by Lewis, L. K.
My love always,
Morgan xo
Chapter 10
Drake
From: Drake Baylor Jr.
Subject: A whole bag of crazy mixed up emotions
Date: November 28, 2013 08:13
To: Morgan Lane
My dearest Morgan,
God, where do I begin?
First, let me say how much I love you and miss you and am in agony without you. I’ll wait till we are together again to give you the long sordid details, but I’ll tell you now that I’m fine. I’m in Zurich for six more months (hopefully less, but I doubt it). My father found out about us (you can thank your new boss for that one) and instead of firing us both and ruining our careers and everything we’ve built for ourselves and our future together, I made a deal with him that I would spend nine months here cleaning up the mess he made with our European division in exchange for your job to remain at Baylor. If I do that without breaking the rules, I will become CEO of Baylor Industries and my dad will retire.
I’m coming back to you my love, as soon as I am able to. I’m so incredibly sorry for everything you’ve been through these last three months or so. I’m so sorry you were ill and I wasn’t there to comfort you and bring you chicken soup, draw you a bath, and all of the other things a wonderful boyfriend-not-boyfriend does for the woman he loves.
I love you, Morgan Lane. I wish I could hold you in my arms right now and tell you that. Please for now just believe that I’m doing everything I can to come back to you. I’m here fighting every minute of every day for you. For us.
I understand your confusion about where we stand. In my mind and in my heart we are very much together. I hate the thought of you being with Adrian in any sense of the word but I understand your need for comfort. Please don’t give up on me, baby. Please continue to fight. Your heart is telling you that we belong together. Keep listening.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to write again. If I don’t, I’ll be home in six months. I’ll marry you in seven if you’ll have me. Don’t worry, you’ll get a much better proposal. For now, that’s just a promise. My love to you, Morgan. Always.
Yours madly and truly forever,
Drake XO
It is taking all of my willpower not to send this email. I have held my tongue, played by the rules, and completely turned this division of Baylor industries around and it has gotten me nowhere. I’ve been here for three fucking months waiting for the moment I can finally get on a plane and head home to Morgan. Her email tore me to shreds. I need to start praying to someone or something a hell of a lot bigger than me and thank them for keeping Morgan’s hope and faith in me alive.
It’s time to do whatever I can to take control of this situation. With a heavy heart I save the email to my drafts folder and shut my computer down.
It’s too early to call anyone in the States and if I want everything in this new plan to go smoothly I need to have all of my ducks in a row. I need to head into the office for a few hours and get everything in place on my end then simply make a phone call and put it into action.
****
I have been at work for a few hours now, and have set in motion a string of events that will take place starting with a phone call to my father to let him know we will no longer use Thompson Manufacturing as our main source for the European division of Baylor Industries. We have another local Swiss company that we should be using as it benefits the local economy. Our cost to work with either company is about even; the Swiss company’s prices are a little higher but even after the deal we get with Thompson Manufacturing it costs a ton of money and time to get it shipped here and cleared by customs.
I’m doing this to send a clear message to Adrian that I’m in control over in Europe and soon that will be the same for the entire company. I’m leaving our US ties in place so that Thompson can still remain afloat, guaranteeing that Morgan’s job won’t be in jeopardy. I want him to realize that in making this change myself I’m close to becoming CEO, which also means that his time with Morgan is coming to a close, as are his company’s ties with Baylor Industries. Soon I’ll be coming home to helm the corporation that is meant to be mine and Morgan will be by my side when it happens.
Adrian lied to Morgan, telling her he had nothing to do with my departure and never told my father about us. He has snaked his way back into her life and is now lying to her to get her back. At one point in my life I may have used other means to forget about the heartache this is causing me. This time around, I’m using my love, devotion, and undying need to return to Morgan as strength to claim what should have been mine a long time ago.
“Good morning, Son, or in your case I should say good afternoon,” my father answers the phone a little more chipper than normal.
“Good morning, you sound like you’re in a good mood today,” I answer in an upbeat yet business tone. I have to remind myself that this conversation is going to remain in my control. I am giving my father information, not options.
“I’m surprised you are calling me from a business line on a Sunday, is there a problem?”
“No, Dad, no problem. Quite the opposite really,” I say.
“I’m intrigued, go on,” my father says, and I can tell he thinks I’ve called to tell him yet another way I have found to stop the revenue bleed from this division and generate some more income for our company. The last few phone calls I have placed to my father have been for that reason exactly.
“I’m calling to let you know that I have set up a meeting with the owner of Bodmer Manufacturing. They are a local manufacturing company that will replace our European ties with Thompson. Of course, all US manufacturing needs will still go to Thompson, but we are spending far too much money and time shipping everything here. I’ve been crunching the numbers and although we won’t be saving a ton of money at first with this deal, we will be saving a lot of time. The turnaround on our end will be a lot quicker and will eventually make us a great deal of money.”
“Your job over there is to figure out what the loss of income is and fix it. Not sever the ties we are just now forming. That looks bad for business, Drake. Why would other companies want to partner with us if there is a possibility that in just a few months’ time they could have half the deal fall through?” My dad argues.
“I’ve done a lot over the past few months to quickly stop the financial losses and am now looking at the long-term. This is a great move that needs to be done as soon as possible to make sure our loss prevention measures are put in place for the future as well as guaranteed income. Partnering with Bodmer only strengthens our business and appearance to the public and future partnering endeavors. By cutting Thompson from Europe, they can focus entirely on their US contracts with us, making them more efficient. Also, partnering with a Swiss manufacturing company over here creates more jobs and strengthens the local economy as I’ve already said, and boosts public image.”
“That makes sense, Son, but are you sure this urgency on a Sunday has nothing to do with the public display Adrian Thompson was making with Morgan last night at the country club? I’m pretty sure he was staking his claim.”
With a sigh meant to come off as agitation, not jealousy, I reply to my dad, “No, Dad, I know nothing about that. I’m half way around the world completely cut off from everything and everyone as you might recall. I haven’t been in communication with Morgan either. This is about me doing the best job I can do right now to set myself up for running this corporation the way it is meant to be run. I plan on starting my tenure as CEO in the near future so start planning your retirement party now. I’m holding my end of the bargain up, Dad. I’m following the rules. I’m just letting you know that your residual share payouts will now be a hell of a lot larger in the future thanks to me.”
There is a moment of silence on the phone and I’m waiting for my father’s response when he finally clears his throat on his end and speaks, “Well, finally. I’ve been waiting for the moment when you prove to me you have the balls big enough
to run a Fortune 500 corporation. I’m still not convinced though, Son. You still need time. Have the meeting with Bodmer and report back before you notify Thompson. You will be the one to notify Thompson, by the way. You can’t make a move that big and hide away safely around the world while someone else notifies the company we just promised a big future together that we are cutting our agreement by half.”
“That’s fine, Dad, me and my big balls will get the job done. Always do.” And with that I hang up, maintaining the control of the conversation by having the last word. My father had already tried to swing the conversation towards Morgan to trip me up and I successfully turned it around, but I wasn’t willing to open myself up for any more scrutiny.
****
To celebrate my small victory, I decide to stop in for a quick beer at a local pub on the way home. This place tries to replicate an American sports bar, but not to any great success. It has a great burger and some pretty good beers on tap and it always has a game on from the States, so I like to pop in when I’m feeling a little homesick. While sipping on my beer I decide to give Garrett a call and check in on my girl. I know how she was feeling after her evening with Adrian and her parents last night, but I want to get an outsider’s perspective on how she’s doing on the whole.
“Hey, Drake. How’s it going?” Garrett answers with what sounds like a frog in his throat.
“Dude, its mid-morning over there, did I wake you up?” I ask, knowing Garrett is usually an early riser.
“No, I’ve been awake for a while. I had a long night last night so I’m feeling a little worn out today, that’s all.”
“Are you staying clean? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Drake, everything is gravy. I’m still clean too. Amanda was over last night, that’s all. Man, that little minx has an appetite, if you know what I mean. She likes it rough too. That’s why I’m so worn out. It was a loooooong night,” Garrett says with a small chuckle.
“Oh I get it. She likes it rough huh, damn! I’m glad those crazy days are behind me. So, are you two a thing now then?”
“Yeah, I guess you could call it that. I gave her a call right after she left her card in her bowling shoe. That was what, like two months ago now? So we went out, and have been hanging out ever since.”
“That’s awesome, Garrett, I’m happy for you. Amanda is a good girl. She’s a great friend to Morgan so she’s got my vote.”
“Thanks. She makes me happy and doesn’t judge me for my past shit. She’s really smart too and has been helping me with the bowling alley, showing me different ways I can improve it, things like that.”
“She sounds perfect for you. So uh, have you seen Morgan around much lately?” I ask, feeling badly for always turning the conversation around to Morgan, but I guess that was the purpose of the burner phones in the first place.
“No I haven’t. I guess she had some crazy stomach bug that wouldn’t go away for a bit, and since she started feeling better she’s been working like a mad woman. Amanda says she has barely seen her in the last two months but was planning on stopping by her place today to hang for a bit.”
“Yeah, she emailed me and said she hadn’t been feeling very well. I hate to think that she was going through that on her own but I’m glad she’s doing better.”
“I think she’s doing alright, Drake. She texted Amanda saying she had gotten a raise at work and that things are going great. That’s why Amanda was going to stop by, she wants to – and this is a direct quote here – ‘have a little girl-hang and celebrate with some bubbly’.”
“Yeah, that sounds like our girls all right. Who would have thought you and I would end up best buds after all the shit we’ve been through and then make the cliché move of dating best friends?” I joke.
“Well, it could be worse, I could be dating some asshole’s best friend, then I’d be stuck hating life trying to make conversation with him while our girls hang out.”
“That’s a good point. When I get back we can hang out and I promise not to be an asshole. Well, not all the time anyway.”
“Sounds good, man,” Garrett says with a laugh. “Hey, I have to go shower my long night of amazing sex off of me then head to the bowling alley. Amanda gave me the idea to offer half off beer with league play on Sundays and now the place is place is busy on an otherwise dead day and my kegs don’t go stale. I’ll give you a call if I see Morgan.”
“Cool, thanks. I’m really glad you’re happy, Garrett, you deserve it. Watch out for my girl as usual,” I say, feeling a little jealous but happy that my friend gets to spend long nights between the sheets with his girl.
“Will do. Don’t worry, Drake, you’ll be home soon enough,” Garrett says before hanging up, practically reading my mind. I finish my beer and head out a little while later. For the first time since landing here a few months ago I’m feeling a little optimistic. Perhaps I might just end up with everything I want, including the girl.
Adrian
I heard Morgan say goodbye to her mother last night and almost laughed when Lana said something had come up and she would need to cancel brunch for this morning. I figured she would be a little too under the weather to venture out of her bedroom after the amount of gin that woman consumed, but it turns out that something is me. Shortly after I got home from dropping Morgan off last night, I received a text from Lana saying to meet her at the club for brunch this morning. Maybe she knew she would need a little hair of the dog after all.
I walk into the club and immediately spot Lana perched at her usual table that provides the most optimal people watching, nursing her Bloody Mary. She stands as I walk to the table to greet her, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.
“You don’t look nearly as rough as I feel today. Getting older really is a bitch isn’t it, darling?” Lana asks as we settle into our seats.
“I think you look beautiful, Lana, I wouldn’t have guessed you are under the weather today,” I lie.
“You’re sweet. Last night was wonderful, thank you for including us. How did things go with Morgan when you dropped her off?” I’ve never met a woman that was comfortable discussing her daughter’s sex life with a potential boyfriend or husband before. Is this what it’s like when females get together and gossip?
“It went pretty well. She seemed a little taken aback when I got out of the cab with her. I don’t think she was comfortable with extending our date past her apartment door. I switched gears a bit, and offered to walk her to her door and if she was so inclined, to come in for a few moments to talk.”
“Okay, so how did your ‘talk’ go?” Lana asks with air quotes.
“Nothing happened, Lana. We really did talk. I told Morgan how I feel about her, and asked her if she would consider dating me.”
“Dating you? Adrian, this isn’t high school. A girl wants her man to take control of the situation. She wants to be told what she needs, and then have those needs provided for. Order for her when you go out to eat. Suggest what she wears or how she does her hair, but do it in a way where she still feels like she is making her own decisions. Make her convince herself that you are the one she wants before she even realizes it.”
“What she wants is a future with Drake Baylor. She made it very clear that although she is trying to open herself to the possibility of a future together with me, a piece of her heart will always belong to Drake. She told me that point blank and added that I need to decide whether or not I’m okay with that before I try to pursue her again.”
“I know my daughter loves Drake, but had no idea the feelings go that deeply. I’ll talk to her and convince her that Drake isn’t coming back. Not soon, anyway. It will work out, Adrian. Trust me on this one. When do you see her again?” Lana asks.
“I’m taking her on a date Tuesday. I told her it wouldn’t be anything over the top, just a nice dinner with me. I told her I’d be a gentleman, but would be kissing her at the end of the night.”
“Good. Plant the seed for intimacy. When you see her at work to
morrow, don’t go overboard by talking about your plans so much that you’ll make her nervous. Do something simple like leaving a single stargazer lily on her desk with a note that you can’t wait to give her that kiss but for now a flower will have to do. Something sweet and a little cheesy, but not too much.”
“That’s a great idea, thanks,” I say.
“You belong with my daughter, Adrian. Seeing you together last night brought back such fond memories for Jim and me. I think your parents would agree with that as well. Morgan is a strong woman with an independent streak. Support her need for independence and you’ll go far,” she says before excusing herself to the powder room.
After brunch I go to my favorite florist, taking Lana’s advice for flowers. I take a stargazer lily home with me to give to Morgan tomorrow, but also order a bouquet to be sent to her house Tuesday before I pick her up for our date. I have a lot of convincing to do Tuesday night, so starting with a beautiful bouquet of flowers is just what I’ll need to start chipping away at Morgan’s closely guarded heart.
Morgan
It is a good thing my mom cancelled brunch for today because there is no way in hell I’m getting my ass out of bed today. I only had a few cocktails last night yet I feel like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck. My mom is always saying that getting older is a bitch and there will come a time when a fun night out turns into a not so fun morning, and today those statements could not be more accurate.
I curse the gods above when a relentless knock on my door turns into an almost emergent sounding pounding. Much like the pounding that is going on in my head at this moment. I force myself out of bed, wishing at this moment I owned a gun so I could shoot whoever is causing such a ruckus at my door. Well maybe nothing to that extreme, but I’m about to make them wish they were dead. Okay, that sounds better. I open the door to find Amanda standing there with a bottle of champagne and an “I had the best sex of my existence” smile plastered across her face.
