by Cher Etan
“I don’t really want a house in the suburbs.”
Chapter 5
Tony had one stop to make and then he was headed to the offices of Rodham, Clarence and Haggerty. Curtis had a report to give him; or at least that was the pretext. He was finding it hard to care about thieving accountants just at this moment. The weekend had been exceptionally marvelous and Tony was still quite hung-over over it. In fact, he was more than a little dizzy. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt this happy. It was probably before the deaths of his mother and brother.
*****
Sophie was humming as she made some toast to go with her coffee. Clearly her grandfather was sleeping in as she hadn’t heard a peep from him all morning. Of course she had checked if he was still breathing and clearly it was just the hangover from the weekend. She left him some waffles to eat when he woke up and headed to work practically floating on air. She knew that the bubble inside her would burst eventually, but right now nothing could touch her. Her happiness was enhanced by the fact that she was wearing sneakers this morning. Tony had suggested it to her and she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it before. She could change into her heels when she reached the office.
As she took the last set of stairs to her floor, she saw him standing outside the office with a package in his hands. She smiled, shaking her head as she walked toward him.
“Couldn’t stay away could you?” she teased.
“I actually came by to see Curtis,” Tony replied, straightening up off the wall.
“Oh? Is that his office then there by the wall?”
“I thought I’d wait and see if you took my advice about the sneakers.”
“Oh really? Well, now you have, you can go on your merry way,” Sophie said airily sweeping past him to enter the office. Tony followed behind grinning widely.
“I have a present for you.”
“Aw, you shouldn’t have,” Sophie said as she sat in her chair and leaned down to change her shoes.
“Don’t you want to open it first before you say anything?” Tony asked leaning on her desk.
“Sure,” she said, straightening up and reaching for the package in his hand. It was a box inside a paper bag and she lifted it out and put it to her ear, shaking it cautiously.
“So… not a bomb.”
“Why do you think so? Because it’s not ticking? It could just be C4”
“And what do you know about C4?”
“Hey, I saw Burn Notice,” he argued, making Sophie laugh. She removed the lid off the box to find a pair of wedge shaped shoes nestled inside. She put her hand in the box and delicately caressed one of them. The leather was so soft and luxurious she immediately felt like Cleopatra just touching it. The shoe had a heel made of a springy material that Sophie had never touched before.
“They’re beautiful,” she murmured.
“I thought that since you said you hate heels, these might help you out. It has a heel, but it’s shaped to cradle your foot and remember the exact shape. So they’re comfortable to walk in and stand in.”
Sophie was floored by his thoughtfulness and she felt tears sting her eyes. She looked down to avoid meeting his eyes, trying to compose herself. It had been a hard slog since her brother’s disappearance trying to pull the pieces of her life and her grandfather’s life together. Trying to keep going after all the loss and pain. Now to have someone who cared enough for her to notice the little things and look out for her welfare like this…it was almost too much to bare.
“Thank you.” She said huskily at last.
“You are very welcome. Now I’ll leave you to enjoy your shoes while I go talk to Curtis. Will you allow me to take you for lunch after?”
“Aren’t you sick of me yet?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Okay, we’ll do lunch, but it’s my turn to treat.”
“Whatever you say darlin’,” Tony said before strolling off. Sophie watched him go, wondering what a white dude with such a cute little ass was doing with her.
*****
Tony knocked on Curtis’ door and waited. Curtis came to the door and ushered him in, smiling as he did so. There was a thick file on the table and Curtis picked it up and handed it to him.
“I’ve been doing research on the possible suspects. I have some leads.”
“Oh? Have you figured out who is stealing from me yet?”
“Not quite. I need access.”
“Access to what?”
“Your establishments. I need to follow the money.”
“One of the assistant managers at my Russian restaurant just had a baby. I’m sure he’d appreciate some time off to be with his family. How long do you need?”
“Two weeks should do it.”
“Done. Be there bright and early tomorrow morning and I’ll introduce you to the staff.”
“Okay.”
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to see Mr. Rodham.”
“Follow me.”
Mr. Rodham was not too thrilled to be disturbed during his morning ritual of coffee and the stock market openings, but he put his work aside to attend to Tony. Mr. Romanov was a paying customer after all, and in these hard economic times, it didn’t do to be rude to those so he sat up and prepared to be of service.
“Your employee, Mr. Jackson proposes to follow the trail of my money by infiltrating my organization. I need for you to vouch for him, that this is not just another attempt to steal more of my money. Who will be accountable for that?”
“Mr. Jackson’s methods are unorthodox, but they yield results I do assure you.” Mr. Rodham said.
“And I am just supposed to take your word for it?”
Mr. Rodham leaned forward, looking Tony in the eye. He stared without speaking for a long time and then he said, “Mr. Romanov, this firm has been in business for close to thirty years now. Our clientele is extremely exclusive. Do you think we would have managed to thrive if we were in the habit of stealing from our customers?”
Tony leaned back in his chair and stared at Mr. Rodham. After a while he nodded his head as if in affirmation, “Alright. We shall proceed.”
Tony left the office without taking his leave of Sophie. He had to go back to his restaurant and make some arrangements. Furthermore, he had another errand to run. He smiled to himself as he thought of it, glancing off to the side at Sophie, her head buried in paper. He would see her at lunch.
*****
The numbers floated in front of Sophie’s eyes, running together like a stream heading down to the bayou back home. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus, but it was difficult with her head still dizzy from Tony’s visit.
‘You. Have. Got. It. Bad. Devereux,’ she thought, smiling to herself.
“Oh, that smile is all cat that swallowed the canary. That good was it?” Curtis’ amused voice cut into her reverie, “You’re welcome by the way,” he continued as he perched on her desk crossing his arms.
Sophie looked up at him incredulously, “Welcome for what?”
“Introducing you to the man o’ your dreams of course,” Curtis drawled.
“Oh is that what you did?” Sophie asked as her brow rose.
“Yep. I seen the way y’all look at each other like you’d just like to eat each other up,” Curtis teased, his smile blossoming into a full-fledged grin.
“All these assumptions Curtis. You know what they say about assuming?”
“No need to assume. It’s clear as day how you both feel. So when’s the wedding?”
“Fuck off Curtis.”
“Oooh! Language sweetheart,” Curtis gasped in a faux shocked voice.
Sophie sighed deeply rolling her eyes, “What can I do for you Curtis?”
“Nothing really. I know you’ve been away for the weekend. I was hoping for deets. Aren’t I your best friend?”
“You are? Why am I always the last to know these things?”
“Come on Sophie, spill!” Curtis said leaning forward with a pouty lo
ok on his face.
“We went to his cavern by the sea. We went for walks on the beach. It was peachy,” Sophie replied, shuffling papers on the desk.
“Ha. Is that why you’re glowing?”
“The bracing air.”
“Okay Soph. Be like that,” Curtis said, straightening up, “Just don’t come running to me when he does something crazy and you need someone to talk about it to.”
“Okay Curtis I won’t,” Sophie replied with a small smile eyes on her keyboard.
Curtis walked away a slight hunch to his shoulders. Sophie watched him go, shaking her head at his craziness. Curtis was a good friend, but he was way too fond of gossip for her taste.
The morning flew by and Sophie was caught by surprise when a familiar shadow fell over her desk.
“Tony Romanov to see Ms. Devereux,” he drawled in a confidential whisper, leaning down to her. Sophie looked up at him and he closed the distance to fit his lips to hers. She pulled away; her office walls were all glass and she had just glimpsed Ms. Haggerty making her way past. She had a thing about female employees having relationships and was not afraid to cause problems if she thought it necessary. Tony gave her a quizzical look and she arched her brow in her boss’ direction in silent eloquence. He turned his head to look in the direction she was pointing as Sophie turned to take her coat from the rack.
“Don’t forget lunch is on me,” she said as she slipped it on and walked past him out the door of the office. Tony placidly followed without comment.
“Where are we going?” he asked as the elevator expelled them on the ground floor.
“It’s a secret,” Sophie winked reaching out to take his hand. Tony saw that she was wearing the shoes he’d bought her and smiled.
“How’s the fit?” he asked.
“Huh? What?” Sophie asked then looked at the direction he was looking, “Oh the shoes? Wonderful. It’s like walking on air.”
“They look wonderful on you,” he told her, watching her feet.
“Mmm. Thanks,” Sophie grinned. They were walking down the street, keeping close to the building to avoid the wind. At the corner, Sophie came to an abrupt halt and Tony almost stepped on her in surprise. There was a hot dog stand on the other side of the corner manned by a tall Hispanic gentleman.
“Hey Paco. How’s tricks?” Sophie greeted him.
“Hey Soph. Been a minute. How you been?”
“Good. This is my friend Tony?” she said pointing at him.
“Your friend?” Tony murmured in her ear.
“Hey Tony, good to meet you. Paco is my name,” Paco said.
“Nice to meet you,” Tony replied, extending his hand to be shaken. His other hand reached out and closed around Sophie’s waist, just so there was no confusion as to their…friendship.
“The usual Sophie?” Paco asked turning to her.
“Two please, with everything,” Sophie said, handing over the cash. Tony leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “I love when you take charge like that.”
Sophie turned to him and smiled, “Wait till you taste it. You’ll thank me.” Paco handed them two hot dogs made of boerwoerst with mustard, chilli and sauce on it. Tony examined the hot dog before cautiously biting into it. The expression on his face changed abruptly from cautious to beatific.
“Huh? Didn’t I tell you?” she asked grinning at his closed eyes. Tony didn’t answer, just took another bite.
“Come on let’s get two coffees to go with them,” she suggested, heading to the coffee cart across the street.
“This is quite possibly the best lunch I’ve ever had,” Tony admitted as they leaned against the pier eating their hotdogs and drinking coffee. They were sheltered from the wind by the canopy covering a warehouse nearby and they watched the boats on the water.
“I’m glad you liked it,” Sophie said licking her fingers of all the sauce and mustard.
“Wow, that’s so sexy when you do it,” Tony said watching her.
Sophie smirked, but did not comment. She finished off her coffee and then took her cup and his to throw it in the litter bin. Tony waited for her to get back watching her all the way.
“I have a question to ask you,” he said as she strolled back to him.
“Ask,” Sophie said, smiling at him as she leaned her hip against the pier.
“Would you prefer a summer wedding or winter? I favor winter myself, probably because I’m from Russia, but it could be because its winter now and that would mean we could get married right away.”
“I…really can’t take you seriously right now Tony. We’ve known each other one week.”
“So you have an objection to how long we’ve known each other and not the proposal itself?”
“I have an objection to believing all this is real.”
“Okay, would you do me a favor? Would you just wear this for me until it all begins to feel comfortable?” Tony said reaching a hand into his pocket and removing a small velvet-covered box. He opened it and Sophie stopped breathing. She closed her eyes tight, afraid to see what was there.
“Sophie?”
“Yes Tony?”
“Won’t you wear it for me please?”
Sophie stretched out her hand without opening her eyes and felt Tony slip a ring on her finger. She lowered her hand slowly without looking at it.
“Are you going to open your eyes or not?”
Sophie shook her head making Tony laugh. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on her, whispering against her lips, “You look really good with your eyes closed.”
“Long may your rose-colored glasses live,” Sophie replied making Tony chuckle. It felt ticklish with his lips next to hers.
“Is this real?” she asked.
“Yes please,” Tony replied making Sophie laugh as well. Finally, she opened her brown eyes and looked at him. Her eyes swept downward to her finger where she beheld a silver ring embedded with three emerald stones arranged like a clover leaf.
“What?” she whispered incredulously, “Damn.”
“Do you like it?” he asked her tentatively.
She was still staring down at it. Slowly she lifted her hand so the ring was at face level.
“It is very beautiful,” she said formally.
“Yes, but do you like it?”
“Nope. I love it,” Sophie said, looking Tony in the eye.
“So is that a yes?” he asked, smiling hopefully into her eyes.
“Don’t push it bro. Why don’t we wait and see if I’m allergic to it or not. Maybe you want some time to be sure too?”
“Okay, we’ll go with that story if you like. Meanwhile can we talk wedding planners?” Tony said with a shrug as they began to walk back to Sophie’s office.
“Wedding planners? Oh hell naw. I’m planning my own wedding, thank you,” Sophie said.
“Of course, whatever you say dear,” Tony said, biting back a smile. Sophie glared at him suspecting that he was laughing at her, but with no way to prove it.
“Going back to what you said to Paco about us being friends…” Tony trailed off.
“Yes?” Sophie prompted.
“Can we just officially change that term to Fiancée?” Tony asked hastening to add, “Just until you decide.”
“And after I decide?” Sophie asked laughing, “What do we call me then?”
“Wife?” Tony asked smiling.
“You are soo hilarious.” Sophie replied, picking up her pace as she noticed the time; her lunch hour was almost up. The bosses didn’t really approve of them taking the whole hour in the first place. Just because she was living in fantasy land right now didn’t mean everyone else was. She tried to imagine explaining to Rodham that she was late from lunch because her boyfriend of one week had proposed to her at the pier. She grimaced picturing the look on his face and picked up her pace.
‘Boyfriend?’ the voice in her head echoed, and shook its head incredulously.
Chapter 6
Tony was in the kitchen going over
the week’s menu with the actual chef when Curtis arrived at the April Shower. He directed Charlie the maitr’d to take Curtis up to his office while he finished up in the kitchen. It was located on the second floor of the building and when Tony got there he found Curtis going through his files.
“Make yourself at home,” he offered.
“Thanks. Your files aren’t very well kept you know. Are you sure your accountant is competent?”
“He came highly recommended.”
“Oh? Who recommended him? Bernie Madoff?” Curtis asked with a smirk as he turned the page.
“My father,” Tony snapped coldly.
“Oops,” Curtis said grimacing.
“Yes well, so can you fix it?”
“Are dogs allergic to chocolate?”
“Alright if you need anything, just let me know.”
“Don’t worry, I will. Go about your day, don’t mind me,” Curtis said waving Tony away. Feeling dismissed from his own office, Tony hesitated slightly, then turned to the door. He turned back again and opened his mouth and then closed it again.
“Yeah, I saw Sophie this morning,” Curtis said from his perch behind Tony’s desk.
“I didn’t..” Tony began.
“Don’t front. You wanted to know,” Curtis said with a grin.
“Okay then. How is she?” Tony asked.
“Being discreet about that rock you gave her. Great move by the way, I knew you had it in you.”
“Thanks. I think.” Tony said wryly, “Well I’ll be on my way then. Worlds to conquer and all that.”
“Cheerio.” Curtis said smirking again.
Tony descended the stairs shaking his head in amusement. He rather liked Curtis, maybe because he was the one who fixed him up with Sophie. The thought of her brought a smile to his face and he fished out his phone and dialed her number.
“Hello, offices of the Wiz. Cowardly Lion speaking.”
“Hi. May I speak to Dorothy?”
“I’m sorry; she’s on a milk run. Can I take a message?”
“It’s her loss. I was going to invite her to visit me at my house tonight, but I figure I’ll just ask you instead.”
“Always nice being the first choice,” Sophie said wryly.
