Fallen Angel, Part 1

by Podger, Tracie

  “Sam, let’s just keep things quiet and small.”

  He turned to me and said, “If he had his way it would the celebrity wedding of the year.”

  “Well, let’s at least make a guest list, we can tone it down from there,” I said.

  I grabbed some paper and we started to write names. Top of the list was Robert and I and the heads of Vassago.

  “Have you set a date?” Gabby asked.

  “Well, I was thinking just before Christmas, we can then take off for a few days, use the Christmas break time,” Scott said.

  A date of twenty-first of December was set. It was a Friday but with Christmas only a few days after it would make a lovely start to the festivities.

  “Now we’ve just got to find a venue,” I said. “Have you thought of anywhere yet?”

  “What about one of the hotels, one that Vassago owns. We might get a discount as well,” Gabby said. “I know one of the managers, perhaps I could ask for you.”

  Sam clapped his hands together. “Oh, fantastic idea, what do you think Scott?”

  We agreed on a location and Gabby started to make her own list, the date, and the venue and copied down the names of the guests. I did wonder why she needed all that, but getting caught up in the excitement, I didn’t worry about it.

  With enough to keep us going for the next week it was time to leave. Gabby and I made our way downstairs. I’d sent a text to Mark who would be waiting for me and when we opened the front door, I asked Gabby if she needed a lift anywhere.

  “Do you always get driven about?” she asked.

  “Mostly, convenience I guess, saves me having to get cabs everywhere,” I replied.

  She chose to walk, she didn’t live too far away, and I got into the car.

  “Good night, Brooke?” Mark asked as we headed for home. His question surprised me.

  “It was, but I worry for Scott. If Sam had his way, their blessing would be all pink and fluffy,” I laughed.

  I found Robert sitting at the bar with a glass of wine in his hand, and throwing my arms around his neck, I kissed him hello. I told him of the grand blessing plans and mentioned one of the hotels as a location. I asked him to check his diary for December; I wanted to be sure he would be free to come with me.

  “Okay I’ll check,” he said.

  “Travis and I spoke to Gina. She was shocked when I showed her what was in the envelope she’d left on the desk. She didn’t deny that she had put the envelope there and said that it was Miranda who’d given it to her. I asked why she hadn’t opened it and she said that she was told it was just a breakdown of how the donation Vassago gave to the museum had been used. She’d believed Miranda, she’s her friend and didn’t question it.”

  “What about the fact that she had come to your office?” I asked.

  “Well, apparently Miranda has visited before, to meet Gina for lunch, and knowing that I wouldn’t be happy about it she kept quiet. I get the impression that Gina feels a bit used and knowing her as I do, I think she’s telling the truth. So, we can put that one to bed. And talking of bed…” he said, a slow smile crept across his lips.

  Walking down the stairs to the bedroom, I asked, “Are you going to speak to Miranda about it?”

  “No, I’ve no doubt that Gina will. Sometimes no response is the best response,” he said.

  Later as I lay in his arms after an hour of lovemaking, I remembered the conversation with my boss.

  “You know I said I wanted to pay you back for the dress? Well, it might take a little longer than I thought. I think I’m about to lose my job,” I said sadly.

  “That’s not such a bad thing, but I spoke with immigration today and you stand a better chance of staying if you work here. You know there’s always a job with me.”

  “I don’t want to do that though, it’s hard enough with everyone ignoring me because we’re dating, without me being employed by you. I don’t want you to create a job just for me.”

  “Let’s talk about it in the morning, at least let me speak with Jonathan. Trust me, I don’t do the hiring and he won’t take you on just for my sake.”

  “You own the company, don’t you get a say in who works there?” I asked.

  “Of course I do, I get the overall say, but I have a board of shareholders as well. I own sixty percent of the company; the guys you met on Saturday own the remainder. I gave them shares some time ago to thank them for their loyalty. Everything that goes on is a joint decision but out of respect, I leave them to hire their own teams.”

  That answered the question to the comment Mack made when we were dancing. He’d told me that Robert had made them all successful, being a shareholder would do that I guessed.

  ****

  The following morning I woke to see Robert looking at me.

  “Happy birthday baby,” he said.

  I smiled as his lips found mine, and his fingers trailed down my stomach.

  “You’re always so ready for me,” he said as his fingers probed and his mouth found my nipple.

  Climbing on top of me, our fingers entwined and he held my hands above my head. He pushed inside me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and rocked my hips against him, bringing us both to a lovely quick morning orgasm.

  “That’s just for starters,” he whispered in my ear before heading for the shower.

  I joined him and asked when the main course was.

  “Later, and don’t make plans for tonight,” he said.

  He had to leave for an early meeting, Travis would return to collect me at my usual time.

  That was new and exciting; birthdays were normally a boring affair for me. Sam was the only one ever excited about our birthdays. Previously, I would get up and if Michael had remembered, there might be a card, maybe some flowers from the local petrol station with the price tag still on, then the pub and a curry. Sam and I had made a pact years ago, we didn’t do gifts or send cards, we wanted memories not presents.

  Once showered and dressed, I walked up the stairs. Evelyn was pottering around the kitchen and I noticed the most amazing arrangement of flowers. White lilies and red orchids were arranged in a beautiful glass vase with a small card propped against it.

  “Happy Birthday, Brooke,” Evelyn said, pulling me into a hug.

  “Now what can I get you for breakfast?” she asked.

  “Thank you, and just some toast will be fine,” I replied whilst opening the envelope.

  I pulled out a small white embossed card.

  Brooke, dinner, seven o’clock. Robert

  I laughed, it was nearly the same words he had used to invite me out the first time, certainly the same method. I smelled the flowers; they filled the room with a wonderful scent. I knew he would be in his meeting right now but I sent him a text.

  “Thank you, the flowers are beautiful.”

  I sat with my toast and tea, “Robert told me about his aunt on Sunday,” I told Evelyn.

  “I know, he said, how do you feel about it?” she asked.

  “I don’t really know to tell you the truth. I was a bit shocked but I think I understand why it didn’t bother him, he must have been such a traumatised child.”

  “Yes, you’re probably right. I’m glad you’re here, Brooke. I can’t believe the change in him in such a short time. You’re so good for him and it’s great to see him having some fun, some normality.”

  “I did want to talk to you about that, I mean I feel awkward, you picking up after me.”

  She laughed, “Don’t be, it’s what I do. I enjoy looking after people.”

  Travis arrived and wished me a happy birthday before we left for work. It was strange not travelling with Robert and I missed him. After the conversation with my boss I was still feeling a little unsettled. I decided I would call and offer my resignation; it wasn’t fair. I knew how desperately he needed the clients, the economy was still on a slide back home, and I didn’t want to put any more pressure on his shoulders than necessary.

  When I arrived at m
y desk, I was stunned to see yet another arrangement of flowers.

  “Did you do this,” I mouthed over to Sam.

  He shook his head and pointed upstairs with eyebrows raised. That was really going to help me with these people should I get to work at Vassago, flowers from the boss.

  I made my way through my emails, informing people that I was taking an extended leave. I assured them they would be in good hands with Dan, someone I had trained myself, and who was more than familiar with the accounts I handled. I would leave it to Greg to let them know I was leaving in a month or so. I wanted them to get used to Dan while they thought I was still in the background. I signalled to Sam to meet me in the kitchen and told him that I was just about to quit my job.

  “Surely Robert will take you on here,” he said. “Brooke, it will be so much fun, working together, be like we were back in college.”

  “Robert doesn’t do the hiring, each division head does, and I can’t just expect a job, that would be wrong. Anyway, keep it to yourself for a while until I sort something out. Also, I want you to come somewhere lunch time with me, I want to get a present for Robert.”

  While I was in the kitchen I made that call to Greg. I explained what I’d done, and then I tendered my resignation. He thanked me for doing that, he seemed relieved and I understood that had I not resigned, I was out anyway. I didn’t blame him; he was being fair enough to pay me until the end of the month plus any unused holiday time. Sam and I calculated, I had a little spending money left, a months wages then perhaps a week on top, no more than a couple of thousand pounds. I had a credit card bill to pay and half of the last months rent on the house. I would be left with half, not much to tie me over at all.

  I sent a quick text to Robert asking him if he had five minutes, I really needed a hug right then. He told me to come on up, he had Mack with him but would be done shortly. I stood in the lift and felt a little anxious. I didn’t particularly want to hang around outside his office with Gina, but as the doors opened and she looked up, she smiled and stood.

  “Brooke, good to see you again,” she said.

  I was taken by surprise remembering her frosty reception last time we met.

  “Hi Gina, is Robert free?” I asked, and then wondered if I ought to have referred to him as Mr. Stone.

  “No, he has Mack with him, but I know they’re just finishing up, would you like tea?” she asked.

  I smiled, she was making an effort, and she probably knew I knew about the photo and the Miranda thing.

  “I can get it, I’ll get you a drink as well,” I said, it was her turn to be surprised.

  “Oh, well yes, I’ll help you. I’ll have a cup of tea as well.”

  Once made, I handed her a cup and for a moment we just stood sipping our tea in the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry about Miranda, Brooke,” she said.

  “I know about the photo too, Robert showed it to me. But you shouldn’t worry, there’s no harm done.”

  “Oh, God, I promise you, if I’d have known what was in that envelope I would not have left it for Mr. Stone to find. To be honest I was terrified I was going to lose my job. I haven’t spoken to Miranda since. She’s just so in love with him she can’t get it that he isn’t interested. She thinks that when he dumps the latest one she can get back with him and I think when she saw you guys at the dinner she realised she didn’t stand a chance.”

  We made our way out to the reception area and continued to talk.

  “Had they been together long?” I asked.

  “Well, that’s the stupid thing, not really. They were pretty much on and off. I guess if Mr. Stone needed an escort he would call Miranda. I don’t want to talk out of turn but he did kind of pick her up and drop her when he wanted,” she whispered.

  “Please, don’t say I said that, I’m just trying to get my head around why she would send a photo like that and use me to deliver it.”

  I chuckled, “Gina, escort in the UK means hooker.”

  “Maybe that’s what she was as well,” she replied, and we both laughed as Robert and Mack left his office.

  “Brooke, good to see you again. Taylor is asking after you all the time. Now don’t you forget about the fashion thing, she would have my balls if I didn’t remind you,” Mack said.

  “I haven’t forgotten don’t worry, I’ll call her later and reassure her.”

  He nodded at Gina and made his way out. I followed Robert into his office and closed the door behind me.

  “Am I disturbing you?” I asked.

  “Always, now what’s up?”

  “I just lost my job, well technically I resigned. I just need a hug, that’s all,” I said sadly.

  He pulled me into his arms, “I’m glad you lost your job,” he said, “Jonathan wants to chat to you, and once we sort your permits he might have something interesting.”

  “Thank you for my other flowers by the way, although you haven’t done me any favours by doing that.”

  He looked at me, not understanding.

  “The flowers on my desk, I assumed they were from you,” I said.

  “No, I wouldn’t do that. It would make it awkward for you, for sure. Was there a card?” he asked.

  “You know, I don’t know. I just got on with work, shall I go and look?”

  “No, stay here,” he popped his head around his door.

  “Gina, there are some flowers left on Brooke’s desk, could you get them.” Before I could say anything, he added, “Please.”

  She arrived back a little later and placed them on the desk, I saw a card. I opened it. It was a standard flower shop card with one word written on it.

  Whore.

  My hand flew to my mouth and Robert snatched the card from me. He reached for his phone and called in Travis.

  He handed the card to Gina. “Is this Miranda’s writing?” he asked.

  She gasped when she saw it. “No way, look I know the photograph was dumb but she wouldn’t do that. She wanted to get back at you, not Brooke.”

  Travis took the card. “My guess is someone has phoned through an order, probably got the florist to write the card and deliver it. I’ll call them, there’s an address on the back and think about it, whoever did this is pretty stupid, there’ll be a trace.”

  “Travis, don’t go to the bother, I can guess who it’s from,” I looked at Robert, he understood, although how he got the address here baffled me.

  My last call with Michael ended with him calling me a whore and it was my birthday, perhaps I’d hurt him more than I thought. He took the card anyway and Gina returned to her desk with the flowers. I didn’t want them but it was shame to throw them away.

  “Happy birthday to me,” I said, smiling sadly.

  “Come here,” he said and I snuggled into him.

  “I have a surprise for you later don’t forget, and if I didn’t have a very important meeting in half an hour, you would be getting your main course right now.”

  I laughed. “That’s not fair, saying things like that then turning me away,” I said as the tip of my tongue licked across his lips.

  “Can we have sex across your desk one day?” I whispered into his mouth and that comment earned me a deep, teeth clashing, lip biting kiss from him.

  “Now go, Jonathan wants to see you and I need five minutes to cool down,” he said, ushering me to the door.

  As I walked out and smiled my goodbye to Gina, I heard, “Brooke, that proposition, be here at five.”

  “Yes, sir,” I replied, saluting.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jonathan’s office was in the same corner as Robert’s but a floor down and with the glass wall along two sides, giving a view of Washington to die for. I gently knocked on the door having been told to go straight through by his secretary before opening it. He was on the phone but waved me in anyway. I sat and tried not to listen, I looked around his office and at the pictures of his family on the wall.

  “Brooke, Robert tells me you are soon to be unemployed,” he
said, when he’d finished his call.

  “Jonathan, I’ve told Robert I don’t think it’s a good idea me working here, it has been uncomfortable so far. No disrespect to your team but they haven’t been the friendliest, other than Sam and Gabby of course. I don’t want a job created for me, I have to try to find one on my own merits.”

  He held up his hand to silence me.

  “You’ll face problems no matter where you go. It’s very public that you’re with Robert and believe me, you’ll find it hard to get a job elsewhere for the same reasons you won’t make friends with these guys.”

  Oh, so not what I was expecting to hear. “I don’t understand,” I said.

  He slid a newspaper towards me. On the front page was a photograph of Robert and me entering the museum for the ball on Saturday.

  “Robert is a very powerful man in this city, Brooke. No one will employ you once they realise who you are because they’ll be worried, like those out there, that you’re a plant. Part of what we do is buy and sell companies, sometimes without the complete cooperation of the owner or major shareholders.”

  “Can you do that?” I asked.

  “Yes, it’s quite common. If there is a company that, say, is a threat to one of ours, we may approach all the smaller shareholders, buy their stock, and eventually take over. An ailing business for example. We might go in, take it over for the price of its debts, strip it bare and sell off the bits or put a team in and run it ourselves.”

  “Oh balls,” I said. “I wonder where that leaves me, work wise.”

  “Where it leaves you, is with one option. Now you can’t work until your permits are arranged, that will take a couple of months at least. For now, have your holiday. Vassago Corporation is only a holding company; in turn it owns many others. Some of those companies come with a little history, perhaps they have a terrible customer satisfaction record or such like, we don’t want to be immediately associated with them. We need someone who can boost the profile of those companies, perhaps have them ready to sell on or bring into the group.”

  He continued, “I’ve spoken with your old boss. He’s told me of some of your work, detailed your clients. They’re high profile enough to show me that you have the talent I’m looking for. You can select two people from the team to join you, I don’t recommend it be Sam though and you’ll work from this floor, although I have plans to create a slightly separate area. Some of the businesses we have, that are outside the group, are a little sensitive and you may need to be discrete.”