Deals Between Billionaires

Chapter 3: Rows of Roses

“He is so annoying," Laurel says, carrying another bouquet of roses to her dining room table. She sets the bouquet beside two other bouquets of roses, and an edible arrangement filled with fruits and chocolates.

“He is definitely making the effort," Connie says, stuffing a chocolate-covered kiwi in her mouth. “The flavors unexpectedly go together."

“Traitor!" Laurel says, scooting the edible arrangement away from Connie. “Oh, so he is forgiven, just because he sends food?"

Connie yanks the edible arrangement back. “s**t, he might be."

Connie's response makes Laurel laugh. “Look at you," Laurel says, giggling. “He has you ruining your diet. He messes with everything he touches."

“I own one of the most prestigious yoga studios in the city. Nothing can ruin my diet," Connie pops another chocolate-covered kiwi in her mouth. “You oughta' try one before I inhale them all. Just saying."

Laurel rolls her eyes, “As long as it is from Tony, I will not."

“You sure you don't want to hear him out? Yesterday is officially in the past. I already told you about what harboring and suppressing negative feelings can do to your mental health." This time, Connie eats a piece of pineapple. “That s**t isn't worth it."

“I trusted him, Connie. I put my trust in him for eleven years. And now I feel as though he used it against me. My dream of becoming CEO of Paper Weight shattered by the one man who knew how much it meant to me. Aside from Daddy, of course." Laurel groans. “They both have humiliated me. Ay Dios, what a mess."

“No offense, but Rick I understand. His way of doing business… it always seemed sketchy and unethical to me, personally. But Tony? He has a soft spot for you. I don't think he was out to backstab you."

“But he did. And no amount of roses or food can change that."

“Did you hear from Rick at all?" Connie asks.

“He left a message." Laurel lies. “I did not want to hear from him either, so I deleted it."

“That's a surprise but hey," Connie shrugs. “Better than nothing."

Laurel invited Connie over last night after sobbing in the shower for almost an hour. Since Laurel called via her landline and not her cell, Connie figured it was an emergency. Connie hopped on her bike, left her yoga studio, and rode twenty minutes to Laurel's luxury apartment. She'd been by Laurel's side since Friday night.

It was now Saturday afternoon, and Laurel was stumped for ideas about how to spend her Saturday with Connie. After Connie turned down Laurel's idea of retail therapy, not once but twice, and Laurel turned down Connie's idea of “realigning their chakras," Laurel and Connie were at a standstill, letting boredom take over.

After finally listening to her voicemails at seven in the morning, Laurel heard one in particular that made her heart flutter and her eyes roll at the same time. A voicemail from an apologetic Tony, telling her that he'll send a bouquet every hour of today to express his regret. He already sent three, plus the edible arrangement that Connie acquainted herself with.

Connie then came up with a game to pass the time after she and Laurel rejected each other's ideas: to keep track of and organize the bouquets as they are delivered to Laurel's apartment. However, Laurel has been the only one organizing the bouquets.

Connie looks up from the half-eaten edible arrangement. “Look," she begins.

Laurel looks over from the kitchen.

“He seems really sorry," Connie says, awkwardly smiling.

“Did you speak with him? Laurel asks, walking back to the dining room. “When did you even find the time?"

“Calm down." Connie stands. “No, I didn't talk to him. But you should."

“Drop it, Connie. Please." Laurel pleads. “I just want to enjoy your time here with me. That is all I want to do today. That is all I want to think about. Not my father, not Tony, especially not Paper Weight International."

Another thirty minutes pass, and Laurel's intercom buzzes. She rolls her eyes and walks to the front door.

She holds another bouquet in her arms, a bouquet of white roses. Laurel holds them for a moment longer, becoming fond of them.

“Haven't put those down yet?" Connie asks.

“Not sure if I want to…" Laurel trails off when she sees a notecard. “There is an elegance to white roses. And it is a welcome change from all of those red ones in there." Laurel looks at Connie and says, “These belong in my bedroom."

“Want me to take them for you?" Connie offers.

“No," Laurel's expression is soft. “No, I will take them. Thank you." Laurel rubs her index finger along one of the rose petals.

Laurel shuts the door behind her once she's inside her bedroom. She sits on her bed and removes the notecard from the bouquet. Still cradling the bouquet with her left arm, she reads the note with her right. It reads, “A thousand apologies aren't enough, but I am prepared to try. Please meet me at Stokely's tomorrow at 8 P.M." Tony's signature lies at the bottom of the card.

Laurel contemplates her options. How remarkable it was that less than an hour ago, she wanted nothing more than to rid her mind of Tony and yesterday's events. But the reality is, she was signaled by an eleven-year-old code. She thought, How stupid, I cannot stay mad at him, even if I tried.

Laurel gathers her purse, sunglasses, oversized dark brown straw hat, and cherry red Manolo Blahnik's. She leaves her bedroom.

“Laurel, I love you, but I refuse to go shopping," Connie says, sitting on the couch, watching reality TV, and seemingly finishing off the last of the edible arrangement.

“You don't have to. I am going alone." Laurel picks up her landline. She dials Andrews's number.

Andrew picks up on the first ring, “Good afternoon, Miss Dominguez."

“Hi, Andrew," Laurel begins. “Are you currently doing anything? How soon can you get here?"

“Nothing, ma'am. I can pick you up in five minutes."

“Thank you. And I apologize for inconveniencing you, if I have. There has been a change of plans for this weekend. I'll see you in five minutes, and I will explain more once I am in the car."

“Yes, Miss Dominguez, I'll see you soon!"

“See you soon!" Laurel hangs up the phone and places it back on the charger.

Connie throws the empty bouquet away. “So," she drawls, “What's the occasion?"

Laurel bites her lower lip. “It appears that I have plans tomorrow night."

“Uh-huh, that's obvious, but with who?" Connie asks, smiling. She stares at Laurel, squiggling her eyebrows.

“Tony Williams," Laurel says rolling her eyes.

Connie laughs. “Yes! Am I good? Or am I good?"

“Relax Connie, this is not your influence." Laurel sighs before saying, “He needs me." She mumbles, “And I need a new dress to see him…"