I put on my sunglasses as I finally step out of the boutique. That damn woman is clingy, but so far it’s beneficial so I won’t complain. Dante and my security rush forward, taking the various shopping bags to the SUV. Sonny opens the door for me and I can feel Julienne watching me from the store but I don’t look back as I get in the car. Sonny drives off as Giselle begins to fill me in on work.
It never stops.
“Ms. Washington, the 3rd highest shareholder of the real estate company, is going to call in 5 minutes. She’s been worrying about making deals with the Malone family.” I roll my eyes but nod as I look over the contract I’ve already signed with Milo. I’m doing the hard part, they’re just getting the benefits and the work, why complain?
She’s older and was more reluctant about having an “inexperienced, uneducated, outsider” running their company. But as soon as I cleared their debts and gave them a new capital to work with, she shut the fuck up real fast.
“I don’t want to deal with her right now.”
“Detective Williams has agreed to your deal just as officer Bailey said, however I advise we keep an eye on him. He’s likely to sway at any form of payment.”
“We’ll be extra selective during our conversations. Have we got word from Mr. Ye, having his endorsement can really help when it comes to dealing with other companies.”
“Yes, he said when you finish your business in Paris to give him a call, he’ll conference you in.”
“Mr. Ye prefers doing business in person. I’m sure he’s meeting with us simply as a favor to Natasha. If we’re going to have his endorsement, then we have to give him a reason to trust us. Give him a reason to invest. He’s a family man, correct?”
“Yes, wife, 4 sons, 1 daughter. The longest standing family founded investment company. If he likes you he just might try to marry you off.” Giselle tells me and I nod, closing the file, texting Noé that I’m on my way. Thanks to Julienne, I’m running late.
Such a selfish woman.
“How busy is the schedule next week?”
“You’re packed with meetings all day Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday you’re going to view the sites and check on construction for the new projects. Thursday you have a real estate board meeting, but nothing after that. What are you thinking?”
“It’d be better to visit Mr. Ye, in person, he’d be more impressed and understand how serious we are.”
“I will let his secretary know and book the flight.”
“Did you pick up the gifts for Mrs. Malone and Ms. Arabella?”
“Yes, Ms. Snow.” I take the gift bags and put them on the seat next to me.
“Giselle?”
“Yes M-”
“Drop the Miss. You’re literally my mom’s age, it’s weird.”
“But it’s so unprofessional.” She mumbles and I snicker, looking out the window. My phone vibrates on my lap and I notice a message from Milo.
Milo: I didn’t get the chance to tell you before you sent me away. Congratulations, Boss. I smirk, tucking my phone away, I don’t mind him calling me boss at all.
“I want whatever surveillance you can get at the Leroux sister’s vacation home. I need a plan to get Reuben out of the house..” The car falls silent as we think of a strategy when Sonny randomly snaps his fingers.
“What if you tell him his location has been compromised? If you call the sister I’m sure she’ll panic and go scurrying away.”
“I suppose that could work. But he doesn’t trust me, convincing him might be a challenge. I have to find a way to get his attention.” I look over the file of Brigette and Julienne again. The typical brainiac and party-girl. Despite their differences they’re close, very close. If Brigette feels panicked she’ll run to Julienne.
“Does Brigette love Reuben?” I ask nobody in particular as I look out the window.
“It would seem that way.” Giselle says as my work phone goes off. “Mrs. Washington…yes…I’m sorry she’s unavailable at the moment…yes ma’am…I will not tell her that ma’am…because I won’t insult my boss.” I snap and Giselle hands the phone over as Mrs. Washington keeps yelling and bitching.
“Mrs. Washington, I can assure you that you will come to understand the opportunity that’s been laid out in front of you. We’ll discuss your concerns when I return. Enjoy your weekend.” I cut her off, hanging up not giving her a chance to say anything else.
Such a pain in the ass.
Why can’t she just take the money and shut the fuck up? She makes her assistant do all of her work anyway.
“If we call Brigette, do you think she’ll crack?” Her phone records say that she hasn’t changed any of her normal habits. I’m sure Reuben warned her but she’s been using her phone as usual which is good for us.
“What are you thinking?”
“Have security access the messages between her and Reuben. If she’s anything like her sister, there’s no point in appealing to her “good nature”. If she isn’t like the gold-digger then we’ll guilt trip her.” Giselle calls Dante as Sonny stops in front of the upscale restaurant. Can’t we just eat at a restaurant that isn’t 3 star for once.
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“Work fast and keep me updated, but don’t call unless it’s an emergency. I don’t want to offend Lucia and Arabella.” I give my orders as Sonny and Giselle nod.
“Understood.” Sonny comes to open the door and I hand him the gifts, looking back at Giselle. I step out of the car, thanking Sonny as 2 of my security members walk me inside the restaurant. The hostess escorts me to a private table where Noé is already talking with Lucia, Harley and Arabella, Isabella and her daughter, Grace.
“Oh you’re here!” Lucia has a wide smile as I go and give her a hug, kissing both of her cheeks and handing her the gift, doing the same to Arabella. I give a professional nod to Isabella who just scowls and I say hi to Grace who throws a casual “what’s up” my way. Her eyes never leave her phone.
“I’m sorry for being late. My business ran longer than expected.” Arabella waves off my apology as I take the seat next to Noé, but Isabella scoffs.
“Business? I heard you were out shopping.” Isabella sips her water while Noé hands me a glass of wine matching hers.
So she’s been keeping an eye on me. I need to discuss that with Dante because that’s something I should know. I glance at my security guard, Felix standing against the wall and he subtly nods, pulling out his phone.
“I went to see Julienne Leroux, a request from your brother. He was with me for a little while actually, but I figured he’d be bored.” I swirl the wine in my glass, smirking at Isabella’s scoff.
“Whatever.” Thankfully, the conversation steers to casual as we catch up with Lucia. Me and Noé about our new jobs, Arabella tells us a few new recipes, and Grace tells us about a boy in her class that asked her out.
“Your father is not going to let you go on a date.”
“But mom, I’m 14 now.” I smile as I lean back in my chair as the waitresses come to clear our plates.
“Speaking of dates, Harley, I hope you are treating this beautiful woman accordingly. Have you taken her on a proper date?” Lucia’s straightforward question has Harley’s face turning red. She awkwardly scratches the back of her neck and clears her throat.
“Well, Harley, have you taken me out properly?” Noé doesn’t help as she turns her body towards Harley. My snicker catches the attention of Lucia as she points a finger at me.
“You’re not off the hook either young lady. How long are you and my son going to play these games?”
“I heard you had a car sent to my Uncle Milo to pick him up, is that true?” Grace asks and I laugh and nod.
“We had some business to take care of, it was just easier than waiting.”
“Hm, business? My son doesn’t conduct “business” with anyone like he does with you. He even said the only reason he’s going on the dates is for you, but he rejects them before it even gets started.” Yeah Milo told me that he turns them down, still treats them out as an apology, then sends them home.
When I asked why he simply said he won’t be forced to be with someone he doesn’t want to be with.
“I suppose he’s just picky.” His entire family laughs and shakes their heads.
“I don’t mean to talk ill about my brother, but when it comes to women, he has never been picky.”
“Uncle Milo hooks up a lot. Most of them are so rude and stuck-up, but you’re the nicest.” Grace shakes her head, an annoyed look on her face.
That’s a nice way to say he fucks around.
“I’m not his girlfriend, he’s just…a special friend, like Noé.” I laugh while sipping my red wine. He’s told me all about his crazy experiences with women, most of them are too ridiculous to even believe. Women definitely love Milo Malone.
“Mm, special friend? Kids these days got names for everything except together,” Lucia laughs, nudging Arabella who shakes her head, chuckling.
“Little Milo has never been shy about how he feels and after talking with him, I think it’s obvious.” Arabella doesn’t say more but she gives me a knowing smile. All I can do is laugh because Milo told me to expect this conversation. Apparently Lucia has been as unsatisfied with the dates as Milo. Not that Arthur gives a fuck.
“So you and Milo have never even talked about it?” I notice Felix gets a call and a stern hard look enters his eyes. He glances at me but I don’t call him over. If it’s an emergency he’ll tell me on his own.
“We have but at the moment he wants more than I can give him.”
“Which is what?” Isabella finally lost her glare but she has barely spoken to me during this entire lunch. I’m sure she’s just protective because of the gold-diggers constantly trying to cling onto Milo. But I don’t need Milo for anything aside from good conversation and land.
“Milo needs a wife and I’m not interested in marriage right now. That’s why I encouraged him to go on the dates, he has his duty and I have my desires. Right now they just differ.”
“But you’ve talked about it?” Lucia’s excitement and happiness is so infectious. You wouldn’t believe that she’s married to an asshole like Arthur.
“Yes, a few times actually. Milo can be…persistent.”
“I think you’d just fuel his bad habits. He’s gotten into so much more trouble lately.” Lucia nudges Isabella, who just shrugs.
“What? It’s the truth. I’m just worried about my brother. He has a responsibility to do and he puts it off for her. It just causes problems.” I know what Isabella is implying. Milo already told me about the fights he gets into with his dad after every date. I’ve seen the bruises, but Milo is going to do what he wants.
“Are you blaming me for that? Milo is a grown ass man, he can do as he pleases. I don’t hold him or force him to do anything and I never will. The only thing I’ve ever asked Milo for his respect.”
“I can see why you two get along so well.” Arabella laughs as the waitress comes to bring the check which I grab, much to Lucia’s objection.
“So, tell me, Winter, if Milo wasn’t under the pressure to get married and you two could date as normal. Would you?”
“Milo is in the mafia and I’m not interested in that type of business. Besides, I don’t deserve Milo.” He’s given me the chance to have my cake and eat it too, which proves how good of a man he is. And why he needs someone that only wants him.
“That’s up to him to decide, he’s a grown man remember.” Lucia throws my words back at me and I just laugh. She’s a natural matchmaker.
“Touché.” I sigh, finishing the wine in my glass and leaning back in my chair.
“I’ve never been in a relationship. I doubt I’d be any good at it. Not to mention the distance, there’s just a lot working against us.”
“Hm, that may be true, but if you two really care for each other then you’ll find your way together. However, I really hope you do, I’ve never seen my son so glued to his phone. Whenever I ask he says he’s talking with you.” Lucia wiggles her brow as everyone throws in their 2 cents of how much we’re on the phone. Sipping my wine I can’t even argue with them. Aside from our brief break, Milo and I text everyday whenever we’re free.
We’re all gathering our things to leave as Noé and I finish our wine. Felix comes over, leaning down into my ear, speaking so only I can hear.
“There’s been an issue at the lounge. One of the customers didn’t appreciate the new changes. He beat one of the girls, she’s in the hospital.” I do my best to keep my composure, but the news has me raging. One of my employees is in the hospital? How the hell does that happen while I’m paying for security?
I keep my cold hard glare on my glass. Rage and impatience flowing through my blood turning it into a rolling boil. I take a sip, forcing myself to calm down, as I hold the wine glass in a tight grip.
“Who?” Felix hesitates and I cut my eyes at him and he slightly backs away, bowing his head, fear in his eyes.
“M-Melissa.”
The glass cracks.