Unknowingly His

The Patterson Park Deal

Taylor had been losing her mind going up and down, making sure everything was perfect. She ran double tests on everything, in some cases, she ran more than two checks. Even though Gabriella and Teddy had assured her that the place was theirs for the weekend and that no other events would take place there, she occasionally did a sneak peek to make sure Teddy kept his word and nobody messed with her arrangements.

"I'm telling you Gabriella, your friend is crazy. This is the third time she has showed up this week. And she's here, right now, peeping through the window. She's always dressed in some weird disguise and pretends she needs to book the place for something, to see if I'd give in or not. Or sometimes she would just send someone else to do it, and she'd peek through the window."

Gabi sighed, clearly annoyed to be awoken by a phone call at five in the morning to listen to complaints about her friend.

"I'm sorry Teddy, I should probably have warned you. Uuhm, she's obsessed with perfection, and organizing this meeting is the biggest responsibility she has in her life right now. I'll come get her and talk to her, okay?"

"Okay Gabi. Sorry for waking you. But your friend is starting to freak me out. I don't think she slept at all. "

"Thanks for letting me know Teddy. I'll come get her."

In a few minutes, Gabriella was at Teddy's bar. She quickly spotted Taylor, who was seated by the window, pretending to have a drink.

"When is the meeting, Taylor?"

Taylor looked puzzled. She wasn't expecting her friend to show up out of the blue.

"When is the meeting?"

Gabriella asked again, clearly annoyed with the whole situation.

"It's nine in the evening."

Gabriella shook her head and rolled her eyes before pulling Taylor out of her chair.

"No, no Gabi, I have to make sure everything is perfect. I can't let my boss down. What if he fires me? My whole life will be ruined. I need everything to be right for tonight."

"Tay, look at me. Look at me . Everything is in place. Teddy will make sure everything is in place. You just need to trust him and you need some rest. Remember what Dr. Riley said?"

Taylor nodded. Dr. Riley was her therapist. Taylor had always been so obsessed with perfection and competition. She always wanted to be the best. For her, second place was not an option. It started when her parents got divorced and her dad chose his mistress over his own family. She felt so worthless that she made it her point to be the best, so that nobody could ever pick something or someone over her.

It got worse when she was in high school and she lost a debate. She ran to her room after being declared the first runner-up and started smashing things around. She even attempted suicide, and that was when her mother decided to have her admitted to a rehabilitation center.

She got a lot better after her time there. And here she was again, stressing herself over a meeting.

"Listen to me Taylor, you're no good to your boss if you're not in the right headspace. Why do you think he gave you the entire week off? You're important to him, and he needs you in the best shape so that this deal can pull through. Now, how are you going to do that if you're disorganized?"

"You're right, Gabi. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

She apologized and began to sob. Gabriella hugged her and hummed a tune while stroking her hair. Dr. Riley had pointed out that Taylor felt a lot better when she was comforted with that tune during an embrace. Well. After two minutes, Taylor was back to her old cheerful self, and she apologized to Teddy for harassing him and causing him trouble. Then she went home with Gabriella.

"Let's get you to bed. We'll go shopping afterward and get you all dolled up for the meeting, okay?"

Taylor nodded and was ushered into her bedroom. After tucking her friend in , Gabriella turned off the lights before she attempted to leave.

"Don't go, Gabi, stay. Please?"

"Of course Taylor. Give me a minute. "

She texted Issabella, saying she had to attend to something and that she would be home later in the day, before getting into bed with Taylor. She held her tight and waited for her friend to succumb to sleep before she did the same.

They woke up eight hours later and went shopping as promised, before getting ready for the meeting. Gabriella dropped Taylor off at Teddy's, an hour before the meeting, before she went to herself.

Of course, Taylor did a thorough check on everything before the meeting could begin, and it paid off. Maximilien was pleased when he arrived, he even smiled at her. During the presentation of the proposal, she was at her absolute best as all the stakeholders gave her a round of applause after her presentation.

"Thank you Taylor."

One of the stakeholders said, and for the first time, she noticed someone other than her hottie of a boss. He was well-endowed, his blonde hair was neatly styled in a man's bun and his face was just right. He had a sharp jawline and not so thin lips, and his eyes were the prettiest shade of blue she had ever seen.

She was surprised this man kept her name in mind. She blushed and smiled politely, before taking her seat.

"Well, I'd be open to answer questions if there are any."

Maximilien finally said. All the stakeholders looked satisfied and when no questions were asked, Maximilien proceeded to hand them the contract. After reading through it carefully, they all signed and the deal was sealed. They briefly shook hands before leaving the establishment, but not before Taylor and her new hottie were locked in an intense staring session.

"Well, Dexter seems to fancy you."

Maximilien said to Taylor , with a smile on his face.

"Dexter? Do you know him?"

She responded. She couldn't help but smile while asking. Maximilien chuckled softly and nodded.

"Dexter is an old friend of mine, he recently joined the Patterson group. "

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah, well, thank you for today. Your presentation was excellent and since we got ourselves that deal, you earned yourself a little gift. It will be ready by Monday."

"Thank you sir. "

"You're welcome Taylor, I'll have my driver send you home. "

"Actually, if you don't mind Max, I'd like to take her home."

Dexter said, as he approached the pair. Taylor smiled lightly and looked at her boss, as if she was waiting for his approval.

"I don't mind Dex, but I think it's up to her."

Max said .

"Well, I don't know if it would be a good idea to go home with you. I don't know you."

Maximilien chuckled mentally. Taylor was indeed a smart woman, and he admired her for that. He knew she was hesitant about the whole situation because she feared it might affect their business deals. To be honest, he really didn't mind. But he knew Dexter had a thing for Taylor and wouldn't stop pressing her, so he came up with a solution.

"Well, that can be fixed. How about you two having dinner and getting to know each other , and then you can decide. I'll have my driver come pick you up if you choose not to go home with Dexter. "

Max said, and looked at Taylor, who nodded, and then at Dexter , who smiled and winked at him.

"Well, you guys be safe then."

"Thank you, Sir, goodnight."

"Goodnight Taylor. And thank you for today. And I'll see you later buddy."

"See you bro."

With that, Maximilien left and Dexter and Taylor had dinner in an attempt to get to know each other.