by Calista King
"It's really nothing Andreas. Just take care of yourself and stay out of trouble. We're all really proud of you, but I've got to go now. Talk to you later. Bye!"
Frederick hung up abruptly and Andreas was left staring at his phone in astonishment. In all his 29 years, he'd never heard his brother sound so strange. Frederick was always confident and self possessed. Everything about him spoke of purpose and strength, but that phone call was just a jumbled mess.
Perhaps Mother is getting on his case about marrying again, Andreas mused. Or maybe it's the pressure of being heir to the throne that's finally getting to him. If anything were really wrong, he knew Frederick would never keep it from him, so he shrugged his shoulders and tried to put the strange episode out of his mind.
The cab arrived back at the hotel shortly after, and Andreas strode inside and made his way straight to his room. Once there, he stripped down completely and hopped in the shower. The warm water running down his back felt heavenly, and he let out a long satisfied sigh as the muscles in his back and shoulders began to relax under the soothing water.
Once he finished his shower and shaved, he got dressed in a pair of jeans and black v neck sweater and sat back on the bed. He was just about to call Laila when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Looking at the caller ID, he let out a small groan and answered it.
"Hello, Uncle," Andreas said trying to sound cheerful.
"Where have you been?" his uncle asked gruffly.
"Don't tell me you've been trying to get in touch with me too," Andreas said.
"That's exactly what I've been trying to do. Since last night. Where were you?"
"I was out with a friend. What's wrong?" Andreas asked.
"Nothing is wrong. In fact, I was calling with good news," his uncle said.
"Oh really? What is it?"
"You're coming with me to Dubai today."
"What? What are you talking about Uncle?"
"I'm talking about the Paradise Grand Resort in Dubai. The deal we've been working on for five years to build the largest luxury resort in the Middle East. Is any of this ringing a bell?"
"Yes, but what does this have to do with me?"
"Damn it Andreas! Are you the COO of Carstens Ecklund or not? It has everything to do with you," his uncle yelled.
"Right right I know that, Uncle. Of course, but what I meant was, why am I going to Dubai? It seems very short notice to just leave today. I thought you were the one heading up this project."
"I am, but you should be there as well. You need to be involved in every aspect of this company, and this Dubai project is one of the biggest we've ever worked on. It will be a great opportunity for you to learn."
Andreas knew his uncle was right. He should go to Dubai. He needed to go to Dubai. The whole reason for his parents sending him to New York was to work at Carstens Ecklund and learn, and here was the perfect opportunity. He was grateful to his uncle for including him in this trip on such short notice, but still he couldn't muster any real enthusiasm for it.
"When do we leave and how long are we staying?" Andreas asked.
"We leave in 3 hours will stay for about five days."
"Three hours? You haven't left me much time at all, Uncle," Andreas said.
"If you would have picked up your phone last night, you would have known sooner. As it is, the limo will pick you up at your hotel in an hour. Don't keep us waiting."
With that, his uncle hung up the phone. Andreas sat on the bed in stunned silence. It was like his mind was trying to play catch up with reality. He needed to get packed, but hadn't the first clue what to bring. Where was his passport? Where was his suitcase? What should he pack? There were a million things running through his mind, but he still sat there frozen in place, not sure where to begin.
Shit! What about Laila? With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he realized he wouldn't get to see her for a few days. He knew the first thing he had to do was call her to let her know about the change in plans. He dialed her cell phone but it went straight to voice mail.
"Hey Laila, this is Andreas. I'm sorry to say this...but...I'm going to be heading to Dubai in a few hours. It's crazy I know, but can't be helped. I'll give you a call once I arrive. Talk to you soon."
He ended the call and tossed his phone on the bed before dashing to the closet and retrieving his suitcase. Andreas was running around like mad, trying to make sure he got everything he needed for this unexpected trip. Just over an hour later, he slipped into the black town car next to his uncle and made their way towards the airport for their private jet.
"You're late," his uncle said as soon as he settled against the cushion of the seat.
"Just barely," Andreas bit out, as he failed to restrain his annoyance.
"No need to get snappy, boy. You need to be punctual in business. Consider this your first lesson."
"I'm perfectly able to make it on time to meetings if given proper warning," Andreas snapped. "I think I did quite well getting everything ready in the amount of time you gave me."
"Yes, just like you did at the first board meeting?" his uncle asked skeptically. "I seem to recall you having ample time to prepare, and yet you still showed up late."
"That was different," Andreas muttered. He knew his uncle was right, so he made no further protest. Instead he sat up straighter in his seat and looked out the window, trying to ignore his uncle.
The ride to the airport was mostly silent except for the initial exchange. Andreas was lost in his own thoughts and his uncle was busy typing on his Blackberry and checking messages. There was no traffic on the roads, and they made it to the airport in record time. The town car pulled right next to the private jet and Andreas could see another car already there. He craned his neck trying to make out the person stepping out of the other town car.
"Fuck!" he blurted out once he realized who it was.
His uncle looked up from his Blackberry and glared at him.
"You didn't tell me Henriks was going to be coming along too," Andreas said accusingly.
"He's the reason why you're here. Do you think I'd let him come along while the COO is back in New York twiddling his thumbs? You need to show him and the board you're serious about this company and your role. Don't let him show you up and paint you out to be a frivolous little playboy with nothing but air between your ears."
Andreas felt bad about his earlier outburst. Of course his uncle was absolutely right. It would look very bad for him if he was left in New York while Henriks accompanied his uncle to Dubai. This was one of the biggest projects Carstens Ecklund had ever been involved with, and he needed to be there. He needed to prove to Henriks and the rest of the board he wasn't playing around at being COO. This Dubai trip would present that opportunity to him.
CHAPTER 10
Laila was having a very bad week. When it rains it pours. Wasn't that how the saying goes? she thought. Laila's life certainly felt like a monsoon had rolled into town. Not only had she not heard from Andreas since the morning after their date, but she had found out that she didn't get the part in the Peter Travis movie. She stood there behind the counter at the hotel looking morosely out in front of her, staring straight ahead, but not really seeing anything.
"Earth to Laila."
"Wha-?" Laila turned her head to look at Corinne. Her eyes were glazed and unfocused.
"You all right Laila?" Corinne asked.
"I am anything but all right."
"What's wrong?"
"Everything," Laila sighed.
Corinne stood there in silence and waited for Laila to explain.
"I didn't get the part." Laila said it so quietly, Corinne had to lean in closer to make sure she heard correctly.
"You didn't get the part? In the Peter Travis movie?" Corinne asked.
"Yup," Laila said.
"How could it be? I thought you said they loved you and you had that part locked down."
"Well I guess I was wrong. They gave the part to someone else."
If Lail
a hadn't already cried her eyes out over losing the part, then she might have burst out into tears right then. But lucky for her, she had no more tears to shed. She felt numbed. It was as if everything was happening outside of her own body, and she was looking on as a bystander.
She had been so sure she had the part, and that things were finally turning around for her, that the rejection had nearly knocked her breathless. Sure, she'd been rejected before, it was all a part of the business, but this one hurt more than all the others. Maybe it was because she had been so certain that she would get it, or that her situation was so desperate, there was no other option for her. Whatever it was, it made the pain so much worse.
"I'm sorry Laila. But hey, there'll be other parts right?" Corinne said trying to cheer her up.
Laila shrugged at her, not even bothering to mask her disappointment. "Maybe."
"Well if you need anything, just let me know all right?"
"Thanks Corinne. I appreciate it," Laila said, giving Corinne a sad smile.
She appreciated the offer, but really, there was nothing anyone could do for her right now. Sensing her mood, Corinne gave Laila a comforting pat on the shoulder before moving away to give her some privacy and time alone. She knew Laila didn't want to talk or be bothered right then, and Laila appreciated the thoughtfulness.
If she was truthful with herself, it wasn't just the rejection that was eating her up. More than anything, it was Andreas' absence that caused her to be in the funk she found herself in. She hadn't heard from him since the morning after their date. He had left a voice mail saying he was going to Dubai that day and that he'd call her, but since then, nothing.
She wondered if it was all some big elaborate excuse to get out of seeing her again. Maybe he just got bored and moved on? she wondered. It wouldn't be the first time guys like him had pulled something like that. She'd heard stories of some of the outlandish things guys did to avoid seeing a girl they were no longer interested in.
Was that what was going on? she wondered. If it was, then Andreas was an idiot. He didn't need to fly all the way out to Dubai to send her the message. She wasn't some obsessed stalker. Laila had more pride than to try to get with a guy that didn't want her.
She was running through her mind what she'd say to him if she ever saw him again when he walked through the revolving doors. Laila had to blink several times to make sure it was really him. She almost thought she had gone crazy for a second and imagined the whole thing.
He looked better than she remembered. His hair was slicked back, and he wore a fitted black suit that looked like it was molded to his body. She even noticed the light golden tan he was sporting. Her heart gave an involuntary leap in her chest and she hated herself for feeling like that. Why was she so happy to see him when he was playing her for a fool? She was about to turn her head away and pretend like she'd never seen him, when he spotted her and his whole face lit up. Laila saw him walk her way, a wide smile stretched across his face.
"Hey you!" he said, once he reached the front desk.
Laila frowned at him, wondering where he got off trying to sweet talk her when he'd been MIA for the past week. She gave him a curt nod and said "Hey."
Andreas looked hurt by her attitude, and was about to say something when Laila cut him off.
"Are you just returning from a trip?" she asked.
She tried to sound professional and detached. Corinne had just noticed Andreas and was paying far too much attention to their conversation. She really didn't want to blow up right then and there, and get herself fired from the only job she had.
Andreas seemed to notice Corinne at the same time as Laila and he leaned in to whisper, "Yes, I called you the morning I left. Did you get my message?"
"I did get your message," Laila replied through gritted teeth.
"Then what's the problem? Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?" he asked.
Laila looked over to see Corinne was still staring at them, a slight frown on her lips and her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Listen, this isn't really a good time to talk about it," Laila said.
"Then meet me in my room," Andreas said.
Laila looked at him like he had lost his mind. "Are you trying to get me fired? I can't go into your room like that."
"Can't you come up with some excuse? Say my television broke or something," he suggested.
"The front desk doesn't fix televisions. Anyway, I'm off in half an hour. Meet me back at McMillan's," she whispered.
"OK, half an hour."
Andreas stepped back from the counter and gave Corinne a friendly smile before making his way to the elevators. Laila tried to pretend like she was busy looking something up on the computer to avoid having to talk to Corinne. She knew Corinne had a whole lot of questions that she just didn't want to answer at the moment. Luck was on her side just then because a family of four walked up to the counter in front of Corinne to check in.
Great! That should keep her busy until I can get out of here, Laila thought.
By the time her shift ended, Corinne was still busy checking in the family. They had that look about them that said "pain in the ass," and Laila would have felt sorry for Corinne if the situation had been different. As it was, she had a lot to thank that family for. She slipped out of the hotel and made her way up the street to McMillan's.
Laila walked through the doors and scanned the room looking for Andreas. She spotted him sitting at the same table they sat at the first time they were there. He stood up as soon as he saw her and gave her a little wave to catch her attention. Laila walked over to the table and sat down, ignoring his attempt to lean in for a kiss.
Andreas had already ordered; there were drinks on the table-- sparkling water for him and red wine for her. He even ordered her their famous potato skins. She had to admit, the gesture did touch her, and she felt herself softening a little towards him, but had to remind herself to stay on her guard. Laila didn't want to get taken for a fool-- she'd already had her share of disappointments for a lifetime. She didn't want to add this one to the pile.
"So what'd you want to talk about?" she asked, getting straight to the point.
"Why are you upset with me?" Andreas asked.
"Well let me think. You up and leave, jetting off to Dubai and then say you're gonna call me and you don't," Laila began, warming up to her subject. "I don't hear from you for almost a week, and then you just show up out of the blue and expect things to be peachy between us?"
Andreas looked chagrined by her tirade. She could see she hit her mark and it gave her a perverse sense of satisfaction to watch him squirm.
"I'm sorry about it. The trip was so sudden, I had no idea I was going until literally hours before takeoff. I just had time to pack my things and give you a call before flying out. If I could have skipped out on the trip, I would have," he began. "I had intended to call you once I landed, but I had a bad connection at the airport and by the time I got to the hotel, it was already 3am your time and I didn't want to disturb you."
"So what about later?" Laila asked.
"I know I should have made more effort, but it was such a hectic trip. We were touring the location of the new resort, having meetings, going out to business dinners; it was non-stop. By the time I had a free moment, it was already early morning here in New York. The timing never seemed to work out. I figured I would just wait until I got back to see you. I should have realized how thoughtless it was when I said I'd call and I didn't. I'm sorry."
Laila wanted to hold on to her anger and to keep her heart from letting him in. It would be safer. He wouldn't be able to hurt her if she didn't let him. But Andreas looked so regretful that she was finding it hard to stay angry at him.
"I did think about you the whole time, if it makes any difference," he added hopefully.
"I guess I can let it go this time," Laila said, her final defenses crumbling down. "Don't think you'll get off so easily next time."
"Yes ma'am!" Andreas said. His smile lit hi
s whole face and Laila felt happier and more light hearted than she had all week.
"Oh before I forget, I got you something," Andreas said, pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket. He handed it over to Laila who took it out of his hands. She fingered the small flat rectangular box, wondering what it was.
"You didn't have to get me anything," she said.
Her fingers itched to flip open the lid, but she held back. Andreas seemed like he was impatient for her to open the box too. His face was alight with excitement and anticipation.
"It was nothing. Now open it," he said excitedly.
Laila lifted the lid and had to suck in a sharp gasp. Sitting in the box was a beautiful emerald and diamond pendant necklace shaped like a flower. The chain was a simple white gold. It looked so delicate and stunning. Laila had never seen anything so beautiful in all her life.
"It's too much," she said, shaking her head. Laila had the sinking feeling that this necklace probably cost more than she could ever afford in her lifetime. "I don't think I can accept this."
Andreas' face fell in disappointment, "Of course you can. I insist," he said. "It's yours, and that's the end of it."
"But really, it's too much. It must have cost you a fortune."
"Don't worry about that," Andreas said. "I just knew I had to get it when I laid eyes on it. It would look stunning on you. Here let me put it on."
Andreas slipped the necklace out of the box and stood behind Laila. He placed the necklace chain around her neck and fastened the latch. The pendant rested just under Laila's collarbone and she felt it in her hands. It had a comforting weight to it.
Laila looked at her reflection in the glass windows, and had to admit that it did look good on her. The pendant wasn't so large that it was distracting or too flashy, but it still looked and felt like a well made piece of jewelry. She was touched that Andreas had been so thoughtful to get her something.
"It's beautiful," she said still marveling at her reflection.
