The Heat Between Us

~THE PREPARATION~

Melody stared calmly as she listened to her boss talk almost exasperatingly. "His name is Rogue......I still don't understand the rationale behind naming him that and the good heavens know he has lived up to that name." Melody smiled inwardly because beneath the grumbling tone and frown,she detected the love her boss has for his only child,Rogue Blackwell.

Daniel, a dignified man with neatly kept gray hair, steady eyes, and a magnetic presence that commands attention without effort. His calm voice and assured posture give him an air of quiet authority and timeless charm. His ability to make both his staffs and client feel at ease is definitely one of the reason he's most likely the most CEO on earth. Melody shuddered at the thought of that changing should this mysterious son of his assumes the position.

Trying to lighten the mood,she smiled,"My mother named me after Music and trust me I had to fight her over naming Sharon......she wanted to name her Blue."

Laughing out loud,Daniel Calviford looked at Melody,"You're trying to put my mind at rest,aren't you?"

Realizing she has been discovered,she nodded solemnly though her green eyes still glinted impishly, "You don't have to worry sir,the party will go off without a hitch."

Muttering under his breath,he said,"I won't be surprised if he doesn't show up this time around again.....just to spite me."

"He will! Even if I have to personally drag him out."

Daniel laughed again,he always enjoyed talking with his secretary,she was such a clever and beautiful girl,he looked at her again and a thought struck his heart.

"How's Sharon doing?"

Smiling proudly,she responded,"Her highness is alright......she should be at the shop with Mom now....she loved the doll you got for her. Named her Daniella."

Daniel laughed out loud again,"That girl of yours is a mighty piece of work....I should know. How's Clarissa also? She must be mighty mad at me."

Shaking her red hair slowly,Melody smiled, "Not at all sir."

Sighing,he looked away,all previous expression of happiness gone from his face now replaced with deep set wrinkles and worry signs.

"Clarissa was a tremendous help during Michelle's death you know. She made sure I ate and dressed well......I'm afraid I scared her away with my actions." He sighed again and Melody caught a glimpse of the old man he was.

"You're good now and I'm assuring you that my mom holds nothing against you sir."

"You know I proposed to her once."

Melody gasped disbelievingly.

Smiling at the look on her face he went on,"You look surprised.....well yes I did. Weeks after Michelle's death when I thought all was lost, Clarissa was there for me but her response to my proposal was an evil glare,telling me to get my head out of my ass."

They both laughed out loud, "Yes,that sounds like my mom."

Nodding grimly he continued, "She said it was out of my loss of Michelle that I proposed to her and I guess she was hurt because she stopped coming after that and then I had to go to Spain."

Melody shook her head sadly, he thinks he went out of his own will when in fact he was already half mad with grief. She smiled at him reassuringly. "All will be well,you'll see." And she strengthened her resolve to make sure that was exactly what happens.

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"Ms Taylor!, Ms Taylor!!"

Melody stopped in her tracks abruptly and narrowly avoided been bathed with lemonade from her waist down. The waiter blushed red and bobbed his head apologetically, hurrying away when melody smiled at him. She whirled about to see who was calling her with such urgency in this mad rush and smiled when she discovered it was the young almost mousish receptionist,Anna.

"Yes,Anna,what's the rush about? You startled me!"

Surprised at the usually calm Anna Rowlings behavior, Melody immediately followed the short blonde outside as she grabbed her forearm. She smiled sweetly at several guests who had arrived early and were strolling in groups around the garden.

"Yes, Anna,what's it?" she asked again.

Wrinkling her hands, fidgeting in her usual way,Anna whispered to Melody in a shaky voice. "The cook ....he....."

"Yes,what about the cook?" Anna frowned.

"He didn't prepare any Russian dish.....and when we....when I tried explaining to him that the special guest of honour......that Mr Claviford Jnr has spent many years over there and would therefore surely expect a dish or two to contain .....their specialty,he refused adamantly,saying he wouldn't do anything of such!" she finished indignantly,chest heaving.

"Take a deep breath Anna,"Melody chuckled, "I'll speak to Miguel myself and if he insists on doing as he wishes, I'll let Mr Claviford know."

"But ma'am...." Anna sputtered.

Melody patter her shoulders softly and gently pushed her towards the door,"Leave Miguel to me and go welcome our guests with that charming smile of yours."

Blushing furiously,Anna nodded and scurried away. Melody sighed and looked around her satisfied to see that everything was going according to plan....well apart from the dramatic Miguel. She took a deep breath as she marched towards the kitchen to set him straight. Nothing will spoil this party.....she won't allow it happen.