Five Star Attraction

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Ari’s thoughts centered on Natasha; he couldn’t understand how she evoked feelings he thought long dead. The way she looked at him, even when he felt the heat of her frustration…she affected him deeply, and it bothered him.

  I don’t trust her.

  She was loyal to Robert. Did that mean she was just as loyal to the rest of his family?

  Natasha was glad to be home. She kicked off her shoes as soon as she entered the trendy three-bedroom condo. Natasha removed her jacket next.

  A full-figured woman wearing a T-shirt and jeans came down the stairs carrying an empty glass.

  Natasha smiled. “How did today go, Monica?”

  “It was a good day,” she responded with a smile.

  They talked for a few minutes before Natasha headed upstairs to a bedroom. She entered the room. “Hey, you,” she greeted.

  A little boy sitting at a desk in front of a computer looked up and grinned. “Mommy, you’re home.”

  “I sure am. Nurse Monica told me that you had a good day.” Joshua was her pride and joy. Natasha tickled his ears.

  He giggled. “I did.”

  “How was class today?” she asked. Her six-year-old son had leukemia, and for the moment he was in remission. He wasn’t able to go to school because his blood counts were low, putting him at risk for infection. Joshua was able to keep up with his friends and class work via satellite.

  “Kinda boring,” Joshua responded. “I have homework to do.”

  “Is that what you’re working on?”

  Joshua nodded. “I have to write a story about a fish.”

  She gave him a sidelong glance. “You love fish, don’t you?”

  “But I don’t want to write about a fish,” Joshua stated. “I want to write a story about football.”

  “Well, why don’t you email Mrs. Terry and ask if you can do that?” Natasha suggested.

  He smiled. “Okay, I will.”

  He had been looking forward to playing football this summer with a Pop Warner league. He was finally old enough for the flag football team that practiced at the park a block away from their building. But in a cruel twist of fate, Joshua was diagnosed with leukemia.

  She hugged him. “I love you, Joshua.”

  “I love you more.”

  “You work on that email to your teacher while I change into something comfortable.”

  “Can we have spaghetti for dinner?” Joshua asked.

  “We sure can,” she responded with a grin. Joshua loved spaghetti and would eat it every night if she let him.

  Natasha stood in the doorway of his room, gazing at him. When Joshua was diagnosed a few months ago, his doctor had informed her that he needed to be out of school for one to three years because the chemotherapy treatments would compromise his immune system. It didn’t take much for Joshua to get sick. Just last week, they had to run back and forth to the hospital because Joshua kept running a temperature.

  She’d exhausted her savings just to hire Monica so that Joshua had a full-time nurse. Her insurance hadn’t made a dent in the mountain of medical bills sitting on her desk. Robert fell ill a month before she received Joshua’s diagnosis, so she hadn’t confided in him. She was grateful for the ten thousand he left for her, but that wouldn’t cover future treatments. When Harold approached her with the offer to pay the medical bills in full, she’d jumped at the opportunity. Nothing was more important to her than Joshua.

  Chapter 4

  “So, this is where Robert spent his final days,” Ari said when they ventured into the master bedroom. “This place looks fit for a king.”

  Malcolm glanced around the large bedroom. “I guess to some, Robert DePaul was a king.”

  Ari navigated around the bedroom. “Dad, this is spectacular. This closet is big enough to make me dizzy, and there’s another room in here with a washer and dryer.”

  Malcolm frowned. “A washer and dryer in the bedroom? I’ve never heard of such.”

  “I guess they make bedrooms more functional out here in California. If I had a bedroom like this, I could get a whole day’s work done without ever leaving the room.”

  Ari strolled into another room. “There is a subzero freezer and fridge in here, too. This definitely works for me.”

  “And to think, all your mother and I ever dreamed of having in our bedroom is a fireplace,” Malcolm said.

  “Well, now you have two fireplaces, a wide-screen television and a waterfall in the shower built for two.” Ari walked over to his father and said, “Dad, I hope you and Mom know what to do with all this stuff.”

  Malcolm grinned. “Don’t worry about us, son. I’m sure we could figure it out.”

  “Dad, you and Mom deserve to live like this. You two have worked so hard for the family. I’m glad Robert left his estate to you. It was the right thing to do, but also he made the right decision. You will bring nothing but honor to his legacy.”

  The two men embraced.

  Malcolm stifled a yawn. “I don’t know about you, but I’m still on East Coast time. I’m beat.”

  “I am, too,” Ari said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He left the master suite and walked across the hall where he would be sleeping. His suite was not as opulent as the bedroom his father was in, but it was the largest guest room Ari had ever been in. His master retreat at home was a nice size but definitely not this big.

  Ari made his way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. “You can fit two people in this one, too,” he whispered. “Man, this is nice.”

  He showered, slipped into a pair of pajamas and settled down in the sitting room to watch television. A picture of April formed in Ari’s mind.

  She’s smiling. This must mean that she’s happy and at peace.

  Ari missed her dearly. He touched the wedding band on his finger as his heart grieved the loss of the only woman he had ever loved. He often wondered if he would ever feel such emotion for another person again.

  Another image formed.

  His breath caught as Natasha’s faced loomed in his mind. Ari shook his head as if trying to shake the likeness of her out of his mind. How could she control his thoughts like this? Everything about Natasha disturbed him.

  After a dinner of spaghetti and turkey meatballs, Natasha helped Joshua with his homework and then read him a story. Joshua had complained of feeling tired afterward, so he had gone straight to bed.

  Natasha settled down in her den and opened a novel. She found it hard to concentrate on reading. Ari Alexander and his father dominated her thoughts. They didn’t have the experience needed to manage luxury properties like the DePaul Hotel Group. Why can’t Ari see that?

  Harold had worked under Robert’s tutelage since college. He was more qualified, and he was Robert’s nephew. But Malcolm Alexander was Robert’s son.

  “This is such a mess,” she whispered. It was too bad they couldn’t find some way to work together. Harold had been the one balking at the very thought of joining forces with Malcolm. He wanted all of Robert’s assets retained in their family.

  Natasha wasn’t sure how this situation was going to turn out, but she prayed for a positive outcome. She liked and respected Malcolm Alexander. His son Ari was another story, however.

  Those deep, penetrating eyes of his seemed to look right through Natasha. His gaze was uncomfortable and kept her on the defensive.

  He thinks I’m trying to cheat his father out of his fortune, but I’m protecting him, Natasha kept telling herself. Besides, this really has nothing to do with Ari. It’s Malcolm’s decision. Enough about Ari, she silently chided. He’s a married man and after tomorrow, I probably won’t ever see him again.

  Natasha stifled a yawn. She was exhausted, but it was much too early for her to go to bed.

  She rose to her feet and made her way to her son’s room.

  Joshua was asleep.

  Natasha stood there, watching him. She was so proud of her little angel. Since finding out about the leukemia, Joshua had exhibi
ted nothing but courage, even at his weakest.

  Whenever he went in to have chemo, Joshua was always the one trying to cheer up the others who were scared or sobbing. He liked to make cards for the other children in the hospital, or take them candy.

  Natasha felt something wet on her cheeks. She hadn’t realized she was crying. She wiped her face on the back of her hands and then eased the door shut. She quietly made her way to her bedroom and turned on the monitor. It gave her comfort, knowing that she could hear her son cry out if he needed her.

  The telephone rang.

  She saw her sister’s name on the caller ID and picked up the receiver.

  “Natalie,” she said into the phone. “It’s about time you called me back. Mama’s been driving me crazy about your engagement dinner. Remember how she was when Nathan got married? Well, she is even worse now.” She glanced over at a photo of the three of them. They were triplets and very close.

  Her sister laughed. “I’m sorry. My caseload is really heavy right now. I’ve been trying to clear my desk before the wedding.”

  “I understand, but our mother doesn’t. You know she wants everything to be perfect.”

  “It will be,” Natalie responded. “She just needs to relax. How’s my little sweetie?”

  “He had a good day today, sis. He was tired after dinner, so I sent him to bed.”

  “I know deep down that Joshua is going to be fine,” Natalie stated. “Just let me know if I can help you with money, doctors…anything.”

  “We are going to be fine, I think,” Natasha said. “I feel so much better having a full-time nurse caring for him when I’m not here.”

  “That has to be expensive.”

  “It is,” Natasha confirmed. “But I’ll do whatever I have to do for Joshua.”

  “Have you heard from his father?” her sister asked.

  “No, and I don’t expect to hear from him. Natalie, the man that was supposed to love me forever…he left me for a stripper. Calvin never wanted to be a father, so when I got pregnant—that was the last straw for him.”

  “I never thought he was good enough for you, Natasha. You know I never liked him.”

  “I know. Back then I couldn’t understand why, but I do now.” She ran her fingers through her hair, fingering the curls. “Let’s talk about you. My sister’s getting married.”

  “I am,” she squealed on the other end of the line.

  “I’m really happy for you, Natalie, but I have to confess that I’m a tiny bit jealous. I want a happily ever after.”

  “You’re going to get yours,” Natalie assured her. “The right man is on his way to you.”

  An image of Ari formed in her mind, but Natasha shooed it away. He’s a married man, she silently screamed.

  “Natasha, you still here?”

  She forced her thoughts back to her conversation with her sister. “Yeah, I’m here.”

  They talked for almost two hours before Natasha said, “Natalie, I can’t wait to see you this weekend.” She glanced over at the clock and said, “Sweetie, I have a meeting tomorrow morning, so I need to get ready for bed.”

  “Give the munchkin a big hug for me.”

  “I will,” she promised.

  Natasha hung up the phone and then went to check on Joshua one more time. She sat down in the chair beside his bed, watching him as a smile tugged at her lips.

  Malcolm was in the kitchen pouring a cup of coffee when Ari walked out of the guest bedroom. “Want some?” he asked.

  “Sure,” Ari responded. “Where’s Chef Ricardo? I’m sure he’d have a fit to find you helping yourself to coffee. I think it’s impolite or something.”

  Smiling, Malcolm handed him a cup of steaming-hot coffee. “He offered, but I insisted on doing it myself. Ricardo left for a grocery run this morning. Apparently, he takes care of all of the shopping when it comes to the kitchen. He told me that he gets here at 7:00 a.m. and doesn’t leave until after seven in the evening. He has weekends off, however.”

  “How did you sleep?” Ari inquired.

  “I slept pretty good. Missed your mother, though.”

  “I still haven’t gotten used to sleeping without April.” A wild flash of grief ripped through him. “Dad, I miss her so much.”

  “She was a wonderful woman.” Malcolm took a sip of his coffee. “Oh, the food is already set up in the conference room. We’re going to have a working breakfast with Ira and Natasha.”

  “I don’t trust that woman,” Ari stated at the mention of Natasha’s name.

  “Get to know her, son, before you make any assumptions.”

  Ari eyed his father. “I know you, Dad. You don’t trust her any more than I do.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  Ari followed Franklin into the foyer and greeted Ira with a handshake.

  Natasha entered the elegantly appointed quarters a few minutes after Ira arrived. Ari felt his pulse involuntarily leap with excitement.

  She greeted everyone before saying to Ari, “Good morning. I really hope that we can find some common ground today.”

  He cleared his throat, pretending not to be affected by her. “My position hasn’t changed, Miss LeBlanc.”

  “I see.” She switched her purse from one side to the other. “Well, if you will excuse me, I need to speak to Ira before we get started.”

  Her perfume attacked his nostrils, casting a spell of seduction. His heartbeat throbbed in his ears. Ari couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away as Natasha made confident strides across the marble floor, her hips swaying gently as she walked.

  What is wrong with me?

  His pulse skittered alarmingly. Ari was knocked off guard by his response to Natasha. Never had he experienced anything so powerful. None of this made much sense to him. He took a few minutes to gather himself before joining the others in the conference room.

  Malcolm surveyed his face a moment before asking, “You all right, son?”

  Ari ignored the amused look on his father’s face and nodded. He sat down beside his father and across from Natasha.

  She looked up from the document she had been reading just as he took his seat, but she didn’t say a word.

  Ira closed the door to the conference room so that they wouldn’t be overheard. “I trust you and Ari slept well, Malcolm.”

  “We did,” they responded in unison.

  Natasha was the first to speak. “Mr. Alexander, I would like to offer my apologies if I said anything to offend you yesterday. It was not my intent. I had only hoped to offer advice on what should be done in regards to the hotel properties. I never meant to imply that you should rescind your rights to the rest of the estate.”

  “Miss LeBlanc, you will find that I am not easily offended,” Malcolm responded. “My son and I are anxious to return home, so we will make this quick. I am not prepared to make a decision today regarding the estate. When I get home, I intend to discuss it with the rest of my family. As soon as we decide what is best for our family and the DNA results are back, I will meet with you and Ira. You will know what we have decided at that time.”

  Ari silently noted that Natasha and Ira both looked surprised by his father’s response.

  After a moment, Natasha said, “I completely understand.” She pushed away from the table and said, “I look forward to our next meeting. Safe travels to you, Mr. Alexander, and to you, as well, Ari.” She checked her watch. “I have another appointment in an hour, so I really need to get going.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Ari stated as he rose to his feet.

  He waited until they were out of the conference room before saying, “It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss LeBlanc.” His heartbeat throbbed in his ears.

  She looked up at him. “Really?”

  They halted their steps. “You sound surprised.”

  “I am, because that’s not the impression I got from you.”

  He was struck speechless for a moment.

  Natasha flashed him a quick smile. “Ari, I re
ally hope you enjoyed your brief stay, but I’m sure you’re very anxious to get back to your family.” Her eyes traveled down to his left hand. “I look forward to hearing from your father.”

  Ari inhaled her intoxicating fragrance, savoring the light floral scent. “You have a good day, Miss LeBlanc.” He thought he detected a flicker of interest in her intense, warm brown eyes, but it was gone in a flash.

  After she was gone, he went into the guest bedroom to grab his overnight tote. Just as he entered the master bedroom to retrieve his father’s garment bag, a woman wearing a maid’s uniform walked in.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, looking panicked.

  Ari smiled. “You’re fine. I just came in to get this.”

  When he returned to the conference room, Ira and Malcolm had finished their discussion. Ira was putting documents into his attaché case.

  Franklin appeared in the doorway to announce, “The limo is waiting downstairs to take you to the plane. I wish you a safe journey.”

  Ari and his father said their goodbyes to Ricardo and to Franklin.

  They took the elevator down with Ira.

  “Dad, I really don’t think you should sell the hotel properties,” Ari said when they were on their way to the airport. “We are more than capable of successfully managing the chain, despite what Natasha LeBlanc believes.”

  “When we get home, we will sit down with the rest of the family to examine all of our options, son. We will make this decision together—the same we have always done.”

  Pleased, Ari closed his eyes and settled back against the lush leather seats in the back of the limo. He wished he had seen more of Los Angeles, but there was time. He would be back.

  Natasha LeBlanc would just have to accept that he was now a part of her world.

  “Mr. Chase, these are the primary areas found to be in need of attention,” Natasha began. “Inefficient service provided by undertrained and insufficient numbers of staff, poor levels of communication between management and ground staff, standard rooms and suites needing work, and the sports facilities were often unavailable due to an outdated booking system. However, on the positive side, this hotel had excellent food and a loyal sector of repeat customers aged sixty-plus.”