That night they made love until they both fell into an exhausted sated slumber. He never experienced anything quite like that in his extensive experience with women. Their lovemaking was different, deeper, more sensual, he felt connected to her from the moment he was inside her. She touched something in him that no other woman ever had, only to awaken the next morning alone with a note on the pillow where she had lain.
“Thanks, you made me feel exquisite,” V.
That was it. No name just V. Lynwood pulled himself from his thoughts. He needed to focus on the meeting. Nonchalantly, he listened to a last ditch plea for the recent takeover of a financially strapped textile mill and clothing factory in Philadelphia. Lynwood felt compelled to interrupt the conversation.
“Mr. Benton, although your arguments are founded, their late, I hold the majority of the company shares, and there are prerequisites for your holding this company,” Lynwood shrugged his broad shoulders, “Negations has ended, Mr. Benton,” he stated firmly.
Mr. Benton rose swiftly from the chair nearly capsizing it in his anger. “My father founded this company 50 years ago, and you think you can just take over and give me a list of stipulations on how I can stay involved in my family’s business!” Tyson Benton blurted out angrily.
“Sit down Mr. Benton!” Lynwood said that with a deadly calm that brooks no argument. Benton sat down heavily in the chair.
“Well then, Mr. Benton, although I admired the late Mr. Benton for his business expertise…” Lynwood paused. “Leaving this company to you was your father’s fundamental mistake. For you see Mr. Benton, you have been losing profit for the past five years which made you vulnerable for anyone to come in and take over, and sell off the Mill and the Factory piece by piece. Therefore, Mr. Benton my approach allows you still to be involved with your family business and save face. Actually, I am being extremely generous in this offer, for my first thought was simply to sell off everything, but with additional investigations, I discovered there was a need for business in your area. Most other textile factories have all but diminished or gone overseas with the exception of a small clothing factory in Vineland, NJ, which still purchases their textile goods from my newly acquired mill. Therefore, I want you to continue to supply the small factories on the east coast. Your role will be to support these small clothing factories in your area with the needed fabrics they require. In addition, I have discovered your unfairness to the laid off employees. Many had been with the company for well over thirty years. You offered them nothing. Therefore, you should be thankful I saved your ass. If it were not for them and the need for this business, I would have sold the mill and factory piece by piece.” Lynwood stated arrogantly.
“I’ve had other offers, and I can still be the CEO!” Tyson blurted outraged.
Lynwood looked at Ron shaking his head, frowning dumbfounded. Was Benton that dense?
“Ron can you explain to Mr. Benton that he no longer owns the majority shares?” Ron looked at the frustrated and angry Benton.
“In layman’s terms Mr. Benton, you have been bought out.” Ron told him plainly.
Tyson Benton dropped his head. He knew he was done. He was in debt to his armpits, and he was sure his father was rolling over in his grave.
“Let me hear your terms again,” Tyson stated defeated. Ron began to enumerate the contractual obligation to Tyson.
“First, this company will not leave Philadelphia, a union, pension and health package will be put in place for the employees, you will call all the laid off employees back.”
Lynwood looked over at Ron and Tyson Benton shaking his head with mild disgust. Tyson Benton did not have any business knowledge or sense in the least, it was inevitable that he would bankrupt his father's company. He only liked the idea of being in charge; he knew nothing about maintaining a business or making it a success.
“Next week we will be in Philly to conduct a meeting to inform employees of the company changes and meet the new management team,” Lynwood heard Ron say.
Lynwood interrupted. “You can finish this, Ron?”
Ron nodded. Lynwood addressed Benton.
“Mr. Benton, I think, once you get over your contempt for me, you will see this is what’s best for the company,” Lynwood said with a surety.
Benton glared at Lynwood with undisguised contempt. “You Southerners think you can come up north and just take over everything from the Northerners, well Mr. Holland…”
Lynwood shrugged with nonchalant indifference interrupting Benton.
“Well, Mr. Benton, looks like the South has risen again,” he said smiling sarcastically. In his signature ruthlessness and arrogant attitude, Lynwood added.
“Be glad Benton I didn’t toss you out on your ass. It's too late. I gave you the opportunity to sell me a failing company; you refused. You told me to take my offer and shove it; I think those were your words. Now you have, but two options, you can take the monies you would have gained and explain to your family why they no longer own the company or you can take the offer of general manager and still have a job. I suggest you stop with this pointless arguing and get down to business. In the meantime, remember you work for me. I will not tolerate stupidity; you will be a success if it kills you. It is my business now you are managing. I do not fail and neither will you. If you’re not happy with the contract, now is the time to back out.”
Tyson remained silent. He knew he had no other alternative but to accept what he offered.
“Ron finish this.” Lynwood turned and strolled from the boardroom.
In his office, Lynwood mechanically went through his mail. Tossing it aside, he leaned back in his chair with deep thoughts.
After graduating from Morehouse College with an MBA, in Business and Finance, Lynwood was ready to step into his Martin Holland large shoes. Since the age of sixteen, Lynwood Holland was groomed to one-day take over as CEO to Holland Enterprise.
Now at the age of thirty-four and CEO of Holland Enterprise he has doubled the assets by taking the company to another level. Every success the company had been because of his father. He loved his father, but more importantly, he respected and admired him. The way his father could buy a company and build it back to its former glory was something to behold. Holland Enterprise never bought companies they couldn’t be restored, more importantly; he never brought companies that would cause people to lose their livelihood.
Now the CEO of the successful Holland Enterprises named the most eligible bachelor of Atlanta and recently named Businessman of the Year. Lynwood Holland had been featured in many of the popular African-American magazine, in addition, a favorite for speaking at the area colleges, an influential supporter of the United Negro College Fund organization, and sat on the board. Not only was Lynwood Holland well liked by his peers and constituents, he was a popular and well-respected man.
Lynwood chuckled shaking his head. If Ron knew his feelings about this nameless woman, he would never hear the end of it. Ron didn’t have to worry about who his next date would be; he was married to Izzy the most incredible woman he has ever known. Chuckling, Lynwood remembered how hard Izzy fought to capture him. Ron, in his heyday, was the biggest womanizer he has known went kicking and screaming, but Izzy won out, and Ron is a better person for it. He loved Izzy deeply. Love he thought, what a wasted emotion. He’d be the first to say he had his share of dalliance, but wanted nothing to do with love. He had his fill of love while attending college. He got hurt, and it cut him deep, too deep for him heal. It wasn’t love he seeks from his indescribable beauty, was it …? He paused. He wasn’t sure what to think. All he knew was she was his, and he was not ready to let her go.
Deep in thought, Lynwood moved and stood the wide window in his office. He had to find her. Ron entered his office.
Closer than most brothers were Ron James and Lynwood Holland were sincere best friends. Both men had attended high school and college together. Ron studied corporate law, at the insistence of Martin Holland, and it paid out for both he and
Ron. Ron became Lynwood’s attorney, business and personal. Ron was not quite as tall as Lynwood but handsome in his own right. Where Ron was lean, Lynwood’s had a large, muscular frame. Where Lynwood was athletic, Ron was just in excellent shape. Both men were highly intelligent, well bred with a boyish charm. Izzy was constantly preaching to him about settling down, but Lynwood would pat her head and say, “Thanks for caring.”
Infuriated she would waggle her finger at him and say, “One day Lynwood Holland, a woman's going to come your life and turn it upside down and I pray I’m around to witness your downfall because I will shout for joy.” Lynwood and Ron would just laugh at her.
“So how did it go?” Lynwood asked, not looking at Ron, just staring out the window.
“How else; what other alternative did Benton have,” Ron stated.
Ron frowned looking at his friends back. Lately, he noticed how aloof Lynwood had become. As friends and colleagues, there was not many secrets between them, yet Ron could sense something was bothering him. It had to be something substantial.
Leaning against the doorway of Lyn's office, Ron asked, “Hey Lyn, what’s been up with you lately?” Lynwood turned to look at his friend.
“Nothing,” Lynwood said gruffly, going to his desk.
“Yes it is,” Ron countered moving into the room. “Man you’ve been moody for a while now, barking orders, upsetting assistants, and I have it on excellent authority that one of your assistants was in the ladies room crying because you yelled at her.
Lynwood gave an impatient shrug, “Is she still working here?”
“You see,” Ron said chuckling.
Ron watched Lynwood move to sit at his desk trying his best to ignore him. Ron smiled. He knew Lynwood, and he would be the first to tell anyone, he was arrogant, overly confident, hard, aloof most times, and lacking any sense of humor, but he was his best friend and he would defend him with his last breath, since he is his closest friend he was familiar with his every mood, but this one baffled him.
“So spill it, what has made your sullen mood worst over the past five or six months; and don’t say nothing, you forget I know you.”
Lynwood sighed. “A woman,” he said impatiently.
“A woman?” Ron repeated frowning.
“Yes, damn it, a woman Ron,” Lynwood said loudly. Ron chuckled.
“So who is this woman that’s got you all worked up? Ron said with a smile.
“Nobody, forget I brought it up, I’m hungry,” Lynwood said dismissing the conversation.
Ron grinned. “Oh no, I got to hear this, spill it Lyn,” he said and sat down on the supple black leather couch in Lynwood’s office, rest one foot on his other knee leaning back.
Lynwood moved to stand in front of his desk. “I met her at a Charity Ball in Philly.” Lynwood told him.
“And?”
“She invited me to her hotel suite, we made love, when I woke the next morning she was gone leaving a note on the pillow.”
“A note?” Ron repeated trying not to laugh. “What did it say?”
“It doesn’t matter!” Lynwood replied brusquely.
“Come on Lyn,” Ron coaxed immediately intrigued.
Lynwood groaned. “Thanks you made feel exquisite V.” Ron laughed, Lynwood growled, Ron laughed harder.
Lynwood scowled at Ron. “It’s not funny Ron, women don’t do that to me,” Lyn stated superciliously.
“This one does,” Ron said, smiling, “Who is this extraordinary woman?”
“Let it go Ron,” Lynwood tone warned. Ron was enjoying this too much. Ron stopped laughing, but still smiled.
“Why are you so upset isn’t that what you want all your female acquaintances to do, disappear?”
Lynwood glared at Ron. “Not her, she was different.”
Ron’s brows rose. He has never seen Lynwood bothered over a woman. Curious now Ron said, “According to you Lyn, and I quote, it’s all the same just a different piece of …”
“Don’t say Ron, I swear,” Lyn warned stepping from the desk.
Ron laughed harder. “My, my, my, is the incomparable Lynwood Holland sprung?” Lynwood ignored him.
“What is so different about her?” Ron inquired.
“I was her first,” he admitted.
“Her first what?” Ron frowned.
“She was a virgin Ron, damn.” Lynwood blurted out.
“Robbing cradles are we Lyn?” Ron replied sarcastically.
“Shut up Ron; trust me, she was at least thirty.”
Ron whistled. “Thirty..., Damn man; she must have led a very sheltered life, are you sure she was a virgin; I mean this day and age,” Ron said shrugging, “Come on Lyn, there aren’t many virgins especially her age.”
“I’m sure, not only did I feel it, but the blood on the bed proved it.”
“She's must be a mud duck or something.” Ron stated using their words for unattractive women.
Lynwood shook his head. She’s beautiful with the most fascinating hazel eyes, and a body that brings a man to his knees.”
“Obviously,” Ron teased with a laugh, “she brought you to yours."
Lynwood glared at him. “Do you want to hear this or not?”
“Yeah, go ahead.” Ron was thinking; Izzy is going to love this. He couldn’t wait to go home and tell her that Lynwood has met someone as arrogant as he is.
“So who is this woman who has got your nose open?” Ron asked with curiosity. Lynwood remained silent for a moment.
“Well Lyn, who is she?” Ron pressed.
“I don’t know, we decided not to exchange names, to my regret.” Lynwood answers begrudgingly.
Ron fell over on the sofa, laughing hysterically. Lynwood glared at him.
“This is not funny Ron!” Lynwood roared.
“It is,” Ron choked out. He looked at Lynwood and then threw back his head and roared with laughter.
“Get out!” Lynwood raged, going to the door pulling it open.
Ron tried to sober up. “Okay, okay I’m sorry. It’s just that you; the master of the lovely ladies is obsessing over one woman. Women damn near throw themselves at you and here you are with the hot’s for a woman, and you don’t even know her name, that is just so absurd. I’m sorry that’s funny.”
“Get Out!”
“Before I go, I need a favor,” Ron stated, rising from the sofa.
“No!”
“You haven’t even heard it yet?” Ron said frowning.
“What?”
“I have to take Izzy to the Fashion Show Gala tomorrow night; this new boutique is opening in Buckhead, Vessa's Boutique or something. The who’s who of Atlanta is invited, and I promised Izzy I would escort her; I need another man there with me, you can bring a date, it’s a black tie affair, so what do you say?”
“No,” Lynwood said with finality. “Now get out of my office.”
Ron tried to look crushed. “Okay, I guess I’ll just have to tell Izzy about your nameless woman and see what she thinks about your problem…”
Lynwood groaned. “Okay, I’ll go, now get the hell out of my office.” The one thing he didn’t want is Izzy James to know his state of affairs.
Chapter Two
It was obvious the proprietors spared no expense to impress their guest as Izzy, Ron, and Lynwood arrived in the extravagantly decorated ballroom. There was live music, the best southern and not so southern cuisine, along with the finest champagne money could buy. Lynwood scanned the room. He saw many of his constituents in attendance, political and business alike. A number of Atlanta’s local celebrities and of course the media were in full bloom. The large room literally overflowed with Atlanta’s elite, and he wondered who this person with this kind of drawing power is.
Lynwood sat with Izzy and Ron, he decided not to bring along a date. He was not in the mood for some clingy female tonight and had not been for a long time, about six months, not since he met his anonymous lover. He only attended because Ron was blackmailing him and if Izzy knew a
bout this nameless woman, and his obsession with her, she would gloat until the end of time.
Izzy leaned over to him. “Having a good time Lyn? She said smiling.
“No!” He replied gruffly.
Izzy frowned at him. “If you’re not having a good time why did you come?”
“Ask your husband,” Lynwood barked. Ron laughed. Izzy looked from Ron to Lynwood.
“What’s going on?” She asked suspiciously.
“Well, Lyn is…” Ron had begun telling Izzy what was going on.
At that moment, Lynwood heard the host of the gala's introduction to their guest.
She stood centered between two tall, leggy models from the fashion show. Lynwood’s admiring eyes traveled the length of her small frame. From the black strapped designer sandals on her small feet to the designer black dress, to her beautiful face. Lynwood’s eyes focused solely on the petite beauty.
Lynwood came to his feet. “That’s her,” Lynwood blurted out.
Ron and Izzy heads turned to the runway. Izzy nudged Ron. “Who?” Izzy whispered to her husband.
“Lynwood’s mystery woman.” Ron replied grinning.
“His what?” Izzy asked confused.
“Vanessa Sanders,” Lynwood repeated her name like a caress.
Izzy and Ron looked at Lynwood, watching him intently, noting the way he was consuming the woman with his eyes. At one point, he even licked his lips, his eyes still affixed on her. Ron and Izzy looked at each other in utter bewilderment.
After a short speech and thanking those who attended, she announced the dinner and dancing would begin and left the runway to mingle with her guest.
With that air of calm self-confidence that she carried herself, Lynwood’s eyes followed her movement around the room. While she stopped to speak with her guest, he took the opportunity to study the outline of her face, reminding him how much he liked what he saw. When she turned her back to him, Ron and Izzy heard Lynwood’s intake of breath. Vessa's gown was bare all the way to her tiny waist; the only thing that covered her back was the waist long ponytail.
One Night (Found Love) Page 2
