Five Star Attraction

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Tears filled her eyes. This was all such a mess right now.

  “I just want to take care of my child,” she whispered. The fact was that if Joshua didn’t get the treatments, he could die. “I can’t lose my son.”

  Joshua came down the stairs and rushed over to her. “Mommy, can we watch a movie?”

  “We sure can,” she said as cheerfully as she could.

  As much as she detested Harold DePaul, he was helping to keep her son alive. For that reason alone, he deserved her loyalty.

  Natasha vowed to do what Harold wanted, and after that, she would be free of him. Besides, Malcolm was not a fool and he would never agree to take the company public. But she had done as Harold wanted, and he would have to keep his end of the bargain.

  A wave of apprehension rose within.

  What would happen to Joshua if Harold changed his mind and reneged on the payment?

  Natasha didn’t want to consider the alternative.

  Ari enjoyed spending time with Blaze and Sage. They always had a good time together. The three of them had just finished watching a movie.

  “So is that dude always around?” Sage asked in a low voice. “He’s creeping me out.”

  “He was our grandfather’s butler,” Ari explained. “His name is Franklin. He will be taking care of the house in Pacific Palisades. I’ll take you there tomorrow.”

  “So, what are we going to do with him?” Blaze wanted to know. “We’re not exactly the butler-type family.”

  Ari nodded in agreement. “Dad wasn’t sure what to do about him. He was with Robert a long time. He finally decided to put him in charge of the staff.”

  Sage glanced over her shoulder. “Doesn’t he ever go home?”

  “He was living in the staff quarters here, but he’s moving into one of the guesthouses on the estate in Pacific Palisades.” Ari explained. “He was homeless when Robert met him.”

  “Wow…” Sage shook her head sadly. “Robert did a really nice thing. Wait a minute…did you say estate? We have an estate?”

  Blaze and Ari laughed.

  “If Mom and Dad don’t want the chef, then I’ll take him,” Sage said. “I can’t cook tap water.”

  “That’s for sure,” Blaze interjected.

  She gave him a playful punch on the arm. “I didn’t ask you to cosign.”

  “Hey, you can’t cook, Sage,” Ari stated. “We all know that about you.”

  Blaze glanced around the residence. “I still can’t get over this. Dad is Robert DePaul’s biological son. Man, that’s wild.”

  Ari nodded in understanding. “I just wish the DePaul family would stop trying to make him out to be a scam artist. Dad had nothing to do with any of this.”

  “I don’t think anyone actually believes the claims those people are making,” Sage interjected. “They know that the DePaul family is bitter because all of the money went to a black man. Nobody wants to say it, but this is why they are so upset.”

  “I don’t know,” Ari responded. “I think they’d be upset no matter what.”

  That evening, before he went to bed, Ari called Natasha.

  “You didn’t sound like yourself earlier, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “I’m fine, Ari. Just wanted to take care of a few projects with deadlines and I wanted to spend some quality time with my son.”

  “Okay,” he said. “I was concerned so I thought I’d call you back.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.” She paused a moment before asking, “Are you enjoying your siblings?”

  “I’m glad they’re finally here. Now I can share the workload.”

  “Make sure you’re getting in some downtime. I’ve noticed that you’re a bit of a workaholic.”

  “I’m not doing much tomorrow. I’m taking Blaze and Sage to the house in Pacific Palisades. We will probably spend most of the day at the beach.”

  “Good for you,” she said. “I’m so envious because I have to finish some work that’s due next week, but I will be making up for it next weekend.”

  “You sound sleepy, so I’ll let you go,” Ari said. “Good night, Natasha.”

  “Have fun at the beach, and I’ll see you on Monday.”

  When he hung up, Ari felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He turned around to find Sage standing in the doorway, a mischievous grin on her face.

  “Eh, did you need something?” he asked.

  “Just wanted to say good-night.” She blew him a kiss and disappeared.

  Ari wondered how much of his conversation had been overheard by his sister. But mostly he was curious about the grin on her face. What did she know? Does she have an inkling of my feelings for Natasha?

  He was going to have to be careful around Sage. He wasn’t ready to acknowledge his attraction to Natasha.

  Monday morning, Ari drove his brother and sister over to the corporate offices.

  “Is this another building we own?” Sage asked as they stepped into the lobby. “This is beautiful.”

  “Dad owns it,” Ari corrected.

  Natasha arrived within minutes of them.

  Ari introduced her to Blaze and Sage.

  Blaze shook her hand, saying, “I had no idea Los Angeles was filled with so many beautiful women.”

  “Thank you for the compliment,” Natasha murmured.

  He’s flirting with her, Ari thought to himself, as he felt a tiny prick of betrayal. He sent a warning glare to Blaze.

  Natasha shook Sage’s hand next.

  “Blaze, your office is across the hall,” Ari said. “Why don’t you head up to human resources and finalize your paperwork?” he suggested.

  “I’ll go with you,” Sage said. “I’m sure I need to sign off on something.”

  “You and Blaze look like you can be twins.”

  “We’re not,” Ari said. “I’m two years older than him.”

  “Well, you two look alike.”

  “I’m the better-looking brother,” Blaze interjected from behind them.

  Jealously snaked down his spine the moment Ari caught his brother eyeing Natasha. Ari pulled Blaze aside.

  “She’s off-limits to you,” he told him.

  Blaze gave him a sidelong glance. “On whose orders?”

  Ari walked away to get some air. When he returned, he found Blaze and Natasha in his office talking.

  “Blaze, why don’t you go back over to the hotel,” he said. “You should discuss some of the promotional ideas you have with the marketing team there.”

  “I have a meeting scheduled with them later this afternoon.”

  “We’re supposed to go to Santa Barbara. Did you forget?” Ari asked.

  Sage glanced from one brother to the other. “What’s going on between you two? I haven’t seen you two argue like this since high school.”

  Blaze looked as puzzled as she did. “Nothing, as far as I know.” He glanced in Ari’s direction and asked, “Is there a problem?”

  Ari pulled Blaze away from the others. “Stop flirting with Natasha.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me,” Ari responded. “We’re supposed to be working, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  “Man, calm down,” Blaze uttered. “Not everyone is always as serious as you are, Ari. Some of us like to laugh.”

  “Blaze, you know what Ari has been through,” Sage interjected. “How could you say something like that to him?”

  “It’s time for Ari do something other than work all the time. I know how you feel, losing your wife like that—”

  “How could you possibly know what that feels like, Blaze?” Ari asked, cutting him off. “What could you know of losing the only woman you’ve ever really loved?”

  Blaze didn’t respond.

  Ari glanced over his shoulder. Natasha was standing a few feet away. The expression on her face confirmed his suspicion that she had heard everything.

  She turned around and walked in the other direction.


  “Dad would have a fit if he knew you two were acting this way,” Sage told them in a low voice. “And don’t forget, we’re under a lot of scrutiny here, so get it together.”

  “Sage is right,” Ari acknowledged. “I’m sorry, Blaze.”

  “Hey, me, too.”

  Ari went into his office and closed the door.

  A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” he said, expecting his visitor to be Natasha.

  It was Tammie. She walked inside and closed the door behind her.

  Ari hid his disappointment. “What can I do for you?”

  She held up a folder and said, “I have the information you asked me to locate.”

  He smiled. “Great. Have a seat.”

  Chapter 15

  Natasha was about to seek out Ari when she saw Tammie at his door. She was stunned when the young woman closed the door to the office.

  The only time Ari’s door was closed was when they were on conference calls or discussing something sensitive. What could Ari be discussing with Tammie behind closed doors? Tammie worked for supply management, but she reported to William DePaul. However, William was still at home recuperating.

  She didn’t want to admit that she was feeling a bit jealous. Tammie was a beautiful young woman, after all.

  Natasha chided herself for the way she was feeling.

  She went into the conference room to make a phone call to her assistant.

  Sage found her there a few minutes later.

  “How are things going?” Natasha inquired.

  “Fine,” Sage responded as she sat down in one of the empty chairs. “I’m going back to the hotel with Blaze so that I can tour each of the residences. I want photos and a thorough one-sheet with all of the features.”

  Natasha leaned forward and asked, “Is Ari upset with me?”

  Sage gave her a reassuring smile. “Natasha, my brother is a very intense man at times. After working with him for a few weeks, you’ll learn his moods.”

  Natasha nodded. “How are you enjoying Los Angeles?”

  “I love it so far,” Sage responded, “but it does take some getting used to all the traffic, however.”

  “Yeah,” Natasha said in agreement. “It will soon become second nature to you.”

  They heard Ari’s voice as he was walking down the hallway and their conversation changed.

  “Robert’s vision for the residences was to elevate everyday living,” Natasha told Sage. “He wanted the owners to feel transformed as they stepped off the private elevator into the elegance of their own luxury home.”

  Sage jotted down notes as she talked. “I like that. We should make it part of the press release and marketing material.”

  “Sounds like you two are busy,” Ari said. “I wanted to let you know that I have to step out of the office for a couple of hours.”

  Sage and Natasha exchanged puzzled looks.

  “Where are you going?” his sister asked.

  Natasha wondered the same but didn’t dare question him in front of Sage.

  “I have to meet with someone,” was all Ari said.

  He left the conference room, walking briskly.

  “Must be important,” Sage murmured.

  “Yeah,” Natasha agreed. This wasn’t the first time Ari had acted so secretly. There was something going on, and Malcolm was in on it.

  Natasha and Ari spent the rest of the week in a flurry of meetings, fielding requests for interviews and reassuring the employees. She missed the easy conversations they used to have. Natasha also noted how Ari had warned his brother to stay away from her.

  Now there seemed to be all this tension between them. Ari was also more closemouthed than usual whenever it came to certain company information. Did he suspect something between her and Harold? How could he have found out?

  She and Sage had become instant friends, however. It seemed they spent more time together than she and Ari.

  Natasha took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. She made her way to Ari’s office and knocked on the door that stood slightly ajar. “May I come in?” she asked.

  “Of course,” he responded.

  “Ari, have I done something to offend you?”

  Confused, Ari asked, “Why would you think that, Natasha?”

  “There seems to be some tension between us. It wasn’t there before.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “There’s been a lot going on, as you well know, but I haven’t meant to push you to the side. Let me make it up to you. Have dinner with me, if you have no other plans. We’ll make it an early one because I know you want to get home to your son.”

  She broke into a smile. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”

  “I have to be over at the hotel around three, so why don’t you meet me over there at five. We can talk while we eat.”

  She rose to her feet. “I’ll see you at five.”

  Natasha left the office feeling better about her relationship with Ari. She was glad they would get a chance to talk.

  “Is my brother in his office?” Sage asked when she ran into Natasha in the hallway.

  “Yes,” Natasha responded. “I just left there.”

  “Are things better between you two?” Sage wanted to know.

  “We’re having dinner this evening,” she said. “I think we’ll soon be back on track. At least I hope so.”

  “Well, I need to speak to him before he leaves, so I’ll give you a call later this evening.”

  “I’m leaving in a few,” Natasha announced. “I have a staff meeting.”

  She stopped to gather her purse and tote then headed out to the parking lot. She would be working from her own office for the rest of the day.

  Four hours later, Natasha pulled up to the entrance of the Alexander-DePaul Beverly Hills Hotel & Spa Resort. She handed her keys to the valet and rushed inside. She was ten minutes late for her dinner date with Ari.

  He was seated at one of the tables near the back of the restaurant.

  “I was worried that you’d changed your mind about having dinner with me.”

  Natasha shook her head. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day. I’ve really missed our conversations.”

  He met her gaze. “So have I.”

  After they placed their order, Natasha handed her menu to the waiter. “You look tired, Ari.”

  “I am,” he confessed. “William will be back on Monday and my parents will be here at the end of June, so I expect my workload will be even lighter.”

  Natasha was surprised. “William DePaul is staying on?” Harold had told her that William would be leaving.

  “Yeah, he and my dad talked. He was never in agreement with the way his family reacted to Robert’s will.”

  Natasha had been told otherwise by Harold. She should’ve known better than to believe him.

  “Hey, why the frown?” Ari asked.

  She pasted a smile on her face. “I’m sorry. I was just shocked by the news of William’s return. I thought he would follow Harold.”

  “I thought so, too,” Ari said. “But apparently, the two don’t get along well.” He reached for his wine glass. “Enough about them. When am I going to see your skills on the basketball court?”

  “How about this weekend?” Natasha asked. “I’m playing a game with some of my old teammates. It’s for charity. You can invite Blaze and your sister, too.”

  “How about I come alone?”

  She swallowed her surprise. “Sure. That would be okay, too.”

  Their food arrived.

  “I think we need to talk about what happened between us,” Ari blurted. “We need to discuss that kiss and what it meant.”

  Natasha nodded. “Is this why you’ve been so distant with me?”

  “I never should’ve crossed that line with you.”

  “Ari, I’m not your employee. I’m also not going to sue you for sexual harassment. I enjoyed that kiss as much as you did. My only question is, why did you
kiss me in the first place?”

  “I am very attracted to you,” Ari confessed. “But we work together.”

  Natasha wiped her mouth on the end of her napkin. “I like you, Ari, and I enjoy your company.”

  “So you just want to be friends? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “I’m saying that we don’t have to put a label on anything,” Natasha explained. “I know that you are still grieving your wife and that you haven’t dated anyone since her death. Why don’t we try being friends first?”

  Ari’s smile warmed her. “I’d like that very much.”

  Ari was in the kitchen when Blaze walked in.

  “How was your date with Natasha?” he inquired.

  “It wasn’t a date,” Ari retorted.

  “Call it whatever makes you feel better, but the truth is that you have feelings for that woman, Ari.” Blaze poured himself a glass of orange juice.

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for another relationship,” Ari confessed. “It hurt too much losing April. I can’t go through another loss like that.”

  “So you’re just going to give up on love?”

  “I’m not in love.”

  “Ari, you bite my head off every time I speak to Natasha.” Blaze met his brother’s gaze. “You’re falling for her.”

  “We are getting to know one another—that’s what people do when they work together, Blaze.”

  “It’s more than that, big brotha.”

  Ari didn’t confirm or deny. Instead, he focused on his cooking. He didn’t want to overcook the scrambled eggs.

  “April doesn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone,” Blaze stated. “You know that’s not what she wanted for you.”

  “Blaze, I’m fine. Right now, I have enough on my plate with the company.”

  “Ari, that company won’t keep you warm at night. Just remember that.”

  “Why don’t we table the matchmaking for a later time?” Ari suggested. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, so let’s focus.”

  “Have you even told Natasha that you’re interested in her?” Blaze inquired.

  Ari stole a peek over his shoulder. “Will you drop all the matchmaking?”