by Sherie Keys
Tanya was standing in front of her closet with the phone to her ear. The door to the closet was wide open and an empty suitcase lay open on her bed. Next to it was half her wardrobe and quite a few of her accessories. She had lined up several pairs of shoes on the floor next to her bed. She had Diana Ross songs playing in the background and was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.
She and Kurtis had planned to go away together. It was his idea and told her to leave everything to him and he would arrange it all. Her girlfriends speculated about where he might take her and came up with places as far flung as New Zealand. Well, that was Mae's imagination getting carried away. All Kaya asked was that she brought back some duty free perfume.
“Are we going on your yacht?” Tanya asked Kurtis.
“No,” he replied from the other end of the phone.
“Sorry, was that insensitive?”
“No. Why would it be?”
“Well you bought a new yacht after, you know, and you never use it.”
“I know. I'm working on that.”
“Look, I'm tired of guessing, Kurtis. Where are you taking me?”
“To meet the folks.”
“What?”
“Well by folks, I mean my dad and his girlfriend, Carla – on his country estate in California.”
“Am I ready for this, Kurtis? Meeting your dad?”
“Only one way to find out.”
They took off in Kurtis's private jet and drank champagne and ate strawberries on the flight. Kurtis chatted with ease but all the time while, Tanya's stomach was in knots. Very soon, they came in to land and Tanya found that she had taken a deep breath in but was unable to exhale. If she didn't calm down soon she might faint.
***
“Just relax. Dad will just love you, Tanya. I'm sure Carla will, too. She's great. You'll like them both. Just stop worrying so much.”
Kurtis had a hired car waiting for them and began the long ride out to his father's home, his too when he was a boy. They drove through wide country roads with the top down. There were trees and grasslands on either sides of the road and the occasional house.
“This is a beautiful place,” Tanya said. “You grew up around here?”
“Well for some of my life, anyway. As you know, I've moved around. I'm lucky I've got a lot of places I can call home. We're pretty close to the farm now. It's just over that ridge.”
“I love it here. How much of this does your father own?”
“All of it.”
Kurtis's father and Carla were both waiting on the large front porch when they pulled up.
“Tanya, I'd like you to meet my dad, Henry and this is his girlfriend, Carla.”
“Welcome, Tanya, welcome. It's very nice to meet.” He kissed her on both cheeks and gave her a hug.
“Thank you so much for having me. I love it out here, you're so lucky to live in a place like this.”
“Pity I can't convince my son to feel the same way. But you know you're always welcome and maybe I'll get to see more of the music business tycoon now that he has you.” He turned to Kurtis, squeezing his son's cheeks between his hands and patting him on the back.
Tanya could see where Kurtis got his deep blue eyes.
Carla kissed both Kurtis and Tanya on the cheek and led them all into the hallway.
“I assume you'll be sharing a room,” she said. “I put you in one to the east facing ones. Come up. Bring the bags, Kurtis.” She took Tanya's hand and began leading her up a wide staircase.
“Can't the girl have a drink first?” Henry called after them. He was promptly ignored. Kurtis went to get their bags from the car.
***
The next day, Kurtis took Tanya out for a long walk in the grounds surrounding the house.
“So. Are we near to the vineyards?” Tanya asked.
“Kinda,” Kurtis replied. “If we cut through this field, just up that hill you can see a part of one crop.”
The sun beat on their backs. Tanya wore a bright yellow, short-sleeved shirt and cut off jeans that showed most of her toned legs. Kurtis was in jeans and a t-shirt. They both wore sunglasses. The long grass tickled Tanya's legs and they held hands as they walked for ages across a field and up an incline, their bodies in silhouette against a bright sun and a clear sky. There, Kurtis stopped and took his sunglasses off.
“Just over there. That was my Dad's first crop. It's still growing strong. He knows everything about this business.”
“Was he sorry you didn't want to follow in his foot steps?”
“It's a beautiful life, but it wasn't for me. Or Jeannie. Her father's vineyards are out to the north. We clicked straight away. But it was pretty obvious we were both city slickers waiting to burst out of our country folk shells. We both persuaded our fathers to send us to school in New York.”
“You're lucky to have Jeannie as a friend.”
“I know.”
Tanya watched Kurtis in profile as he looked out across the land.
“Dad is worried about what will happen when I inherit it. But I promised him they'll always be here. I might not know much about vineyards but I'll make damned sure these stay in the family.”
“Can I ask you a question? And don't get mad,” she said.
“Why would I? Oh I know, it's about her isn't it?”
“I'm sorry. You know all about my past boyfriends, I never held anything back. But tell me one thing.”
“No, I never brought Catherine here. She hated the country. Even though it was where she was raised. She turned her back on her roots and stayed firmly planted in New York. I guess that's one of the reasons I never came out much while we were dating.”
“So in all the time you dated, she never even met your father?”
“Oh they met when he came to New York a couple of times but that was it. And no more talk about her, not today.”
“Okay, okay.”
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Down there, down to the vineyards.”
“That's a long walk.”
“I'll carry you if you get tired.”
They continued and eventually reached the vineyards. They walked amongst the shady vines and felt the late afternoon sun cooling but only slightly. Tanya was exhausted but she listened with enthusiasm while Kurtis parted with all the knowledge he had about the grapes and the history of the vineyard. His eyes lit up and she could tell that deep down there was more than the slick city businessman inside him. He was a country boy, too. Eventually he stopped talking and looked at her.
“What is it?” she said.
“Nothing. It's just there's something I want to ask you.”
“Anything.” Tanya absently looked around vines that dwarfed her the deeper they walked through them.
Kurtis reached out a hand to stop her.
“Yes?” she said.
“I know we haven't known each other for a long time, Tanya, but I feel like we really understand each other. I know I'm not the easiest of people to get on with.”
“Are you crazy, I love being with you.”
“Yeah, but let's face it, when we first met I was an emotional wreck.”
“But not anymore, right? You're over all that.”
“And that's all thanks to you, Tanya.”
“It was fate, Kurtis, that's what it was. Fate brought us together and that's why we're here now, having a great time, sharing each other's company.”
“I want to share more than that with you.” Kurtis got down on one knee.
“What are you doing?” she said, knotting her eyebrows.
“Just go with me on this.”
“Okay.”
He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a ring. She gasped and held her breath. The ring was gold: a slender hoop with a large diamond stone that gleamed as streaks of sun broke through the vines and bounced off it. The reflections hit her eyes and she blinked several times.
Kurtis held up the ring. “Tanya, w
ill you marry me?”
“Yes, Kurtis. Yes, I'll marry you.”
He stood and kissed her. They kissed until she felt light headed, blown away with the shock proposal and the fact that she had answered yes to a question that would change her whole life.
“Let's see if it fits,” he said.
Kurtis slid the ring onto her finger and held her hand.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“Kurtis, I love it. I wouldn't have chosen anything else but this ring. Should we tell your Dad when get back? The girls will scream for a week when I tell them. I should call Dad. He'll be so happy.”
“We'll have a great big party to celebrate when we get back to New York. Come on, we'll go get us a ride home.”
They held hands, made their way to the vineyard manager’s office, and arranged a ride back out to the house.
Tanya beamed all the way along the country roads and Kurtis held her hand.
“I can't believe what a great fit it is,” she said looking down at her hand.
“I'm glad we don't have to alter it. It's a bit of an antique. It belonged to my mother. My dad proposed to her in that very vineyard.”
“That's so romantic.”
“Dad brought the ring to New York when he came the last time. I was to give it to me for Catherine.”
The smile left Tanya's face, instantly “You mean you already proposed to her with this ring?” Her eyes were wide, inquiring.
“God, no, Tanya! What do you take me for? Catherine knew about the ring but she never even got to see it. I told Dad to take it back with him, keep it safe until I was sure I wanted to be married.”
“I see.”
“No, I don't think you do.”
“I truly never loved any woman they way I love you. Maybe if Catherine had lived we might well have gotten married but I never proposed to her because it never felt right.”
“And it does now?”
“Why do you even ask?”
“Of course. I shouldn't ask. This was fate.”
Chapter6
“Let me see that ring again!” Kaya grabbed Tanya's left hand and gasped. “Girl, you can by a small country with this and still have change to take out shares in Microsoft!”
“It's beautiful, Tanya,” Mae agreed. “You must be really happy.”
“I am, Mae. I've never been so happy.”
The girls were sitting around a wooden dining table on Tanya's balcony. They were under the shade of a large parasol, taking long cool cocktails.
“I keep looking at the ring and smiling,” Tanya beamed. “Sometimes I'm scared to wear it on the street in case someone steals it or I get kidnapped.” Still gushing, she looked at the diamond ring on her left hand and remembered Kurtis's proposal.
“Did that only just occur to you?” Kaya said. “I mean, dating a billionaire like Kurtis and you're in danger of being swiped off the street any time and being held for ransom.”
“Why are you trying to frighten her?” Mae crossed her arms and frowned at Kaya.
“I'm just saying,” Kaya continued. “It happens, okay? Not that it will happen to you, Tanya, but maybe you ought to ask Kurtis to give you a bodyguard.”
“No way, Kaya. I'm not having some burly guy hanging around me all day.”
“Well, get Kurtis to hire someone like that anyway and send him to my house.” Kaya laughed.
Tanya and Mae shook their heads.
“But,” said Tanya, “getting back to the engagement. Kurtis and I are going to throw a great big engagement party. He's left most of the planning to me and I haven't got a clue where to hold it.”
“How about the roof garden of the International? That place would be perfect. I went there once for a wedding and I was completely blown away,” Mae said.
“That's a brilliant idea. It's the one place I didn't think of. I'll get onto them and see what they have free.”
“So when is this party going to be?” Kaya asked. “Any celebrities?”
“Most probably.”
“What's the matter, Tanya? You don't want celebrities at your party?” Mae asked.
“It's not that. It's just I didn't want my party to be in the public eye.”
“Well you can forget that,” Kaya said. “People see your face in the newspaper and on the news whenever Kurtis shows up somewhere public with you. You're just gonna have to get used to it.”
“It's so hard sometimes. You know I'm not used to all that attention. But I guess I'm going to have to change how I feel for Kurtis's sake. I mean this is his life isn't it? And one day I'm going to have to come to terms with that.”
“Well, surely,” Mae said, “that day has got to start from right now. You're engaged. You're going to get married. Your life has already changed.”
Tanya stared off into the distance. She had been so wrapped up in the romance between her and Kurtis that she hadn't looked at what it all implied. His fame and fortune would never go away. Every one in New York knew him, or of him, and that his name was synonymous with power and wealth.
As a young girl, she may well have dreamt of riches but most of all, love was the thing that was the most important. At least she knew she loved Kurtis, she couldn't deny that.
“I know what I'll have to do,” Tanya said.
“What's that?”
“In terms of the media and paparazzi plaguing what should be a private affair, I will have to call on security.”
“Really?” Mae raised her eyebrows.
“Definitely. I'm going to need security to cordon off a wide radius so no newspapers, television camera or anyone press related can get through. I want this party to be just Kurtis, me and our friends and family. Anyone else isn't welcome and I'm going to make sure damned sure it stays that way.”
*
It was less than a week to go until Tanya's engagement party. She had chosen a secret location just on the outskirts of the city and only those with invitations knew where to go on Saturday night. She had little else to organize and was busy rushing to see a new personal shopping client and was on her way over to the client's apartment for a first meeting.
When she arrived at the address, she was met with tall, shiny railings, which surrounded the apartment building. There were two security guards sitting in a small cabin by the locked gate.
“Name please, Miss,” one of them asked her.
“Oh, hi. I'm Tanya Herman.”
The other guard looked at his list and picked up a phone.
“We have a Miss Tanya Herman on the gate for you.” He nodded his head and replaced the receiver. “You can go through, Miss Herman.” The guard smiled at her.
She heard a buzzing sound and saw the tall, heavy gate begin to swing slowly open. She walked onto a driveway. It was wide and had a slight incline. It seemed to take Tanya a long while to reach the front doors. She wished she'd driven.
She walked into the vast, communal entrance of what looked like an old stately home. It was very grand and must have once belonged to a very rich or important person in the community.
Tanya walked up to the first floor, as instructed, and rang on apartment number eight. The door was opened by a servant.
“Miss Herman I believe?” a man with a long pointed nose said. He barely opened his eyes but smiled all the same.
“Yes, I have an appointment.”
The servant stepped aside and waved her through.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Just through to the drawing room, if you would.” The servant pointed to a door just ahead of her that was slightly ajar.
Tanya smiled and made her way to the door, tapped on it, lightly, and entered. There didn't seem to be anyone in there. Maybe she was supposed to wait. Straight ahead of her was a desk with a chair behind it. The chair wasn’t facing into the room but out towards the window that looked onto a rich, green lawn. Inside the room, there were a few lavish armchairs with cream and gold upholstery. The rest of the furniture, a small coffee table, occasion
al side tables and a chaise longue, were all antiques. Two of the walls were lined with bookshelves, the other with portraits of people from a time long passed.
“Hello?” Tanya said, looking all around.
The chair by the desk began to slowly turn towards her. Tanya smiled, expecting to see her new client but there in front of her was James McConnagh.
“You!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here? I'm supposed to be meeting a client.” She dropped her bags and pulled out her cell to check the details. “I'm supposed to be meeting Charlotte M...”
“McConnagh. Yes, I know. That's my mother. She's running late and I said I'd keep you company until she got here.”
“I don't understand. Did you know it was me coming?”
“Everyone knows you, Tanya. You're personal shopper reputation goes hand in hand with style.”
“That's crazy. I have so few clients, it's just coincidence your mother hired me.”
“She got you on recommendation from a valuable source.”
“Who?”
James just looked at her and smiled
“You set me up. You...” Tanya turned to leave but James had already leapt from his chair and was at the door before she could escape.
“You can't just walk out on your responsibilities. What will Mummy say?”
“Mummy? I'm not even sure this Charlotte person really exists.” Tanya was taken aback by just how quickly James appeared at her side. She backed away.
“Oh, she exists, all right,” James said. “And she's on her way. You wouldn't want to let her down. Mummy is very good at giving people a bad name. You wouldn't want to lose your clients would you? Or any new clients in the future? Remember, Tanya, in business the customer is always right.” He put his arm around her and led her to a side cabinet where there was a tray of drinks bottles and glasses.
“Now let's just relax and I'll pour you a drink,” he said. “What would you like?”
“I'm fine thank you,” she said shrugging him off and walking over to one of the high backed chairs and taking a seat.
“Tut, tut, Tanya. What did I just say? The customer is always right.”
“You're not my customer, James.”
“No, but I'm your customer's son. A son she listens to a lot.”
