Chapter 10
“Look, I’m sorry about last night,” said Nathanial as he stood on the steps with Alexis. “I’m sorry that I lost my temper and took it out on you and I’m sorry for all of the hateful things that I said.” He paused as he turned to look at his limo pull up to the hotel. “Alexis, you are an remarkable woman who will make a man incredibly happy one day. You deserve the world to be brought to you, not because of how big your bank account is or how successful you are, but because of how much of an amazing woman you are. Whatever man is lucky enough to have you will be fortunate enough to have someone who is probably smarter, wiser, and a lot more patient than he can ever ask for. Whoever is fortunate enough to win your heart will be the luckiest man alive.”
He turned again to see the driver stepping out of the limo and walking to the back door. “I know that you don’t want to have anything to do with me right now, but maybe one day you’ll find it in your heart to want to give us another try,” he continued as Alexis looked on with a blank gaze. “I know that I’m not ready for someone like you, but if you feel like giving us another chance, there will always be a place for you in Dubai.”
Alexis nodded as she stretched her hand out to shake Nathanial’s, which he reluctantly obliged. “Mr. Jenkins, I appreciate your cooperation today during the transaction,” she said formally, prompting Hannah to spit out her drink in laughter in the background. “I will see to it personally that all of the documents from the numerous sales will reach your personal assistant in Dubai within the next seventy-two hours. If there is anything that I, or someone in my office, can do to help you with this transition, please feel free to call us.”
Nathanial released her hand as he looked at her blank expression. “I’m sorry, and thank you,” he said as he turned to walk down the outdoor corridor toward the black limousine.
“You shook his hand?” asked Hannah as she walked up from behind the door. “Alexis, that was ice cold.”
Alexis turned away from watching Nathanial enter the limousine to face Hannah and immediately smiling. “It’s so good to see you,” she announced as she wrapped her arms around Hannah’s neck and embraced her. “It’s been too long since we’ve been able to actually hug each other. I’ve missed you.”
“Are we dating?” asked Hannah with a hint of sarcasm. “I’m not really into girls, but for you…”
“No!” shouted Alexis as they turned around and walked back into the hotel to see Dillon and Robert waiting for them.
Robert walked up and stretched his hand out to shake Alexis’s. “Ms. Matthews, that was impressive,” he said as he shook her hand. “Clearly both of you have a future in this business.”
“Let’s not fill them too full of confidence, Robert,” said Dillon as he looked off to see Marisol walking up. “This business changes daily, and unfortunately, you always have to stay ahead of it.”
Hannah smirked. “Staying ahead of the game has never been either one of our issues. I think maybe, if anything, we get a little too far ahead of it.”
“I can see that,” joked Alexis.
Robert turned to see Marisol and Dillon kissing in front of the three of them. “You know I have a room upstairs if you’d like some privacy,” he announced, doing his best to make the moment as awkward as possible.
“Don’t tempt me,” quipped Marisol once the kiss was over. “I’ve never been one to be patient waiting on my man. But, Robert, where is Camille? I thought you said she was coming?”
“Camille’s plane will be landing in the next couple of hours,” he explained. “She had a long meeting at the football club and had to catch a later flight out of Milan. She ended up having to take the train there and then get on an airplane to bring her here.”
“That sounds dreadful,” continued Marisol. “You couldn’t get her a private jet?”
Robert shook his head. “She didn’t want it,” he said. “She wanted to fly commercial.”
“Why would she want that?” asked Marisol as she turned to look at Dillon.
“Because she’s dating that asshole,” he joked out, prompting a laugh from all three ladies present. “She has to enjoy things being more difficult than they should be.”
Robert shook his head. “I see you’re in good spirits,” he said before turning to look at the two American girls. “Ladies, would you like to join the four of us tonight for dinner and drinks while we are in Sydney? It’d be great to celebrate with the two of you.”
Alexis and Hannah looked at each other before simultaneously shaking their heads. “No, I’m sorry, but we’re going to take the night to catch up,” answered Alexis. “And we have to leave tomorrow for New York.”
“We do?” asked Hannah.
“Yes, we’re going home for a couple weeks to work out of our old office,” Alexis stated, surprising Hannah. “There are a few loose ends the consortium needs us to iron out while we are there, plus it might be a good time to finally see our families and actually sleep in our own beds.”
Hannah smiled earnestly. “I do enjoy my own bed.”
“As do I,” said Alexis.
“Oh, I want to go to New York,” said Marisol as she turned to look at Dillon. “Can we go?”
“Maybe,” said Dillon as he looked over at Alexis and Hannah, shaking his head. “We’ll have to see how all of these transactions go.”
Hannah turned away from everyone and stepped to the side to see Sulagna and Jacoby sitting together on a bench. “That looks fun,” she said as she broke away and walked over. “Mrs. Patel! Mr. Burgess! Thank you for your hospitality today during the meeting,” she said awkwardly.
“It’s my pleasure,” replied Jacoby as he stood up to shake Hannah’s hand. “You and your friend did wonderful in there.”
“Yes, thank you,” replied Hannah as she looked back at Alexis listening in on the other conversation. “Mrs. Patel, Alexis just told me that you’re sending us home? Is that true?”
Sulagna remained seated but nodded. “You’ve been all over the world in the past few weeks working for us. I believe it is time that we work for you,” she explained. “I told Alexis that there are a few things that we need sorted out in New York over the next couple of weeks. Everything can be handled from there without much of a struggle.”
Hannah smiled. “So, one more time. You’re sending us home?”
“Yes, dear, I’m sending you home.”