Her Conquest

6. Word of Caution

“SHUT UP! For real?!?”, Laura’s friend Heather screams at her on the phone, “I can’t believe you two went on a date. I mean like, I knew he has definitely changed, but damn.” Laura can imagine her friend fanning herself like the debutant she is. “I know. He has for sure taken me by surprise. A very pleasant surprise might I emphasize,” Laura tells Heather, “I just wonder how it will all be around each other at work you know?” “Girl, I am so happy for you. You need to step out of your comfort zone. Live a little like I told you to do at the wedding. You deserve to be happy.” Laura looks up in her rearview mirror watching the employees walk in, “Well, here goes nothing. I had better head inside. Don’t want to be late for my first official day of work.” “You’re thinking about this all wrong, Chicka. Let your boss ‘punish’ you,” as she lets out a boisterous laugh. “Always in the gutter. Later, b***h,” Laura replies ending the call. Collecting her belongings, she heads towards the looming building, her nerves starting to get the better of her.

She arrives at the bank of elevators, pressing the call button for one. As she steps in alone reaching to press her floor a hand shoots in stopping the doors from closing. Chase flashes her a wicked grin, “Good Morning, Miss Jameson.” Her face flushes and she clinches her thighs together. Get it together and stop acting like a hormonal teenager every time he smiles at you! “Mr. Marshall,” she replies with a sly grin. He steps in and air around them has intensified. “Get enough sleep last night? I hope I didn’t keep you out too late.” No, I dreamt of a grey-eyed devil all night long. “Oh, not at all. Well rested and ready for the day,” as she takes a big swig of coffee she brought with her from home. He steps closer to her and her back bumps into the elevator wall, “So you’d say you have plenty of energy then?” Oh s**t. “Mm-hmm,” her throat suddenly becoming as dry as the Sahara Desert. He studies her face, “Hmm, good.” He takes a step back eying her from head to toe as the elevator comes to a stop. The doors pop open and gestures for her to step out, “After you, Laura.” Damn that incorrigible man! “Thank you, Chase.” She heads straight for her office feeling Chase’s eyes on her as she shuts the door.

As she rounds her desk waking up the computer sitting on her desk, she sees that the I.T. department has made quick work of setting everything up for her, even including her files from her old computer at R.L. Enterprises. Thank goodness for one less thing to worry about. Her office phone rings and she can see her brother’s name on the screen, “Yes, Cole?” “Laura, it’s about time you answered my call. I’ve only been trying to reach you since yesterday. What happened after I left?” What happened? What happened was that I had one of the best nights I’ve had with the opposite s*x in a good long while. “Me and Chase went for a nice quiet dinner and caught up with each other. He has completely changed since we knew him when he lived next door.” Cole is silent on the other end. “Cole?” “Yeah I’m here,” his tone sounding serious, “Look Lou, just be careful. He was a weird dude back then. I’m sure he’s changed a lot, but if I was a betting man he may have some baggage you don’t want to have to deal with.” She moves to sit in her office chair, “And just what’s that supposed to mean? He seems nice and very outgoing. Nothing like what I remember all those years ago.” “Do you even remember what the neighbors were like? There was something off about that whole house, and they were evicted not long after he left. I’m telling you, something always never felt right about them.” Laura tries to remember the family that he lived with next door. She just assumed they were some distant relatives of his. Everyone knew that his parents both died in a crash when they were all in middle school. She figured that maybe he ran away or that he went to live with other family to explain the sudden disappearance. Her brother may be on to something though. There may be some baggage there due to the mystery behind his personal life back when she knew him, but she couldn’t ignore the feelings he stirred within her. Was it baggage she felt like she could tackle if given the chance? She wasn’t the naïve little girl she used to be. She made up her mind right then, “Well Cole I believe that’s for me find out for myself. I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself, but I appreciate the voice of concern and if I need anything I know where to find you.” Cole lets out a frustrated sigh knowing when Laura digs her heels in there’s no changing her mind. “Ok, Laura. Just promise me that you’ll be careful.” “Always. Thanks for looking out for me.” “See you in the afternoon meeting.” “See you then,” placing the phone back on the receiver.

A notification pings catching her attention, and it’s an email from the devil himself. “What do you want Mr. Marshall?” she asks herself aloud. She opens the email and begins reading:

I enjoyed dinner last night. Hopeful that you have plenty of energy for a part two? –Chase

Hitting the reply button, she begins typing her message:

And just what would be on the agenda for this evening? —Laura

She hits the send button but doesn’t have to wait long for a reply. Her computer pings:

Now where’s the fun in knowing? It’s a surprise. One that I think you’ll enjoy immensely. What do you say? –Chase

Tapping her chin to consider before typing a response. She hits the reply button to type out her message:

Well when you put it that way it’s hard for a girl to say no. –Laura

His response is instantaneous:

Brian will pick you up at your place at 7, and Laura, do wear some comfortable shoes ;) –Chase

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As Laura applies the last finishing touches, she hears the doorbell. She bounces down the hallway to open the door finding Brian there as promised. 7 p.m. sharp. “Good Evening, Laura. Ready to go?” She turns to grab her clutch and keys, “All set. He didn’t by chance tell you where we were meeting him did he?” They walk towards the car, “No ma’am, he gave me explicit instructions not to tell you this evening’s agenda,” he answered. Opening the door for her allowing her to slide in, “Just enjoy the ride and we will be there in no time.” “Please, Brian? Just one hint?” as she flashes her best puppy-dog eyes hoping to win him over. “Nope that trick won’t work on me,” he chuckles closing the door. Laura buckles up, anxious to where this mysterious date is taking place, taking her phone out to text Chase, Brian deserves a raise, he kept your itinerary a secret. He’s very loyal to you. She hits send waiting for a reply. As she gazes out the window trying to figure out where they are headed her phone gives a text notification. I only employ the best. See you soon.