Chapter 4
Nina walked down the corridor toward Nigel and Amelia’s offices. Nigel was one of the assistant directors for the GCFA and Amelia was his assistant and wife. They traveled on the GCFA ship with the fighters during the GCF circuit. Many fighters and staff lived on the GCFA ship full time. Others retained living quarters but only lived on the ship during the circuit seasons.
Jobs with the GCFA were highly coveted. When Nina saw a position available for a new event coordinator, she had jumped for the chance. If she proved herself, then she would eventually handle corporate events as well, and that was where the big money was.
Nina heard the cursing just as she reached the open doorway to Nigel and Amelia’s offices. Usually, Amelia sat across from the waiting area, screening calls and visitors, while Nigel stayed in the more secluded office. What she saw took her by surprise.
Instead of a usually calm Amelia, Nigel was at the front desk, trying to answer the phone. He seemed not to know how to put people on hold. He also looked quite different than the pristinely dressed, expensive business suit and silk tie. He wore no jacket, his tie wasn’t completely tied, and his hair was disheveled.
“Nigel, is everything okay?”
“Nina, help. I can’t get the phone to stop ringing and Amelia is trying to sleep in my office. The baby kicked all night long and kept her up. I tried to get her to stay in bed, but she insisted on coming in but she is just too exhausted. I finally got her to agree to nap in my office while I handle everything. Every time I answer the phone, someone is calling for me and I can’t finish one conversation without the two other lines ringing.”
She fought the laughter that was rising up within her. She cleared her throat. “Computer, have all calls forwarded to the answering service.” Immediately, the ringing stopped.
Nigel sighed in relief. “How did you know to do that?”
Nina shrugged. “I was here several times when Amelia was closing up the office. She always had the computer forward calls to the answering service when no one was going to be here.”
“I should have remembered that, but I can’t think straight.”
“It happens. May I suggest just letting all calls go to the answering service for today so that both of you can get some rest.”
“Good suggestion. After Amelia wakes from her nap, I’ll take her to lunch then back home for the rest of the day.”
“Stay with her. You look like you could use a few more hours of rest as well.”
“I can’t. I have so much work to do.”
“My mother says that when a couple is having a baby, they need to sleep as much as possible before the baby comes because the baby will have you up and down so much after they are born, even when you rest you don’t feel rested. Get the rest you need now while you can.”
Nigel tilted his head to the side. “Are you married? Expecting a baby?”
Nina laughed. “No, but my mother likes to pass her motherly advice on to me and my sisters in hopes that one of us will be inspired to give her grandchildren.”
Nigel laughed and some of the tired lines in his face faded. “She sounds diabolical.”
“She really is.” She laughed as well.
“What can I do for you, Nina?”
“Did Sersan talk to you about having Esan’s gathering event here?”
“Oh yes, she asked us last night before heading to the honeymoon suite.”
“She asked me this morning to help plan it for him. I came to see if I could take a look at Esan’s schedule so that I can find time to meet with him and plan all the details out.”
“Esan should be able to give you his schedule.”
“I’m sure he can, but Sersan has to inform him that I will be assisting him first.”
“Oh, yeah that would be better. Let me see if I can pull it up on Amelia’s computer.” Nigel stood and leaned down, trying to type on the keyboard using one finger at a time like he had never done it before.
Nina cleared her throat. “Ask the computer assistant to help you.”
Nigel looked a little flushed. “Right. Computer, pull up the…”
“Two-week schedule,” she supplied.
“Pull up Esan’s work schedule for the next two weeks and email that to Nina Sinclair.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Nigel.”
“Just let me know if you need anything else. Sersan is paying for it. She said that since Esan paid for her ceremony she wanted to pay for his gathering.”
“I do actually need to hire on about four more staff to help since I am doing those other two weddings.”
“I will look through my current staff to see if I have anyone I can spare and send you their contact information.”
“I appreciate that. Tell Amelia I’ll call her later.”
“I will.”
Nina walked out of the office. Her phone vibrated, letting her know that she had a text message. Glancing down at the phone in her hand she read a message from Sersan. “Esan knows. Be prepared.”
Great, Esan was going to give her a hard time about planning his gathering. Well, she was going to be ready for him. She noticed that Sersan had also emailed her with a great deal of information. She now had Esan’s schedule so she could coordinate. Next, she needed to get a few ideas for venues. He didn’t strike her as a ballroom type of guy. She needed to find out what Esan was like. What better way than to talk to some of his fellow GCFA fighters. Surely, they would be able to give her insight.
She got onto the lift and pressed the level where the gym was located. She got off and turned to walk toward the gym but GCFA security was suddenly there, blocking her progress.
“Who are you?”
The man was good looking but huge, at least seven feet tall, with bulging muscles. He was blue all over. It was the first time she had seen a Plutian in person and up close. She remembered the most impressive fact about them — that Plutians can enlarge any part of their body at will.
The large Plutian raised an eyebrow at her. “Is there a particular part you would like for me to enlarge?”
“Oh my God! I said that out loud?” She felt heat rise to her cheeks.
The Plutian chuckled. “You did.”
“I am so sorry. I have never met a Plutian before. Sometimes I just say whatever pops into my head.”
He gave her a smile that made an adorable dimple show on his face. “I’m not offended. However, I do need the answer to my original question. Who are you and what are you doing on this level?”
“I’m Nina Sinclair, the new GCFA event coordinator. I am planning an event for one of the fighters and wanted to find out from his friends what he likes. You can check with Nigel. I’m sure he would approve this.”
“If you don’t mind, I will give him a quick call.”
“You might want to try his cell phone. His office line is forwarded right now.”
The Plutian texted and a few seconds later got a response. “He says you are approved. He’ll update your access code. If you come with me, I’ll take you to the training center.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. My name’s Vincent by the way.”
She smiled up at him, “Nice to meet you, Vincent.”
“So, who’s the lucky guy?”
“What?”
“The fighter you’re planning the surprise party for.”
“Oh, it’s not a surprise party. Sersan asked me to plan a gathering for her brother.”
“Esan? He’s like the least sociable fighter we’ve got, and that’s saying a lot considering Maxim and Ronin are almost just as bad.”
She had to admit, she had seen Esan’s antisocial behavior at the wedding and the reception. He rarely talked to anyone other than his sister. Nigel and Amelia had tried to engage in conversation with him at one point, but eventually they too walked away when Esan just nodded without saying much in return. He didn’t dance with any of the women except for the one dance with Sersan. It was going to be a nightmare if he acted like that with the Reptan women.
Two large double doors were at the end of the hallway. “There are a few sparring practices going on. Don’t venture onto the fighting mats. You might get hurt by accident.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“Anytime, beautiful.” He winked at her before turning around and heading back in the other direction.
She stared at the closed double doors. Nina hoped that Esan wasn’t in there. She wasn’t ready to talk to him just yet. The best way to go into battle was to be well prepared. That’s why she was here. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
*****
Esan was furious that the front desk person wouldn’t tell him where Nina was staying. Out of frustration, he yelled at the female who then broke out in tears. Security came and he was asked to leave the lobby.
After that, he tried calling his sister several times but his calls kept going to voicemail. He suspected that Sersan was ignoring his calls on purpose. That left him with one last option. He stormed through the door to the GCFA office and began yelling.
“Where the hell isss Nina Sssinclair?”
A frazzled Nigel, who was resting his head on the desk, jumped up so fast that his chair flew backward, hitting the wall. The chair crumbled into pieces. Nigel glared at him.
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nina Sssinclair — where isss she?” Esan approached in angry strides, his voice loud.
Nigel stood to his full height, which was an inch taller than Esan. “Lower your voice. Amelia is resting in the other room.”
The door to Nigel’s office opened and a very tired-looking Amelia wobbled forward. “Is everything all right?”
Nigel was at her side immediately. “Everything is fine, love. Go back to sleep.”
“I can’t. The couch is too uncomfortable.”
“I can take you home.”
“We have work to do.”
“It can wait. Go get your purse and we’ll head back to our suite. I’ll order you room service.”
“Chocolate cake?”
“Yes, there will be chocolate cake.”
“God, I love you,” Amelia stood up on her toes and kissed Nigel’s cheek. Once she was out of sight, Nigel glared at Esan.
Esan never lost his temper like this, but the frustration he felt at having other people plan his life was unacceptable. He had left Reptan so that he wouldn’t have to follow the lifestyle his foster father expected him to live. He wasn’t about to let anyone else interfere now. However, taking out his anger on innocent people like the desk clerk and Nigel wasn’t right either. He lowered his voice.
“I apologize. I need to find Nina Sssinclair.”
“I heard you the first two times. Are you going to yell at her like you did me just now?”
Esan took a deep breath and released it. “I will keep calm.”
Nigel looked at him as if he didn’t believe him but he did finally answer the question. “I just approved her security access to be able enter the training center.”
“Thanks.” He turned to go, but Nigel stopped him.
“Esan, cool down. Nina is a sweet person. She doesn’t deserve your anger.”
All he did was nod as he left. Sweet, yes. Her kisses had been sweet. Her body was definitely delicious. None of that mattered if she thought she could dictate his future to him. He would show her differently.