“You are all no doubt curious as to what is going on, and while I can’t tell you much, we can share that Eric Randall is being arrested on charges of fraud.” A collective gasp came from the audience. The children on stage, confused and frightened, were being escorted away quietly by one of the women who had so unceremoniously crashed the party, aided by a girl Rachel recognized from the office. The speaker continued, “While we are not at liberty to disclose details, I am with the Federal Trade Commission, and let me assure you that our ongoing investigation has been very thorough.”
Rachel’s mind flashed back to the snippets of conversation she had overheard during the past few weeks. Her instinct, much as she had fought it, had been right!
“The evidence against Mr. Randall is overwhelming,” the man continued. “While you will undoubtedly learn more in the coming days and weeks, for the time being we request that you refrain from speculating amongst your peers. Some of you may be required to give depositions, and a member of the New York Police Department will be in touch if you are needed.” The speech was concluding: “We apologize once again for the inconvenience.”
Inconvenience? thought Rachel incredulously. The night was ruined!
Seeming to read her thoughts, the man ended with, “We suggest you go home. Good evening.”
As the bewildered guests chatted anxiously amongst themselves and gathered their belongings, Rachel made her way through the crowd out into the lobby of the building. She knew instinctively that her career at the Randall Agency was over…how could she ever work there again? And even worse, would her own reputation be tarnished because of her close ties to Eric Randall?
Trying to gain some control of her racing thoughts, she paused at the entry to the lobby bar. As she rested with her hand against the door frame, a television on the wall caught her eye. There, in full color on the Evening News, was an announcer talking about breaking news at Welland Enterprises, with a head shot of…Michael…the intern?
She had expected an inevitable press conference about what had just happened at the Randall event, but Welland?...
At a loss and curious, Rachel listened as the broadcaster talked about the big announcement made at the Welland Gala earlier that same evening. The legendary Philip Welland was retiring, according to the report, and he was leaving his corporate dynasty in the capable hands of his nephew and heir, Michael Welland. According to the story, Michael had been hidden from the public eye throughout his youth, while he was educated and trained to one day take the reins of his childless uncle’s empire. A segment of Philip Welland’s speech was televised, during which he talked about his company’s relentless focus on being the leader in environmentally and socially conscious advertising. His nephew had been conducting research at a competitor’s company, he confided, and he had no doubt in his mind that Michael had what it took to continue his legacy and to have even greater positive impact.
This was the biggest shocker of all – Michael Welland? She couldn’t believe it!
Gasping for air, Rachel ran out into the night, her dark hair cascading around her face as she clutched at her dress and tried not to lose her composure completely. It was all just too much.
She stood for a moment to catch her breath, and as the misty breeze brushed her face, her mind cleared. She suddenly came to an important decision: no matter what happened, she would forge on; she was a valuable, capable woman who deserved the best of everything her life could bring. She wanted to work for a company with impeccable values; she wanted her work to mean something and to help the world be a better place. She also wanted Michael – there it was; the simple truth. But did he feel the same way? No matter: she knew in that moment that she would do whatever it would take to make her previously unspoken dreams and desires a reality.
With new resolve, she lifted her head high and began to descend the steps. Her gown glittered in the misty light and the fog seemed to want to envelop her, yet her mind was clear and bright.
As Rachel reached the bottom of the steps, a most unexpected thing occurred. Pulling up to the curb was a long, sleek, black limousine. Rachel stopped in her tracks and could only stare as the back window of the limousine slid down silently. It was dark inside, and an intriguing, faintly familiar, distinctly male scent wafted out the open window, making her head swim slightly.
She bent down expectantly to look in the window, politely holding her dress to her chest. She needn’t have been so concerned about protecting her modesty. From inside the decadent limo, Michael Welland, heir to the Welland Enterprises Dynasty and the man of her dreams, smiled the most gracious, warm, and inviting smile she’d ever seen.
“Champagne, Ms. Forrester?” he said as he opened the door for her.
Rachel climbed into the limousine, more than a little shell-shocked after such a night of revelations.
“I’ve been waiting for you my whole life,” she heard Michael say through her daze. “We’re going to do wonderful things together.”
And with that, he closed the door and put a protective arm around her. They drove away into the night – and into Rachel’s brand new life.
Thanks a bunch for reading my book. I hope you really liked it.
You probably look at the reviews on Amazon or other sites before you decide to purchase a book. Other people do, too.
If you liked my book, could I ask you to take a minute to leave a review with your feedback? Just 60 seconds is all I’m asking for, and it would really mean the world to me. For your convenience, here’s a quick direct link to do a review: http://tinyurl.com/reviewUD
Thank you so very much,
Serenity Starr
Titles in the Naughty at Noon Series
Unspoken Desires
Buried needs begin to surface as an ad executive realizes what she’s really been longing for in her life all these years.
* This is Book One in the Rachel and Michael series. *
Found at Sea
What began as a girls-only getaway weekend changes things forever for one of the girls, as she finds unexpected love on the high seas.
* This is Book One in the Alicia and Tristan series. *
Lesson for the Teacher
A geographic cure for a broken heart sends a teacher to Italy, but she soon discovers that she needs to learn more if she wants to graduate into true love.
* This is Book One in the Anna and Davide series. *
Leaving Home
Unexpected tragedy strikes a young woman who now finds herself at loose ends, wondering if she’ll ever feel at home again.
* This is Book One in the Kate and Robert series. *
Table of Contents
Titles in the Naughty at Noon Series
Unspoken Desires
Found at Sea
Lesson for the Teacher
Leaving Home
Unspoken Desires (Naughty at Noon - Rachel and Michael Book One) Page 3
