“Sorry Al, got a bit distracted for a moment. Can you repeat that again?”
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, just tired, like everyone else at the table.”
That got a round of chuckles. They all had been working long hours getting the various presentations finished for the meeting. Her senior managers were as invested in the company as she, and it was gratifying to know they’d supported her leadership from the beginning. In truth, it wasn’t the work that had Alysa tired, it was never finding out who the mystery man was from the ball six weeks earlier. He’d touched a cord in her. She was reluctant to give up her search for him, but everywhere she looked and everyone she talked to was one dead end after another. Lisa was still on the hunt, but so far, she had struck out as well.
Why is it the one guy I fall for has decided to fall off the face of the planet?
Finally the last manager presented his materials to the group and everyone agreed they were ready for the big day tomorrow. Not only would they reveal their newly revised quarterly profit, but they would also unveil the new product line for next year. Keeping stockholders happy was a full-time job no matter if it was a billion dollar company or a new and emerging one. Alysa was fully confident that tomorrow everyone would be happy—
well almost everyone.
***
Scott Anderson pulled on his jacket and headed downtown for the stockholder’s meeting of Solar Winds, Inc. He held a large number of shares in the small, but emerging company and he liked their odds for making it, especially since they’d survived the three-year mark without folding. The CEO, Al Stevens, was making smart decisions with the direction of the company and Scott was looking forward to meeting him after the presentation.
As much as he was pleased to see his investments paying off handsomely, his personal life had taken a nosedive since he’d attended that masquerade ball weeks ago. He hadn’t wanted to attend, but when he found out a Three Musketeer’s costume was available, he couldn’t resist. He would go, compliment the women and dance the night away. It was so simple, no commitment, no entanglement, just an evening enjoying the wiles of the fairer sex.
All that changed when he saw her. She was exquisite in her black gown and golden mask. He was captivated with her, couldn’t get enough of her. He’d inhaled her sweet scent, and when he kissed her lips he felt the earth move under his feet. It was perfect, too perfect, as luck would have it. The moment he was going to ask for her name, his brother texted him. There’d been a car accident. His brother Michael wasn’t seriously hurt, but Michael’s wife Ellen had been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Scott had dashed out of the ballroom quickly, and only later realized that he hadn’t gotten her name and he had no way to learn her identity. There was no guest list. After all, it was a masquerade ball for a reason. No one knew who the woman in the golden mask was and though he had tried everything he could think of to find her, he had to admit that he’d have to file that night away as one of his most magical evenings ever, never to be repeated again.
My lady Constance, I have searched far and wide for you, but you have disappeared. Where did you go?
Scott picked up his pace and was soon at the office building downtown. He was thirty minutes early for the meeting, but the room was crowded. Seems like word had gotten out that the reclusive CEO would be making a personal appearance at the meeting. Every shareholder, large or small, was packed into the room. He found a seat near the back and began reading the program materials until the senior executives filed out on stage. One by one the presentations were made recapping the past year, looking forward to the next year and explaining the new products to be developed. It was going to be a fantastic year. Scott had a good feeling about it.
“And now, lastly, I’d like to turn the podium over to our CEO,” Alan said.
Scott looked up and his mouth fell open when a striking blonde woman walked up to the microphone. The rest of the room sat in a hushed silence. Jaws dropped. Obviously, none of the other stockholders knew the CEO was a woman either.
She was smartly dressed in a navy suit, white silk blouse and silver hoop earrings completed her outfit. Her hair was pulled back in a chignon at the nape of her neck and it set off her intense blue eyes, high cheekbones and full lips.
“Good morning, everyone.” She paused and looked around the room making eye contact with a number of people in the audience. She flashed a mega-watt smile. “I’m Alysa Stevens, better known to all of you as Al.”
A hammer blow struck Scott’s chest and he didn’t hear another word. It was her; the one he’d been looking for since the charity ball six weeks ago. Was it possible? His dream girl was also the smartest CEO he’d come across in years? He looked at her with fresh eyes, remembering touching the curve of her face, the taste of her kiss from that wonderful magical night. He wanted to rush up to the podium and caress her soft skin.
“…and thank you all for coming out today. I look forward to taking this company to new heights. It’s going to be a banner year.”
The room exploded with applause and it startled him out of his reverie. Scott looked at the podium, but Alysa was already retreating backstage. He got up and tried to reach her, but the throng of people with the same idea of meeting her blocked his path. Before he made it to the front of the room, she was gone. The only comforting thought was this time he knew her name and where she worked. He was determined to meet her one way or another.
He pulled out his phone, looked up the company’s phone number and dialed. Her assistant answered on the second ring.
“Good afternoon, Al Stevens’ office,” she said pleasantly.
“Yes, I would like to make an appointment with her, please.”
“May I ask what your business is, sir?”
“I’m a stockholder in the company and would like to discuss some new ideas,” Scott said, cringing at his lie.
“Of course, sir, but I don’t have any open appointments for about four weeks, say Monday, October 10th at 3pm. May I schedule that date for you?”
“It’s very important I meet with her sooner than that. Are you sure you can’t squeeze me in somewhere for ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir, I’m sure it’s important. All of our appointments are, but that’s the earliest date I have. What is your name?”
“Scott Anderson.” He listened to the clicking as the assistant typed his info.
“You’re all set, Mr. Anderson. We’ll see you on the tenth at 3pm. Goodbye.”
The call ended and Scott stared at his phone. Another month? He didn’t want to wait another month. He’d waited too long as it was. He needed to see her before October. He just had to. He’d come to the realization while he was searching that she was the one, the one he’d been looking for his whole life. Never before had he ever felt such stirrings for a woman. There was no doubt about it, and he should know. He had a sixth sense about these things and his heart told him he was right.
Chapter 4
Alysa returned to the office with a grin that stretched across her face. “The meeting went over fabulously well. The stockholders didn’t care that I was a woman. All they cared about was the bottom line and those dividends we’ll be paying out this year,” she told Lisa.
“I knew they’d love you,” Lisa said. “You’ve done an amazing job with the company.”
“Thank you, but you know a large part of my success is you. Now, aren’t you glad we gave you stock when you joined the company?”
“Absolutely, best decision I ever made to take stock over a bonus.”
“Any calls?” Alysa asked.
“I made an appointment for you with a Scott Anderson. He’s a stockholder and wants to talk to you about ideas for the company.”
“Okay, don’t know that name, but I’m happy to see him. When?”
“Not until next month.”
Alysa nodded and went into her office to start looking over the details on the new product line they’d presented earlier. Now that she’d be
en unveiled as CEO, she planned to go on the next sales trip with Alan. She had to make sure she knew every detail of the new products.
She pressed the intercom. “What time does the plane leave for Taiwan?”
The driver will be here in thirty minutes. Your bags are downstairs with security.
“Thanks, Lisa, I’ll be done here in a few minutes.”
***
Scott ran the last two blocks to Solar Winds’ headquarters in record time. There was no way he was going to let another month go by without seeing Alysa. He stepped off the curb, only to jump back when a limo driver blasted his horn at him.
“Come on, come on,” he barked, waving the limo by.
He rushed into the lobby, only to be stopped by security at the front desk.
“Sir, you must check in. Entry upstairs is by appointment only.”
“I don’t have an appointment, but it’s urgent that I see Al Stevens today,” he panted.
The security guard gave him a hard glare. “No appointment, no entry. Those are the rules.”
“But, this is urgent. I must speak to Ms. Stevens.”
“No buts, sir. Please move away from the desk.”
Scott nodded and turned away. He pulled out his phone and dialed Alysa’s office again hoping that the assistant would let him come upstairs.
“Al Stevens’ office,” Lisa answered.
“Hi, this is Scott Anderson again. I just came from the stockholders meeting and I’m downstairs in the lobby. Is there any way I could have two minutes with her?”
“Mr. Anderson, I’m sorry, but she just left for the airport. She’ll be back in ten days.”
“Thank you.” Scott sighed and clicked off the call. The fates were against him today. He would have to wait to see her. He was out of options. Seeing her again had ignited his longing for the beautiful mysterious woman he’d met at the ball. She was the one, and now that he had found her he couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms and kiss her again. If only he hadn’t gotten that text at the ball, he would have found out her name, but he couldn’t blame his brother. It had been an emergency.
The text read: “BEEN IN ACCIDENT. ELLEN HURT. COME TO ST. JOHNS”
By the time he reached the hospital, Ellen was in surgery with life threatening injuries. He found Ben waiting in the family room outside the surgical suite. He had a cut over his left eye and his arm was in a sling.
“Ben, I’m so sorry. What happened?”
Ben was in a daze and he didn’t recognize Scott. It was only when Ben didn’t answer him that Scott realized he was still wearing his mask. He pulled it off and stuffed it in his jacket pocket before going to sit next to his brother.
He reached out and touched his brother’s arm. “Ben, it’s me Scott.”
Recognition dawned on Ben’s face. “Scott, sorry man. Didn’t recognize you. Thought you were some crazy guy who decided to come and bother me.”
“I was at a masquerade ball when I got your text. I didn’t waste time changing before coming here.”
“Thanks for coming. Ellen’s been in surgery for over an hour now. No one has updated me yet, but it looks bad.”
“Oh, no, that’s horrible. What happened?”
“Some jerk ran the red light and T-boned us. Ellen got the worst of the impact. There was so much blood.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions and think the unthinkable. St. Johns is an outstanding trauma hospital and the doctors here are the best. She’s in good hands.”
“Yeah, I know. You’re right, but I don’t know how I’m going to live without her. They’ve got to save her, they just have to.”
“And they will. Have faith. Are you okay? Is your arm broken?”
“Yeah, it is, but I’m okay. Have to go down to x-ray before they put a cast on it, but I don’t want to leave the surgical suite until I hear news about Ellen.”
“Why don’t you go down and get that x-ray? I’ll stay and wait for the doctor. As soon as I hear anything, I’ll come find you.”
Ben hesitated before he rose to his feet. “You’ll find me the minute you hear?”
Scott got up and patted Ben’s shoulder. “Yes, now go.”
It was hours before he heard any news. Ben came back into the surgical suite, his arm was firmly entrenched in a hard cast and there were six stitches in his forehead. When the doctor came out of surgery and let them know that Ellen would live, Ben had wept with relief. It was only after he had taken his brother home to get some rest that Scott had realized he’d left the ball without finding out his mysterious lady’s name.
“Sir, you’ll have to leave the lobby. No loitering here,” said the security guard.
Scott nodded and realized that his hanging around looked suspicious. “Sure. Was thinking about stuff, that’s all. Have a good day.” He turned and walked out into the cool September air.
Chapter 5
In the limo, Alysa looked through her briefcase. “Where are the presentations? Do you have them, Alan?”
“No, I thought you had them.”
“Damn.” She pulled out her phone and dialed her assistant. “Lisa, where are the presentations?”
“What? You don’t have them?” Lisa asked.
“No, they’re not in my briefcase.”
“Hold on a sec, let me check with the front desk.” Lisa put her boss on hold while she dialed the front lobby. When Gerry answered, she wasted no time with small talk. “Gerry, didn’t you give Alysa the presentations I left at the front desk?”
There was a pause and then Lisa heard Gerry swear. “I’m sorry, I got distracted with a visitor and forgot to give them to her.”
“Okay, no problem. I have her on the other line. Meet her out front.”
She clicked back to her boss. “Al, so sorry. They’re at the front desk. Gerry will meet you outside.”
Alysa exhaled in relief. “Thanks, Lisa. We’ll be right back.” She clicked off the line and turned back to Alan. “Seems like we’re going back to the office. The presentations are still at the security desk.”
“Not an auspicious beginning for your first trip,” Alan said.
“No, it’s fine. These things happen and we have plenty of time to catch our flight.”
When the limo rounded the corner, Alysa was looking out the window. She saw a man coming out of the lobby. There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on it, and soon he was out of her view.
She saw Gerry standing outside and rolled down her window when the limo pulled along side him. She reached out and took the presentations.
“I’m sorry, totally missed giving these to you. I got tied up with a guy in the lobby.”
“No problem, we’d only gone two blocks before I noticed they was missing,” Alysa said, taking the stack of papers from the guard.
“Have a good trip, Ms. Stevens. Bye,” Gerry said before going back inside.
Alysa breathed a sigh of relief. “It would not have been good to go to that meeting without these.”
“I’m sure they would have printed them for us,” Alan offered.
“I know, but I don’t want to go to an investors meeting and the first thing out of my mouth is ‘can you print this stuff’.”
Alan chuckled. “True, but don’t worry. You’ll do fine. Once you get a few of these trips under your belt, they’ll become second nature.”
Alysa looked at her Vice President and smiled. He was in his mid-forties and was showing a few white hairs, but the salt and pepper look gave him a distinctive air. His wisdom and expertise in helping her guide the company to its current success was invaluable. She knew she was lucky when he agreed to come on board, especially since he’d had the pick of positions back then. “You’re the best, you know that? In case I haven’t told you lately, I really appreciate all you do.”
The older man patted her hand. “It goes both ways kiddo! You’ve learned a lot and more importantly, you listened. That’s the sign of a great CEO in the making.”
/> “Thanks. Do you want to go over this one more time?”
“No, there will be plenty of time on the flight. One word of advice though, if you can sleep on the plane, do it. You’ll feel better once we land in Taiwan. I know you’re excited, but you’ll feel that jet lag crash into you if you don’t get some rest on the way.”
“Okay, I’ll try.” Alysa put the presentations in her briefcase and leaned back in the seat. Her professional life was a success and she was proud of her accomplishments, but not having someone special to share it with left an aching need in her. She tried not to think about her handsome d’Artagnan, but it was hopeless. She longed to feel his arms around her, feel his hot breath on her neck and taste his sweet lips again.
She hated to admit it, but she had no hope of ever finding him. Had she lost her one chance at true love? Could you even fall in love with someone in one night? With no answers to her questions, Alysa did the next best thing and started rehearsing her speech to the perspective investors.
***
Scott stared at his computer screen. “Lame!” He deleted the email he’d been trying to write to Alysa for the past 3 days. He’d gotten her email address from the company’s website, but it was a generic one, president@solarwindsinc. When he first started writing it, he tried to be clever, then mysterious, then all business, but none of those options felt exactly right. He didn’t want to send her an email because she’d have no idea who he was. Plus, he wasn’t sure if her assistant screened her messages, or if it would go straight into her spam filter.
The funny thing was he’d been planning to talk to Al, or so he thought, about designing a new company logo and website. The current one was rather bland. He had doodled with a number of designs over the past few months before settling on his current one. He wanted the company to do well. It certainly helped his bottom line, but more importantly, he liked what the company was doing. Wind and solar power were the wave of the future and Solar Winds, Inc. had gotten in on the ground floor.
He glanced at the calendar. Seven more days before Alysa returned from her trip to Taiwan. It was only a week. He could certainly wait another week. After all, he’d been searching for her for six months. At least now he knew her name and where to find her. His lips curled up in a lazy smile as he remembered the feel of her in his arms. Her scent was intoxicating, her lips soft. Why this girl? What was so special about her? Scott had no answers, but the one thing he knew for certain was that Alysa Stevens was the girl for him.
Love by Chance (A Contemporary Romance) Page 2
