MARKUS
I stalked my way past the cubicles, ignoring the curious stares that wondered who I was, as I made my angry way to my partner’s office to try and get things straightened out. How could Paul do this? I had just come from Italy, back to the states, for the first time in ten years and he does this. My fists clenched in anger.
Over the years, I had learned how to control that part of myself––or I thought I had. But his trying to oust me from the board wasn’t going to work. I may just turn the tables on him instead, I thought to myself. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. After this meeting, I’ll talk with each of the other members of the board, and get the low-down on their feelings about how things are going in the company.
I reached the large boardroom and took a deep breath, to steady myself. Pulling the sleeves of my suit jacket down, I pushed up on my tie, tightened the knot, and straightened my cuff links. Ready as I’ll ever be. Taking another breath, I gave a quick, forceful knock on the door before opening it.
When I opened the door and stepped into the room, I looked around, feeling like I had entered the Twilight Zone. No one was there. The room was completely empty––except for me, of course.
I hadn’t been this dumbfounded in years. I turned on my heels, storming toward Paul’s office. I’d been told a day and time, and I damn well was going to find out what happened. And there had better be a damn good reason.
Hearing laughter when I stepped in front of the office, I was glad to see no secretary at the desk when I arrived.
Hearing laughter as I approached the door, I ever so politely knocked, when a male voice announced, “Molly, I told you––no visitors.”
The door was suddenly thrown open with force, and my partner stood in the doorway. For a brief moment I saw shock on Paul Winters’ face before genuine delight appeared. He stepped forward to clasp my suit-covered bicep and grabbed me for a back pounding hug. I reciprocated briefly before removing myself.
Glancing about the room, I noticed the large, empty desk that had a sleek, polished surface, and sitting in front of it was a striking, young woman. She had long, blond curls that bounced about her heart-shaped face. Instead of a sharp chin, hers was slightly rounded, with what looked like a stubborn jut. Her eyes were as blue as the sea with lashes that were sweeping her cheeks in embarrassment at my scrutiny. Her high cheekbones were now bright red, and the color was travelling down her neck, which was long and delicate. I had such an urge to kiss said neck that I shocked myself. This girl, with her porcelain skin and unlined face barely looked legal, and here I am, having unprovoked thoughts about her.
I turned to Paul, who was now smiling like an idiot as he walked over to the girl, who rolled her eyes as he pulled her from the chair, and brought her over to stand before me. Seeing her close up made the whole situation even worse.
“Markus, do you recognize this little girl?”
“Dad––” she complained.
Dad? Was this little Grace? I was shocked. I looked to Paul for confirmation and he nodded happily. He wouldn’t be so happy if he knew what I had been thinking of doing to his little girl. How old was she? I couldn’t remember. I hoped over eighteen, with my lascivious thoughts.
“Grace?” I still asked questioningly.
“Markus. How was Italy? It must be wonderful to live there. What city did you live in? I’ve always wanted to visit, but we never made it there. Obviously.” Her voice had a light and lively lilt that trailed off as she became embarrassed once again. Though, when she had been asking her questions, her face was bright with excitement.
I tried for indulgence, like a favorite uncle. “It’s too bad your father never brought you. I live in Florence, we have many festivals and carnivals that you and your sister could have visited. We also have different types of sweets and dolls than you have here.”
I could see I hit a nerve as the red faded from her face to become white in the stillness of her hidden anger. Hidden to anyone else, but I could read body language and faces. A little trick I learned in my travels.
Tossing her head back, her long locks floated down her back, and her pink covered lips thinned slightly. Flouncing over to the chair she had been sitting in before, she plopped down into it inelegantly, crossing one long leg over the other, her skirt rising slightly up her trim thighs. Grace’s glare suddenly became a smirk, as if she knew my feelings, which was impossible, since I didn’t even know them.
I turned from her, as if she were unimportant, and out of the corner of my eye I could see her pissed off expression at being ignored. Done. If she was mad she’d stay away from me, and I didn’t have to deal with my nonexistent feelings for her.
“Paul––I thought we had a meeting today?”
He looked startled for a moment before a hard expression crossed his face. Stalking over to the door, he threw it open, bellowing, “Molly!”
I heard high heels clacking as a young woman, not much older than Grace, came hurrying around the corner into sight. Her face was unnaturally pale, as if she was ill, and I saw what looked like a baby bump on her slender form. I gave Paul a quick glance because I knew when he got angry sometimes heads rolled. I have to try and derail this mess before she gets fired.
“It’s alright, Paul. I see that Grace is here and that’s what got you distracted.”
The words I said seemed to have been the red cape before the bull, because his face got red with anger as he stalked over to tower above Molly, who shrank back in fear.
“Dad––calm down. Think about your blood pressure. Remember what the doctor said. Go in your office, sit down, and do some deep breathing. You don’t want another episode. I’m too young to set up a funeral.” Grace took Paul’s forearm in her hand and led him back into his office, but not before he drew his arm out of her hand fast and hard. Straightening his back with purpose, he closed the door behind himself.
All three of us gave a large sigh of relief that that disaster had been averted. I turned to Grace, but she was fussing over the secretary, Molly, who was now sitting in an office chair, her hand to her forehead and her head slightly bowed, as if exhausted by what she had just endured.
Turning to Molly, I asked, “Is there something I can get you? Hot tea or something?” I wasn’t good around pregnant women, not having any in my family or any employees that were. I wanted to help, but wasn’t sure how, so I hovered, my hands out but not touching.
Grace looked at me impatiently, “She’s pregnant––she doesn’t have a disease.”
I was tired of her obvious anger issues, but tried to diffuse the situation by stamping down my impatience. She seemed to be perpetually angry. “I know that, but she looks ill. Maybe she should go home and rest?” Bending my knees to be at a lower level, so as not to overpower her, I asked Molly gently, “Would that be okay?”
Molly lifted her head for a moment and studied me before she nodded tiredly, deep shadows beneath her eyes. “This baby is kicking my butt, but I need this job. Who are you, by the way?”
“I’m the partner.” I smiled apologetically.
If it were possible she turned even paler. “I’m sorry, I forgot to call you. I got sick––and just forgot.” She shook her head at herself and her dark head sank down to her chest in defeat, expecting to be fired.
“That’s okay. Disaster averted––I think. I won’t let him fire you for this, and if he does, come to me and I’ll find something for you. I know we have great pregnancy benefits, so I understand you wanting to keep your job. Let me get my driver, and you get home and rest.” Handing her my card with one hand, I used my other to pull out my phone from my back pocket to text Leo, my driver, relaying the necessary information. “You just give him your address and get home. Okay?”
She smiled in relief as I placed my hand under her elbow to help her up. She widened her smile in thanks and slowly, with her bag under an arm, made her way to the elevators to meet Leo.
I turned, happy that a disaster had been averted, to meet Grace’s scowling face.