Love At Last

Business first

Cayden

“Walk with me Cayden” Steve gestures to a hallway that with a few steps soon leads to a large garden area. It was a magnificently pampered garden, motiffed with different species of flowers, plants and trees that were certainly not from this part of the world. I knew this because he had keenly spotted a garden heliotrope; a flower he cloyingly admired on one of his many trips around the world, the Caribbeans to be specific. Steve had successfully created a whole new ecosystem behind his compound that could almost pass for a glance at heaven and Cayden was impressed. Although I had been to Steve’s lake side villa many times before, he had never been to this section of the compound and except for the now unfolding event, nothing was going to bring him here again. Only private business meetings and diners brought Cayden to the villa, thus his bemusement for being summoned without an official engagement as its reason.

“Permit me to say, you have a beautiful garden Sir” here was me trying to make an attempt to dissolve the lingering silence but Steve’s response was not quite what I pitched for.

“How did the meeting go with the client back in Nedford?” Steve’s question shadows my appraisal just as briskly as it came.

“Well about that… it didn’t hold, at least not yet. I was still expecting the clients before the urgency of me coming back here came up” my response now in a rather more assertive tone than his previous compliment.

“They were never gonna come, you want to know how I knew? -Now I began to understand why Steve summoned me back so abruptly- because Mr Bradenton called me a few days ago, saying he didn’t thing the facilitation of the contract was going to be visible anymore, that there was a collision of interests and principles” Steve halts and arcs to give me a brief stare.

“I am honestly failing to see what the issue is, I thought everything was going accordingly as discussed a few weeks ago, why the sudden U-turn from them? Other than the obvious reason that Steve recalled me back for this, I was failing to see where the problem was and the maze in his mind grew even thicker.

“I was in the same state of perplexity you are now until Mr Bradenton elaborated further” Now continuing his stroll. “You see, Mr Bradenton is one of those men that will not hesitate to intercourse business with sentiments. Men like him do a thorough and comprehensive background check on the people they do business with and regardless of your ability and prowess, they will not falter in halting any proceeding engagements if discrepancies are found”

We soon arrive at bench that stood just close enough for you to feel the soothing chill that came from the lake. “You know the funny thing here Cayden, Mr Bradenton didn’t even have to do a research on us to find our fault and it all has to do with you”

“Me!? But I do not have any illegal or illegitimate business dealings, you for one should know me far too well” I reposition my sitting posture in such a manner that you could almost see the seriousness leaking from my seat.

“Yes you Cayden, I doubt you’d remember a certain Felicia… ofcourse you wouldn’t, she’s one of your many flings and also happens to be Mr Bradenton’s personal assistant. Believe me when I say she’s loud mouthed even for a lady, so it wasn’t very difficult for him to change his mind on the contract when your name came up as my company’s representative to finalize the contract”

“I suppose I should be sorry but how on earth was I supposed to know that a situation like this was going to affect work and besides, who doesn’t have women in their lives?”

“Well one of those women in you life has become a nail beneath the soul of my business and you need to fix it. We cannot afford to lose this contract, our reputation precedes us. Mr Bradenton wants to see a redefined ‘Cayden McLou’ if he is to ever reconsider the terms of the contract”

“And how on earth am I supposed to do that, get married in a week? I prime the crown of my face with a frown as my insides begin to overheat.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Nobody is telling you to work down the aisle yet Cayden!” Steve lets out a brief laughter that I do not reciprocate. He then introduces his next words with a smirk. “Choose one of the many women in your life and show her off, maybe even an engagement… Felicia would not be bad either but I understand going back to his space may seem ulterior so fish outside. I should be expecting positive news from you by next week and that’s final”

I knew better than to argue with Steve. He hated his opinions being confronted and besides this country was going to facilitate a huge break for our company into other parts of the world, I wasn’t about to let such an opportunity slide.

“I’ll do something about” I mutter in separated words as I make-up a hearty grin that barely came from beneath my skin and give a reassuring nod.

“Now that’s a good boy, you should consider having something like this with someone special in the nearest future yunno and not that penthouse of yours that only welcomes your escapades” Steve spreads out his arms as if to point to both the villa and the lake. A house assistant ushers us with two glasses of rum that Steve had requested for just before we left the building. I used the liquid to wash down any more words that may have brewed up for a response to Steve.

***

I’m just about finished with my every morning routine as I hurry down the flight of stairs to meet Jarod at the counter

“Good morning Jorad” I set off on a bright note

“Morning Baby girl, I trust you rested well at least?” Jarod propped me into a side hug that lasted for as long as his words did.

“Well I tried to at least, that should be a win. By the way, has Mr rude come to buy anything today yet, Jacek and Ann won’t let me hear the last of him” I inquired in a somewhat nonchalant manner.

“Nah not today either, too bad we won’t be getting a double from the fine lad today”

“Wait, what’s a double?” My curiosity becomes slightly fired up on Jarods response.

“Well Cayden always pays double for whatever he orders so I usually just mark it as him tipping the shop yunno”

A wave of guilt sweeps my once vague concern, maybe I wasn’t very nice to him the last time…

“That’s alright, let me head to the market and stock up on some supplies, we’re running low on them” I wave Jarod a goodbye as I head for the door.

“Be safe!” Jarod yells back.

I stop by the kiosk to get a few cartoons of milk just as a hand firmly tugs me from my shoulder “Hey you, yes you… I remember you! aren’t you the bitch that’s tryna steal my man?” She yells just loud enough for passersby to give my direction a perplexed stare.

I turned to get a definite view of the unfortunate human who was about to start this trouble , she had far too many make-up details on her face for a redhead that it gave off a witch-like look.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”