Valendrial, Into the Fade

Chapter One

Shutting my eyes against the sunshine, I make my way to the coffee maker in the kitchen. Smelling the bitter-sweet fumes from the automatic brewer brought my sleep-fogged brain to awareness. I’d have to get my butt moving today, Father had a big meeting with a new conglomerate, and notes on the presentation were lying on my desk at the office. I finalized the proofreads for some new clients, and producing the desired tech results was nerve-racking. Showering, moisturizing, a suit, and BEHOLD! On the subway commute, I was outside the door in good old New York City. The smooth rumble of the tracks beneath me and the low energy hum lulled me on the way to work, so my mind wondered about that man’s shadowy image that kept nagging me a little. I guess I enjoyed the dream. Those hands…. That mouth. Though stepping off the tracks, I feel a prick to my upper arm as a jacketed individual rushes past me; I check my arm, but there’s nothing beneath my black blazer. Shrugging it off, I keep moving.

My stepmother greets me instantly when I arrive at work with a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Good, you’re here! Your father is having kittens. You can go ahead and prepare the report upstairs. I went ahead, set out the files, and sent the refreshments for the meeting. Oh, and breakfast for you. Don’t argue you’re as thin as a soap bubble!”

Cathy, my stepmother, approached my desk, wielding her mighty tablet and a mountain of files. Cathy was slim and dressed in a skirt and frilly blouse, her hair neat and high, looking lovely for a woman near her 60s, not that her age showed, mind you. Unlike my long hair rolled up in a high and tight business bun and black suit, she was well suited for greetings and people. I dressed as planned in a black pencil skirt, a simple blouse, and a blazer. How fitting. They look at the screens and numbers, not you.

Smiling at her knowingly and shaking my head, I felt for her as my dad’s assistant. He could be hard to keep up with, “Yes, ma’am, I love you too. Are you sure you got all that?” I nod toward her stack of work.

“These? Oh, I’m okay, dear. I’ll upload it to my PA and let you know if I need anything. "

“Okay, Mom. See you in a bit then. Wish me luck!” I headed upstairs, work in hand.

I take a quick drink of coffee, set the room lighting, and begin setting up the terminal along with my notes. I hear the door open, but expecting my dad, I finish my setup and greet him with a warning: “Would it kill you to give Cathy a break? You know she’d overwork herself for you and get sick. I know we’re busy, but I’m here too. Depend on me more; that’s what I’m here for.”

“Duly noted.” A voice rich with tenor and subtle baritone notes answered back.

Stunned, I turned to the familiar sound of his voice, which sent shivers up my spine and prickled awareness along the hairs on the back of my neck. But at that moment, my face and brain refused to cooperate; I went blank.

Finally, my mouth caught up enough for a simple thought, “I am so sorry! I’m Nimarea Lars, admin to Mr. Lars.” I managed a polite head bow with what I hoped was a gentle smile and not tense, “You must be here from the Envole company; please make yourself comfortable. Mr. Lars will be here soon. Is there anything I can get for you?”

“No, ma’am. I think I am all set now”. The man was set with broad shoulders and a lithe waist. He sauntered around the vast, elongated office table to stand near the last open window. Right next to my half-eaten breakfast on the small desk in the corner. He leans his hip on the tabletop and gazes down to the street below, content to watch the world go by. I just seemed to want to watch him, watch them. But, ultimately, I shake my head out of the useless wondering.

Mr. High and Mighty Hip is on My Desk!

His hair looks soft and vivid in color; his face is at a perfect angle, and there seems to be a smile just about to appear on his lips…Despite his intimidating stature, he almost looks soft and vulnerable. Approachable… I am still staring! He turns his head to me, meeting me with eyes of darkened coal, and the smile I see there is knowing and full of mirth.

I feel my cheeks heat up, and my face gets hot. I spin around to finish and sit, fighting not to gaze at the man. Become indifferent. What was I, a monk? It seems only necessary that my eyes should want to follow the one living thing in the room. However, I wish he’d look at me again. His eyes are just like my dream, de ja vous, maybe? Like framed crystals of black onyx and just as glossy, unlike my own, which appeared black at first glance, it was just a deep brown.

I regained composure when, finally, the man moved from the window, casting his golden locks and dark eyes in shadow, his pale face turning in my direction. In my peripheral, I see the man walk my way and head to the chair in front of me. As he sits down, I look at him with a small apologetic smile, “These first four chairs are reserved for administrators and CEOs; other employees can sit toward the back.”

Expecting him to give me my soul back and step away, he sinks further into the chair. “Okay, thank you, Miss? Lars, was it? " I try not to squeeze my eyes shut against embarrassment when his clear and expressive eyes dart up from the table to mine.

“Yes. I’m sorry. You are the CEO of Envole Corporation. I didn’t mean to disrespect you and forget my manners. I am not normally this empty-headed.” In my defense, I had been working with this company remotely through correspondence. I’d never seen any of their faces!

Pulling my hand off my chair’s armrest, I offer him a handshake. His fingers are smooth and coil around mine softly and firmly. The small skin ship makes the butterflies flip in my stomach, and my breath hitches; I try to hide my reaction. He pulls back his hand, and I am hyper-aware of his palm sliding against mine.

He is way more relaxed than I am. He says, “There’s nothing to apologize for. I appreciate you considering my company’s interest. I feel this will be a successful and long relationship.” He smiled again. “Please, call me Valendrial.” He leans back in his chair; his fingers on the table are long, elegant, and well-manicured. He casts impossibly black eyes on me, “It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Miss Lars.”

The doors opened, and Pops and his board members, followed by Valendrial’s men and women of Envole Corp, entered the room in a swarm. As they exchange greetings, Valendrial Envole gets caught in a conversation with my father, and the meeting begins. Computers clicked away amid my presentation, and I only felt like dying initially, but after years of busting my butt to make it, autopilot took over. By the end, everyone nodded in approval, shared notes, and made plans. My father’s tall, stocky frame sits back in his chair, confident and ready. I smiled slightly at him, looking prideful at the old master in his natural habitat.

Valendrial stippled his fingertips thoughtfully yet not tense. “Good, great. This will be sent to development and research first, however.” He looks at my father, next to me. “I have a few more proposals I’d like to send your way now that the preliminary is over. How about dinner, sir? My place?”

Father could never turn down more opportunities to haggle and work, “No, you are our client! My treat. Let my people set up where and when, and we’ll celebrate new beginnings and success.” Dad slaps his hand on the table, laughing, and shakes Valendrial’s hand.

Father rises, and so does the rest of the teams, now clicking and buzzing away with work. I reach for my papers and feel a light hand on my forearm. “You will be there too, of course?”

Blushing a bit and drawing back from his warm palm, I straightened the papers to my hip and my other hand at my side, confident and dignified. He may be handsome, but I’ve been here before.

“If a business is involved, yes, of course. I am Mr. Lars's Chief Executive officer and administrative assistant.”

Valendrial smiles broadly. I smile and shake his offered hand, “Till then, I suppose, and thank you. Great job on the presentation!” He brushes my shoulder as I turn around, watching him leave. Sinking back in my chair, I realized how exhausting his energy was! And it was only 10 a.m.!