“Alice will only have a job in name only. She will draw a check, but she will not be allowed to handle any aspects of the business. The contract she signed has a clause specifying that exactly, word for word. She should be the least of your worries. But just in case she does become a problem, contact, Carlton.” “You’re the boss, and I will do as you stated. Thanks again for the opportunity and I guess I’ll go do my job and make us some more money.” That’s what I like about you, Gerry. You’re always thinking one step ahead of the game. Carlton will have your contracts ready for your signature after the holidays. I needed you here to witness and be informed of Alice’s deception.” “Okay, Patrick. I’ll check with you later this afternoon to let you know the status of the deliveries and how close we are to meeting the timeline that’s been set to get them completed. I know Alice was in charge of this project and I hope she didn’t screw things up.” “Let me know what you find out, but my guess is she didn’t want to give herself away that easily with clients calling about late deliveries.” Gerry nods his head in agreements, shakes both Patrick and Mr. Petawang hands again, smiles at Lovely and walks out of the office to resume his duties.
Patrick kisses Lovely needing to feel some normalcy. She smiles and hugs him tightly reassuring him everything is fine. Amanda waits patiently for the couple to finish their private moment and once Patrick turns her way she asks “Will you need me for anything else Mr. Alcoa before I return to my duties?” “No Amanda accept to let me know when you get the details to our meeting typed. I want to read over them and once they are finalized have the originals sent to Mr. Petawang including the USB drive they are saved on.” “Yes, sir. I will take care of it,” and she walks out of the office and back to her desk.
Patrick walks around his desk a second time to shake Carlton’s hand. “Thank you unc for always having my back. My family is going to be the death of me some day. I don’t understand why they try me the way they do.” “Patrick” Uncle Carl says “you weren’t supposed to succeed at making it on your own without your family’s help. Cardina and Henry thought when you married my niece, your marriage would be bad for your business with you all being an interracial couple. Plus they are still upset at your grandfather for leaving you the substantial trust fund and shares in the family company. You were their problem child since you learned to walk and didn’t consider you a threat. Henry Jr. and Alice trained to be followers from an early age. Cardina and Henry tried to get you on board but you were your own person with your own mind, and they found out early you couldn’t be controlled. It irks them so much they would rather see you fail than to succeed and they don’t care if it takes them doing underhanded things to make it happen. Now what I need for you to do is when the contract runs out stipulating the use of the company name and them receiving their ten percent of the quarterly profits you need to add “LTL Freight” to the title so they can no longer say you are a part of their company. You’ve built you own large client/customer base. You no longer need them. Let go before they do succeed in ruining you.”
“We are three steps ahead of you Carlton. I have the fleet undergoing a transformation as we speak. I’ve had Brooks and Dunn working on the name change as well. They are even working on finding a way to get out of the contract I signed without me having to pay them another dime of my profits.” “I’m happy to hear you are turning them loose altogether.” “Oh not completely. Once I get my hands back into running their business again and making it profitable, rest assure Mother and Father will no longer be the majority shareholders. But that another topic for another day.” “Just be careful Patrick. Just be careful.” “I will and thanks again for having my back” Patrick replies.
Uncle Carl looks at Lovely and asks “What are you doing here niece? I thought you were helping Maddy and Maggie today preparing things for the Christmas dinner?” “I am” Lovely admits. “But I felt in my heart Patrick needed me so I popped in to say hello and that I love him. I’ll be leaving soon to complete all the tasks I’ve been given to handle.” “Good deal Lovely. It was good to see you as well. I will see you both at your parents for Sunday dinner after we all attend church service.” “We will be in attendance for both” Patrick answers quickly as he and Lovely stand together embracing. “All right you two behave, and I will see you soon,” and he walks out of the office to head back to his.
Lovely looks longing at her husband and ask “Are you okay?” “I’m good. Remember I always thought it was suspect my sister wanting to move to Tennessee. But I never thought my family would try and sabotage my business.” “So are we still moving to New York?” “Oh yeah and I’m going to find out the reason why their branches of the company aren’t making any money as they were before. I know my parents show by their actions they don’t care about me, but I still want to try and have some type of relationship with them. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this if I didn’t have you by my side supporting me, babe. I like the way you had my back earlier with Lizzy. I love you Lovely Alena Stewart Alcoa more and more each and every day.” “I love you just as much Patrick, and we will get through any trials and adversity caused by your family and the world period. We are a team and always will be. I love you so much Patrick Joseph Alcoa.” “I love you too babe,” and they embrace passionately making out like teenagers before they separate and continue with their day.
CHAPTER 31
Tura notices an unfamiliar vehicle parked in Lena’s driveway piquing her curious nature and wants to know who Lena is spending time with. After parking and walking to her porch, she rings the doorbell waiting for Lena to let her inside. As the door opens to her surprise at the most gorgeous man she’s seen beside Gerry is standing in the door staring back at her. “Is Lena home?” “Yes, she is. You must be Tura” the stranger says with a Latin accent and immediately knows she’s in the presence of Lena’s Fahim.
She smiles and walks inside answering “Yes, I am and you must be Fahim.” “That would be me. It’s nice to put a face with the name.” “Same here” she answers back as they stand in the hallway. Being nosy she says “So you and my bestie must have worked through your obstacles.” “Yes, it seems we have. I hear you, and the obstacle in question are now in a committed relationship.” “Yes we are, and Gerry was never an obstacle Fahim. He and Lena are friends and nothing more!” Tura states, a bit taken aback by Fahim’s attitude. “Can I give you a little piece of advice?” “Go for it!” Fahim says nonchalantly. “I know my friend Lena, and the challenges she’s faced to make her the strong woman she is. She loves you. Don’t make her regret letting you inside her heart with the redundant negativity about Gerry. And if you confront him about their innocent friendship, you may be the one to lose out on a good thing with Lena. She won’t stay with someone who doesn’t trust or believe in her. So I suggest you find a way to get over the grudge you have against Gerry. I can guarantee he’s not hating on you like you are on him.”
“Well just state how you really feel niñita!” Fahim replies sarcastically. “As long as he stays in his lane and away from Lena we won’t have a problem!” “I’m not a little girl, usted estúpido gilipollas! It will be a problem because he’s my boyfriend and Lena’s my best friend. We will be hanging out, so I suggest you prepare to see us around all the time!” Tura states loudly. “Lena is my best friend” she repeats “my sister, and that’s something that you will have to be able to deal with because I‘m not going anywhere unless Lena says our friendship is over and even if that happens I will still be an annoying presence in her life!” Tura yells, upset at Fahim’s lousy attitude.
Fahim is hot under the collar as well. He doesn’t need to have Gerry around as a reminder what he’s had to endure to get Lena to admit they are soulmates. And he definitely doesn’t want to deal with her smart mouth friend. Fahim is about to tell Tura exactly how feels about her intrusive opinion when he hears Lena yelling behind them “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What the hell is going on between you two? I can hear you both screaming all the way upstairs whi
le I was in the shower!” Both Tura and Fahim become suddenly tight lipped which makes Lena more agitated than she was when she came running downstairs. “I know something was said or else the two of you wouldn't be arguing. You don’t even know each other except what I’ve told the two of you. This isn’t a good first impression of each other.” They still kept their mouths shut tight. “I don’t have time for this bull shit!” Lena yells causing both Fahim and Tura to look at her shockingly at her tone of voice and using harsh profanity.
“I have a five-year-old upset because I’m late picking her up. At least she knows how to be honest with me when she’s angry about something. I don’t have time to deal with the drama the two of you seem to be creating among yourselves!” Lena breathes in deeply to control the anger building inside her. “Tura if you’re going with me I’ll be ready to leave in ten minutes once I finish up with getting myself dressed. I would have already been done if I hadn’t had to find out what the two you were arguing about which is ironic since I didn’t learn anything anyway and wasted precious time!” She turns and walks back upstairs having nothing else to say.
Tura and Fahim ignore each other as they wait for Lena to return. Several uncomfortable minutes later, she returns down the stairs, noticing her sweetheart and best friend are still being uptight with each other. Shaking her head, she walks over to Fahim, kisses his lips and says “Fahim I hope your attitude has changed when I see you later this evening. I’m telling you both” turning so she has both their attention “whatever ya’ll are in disagreement about better get resolved real soon. Both of you are important to me, and I don’t need either of you disliking each other. I will not choose sides in whatever this is going on between the two of you.” Giving her attention back to Fahim she smiles and says “I love you and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day my love” and doesn’t wait for him to react or respond. “Tura let’s go,” and Lena starts to walk towards the door.
Tura clears her throat and says to Fahim “We seem to have gotten off to a rocky start.” Extending her arm out, she smiles saying “Hello I’m Tura Figest, Lena’s best friend. Happy to make your acquaintance, finally.” Fahim rolls his eyes upward taking several deep breaths to keep from reacting negatively and clasps his hand with hers for a friendly shake. Lena didn't buy their fake show of friendship and wasn’t going to give it the time needed to figure things out. Fahim doesn’t like the way Lena just dissed him in front of Tura and walks behind her before she walks toward the door. Grabbing her by the waist and twisting her around he growls “I didn’t give you a kiss to get you through the day Lena” and ignoring Tura kisses Lena passionately exploring her mouth with his eager tongue. Lena leans into Fahim body wrapping her arms around his neck causing her focus to quickly be abandoned temporarily.
Tura clears her throat after several minutes of watching their sultry embrace to remind the couple she was still there waiting. Lena’s phone also rings at the same time bringing her out of sexual cloud surrounding them and back to reality. Pulling away from Fahim’s lips and stepping back, she pulls her phone from her Dolce and Gabbana purse seeing it Robin’s number displayed. Answering she says “Tamisha I’m walking out the door right now. I will be there very soon to get you!” “Okay Momma, Bye Bye.” “Bye sweetie.” Wiping her Fashion Fair choc raspberry lip gloss from his Fahim’s lips, she says “I gotta go. Love you, and we will see each other later.” “Yo tambien te quiero pequena” Fahim affirms still feeling the effects of their steamy kiss and annoyed for having to be separated from Lena. She kisses him again quickly, and Fahim grabs his jacket from the coat rack and says to Tura “Later.” “Later dude” Tura echoes and he walks out the door with both women following behind. Once Lena locks each door and opens the garage, they head to their respective vehicles to start their day.
After hitting the highway heading towards the Zavalas, Lena asks Tura “Are you going to tell me what that was all about between you and Fahim?” “It’s not that serious Lena. Your guy and I had a difference of opinion we need to work out is all. And we will work it out. You’re my best friend, and he’s the man you love. We will find a way to be friendly to each other” Tura explains. Lena wasn’t ready to end the conversation, so she presses on. “Tura does your disagreement have anything to do with Gerard?” Tura keeps quiet not wanting to put her friend in the middle of her dispute with Fahim. “All I’m going to say is we will all find a way to get along. Now after we pick up Tami what stores are we going to first? Have you decided on one tree or two?”
Lena felt troubled by what was going on between Fahim and Tura, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. So she answers Tura’s questions ending their previous discussion.
CHAPTER 32
Several hours later, Patrick gives Gerry the rest of the afternoon off for doing such a great job acquiring the company new clients. Gerry decides to take the opportunity to do some holiday shopping and heads into Nashville to browse around Opry Mills mall. With the generous bonus he received and after seeing his paystub earlier showing a major increase in his salary he thought wouldn’t go into effect until after the new year, he could shop for several gifts for Tura, Foster, his family and the small group of friends he has as well. Over the weekend, he will send his family gifts through express mail so that they will receive them before Christmas. Gerry had planned on buying Tura several pieces of jewelry noticing how much gold finery she’s always wearing. Knowing her birthday is in January he decides to get her several pieces made with her birthstone.
Exiting I-40, he drives down Briley Parkway until he sees the huge mall and exits hopefully finding a parking space close enough he wouldn’t have to walk very far. Getting lucky getting a spot close to Bass Pro Shop, he parks and enters the store bypassing all the great sales they have going on and heads into the mall and the crowd of people shopping as well. Finding the directory, he sees where several jewelry stores are located and heads in their direction. Since he wasn’t pressed for time, he window shops along the way stepping inside stores he may find items he would like to purchase. After about an hour of browsing and buying a few things he finally arrives at Zales and walks inside.
Fahim and Rodrigo make their way through Opry Mills mall never expecting so many people to be out shopping so early in the afternoon. Fahim decides to take Lena out on a date Sunday and propose to her instead of at the big dinner at the Stewarts. Since he is giving her the engagement ring he purchased early, he needs buya few more gifts to give her on Christmas day. He had already shopped for Tamisha after asking her what all she wanted Santa to bring her and hopes he and Lena hadn’t purchased the same gifts.
“Man this is why I like shopping online. You don’t have to deal with the hassle of crowds and loud people” Rodrigo barks interrupting Fahim’s thoughts. He smirks looking over at his little brother. He’d been stopped several times after being recognized and asked for his autograph and bombarded with questions when his next album would be releasing and if he had a tour planned for the following year. “You’re just upset your disguise ain’t working hermanito. Wearing a Gucci wool beanie and Gucci aviator glasses won’t conceal who you are. I thought I taught you better than that” and laughed as Drigo slightly shoves him not wanting to hear or agree with his truthful remark.
Walking into Zales, Rodrigo breathes a sigh of relief to be away from the crowd of people and walks over to the glass cases to see if they have something he may be interested in buying and adding to Robin’s and the twins collection of gifts he’s gotten already. He was interested in finding matching gold dog tags pendants and have the twins names engraved on them. He would head to Jared’s later and pick up another Pandora charm to add to Robin’s collection. He turns to get one of the salesperson's attention and does a double take when he recognizes Gerard. He becomes curious when he sees the saleswoman showing him several expensive engagement rings. Looking around to see where Fahim is and finding him being helped by a salesman, he walks over to Gerard to see what’s up.
Gerry de
cides on a gold diamond and garnet halo engagement ring. He’d taken one of Tura’s rings she usually wears on her ring finger to use for sizing and found the ring he chose was the same size and didn’t need any further adjustments. He would be able to take it with him once he’s paid for it. The center stone is two karats clear cut diamond surrounded with half karat round diamond, and garnet cut baguettes. The ring is exquisite, and he hopes Tura loves the choice he’s made. As the saleslady prepares the ring for Gerry to take with him, he browses some more to see if there is anything else he might be interested in getting for Tura.
“Gerard is that you?” Gerry hears someone call out his name and turns to see a man he doesn't recognize walking towards him. The man approaching appeared to be Latino but wasn’t sure since he wasn’t well versed with the culture or anyone from it. He waits for the unknown male to reach him and asks “Were you talking to me? Have we met before?” “Yes, we’ve been around each other before. I’m Rodrigo Zavala. We have mutual friends, Patrick and Lovely Alcoa and Lena Campbell.” Gerry’s face lights up at the mention of his friends and says “I believe I remember meeting you at the Alcoa’s wedding. You have to forgive me. I’m not good with names and faces I don’t interact with on a regular basis. So is there something I can help you with?”
Hypnotic Magnetic Seduction Page 17