A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series

by Violet Sparks

  She'd spoken with her boss several times earlier in the week. She found him polite but distant. After their time on the beach, she hadn't expected that. Maybe he was embarrassed by all he'd shared. Her vision in Irina's mirror also stuck with her. She didn’t know what to make of it.

  By the afternoon, she was eager to get her review over and move on to the gala. She filled out the required paperwork Monday, listing her accomplishments, her challenges, and what she thought could be improved upon—the same formalities every year.

  Papers in hand, she tapped on Robert's door.

  "Come in," he replied, his deep voice sending a shudder through her body.

  He greeted her with a smile and kept his eyes on hers, which didn't ease her nerves. She detected something there, something unpleasant, as his stare drilled holes into her soul. Katrina placed her forms on his desk and took a seat. He ignored the papers, making her even more uncomfortable.

  Finally, he tilted back in his seat, took up the documents, and perused them nonchalantly. He flipped through the four sheets, raised one eyebrow, then leaned forward and tossed them onto his desk, as if they were worthless.

  She watched as his smile drew into a hard, thin line, his jaw clenched, and his chest muscles rippled, growing taut under his dress shirt. He leaned back again, putting more distance between them.

  "Is there anything you'd like to add, Miss Crimshaw?" he said, indifference in his voice.

  His tone shocked Katrina. He'd treated her in many ways over the months, always erratic but never indifferent. It cut her to the core. She searched his eyes for a clue to this change.

  "Well?" he prompted.

  "No, nothing," she replied, dumbfounded and hurt.

  "All right then. I have a few things to cover. You list your top accomplishment as the Daud deal. I think your work left something to be desired there."

  Katrina struggled to keep her mouth from gaping open even as he compressed his. She observed the flint-like set to his square jaw, hard features, and harsh tone. Still, he maintained body language that shouted, you aren’t important enough to bother with. She felt mortified.

  Robert explained.

  "Your due diligence on the investment vehicle was adequate. But adequate isn't good enough at Dodd and Company. I had to prompt you to dig deeper, but even then, you fell short."

  "What do you mean?" she managed to rasp out. She hated giving him the satisfaction of knowing she felt humiliated.

  "You missed the SEC investigation that almost blew the deal. If you'd discovered that off the bat and addressed it, all the panic would have been avoided. We're still not sure everything is going to come off," Robert said in a monotone. He took his time getting the words out, as if she were too stupid to follow his ideas.

  Katrina felt tears trying to well in her eyes. I must not cry. I must not cry.

  "Then you asked me to follow up with Morris Greir after you'd been his lead contact. That wasn't good form either, Ka—" he caught himself and continued, "Miss Crimshaw."

  "I'll give you the rest of what you've listed, since I wasn't here to observe you or experience you in action," he said, his monotone growing harsh again.

  She felt her head tingle and straightened her backbone. She would not allow herself to faint in his presence again. She drew in a deep breath and mustered her strength. She'd survived her mother's death and her fiancée's cheating. She could handle Robert LaSalla, she told herself. The image in Irina's mirror flashed before her as she exhaled, allowing air to rush from her lungs. She hoped she could handle him, but even as he demeaned her, she still felt his pull.

  "Another thing you must work on is your ability to concentrate, Miss Crimshaw."

  Stop calling me that! She wanted to shout, but instead bit her lip.

  "My ability to concentrate," she repeated softly.

  "Yes, or rather, your inability. I cannot have a complete conversation with you without your drifting off into la-la land. Others have noted your strange behavior as well. Do you have a physical or mental condition we should be aware of? I know that petite mal epilepsy displays symptoms similar to yours. They're called absence seizures. Could that be your problem?" he demanded.

  She found his words particularly cruel, given her recent tests and the fact that she still waited for results from her doctor. Of course, Robert knew nothing of that.

  Katrina made no answer. She knew if she opened her mouth, she couldn't control what might come out, sobs included. So she listened, nodded, and tried to keep from shaking, or worse yet, crying.

  The man pushed her paperwork across the desk, within her reach.

  "I've sent a form with my comments to your email address. There's room at the bottom of each page to write a rebuttal to any of my statements. Please return everything to Harriet by next Wednesday. That's all, Miss Crimshaw."

  Katrina ignored the papers he'd shoved in her direction, nodded, and left. In a state of shock, she grabbed her jacket and purse from her own office and left the building. Kiki had seen her and followed her to the elevators. The receptionist asked her what had happened in a whisper, but she could only shake her head before the doors opened and she made her escape. She cried all the way home.

  The next morning, she arose with swollen eyelids. What a fright she looked! She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to reduce the puffiness. She'd had a rough night and felt like she'd been hit in the face with a two by four. Alternating between hurt, anger, and outrage, sleep eluded her. Now, on the day of her big accomplishment, she looked like a zombie, a freak with cue balls for eyes.

  Robert had been correct about many things. She did have trouble focusing, she couldn't take credit for the Daud deal, and she'd totally missed that SEC probe. Demoralized, she plunked herself down in the kitchen and ate a banana for breakfast.

  She tried to pull herself together. Another Scripture came to mind, one her mother was fond of, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, from Philippians 4:13. She repeated the verse over and over until she felt better. This was her big day, and she wouldn't allow Robert LaSalla's poor opinion of her to ruin it!

  Feeling better, she gathered the garment bag that held her dress, the satin shoe sack, and a duffel. She placed other necessities, like makeup and a curling iron, in the overnight bag and drove to the museum.

  "Hey there, Both! Are you ready for action?" she asked with enthusiasm, poking her head in the director's office.

  "You are a sight for sore eyes, Violet!" he exclaimed. "Come in and let's share breakfast—you know, split plates like we used to." Barry pointed to the just arrived hot meal before him.

  Katrina smiled, remembering their first few meals together. He always made her feel so comfortable and valued. She determined to tell him all about her real life, including her true name, after the gala. She hoped he'd be understanding. The auditor wouldn't say anything now that might upset him. She plopped in the chair opposite his desk and tucked into an omelet, fruit, and scones.

  "So, the jewels came in yesterday?" she asked between bites.

  "Yes, and only approved staff were allowed to witness their arrival. The owners had their own security, who supervised and briefed our team and several other representatives who will be present tonight. I couldn't even touch them. One of their people placed everything in the displays under my supervision. It took most of the night!" he exclaimed, yawning. "I had to switch from tea to coffee at two a.m.," he added.

  "Well, if it's any comfort, I didn’t sleep much either. Oh, before I forget, I had to barter two tickets to the exhibit in exchange for my dress. Can I get them from you, for a Monday, please?"

  "Ha! What kind of dress is only worth thirty dollars?"

  "Oh, believe me, I had to pay more than that, Both. The tickets were just part of the deal, along with a personal tour with you. Can you do it?"

  "Is the dress worth it? My fees are substantial, you know," he teased, flashing The Grin.

  "A bargain," she teased back, and he nodded his willi
ngness, producing the tickets she requested.

  She slipped an addressed envelope out of her purse, and borrowing a pen from the director's desk, jotted a message on a note card. Dear Irina, Here are the museum tickets. Maybe your cobbler friend would like to come. If you ask for Bernard Bronson, he will happily show you the exhibit. Thank you for your help! Regards, Katrina Crimshaw.

  Katrina placed the tickets inside the card, inserted everything into the envelope, and sealed it shut. Barry handed her a stamp before she asked. The couple broke into laughter.

  "You know, the Times is sending a reporter and photographer tonight, along with LA Magazine and West Side Lifestyle. It's going to be a hectic evening, Darling. Are you up for it?"

  "I hope so. Can you give me some pointers?" she asked.

  "Just stick by my side. You'll do fine. I may sic you on some of our big donors!"

  "Great!" she said with mock discomfiture.

  At ten a.m., the security system allowed entry to the exhibit. Kate noticed additional precautions in place, like extra guards, motion detectors, etcetera. Excited to see the jewels in person, she couldn't hide her enthusiasm.

  Barry worked on perfecting the lighting, asking the opinion of Katrina and the Heller's director, his boss, David Miller. Each exhibit had its own spotlights to be adjusted to produce maximum sparkle, in addition to the general lighting. She had to fight the urge to touch the display cases. Each item took her breath away. She looked upon the end product of her designs with pride. The faux ice appeared real, as did the pool of water beneath. At the yellow display, delicate daisies complimented the canary diamond and pearl parure. The fake roots and soil at the bottom provided a good counterpoint for the luscious jewels.

  In addition to the presentations she'd worked on, other items impressed. The exhibit included a stunning tiara, tiny Fabergé clocks and compacts, cigarette cases, frames, and desk sets—each piece a dazzling treasure. She had time to ogle each splendor as Barry tweaked its lighting.

  It was three p.m. by the time they finished, and Katrina was famished, having forgotten the prior day's woes. Being surrounded by some of the most beautiful items ever created didn't leave room for thoughts of her day job.

  When they left to grab a snack, security watched on while a special cleaning crew dusted the cases and vacuumed lint from the floor. She took one last glimpse of the exhibit from over her shoulder. Dark navy walls, floors, and ceiling allowed each piece to shine and twinkle like stars under the spotlights.

  After some chit chat with David Miller, Barry and Katrina retreated to his office for the rest of the afternoon. He shared pictures of the guests he expected this evening and gave her a short biography of each. The photos were shots taken at past galas. Kate found the information helpful, and it allowed her to get a feeling for the people she'd be mingling with later. She'd seen many before in the society pages. Both made the time fly with his amusing anecdotes and behind the scenes stories about the museum's donors.

  Katrina observed numerous black and red ball gowns, cocktail dresses, and even tuxedos on the women in the photographs. Her platinum dress would be a standout, if the past galas were any indication.

  Before she knew it, five o'clock had rolled around and Barry showed her to an office where she could dress and get ready for the gala. Cocktails began at six thirty in the museum's foyer. Then, a ribbon cutting ceremony would open the exhibit for all to see. A four-course, sit-down dinner began at nine. However, staff needed to be ready by six o'clock for a security screening. Kate wasn't officially staff, but for tonight, because of her work on the displays, she'd be treated as such.

  Alone in the empty office, Katrina took her time preparing for the biggest night of her life. She carefully set her hair with a curling iron, just as Irina had instructed. Then, she applied a sheer foundation and translucent powder that added a just perceptible shimmer to her skin. Smoky eye liner and shadow followed an ice pink lipstick. Again, she disobeyed the Russian by adding earrings to her ensemble. This time, she chose faux diamond solitaires mounted in tiny, fine, intricate silver swirls. The Edwardian ear fobs dangled just enough from her lobes to add movement and sparkle.

  When she met Barry in the lobby, his jaw dropped.

  "Wow! You look, uh, you look brilliant, I mean beautiful. See, I'm speechless," he said with The Grin. After checking her out from head to toe, he added, "The color of the dress sets your eyes off. I've never seen them so blue or you so lovely."

  "Thank you, Both," she said, pinching his bicep. "Were the tickets worth it?" she teased.

  "Uh huh!" he said with enthusiasm.

  Chapter 15

  -The Big Night Gets Even Bigger-

  After clearing security, everyone prepared to receive the guests. Barry introduced Violet to one big wig after another. She began to regret putting off telling him the truth about her name. She had placed him in a bad situation. Katrina hadn't imagined that she'd be front and center at the gala, nor had she really thought through her decision to deceive the director of Special Exhibits.

  One particular scion, presented by Barry as Doris, took a liking to Kate, striking up a conversation regarding the museum's next special event and inquiring about her dress. Katrina admitted that she wore a Dior gown from the 1950s as a sheepish smile spread across her face. The older woman nodded her approval.

  Glasses clinked, waiters passed hors d'oeuvres, and the decibel level rose as more people arrived and mingled, greeting old friends and meeting new. She nursed a glass of champagne, as exhaustion crept over her. Lack of sleep, worry about her test results, and a day on her feet took their toll. She decided to slip away to an out-of-the-way bench and rest until the ribbon cutting. She found just the spot, down a hall and around a corner. She sank into a plush, leather covered bench and braced her back against the wall. Muffled laughter and music kept the location from feeling too isolated.

  Katrina closed her eyes and relaxed. She had not intended to drift asleep, but when she opened her eyes, she became aware that time had passed and music no longer played. She sat bolt upright and strained to hear something, anything. For a moment, she thought she'd slept through the entire gala and had been locked up in the museum for the night. But when she detected a solitary voice, muted by distance but amplified by a microphone, she jumped to her feet and ran for the lobby. She guessed she was about to miss the ribbon cutting ceremony.

  As she raced to the foyer, all Katrina could see were the backs of guests as they watched the ritual. Attempting a stop, her new shoes slid on the polished marble floor, and she let out a small gasp, careening towards a tall gentleman in a black tuxedo. He must have heard her, because the man turned just before she would have slammed into his backside and caught her in his arms.

  Embarrassed but glad to be saved from a fall, she looked up to see the unfortunate man and apologize. At the same time, he chuckled, a chivalrous laugh, and lifted her up, setting her down an arm's length away.

  Her mouth dropped, and his amused smile transformed into a grimace before her eyes. She'd run smack into Robert LaSalla.

  "You? What are you doing here?" she gasped, out of breath.

  Leiselle spun to see who spoke to her man.

  "What's she doing here?" Robert's date demanded with a snarl.

  Katrina cast a quick glance at the tall blonde. She wore another low-cut, sequined gown, this time black with a swag of sparkly fabric draped across her chest. Aggravated and feeling that these two intruded upon her big night, Kate allowed herself an insulting, slow, up and down gaze over the bimbo.

  "Violet? Violet Sparks, will you please come up here?" a female voice cracked over the public address system. She recognized the voice of Doris, the older woman with whom she had chatted earlier.

  She shook herself loose from Robert, whose hands still gripped her forearms, lifted her chin high, and worked her way through the crowd towards the ribbon. Her dress rustled with each step. She couldn't see the puzzled looks that trailed after her from LaSalla and Leiselle
as the crowd parted, allowing her passage.

  In front of the doors leading to the exhibit stood the museum's director and the patron who contributed the most to bring the Russian treasures to the Heller. It turned out to be Katrina's new friend. The couple gripped a giant pair of scissors, and the gray-haired donor held a microphone in her free hand. Barry stood to one side and gave Katrina a wink as she approached.

  "Here she is. Now, before we do the honors, I want to repeat what a little bird just told me." The society doyenne nodded at Katrina, who moved closer. "Right next to me, Dear. I want everyone to see you," the older woman encouraged. Kate stood next to Doris, and she continued, "I’m told this charming girl, Violet Sparks, is responsible for staging two of our finest displays in the Romanov collection. She's donated countless hours to the project, and I think she deserves our thanks and appreciation. I've had a peek at her work, and I know you'll be pleased. So be sure and congratulate her before the evening is over."

  Barry started the applause as if on cue, as the woman passed the microphone to David Miller. Katrina blushed and gazed at the group, wishing this moment could last forever. Her eyes glistened as she fought back tears. She allowed her glance to settle, only for a moment, on Robert. She couldn't miss him standing head and shoulders above the crowd. His features appeared hard, his expression dark and stern.

  "And now, without any further ado, I invite you to experience Treasures of the Romanovs," the director announced and then cut the ribbon. More applause followed, and the pack shifted forward, eager to view the collection.