Brenda's Fate

CHAPTER 2

“Personal Assistant, you say?" Mrs. Robinson said. Alan had introduced her as the president of the club and the wife of energy mogul, Will Hanson, the founder’s son and CEO of Hanson Energies group. She had looked critically at Brenda for some seconds, before giving a curt greeting and turning away to face the grey suit-clad gentleman with blonde hair beside her.

The woman's reaction didn’t surprise Brenda. Hardly, did a business mogul go out with his P. A. except they had something going on outside of the workplace, which she obviously didn't have. Sneaking a peak at Alan, she motioned her head towards the other side of the room to mingle with other guests. He only shrugged with a wry smile on his face.

She walked through the hall, stopping to chat up some friendly faces and avoiding the serious-looking ones. Most of them had one business or the other and quite a number had top jobs in various leading companies in the financial industry. She noted wryly that many of the guests had a member of the opposite s*x by their side.

A furtive glance at Phillip told her he was alone at the event. Of course, he had talked and chatted with quite a number of ladies. A few of them were so beautiful and gorgeously dressed she thought they qualified as supermodels. She took a glass of red wine off the tray of a passing waiter. The liquid slid down her throat and she willed for the effects to quickly set in and calm her heart.

It was ten when the party ended and after all the parting hugs and handshakes with other guests, Brenda was relieved to be inside the car. Alan sat beside her, a stack of files out of nowhere between them but she could feel a change in the relationship now and wondered if things would go back to normal. They weren't lovers or even friends but she felt like a traitor harboring romantic feelings for another man who happened to be his friend. The air conditioning was on, creating an intensely cool, almost cold air in the car which increased her discomfort. How had she attended a party and there met Phillip Morris, her crush from high school? It was too impossible to be real.

“Is Mr. Morris an alumni of Kyle high school? “she found herself asking. Alan had informed her that most of the attendees were alumni of the school like he was, though some of them who had come were all from his cohort year.

“No. He's actually a patron of some sort to the school. He has family members from here but he never attended the school. We share a big circle of mutual friends and he's very influential in Congress,” he replied.

Family members! Brenda was hit hard with that knowledge. Back in Portland, she knew Morris came from money like most of the other students and yet somehow he had a special knack for keeping it very modest too. His parents were rumoured to have genetic ties to the business tycoon, Mr. Lance Smith who had made his money in the fashion industry.

“I hope you enjoyed the party even though it was at some inconvenience to you?” he asked lightly.

She had the impression that he was testing her reaction to his circle of high society. “No. Not at all. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I met many new people in business, industry and the arts. And the opportunity to meet my high school crush,” she warmly smiled.

"Mr. Morris seemed to have taken a liking to you.” Brenda visibly blanched at his words. Was he a mind reader of some sort? She half turned with her face to the window to hide her blush.

“I am afraid I didn’t see that. And I highly doubt he would think of poaching his friend’s valuable employee for himself.” The car came to a stop at the lodge gates and cruised through, before stopping at the entrance. Alan smirked and gathered the files beside him.

“Miss. Jackson, I wasn’t talking about a professional relationship. I meant a romantic one. And if I know Philip very well he is on the hunt.” He opened the door and stepped out, pausing only to say a curt good night to her.

When she got into her suite, her mind was in a state of disarray and turmoil. Was this how women in times past fell ill because of love and could it be happening to her? Changing into her night clothes she sank into pleasant dreams of Philip and her waltzing across a beautifully decorated ballroom.

Early the next morning Brenda set to work on the project Alan had given her. The Alan project was to help communities rely on more environmental technology at home and work. She went through the details on the file with a cup of coffee beside her.

Three hours later she was ready to show him the results of her work and walked across to his room to knock on his door. His muted reply invited her in and she found herself in an extension suit which was more lavish than hers. Alan sat by the dining chair, talking to someone who was shrouded in the inner recess of the room. He regarded her with a small smile when she greeted him and turned his attention back to the other guest.

She walked briskly to Alan, placed the file in front of him and was about to turn and sit on a chair beside him when a shadow moved in the corner of her eye. She paused midway, blinking severally before regaining her composure and turned fully to see the person who had intruded her mind since yesterday.

"Mr. Morris, good morning to you,” she smiled tightly, desperate to remove the excitement in her voice.

“Good morning, Ms. Jackson. It’s good to see you looking nice this morning,” he smiled with perfectly white teeth. She only smiled and Alan directed that she send the reports via email to Brian Anderson, a former business partner and who was deeply invested in the project.

Brenda felt her face flush and briskly turned to Alan. “Yes sir. I'll remember to do that.” She made to leave the room when she heard, " Miss Jackson, I hope we meet again soon.” She stopped briefly in her tracks and gave him a tight smile and left the room, resisting the urge to eavesdrop.

The week passed away in a fury of activities that saw her making another visit to the project and writing more reports. Thankfully, Alan didn’t request for her presence in some of his meetings which left her with enough time to get in touch with and provide feedback on what was happening at the office.

They talked and chatted about work and all and even when ventured into relationship potentials she quickly cut it off. She knew her relationship with Alan was strictly platonic, professional and cordial but she always had a sense of disappointment that he never saw her feminine side.

For the sake of adventure, she would give anything to explore a relationship with Philip despite Alan’s warning. In a flash, the week ended with them catching the red eye on Sunday evening back in Seattle. The projects were progressing steadily and thankfully she didn't run into Phillip again to save herself embarrassment.

Tuesday evening, Brenda arrived home late from work and went through her voicemail and contacts, responding to those of prime importance. In the end, her mother's voice cut through the silence of the room, asking her to join the family for a club dinner on Friday evening.

The Scholastic literary club founded some thirty years ago was made up of men and women who have similar interests in literature and the arts. Her mother being the secretary made her by default a member, albeit unofficially. She typed back a message, insisting that she would get back to her.

Two hours later, she phoned home. No, she couldn’t come, she had a night out on Friday night, and the reading club meeting to attend online.

"You won't have to spend the whole time here, my darling,” her mother insisted. She was obviously looking for something to make her visit home again. And with her mother’s excellent persuasion skills, Brenda found herself agreeing.

Brenda checked and examined her red satin dress in the mirror. The knee-length outfit hugged her slender waist and wide hips in a colourful but muted style that went with the dress code for the occasion and was great for her girls’ night out at Moon dance club.

Her mother's living room was full of people, with most dressed in formal-casual style and a few going over the top. She spied her mother standing with a group of other patrons and club she was acquainted with, including Mr. Morris who apparently was done with the greetings. She wanted to bolt for the door before anyone recognized her but her mother caught her eye, beckoning for her to come over. Slowly, she made her way over suppressing the sharp tingles that coursed through her body as she inhaled Phillip’s heady scent of maleness mixed with sensuality. She sneaked a peak at his retreating back, watching the ease of his limbs in a highly sensual appealing way.

She exchanged pleasantries around with her mother’s friends and acquaintances. Among them was Mr. Andersen, her mother’s godfather who happened to be very much like the father figure she lost as a child. A quick catch-up and later she found herself at the bar for a soda drink.

“Miss. Jackson, it's good to see you.” It was Phillip. She had perceived his scent a while earlier but apparently, he wanted to sneak up on her with her back turned toward the rest of the room. He extended his hand in greeting which she reciprocated with a handshake.

Thankfully, he hadn't given any indication that they had met before. And against her better judgment, she picked up her glass and excused herself. He only grabbed her arm before she could get away from him, the action stealing her breath at the close proximity between them. "Are you a stalker or what? First, we meet in Portland and now you are here.” She snapped.

“Why don't we go outside for a little chat.”

“Actually, I only dropped by to say hello. I have a date with my girlfriends for this evening.” she returned sharply. But he wasn’t fazed by her reply.

“That makes two of us. I came because of my aunt but I'm more than ready to go. She knows your mother very well. And the least I can do is drop you off where you want to go,”

“I came here for some business with my mother,” she insisted. “I would appreciate it if we kept some boundaries, as we might hardly know each other,” she said.

“Oh good. That means you wouldn't appreciate running into me anytime soon. So, if you would?” he gestured to the door.

She looked at him all imposing and tall and knew he was a man who knew how to get what he wanted. Maybe even getting a woman into bed after the first date. She glanced at her mother who was occupied with another group of guests. She had to make her getaway now or it could be never for her she thought, gulping down her drink and setting the glass aside.

They walked out into the night and entered the bright red Porshe car after bidding their farewells. She gave him the directions to the club, Exuberance. All along she was highly conscious of his movements with so much ease and practice.

“So what brings you to Seattle? " she asked glancing at him as he drove.

“I have business interests in both cities,” he replied, his eyes briefly fixed on her.

“Which can easily manage in Portland.”

They came to a stop in front of the club. Around the parking lot, a lot of people, all wearing bright party outfits, came out of various cars. Some of them are clearly couples.

“It seems like a couples club to me than singles,” he commented wryly.

"It's open to both. You can come in if you want to.”

“No. I think I will pass. I'm not sure what to expect from a single lady who obviously likes to go clubbing.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” she eyed him.

“If you had a significant other, I doubt you would be here with me having that debate,” he explained.

“You are so impossible. And just so you know, I do have a life outside of this and work and I'm perfectly happy with it.” She got out and slammed the door hard, walking off to the club entrance where she saw her friends huddled together, ready with questions.

“Who was the guy that dropped you off? " Sally asked.

“Oh, any annoying human specimen I just ran into at a party,” she said. She didn’t want to go into details at all. Before her friends could question her further, Brenda, walked inside and over to the bar to order a shot of brandy which she downed quickly. A shocked look passed between her friends but she urged them onto the dance floor, half dragging them.

Brenda danced, unrestrained, her long brown hair swinging wildly with her movements. Somewhere into the evening, she took three more shots, became restless on the dance floor and much later someone was holding her waist, pulling her close to their body and whispering into her ear. In a fit of anger and surprise, she pushed against the foreign hands with a struggle and screams. Somehow, her friends reached her and got her out of there and back into the car where upset she began to cry.

Brenda hurriedly covered her eyes against the sunlight streaming into the room through the curtains. She groaned as she checked her time, it was right. Which means she had slept for more than nine solid hours. Hazy events of last night rushed through her brain as to why she felt confused.

“Finally, she is awake.” Alicia's voice sounded in the room, Sally and Claire sat together on a sofa.

“What’s up with you? Since, your visit to Portland you have been acting strange,” Sally observed.

“Look, I feel good. It’s just stress at work.” The brief exchange of glances among the ladies told her they didn't believe her. Desperate to remove attention, she mentioned having to pick up some things from the stores.

“You know what? I also need to get some things for myself, so we can go together, " Alicia informed her. Brenda's heart fell at that statement. She didn't wasn't someone around her when all she wanted to do was think.

Brenda and Alicia went through the store, picking items they needed off shelves and bickering about another blind date set up for Brenda. She was tired and bored of seeing the same type of man on every single date and definitely wasn't excited to have a repeat of her last date. None of the men so far possessed the irresistible hard features that she knew of Philip or the high intellectual prowess he had, much less the number of digits he had in his bank account as a multi-millionaire. She bit her lips remembering his touch on hers yesterday at her mother's place and the amber-coloured bored deeply into hers like he could see into her soul, her innermost desire to be his woman. Yes, and ravished with his possessive arms around her waist and lips on hers.

“Brenda,” Alicia's hand waved so near across her face, she instinctively blinked. "You were lost a while ago. Penny for your thoughts.”

“No. I… was thinking about organizing your stag party so that it would be the scandal of the year when you get to walk down the aisle. And maybe switching your groom for a…. robotic..” Brenda paused mid-sentence, her breath catching as she caught the sight of Philip walking into the mall. The bright sunlight from the entrance formed the illusion of a halo around him that took her breath away. Alicia followed her gaze to see a guy who could pass for an Olympian god in grey slacks and a white tee shirt that fitted over his muscular body.

“He's so handsome!” Alicia whispered.

I know.

Philip approached them, a smile etched on his face as he greeted them, his eyes fixed on Brenda. Alicia quickly composed herself and glanced at Brenda. In a flash, she recovered and blushed deeply in embarrassment.

“Hi, Brenda. Already done with your shopping?” Philip’s voice cut through her daze.

“Yeah, you are right. Just about to head home now. How are you?” she said casually, restraining the sudden interest that was noticeable in her tone.

“I'm ok and pleased that I got to see you again. I do have some things to get myself so I will leave you to it. And Brenda..,” She froze in her tracks at hearing the sound of her name on his lips. “Could we have dinner tonight? It's just to apologize for the bad evening yesterday, nothing more.”

She mutely nodded and pushed the shopping cart forward to the check-out counter. Alicia followed visibly struggling to contain her surprise and questions. The two friends hurried over to the checkout counter with Alicia grinning and casting furtive looks at Philip's receding figure along the aisles. As they removed the shopping bags to take them inside Brenda warned Alicia, "Don’t tell anyone about what happened in the mall.” Alicia was about to protest but Brenda’s hand stopped her. She pouted her lips in obvious disagreement, and just then Mrs. Jackson's voice was heard singing somewhere in the house. “And definitely not to my mother,” she added.

“Scared she will fleece the facts out of you,” Alicia joked.

“No. I'm scared she will become more hysterical about me.”

When they entered the house, their friends Sally and Claire were arranging up some flowers and paintings. A while later the doorbell rang and went to Brenda answer it. When she came back, in her arms was a huge bunch of flowers. Flowers. She didn't remember anyone of recently giving her a huge bunch of flowers, much less multi-variety.

“What does the note say?” Claire asked, urging Brenda to read the letter embedded among the flowers.

This a short note to apologize for making your night terrible. I didn't have a clue which was your favorite flower so I picked these with a combined special meaning. If I have been forgiven, I hope you will accept my invitation for a dinner date tomorrow evening at eight.

P.

“P?” her mother asked, her bow raised. "Who's P?”

Alicia suppressed a giggle which earned her a hard glare from Brenda. “I suppose it's from some secret admirer,” she suggested simply.

“How do you explain the dinner date thing or yesterday when you were all in an emotional mess?” Sally said, her eyes boring into Brenda’s.

“Oh. I think I remember. Isn't P Mr. Philip? The one you said you met at the gala party in Seattle,” Claire suggested.

"You don't say,” Mrs. Jackson started in pure disbelief. In an instant her attention was drawn away from the flowers in her hands she had been twisting into a garland to her daughter. “You didn't mention seeing a special fellow in Seattle,” she accused.

Keen on deflecting the attention, Brenda admitted to having met a few men in Seattle during a work dinner. She couldn't be sure which of them had sent her the gift. So curious minds had to wait till Sunday evening for their answers.

Sunday at seven, Brenda was dressed in a flowing yellow and white dress, her back in a low cut and silver-coloured heels.

“My baby looks gorgeous. Turn around. You have fit it just perfectly.” Sally praised her work on her styling and Brenda was grateful to have a proficient stylist at hand. A look in the mirror confirmed her friends’ praises. Her dark brown hair was curled up into a loose hairdo with a bun on top and matching silver beads of earrings.

Thirty minutes later, a sleek black Cadillac stopped outside her house. Philip stood outside, clad in black trousers and a jacket with a light yellow shirt. He held out his hand which she took, noting the shiver that slid down her spine and legs.

“You look more than dazzling, I must say,” he complimented as she stepped up beside him. They were so close that their scents freely mingled creating an air of tension and unease. Brenda noted his deep brown eyes that were temptingly sexy. With careful restraint, she cast an appreciative look at him

“You look good yourself. But I wasn’t expecting the outing to be a causal affair," she remarked.

“That’s because you see everything through the eyes of civility and formality,” he argued. She wasn't about to correct him because with his body so close to her she found it difficult to think straight.

Their rendezvous was a refurbished old building that had been converted into a popular posh diner, The Delicious Centre. They found a table and went through the menu, fried sweet potatoes, roast sesame chicken, stir-fried vegetables with grilled sausage, baked bananas in cream sauce and a bottle of white wine

“I am surprised you honoured the invitation,” he said pouring out glasses of water for them.

“Does it seem I had much of a choice? You saw my mother and friends nicely camped on my front porch just to catch a glimpse of you.” He watched as she took a drink, the water moving past her lips and down her throat.

“I am sure you are wondering why I asked you out? ”. Her eyes widened as she looked at him, her pink lips full and luscious.”

“I think we don't need to set anything straight from our meeting." She insisted with her mouth but her mind was working a different answer.

“Well, I believe that for us to get to know each other we have to say some things about ourselves, don't you agree?”

Gosh, he was a dream for any sane lady. “We are clearly out of each other's class. And I presume you are involved with many women to have time for someone like me,” she argued.

Her mouth fell open when he informed her he was very much single and searching. His last relationship ended nine months ago and his marriage before that to Valerie Simpson six years ago.

“As you can see, I am very much unspoken for,” he finished. He was looking for a relationship he told her when she asked him what he was looking for. A stable one.

“And if I say no,” she inquired.

“We go our separate ways. No hard feelings attached.”

Another sip of water. "I will give you my answer later tonight,” she said when the waiter brought their meals.

Phillip repeatedly insisted she responds to his question right then but she adamantly refused, her stubbornness a strange turn-on for him. Many ladies had gone all crazy when he expressed or hinted at starting a relationship with them. But Brenda was different, she was free but in a guarded way that made it seem like she had a hidden treasured deep inside of her soul. And that treasure Philip was determined to discover and dig out.