Chapter 3 Can we Keep It Professional

Chapter 3

Shane Baxter felt the airplane lose altitude, but he did not stir. Instead, he continued to sleep cozy in his seat, refusing to open his eyes, his chest rising and falling heavily from the pressure change within the descending aircraft. The gentle rocking of the plane gliding to the runway kept his body in a sleep-like state.

When the commotion of the people rises from their seats, the opening of the overhead bends, but when the activity stops, he opens his eyes. The plane had landed at Chicago airport. Shane unsnapped his seatbelt and readied himself to deplane. Subdued, he gathered his things, retrieving his jacket that he hung elegantly on his broad shoulders as he filed out into the terminal.

He opened up his leather legal-sized portfolio flipping through its pages for information. He knew he had written down information about the person from Legacy Entertainment Co. who was supposed to meet him at the airport. He walks over to the baggage carousel area, reading the report.

After gathering his luggage, he continues walking, glancing at some people holding signs. He glances back down at his papers and then closes his leather folder. He made his way down the line of sign carriers, darting his gaze, searching the signs, and looking for a male.

When he saw a female holding the sign, he was pleasantly surprised but didn't show it-uttering quietly, "According to my notes. I thought she was supposed to be a he that would be picking me up this morning. Humph! Well, this is quite interesting."

Shane Baxter casually walks right up to the poster, reading it. When a pair of almond-shaped eyes glance at him from behind the sign, he sees a face, a beautiful face with a well-dressed body.

I heard a voice more profound than I would have expected it to be, and his accent was more American too.

"Are you Peta Moore? The representative from Legacy Entertainment Company?"

"I am. Yes, I am. Are you Mr. Kim with SB-Group?" I look at the tall man standing before me with a puzzled expression. He was pretty handsome. Slender built, but what riveted my attention was his deeply tanned skin, which contrasted with his startling close-cut black hair. But it wasn't his height or hair that caught my attention. It was those eyes. The man's eyes were a cold, pale green.

"You asked if I'm Mr. Kim? Yes, and No, I'm Shane Baxter." Smiling with the whitest set of teeth in his mouth.

I swallowed hard before I spoke. "Wait, there must be some mistake. So, you are the owner of SB-Group?"

At first glance, I knew something was wrong. But, first, this man was far too young and attractive to be 65. And two, he doesn't look Asian. So what is going on here?

"Oh, you don't think I could be the owner of my own business?" Shane asks pointedly.

"You could be, but that's not the information I was given. My notes said, first of all, your name is Mr. Kim, and secondly, you are supposed to be a man over sixty."

"No way! Wait a minute! Let me see that information you have there."

Before I could even object, he came over and stood beside me, invading my personal space. Towering over my shoulder, looking down at my papers and probably down my blouse at my cleavage, I thought. But his impassive expression didn't appear to be a peeping tom. Unfortunately, his face didn't lend itself to softening his firm mouth or the soft lines around his eyes, which means that my senses are being accosted by the warmth of his body and the clean, citrus-based fragrance of his cologne. The man was impeccably dressed, wearing a navy-blue linen jacket with specks reminiscent of a field of sun-dappled particles of grain in it.

His pristine soft yellow shirt set off his face's deep, rich color. His silk tie was in varying shades of blue and gold. He had on expertly tailored, doubled-pleated, dark khaki-colored slacks that hung from his slim waist to the tops of his imported Italian brown shoes, with this legal-size leather portfolio with a distinctive world-renowned leather logo.

"Yes, all of it's correct except for one part. I'm the owner's son-the new CEO. Hi, my name is Kim Shane Baxter. I'm slightly disappointed in your report because you have nothing in it about me." Shane says, slightly smiling.

"But I thought?" She repeated a few times. "Never mind." Peta stuck out her hand to shake his hand, though she was baffled. While thinking this isn't the man Mr. Legacy will be expecting to see at the meeting this afternoon. And lord knows, neither was I expecting him either.

Shane looked at the young lady's outstretched hand before him. "I don't know If I should shake your hand, you don't seem to be sure who you are supposed to pick up from the airport." He remarked.

I retrieved my hand to my side. "Are you Mr. Kim from SB-Group, or not?"

"Yes, I am. Mr. Kim Seungchan, my father, is from Asia, and my mother's name is Bridget Baxter from Europe."

"Then you are the one I'm supposed to pick up from the airport," I said, walking away even more confused.

"It's nice to meet you." Shane first greeted Peta with a bow, then looked at her with almond-shaped eyes and extended his hand. He waited for her to take hold of his hand, and when she did, she gave him a firm handshake. Shane says, still holding onto her hand.

"Wow! What a grip." He states, chuckling. "Now that we've gotten the introduction straight. Don't feel bad. I was a little confused too. I expected someone different, not that I'm saying anything is wrong with having a pretty lady like you meet me here at the airport. But I thought someone else would be picking me up today."

I slid my hand from his grasp. "Oh, I don't feel bad, Sir. And for the record, we both thought we would see someone different." I replied stoically at his slight sarcasm. At least, that's how I took it.

Shane smiled, asking, "So where do we go from here?"

"Follow me, please."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him take several steps backward to remove his jacket. I could see the man's chest and broad shoulders through his shirt. They were stunning! I watched as he folded his coat carefully, laying it over his suitcases. Then he began rolling the luggage cart with one hand while holding onto his expensive leather portfolio for dear life.

"So, Peta, is this what you do for a living at Legacy Inc.?"

Before I knew it, I had babbled. I forgot my mission was to be welcoming, warm, and friendly. But I end up stating firmly. "Let's just keep it professional, shall we?"

"Okay, but I have one more question." The gentleman said.

I could not contain my eyes from rolling. "Yes, what is it?"