Now the question was...did Cyndi have it in her to fight for the man she loved? If Liza was as calculating as Damien had mentioned, she would definitely pull some crappy stunts to win back Damien.
“Cynthia!”
She stopped in her tracks, closed her eyes, and slowly counted to ten under her breath. Now was not the time to deal with Fran! Once she reached ten, she released the breath she was holding, and turned around to meet the supervisor.
The older woman marched down the hall, her two idiotic daughters following behind. Their scowls were aimed directly at Cyndi. Inwardly, she groaned. What now? “Yes, Mrs. Tremaine?”
The three stopped right in front of Cyndi. Fran folded her arms and gave her an evil eye. Cyndi was used to Fran’s fierce expressions, but this one really worried her.
“I have a problem with the information you gave me the other day.” Fran lifted her chin a little higher. “The information you found about Donald Cruz is not good enough. I wanted more.” She shook her head. “I’ve been very displeased with your performance of late.”
“Yeah, and tell her about my desk,” Ana added, bumping her arm against her mother.
Cyndi wanted to roll her eyes, but refrained for now. “What was wrong with your desk?”
Ana stepped a little closer, her piercing gaze could have sliced through steel. “You moved my phone!”
She can’t be serious! “Your phone? You’re mad because I moved your phone five inches?”
“Yes. Because you moved my phone, when I tried to answer it, I knocked over my orange juice. And well, now I have to get a new keyboard because the juice ran onto my keyboard and ruined it.”
Cyndi shrugged. “So get a new keyboard. I’m sure you’ve spilled drinks on it before, since food is always cluttering your desk.”
“Oh!” Ana sucked in a quick breath as her head swung to her mother. “Did you hear the way she talks to me? I told you she’s not very nice.”
Cyndi couldn’t stop it this time, and she rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Drizella. “And what did I do that you don’t like?”
Driz arched an eyebrow. “You scheduled one of my appointments at the same exact time I’m having my nails done.”
Oh, good grief! “Was your nail appointment on your calendar?”
“No.”
“Well, that’s the reason I scheduled it during that time. If you had it on your calendar, I wouldn’t have scheduled over it.” Anger boiled inside of her hotter than she’d ever let it get to her before when talking to these imbeciles. But she just couldn’t stop herself this time. She’d held back far too long as it was.
Drizella’s mouth hung open as she slowly shook her head. Thankfully, she was at a loss for words. But Cyndi wasn’t. She switched her attention to Fran again.
“And as for you and the information,” Cyndi began, her voice slowly rising in irritation, “if you have told me exactly what you wanted, perhaps I could have found it. But you didn’t. All you told me is that you needed more information. If my work didn’t satisfy you, you have only yourself to blame. I’m not a mind-reader, you know.”
The shocked expression on Fran’s face was priceless, but Cyndi’s words only made the older woman’s face grow redder. Both of her daughters’ faces were turning into turnips, as well.
“Why, you insolent little fool!” Fran snapped. “How dare you talk to your supervisor in that tone? Are you aware that I could fire you for that?”
Cyndi bunched her hands into fists so hard that her fingernails dug into her palms. “I’m only sticking up for myself.” She growled. “For two years I have had to put up with the crap you and your vindictive daughters have dished out to me, but I can’t hold my tongue any longer. The three of you are nothing but bullies, and if I’m not mistaken, the world frowns upon bullies nowadays. In fact,” she took a breath as a ray of sunshine peeked through the torrid clouds in her head, “I’m sure I could create a segment for our news about bullying in the workplace, and you would be the first person accused!” She took a quick breath and quickly continued before the hag could say anything. “And I’m not the only one. I’ve seen you bully several others who work for Channel Nine, and I’m sure they would gladly help me with this segment.”
Fran gasped louder than her daughters and walked right up to Cyndi. Their faces were only a few inches apart. Cyndi didn’t back down this time. Her heartbeat hammered so fast she thought she’d have a heart attack, but she hoped it would wait until after she finished saying what she’d been holding inside of her for two years.
“How dare you!” Fran’s voice boomed in the hallway. “I will not stand here and have you speak to me and my daughters like that.”
“Fine then.” Cyndi shrugged nonchalantly. “Then I suggest you and your daughters go back to your offices, because if you continue to stand here and keep me from doing my job, I will undoubtedly continue to speak to you like that.”
“That’s enough!” Fran sliced her hand through the hair. “You are fired!”
Cyndi’s chest clenched. Could Fran fire her or did the woman have to get approval from her father—the big boss—first? Her mind scrambled to think of something intelligent to say, but before words formed in her mind, a man’s voice boomed through the hallway, practically shaking the walls.
“Actually, Cyndi is not fired!”
Gasps rang through the hair, and Cyndi didn’t know which one was louder—hers or the other three. They all turned toward the voice. The owner of the news station, Gus Carlton, stood with his arms folded over his massive chest, aiming a heated glare at his daughter.
“Father?”
“Grandfather?”
The other ladies murmured at the same time. Cyndi tightened her mouth, trying not to say anything. Gus had always liked Cyndi and what she’d contributed to the news station. Would he stand up for her now when faced with his very own daughter and granddaughters?
Fran gulped hard. “Father? What do you mean she’s not fired? Didn’t you hear what she said to me?”
Slowly, he walked toward them, keeping his focus on Fran. “I have heard rumors lately that my daughter has been bullying my employees. I finally decided to come see for myself, and it looks like they were right.” He stopped beside Cyndi. When he looked at her, his expression softened as he slid his arm around her shoulders. “Cyndi has always been a dedicated employee, and one of the better employees I’ve had, in fact.” He moved his gaze back to Fran. “There is no way I’m going to let her go just because she’s trying to defend herself against you and your daughters.”
“But Father, you don’t understand—”
“I understand more than you think,” he snapped. “Cyndi is not fired, however, you and your daughters will pack your desks this very day and leave the news station because you all are fired. I won’t have my wonderful employees being victimized by you and your daughters any longer.”
Cyndi’s heart soared with happiness as tears pricked her eyes. Gus really couldn’t have arrived at a better time. How could she possibly repay this man for saving her job?
All at once, Fran and the other two girls started arguing. The longer Gus shook his head, the arguing turned in the wails. Cyndi couldn’t believe the three women would want to embarrass themselves in such a way, since she was sure the whole office could hear this exchange.
“I’ve heard quite enough!” Gus held up his hand, silencing his family. “I’m not changing my mind. I tried to give you three a chance by showing me how well you could work in an office, but it’s clear to me that you can’t work in my news station without thinking everyone is your slaves.” He shooed them with his hands. “Now get back to your desks immediately and start packing.” He looked at Cyndi. “Would you contact security and let them know what’s going on so they can come and assist these three?”
She grinned so wide her cheeks hurt. “Yes, Sir.” She spun around and headed toward the security guard’s desk. Just as she had figured, the whole office had been standing a
round, watching the commotion. As Cyndi passed, she received high-fives, nods of approval, and relieved smiles from everyone.
Chuckling to herself she realized that Cinderella had finally won. Indeed, things were looking good for her future now!
THE MINUTES TICKED by in slow motion. After the three evil Tremaine’s left the office—and everyone rejoiced—Cyndi fidgeted in her chair and glanced at the clock waiting for the time to arrive for when she’d go and meet Liza. What did Damien’s ex want to talk to her about? The uncertainty would drive her crazy.
To keep her mind off Liza, she turned to her Internet to look up GIO Products to learn more about them. The name Giovanni leapt off the page and made her pause. Any relation to Damien, perhaps?
She leaned forward and continued to read. When she came across the president of the company’s name, she gasped. Damien? It couldn’t be! He’d lied to her?
Suffocation tightened her chest. She rubbed the ache beginning in her forehead as she tried to remember the few times they’d talked about GIO Products. He hadn’t really mentioned he was the president, just that he worked there. Maybe he just figured she already knew.
She let out a deep sigh, blowing her confusion out between her lips with it. Yes, that was it. He hadn’t really lied to her...he just thought she knew.
She hoped, anyway.
She picked up the phone and dialed GIO Products again, but asked to speak to the president of the company. The receptionist gave her to a sweet lady who said she was the Vice President, Bella Giovanni.
Cyndi tried to set up a time to interview her, but Bella said she let her son handle these things, and unfortunately, he was in a meeting. The woman was kind enough to take down her name and phone number, though.
As the time for Liza’s interview neared, Cyndi’s stomach twisted in knots. Meeting this woman couldn’t be any different than meeting any of the other people they’d set up for interviews, yet to tell her nervous system this was a different story.
She drove to the café alone. Her crew would meet her at Herbal Sensations in a half hour. Her heart knocked an uneven rhythm, so she took big breaths, trying to calm herself. Ms. Scapolli probably just wanted to be reassured of what the news station would ask during their interview. But then why did the woman ask her to repeat the name Cyndi?
After finding a parking spot, she killed the engine and climbed out of her vehicle, clenching her hands the whole time. Reassuring herself everything would be all right didn’t work. Nervous butterflies fluttered out of control in her stomach.
Three steps into the café, she stopped and looked around. Sitting at a table for two in the far corner of the room, a woman with long black hair and a body made for a swimsuit model, raised her gaze and met Cyndi’s. It had to be Liza Scapolli. The name fit the woman who slowly stood.
Taking a deep breath, Cyndi straightened and walked toward the other woman. “Liza Scapolli?”
The lady’s smile stretched. “Cyndi Randall?”
Cyndi held out her hand in greeting. “Yes.”
Liza’s weak handshake lasted only a second before the other woman stepped away and slid into her chair. “It’s nice to meet you.” She motioned to the empty chair. “Please have a seat. Would you like a drink?” Liza turned and waved at the waitress who hurried over to their table.
Cyndi clutched her purse to her stomach and sat. “Um, sure. Ice water with a slice of lemon, please.”
The waitress nodded then left.
Cyndi cleared her throat. “Ms. Scapolli, how do you know me?”
One of the woman’s perfectly waxed eyebrows lifted. “You don’t know?”
Releasing an uneasy chuckle, she shrugged. “Well, I know, I just didn’t think you knew about—”
“You and Damien?”
Cyndi nodded.
Liza’s sultry laugh floated through the air as she drew her finger around the rim of her iced tea glass. “I make it my business to know what’s going on in Damien’s life.”
Cyndi’s breath caught in her throat, jealousy closing in like cold fingers trying to choke her. Obviously, Liza still wanted to be part of Damien’s life, but was it only for business dealings?
She tightened her grasp around the straps of her purse and swallowed against the cotton dryness in her mouth. “Are you aware my reporter will be asking you questions about your involvement with GIO Products? And the reason you have been buying stocks from a competitor’s market?”
Liza’s mischievous grin didn’t leave her face even when she lifted the drink to her mouth and sipped. Her deep brown eyes kept Cyndi’s attention, but secrets lurked behind those depths.
Do I really want to know about their past? Could she handle the knowledge?
Seventeen
Damien strolled out of the elevator with a whistle on his lips. As he moved toward his office, he realized he carried himself straighter today, and even had a slight bounce in his step. He tapped his fingers on the handle of his briefcase to the beat of the tune in his head—the same song he’d heard Cyndi sing that night he’d helped her fix dinner for Max. Love did crazy things to a man, and he’d never been happier.
Running errands this morning had kept him away from the office, but at least he could rest assured Liza couldn’t sink her fangs into his throat again or the necks of his shareholders.
The lobby wasn’t as crowded this afternoon, and he nodded to a few employees as he walked down the hall. The phone on his secretary’s desk buzzed with a call, and she answered. When he neared, she stretched her hand out, palm forward, and stopped him.
“Can you please hold?” she asked the caller, then pressed the button. “Mr. Giovanni, your mother needs to see you as soon as possible.”
He nodded. “I’ll go right now.” He hurried to his mother’s office, his smile stretching the closer he came. He’d not told his mother everything about the new women in his life, and he couldn’t wait to tell her now. His mother would love Cyndi and welcome her with open arms. His mother would even become ecstatic to learn he was going to start going to church again.
He knocked twice before opening the door a crack and peeking his head inside. “Are you decent?” He chuckled.
The dark haired woman’s head snapped up from the files she’d been examining and met his stare. “Oh, Damieno, you’re here.” She placed a hand on her chest and sighed. Worry etched the soft lines of her creased forehead and her lips were pursed.
He stepped in and closed the door. “Mother? What’s wrong?”
She pushed away from the desk and stood. Her brisk walk brought her in front of him within seconds, her hands wringing against her stomach. “I just don’t know what to do.”
He patted her shoulder. “What happened?”
“I think Liza Scapolli is up to something different this time. A Producer from Rock Springs’ Channel Nine News called this afternoon to make an appointment with me, but I told her you were the one to handle this.”
Panic swelled within his chest and he frowned. “Handle what?”
“Somehow the media knows Liza is buying our stocks. I believe they want to see what she’s up to, and I’m worried what that woman will say to reporters if given the chance.”
Cold fear closed around his heart and squeezed. His mother didn’t even know the half of it. Liza could stir up a hornet’s nest even in the dead of winter...with frozen bees, no less.
He grasped his mother’s hands to stop their trembling. “I’ll keep the news station away from us, I promise.”
She shook her head. “I’m not worried about that. What frightens me is the very thought of that woman being interviewed by Channel Nine. If they called us, they’ll certainly call her.”
“Someone from the station called you?”
“Yes.”
The beat of his heart worked overtime, hammering against his ribs like an Indian war drum, making it hard to breathe. “Mother? Do you remember the person from the news station who called?”
She shrugged. “A sweet woman
who sounded fairly young. I think her name is Shirley Randolph or Brindy Raddon...” She scrunched her forehead and tapped her chin. Then her eyes brightened and she smiled. “No, I got it all wrong. The woman’s name was Cynthia Randall.”
“Oh, no!” He rushed out of the room toward his office. When he neared his secretary, he snapped, “Get me Herbal Sensations on the phone. I need to speak with Liza Scapolli. Immediately.”
He hurried into his office and slammed the door. He tossed his briefcase on the desk and cursed again. This can’t be happening! Just as he finally found a woman who could make him truly happy, he was in the brink of losing her just because his greedy ex couldn’t let go. He knew what Liza was up to without having to ask the sneaky woman.
Running his fingers through his hair, he paced the length of the room. When his speakerphone buzzed, he ran to his desk and grabbed the handset.
“Mr. Giovanni? I have Mr. Jacobs on the line.”
Damien swallowed hard. “Mr. Jacobs may I please speak with your associate, Liza Scapolli?”
The man on the other end cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Giovanni, but Ms. Scapolli has stepped out. She’s doing an interview with Channel Nine as we speak.”
Damien slammed the phone on the receiver. As fast as his fingers could punch in the numbers, he dialed Cyndi’s office phone. After five rings it was answered, but the voice wasn’t the woman he loved. “Is Cyndi there?”
“I’m sorry. She’s out of the office. May I take a message?”
“Who’s this?”
“Amanda.”
He blew out a sigh between his teeth. “Amanda, this is Damien Giovanni. We met at the Christmas party the other night.”
The woman laughed. “Yes, I remember. How can I help you?”
“I need to know where Cyndi is interviewing Liza Scapolli, the Vice President of Herbal Sensations. It’s very important I’m at that interview.”
Her Own Fairy Godmother Page 19
