by Suzie Nelson
Ian, who began focusing on Alicia’s breasts, only heard half of what she was saying. He put the glass of water in his hand between his crossed legs, desperately attempting to cool himself off. “Excuse me?”
“You are not truthful, Mr. Forsythe. Let me guess...Did you lose a bet or something?” She stared into his eyes, seemingly unaffected by his usual charm.
“How the hell did you know that?” said Ian, immediately pissed at himself for getting caught in a lie.
“Oh, my God! You are that shallow that you would come here and think you can get away with trying to fool me! I am never wrong. Never. Now get the fuck out of my office and pay your fees to Eleanor. It looks like your erection is almost gone.”
“What the…” Ian was pissed. He never lost. He’s always played out the scenario until he was a step ahead of the competition. He had no idea what just happened. “I’m not faking, Alicia. I swear. I’m ready to settle down and want you to help me find the right woman. Okay, the truth is I did come here on a bet; still, part of me lost it on purpose because I know you are the best.” He knew she was too good for the puppy-dog eyes, so he went with the crooked half-smile.
“If you aren’t out of my office in 30 seconds, I’m calling security.”
Ian glared at Alicia, purposely put his glass on the desk, not the coaster, and walked out. “Don’t forget to pay Eleanor,” was the last thing he heard before he slammed her door.
Chapter 6
Ian was waiting for Eleanor to process his payment and asked her if she was always like that with her clients.
“Only the ones she knows aren’t telling the truth. She spots them almost immediately. What did she figure out about you, if you don’t mind sharing?”
Ian signed the credit card receipt and responded, “She knew I was there because I lost a stupid bet. But she didn’t give me a chance to ask questions. She kicked me out before I had the chance.”
“Like what?”
“Pardon?” Ian seemed confused.
“Questions. What kind of questions did you want to ask her?”
“Oh, I don’t know. For one, why would someone like her match rich people up when she doesn’t have anyone for herself. Hell, she can have anyone she wanted.”
Eleanor was smiling.
“What?” asked Ian.
“That tells even me you didn’t come here for a matchmaker. You wanted to meet Alicia.”
“We’ve met,” said Ian. Really getting angry that these women kept figuring him out.
“Sure, in passing, maybe. But I could tell by the tone of your voice when you answered your phone when I called to confirm. Also, no one answers their phone anymore. You listen to the voicemail and decide if calling back is worth it. Finally, I’ve worked with Ms. Stringer for several years now, and I am quite a good learner. Do you get me?”
Ian handed Eleanor her half of the credit card transaction and left without saying anything. They caught eyes as the doors to the elevator were closing, and he couldn’t help but smile back as Eleanor winked as she smiled and waved goodbye.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, Eleanor buzzed Alicia to ask if she needed anything. Alicia didn’t give her a chance to speak and told her to come in her office, Eleanor did a little victory dance before she opened the door and professionally walked in Alicia’s office. “Just sit and listen,” commanded Alicia and Eleanor jogged to one of the chairs.
“Do you want me to Windex?”
“No, thanks. I need to release a little tension right now.”
As Ian assumed, Alicia had a bottle of Windex and wipes in her drawer to get the fingerprints (and Ian’s water circle) off her glass table. She began to wipe the stains rigorously. “I don’t know what just happened. The man was an easy read but the eyes…those damn blue eyes. I couldn’t look at him long enough to attempt to figure him out. I got lucky when I said ‘What did you do, lose a bet or something?’”
Eleanor was not to talk to the clients about their matchmaking experience, so she didn’t mention her conversation with Ian. Instead, she asked Alicia what happened.
“Come on, El, you saw him. He was trying to flirt with me. He even got a boner!”
Eleanor laughed.
“He probably can’t have a normal conversation with a woman without getting horny.”
“He was fine with me,” said Eleanor. “And I’m a woman.” She and Alicia were friendly enough that she could say something like that to her.
“My bad. I apologize. I guess I’m thinking of him in a business deal. He was getting angry that he wasn’t in control.”
“And how did you feel?”
“Well, dr. Eleanor, I stood up and looked out the window.”
“Was that so you didn’t have to look in his eyes or so he could check out your ass?”
Alicia smiled. Eleanor was getting almost as good as she. “A bit of both, I suppose. But I shall deny that until I’m ashes. Eleanor, I don’t date clients. What if I didn’t listen and observe enough because I don’t want him as a client?”
“He’s eye candy, Lisha, and even the best of us get caught up in it. I don’t care that Rob Lowe had sex on tape. Hell, I don’t even care if it is Brad’s fault. They are both so pretty, I’m on their side…every time. I think Ian Forsythe is your favorite eye candy. It doesn’t help that you were two feet away from him either.”
“Well, thanks for all the help, Eleanor. I’m leaving soon to pack for Venice. My flight leaves at 11:00 pm. Would you confirm the car for 8:30, please?”
“Yes, Ms. Forsythe. And I’ll check the airlines as well.”
So much for the girl talk. Eleanor knew when it was time to go. She stood by the unopened door. With her hand on the knob, she paused and said, “Alicia?”
“What?”
“Was it big?”
“Biggest I’ve seen in years.” Eleanor walked out of the office and knew they both had a smile on their face.
Chapter 7
With Alicia out of the office for a week, Eleanor used the uninterrupted time to organize files, shred old material that was taking up space for the quickly growing business, and left for home by 3 pm every day.
The great thing about working for Alicia was that she treated her employees extremely well; once they believed in her individualized way of treating each of them. Eleanor had been with Alicia the longest; she was a fairly good read of people as well. As long as Alicia had the time she needed to figure anything out, without being disturbed, she was fine.
Phil Stringer was the only person she didn’t follow that rule with for Alicia. When they were setting up the U.N. offices, Eleanor and Phil were preparing lunch for the Stringer clan. Phil told Eleanor about the construction workers and how Alicia knew they were shysters even before they started the job. Phil cried when he told her about how Alicia took the splinter out of her finger. He told Eleanor that he had a special place in his heart for his baby since that day.
“I love my wife and my children, El, you know that. But whatever it is that girl has got, it’s either a gift or a curse. And until I know she is okay, always let me talk to her. If I get one of my feelings, I will call. I don’t know if she’s in trouble or not.”
“I got your back, Phil. I’m good for Alicia, and I know what she wants. She’ll be pissed off at me, but I promise. I promise because sometimes I wonder if it’s a gift or a curse myself. She needs to find someone for herself.”
The two hugged and pinky swore like six-year-olds at recess. To this day, Eleanor had put Phil through to his daughter. She used excuses like she was on her way to the restroom and forgot, another line was ringing, she had to pass gas and she didn’t want her dad to hear. Why Alicia never asked, Eleanor was amazed. She assumed she already knew the reason.
Daniela Rouse, a friend of Alicia from NYU who worked in admissions with her back then, called the office that Friday to invite Alicia to a dinner celebrating the retirement of their long-time boss, Dean Ant
hony Rossellini. “This is just a small gathering. His official retirement party will be at the Faculty Club at the university in May. It would be great to see her.”
“I’m putting it on her calendar right now. She’s in Venice, Italy, and it’s six hours difference which means...God knows with Alicia! I’ll call you early next week to let you know if she can make it.” Eleanor and Daniela laughed.
“I’ll be waiting. Remember, Friday the 18th at 7:00 pm at Carbone. Nice chatting with you, Eleanor.”
“You too, Daniela. Take care.”
Eleanor hung up the phone and looked at the message she’d written on the post-it note in front of her. She took several deep breaths, looked around, even though she knew she was alone, and whispered, “Please see this as a good thing, dear God.” She stopped for a moment and then added, “and you too, Alicia.”
She went into Alicia’s office and took the throw-away cell phone from her desk drawer. She dialed Ian Forsythe’s number, half hoping he wouldn’t answer. He picked up on the second ring. “Hello, is this you Alicia?”
Eleanor smiled (so far so good) and replied, “It’s Alicia’s personal assistant, Mr. Forsythe. Eleanor. We met briefly when you were in the office last week.”
“Of course. Call me Ian, Eleanor. What can I do for you? I thought this number was for discretionary clients. That’s why I thought it was Alicia.”
“It is, Mr…Ian. Alicia is in Venice and forgot the phone, so she asked if I would relay a message to you.” Eleanor took as quiet of a deep breath as she could.
“Well, what’s the message? I didn’t imagine I would ever speak to her again.”
“That’s what she said. To be frank, Ian, she was a little embarrassed that she was as flippant with you as she was. She confided to me that it was pure luck that she said you were there for a bet. She would like to meet with you again, to talk more about your future. And she wants to apologize.”
“Please, Eleanor, tell Alicia I’m the one who needs to apologize, I acted like an ass. When would she like to meet?”
“Do you know the restaurant Cosme in midtown?”
“I do. I’ve had dinner at Enrique’s Mexico City restaurant as well. Truly Mexican food in New York…finally. She wants to meet there?” Ian sounded surprised, so Eleanor garnered all the chutzpah she could and said, “She sometimes meets with clients at a restaurant or a coffee shop. It enables her to remain professional and often helps her clients to feel more comfortable talking. She asked me to make a reservation for Friday the 18th at 7:00 p.m. Does that work for you?”
“I’m checking my calendar right now and it looks good. Friday the 18th. 7:00 pm Cosme.”
“Thanks, Ian. I’ll message her shortly. I hope this conversation is more productive than your last.”
“I don’t think it could be any worse. Thanks, Eleanor. You are a helluva an assistant. Let me know if you are ever looking for a new job.” He paused. “On second thought, why should either of us risk it. Have a great day. Good-bye.”
Eleanor hung up the phone and squealed like a tween at a Justin Bieber concert.
***
Daniela Rouse called. They are having a small gathering to celebrate Dean Rossellini’s retirement. Its’s Friday the 18th at Cosme. 7pm. Should I say yes? The big engagement is in May at the Faculty Club at NYU. Hope Venice is productive and fun. El.
Eleanor knew Alicia would text back on her own cell phone, so she carried it with her as she locked up the office for the day. Alicia would be in on Monday, so Eleanor triple-checked to make sure there were no fingerprints or smudges on her desk, and she opened the desk drawer with a tissue four times to make sure the throwaway phone was where it was supposed to be.
Eleanor’s phone dinged as she was getting on the elevator. It was Alicia.
Definitely a yes. I am overdue for some fun. Venice has been all work, and I think I made a great connection. Surprised we aren’t going to Carbone. It was Rossellini’s favorite. See you Monday.
Eleanor immediately texted Alicia’s sister Danielle:
Alicia is good to go Friday the 18th at 7—Carbone. Nice talking with you, Daniela. Take care. Eleanor
By now she was in the lobby of the U.N. building and asked Edward, one of the security guards, if she could use his phone. “You are holding yours in your hand, girl. What you been doing’ up there alone all week? You okay?”
“Don’t ask questions, Edward. We are a matchmaking business. Please.”
Edward handed her his phone and mumbled something about being happily married and he’d better not get in any trouble. Eleanor called Alicia’s sister, who already had received her text message.
After Eleanor explained her plans, Danielle got very quiet. “Are you still on, Dani?” asked Eleanor.
“Yeah. I’m here. I’m just thinking about which black dress I should wear for your funeral because Alicia Stringer is gonna kill you!”
“That’s why I texted you Carbone, where the actual retirement thing is. If she questions, I’ll show her the text and play dumb that I thought it was Daniela. And I told Daniela I would text her next week to confirm in case Alicia missed her text while in Venice.”
“Did you pray before you started all this?”
“Yes. To God AND Alicia. Thanks for the help, sis. Love you.”
Eleanor gave Edward his phone and a Snickers bar to say thank you. She knew they were his favorite. She also left a long voicemail on Phil Stringer’s phone explaining what she planned and why she did it. She also told him to call her on her cell phone during non-office hours.
Now all that was left was to wait to see what kind of connection she made with Alicia and Ian.
Chapter 8
Alicia was already in the office when Eleanor arrived on Monday. Her office door was open and she yelled a pleasant “good morning” to Eleanor.
“I’ll be in shortly,” responded Eleanor. She was glad Alicia sounded happy. That meant she didn’t know anything about her matchmaking…yet.
“You look fantastic!” Eleanor said to Alicia when she walked in. Alicia had a new hairstyle; it was shorter (to the top of her shoulders) and straight. She also had a lot of highlights which made her look blonder than auburn. “Wow! What put you in the mood?”
“It’s how I made the match. My client, Ramesh Babu, owns this hair product empire in Bangalore. He wanted me to match him with a simple Italian hairstylist he’d met at a styling convention in Rome last year. So, I had Angelina do my hair while I talked to her. I hadn’t planned to go this far, but it took a while to convince her to meet with Ramesh. I like it. Makes me feel like a different person.”
“Well, it’s a great look. I wonder if people will recognize you. It really looks that different. Awesome but different. Do you have anything on my to-do list yet?”
“Still catching up on emails, texts, and my throw away. I can’t believe I forgot it. I just looked at it. No new messages, but I noticed the Ian Stringer was the last person I talked to. Made me shiver and groan.”
“Is that good or bad? Shivering and groaning?” asked Eleanor who thanked God she didn’t realize it was her who called Ian.
“I can talk to no one else but you about this, El, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him while I was in Venice. I’d see sexy Italians on the beach and imagine it was him. I even dreamed about him one night. He was playing hopscotch with two kids. Strangest thing.”
“So that’s a good thing…shiver and groan.”
“I’m not answering that. It will get me in trouble. Oh! Will you confirm the retirement dinner for Friday? I am looking forward to seeing Daniela. It’s been, what, like four or five years.”
“You got it. Oh, and she said Cosme is casual. Have you ever been there?”
“No, but I’ve heard great things about it. I’m not big on Mexican food, but that’s because I think of Taco Bell as Mexican food. No, what I’m saying?”
“I do. You spent time out west, though. I’d
think there was authentic Mexican food there.”
“True. But I haven’t been west for a long time. Seems like going international with Sincere takes me to Europe and Asia more than Arizona and New Mexico. I do remember eating some delicious dishes back then. Good. Now I’m extra excited about Friday. I think I might buy something Mexican-looking to wear. The new Alicia!”
“You seem extra happy, Alicia. It looks good on you.”
“Thanks, Eleanor, my personal assistant. Maybe you should get some work done.”
“Yes, Ms. Stringer. Buzz me if you need anything,” she smiled and closed the door as she was heading back to the lobby.
