can was sitting on the cabinet, next to the open hot dog roll bag. "When were you going to clean this up?"

  "Damn, Chrystina, why don't you chill out." Gina started picking up the mess. "The house was peaceful before you walked in the door."

  "This is my apartment. You want peace take your children and go home."

  Gina looked at her and rolled her eyes. "I told you the kids needed a bath and I had to wash clothes. We are family, Chrys. We are supposed to help each other."

  "Help each other? How are you helping me right now? I've been at work for the last twelve hours. Where have you been?"

  "Mommy, what do you want me to put on Crystallite?"

  The two sisters turned to see the oldest girl, Money holding her baby sister’s hand in the hallway, dripping wet with a towel wrapped around her.

  "Take your ass back into the bathroom until I come in there," Gina yelled.

  Chrystina walked over, picked up the baby girl, then leaned down and kissed Money on the forehead. "Come on, lightening bug, let’s get you dried off. Money, go into the bag by the door and get some clothes for her." She looked over her shoulder and frowned at her sister. "Clean my kitchen."

  "You talk to them all sweet and treat me like dirt. I'm your sister or did working around those uppity people at the bank make you forget that?" Gina started grabbing things off the counter.

  Chrystina dried the baby off, dressed her, then combed her hair. She held the four-year-old at arms' length. "Look at that pretty girl."

  Money stood in the bathroom next to her aunt. "Now, I have to give Lilwayne his bath."

  "Where is he?" Chrystina asked.

  "Taking a nap on your bed."

  “What?” She shoved the baby aside then walked down the hallway to her room. Turning on the light she saw the two-year-old baby lying on his stomach asleep. The sight would have been precious if he wasn't lying on her white comforter with dirt and red juice on the front of his shirt. Closing her eyes she walked over, picked up the child and saw the red stain she knew would be there.

  "Come on, baby, we have to give you a bath." She carried the sleeping child to his big sister. "Money, run the bath water for him," she said as she removed the soiled clothes. The baby opened his eyes and smiled up at her. Chrystina smiled back and kissed his cheek. "Hi, Lilwayne. Are you ready for your bath?"

  He shook his head.

  Money laughed. "He doesn't like taking a bath."

  "He doesn't? Let's see what we can do about that." She reached into her vanity, poured bubble bath into the tub then turned the water up full speed. "Let him play in there for a while. You stay here with him."

  "Can I play with him too?" Crystallite asked.

  "No, you already had your bath."

  "It didn't look like that," the child cried out.

  "You can do it the next time." Chrystina took her hand and carried the child into the living room only to find Gina had turned the television back on with the volume down low. She took the remote, then turned the channel.

  "Hey, I'm looking at that."

  Chrystina sat the little girl on the floor. "You look at tv while your mom cleans up my house."

  "You are a bitch. You think because you work at the bank that you are better than me. You need to remember you came from the same roach invested hood that I came from. You ain't no better than me and everybody else we grew up with. Just cause you got a college degree and a funky ass job don't mean shit to me. You are still and always will be big ass Chrys from around the way. So what you live in a
fancy apartment, with good furniture and a car to take you where you want to go, you still ain't shit and you ain't never going to be shit. And I'm going to be in your face every day to remind your uppity ass where you came from." She took the dishcloth and threw it in Chrystina's face.

  "What in the hell is going on here?"

  They both turned to see the stern Beverly Price standing in the doorway with the key in her hand.

  "Mommy." Gina ran to the door, looking the spitting image of her mother. "Chrys came in the house yelling and throwing her weight around because I fed the kids in her all white kitchen, then washed them in her bathroom. I told her about the water being turned off, but she didn't care. All she's been doing since she walked in the house was bitch about her sofa and her table and her kitchen. She is selfish, just selfish. She don't care about nothing or anybody but herself."

  Beverly saw the expression on her oldest daughter's face and knew she was pissed. She knew a con when she heard one.

  "Gina, I washed and folded these clothes before I left. Why are they still in front of the door?"

  "Chrys just sent Money in there for something," Gina said as she bent down to pick the bag up.

  "I sent Money in there to get clothes for Crystallite because your lazy behind was sitting on my sofa, stuffing your face looking at television while your daughter was giving your baby a bath." Chrystina spoke calmly and directly to her baby sister. "Yes, I yelled at you and will do it again if I walk in my house, that I left clean, to find you here and it dirty from your actions." She walked slowly to where her sister stood next to her mother. "And let’s be very clear on something. I don't need you or anyone else to remind me where I came from. I know from where I came. I made the choice to go to college to get a different life. I don't think I'm better than you or anybody else. But I will be damned- excuse me, Mother- if I am going to be chastised because you chose something different and your life is not as you want it to be. I didn't tell you to spread your legs and have three babies by different daddies. That was your choice."

  "Chrystina, that's enough."

  "You see what I mean, Mommy, she is always downing me because I have children."