The Essence of Fate

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The Essence of Fate Page 6

by Alison E. Steuart


  I’ve heard this story a hundred times as well, the legendary power of the Fey. In Scottish lore it’s along the lines of clairvoyance. However, Fey, though spelled with an a, is also another word for faerie, and hearing it now conjures up that spectacular image of Charlotte and how fucking beautiful she is. Is it a coincidence that the first woman to fully occupy my typically preoccupied mind, who triggers unfamiliar instincts and awakens my inner caveman happens to have the surname LeFay? If I asked Nana, she’d be sure to say it was fate that brought her to me, then lecture me on the futile efforts of fighting it. Therefore, I will keep it to myself.

  “Did I lose you there, Ian? I know you didn’t hang up because I can hear you breathing. What’s got you so distracted? Hopefully it’s a woman. Tell me all about her… You know I like hearing about that more than tearing down buildings and putting up new ones.” She’s always trying to get me to tell her the private details of my relationships. Sometimes I give in and tell her the very vanilla version, only to be reprimanded by her, insisting she can get better from a daytime soap opera. She’s relentless, and recently asked Jackson if Becca still gave good head because women tend to get over that after they’ve been married a while. Jackson almost fell out of his chair, and I laughed for days remembering the look on his face.

  “You didn’t lose me, and I’m not seeing anyone right now. But I was introduced to a very intriguing young lady this weekend, and if anything happens there, I’ll be sure to fill you in.” That seems appeasing enough, and it’s basically the truth. Although it would probably make her entire year to hear the details of Charlotte coming undone in my arms, fully dressed, standing in a convenience store parking lot. Damn, that was absolute perfection. Imagining it heats my blood, making my cock begin to swell.

  Nana’s surprised tone snaps me out it. “What do you mean, IF anything happens there? When the hell has anything NOT happened with a woman you’re interested in?”

  “Well, Nana, this time, I may have let my arrogance get in the way of a proper introduction and miscalculated how badly that would piss her off. She’s a fiery one, and I’m going to have to change up my game a bit to cool her down.” That’s a bloody understatement, remembering the stinging slap she landed across my face.

  Nana’s voice perks up. “Ha! This is what I’ve been wanting to hear! You finally ran into a woman with a good head on her shoulders that can think for herself and doesn’t melt just because you said ‘Hi’ to her. Hallelujah!”

  Still, I laugh at Nana’s enthusiasm. “Yes, well…she can definitely think for herself, and I’m glad that pleases you so profoundly. I will keep you posted on my pursuit. I’ll get her eventually.”

  “Or perhaps she’ll get you.” Nana’s ominous laugh gives me chills. “So glad I called you this morning. Goodbye, dear. I love you.”

  A few hours later, Jackson arrives to go over everything for Wednesday’s meeting. Saturday went well, and he was able to get with his original contact, Tracy, at The Clara Sea to iron out all the details. I was pleased to hear the chef sat down with them, offering some creative suggestions for the menu with a fusion of our Miami cuisine and their Brazilian. Jackson is pleased with how everything has been handled—all the scheduling is in place, any minor details were taken care of, all recommendations were solid, and everyone has been accommodating and professional. The process has been seamless. Kudos to Charlotte. Since she’s at the top of the food chain at The Clara Sea, it’s a reflection of her leadership and standards. A little jolt of pride runs through me at the thought.

  Regardless of my ulterior motive in moving the location of our meeting, I’m genuinely looking forward to sitting down with the lead partners from Novas Alturas. From the conversations we’ve had thus far, our rapport is spot on and they are completely onboard with our ideas. With McAlistair’s experience and connections in the Miami area, they would be making a mistake by not partnering with us.

  “That’s all good news, Jackson. Thank you for handling it. I know it was a step down for you, and I’m sorry. I promise to make it up to you,” I say as I finish jotting down the last of my notes.

  “Don’t worry about it, Ian. I know why you sent me. But so you know, I didn’t see Charlotte when I went back.” Jackson’s tone is a little apologetic, and I’m momentarily speechless at his ability to read my mind. He offers a smile as if to acknowledge that, too.

  “Yes…well, I appreciate you having my back, and when the opportunity does present itself, I look forward to hearing Charlotte’s version of how you convinced her I am not the devil incarnate.”

  Laughing at the insinuation that Charlotte will engage in conversation and not slap me across the face again, Jackson replies, “You are smooth, Ian. I look forward to hearing how well I saved your ass. Now, onto more important things—did you talk to Jeremy down at zoning about our friends coming in from Brazil, and does he intend to clear the path for the project to get off the ground in less than a year?” He gets more annoyed than I do with the bullshit the city and county try to throw at us to create roadblocks. There is a lot that goes into developing a substantial building, be it residential or commercial, and many of the zoning requirements, permits, and other various hoops we need to jump through are necessary, but there is so much nonsense created to appease the jackasses that need to feel important by making the process more difficult.

  “Yes, I had dinner with him last week. He said the zoning board is quite enthusiastic about it. The city’s been getting a lot of flack about that area being such an eyesore. They need this.”

  Jackson nods. “Good. That’s what we need to hear.” Shutting down his iPad, he finishes, “I’ll head downstairs and make sure everything is lined up with the renderings and storyboard videos. They look good, man. Novas Alturas is going to be impressed.”

  If they aren’t, it would be a first. Our rendering department is topnotch, and the three-dimensional replica of the finished project is outstanding. It’s a twenty-story residential building featuring an exclusive retail area on the ground level. The building is wide, so we included a massive garden and pool area on the ground level, and lush sky gardens on the eighth floor, and the sixteenth floor, that will make the 175 luxury suites easy to sell. Each garden has a beach-entry pool with one attached hot tub and a second hot tub tucked into the garden for privacy. The state-of-the-art irrigation and planting bed design insure year-round lush vegetation.

  “Yes, I saw everything earlier. It’s spectacular. With all the land available to work with, this may be our best design yet. I’m tempted to buy the penthouse for myself.”

  “I have everything scheduled for setup tomorrow at The Clara Sea. I’ll let you know when it’s ready so you can come by and give your stamp of approval. Might I recommend arriving with a bouquet of flowers for Ms. LeFay? You know, as an olive branch, so she knows you’re capable of being a gentleman and not always an overbearing prick.” There’s that annoying smirk again.

  “An overbearing prick… Thanks, Jackson. I’ll keep that in mind, although I cannot recall ever buying a bouquet of flowers for anyone. I’m not sure how I feel about it. Seems too cliché for me.” I don’t know why the idea of walking into The Clara Sea with a bouquet of flowers for Charlotte makes me feel like a fucking twat, but it does. There has to be something more original that makes a clear statement. I guess sending her an embroidered silk blindfold wouldn’t go over too well. Dammit! Now I’ve got that delicious image in my head… Good thing I’m still sitting behind my desk. “Either way, I’ll be there. Just let me know when.”

  Jackson finally leaves and I’m suddenly in a good mood, knowing tomorrow has presented me with an opportunity to see Charlotte again and maybe diffuse the flamethrower she’s got aimed at me. If I can get her to stay still and converse with me, I’d feel like we had made some progress. Sitting back in my chair, hands steepled, I imagine her in front of me. Beautiful and relaxed, smiling at me as we discuss something mundane. That simple image brings on a sense of comfort and cont
entment that is so out of the ordinary it has me wondering if perhaps I am a twat.

  On a heavy sigh, I get back to work. “I must be getting old.”

  Seven

  Charlotte

  I’m grateful to be up in time to have coffee with the sunrise. It is especially beautiful this morning with extra pink and purple right before the full orange glow takes over the sky. It’s simply breathtaking. I try to take pictures with my phone, but it never does it justice. If only I were an artist and could capture its beauty on canvas. I laugh to myself. I may have some talents, but painting isn’t one of them.

  I take a longer route to work so that I have time to pep myself up with some of my favorite music. It’s my go-to therapy to set the vibe for the day. Today I needed a little extra bump in the right direction. Pulling into my parking spot, I sit for a few minutes while the song finishes. I’m thankful I wasn’t greeted with any surprise visits from Ian yesterday, but something tells me he will be here today with Jackson to make sure everything is set up properly for their meeting tomorrow. The thought has me a little on edge. But after analyzing and rehashing everything with Erika over the weekend, I am more steady and more grounded since making the decision to politely deflect any more advances from the Ambassador of Carnality. Regardless of how much my body hates the decision, my mind knows who comes out the loser in the scenario he’s expecting to come to fruition.

  It was an easy decision, having watched my mother’s beauty and light diminish to darkness after my father was killed in a car accident…with his mistress. It was the worst possible way to learn how destructive naivety can be. Therefore, I’m choosing the high road, where it’s safe and uncomplicated, where my heart stays intact.

  Tracy meets me in my office for our usual briefing. No major issues, just a guest that had to be moved to another room due to an annoying neighbor. Although our clientele tends to be more respectful of others and we don’t typically have to deal with moving people around to find peace and quiet, we do occasionally get a group that acts like they are on spring break in Panama City. Unfortunately, I can’t take Sibel’s advice and throw them and their belongings out on the street. But I can make sure the staff is inattentive and mistakes are made that hopefully annoy them so much they don’t ever return. Even if they leave a bad review, I don’t care; it’s outweighed by the number of five stars we get, and it usually makes them look bad, not us.

  “So, are you excited to see Jackson again today?” Tracy blushes as I expected she would. I guess her meeting with him Saturday afternoon was almost too much to handle. As she put it, “He kept having to snap his fingers in my face to get me out of the trance his eyes put me under.” Somehow, I don’t think it was quite that bad, but she is definitely smitten.

  “I guess. He’s married with a son and a baby on the way. And it’s not like he’d ever be interested in me, anyway. Guys that look like him don’t typically go for girls that look like me.”

  I’m a little shocked at her declaration. “Tracy! Don’t say that. First of all, you are a very good-looking woman, and secondly, don’t just assume what a guy is attracted to based on your own insecurities. More often than not, it’s the insecurity he finds unattractive.” I give her a stern look, to which she pushes up her glasses and looks down at her iPad.

  “I never really thought about it that way. I suppose you’re right, though. I’ll keep it in mind.” I almost feel like she’s saying it to appease me so I won’t continue down this path. Out of respect, I leave it there.

  “All right…it looks like you’ve got everything lined up for their setup today. They’re scheduled to be here around eleven, correct?” I know what time they are scheduled, I just wanted a transition away from her self-deprecation.

  “Yes, I am meeting Jackson in the lobby with a few extra staff members to help them unload and set up, should they need it.” Perking up, she adds, “I’m really looking forward to seeing the rendering of their proposed project. From what he described, it sounds amazing.” Tracy has a keen interest in design. She’s my right (and sometimes left) hand when it comes to approving interior design features and other enhancements to the resort. She has excellent taste.

  “That’s great! I’m looking forward to it as well. I’ll meet up with you later once they arrive.” With that, I’m back to returning emails and phone calls, pleasantly distracted from a potential run-in with Ian at some point today.

  As the morning wears on, I lose track of time. It’s 11:30 when I finally glance at the clock. Instantly, butterflies are swarming around inside me. Ugh! I hate being nervous, and from the moisture that has formed on my hands, I’m definitely nervous.

  Waiting a few more minutes while I deep-breathe and get my head in the game, I make my way toward the Garden Room. There, I am greeted with Jackson, several others from their office, and two of my employees. Jackson immediately walks over and offers sincerely, “Good morning, Ms. LeFay. It is a pleasure to see you again. I’d like to offer my highest compliments to you and your staff. Our experience here at The Clara Sea has been first-class.”

  Wow. Every time he says something about the resort, I just want to record it and play it on the radio. It’s funny, I think he could say “The Clara Sea is mediocre, at best,” and it would sound amazing in that voice.

  A genuine smile spreads across my face. “There you go again, Jackson. Popping out with radio ads and TV commercials with a simple ‘Good morning.’ I think you need an agent.” We both laugh, then shake hands.

  “I don’t know about that. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.” Placing his hand on my shoulder, he asks, “Could I speak with you for a moment out in the hall?”

  “Yes, of course.” He’s kind of serious now, and I wonder if I should be concerned.

  Once we are in the hallway, I walk over to a sitting area overlooking the same garden as the conference room. There is an elaborate bird feeder beyond the windows that presents a fantastic show of the joyful flitting, swooping, and chirping that is the adorably charming display of various birds excitedly taking turns gathering seeds. I have several of these placed around the resort, and they are a huge hit. I’ve always loved the unencumbered beauty of nature and its creatures. Apparently, Jackson does, too. He’s instantly drawn to the activity outside and smiles. “That’s fantastic! I’ve never seen such a variety of birds in one place. You’ve really created something special here, Charlotte.” I’m genuinely flattered by his compliments. Maybe because he is so sincere in offering them.

  He continues with something I wasn’t expecting but am relieved to hear, nonetheless. “I didn’t get a chance to see you Saturday after Ian showed up. It’s kind of weighed heavily on me since then, and I’d like you to know that whatever happened to cause your anger at seeing him again is between the two of you. I know nothing about it.”

  It’s very kind of him to make it a point to set my mind at ease. I did picture Ian bragging to Jackson about our salacious encounter last Friday, but somehow I knew he didn’t know. I don’t know if it’s just the vibe I got or what, but Jackson put me at ease from the first time we met.

  “Thank you, Jackson. I appreciate you telling me that. It’s a relief to know that you weren’t a full accomplice to him sneaking up on me Saturday. I definitely didn’t see that one coming.” I laugh a little to ease any tension.

  “Honestly, I can’t say I wasn’t an accomplice. He knows who you are and where you work because of me. But I didn’t think you wouldn’t want to see him when he did show up. It would be an understatement to say I was shocked at your reaction.” He seems disappointed in himself for his part in Ian’s games. I can’t help but respect his honesty.

  I laugh at the thought of it. “I bet you were. I was pretty shocked myself when he walked through that door. But that’s over and done with, and hopefully we can move on. I said what I needed to say to Ian on Saturday. From here on out, I can be cordial and professional.” I put my head down and play with the pen I’d forgotten was in my hand. Part of
me would rather avoid him altogether than have to pretend he doesn’t stir something inside me.

  “For what it’s worth, Ian is actually a good guy. Like I said, I don’t know what he did to upset you, but clearly it wasn’t good. I just don’t want you to think he walks through life being a total jerk. He’s been like a brother to me since elementary school.” He smiles. “It was always known as the rich kids’ school and I definitely wasn’t zoned for it, but my father made sure I got transferred there, anyway. My neighborhood wasn’t necessarily bad, but the school I was zoned for was, and he wasn’t having any part of that kind of influence on me. Ian and I hit it off right away. He never thought twice about the color of my skin or my parents’ bank account. He’s generous and works harder than anyone I know for his success.” He laughs, shaking his head. “Hell…his favorite person in the world is his grandmother! He can’t be all that bad.” I notice his smile spreads wider as his deep laugh fills the space around us, and I wonder if it has more to do with Ian’s grandmother than Ian himself.

  “That’s a pretty good sales pitch, Jackson. Did Ian pay you for that?” We’re both laughing now. “Listen, I’ve had a few days to cool down, and I’m feeling less like I want to strangle him. However, that’s not to say I’m interested in anything more, and I don’t want him to expect it. Something tells me that Ian McAlistair gets what he wants when it comes to women. I’m just not one of them.”

  “No, you’re not, and that’s a good thing. But, should there ever come a time when you have the slightest inclination to wipe the slate clean and start over with him, do it. You might be pleasantly surprised.” He’s so sincere, and I don’t know whether it’s that or the idea of starting over with Ian that pulls at my heartstrings. Either way, it’s more evidence that I should steer clear.

 

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