The Love Game

CH.16 From High to Low

Chapter 16 From High to Low

Rachel P.O.V.

I cannot believe that My life has turned bright side up. My kids are happy and thriving, my company is growing, my secrets have been kept, and now I have a fiancé and son. If you would have asked me a year ago how I thought my life would be at this moment, I would not picture this. But it happened and I am over the moon happy. We have been engaged for two months now, still not ready to set a date. We did celebrate our engagement by taking the family on a vacation to Disney World in Florida. It helped that the kids were on spring break so we could have an entire week to ourselves. That trip brought the six of us together. Now back home we all act like a team. Zander and I are still hammering out the details of our living situation, it had become harder for us to sleep without each other in bed. But we continue to take things slow for our sake as well as the kids sake.

Meanwhile, Cat was doing very well at the flower shop. Sales have increased substantially and now we are looking for a second location. The current shop will specialize in daily small purchases, and the smaller events, while the second location will be more industrialized to be able to handle the bigger events like weddings and conferences. This has been a dream come true for Cat and me since we left our old jobs in San Diego. Conner now is basically my right-hand man in the holdings company. Every weekday morning, we brief each other on the status of things. My informants have been telling us that many business tycoons are determined to know the identity of RJ Holdings CEO. Even though Conner and I attend all the important meetings together introducing ourselves as the CFO and strategic advisor, and our job was to screen these meeting. Few have been rude enough and wished only to speak with the CEO. It was becoming harder and harder to keep my identity a secret. I knew that once my identity was revealed then I would but hunted like prey for my status and money. Part of me wished that I was already married to Zander so I would not have the play the dating game once exposed.

“Hello?” I answer my cell quickly.

“Hey my lovely fiancé! How about a late coffee break? I need an excuse to see you since we won’t see each other tonight.” Zander said and you could almost hear him make a pouty face.

“Sounds great! Same spot in ten minutes?” I look at my clock hanging in my office.

“Yes, see you there!”

I tidy up my things and grab my purse. “I’ll be back in an hour Beatrice.” I smile at her and walk towards the elevator. In not time I was at the coffee shop waiting in line to place my order. I didn’t see Zander anywhere so I figure that I would at least get our order in while I wait. Suddenly I feel two big arms wrap around my waist and pick my up from behind. I let out a small playful scream. I turn and see the love of my life. He leans in to give me a quick kiss on my lips.

“Hello my beautiful fiancé” he said caressing my face.

“Hello my love” I say with a huge grin on my face. I love how his presence instantly lights up the room. We wait to get to the counter and finally get our coffees and sit at a table.

“So how’s everything at work?” I ask starting our conversation.

“Not to good. To be honest I might have to work late the next couple of days.” He sighs and leans back on his chair and runs his fingers through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” I was concerned.

“We have just been informed that one of our resorts collapsed in its final days of construction. We don’t know yet if its salvageable.” He pauses. “And according to the city we did not have one of our permits approved to even open its doors. Its basically a disaster. Nathan is on top of the numbers. But it looks like if we cannot get the government contract on our latest gadget then we won’t be able to cover the losses from the damaged resort. And the last thing I need is for our stocks to drop.” He rubbed his hand over his face to try to alleviate some of the tension he had. I sit closer to him and engulf him in a hug and kiss his cheek.

“Hey, everything is going to be ok. Watch you’ll get that government contract and all will be right with the world again.” I give him my most innocent smile. He looks at me and starts to chuckle.

“I can’t resist that face.” He takes a deep breath. “I love you.”

“I love you more. When is this demonstration going to take place?” I ask

“I believe in four months.”

“Well there is still enough time to find other possibilities to cover your losses.”

“I guess, nut enough about me how about you?”

“Cat and I finally found the perfect space for our second floral shop location. And I have invested in a couple of clubs and bars. Thus increasing my business portfolio. I may be a little busier than usual. You know how I like to be hands on when I invest into something new.”

“That sounds amazing darling. I am so proud of you. Sometimes I can’t believe you could do all this corporate stuff and be a great mom at the same time. Your definitely incredibly special.” He says and winks at me.

“Well I have help you know. Cat and Conner are my power team, and I have Beatrice who is the best PA I could ever ask for. All three of them life savers.”

“Hey I have been meaning to ask, are you close to the CEO at RJ Holdings. I know you only work there a few hours a week, but considering your advisory position you must know who it is.” Zander asked

“Um yes I do. Conner and I do. But we are bound by a confidentiality agreement. I can’t even tell you that persons gender.” I lie to him. I was trying really hard to hide my shocked expression. I did not think that Zander would be interested in this. I had to play it cool. I was not ready to reveal myself.  

“Well could you possibly schedule for us to meet? I would very much like to meet he/she.”

“I will do my best, but the CEO is stubborn and likes his/her privacy.”

“I wonder how he/she manage to conceal their identity for so long. I have some of the best informants and even they can’t find a clue. I was beginning to think that the CEO was a ghost.”

“Honestly… it’s a long story that involves severe trust issues. That is why Conner and I screen all the CEO’s meetings. We analyze and evaluate the proposals and send our reports to the CEO for finalization.”

“So if I gave you a proposal you would be able to give it to your CEO?”

“Yes, but it would have to be reviewed by Conner too.”

“I see.” He just nodded his head. We finish our coffee’s and kiss each other goodbye. The minute I get back to my office I ask Beatrice to call Conner over.

“Ok I am assuming there is something important you have to discuss.” Conner comes in

“Very, I need you to start buying up as much stock as you can from Black Enterprises. Their stock has dropped slightly today. And if our suspicions were right the prices are going to slowly keep dropping for the next four months. I am going to call Tony and give me the details of this demonstration that will curb the odds.”

“Dam were did you get all this information? I haven’t heard anything from our other informants.”

“Zander was having a stressful day and vented.” I words were laced with worry.

“Ok then I will get right on it.” Conner said as he made his way back into his office. I go over and pull out my burner phone hidden in one of my office walls.

“Rachel! What seems to be the problem?”

“Tony I need to know everything about this government contract project at Black Enterprises. Apparently, there is a demonstration being held in four months.”

“As you wish” and we hang up. After putting my burner phone away, I take my office phone and make a few calls. I must start moving the pieces of my plan in place.