Chapter 4 The proposition

4

Victoria walked into her office the next morning with a spring in her step. Her secretary greeted her at the door, a look of concern on her face.

"What's wrong?" Victoria asked frantically.

"Mr James is on the line and he wants to talk to you."

She suddenly became nervous. They were supposed to meet in two days so why had he called so early in the morning.

"I thought we agreed to meet on Friday. Is there a problem?"

"There has been a change in plans. I want to hold the meeting today. I will text you the address to a restaurant. Meet me there in thirty minutes." There was a note of finality in his voice.

"Sure, I will meet you there."

She quickly gathered the things she needed for the meeting and jogged back to her car.

Twenty five minutes later, she walked into the restaurant with her briefcase in hand. She scanned the restaurant looking for him when she spotted him, he was walking towards her, one hand shoved into the pocket of his slacks, the other holding a phone to his ear. For a moment she just stood there staring at him. There was an aura of power that surrounded him and pulled her like a magnetic pull. He was simply...delicious looking.

He looked up at her then, his eyes locked onto hers. She straightened, embarrassed she was caught staring.

"You are here early".

"There wasn't much traffic."

He took his seat across from her and called for the waiter to take their orders.

"I am afraid something has come up and I won't be able to meet you for our Friday meeting. I have a family engagement party coming up this weekend and I'd like you to go with me."

Her eyes widened in shock. This was not what she had expected at all.

"My schedule has been quite busy so I don't have time to start looking for another advertising agency but if you go with me I could hear your ideas and make a decision without delay."

Although he didn't say it, she was certain his words hinted at a threat; if she went with him, he'd listen to her pitch but if she didn't, he might not have time to listen to her pitch when he came back.

Worry knotted her stomach. Attending a family wedding together with him was a little too personal to her liking even if the purpose was solely business.

"How long will we be away?"

"We fly out on Thursday and be back first thing Monday morning."

She'd have only missed a day of work. She didn't know why she didn't immediately just agree to his idea. She couldn't afford to say no when the livelihood of almost fifty employees depended on this project. It was just that she felt he was leaving something important out. He'd given her no alternatives and she couldn't help but feel she was being misled.

"Ok then, you didn't exactly give me a choice to say no so I agree," she said in as level a voice as she could manage.

Thankfully the waiter returned then with the wine easing a little bit of the tension between them. The reason she was hesitant to come with him on the trip nagged at the back of her mind. She hated to admit it but she was sexually attracted to him. The way he looked at her with his mesmerizing gray eyes took her breath away. She'd never felt this way for any man ever since her terrible breakup with her ex. But he was still a client albeit a prospective one and it was her rule to never get involved with one.

"I will call you later tonight to discuss the flight arrangements and we'll be taking my company jet," he said, bringing her out of her reverie. "Are you staying for lunch?".

"No, I have to get back to work and hand over some of my duties since I'll be missing a day of work. I will see you then".

Augustine had sent a car to pick her up from her house to the airport in the early hours of the morning. She had dressed casually in a blue summer dress with matching sandals. She looked over at Augustine as he approached. He was also dressed casually in polo, jeans and sneakers. After only ever seeing him in suits, she hadn't imagined he could look better. She was so wrong. Very, very wrong.

"Victoria, he said with a nod as he approached. "If you're ready, we can leave now."

"I'm ready. Let's go," she said gleefully.

He smiled and motioned for her to follow him into the plane. She gasped in delight. Her eyes widened at the luxurious interior of the plane. It was simple, comfortable and expensive. She felt he must have spent a lot of time choosing the furnishings.

As she and Augustine took their seats, the steward who introduced himself as Victor asked her if wanted any drinks.

The plane took off soon after. The flight went quickly and oddly after a few drinks she finally relaxed and enjoyed a casual conversation with Augustine.

They were met by the hotel representative and quickly whisked into a waiting room. She took a few moments to appreciate the beauty of the gorgeous beach resorts they were staying at. As they were about to check into their rooms, a feminine voice called his name.

"Augustine! Oh, Augustine, you're here!"

Augustine stiffened and went rigid. Victoria could swear she heard him curse under his breath. She looked in the direction of what had caused a reaction like that from him and she saw a beautifully dressed older woman hurrying across the lobby, her hand flailing at her sides. Behind her a younger woman, an older man who looked like an older version of Augustine and a younger man who also looked identical to him followed closely behind with less enthusiasm. To her surprise, the older woman threw her hands around him and pulled him into a warm embrace.

"Hello Mom, I told you I would come, didn't I?."

His mom looked at Jessica in confusion.

"But dear you told me Augustine wouldn't come and he wasn't seeing anyone, that he just told me that out of concern."

"I'm sure she did," he said in a dry tone.

If looks could kill. He pinned Jessica with a killing stare.

Augustine's mother looked over at Victoria with avid curiosity.

"Well Augustine, aren't you going to introduce us", his mother said impatiently.

"Yes, do introduce us Augustine", Jessica said in a chilly voice.

She felt Augustine's grip on her hands tighten nervously. He looked at her then with pleading eyes. She wondered why he was so nervous just to introduce her to his family. The situation was so awkward, she'd almost regretted agreeing to come here.

"Dad, Mom, Jessica, Angelo." His lips curled in distaste as he mentioned the last two names and Victoria zeroed in on the man in question. He must be his older brother, the one getting married. The resemblance between him and Augustine was striking. "I'd like you to meet-" His entire body became rigid.

"I'd like you to meet my fiancee, Victoria Smith."