by Cheri Marie
“Tristan, I forgot all about it. Could you call Christopher and see if we can reschedule the call for later this afternoon? Just tell him I have some family matters to attend to and I won’t be in the office until later.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Thank you Tristan, I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
“Okay, see you later.” I hang up, and lay my phone back on the counter with a thud.
“Everything okay?”
“Yea, I just almost missed an important conference call with a major benefactor for Angels for Heroes. Thank goodness Tristan is such a good assistant. I don’t know what I would do without that girl.”
“Should I go so you can get to work?”
“Only if you want to go.”
“I don’t have anywhere to be until this afternoon,” he shrugs, “how about I make us breakfast.”
“By all means,” I wave towards the kitchen as I take a seat at the breakfast bar.
I watch Landon as he makes his way around the kitchen. I could look at him all day. He catches me watching and flexes his muscles. I can’t help but giggle at him.
While he’s cooking breakfast I let my mind drift back to last night; last night was perfect. Everything just felt so right. Then this morning happened. I forgot about that conference call. Thank God Tristan caught it and rescheduled for this afternoon. This is just another sign that I can’t let myself get all wrapped up in a man that will probably just leave me. My organization means everything to me. This can’t happen again, I need some distance. I jump when the plate clinks on the counter as Landon sets it down.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“Nothing important, just other things I need to get done at work today.”
“Oh, okay.”
We finish breakfast in silence. I catch him watching me a couple times, I think he’s trying to read my thoughts but I act like I don't notice. Once we finish, I clean up the dishes and put them away. When I turn around he’s leaning against the counter still watching me.
“Are you sure everything is okay? You’ve seemed distant since Tristan called.”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just flustered because if she hadn’t caught it, missing that call could have been very detrimental to my organization.” My tone had a little more frustration in it than I intended. Landon steps towards me and I look up into his beautiful hazel eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he says as he softly caresses my cheek.
“For what?”
“For you almost missing your conference call.”
“It isn’t your fault. I let this happen. I should get ready for work so I’m not late again.”
“Okay,” he says. He gathers his stuff and I meet him at the door.
“I’ll call you later, okay?” he says as he kisses me goodbye.
“Okay, bye Landon.”
“Bye Arianna.”
After he’s gone I head up to my room to get ready for work and then head out. I try not to think about last night and this morning. I need to push him out of my head and keep my distance. My heart hurts just at the thought of not seeing him, but I can’t jump into another relationship right now; especially not with him. When I pull up at my office it’s eleven in the morning, I have plenty of time to get settled in until my conference call. I’m working on finances when my office phone rings.
“Hello?”
“Hi Arianna, Ashlan is on the line for you.”
“Thank you Tristan. Put her through.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Hello Ashlan.”
“Hey Ari, how is work?”
“Work is fine, just a little busy.”
“Okay then I won’t keep you. I just wanted to see when would be good to bring some of my stuff over?”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be at the office today. I can call you when I leave and you can meet me at the house.”
“Okay, sounds good. See you in a bit.”
“Okay, bye Ashlan.”
“Bye Ari.”
I hang up. Thank goodness she didn’t hound me about Landon. I finish up with finances; they look great but we can always use more money to help our heroes. One of the priority applicants that I had Tristan contact has now become an emergency. The family is living in a home where the landlord wasn’t paying the mortgage and they are now being forced out with no place to go. The family has small children and the father, who was in the military, suffers from slight PTSD. All this stress surely isn’t helping with that. I have decided to discuss this case with Christopher during our call. He has friends in all places, and I would like to consider building this family a home of their own. I’m finishing up my notes on the case when the phone rings again. It's Christopher for our conference call.
“Hello Christopher, how are you?”
“I’m great Arianna, hope all is well with you and that whatever family issues you were having are resolved.”
“They are, thank you.”
“How about we get down to business?”
“Sounds good to me… So I have this family that is now an emergency applicant. They have two small children and the father is a retired Marine that suffers from PTSD. The family is living in a house where the landlord wasn’t paying the mortgage and now they are being forced out with nowhere to go. The stress of everything is setting off the father’s PTSD. Surely we can help this family, right?”
“That’s horrible that this is happening to this family. What did you have in mind to help them?”
“Well, I was thinking we could build them their own home so that they can be stable and not have to move again.”
“That sounds like a fantastic idea! Now, what would you need from me?”
“Well, I did the finances while I was waiting on our call, and I have $20,000 that I can put in. I was hoping it’s something we can work with. Maybe your contractor friend would be willing to help us out?”
“We can definitely work with that. You know I am more than able to donate some money to help with the building and furnishing of the house. I’m almost certain that my contractor friend will help us out, I will give him a call today and get back to you as soon as I can. In the meantime, contact the family. See what kind of things the kids are into, but don’t tell them what we are up to, just that we are working it out. I want this to be an incredible surprise for this family.”
“You are simply amazing Christopher. Thank you so much. I will contact the family now. I look forward to hearing from you again soon.”
“Anything for our heroes, have a good day Arianna, talk to you soon.”
“Bye Christopher,” I hang up the phone and I can barely contain my excitement for this family. I buzz Tristan.
“What can I do for you boss?”
“Tristan, can you please get the Carter family on the phone for me?”
“Yes ma’am, right away.”
“Thank you Tristan,” I smile as I hang up the phone. This family is going to be so excited. It’s times like this, when I can do these things for these families that I love my job and find it so rewarding. My phone rings again.
“Hello?”
“Arianna, I have Mrs. Carter on the phone for you.”
“Thank you Tristan. Put her through.”
“Mrs. Carter, how are you?”
“As best as can be expected given the circumstances I suppose.”
“How are the children and Mr. Carter?
“They’re well, Mr. Carter has his good days and bad days but I help him get through it.”
“That’s good. So I have moved your case to emergency status and I have a full team on it as we speak. Is there any kind of toys or characters the children are really into right now?”
“Yes, Dominic is really into cars and trucks, the typical boy stuff. Skye, loves anything princesses.”
“Okay, that’s great. I’
m going to see about getting them a few things.”
“That’s great. Thank you and your organization for your help Arianna, I don’t know what we would do without you.”
“You are certainly welcome. Try not to stress, you’ll be hearing from me again soon.”
“Okay, thank you again, have a good day.”
“You have a good day as well.”
Nearly as soon as I hang up the phone it is ringing again.
“Hello?”
“Arianna, I have Christopher on the phone for you again.”
“Go ahead and put him through, thank you Tristan.” Wow he works fast.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Hello again Christopher.”
“Hey Arianna, so here’s what is going on. My contractor friend is also retired military, when he heard what you were wanting to do he was immediately on board. I explained to him our budget and what we need. He said he can make our budget work.”
“That is fantastic news!”
“It gets better. Obviously we aren’t going to be able to finish the house before the bank says the family has to be out, but my friend has a condo they can stay in until the house is complete.”
“That is absolutely amazing,” I choke back tears. “When will they be able to move into the condo?”
“Whenever they are ready; it is fully furnished and the house will be furnished too so all they need is their personal belongings.”
“Great! Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you! Where can I pick up the keys for them?”
“I actually have some errands to run and I’ll be close to your office. I can pick up the key and drop it to you today while I’m out.”
“Fantastic! Thank you again. See you soon.”
“See you soon,” he says, and then he hangs up.
Well this day may have started out rocky but it is going to end well. My fabulous team and I are able to take the stress off the shoulders of this amazing family. I should call the family and give them the news. I buzz Tristan again.
“Yes ma’am.”
“The Carter family again please.”
“Right away.”
“Thank you Tristan.”
Phone rings again.
“Hello?"
“Mrs. Carter is on the line.”
“Thank you Tristan.”
“Hello Arianna, I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”
“I didn’t expect to be calling you back so soon either. I have some fantastic news for you! A member of my team has a friend who owns a condo that is fully furnished and unoccupied. He said that you and your family are welcome to it, and you are welcome to stay as long as you need to while you save for a more permanent place to live.”
I can hear her choking back the sobs, and I have to choke back the urge to cry along with her.
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, thank you so much,” she says between sobs.
“You are very welcome. A member of my team will be dropping the keys by to me tonight. I can bring them to you on my way home and you all can start moving in whenever you like.”
“Thank you. Thank you Arianna! Thank you to you and your team. You all are so kind.”
“You are very welcome. It is the least we can do since your family has given so much to our country. I’ll see you shortly.”
“Okay, thank you. See you soon.”
I type up the action plan for the Carter family and put it into their file. I also write up the check for the Angels for Heroes share of funds for building their new home and subtract it from the finances. At about 5 pm there is a knock on my office door. In walks Christopher, he’s about average height, has short black hair and blue eyes. He’s dressed in a suit looking as official as ever. I stand to greet him.
“Hi Christopher, it’s good to see you.” I extend my hand to shake his.
“It’s great to see you too Arianna," he shakes my hand and then gives me a big hug.
He releases me and pulls the keys for the condo out of his pocket, jingling them in front of me. I clap my hands in excitement.
“Yay, I’m so excited to take these to the Carter family. Mrs. Carter was in tears when I told her about the condo.”
“That is great. I’m happy to help them. I’m glad we have such a fantastic team between us that we can do all this for these families.”
“Me too.”
“Well, I better get going. I still have errands to run and places are starting to close up for the day,” says Christopher.
“Yea me too, I have to go drop off these keys to the Carter's and then head home to let my best friend in the house so she can move her stuff in.”
“Okay, take care and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay, bye Christopher and thank you again.”
“No problem,” he says and he turns and heads out the door.
I slip the keys in my pocket and begin to collect up my things. My phone rings; it’s Ashlan.
“Hey Ashlan.”
“Hey Arianna, are you still at the office?”
“I’m about to leave now. I have one stop to make and then I’ll be home.”
“Oh okay, I’ll wait 30 minutes before I head over then.”
“Okay, sounds good, see you soon.”
I grab up my things and head out into the lobby where Tristan is sitting at her desk.
“Thank you for today. I completely forgot about that conference call; I don’t know what I would do without you," I say to Tristan.
“It’s all part of the job.”
“Well thank you, so much, and thank you for staying late tonight too.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Have a good evening Tristan.”
“You too Arianna.”
I jump in my car and head over to the Carter's house. They all greet me at the door.
“Hey everybody.”
“Hi Arianna.” I pull the keys from my pocket and jingle them like Christopher did to me.
“Here are the keys to your new home.” The kids jump up and down excitedly and Mrs. Carter has started crying again. Mr. Carter shakes my hand and gives me a quick peck on the cheek.
“Thank you so much,” he whispers in my ear.
“You are very welcome, and thank you for your service to our country.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Well, I’m sorry I have to deliver good news and run but I have company waiting on me at home. I hope you all enjoy your new place.”
“Thank you,” they all say as they hug me goodbye.
“You’re welcome. Have a good night guys.” I say as I wave goodbye.
I jump back into my car and head in the direction of my house; finally home sweet home. I pull into my driveway and Ashlan is already waiting along with Damien. My best friend obviously has some stuff to spill as well, I think to myself. I make a mental note to grill her later, and climb out of the car.
“Hey Ashlan, Damien”
“Hey Arianna.”
I head to the door to unlock it and head inside. Ashlan and Damien follow carrying boxes.
“Which room do you want me to take Ari?”
“Whichever you want.”
“I think I’ll take the one upstairs with yours, it’s bigger,” she says with a smile on her face. I giggle at her. I can’t wait to have my best friend living with me; this house is lonely by myself.
Damien helps Ashlan carry her boxes upstairs as I head into the kitchen and pour me a glass of wine. I’m sitting in my favorite chair in the living room when Ashlan and Damien come back downstairs.
“Well thanks for pouring me some wine!” Ashlan scoffs.
“You’re no longer a guest, you live here now, pour your own,” I laugh at the expression on her face. She huffs at me like I offended her and heads into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine.
After Damien leaves I decide to grill Ashlan about him.
“So what’s going on with you and Damien?”
“Well, I
don’t know. He’s amazing. We’ve been spending a lot of time together and he offered to help me move.”
“That’s awesome Ash. I really hope everything works out.”
“Thanks Arianna. What about you and Landon?”
“We’re fine,” I reply. My stomach in knots, I really don’t want to talk about this right now.
“Oh yeah, are you sure? Because he’s been calling Damien wanting to know if I’ve talked to you and if you've said anything. He said you were really distant with him this morning. Spill it.”
“I’m just frustrated with myself that I almost missed a very important conference call. Otherwise everything is fine.” She gives me that I don’t believe you, you better try again look. I roll my eyes at her but begin my confession.
“Everything was great, he’s absolutely amazing. He constantly tells me I’m beautiful and he has an amazing sense of humor. It’s everything I ever wanted, and it scares the hell out of me. What if it’s too good to be true? What if everything falls apart like with Liam?”
“Ari, Landon is nothing like Liam.”
“I know, I didn’t mean it like that. I just feel myself really falling for him, more so than any guy I’ve dated. I’m not ready to give my heart to a man that has the power to completely destroy me.”
“Arianna, I know you’ve been hurt so many times before, but Landon is a great guy. I completely understand not wanting to get hurt again but if you don’t take that chance, you’ll never find your happily ever after. You deserve to be happy more than anyone I know.”
“I know, I’ll think about calling him.”
“Okay,” says Ashlan.
“I’m tired so I’m going to try to get some sleep.”
“Okay, goodnight.”
I fall asleep quickly. That night I dreamt of beautiful hazel eyes and caramel skin.
The minute I leave Arianna’s, something doesn’t feel right. I feel like she was distant after her assistant called, but she said she was fine. I run my hands through my hair frustrated. I can’t think about this right now. I head back to my apartment to get ready for work. I immediately jump in the shower, letting the warm water cascade down me, trying to wash her sent off of me for now.
I sling a towel around my waist and head into my closet to grab something to wear. I get dressed and head into the office, I need to keep myself busy or I’m going to go crazy. I walk into the office, my assistant greeting me, I just nod to acknowledge her and keep walking closing the door behind me. I sit at my desk and spring my computer to life. I check emails to make sure I haven’t missed anything important. I find my mind wandering to her again, then it wanders to her best friend and I’m curious if she’s with Damien. I grab my phone and dial his number.
