“Yes, please. And my black boots.”
Aaron smiled as he took the jacket and stiletto heels that Charlotte had been wearing, while the driver gathered the luggage. Stanley, the doorman, was there to help and greet Aaron. He waved and smiled at Charlotte through the car window. While waiting, Charlotte noticed that it had started to snow. She was so glad Aaron had suggested the warm coat and she remembered her toasty boots. Her beautiful sandals would not be practical in a few hours.
Aaron and the driver returned. “You aren’t going to believe where I’m taking you for dinner. I’ve been trying to get reservations at this particular restaurant for weeks without success, but last week my name was on the front page of the New York Times. It directed readers to an article on page four that I had written regarding the problems, conflicts, and in-house fighting with the new administration’s staff at the White House. So when I called this wonderful restaurant, I was finally given a reservation.”
“You think it was because of the Times article?” questioned Charlotte.
“Yep, because the gentleman who confirmed my reservation said, ‘Congratulations Mr. Baker on your exposé article. It’s been causing a lot of dining room buzz around here.’”
Charlotte sat back, tired from her long trip, but happy to be back in New York. Aaron was so attentive and excited to show her where they were going for dinner. Perhaps her concerns about him were unfounded. Every couple has issues. Maybe this was their issue and it would straighten itself out once they settled into their opulent lifestyle.
The Uber driver navigated the traffic artfully and as they circled around Columbus Circle near Central Park South and the Time Warner Center; Charlotte knew they were headed to the Museum Art and Design building that housed the fabulous Robert’s Restaurant on the ninth floor.
“You have reservations at Robert’s?” asked Charlotte so excitedly.
“Happy belated Valentine’s Day,” smiled Aaron.
“That must have been one impressive article you wrote Mr. Baker.” Charlotte threw her arms enthusiastically around him.
“Now that’s the reaction I was hoping for,” laughed Aaron.
When the elevator doors opened on the ninth floor, both Aaron and Charlotte were spellbound. Classical music was softly playing. The restaurant was magical, the interior walls were ceiling to floor windows, the soft lightening accented with the flashy fluorescent touches worked. The tables that were facing the windows were draped in white linen and looking out of the windows, the view was spectacular.
Aaron gave the maître d’ his name. The man smiled acknowledgement and led the beautifully dressed couple to one of his best tables. Charlotte couldn’t quite take it all in as she watched the snow falling outside and cars circling the statue of Christopher Columbus almost in time with the music being played.
Seated at their table, Charlotte continued to be mesmerized by the falling snow, the music, the lightening, and the ambience of the room. A waiter asked if he could take their drink orders as he handed them their menus.
“Darling,” asked Aaron. “Do you mind if I order for you? Since I had nothing to do for the last several evenings, I perused the menu online.”
Charlotte laughed and closed her menu. “Be my guest. I think you know what I like and dislike.”
Aaron smiled and had the waiter bring them both a Mad Manhattan. Charlotte loved the pretty drink topped with Amarena cherries, but after a couple of sips, it went right to her head. She was tired after a long day of traveling, but slowly the excitement of the evening was reviving her. She was so happy to be here with Aaron.
After the waiter delivered their drinks, Aaron ordered Beet Salads with goat cheese and orange vinaigrette, the Scottish Salmon with zucchini and butternut squash, and a bottle of Wente Chardonnay, California 2014. Charlotte nodded her pleasure in his selections as she grabbed a roll and buttered it so she wouldn’t fall asleep at their table.
Several men approached their table with a comment or two on Aaron’s latest New York Time’s article. Charlotte was so proud of Aaron. He was doing what he loved and becoming a huge success at it. Later, the waiter came to refill their water glasses, and he noticed that Charlotte was only eating the vegetables and not much of her salmon.
“Something wrong with the salmon, Miss?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m not much of a fan of raw fish.”
“Yes,” added Aaron, “Madame likes her fish overcooked.”
The waiter scooped up Charlotte’s plate and took it back to the kitchen. Shortly, he returned bringing her dinner back. The salmon was now cooked to perfection, replated, and with an extra serving of the butternut squash that Charlotte had been enjoying.
Charlotte leaned over to whisper to Aaron, “Mr. Baker, you certainly can pick elegant restaurants.”
Soon the recorded music stopped, and a man dressed in a tux approached the piano. He sat down and began to play. Charlotte thought the recorded music added ambience to the evening, but this musician brought tears to her eyes.
Aaron leaned over to whisper to Charlotte, “This young man’s name is Can Olgun from Germany. He just released a new CD with the quartet with whom he also performs. I was going to try and get you his new CD, but I ran out of time. We can download some of the songs from iTunes when we get home.”
“That would be perfect. I would love to add some of his songs to my playlist. I can just imagine listening to his music as I run through Central Park tomorrow morning.”
Aaron laughed, as he looked out of the window at all the snow that had accumulated since they had entered the restaurant, “I don’t think we will be running through Central Park tomorrow.” He pointed to the statue of Christopher Columbus blanketed with snow.
“Oh, my,” laughed Charlotte. “I hadn’t noticed. It is beautiful, isn’t it?”
When the waiter took away the dinner plates, Aaron ordered a Mango Napoleon to share. Charlotte sighed as she sipped her wine. She was stuffed; it was a delicious meal, but she would take a couple of tastes of the dessert to please Aaron. While they were waiting, Aaron reached over and took Charlotte’s left hand.
“Charley,” he said as he stroked her ring finger. “We are so perfect together. Never have I been so much in love or so happy with anyone. Maybe it’s time to move our relationship to the next level, to make this living arrangement permanent.”
“I agree,” Charlotte smiled as she moved her hand to her lap. “But I’m not sure we are ready to move on just yet. We are still getting to know each other, and I don’t want to rush into a commitment. I love you, Aaron, and there is no reason to jump to the next step. Let’s be sure.”
A flash of anger creased Aaron’s face, but then he smiled, “Of course. Let’s take it slow and easy; we both have issues with our previous spouses. I just don’t want to lose you.”
Charlotte took his hand, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Aaron calmed down as they brought the dessert and two spoons.
Besides, I want to discuss counseling and your anger issues before we take the next stop, thought Charlotte. However, I don’t want to spoil the evening by going into anything heavy tonight.
“This dessert is heavenly,” she said as she took another spoonful. “Is that mango custard and blueberries?”
“Yes, I’m so happy my menu selections are making you happy.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The Payments
March 2017
While Alexis was working, Marcus came home from work a little early. He looked over Alexis 403b retirement fund, but decided it was too complicated to take money out of it. His 403b account wasn’t worth very much, and the penalties would wipe it out. What is wrong with me? Marcus thought as he backed out of his wife’s account. How could I even consider stealing from Alexis’s retirement account? He hit his forehead with an open hand. Dealing with Eric and the investors is making me a crazy man. Besides if Anthony and his goons make Alexis a widow, she’ll need her all the money in her retirement account.<
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If he didn’t pay his student loan this month, that would help and then he looked at his prize possession, the Porsche Titanium Aviator sunglasses that Alexis had bought him when they were on their honeymoon. He knew how much she had paid for them, and he was surprised how much they had gone up in value. He felt he had no choice. He listed them on eBay and tried to think of a good excuse to give Alexis when she noticed they were gone.
Eric went back to his mother’s house while she was at her weekly bridge game to see if there was anything else he could sell that she might not miss. He took some Waterford crystal vases, delicate china bowls, and an antique lamp that she kept wrapped up in the garage. To his dismay, after listing these items on eBay and Craig’s List, he didn’t get one inquiry. He wrapped everything up and took them to a reputable Antique Shop in Scottsdale. There he learned that the antique market had crashed. Today’s buyers aren’t interested in old things, no matter how much they are worth. Eric would sneak the crystal, china, and lamp back to their proper places during next week’s bridge game.
Eric resorted to creatively “cooking” the books in his office one more time. He worried he wouldn’t have enough time to replace the money when the mandatory yearly audit was done in May. Surely, the weather will have cleared by then, and Murdock will have given us back our $90,000 before then. Not a religious man, Eric said a quick prayer.
Then Eric called Jacob his former college roommate. Jacob worked for a large bank and had walked Eric through the process of obtaining a homeowner’s line of credit several years ago. Back then it was so easy and Jacob patted him on the back saying, “You and Betsy are smart to put your home equity to work to build your new business. It will just keep paying you back and end up costing you nothing.”
However, this time Jacob didn’t answer his phone, and Eric left a message.
Several days later, Jacob called back and Eric asked for help in getting an extension on his line of credit.
Eric explained, “I only need it as a bridge loan for a month or so, then I can pay it back.”
Jacob hesitated, “You need an extension, Eric? Wow, I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. Back in the early 2000, it was a piece of cake, but today a line of credit is only given to people with really great credit.”
“In other words, you can only get a loan if you are wealthy enough not to need it?”
“Pretty much. Sorry, Eric. Good luck.”
When Eric got home he pulled out his laptop and started searching. He was depressed, and he wanted out of his current situation. He pulled up “suicide” which led him to “how to make a suicide look like a natural death.” He started reading the suggestions. This might be a way out. When he first opened his insurance business, he had taken out a $750,000 term policy on himself. That would provide for Betsy in the event of his death, but the policy had a clause that death by suicide would invalidate it. The website had given him a couple of ideas, ideas that could easily be put into play. He carefully erased all his search history before closing down his computer.
Each month the brothers were getting more desperate as their loan to Anthony loomed over them as well as paying back the loan on their mother’s home. They couldn’t default on either loan.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The Relationship
Charlotte and Aaron woke up to an unusually warm day for the beginning of March. It was a Sunday, and they decided to take a run through Central Park and treat themselves to breakfast at one of their favorite local restaurants. Charlotte was happy her life was going so smoothly. Aaron had been the perfect boyfriend ever since she returned from her trip to Phoenix. Charlotte loved her job at the magazine, and Aaron was in demand for his explosive and detailed articles. The New York Times had even hinted about hiring him and perhaps offering him his own column.
While Aaron was in the shower, Charlotte quickly dressed in her running outfit, poured herself a cup of coffee, and sat out on their patio. How funny, she thought, living my whole life in Arizona where outdoor space is almost unlimited, this tiny patio off our apartment is more precious and probably cost more than an acre of land in expensive Scottsdale. The space only allowed room for two patio chairs and a small table. Charlotte had added two big large pots in each corner where she would plant flowers later in the spring. Aaron had surprised Charlotte with the purchase of the patio furniture when she returned from work last fall. She was thrilled, and they both enjoyed spending time sitting outside, weather permitting.
This tiny space was Charlotte’s favorite place to sit and think. Leaning against the guardrail, she stretched her neck to see the Empire State Building. She smiled because that glimpse confirmed that she was really living in the Big Apple.
Charlotte looked around the luxurious apartment and loved the changes that Aaron had made. One Saturday afternoon when they were returning from weekly errands, they spotted a furniture store that had just opened. Charlotte asked if they could look around before going home.
“Charley, you are developing very exquisite taste,” teased Aaron. “I read about this store in Sunday’s New York Times, and it warned patrons the furniture’s sticker shock could cause damage to your heart.”
“Oh, Aaron,” Charlotte exclaimed. “I don’t want to buy anything; I just love looking at well-made furniture. Hanging around my stepmother taught me to appreciate the finer things in life.”
Of course, they both fell in love with a large, well-crafted sofa that would fit perfectly in Aaron’s great room. When Charlotte looked at the hidden price tag, she discreetly walked away and looked at another item. That sofa cost more than she what had paid for the last new car she had purchased. After returning home from that romantic dinner at Robert’s Restaurant, Charlotte was shocked to see that gorgeous sofa was sitting in Aaron’s apartment with a huge white bow on the back.
“Surprise, darling,” Aaron said as he raised his arms. “I knew you loved it, and I want you to have things that make you happy. I want you to feel completely at home in this apartment.”
Charlotte rushed into his open arms, thrilled beyond belief.
Every day since coming back to New York, Charlotte would sit outside on the tiny patio and think about the decision involving the fight for her daughter’s custody. Christopher was a good man, and he took good care of Ashley, but Charlotte was her mother and she desperately missed her daughter. Charlotte loved Aaron deeply, but knew he didn’t want to be a stepfather to her little girl. If she chose her daughter, she would have to move back to Phoenix, find a job and a place to live. She would have to leave Aaron, her esteemed job, and this amazing lifestyle.
“Are you ready to run?” Aaron said interrupting her thoughts.
“Yes, let’s go before the sunshine turns to snow again.”
“I’m already thinking about the breakfast I’m going to order at Sam’s Place when we’re done.”
On Monday afternoon, Charlotte told her boss she would be late coming in on Tuesday. She fabricated a dentist appointment. Charlotte had made her decision.
Aaron left early for an interview with the new Ambassador at the United Nations, Nikki Haley. He was excited about this latest assignment from Time Magazine. He enjoyed the challenge and liberty of working for several news medias. The offer from the New York Times was flattering, but he enjoyed diversity and the freedom to select which articles he wanted to research and write. Since he didn’t need a steady income, he could afford to be picky. However, lately, his income from writing had increased substantially.
It was nine in the morning in New York, six in Phoenix, after kissing Aaron good-bye and pouring herself a second cup of coffee; Charlotte called Christopher.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
The Art Exhibit
On March 10, Pablo flew into Phoenix. Reservations had been made at a hotel close to the Art Museum. Pablo called Alexis and invited her and Marcus to meet him for dinner that evening. Alexis was surprised when she walked in Durant’s Steakhouse and saw him. Sitting at the table
waving to her was a clean-cut young man with a stylish haircut and voguish pants and a tasteful shirt. Alexis hugged her Florida friend and introduced her husband. Again, Marcus was in a bad mood, giving only one-word answers and not contributing to the conversation. The waiter quickly took their drink orders as he handed out the menus.
“It is so good to see you, Alexis; you look wonderful.” Pablo said as he raised his glass of wine to his friend.
To her husband, he said. “I know how much you must have missed your wife when she was in Florida, but I have a feeling it will all pay off. Through her Key West contacts, Alexis found one of the best book agents in New York.”
Ignoring her husband’s lack of conversation, Alexis raised her glass in a toast to Pablo. “Thanks, Pablo. Yes, Beth’s uncle has been wonderful. He is very exacting, but he has taken my little story and forced me to make it even better.”
After taking a sip, Alexis asked Pablo, “Tell me about this art museum in Key West and all the wonderful things that have been happening in your life.”
“Well,” began Pablo. “First of all, I love where I’m staying. When the museum closes in the evening, it’s very quiet and I’m able to meditate in my own apartment. I’ve even learned how to cook some of my own meals. I spend my days painting and meeting with the visitors. At first I was afraid the tourists would be obnoxious, but I guess people who visit museums on their vacation aren’t your typical annoying tourists. Most just quietly watch and others will usually ask very intelligent questions.”
“You look wonderful, Pablo. I’m sure your parents were happy to see you looking so well when you visited over Christmas?”
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