Her Conquest

1. The Wedding

Light ballroom music drums on as Laura quietly slips out to the front balcony of the Oak Alley Plantation. Champagne flute in one hand, and her painful high heels in the other, she leans on the railing watching the fog roll in across lawn. The warm Spring night makes her feel content for the first time in weeks. A light breeze brushes through the Spanish moss as Laura breathes out a sigh of relief. Her best friend was dead set on having a Spring wedding and would not settle for less, and even more so to have Laura her Maid of Honor. Laura could not refuse her friend as they have known each other since kindergarten. They have planned their respective would be dream weddings since they were old enough to know of fairy tales. Grant it, Heather Underwood would have to settle for the plantation home not far from the city, to which the girls live in currently, rather than Westminster Abbey to none other that of Prince William. HRH would have to wait now that her friend found her happily ever after with Daniel Johnson.

As the reception carries on, Laura finds herself in deep thought over all that has transpired these past few weeks. The formal announcement of her father’s company partnering with CMI had made it to the media outlets and everyone has been talking about it. She couldn’t escape from it as much as she’d tried. Her employees in her division were worried that they were losing their jobs. She did everything she could to ensure that her staff had a home with her father’s portion of the company. They need not fear, for the unemployment line would just have to wait another day. Tomorrow is the first meeting of all the big wigs, so to speak, since the merger. Laura was nervous for what the day would hold. The head of CMI’s public relations division, Nick Baker, had the reputation for being a self-righteous jerk, but the man knew his way around the media outlets. She gave him that, and that’s all he would get until she met the man to form her own opinion of him. She was also on edge about her new boss. Knowing next to nothing about the man other than he came out of nowhere in the marketing world to make an empire that rivals her father’s. When his company is in Forbes top 15 most successful companies it can only translate into that the man knows his stuff.

Laura hears the door open behind her and she glances over her shoulder to see her dear friend walking up to her. “There you are, Chicka!” Oh boy, she’s had one too many glasses Laura thought as she reaches out to pull her in for a hug. “Laura hon’, why you out here all by yourself? Come back inside and enjoy the party! It’s my freaking wedding day!” Finishing the rest of her champagne, she lays the flute on the railing as she leans down to slip back into her torture devices. “I just needed a bit of fresh air was all. I’ll walk back in with you and get you a plate. You definitely need the sustenance, girl!” “Pfft! I’m great! What we need to do is get you with Daniel’s friend, Matt. Whew! What a looker!”, as Heather fans herself off exaggerating the compliment. “I hate seeing you all alone, Laura. When are you gonna let loose and let a man into your life. Remember our kids are supposed to grow up together and be best friends. You’re ruining the plan, girl!” Laura hooks Heather’s arm through hers as they head back inside to the reception. “I will one day when I’m not so busy all the time. You know work has me constantly busy, and now with Daddy ‘retiring’ I can’t let his side of the company fail. It would break his heart.” Heather stops and turns her friend to face her with both hands on Laura’s shoulders, “Now you listen to me hon’, your Daddy would be spit fire mad if you sacrificed your chance at happiness all for the sake of the company. He wants you to be happy and healthy. That’s all he’s ever wanted, or needed, and you know that so quit making excuses.” “But—” “No buts missy! You know I’m right!” Letting go of Laura she hooks her arm back in pulling an apprehensive Laura beside her heading towards the group of groomsmen. “No! Heather, please I don’t want to meet Matt or any of the other guys!” she says in a whispered tone. “It’s for your own good. Live a little Laura—Hey Guys!” they arrive to the handsome group of young men.

The men turn to the two women with vibrant smiles across their faces. “Hey beautiful.” The taller of the three, Daniel, leans in to kiss his bride on the cheek. “Laura, have you met Matt and Scott? These are Daniel’s friends that have known each other since high school.” Laura gives the two gentlemen a friendly wave and feels a sudden wave of anxiety rush over her. “Nice to meet you, Laura,” the blonde-haired gentleman extends his hand for her to take. “I’m Matt and this big guy here is Scott,” as he points to the gentleman with sable hair and bright blue eyes on his left. “Good Evening, Miss.” Laura internally curses her friend, shaking their offered hands, and gives her a knowing look as Heather gives her a smirk. “Daniel, would you be an absolute sweetheart and help your wife fix a plate. This darn dress doesn’t make it easy to move around in,” Heather loops her arm through Daniel’s pulling him away from the group of friends towards the buffet table. “Sure, Mrs. Johnson.” He gives her a light peck on the lips. “Thank you, Mr. Johnson,” Heather replies through her radiant smile. “Bye guys! See ya, Laura!” She waves to the group over her shoulder and is gone in an instant before Laura can object to being left alone with the gentlemen.

She turns back to the two unknowing men with kind smiles, “So, you two have known Daniel since high school?” Laura’s palms dampen from her nerves. She hates being thrown into awkward situations, especially ones orchestrated by her friend protruding into her love life. “Yes Ma’am,” Matt answers respectfully, “we had a blast in our high school days. Scott and Danny boy were the good ones while they were always bailing me out, be it from parties our parents didn’t know about, to bad dates...” Scott rolls his eyes, “You see ma’am, Matt here thinks he’s a ladies man when really all the poor lady is thinking ‘Please, get him away from me’.” “Hey, I can’t help the fact that you do not have one ounce of game dude,” as Matt slaps Scott’s shoulder playfully. I must remember to kill Heather when she gets back from the Bahamas, Laura thought to herself. “Well gentlemen, far be it from me to keep you from the next challenge. If you’ll excuse me, I will leave you to it.” Matt gently grabs Laura by the wrist bringing her hand up to his lips, “Challenge accepted, darlin’. Would you care to dance?” I’m going to kill her, resurrect her, then kill her again, Laura thought to herself with immense aggravation.

"Oh, there you are darling," a husky voice appears from behind her. She turns and is met with the most alluring grey eyes coupled with sharp features, a stuble is graciously splayed across his chin, with midnight colored hair. She gives him a questioning look as he reaches for the hand currently being held by Matt, relieving him of the delicate member placing it within his grasp. He leans into Laura's ear and gently whispers, "Just follow my lead." The closeness sends a delicious shiver down her spine. One that she hasn't felt for quite some time. "I've been looking for you everywhere sorry I'm late. My meeting was held over," he looks to the two gentlemen that are currently giving them both a glare exuding annoyance of the highest caliber. She looks up into his grey eyes with hesitation and replies with apprehension in her tone, "That’s alright babe. Just glad you made it?" Still wondering who this intriguing man is standing before her. She swears to herself that she has met him before. "Well, I believe I promised you a dance, my dear. Shall we?", he gestures towards the dance floor. "Gentlemen, thank you for keeping my date company in my absence." He takes Laura's arm threading it though his, leading her away towards the dance floor.

Walking away from the two men, Laura peeks up at her knight in shining armor studying his face. Where do I know him from? she wondered. Laura can't help but bask in the warmth coming off this intriguing man beside her as her turns her to face him. Placing his hand around her waist while her hand gently rests in his other, he starts to sway them around the dance floor. She looks up to him, her nerves getting the best of her trying to find the words to thank him for the save. "I'm Laura by the way." He looks into her green eyes clearly amused with her introduction. "Thanks for the save back there." She looks over his shoulder to see the bride giving her an appreciative thumbs up on the catch. Laura flips her a universal greeting and Heather busts out laughing reciprocating said greeting back to her. "It was no problem," the mysterious man replies, "when I saw you across the room with that 'deer in headlights' look I felt compelled to save you from that douche. He's been hitting on everything of the opposite s*x since I've arrived. I couldn't bear the thought a beautiful woman like you to fall victim to that boy who doesn't have the first clue how to treat a woman." My God, who is this man? "You look familiar? Have we met?", Laura questions him, "I feel as if we've met before, but I'm sure you probably get that a lot." He chuckles lightly at her nervousness, "Well actually--" "Alright Ladies and Gentlemen can I get the Maid of Honor and Best Man up to the stage for the toasts!", the DJ announces across the speakers. "Well, that's my que," Laura gives an exasperated sigh, "Thanks for the save...and for the dance, Mr.--?" "Please," he holds a large hand up to stop her, "my friends call me Chase." Laura gives him a small smile and is hesitant to leave his embrace. Damn he feels so good she thought, reveling the comfort of his grasp on her. "See you around, Chase," as she stands on her tip toes brushing a light peck on his cheek slowly inching out of his hold making her way towards the stage. Wow! is all she could manage to think as a blush makes its way to her cheeks. She hopes to definitely cross his path again one day. He stirred feelings within her she had long forgotten about and now that she's had a taste she wanted the whole damn entrée.