Having Fun with Mr. Wrong

by Celia T. Franklin

  Guido finished his appetizer. “Aren’t you going to ruin your appetite for dinner?”

  “No, there’s plenty of room. I’m off the diet today.” Another waiter passed, and Carmala refilled her plate. She practically inhaled the appetizer. Mmm. The tangy taste of the mini beef Wellington sailed down her throat. “Can you imagine the work that goes into making these bite-sized treats?”

  “Yeah, it’s charming.” He appeared less than enthusiastic. “I’ll be right back, babe. I need a real drink. Want anything?”

  “No, thanks. I’m fine with the champagne.” She continued to eat appetizers.

  Carmala stood alone, near a window alcove. She sucked in a breath and almost choked on the flaky pastry she’d bitten into as she spotted Michael Maddox walking toward her. He disarmed her without even trying. His charisma wrapped itself around her, against her will. Her stomach fluttered, and her spirit soared.

  The teasing glint in his eyes warmed her from the inside out. She could never read him because he maintained a proper business decorum on the surface, no matter what his eyes said. The double message confounded her. Could she be imagining the sexual undercurrent because of the champagne buzz?

  “Funny meeting you here.” He took her hand and bent down to kiss it.

  She felt tongue-tied but managed to spit out a few coherent words. “Yes, fancy that. But we did meet in the first place because of the groom.”

  Michael plucked two glasses of fresh champagne from a passing waiter. He traded her empty glass with a fresh one. “I see the Greens have spared no expense for their lovely daughter. The venue is perfect and the food excellent so far.” He popped a canapé into his mouth.

  “I absolutely love these appetizers.” She found herself rambling about the type and style of appetizers, again, but stopped herself when she stuffed another pumpernickel square into her mouth. Michael watched her mouth. She swallowed a painful too-big lump of bread and trying to appear smooth, took a long sip of champagne to push it down. “I suppose we should save room for dinner. Surf and turf is on the menu.”

  “Good idea. We’re seated at the same table.” He held her gaze a moment longer than comfortable. She flushed warmly. He gave her a bemused smile. Was he toying with her?

  She hadn’t picked up their place cards yet, so she had no idea where they were seated. “That was considerate of Bill. I’m sure he didn’t want you to feel all alone.” For lack of anything else to say, she added, “It’ll give me an opportunity to pick your brain on Maddox Industries.”

  “No business today, please. This is a time to celebrate Bill and Jane’s wedding. Besides, where’s that handsome young fellow you’re with?”

  “Oh, yes…Guido.” She’d been so involved in the moment that she’d forgotten him. “He went off to get us a drink. You came alone?”

  “Yes. I guess we’ll be a happy threesome.”

  “Yes, right. Here he comes now.” Guido approached them, two drinks in hand. “Guido, there you are, honey.” She nodded to her client. “This is Michael Maddox, from Palm Beach. He’s a friend of Bill’s.”

  Guido handed one of the drinks to Carmala and held out his free hand to shake Michael’s with a studied poise, which pleased Carmala. Maybe everything would be okay.

  “Michael, great to meet you.”

  “Good to meet you as well.” Michael smiled politely and revealed nothing about his possible impressions on Guido.

  “Carmala has been working hard on your account.”

  Michael nodded. He clearly sized up Guido, at least it’d been obvious to Carmala. But, again she could get no read. Heck, maybe it was her wishful thinking. She didn’t know. “Yes, she’s off to a great start. I’m pleased Synergy has decided to take us on. There’s so much ground to cover, and I’m anxious to see the finished results.”

  “She’s been studying your industry closely. She’s got all kinds of websites bookmarked on her computer and spends hours at home researching after work.” Guido appeared to make an earnest effort to impress Michael.

  How very sweet of him.

  Suddenly Guido swayed a bit on his feet, then righted himself. He obviously had a buzz going on. Maybe he did a couple of shots at the bar. So far he’d held his own, though. She had her fingers crossed he’d keep up the good behavior.

  An old college pal tugged her away from the two men. “Oh, my god, Carmala? It’s been so long. You look great. I hear you’re kicking butt in Manhattan.”

  “I do okay. How are you, Bert? Pharmaceutical sales, right?”

  “Yup. Great business. Lots of money. More than I imagined. My wife continues to run through it, and I continue to replenish it, but I can’t complain. The job is interesting, and I actually enjoy going to work.” He gulped his martini.

  “That’s wonderful. Me, too, now that I got out of stodgy Banter Androson. I’m meeting some of the most interesting clients. And I love dealing with them on a sales level, rather than audit.” She sipped the drink Guido had given her. Eww. Rum and Coke. She hated rum. Guido knew she didn’t drink rum. What was wrong with him?

  “That’s so true. I find that you have to know how to work clients once you’re in sales…” Bert droned on about the sales profession.

  Carmala glanced over at Guido and Michael, who were deep in conversation. Whatever Michael was saying held Guido’s rapt interest. What a relief. They were getting along so well.

  Bert paused, and she took the opportunity to excuse herself. “I’m glad you’re happy with your work, Bert. Listen, I need to get—”

  “Hey, Carmala, the pleasure was all mine. Have a great time at the wedding. Maybe I’ll catch you for a dance later.” He kissed her cheek and walked away.

  Carmala decided to check her appearance and headed to the ladies’ room. She motioned to Guido letting him know she’d be back in a minute. He nodded. She put her barely touched cocktail on the edge of a table along the way. Glancing in the mirror, she noticed her flushed cheeks, like a flustered school girl. Guido and Michael together unnerved her. She didn’t know why exactly, but her minded continued to taunt her over the possibility that Guido would detect that something more than business existed between her and Michael. She needed to stay sober and watch her step because if Guido perceived the slightest flirtation, all hell could break loose. And she didn’t want to ruin Bill’s reception.

  Once back with Guido, Carmala saw that Michael had disappeared. She leaned into Guido and pressed herself close. “Where did Michael go?”

  “He saw someone he knew.” Guido stumbled and spilled a bit of his drink. Dark stuff. Oh no, she hoped he wasn’t drinking bourbon. Bourbon made him evil.

  “You’re on to the strong stuff, I see?”

  “Why not? It’s all free.” He looked at her with a glazed stare.

  Oh boy, so much for holding his own. And he’d hardly touched the appetizers. This would be fun. “Come on, Guid, let’s go find our table.”

  She led him to the dining area and found their place cards. Michael was already seated at their table, sipping a drink. Carmala sat next to him, Guido on her right.

  A Sinatra impersonator crooned the standard love songs. He stopped singing to greet the guests. “Welcome, everyone. I’m Frank Cerone, playing the Voice, Frank. My orchestra took the night off.”

  The audience laughed, a polite titter.

  “We hope you’ll enjoy the sounds of Sinatra throughout dinner. Feel free to give me your song requests. And, gentlemen, take your ladies, or someone else’s lady, for a spin on the dance floor.”

  Again, polite laughter followed. Frank started to sing “New York, New York.”

  On the opposite side of the stage, a DJ set up his equipment. After a few Sinatra hits, the music stopped, and the DJ sounded a prerecorded drum roll. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce the wedding party of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cicieri.”

  He introduced each couple as they walked into the hall and took their seats at the head table. A moment of suspended silence filled th
e room. “And ladies and gentlemen, for the first time as a wedded couple, I’d like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Bill Andrew Cicieri!”

  Bill strolled in with Jane on his arm. They smiled from ear to ear. Carmala had never seen Bill so happy. He led Jane to the dance floor, twirled her around for the crowd to admire, then pulled her close to dance to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” How appropriate, given the relentless love Bill had shown for Jane. Her flowing Vera Wang gown, with the long train now buttoned up in a flattering bustle, could be an image in a glossy bridal magazine. She’d obviously spent a fortune.

  As she watched them, Carmala held her breath. And for one tiny moment, she wished she were in Jane’s place. Emphasis on the tiny. Fleeting thoughts of that simple life with predictable, stable, straight Bill came to her mind. Fortunately the thought quickly left her mind.

  The danced ended, and the bride and groom took their seats. The waiters served the salads.

  At Carmala’s table, besides Guido and Michael, there were four other people, two of whom were work associates of Bill’s, along with their spouses. Thanks to Michael’s finesse and tact, conversation flowed smoothly. Yet she feared what might happen as Guido continued to order bourbons from the waiter and barely touched his food. Carmala sipped a little wine and enjoyed the dinner as best as she could. Still, she hoped against hope the outburst she feared wouldn’t come.

  Large amounts of alcohol and Guido didn’t mix well. The combination could turn lethal.

  The five-course dinner ended. Coffee and dessert followed. Before she could say no, Michael asked Guido if he’d mind if he danced with Carmala.

  “Sure.” Guido shrugged and studied Michael over his half-empty glass of bourbon.

  Michael whisked her onto the dance floor during an upbeat song. Memories of her recent trip to Palm Beach filled Carmala’s mind.

  “I couldn’t let you sit there without stretching our wings a little,” Michael said between spins.

  “Yeah, but not for too long. Guido—”

  “Oh, come on, Guido won’t mind.” Michael spun her and then dipped her. “He seems to be very supportive of you.”

  She nervously glanced at Guido. An ugly green monster sat in his place. “Michael, I think we’d better end this dance now.”

  “Nonsense. It’s the middle of the song.”

  He kept a proper distance, nothing like the dance in Palm Beach when he’d held her close and both their bodies had reacted. She glanced at the table. The ugly green monster had gotten uglier and more irritated. In a few moments, trouble would begin. She knew it.

  “Michael, I have to get back, we should stop—”

  Before Carmala could break away, Guido appeared by her side. He yanked her away from Michael. Pain shot through her arm where he grabbed her. He threw a punch at Michael, aiming at his jaw, but Michael blocked it. Guido came at Michael with an underbelly punch, which should have stopped Michael, but it didn’t. Michael dodged the direct hit and recovered.

  They sparred on the dance floor, and the other dancers cleared off. Carmala watched in horror. Glasses shattered, the pieces falling at her feet. She almost fell when Guido stumbled into her following a punch from Michael, then staggered, taking a table down with him. He hit the floor, knocked out cold.

  Jane ran to the scene, her face red with tears and anger. “Carmala, you’ve ruined my wedding! Why did you bring this child of a boyfriend of yours? I should have known something like this would happen. I knew better than to invite you both.”

  Bill appeared seconds later, rubbing Jane’s back, whispering words in her ear. Stunned, Carmala stared at the motionless Guido splayed on the floor. Jane sobbed, inconsolable. Michael stood with his hands on his hips, still breathing heavily.

  “Your boyfriend is a loser,” Jane wailed. “Why did you bring him, Carmala? I’d think you’d be with someone with more class.”

  Jane cut deep with that comment. The words resonated to Carmala’s core.

  “Jane, please don’t overreact,” Michael spoke up. “It’s nothing. The fellow had too much to drink. It happens.” He brushed food off his sleeve.

  Carmala bent over Guido. A waiter gave her a damp cloth, and she pressed it to his head.

  God. She hoped he didn’t have a concussion. Yet she feared rousing him. God knew what kind of mood he would be in when he came to. She obviously couldn’t leave him here in the middle of the dance floor. She needed to get him back to their room, no matter how much she just wanted to run away.

  She pressed the cold cloth to Guido’s forehead. “Guido, Guido? Are you okay?”

  Guido slurred something incoherent but otherwise didn’t move.

  Michael knelt on Guido’s other side and slapped his cheek gently. “I think he’s more passed out from being drunk than anything. I didn’t hit him that hard. He practically fell onto the table.”

  Jane’s sister, Marisa, came over and guided Jane away. Bill leaned in to Carmala. “Jane didn’t mean what she said. It’s unfortunate that this had to happen tonight.”

  Guido stirred. He blinked, his eyes bloodshot and bleary.

  “Let’s get him up and out to the hotel shuttle so I can get him to the room,” Carmala said.

  Bill and Michael hoisted Guido to his feet. Together, they carried him through the dining room. Carmala thanked God they didn’t have to call an ambulance.

  The waiters scrambled to pick up broken glass and right and reset the upturned tables.

  The DJ reclaimed the room. “Ladies and gentleman, let’s get this party rockin’.” He chose upbeat techno dance music. People once again filled the dance floor.

  At least the party would continue. Hopefully, Jane could enjoy the rest of the night and forget the whole episode. Michael seemed to take it all in stride. And Bill played the good sport. Utterly embarrassed, Carmala simply wanted to make her exit as quickly as possible.

  And despite her anger toward Guido, she knew she’d have to play nursemaid for the rest of the night.

  Outside the hall, Guido squared his shoulders and tugged at his cockeyed coat. “Michael, I’m sorry.” His words slurred. “Too much to drink. You dancing with Carmala got to me. I don’t want to ruin things for her. Don’t hold it against her, I—”

  “No worries. Get a good night’s rest.” Michael interrupted Guido’s babbling, irritation edging his voice. He glanced to the road. “Ah, here’s the shuttle now. I’ll see you at the Dirk before the weekend is out. Don’t worry. No hard feelings.”

  On their ride to the motel, Guido fell into a heavy slumber while Carmala rehashed the evening’s events and the possible ramifications for her business relationship with Michael. Would being with an overly jealous boyfriend destroy her credibility? Would Michael fire her and Synergy?

  He must think she was an idiot. After tonight, she’d probably be the butt of many jokes at Maddox Industries.

  ****

  Early the next morning, Michael flew back to Palm Beach on his private jet. He’d had enough melodrama for one weekend. A peaceful Sunday on his boat would do the trick to calm his nerves.

  How the hell could a bright, talented woman like Carmala Rosa be with such a thug? What a shame. Well, at least the wedding wasn’t completely destroyed by Guido. Despite the brawl with Guido, Michael hoped the wedding reception had continued for several more hours in the aftermath. But he wasn’t about to stick around for it. He certainly didn’t want to risk running into that goon again.

  Dammit! He needed Synergy Plus and Carmala to help him with the expansion. First he’d gotten way out of line with Carmala on the boat. Oh, and probably a dozen other times when he wined and dined her. The entertainment came hand in hand with most of his business affairs and implicit to important business transactions, especially when he sought monetary enhancements. Now he feared he may have compromised his relationship with Synergy by getting too personal with Carmala.

  He’d suspected that going to the wedding might be a mistake. But he couldn’t disappoint Bill. He�
�d been an excellent financial adviser over the years and made Michael millions on his investment portfolio.

  On a personal note, Michael could say Carmala and he had one big thing in common: bad relationships.

  He wanted to help Carmala. He didn’t know why. But for some indefinable reason, he wanted to protect her. Yet the notion didn’t give her just credit. She’d proven herself with her long list of professional credits. She’d probably learn, in time, that she needed to unload Guido.

  But it wasn’t any of his business. Not at all.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The Monday after the wedding Carmala had difficulty concentrating at work, despite her deadline with a small account. Guido consumed her thoughts. She could barely look him in the eye since the wedding. This time, his actions infuriated her so much she couldn’t let it go.

  He’d gone too far. And no matter how much he apologized to her or to Jane and Bill, nothing changed her thoughts about him. Maybe Jane had a point. Carmala deserved a man with more class.

  She had settled for a total loser. Again.

  Only now, she realized appearing in public with Guido and his unpredictable—or maybe predictable, as it were—outbursts reflected poorly on her professional image. The image she’d worked so hard to cultivate. He’d embarrassed her with Marc Blass and even her boss at a recent client cocktail reception. Guido didn’t purposely try to mess up her business dealings; he couldn’t help himself. He simply couldn’t control his jealous outbursts. God, what if she lost Maddox Industries? Synergy would want to know why. Would Michael tell them?

  She was tired of making up excuses for him. She should simply dump his ass.

  She had to hand it to him, though. He tried hard to make up for his behavior. He’d reached out to Bill and Jane, offering to take them to dinner to apologize. Fresh back from their honeymoon and in great spirits, they assured Guido and Carmala that they’d probably share a laugh about it someday. The wedding reception had continued after the little mishap. The guests had partied until late into the night.