Sweetness

by S Gonzalez

  Chapter 9

  “Daddy!” I shriek as I walk across the lobby. When he turns toward me his face lights up as he embraces me. Martin Hill is a powerful man. He always has this stoic disposition that warms over every time he sees his kids. He is a loving and caring man who would tie the world in a bow and lay it at our feet if we asked him to. He’s a beautiful man inside and out.

  I mean, he is my father, but I am not blind. I have seen woman half his age throw themselves at his feet. Standing a little over six foot tall with a thick mat of brown hair, that is starting to grey slightly, and the same blue eyes I see every time I look in the mirror; he definitely is a catch. Always the CEO, he is clean-shaven and well dressed, as usual, in a designer suit. It is a rarity to see him out of his signature suit and tie.

  I know everything Gabe and I talked about yesterday, acting the part of the bosses’ daughter and all, will go double for my father. With that in mind, this morning I very carefully thought out my wardrobe choice. Dressed smartly in a black pencil skirt, white sleeveless, silk blouse and black heals, all courtesy of Mia, I think I am the picture of a professional woman.

  Gabe is also dressed in a designer suit which probably cost more than most people make in a week. I have to say he can sure pull off tight-ass like its no ones business. I’m subtly trying to catch Gabe’s attention for approval but he doesn’t even glance in my direction. I can see him standing behind my father looking at his phone and ignoring my existence. Intentionally, no doubt.

  Bastard.

  “Darling, you look lovely,” Daddy says admiring me at arms length, “and your hair is wonderful. I see you took advantage of the spa day Mia insisted on.”

  As he paid his complements I run my fingers through my now shoulder length hair with platinum blond highlights. I have to admit spa day was wonderful. Wanda and I had manicures, pedicures, body scrubs, haircuts, and a massage. Mark and Max had haircuts and massages before they retreated to the bar across the street and waited for us to finish. Spa day is definitely going to be part of my monthly routine.

  “Thank you, Daddy. I appreciate everything you and Mia have done for me. The apartment is amazing. Everything you arranged allowed for a smooth move.” I smile at him and kiss his cheek while looking over his shoulder to see if Gabe is going to remain part of the lobby scenery, or acknowledge me like a normal person.

  “Martin, it’s getting late. We should head out.” Gabe speaks up. I notice him giving me a once over as if he just realized I was here. I don’t know why I feel the need to seek his approval. But he is my boss, so I better play nice.

  “Yes, once second. I have to make a quick call first,” my father murmured before excusing himself.

  “Emma, you look nice. Sure glad you didn’t opt for leather and lace in the office.” Gabe’s face is emotionless so I’m not sure if he’s kidding or serious. Just as I open my mouth to respond my father motions me towards the door so we could leave.

  “After you,” Gabe mutters while waving me to move in front of him. I narrow my eyes at him. It looks like that was the reaction he was going for because I can see a twitch of a smile curl up on his lips. When I don’t smile back his expression changes in an instant; back to the glaring hard ass I have come to know. I could feel his eyes on me as we walked out the front of the building and I could swear I caught him looking at my ass when I turned around.

  When I stepped out onto the sidewalk the warm summer morning air hit me like a ton of bricks. A definite contrast to the air conditioned lobby. The first thing I saw was my father’s new toy idling at the front curb. The brand new Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman limo was a sight to be seen. The car was white on white with clean lines and uber stylish curves. When we all climbed in first took notice of the soft white leather bucket seats. They luxurious leather feels like warm butter caressing my skin. The whole car was like an office on wheels equipped with TV’s, small laptop tables, mini bar, multiple USB ports in every console for any electronic device one would need. It has ever amenity one could expect in a high-end car such as this.

  After I express my admiration of such an extravagant means of transportation, my father immediately begins talking business. I know the work day had begun. I see the transition from loving father to serious CEO, in a flash.

  “Emma, I understand that some issues have arisen since I have been away. Originally, I spoke to Gabe about having you join his team because he is focusing on bringing a younger market to HMA. I thought you two would work well together. I called Gabe on Saturday morning, to express my concerns over some photos I saw of you on stage at the show on Friday night. I am alarmed by the way you conducted yourself. It seems that your on stage presence didn’t go unnoticed to the press. It wasn’t until Gabe informed me your act was all part of the show and you graciously volunteered to be a part of it, for the sake of the campaign, that I gave this arrangement a second thought. He assured me this little show you were putting on, would certainly create a buzz for their new album,” Daddy said sternly looking me directly in the eye.

  His eyes then flickered over to Gabe then back to me to see if there was a crack in this story Gabe cooked up. “I will firmly convey to you both that although I am not 100% comfortable with this, I trust that Gabe knows what he is doing and I will agree to allow it as long as you can manage to do it in a professional manner. Which brings me to my next question,” he exhales audibly and stops for a second. It looks as though he is thinking of how to approach his next inquiry. “Gabe tells me this young man is an old friend of yours. What is the nature of your relationship?”

  I was shocked that Gabe would stick his neck out to protect me from my father. My personal relationship with Dominic shouldn’t be their business. I know I screwed up and I am appreciative Gabe cleaned it up, but I am not going to let them run my life. Who I date or sleep with, and what I do isn’t any of their damn business.

  “Daddy, Dominic Ross and I have been friends for many years. I had no idea HMA was representing his band until Wednesday when I saw him. The song he wrote, Sweetness, is my song. He wrote it for me. That is why I volunteered to be part of the show. As for our romantic relationship, that really isn’t anyone’s business. He will be traveling so our personal relationship is casual, but we do care for each other.”

  I am holding my ground so far and to be honest a bit annoyed that my father was talking to me like a child in front of Gabe. If I am ever going to get Gabe to respect me he can’t treat me any differently than other employees from HMA. But since he is setting a precedence of favoritism, here goes nothing.

  “You should also know that Dominic has put his foot down and stated to me that as much of a success the set was, he will not sing that song like he did on stage Friday night with anyone but me. Which means, for promotional intentions, I should make myself available, for the bigger shows at least, to recreate the whole thing and make sure this single gets the proper exposure it deserves. That may mean more time traveling, then originally intended.”

  This is a bold move, I know. I sort of feel bad for making this declaration after finding out Gabe worked over my father to save my hide. I glance over at Gabe who looks displeased. His head is slightly shaking in the negative as he draws his eyes downward and takes a deep sigh. I can see that my father is mulling this over in his head. For a split second I think I just may come out the victor in this.

  “I see. Emma, this is a business. You will need to keep your professional life and your personal life separate, however since they have collided

  unintentionally, I don’t see a reason you couldn’t see this through. Gabe is in charge of this whole division so I will not overstep. I will leave the decisions up to him regarding your need to be at certain shows. Gabe is extremely competent in his job and I will leave you in his hands to do with as he pleases. If he allows you to go to these shows, that will be at his discretion and you will answer to him, not me. I am your father but Gabe is your boss. Is that clear?” Gabe gives me a tight smile and nods his head
in agreement. When my father says Gabe can do with me as he pleases my groin pulls and I shift in my seat. I don’t what to think about Gabe as anything other then jerk sitting in front of me but my body is not on the same page.

  How the hell did this go so wrong?

  “Of course, Daddy-,” My father cuts me off before another word is spoken.

  “That’s another thing. In the office I am Mr. Hill. I don’t mind people knowing you are my daughter, but you will need to give me the same respect I expect from all my employees.” My mouth hangs open; shocked by his insinuation that I would expect special treatment when I specifically told him time and again that is the last thing I want. If he recalls it was me who told him to treat me like everyone else, and him who said I was being silly because I am not like everyone else. I don’t mind showing him the proper respect but when he feels he needs to remind me where my place is, I take offence.

  “As I was saying, I completely understand, Daddy, I wouldn’t dream of overstepping my place in HMA. I am privileged to work with Mr. Hernandez and I acknowledge that I have a lot to learn. I was just merely expressing Dominic’s wishes. As for our personal relationship, it will be kept as discreet as I can manage. Work first. Always.” Gabe glares at me with narrowed eyes. He is trying to figure out what my angle is. He doesn’t realize I have had my father wrapped around my little finger since I was born. If I have to pull out the big guns I will.

  “Good, that’s settled. I am sure Gabe will be happy to show you up to your office and help you get settled in.”

  My father turns his head to Gabe who nods in agreement but remains silent until we arrive at HMA. My father stays behind in the car to make a private call and Gabe ushers me through the lobby and into a private elevator that is used primarily for executives. As soon as the doors close I see Gabe staring me down through my reflection in the door. We are the only ones in the elevator, and that’s a good thing because there is a lot of tension in this confined space. The way he smells and even the way he breathes is completely sensual. Mix that with the angry vibe he is giving off and that’s the recipe for a lust sandwich.

  Jesus Hill, get it together. He is your boss for god sakes, I scold myself.

  “I hope you learned your lesson, Emma. You will not go around me. It will only backfire. I thought we came to an agreement yesterday regarding what your role will be on my team. As we have clearly discussed, against my better judgment, I have allowed you to be on the promotional tour for several shows. However, if you continue to act like a spoiled child I will treat you like one and kick spoiled ass down to the mailroom.” “I wasn’t trying-“

  “I know what you were doing. You are testing me. You think just because, Martin Hill, is your father, he will overrule my decisions. That’s not the case as you can see. You will be wise to sit, listen, pay attention, and keep your mouth shut. Are we clear?” I turn my eyes downward, wanting to shrink in the corner and die.

  “Yes, Mr. Hernandez. I’m sorry. I will not disappoint.” The elevator doors opened and I follow Gabe out of the car.

  “Too late,” he murmurs to me as I follow him dutifully, hot on his heal. I see a small seating area to the right and a reception desk front and center. A very attractive redhead says good morning to Gabe, to which he simply nods in acceptance.

  We are on the top floor, where only the executive suites are located. The space is vast and each corner has a large office made up of darkened black glass walls with chrome trimmings. The middle of the room is a large box like floor plan made up of sleek low walls and glass desks with top of the line computers. The floor is busy with ringing phones and people moving about dutifully.

  I follow Gabe to the far right corner of the floor, to what I assume is his office. When we arrive Gabe introduces me to Stephanie Westley, his assistant. Stephanie is about 35 years old with short brown hair and brown eyes. She has a no-nonsense façade but seems nice and is very kind when she gives me the tour of the floor, as instructed my his majesty. She tells me about her two children and a husband. She seems pleased that I will be taking over her travel requirements as part of my job duties. She introduces me to all the people on the floor and shows me to my desk. It is on the far right corner of the square; closest to her own desk. I get settled in and work with a guy from the IT department to get my log on and screen names sorted. Just as we are done my phone rings. I see that it is Gabe from my phone ID.

  “Yes, Mr. Hernandez, how-“ he cuts me off before I can properly greet him.

  “Get in here,” he barks into the phone and hangs up immediately. I flinch at his snappiness before quickly grabbing a pen and notebook from my desk drawer. I let out a deep breath and Stephanie smiles at me when I knock on the door before entering.

  “You wanted to see me, Sir,” I say in a small voice. I can see Gabe’s office is similar to my apartment with clear glass walls looking out onto the city below, which wrap all the way around the two exterior walls. His desk is in front of the exterior glass wall I face when I enter. There is a seating area to the left side with two, leather sofa’s facing each other and a glass table between them. To the right of his desk there is a bar area with a flat screen TV and two closed doors behind it. I move toward the desk and take a seat on one of the two white club chairs with chrome feet facing it.

  “Yes Emma, have a seat. Are you finding everything ok?” He asks me with a genuine smile.

  Moody sonuvabitch isn’t he.

  His tone is nicer then it was a minute ago. One minute he hates me then he likes me. He is rude to me then he is nothing but manners. He hates what I do but then defends me to my father. Pick a side nut job.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good. Stephanie is working on your schedule as we speak. I will need you to get started on ordering the promotional items and work on the press releases. Nothing goes to print without my approval. I will email you a list of contacts that I want you to send the press releases to, once they are finalized. Also, I have thought about it, and I think that you should also handle all the expense reporting for this project. That should keep you out of trouble and free up Stephanie. I will have a corporate card ordered for you, but I repeat, nothing gets ordered or sent to press without my written approval.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Is there anything else?”

  “Coffee. Skim milk, one sugar,” he murmurs as he looks back at his computer. There he goes, hot and cold again. It is going to take some time for me to understand him.

  The rest of the day goes smoothly and at quitting time I ask Stephanie if there is anything else I need to do before I leave. I see her packing up and she tells me I did well on my first day as we walk out to the elevators together.

  Once outside I see Luke standing next to my father’s car. “Need a ride, Emma?”

  “No thanks, I am going to grab a bite to eat before I head back home. I’ll just grab a cab. But thank you.”

  “Anytime. Hay…uh…can I ask you something.”

  “Sure, Luke. What’s up?”

  “Um…I don’t know…I uh…” he stutters and shifts on his feet nervously. “I was just wondering if your friend Wanda is…single.”

  I snort at his question, before realizing he is totally serious. My, my, my. Luke is nervous about a girl. This is new. He is usually so confident and together. Come to think of it, they could be a match made in control freak heaven.

  “Yes. She’s single. Why do you looove her?” I mock.

  Luke rolls his eyes and smiles, “You are such a child sometimes, Emma. No I don’t love her. I was just curious if you think she would go out on a date with me.”

  “I think she might if you ask her. In fact I think there is a good chance she will say yes,” I wiggle my brows at him and he blushes.

  “I don’t know why the hell I asked you. You are going to tease me forever now aren’t you.”

  “No, of course not, Luke,” I say to him as my cab pulls up. “For a while maybe, but not forever. Later, lover boy.”

  �
��Good-bye Emma,” Luke replies exasperated.

  Since eating alone depresses me, I text Wanda to see if she is available to get some dinner. I would love to tell her that her crush is interested. That should make her day.

  ___________________________________________________

  Emma: Hay how was your first day at the studio? Want to grab some dinner? Wanda: It was wonderful. Loved it. Where? Emma: How about Italian? I will text you the address.

  Wanda: As long as you’re buying, I’m in…lol.

  ___________________________________________________

  As I am waiting for Wanda at the restaurant I decide to email Dominic to see what he’s up to.

  ___________________________________________________ From: Emma Hill To: Dominic Ross Subject: New Job

  Hi. I know you are probably busy but I wanted to let you know that my first day went great. I have to work on some press releases and promo stuff. That should keep me pretty busy and out of trouble, or so Gabe thinks.

  My father asked me about us today. He saw the photo of me on stage. Gabe told him that we were old friends and that you pulling me on stage was a publicity stunt that I agreed to. I also told them both that you wouldn’t sing my song to anyone else so if they wanted it repeated, I would need to be around more. Gabe didn’t like it, but who cares. As long as I get to see you more, that’s all that matters.

  Miss you,

  Emma

  ___________________________________________________

  When look up, I see Wanda entering the restaurant. During dinner we talk about our first day as career girls. Wanda landed her dream job as in intern at a popular New York radio station so she is naturally over the moon when she speaks about what a great time she had. She loves being the center of attention so this job is right up her ally. When I tell her about my conversation with Luke her face lights up even more and I see the tips of her ears pink up. Ill never get used to smitten Wanda.

  She keeps asking me things like “so was he nervous” and “when do you think he will ask me out”. I told her the conversation was less then a minute long but I have to keep recounting the seconds as she analyses it to death.