complications

Chapter Two: A blast From The Past

                                                                              (When They First Met)

Three years ago in New York, as CEOs of our two companies respectfully competed for the same contract. I’d watch her come out of the meeting room after she had given her presentation, all power suit and maroon lipstick. Her blonde, softly curled hair touching lightly at the small of her back. Her milky, tan complexion matching with the charcoal black pencil dress along with a black leather jacket. The gentle curves of her body were sharp and elegant. Eyes, a light blue, complimenting the lines of her facial features.

    As her glistening eyes met mine I’d felt nervous, like someone had turned my soul inside out, and back again. Naturally that did not happen. I gave my presentation, won the contract and forgot about Grace Miller Mackenzie, CEO of Mackenzie tech, one of the biggest and fastest-growing tech companies in the states.

    Until three months later in Germany. Same situation, different city. Only this time I was going out and she was coming in. Our eyes met again. Lighting struck. Later that evening I asked her if she was free that Friday night. She stuttered for a minute in surprise before saying “yes,'' I replied, “ok what about dinner tonight. At Lo Mein cuisine.” That ended our conversation right before hanging up. I felt giddy as a pig.

    Two hours later Grace came in, on time not a minute too late. And God, she was beautiful. Her hair was pinned up, but little wisps escaped to play around her forehead like fine threads of silk. She was in a long, lavish, ivy green dress. It’s strapless top complimented her smooth, pretty shoulders. A jet black jacket hung in her hand, the same one from our first meeting. Her dress nipped at her small waist highlighting her classic hourglass figure. She wore black velvet stilettos to match her killer lipstick. 

    The combination of high powered business executive, and independent woman made my stomach flop. I honestly didn’t know if I could tackle this. She sashayed my way, her soft ocean -eyes piercing yet like butterfly wings. Grace pulled out the wooden oak chair from across me and sat down, making me clear my throat. I’d felt a little under presented in just a grey button up and slacks.

      I glanced back down at the menu still not knowing what to order, as it was all in German. “I’ve heard their schnitzel is pretty good, along with the Caltion champagne.” Grace’s voice was so fragile compared to her face. I nodded and said, “Well then, I guess I’ll try that.” The waiter came over and stared at her for a moment and then stuttered something in German under his breath and smiled at us.  Grace translated as I tried to speak German. He helped me read the things off the menu all while Grace was snickering lightly in the background. We must have attempted that for a while because we were already there for an hour.

    He finished taking our orders and scurried back to the kitchen. Grace looked up at me, a smile playing on the edge of her lips and amusement sparkling in her eyes. “Sorry, but I think Mackenzie Tech got that contract you wanted.” She began to organize the condiments on the table. “What? Again?!” I replied half jokingly. The waiter sat the champagne down, making sure everything was okay before walking off to another table beside us. I popped the bottle and  poured some out into a glass and handed it to her. “You’re a dangerous woman Grace.”

 “And your an i***t. You think they'd go for what you were charging.” she questioned enchantingly. Soon after the business talk about the companies, our food arrived witch by the way smelled absolutely amazing.

    As I dug into the food it had tasted every bit it had smelled and then some, my mouth watering heavily. Grace stared at me for a moment stifling a small giggle. The dimmed lights that hung above us illuminated her cheekbones and eyes, making her seem ten times as irresistible. The way her hair hung in front of her face as she shifted in her seat seemed almost like the movements of a deer, so cautious yet elegant in a way I can not yet explain. I drank some more of my champagne as Grace excused herself from the table momentarily.

    The waiter flew by and landed the check in my hand, I wrote my signature and put my card in the slot next to the recite checking it twice over. One hundred dollars exactly. I definitely was not going to let Grace pay the bill. I gulped the rest of my drink and left a five dollar tip on the table. As I started to walk out the door Grace joined me. The rest of the evening had vanished quickly and black, dark grey clouds threatened to release at any minute. 

    “Well Oliver, it was nice talking business with you. I hope to see you at the board meeting tomorrow.” crap. I mentally slapped myself, forgetting all about it. “Yes. Drive home safe tonight, I enjoyed this evening, maybe we can meet up again sometime.” I had hated to just leave her there, and not drive her home. But she is an independent woman, she prefers to take care of herself. I walked to my corvette ZR1 with a smile glued to my face. As I knew I would see her again shortly.