Taken

by Mia Ford

  When I did he was looking at me. I smiled and felt my cheeks flush.

  “That’ll be three dollars.”

  I snapped out of it and thought three dollars was acceptable. Reaching into my purse in the banker box I tried not to pay any attention to the form that was just sitting there staring at me. Just then there was a flash of lightning and within seconds a clap of thunder. I was out of the rain but there was something else in the air. I could feel it. Electricity. And it was coming straight from the booth to my right.

  JOSHUA

  Note to my future protégé: It was fate. That is all I have to say. Fate was smiling on me yet again. Joshua Hewitt was a name the Universe knew and loved and it proved to me a hundred times a day.

  There was a time when I might have wondered when my good fortune was going to run out. But everyday fate brought me into situations that were for my benefit. There was no doubt in my mind that my luck was never going to change.

  See, because I am grateful. I am grateful. When you have luck like mine you have to have to be grateful and nurture it.

  Like I tried to tell Molly Farnsworth last week when I broke up with her. She had become very lucky being around me. She’d had her face in the newspaper and on the tabloids. Modeling offers were coming in because girls like Molly always want to be models.

  Don’t get me wrong. She was beautiful with long black hair and high cheekbones that cameras love. Her body was smooth and flat and easily manipulated. The cameras loved that, too. It was no secret when we first met that she had dreams of being on the cover of any trashy female magazine that boasted slimming diets and ways to please your man in bed.

  But Molly started to assume that the luck I threw her way was really her own. She didn’t realize it was just the residual effect of being around me. See, that doesn’t work. It’s like stealing, really. If I let her get away with stealing my gifts from the Universe, well, the Universe would stop sending them to me. I couldn’t have that.

  I had to send her packing.

  That was an ugly scene right out of some chick-flick. I tried to be decent about it but my gut told me that Molly was going to show her true colors when that luck was taken away from her and boy did she.

  This is another note to my future protégé: Handle women gently until they show they don’t deserve it.

  We had met while I was handling some business in Montreal, Canada. My jet had to be refueled and as I was waiting as fog had rolled in. See, an average guy would have been cursing and angry that the fog would delay him from what he wanted to do. I knew that the Universe was telling me I needed to stay in Montreal for a little while longer.

  It was like that woman who showed you the world when you were first becoming a man. She didn’t just flop it all out there in front of you. You got a little peek first. She would give you a view of some lace down her top or a glimpse at her thick thigh from the slit in her skirt. She made you curious. She made you want to see more.

  So, when I got back into the main part of town, the sun was starting to go down and I found myself a quiet little place. Not much different from Liona’s here minus the alcohol. I was hungry. Most dives off the beaten track had the best food. And I knew if I went to the trendy, star-studded places then someone would recognize me, the press would show up and the Universe wouldn’t be able to give me anything with all that human pollution around.

  No, there had to be a little quiet place around and that was at The Dixie Kitchen.

  Molly was working as a waitress.

  Now, a word of caution to my future protégé: Don’t judge a girl by where she works. Everyone has to start somewhere. I have found that some women who have relaxing jobs like a masseuse or a librarian are as high strung and aggressive as a cornered poodle. Other women in high speed jobs like nursing or the stock market are terrified of their own shadow if you leave them alone for a second.

  Molly was obviously not planning on being a waitress forever. But she did what she had to get what she thought she needed and for a short while it paid off.

  Bringing me my steak and eggs with a smile and wink of those long black lashes it didn’t take long for me to see she was what the Universe wanted me to have.

  She told me everything about herself within twenty minutes of conversation while I shoveled food in my mouth and listened. Listening is a talent most people don’t possess. I do. Another gift I have chosen to use wisely.

  By listening I learned Molly had not finished college, that she shared an apartment with a guy she was “just friends” with, and that she wanted to be a model more than anything but head shots and clothes cost money. So, she was diligently working as a waitress for the tips. Of course, a girl who looked like her begs to be asked the question why not stripping.

  Her answer was quite telling. She said there were no respectable strip clubs in the area.

  I lingered as long as the fog did and when it finally lifted Molly had packed a bag and was heading back to the States with me. Don’t frown on spontaneity. It can lead to very prosperous investments.

  Due to the fact that I had headed off to another country without telling anyone, when I arrived back the press was having a field day speculating what I was doing. We were greeted by flashing cameras and obnoxious reporters for hack magazines asking where I had been. Was this woman the reason I had skipped town without telling anyone. As usual, I said nothing and whisked Molly to my limo and we drove off.

  She stayed at my penthouse for a couple of months before her insanity began to show. And then the violence and the threats started.

  See, I had no choice but to let her go. She had started to think that the press wanted to talk to her, that the modeling agencies really wanted her, that she had somehow earned all of this and I was to step aside. She was wasting the runoff of my good fortune and scratching and clawing for more when she should have been thankful for what she was getting.

  So, I broke it off quickly. She didn’t see it coming. But I can’t help but think she learned a valuable lesson. I don’t think she’ll be ungrateful again.

  And now, look. I am a free man just as this beautiful blonde walks into Liona’s Tavern at the same time on the same day I decided to be here, too. My luck was in…again.

  The woman was carrying a box. She had been fired, obviously. Judging by the looks of her I could only assume she had a female boss, because any man would have fought tooth-and-nail to keep her on board regardless of if she could do her job or not. Nope, this girl got fired for what she was born with.

  Without staring I watched her climb up on the barstool and order a beer. That made me like her immediately. She just ordered a beer. Well drinks were too expensive even in a dive like this one for a girl out of work. But a beer was okay.

  She didn’t appear to have a beer gut unless all the alcohol went to her ass that was round and high up there.

  She was wearing just a plain black skirt with high heels. The shoes must have been hurting her feet because she kept sliding her heels out of them and flexing her calves as she did so.

  It was obvious this woman had built up an immunity to noticing the men who watched her. Unlike Molly who wanted everyone to watch her at all times this one was different. She didn’t seem to realize how beautiful she was and that made her even more desirable.

  The table of construction workers had watched her walk in but each one of them knew approaching her would be like trying to take the Bar Exam. It wouldn’t just be a failure, it would be a monumental example of humiliation that would be felt for generations to come.

  “Can I get you anything else, Mr. Hewitt?” I looked at Beth, the round-faced waitress who was bending down low to speak quietly and give me a glimpse at her budding cleavage. She was sweet but I could see traces of Molly in her eyes. Obviously, she had read the tabloids that told of Joshua Hewitt falling for a poor waitress and their brief whirlwind romance.

  It was sad how a woman would settle for a brush of fame and fortune on the tail end of someone else instead o
f going out there and getting it for themselves. Beth wanted it badly. But she’d have to find some other sucker. Waitresses were off my to-do list.

  “No, thanks, Beth. But do me a favor. Send a drink to the lady at the bar. Keep the change.” I dropped a twenty on Beth’s drink tray and focused my eyes back on the woman at the bar. I didn’t want to see the jealousy in her eyes. It was annoying and would have made me mad.

  “Sure thing.” She chirped as if my interest in someone else didn’t bother her. It did. And I was glad it did.

  I watched as the bartender took the money, got the change, gave it back to Beth who promptly stuffed it in her pocket, then turned and poured another Bud Light in a glass, placing it in front of the lady.

  She shook her head trying to explain she didn’t want another round thinking to herself she didn’t have the money.

  “Nope,” the bartender said. “It’s from the gentleman at the booth”

  But then something happened I didn’t expect. She still shook her head no. What? Who turned down a gift from the Universe? The bartender looked at me and shrugged his broad shoulders.

  This was interesting.

  I stood up from my table and walked over to the woman I had sent the drink to. Her eyes looked a little red.

  “Look, before you say anything, thanks for the beer but I’m just not interested.” She said before I could even say hello. She barely looked at me. I assumed because she was embarrassed. The Universe was throwing me a curveball and I was liking it.

  “Well, that’s okay.” I said quietly. I didn’t want to scare this one away. “I just thought it looked like you had a rough day and could use a kind gesture.”

  That got her attention. Finally, she looked at me. I smiled and stuck out my hand.

  “Joshua Hewitt.”

  She was a little hesitant at first. I knew what she was thinking. She was thinking she did need a kind gesture. Yes, he was being a gentleman. Okay, I’ll shake his hand.

  “Natasha Morgan.” She said. I held her hand in both of mine. It was small and soft cocooned in my grasp and yet there was a strength there. She didn’t try to pull her hand away. In fact, I had the feeling this was the first bit of human contact she had in a long time.

  “Miss Morgan, I couldn’t help but notice you bringing your office supplies with you. Bad day?” I watched her swallow hard. Her throat bounced and she was obviously biting her tongue so as not to break down and cry in public.

  “Yeah, you could say that. Call me Natasha.”

  “Natasha, do you mind if I sit?”

  She shook her head and scooted herself over in cute way as if making room on her stool…. somehow made room for me, too.

  “If it’s any consolation I have been laid off, too.”

  She smiled a little.

  “You ever been fired?” she asked, as if she half expected me to recoil in horror at the very idea.

  “Yup. In fact, my own brother fired me.”

  That cracked her shell just a little. Her eyes were wide and she showed a sympathy for me I had never seen from anyone before. Taking her glass of beer and a small sip she shook her head in disbelief.

  “Your own brother? What did you do?” She asked in a hushed voice. “Steal his woman?”

  “How’d you guess?” I replied.

  “That is the only thing that could break apart two brothers.” She said, taking another sip of her drink. “Are you still with her?”

  I shook my head no.

  We talked a little more. I told her where I went to college, my favorite football team, the last movie I saw. She listened and sipped her beer making it last, so I could tell she wouldn’t have to take the one I offered. She was the kind of woman who didn’t want to owe anyone. What a rare find.

  In a few sentences she had told me she was a secretary and why she had gotten fired. I was right. It was because of how she looked. I told her that too and watched a pleasant pink blush creep up her cheeks.

  “Look, I know we just met but I might be able to help.” I said, reaching inside my suit jacket and taking out a gold business card holder. Flipping it open I pulled out a card. Then taking out my matching gold pen I wrote a number on the back of the card and handed it to Natasha.

  “Monday, call this number and ask for Mrs. Ogawa in Human Resources. Tell her Joshua Hewitt told you to call. I can’t guarantee anything will come of it but…you never know.”

  I almost laughed at the look on her face. It was as if she were a dog hearing a high-pitched whistle.

  “What? You mean call about maybe a job?” she asked, stunned.

  “Yeah, like I said. I can’t promise anything but someone with your experience and background I think would be a real asset. What’s the harm in calling, right?”

  Tears came into her eyes. It wasn’t because she was so moved by my kindness. I knew that. She had had a bad day. When she was walked out of that building she felt like she was an inch tall if that. Giving a little person like her a boost would pay off in dividends.

  “Thanks.” Was all she was able to squeak out. She took her cocktail napkin and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

  “Would you call me and let me know if Mrs. Ogawa can help you?” I asked as if I didn’t want to hassle or inconvenience her.

  “My gosh. If anything comes of this I’ll take you for dinner.” She said. “It’ll be a McDonald’s dinner but dinner none-the-less.”

  I had to laugh.

  She looked at her watch and I could tell she was getting ready to leave.

  “Are you in a hurry? It looks like it’s really raining outside. You might want to just stay for a little longer.” The truth was I didn’t want her to go.

  Watching her look outside I saw her shoulders slump. She really did want to leave and I couldn’t understand why. What was the Universe trying to show me with this one that I was missing?

  “I need to get home.” She said. “I’d love to stay and chat but I’m getting tired and it’s been a long day and whether or not Mrs. Ogawa can help me I still need to go to the unemployment office and get my resume in shape and…”

  “I’m exhausted just listening to you.” I said. “Would you let me do one last thing?”

  She pulled back a little as if I might ask for a kiss.

  “What?” she was suspicious again. It was adorable.

  “My driver is parked out back. Let me have him drive you home. You don’t need to stand out in the rain for the bus. I think you’ve had a hard- enough day.”

  “Are you serious?”

  I nodded my head.

  “Okay?” she said, pursing her eyebrows together as if she didn’t quite believe me. I made a quick phone call and within a minute my car was in front of Liona’s.

  “Come on. I’ll walk you to your ride.” I stood, picked up her banker’s box, held it for her and walked to the door. “Wait here.” I said as I stood under the tiny awning that was at the front entrance. My driver hopped out of the car with a wide black umbrella and stood holding it over me. I instructed him to take Natasha home and make sure he kept her address. He got back behind the wheel and I walked back to the awning where Natasha was standing with that look I always loved to see on women’s faces. That look of being totally impressed.

  I stuck out my elbow for her to hold on to. She did and she wasn’t shy about it. This was fun for her. It was honest fun. And when she turned to face me I waited for the Universe to open the door wide in the form of a kiss.

  “I really appreciate this. Thank you.”

  And there it was. Natasha had her hand stuck out like we had just made the deal of a lifetime. I let a surprised laugh tumble out of my mouth and I shook her hand then brought it to my lips.

  She blushed but she didn’t look away. Instead she smiled and climbed in the car. I folded the umbrella and dropped it on the floor of the back seat and slammed the door shut. Off she went.

  I was full of wild electricity. Something had been jarred awake inside me and I was elated. It was a cha
llenge. A puzzle to be solved. Natasha Morgan was something so different and special I had to stop and regroup in order to figure out what to do with her next. The Universe had really smiled on me. It was just giving me that seductive peek, just a tiny taste of its gift that was by far its most generous yet.

  The rain felt good on my face. I looked at the Liona’s red neon sign as raindrops wove their way across the glass that protected it. They were such simple little drops of rain but in the right light, under the right conditions they sparkled like jewels. Everything around me looked sharp and crisp as if I had slipped on a pair of much needed glasses in order to focus. The air smelled fresh and clean. For the first time in a long time I felt really alive.

  But in the meantime, what would I do with this excitement surging through my veins. I went back inside Liona’s. With the rain keeping everyone where they were, it was slow. I took Beth to a back room and let her ease my stress. But all I could think of was Natasha Morgan.

  MARTY

  It was 7:56 in the morning and already my daily status report was coming in late. Reid Industries was never going to stay in the black if I, the CEO, couldn’t get organized before the rest of the four hundred and sixteen employees even sat down at their desks.

  I looked at my desk and could have sworn some work had been done yesterday in order to move some of the files but over the six hours I was gone from here it not only didn’t look like anything had moved but it looked as if more were added.

  The windows pointed and looked out over a beautiful skyline as another gray day opened up. My small conference table was also covered with paperwork that I had forgotten about. There were letters and contracts to be signed and others to be edited or tossed.

  I had a small bar at the other end of my office collecting dust since it was only utilized during the Christmas party that I insisted stay traditional like they were when my father ran the business. No wasting time and money making people go to a restaurant that jacks up the prices at that special time of year.