by Mia Ford
“I expanded too quickly, and it was crazy, because before when I used to sell to department stores, everyone was telling me to start my line. The moment I do that…”
I’m rambling, the thing that I do whenever I’m nervous like right now and waving my hands up in the air and then playing with the ends of my shoulder-length blonde hair.
Katie’s watching me as if I’m on something, but I can’t help it.
“I asked my parents for a loan, but I never knew that dad’s business was suffering and…”
She moves closer towards me and does the one thing that I never expected, she hugs me and makes me feel the way that I so need to feel right now.
Loved.
By a friend that can’t financially help me, but being that voice of reason goes a long way especially the way that things have been going lately.
I wrap my hands around her and close my eyes. I remember doing this every time we struck a deal. We would have a bit too much to drink, hug and congratulate each other for a new deal with a different store. My company, Glimmer & Dazzle was on the tip of everyone’s tongue when I had created a new design. That was back then, now I’m not even mentioned, and the store that I opened is empty most of the time.
Katie sighs, “I’m not an idiot. I can see what’s going on here. You don’t need to apologize to me. I know that you tried, but sometimes things are not as easy as they seem. My company, Glimmer & Dazzle ran away, and everything looked as if it was going in the right direction. I was shocked when other companies started up, and you got high big time. Not only because of the design but the prices too.”
“I still don’t understand how Silk Box have managed to sell their designs at double the price. Their designs are not that great.”
She laughs, “You would think that because you’re competing with them.”
I break away from her, “No! Seriously they’re not that great.”
I motion to show her their latest designs and the star that has made them sell out from the moment that it was launched.
“Do you see who’s wearing it?”
Katie asks, and I nod my head, sure Scarlett O Johansen just happens to be wearing their latest design.
“The key to their success is not the jewelry or even the quality. It’s all about the marketing. That’s the one thing that you never focused on.”
In my defense, “That’s because I never needed to do that. The moment I designed something and it was made, it was sold out of the door.”
She nods her head, “In a small market, things work out that way. But nothing lasts forever. Besides The Silk Box have a better website than us. Branding. They…”
“Are you trying to make me feel better?”
I stand looking at her earth eyes, knowing that this must be hard for her. I can’t believe that I’ve let things sink so low.
“No, but I want you to know that there’s a reason why it didn’t work out. I’m just telling you the reason, because you seem blind to it.”
I slump back in my chair and wonder what to sell next, just to make ends meet.
“Maybe, if you sell it, then you can go back to the way things were?”
“Walking around with a backpack asking boutiques to buy my necklaces and bracelets?”
That was when I was eighteen and more enthusiastic by sitting down all day and making my designs. Things were easy then, I was living with my parents and if I sold it was awesome. If I didn’t then there was always tomorrow. Now, I had my apartment, staff that I can’t afford to pay. Being a grown up sucks, even if it was only five years ago.
I shake my head, “I’ll think of something.”
She nods as she pats me on the shoulders and says, “You always do. I just believe that in this case, you make fantastic jewelry, but you needed someone to take over the business from you. That’s the part that you couldn’t let go off.”
I just sigh as I spin in my chair and look up at the ceiling. I’m not in the mood to divulge in a conversation, and that’s when she blurts out, “Good night.”
“Night Katie.”
As she shuts the door, the realization of what she had just said hits home. I’ve been trying to do something that I’m not equipped to do. And I need the money to do it if I’m going to save the last pieces of this company. I know someone that can help me.
My dad’s best friend Marvin, I need to take him on his offer, and I’m going to sweep away my pride and ask him for it right now. Before it’s too late and I do need to shut up the shop.
Chapter Two
Marvin
I’m sitting in my office, looking through some files when my phone rings.
At first, I ignore it. I’m too busy to pay it much mind with all the work I have to finish. I can leave it all to someone else, of course, it’s the reason I have employees, I just need the distraction.
But curiosity gets the better of me. Not that many people have my private line. I reach for my phone, only to freeze when I see the name on the screen.
Emily.
Why is she calling me?
“Emily?” I say, having answered the call without thinking, suddenly too anxious to concentrate on work.
There are only a handful of reasons she would call me now, and I know what I want the reason to be.
“Hi, Marvin,” she answers. “I hope I’m not disturbing you?”
I look down at the files on the desk in front of me, and put them aside with my free hand, then turn around so I can look outside.
“Not at all,” I say decisively. “You can call me anytime. What’s up?”
I almost hold my breath in anticipation, anxiety growing the longer she hesitates. She doesn’t hesitate for long before she blurts out.
“I’m calling to talk about… your offer.”
Fuck!
“My offer? The one that you’ve been rejecting for the last six months?”
I shouldn’t have said that because now she’ll probably regret calling me.
“Maybe this was a mistake?”
I clear my throat, trying not to sound too eager.
“No, Emily it’s not a mistake. You called me for a reason, and I said that I'd help you and that’s exactly what I intend to do. There are no issues about that; nothing’s changed from my side.”
Apparently, everything’s changed from her side, or she wouldn’t be calling me in the first place. I’m not going to rub her nose in it. But it feels like fucking Christmas come early. I can’t believe that she’s going to take me up on my offer!
“Thank you so much for doing this,” she says hesitantly, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I’ve been pushed into a corner here. I don’t have any other choice.”
That would sting if I gave a damn, which I don’t.
“It doesn’t matter, Emily. You could have come to me earlier, but it doesn’t mean that I won’t help you right now. Do your parents know about your current problems?”
“Ah, yes. I did ask, but they’ve been having problems of their own, so I don’t want to bother them with this. I told them I was working something out, that I had options. They won’t worry too much.”
“That’s good if Ben knew I don’t think that he’ll be happy about it.”
I’ve known her dad for a long time, we’ve had our differences and if he knew about my offer. He’ll be far from pleased. That much I do know, but it was a risk that I was willing to take. His friendship with a woman that I’ve wanted for too fucking long.
“I… didn’t mention that I asked you for money to them,” she continues. “I just didn’t want to hurt dad’s pride; you know how he is, don’t you?”
“Good and I know how he is, so it’ll all work out in the end.”
It was too tempting a chance to pass up, at the time. Emily’s so fucking hot with her baby blue eyes and her blonde hair, which comes from her Swedish heritage. And she has grown from her college days and not just in height. She has wide hips that have me wondering what she’s like with the men. Could she rid
e me all night and before it used to be wrong thinking of her that way? She’s my best friend’s daughter, but as she grew older, I just couldn’t get her out of my mind.
I could have given her the money with no strings attached, as long as she pays it back within a dedicated time frame.
Where’s the fun in that?
Besides, I wouldn’t get the one thing that I desire. The one thing that keeps me up at night.
Her sweet body on top of mine!
I’m just about to hang up, as I start to get a hard-on just thinking about taking her right now. I want to jerk off. This will be the last time before I have the real thing, Emily.
“So when should we…”
“Our trip?” I smirk, fucking happy that she’s not around to see the smile on my face. I’m keeping my voice controlled so that she doesn’t know that I’m fucking happy.
I’m on she’s not there to see the look on my face. “You must be in a great deal of stress from work, I can hear it in your voice. I guess you need the money soon?”
“Like yesterday!” she blurts out, and I feel guilty about thinking about my dick when she’s stressing about her company. I want to go ahead with this, but I need her to know that once I give her the money, it’s not a done deal. She still needs to hold up her side of the bargain.
“Let me work through a few details, and I’ll get back to you.”
“All right,” she says hesitantly. “Thanks, Marvin,” she says sweetly.
The tone gets to me, and I’m quiet for a moment.
“You don’t need to thank me. The pleasure’s all mine.”
“I hope I can say the same,” she answers.
I can hear the embarrassment in her voice, and I close my eyes to picture her blushing face.
“Bye, Emily.”
“Marvin.”
She hangs up, and I put my phone away as I push to my feet.
Time to make plans.
I’m trying to keep my cool as I pack only the necessities.
Fuck it!
I can deal with all that stuff later.
“Roger, I’m out of town for a week. Anything important you know who to direct it to and under no circumstances should you contact me. Unless it’s an emergency.”
He nods, fingers already clicking away on his keyboard. "I'll forward all your appointments for the week, and I can handle anything else until you return."
"Good man," I answer with a nod, already walking away.
I rush as I leave the office. I’m serious when it comes to business, but I have something much different in mind this time. I hurry out to my car, which is in the usual spot.
I take the fastest way home and start to throw things in the case. I’m careful about what I choose because I want Emily to be fully on board. I don’t want her to think that I’m taking advantage of her, even though I am. She hasn’t told Ben. If he knew then that would be it. He’ll understand in the end when it all comes out in the open.
Emily’s not some play thing that I’m taking on a trip.
No, she’s a beautiful swan that I’ve grown to love. Not as my daughter, but as a woman. One that I so fucking desire it hurts.
I’ve tried to forget her. I’ve thought endlessly about the age difference. But it doesn’t matter. Besides, it’s nothing compared to Trump and Melania. I’ve dated and even had a black book. No woman satisfies me. I know it started when she wore that sexy dress when she was graduating and then it opened my eyes to the woman that she’s become.
I know that once we get to Vegas. She’ll see things my way. She may know that she wants me, as much as I want her. But she’s about to find out.
Chapter Three
Emily
It’s a good thing that I called Marvin yesterday because I thought that I'd meet him at his apartment, but he wants us to meet in Vegas. He sent me a message saying that he’s already there. It sent a shiver down my spine as I saw the message saying Vegas.
Then I remember the old saying, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.’
That must be the reason for him making us go there. I packed half-heartedly thinking that we’ll only be there for the weekend. I wanted to come up with an excuse not to go, but there was nothing holding me back. The office’s closed on the weekend and with the skeleton staff that we have in the one shop that hasn't been closed down, I’m not even sure if that’s worth opening either.
I’m sitting on the plane and thinking about the past and wondering if I’m making a mistake. Should I be going through with this or not? Until they announce that they’re getting ready to land and I know that there’s no turning back.
Maybe Katie’s right and the best thing would be to get someone to take over the business side of things. There’s only way to do that, and it takes money. Something that I don’t have at the moment.
When I refused the deal, I never thought I would fall this low and take him up on his offer. My business is losing, and the last thing I want is to close up shop. It’s as if he knew that it was going to swing in his favor to a degree I had been so arrogant about it. I laughed when he gave me the option, thinking that I’ll never have to take him up on it.
When the plane lands, I wait to hear if it’s safe for us to leave. Marvin is my dad’s best friend. One that’s taken me to Disneyworld as a kid, until he had a falling out with my dad. I never knew the exact details, but years later they started to be friend’s again, and that’s when I noticed him.
Not, as my dad’s best friend but something else. He didn’t seem old like he did when I was a kid. No, he was entirely different to me. I’m not blind; I see the way he looks at me. There’s lust written all over his face as he undresses me with his eyes. It used to make me blush until I started to get turned on whenever he was around.
I dismissed the whole idea of him feeling that way towards me. That’s until he’ll put his arm on my back and it’ll linger a little longer and turn from a friendly pat to a lustful one. He's never tried anything with me, until that day.
My parent’s wedding anniversary, I’d had a bit too much to drink. He mentioned that Silk Box was my main competitor, which surprised me because I never knew that he was aware of the jewelry business. He mainly dabbles in construction, and he has other business interests. What are they? I don’t know.
Once I’m off the plane, as soon as I put on my phone I see a message from him.
Marvin: I hope that your flight was pleasant. Meet me for dinner within an hour.
I pause once I have my luggage collected, looking at the message for a minute before walking for the exit.
There’s just one issue, apart from my ticket and getting to Vegas, Marvin didn’t give me any more instructions. He said that it’s all taken off, but as I struggle to get my case to the Arrival Lounge, I wonder what restaurant he has in mind.
I’m just about to text him when I see a tall man casually dressed in a jacket and jeans holding a sign with my name.
I walk up to him and says, “I’m Emily Crawford.”
He nods as he swiftly moves to my side and takes my case.
“My name’s Kurt, and I’ll take that for you, and I’m going to take you to the Mandarin Oriental. That’s where you’ll be staying in Vegas.”
Wow!
It’s one of the most prestigious hotels in Vegas. Then again with Marvin’s wealth, I shouldn’t be surprised that we’re staying in one of the top hotels.
“Nice to meet you, Kurt.”
He nods, “Nice to meet you too. If you follow me, then I can take you to the car. Is there anything that you need before we leave?”
I shake my head and follow him like a little child being led to the Principal’s office. Everyone’s going up and down the airport with excitement and to other’s their indifferent about being in Vegas. I’ve always wanted to come, but it’s one of the places that’s been on my list to visit, and I’ve never had the time to do it.
It’s almost as if my life’s been on hold for the last five years. From se
lling jewellery in my backpack to setting up a dying business. All my friends were going to college or having fun, and all I’ve ever done is work, work, and more work.
As we reach the limo, he puts the case at the back, and I was reluctant to come, but I packed as if I was staying for a month rather than a weekend. That’s the only information that Marvin sent in his message. The flight details with the date and time.
I sigh as Kurt opens the door and I step in. I wonder if he knows Marvin. Then again I’m too nervous to speak. I’m holding on to my phone as if my life depends on it. That’s when it vibrates, and I see a missed call from Michelle, my bestie. The one that I was supposed to be meeting this afternoon and judging by the time. I’m late.
Once the car starts moving, I lean back in my seat and call her back.
“Hey M.”
She laughs, “Emily we were supposed to be meeting like an hour ago. I’ve given up on you, and I’m back home. Don’t tell me. You forgot because you had some design idea.”
She’s used to me standing her up, my obsession with the business is something that I’m infamous for with my friends.
“No,” I clear my throat expecting her to scream down the phone.
“I’m in Vegas.”
“Shut up! And you never invited me? I thought you were broke.”
“Remember that deal that Marvin offered me?”
“Yes, the one I said that I'd happily do if you don’t want to and he wouldn’t even need to give me money. The guy’s too fine. With those dark eyes and speckles of gray in his spiky hair, he makes George Clooney look like his ugly twin brother because they could be brother’s you know?”
I’m just about to answer her because she’s said this a thousand times.
“I don’t understand why you never took him up on his offer and tell him that you’ll do it for free. He didn’t even need to pay you!”
“Because ” knowing that if I don’t stop her. That she’ll be talking about Marvin all night long. She’s got a major crush on him.
