I Opia

B. Jeffries

iOpia

Copyright ©
2014 by B. Jeffries

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the author.

ISBN:
978-1-312-20752-3

First Edition: May 2014

Inquiries should be addressed to:

LWP Productions, LLC

Albuquerque, NM

[email protected]

All characters in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to an actual person is not intentional.

She stood patiently at the podium
in the iOpia conference room hoping that the small group of reporters would not notice how nervous she was. She was desperately trying not to squint against the bright light of the television camera and the flashes. She was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of attention she was receiving. When the call came from the Governor’s office about the award she had been excited, but certainly did not expect it to be such a big deal.

But it was indeed a big deal for Austin, Texas. After all, Blaine Anderson was receiving the Governor’s Woman of the Year Award. She was a successful woman with many philanthropic credits. A true rags to riches story of a poor girl who made it big with the help of her childhood friend and business partner, Vincent (Vince) Marcellias. Their company iOpia, Inc. located in Austin, Texas enjoyed a great international reputation in the world of art, antiques, and rare collectibles.

The Governor’s press secretary, Ben Garcia, was in charge of moderating the press conference. The two had spent an hour before the conference making sure Blaine was ready to respond to questions. Ben had wanted to be sure that Blaine gave the Governor lots of credit for helping with her success.
What the hell did he do to help me?
She had thought to herself, but assured Ben that she would be politically correct.

There had been some flack over whether or not the award should be Person of the Year versus Woman of the Year.
What the hell difference does it make? Isn’t a woman a person?
She would receive the actual award at a ceremony at the Governor’s mansion later in the month. The press conference was a way to deflect any negativity before the event and to get much-needed publicity for the Governor.

“So, if there are any questions about this award’s political correctness, I will field that question.”

Blaine smiled at Ben, “Works for me. Seriously, it will be fine. I will be fine.”

And here she stood now, trying to be fine. After Ben had made the introductory remarks about the award and about the reasons for Blaine receiving it, he opened the floor for questions.

The first reporter asked, “When did you know wanted to be successful?” Blaine thought to herself,
When did I know was GOING to be successful would be a better question.
The answer to that latter question is that Blaine always knew she would be successful. In fact, she wondered if the reporter would believe her if she told him that she was born to be successful—that somehow it was her birthright. Vince was the only one she had ever confided that to.

Her confession had come
many years ago when they were designing a house by outlining the floor plan with chalk, a house that was bigger than either could ever hope to afford. They bickered the entire time over where each room should go, as if 8 year olds could truly know. Especially for 8 year olds who had always lived in a mobile home in a trailer park. Vince was convinced there should be more bedrooms, as he had never had a room of his own. Blaine had informed him matter-of-factly “We are gonna be married, so you still won’t have a room of your own.” He had gone silent, like he still does when not quite sure he agrees with something she has said.

After a prolonged silence as Blaine continued to draw the rooms on the pavement, he sighed and said, “It doesn’t matter anyway, we will never be able to afford a real house.”

It was then she straightened up and pushed the stray hair out of her face and looked Vince in the eyes and announced, “Vincent Marcellias, you listen to me—I was born to be rich and I am gonna be—and just so you know, I’m not leaving you behind. WE ARE GONNA BE RICH!”

For some reason, Vince believed her. Years later, he was glad he did as she proved to be right.

Blaine smiled at the reporter
and said, “I knew, even as a young girl, that if I worked hard and did the right things, I could and would be successful.”
Of course, that depends on what you consider to be
the right things
.

Ben pointed to another reporter, “Your turn.”

The reporter was a young man with thick glasses. He stood and pushed his glasses up on his nose. It was obvious he was nervous. “Miss Anderson, um, it is really great to meet you. I wondered if you could tell me how you got started. iOpia, Inc. is now a very successful company, and um, I think people will want to know how you did it.”

Blaine smiled at him and he blushed.
Started legally or illegally
? “Hmmm . . . that’s an interesting question.” She gave the short version of how she originally got started in the legitimate business of acquiring and selling valuable art, antiques, and other high-end items. The rest she kept to herself and always would.

Blaine had managed
to get a scholarship that allowed her to enroll at The University of Texas. Her parents certainly could not have afforded for her to go. She worked a fulltime job to earn her way while studying hard to maintain her grades. When she graduated, she didn’t have a clue what a person with a bachelor’s degree in business should do. She just knew that she was the first one in her family to get a college degree. A fact that made her even more determined to succeed.

After several unsuccessful job interviews and even more unanswered job applications, Blaine was discouraged and disappointed. One day when killing time between job interviews she walked into the art gallery of Elizabeth Wynne.

Elizabeth was a handsome woman in her late 60s. Money had bought her time and youth and she looked far younger than her years. In addition to her taste for art, she also had a taste for young, beautiful women. She liked to collect young women as much as she did art, something she wasn’t necessarily open about.

When Blaine walked in, Elizabeth happened to be out in front of the gallery finishing up with a client. Her attention was drawn to the tall, brunette entering the gallery. The girl’s clothes, though tasteful, indicated that she probably did not have a lot of money. When the girl looked up and made eye contact, Elizabeth drew in a breath—the girl’s eyes were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen—blue eyes, with long dark lashes, that seemed to look right through you.

As Elizabeth finished up with the client, Blaine was walking through the gallery slowly, staring in silence at each piece. As Blaine admired the art, Elizabeth admired Blaine. Blaine actually felt Elizabeth’s presence before she saw her. Elizabeth had walked up behind Blaine and stood so close that Blaine could smell her perfume and could feel, as much as hear, Elizabeth’s husky voice. “Do you see anything you like?”

Blaine blushed and thought,
Holy crap, surely she doesn’t mean this like it sounds
! “No ma’am, I am just looking. I haven’t seen art this beautiful before. It seems to touch my soul.”

And, I haven’t seen a woman this beautiful
, Elizabeth thought,
More than your soul needs to be touched.
“Would you like me to show you around? Perhaps explain the pieces to you and explain the stories behind the artists?”

“Ma’am, I don’t have the money to purchase anything. Maybe someday I will, but right now I don’t even have a job.” Blaine had replied as she looked at Elizabeth with more confidence than she actually felt.

“Well, first, it is Elizabeth, not ma’am. And second, this is my gallery, and yes, I believe that you will one day have the money to purchase pieces. In the meantime, why don’t you consider coming to work for me? I am looking for a new assistant. Someone I can groom to take my place.”

In essence Elizabeth hired her on the spot. Though perhaps she had more to her offer to “groom” than Blaine suspected, it mattered not. Without knowing it at the time, Blaine’s life changed forever when she shook Elizabeth’s hand and accepted the offer

And that’s exactly what she told
the reporter, “Some people would say that I am lucky. But luck is just where preparation and opportunity collide. There are moments in your life that a chance meeting, a conversation, a handshake will change your life. You just have to trust your instincts and don’t hesitate when those opportunities present themselves.”
Any and all opportunities.

Ben continued to field questions for Blaine. She answered all with a smile and tried to act like she did press conferences every day. In actuality she was getting a bit antsy.
Holy crap! Let’s be done already. It is hot as hell up here with these lights. I am sweating in places I shouldn’t!
Ben could sense that Blaine was a bit less relaxed and looked at her quizzically. She smiled at him and he felt more assured that she was fine.

“Okay, we only have time for a couple of more questions.” Ben said to the group.

A hand shot up. Ben pointed to the reporter and nodded.

“Who was your mentor?” asked a young woman.

Now, this is a fun question
. Blaine led two lives and had two mentors. It just so happened that the two mentors collided in her life at the same time.

After working at the Gallery three years
, Blaine was well versed in art and rich people. Elizabeth had taught her how to dress and how to carry herself so that she could fit in anywhere. In addition to Blaine’s beauty, Elizabeth found her to be very articulate and very intelligent. A deadly combination well suited to cater to the very rich. “Honey, you have to look like money to make money.” Elizabeth always told her, “Rich people do not do business with poor people. In fact, you should remember to screw up, never down.” Elizabeth, of course, had meant that in the literal sense.

About that time, Elizabeth had met a sexy young woman that seemed to consume her. Her name was Claire and she was as tall, as pretty, and as hungry for success as Blaine. Claire, however, had something Blaine did not have at the time. Claire was able to seduce and to totally capture Elizabeth’s attention. Something that would eventually work to Blaine’s advantage.

Soon after meeting Claire, Elizabeth wanted more free time. After all, she was now 70 and she had earned that right. She made Blaine an unexpected offer—Blaine could buy the gallery. Elizabeth would carry the note and Blaine would pay her back with a percentage of proceeds from sales along with small monthly payments. A win-win situation as far as Blaine was concerned. She finally would have her own place, and Elizabeth would still enjoy a little extra income on the side until the gallery was paid off.

Elizabeth was a shrewd businesswoman and wasn’t about to just give away her years of labor. Blaine was also a shrewd businesswoman and wasn’t about to turn down this opportunity. She was determined to make it work. So, at the age of 28, Blaine Anderson found herself the owner of the Wynne Gallery.

“Owner” might not have been the best term since it would take her years, and a considerable amount of hard work and luck, to repay Elizabeth. After the deal was finalized for the purchase of the Gallery, it would be another year before Blaine met her next and most powerful mentor—that, however, was five years ago and would never be shared with the public.

“Everyone knows that I got my start
selling art at the Wynn Gallery. What people may not be as aware of is that Elizabeth Wynn took me under her wing. She taught me everything I know about art, about art lovers, and about how to connect the two in a profitable way. She is an amazing woman who gave me more than a job—she gave me a life. All women need to be more open to helping other women move up.” Blaine said it and she meant it. Every word.

One more hand shot up and Ben acknowledged the reporter—an older rather plain woman who remained seated as she asked, “Do you think it is really an honor to be named Woman of the Year versus Person of the Year?”

Ben started to speak, but Blaine held up her hand to stop him. She looked the woman in the eye and said, “I consider it a great honor. There are many wonderful and powerful women in the state of Texas. To be honored among them is more than I could possibly have ever dreamed of. I am proud to be a woman. I am proud of my success. That said, I work with men everyday, including my partner and my best friend, Vincent Marcellias. In fact, maybe he should be named Man of the Year for putting up with me.”

The audience chuckled and she continued, “When we start nit-picking each other’s accomplishments over a word or two, we just bring each other down. That is not the Governor’s intent. His intent is to showcase the efforts of those in this great state of Texas. So yes, I am most honored to receive the Woman of the Year Award from the Governor of the great state of Texas.”

Ben ended the press conference and after the reporters had filed out, shook Blaine’s hand, “You have a future in politics should you ever choose.”

Blaine laughed, “Honey, I have too many skeletons in my closet to ever run for office. Plus, let’s face it—politics just won’t support me in the style to which I have grown accustomed.”

They both laughed. Ben shook her hand again, “You’re right about that for sure. Good luck Miss Anderson, not that you need it. We will see you at the ceremony.”

“My pleasure, Ben. Thanks for helping me out today.” She walked back to her office. Her phone was sitting on her desk where she had left it. There were three text messages. One was from Stephan, one of her favorite young lovers.
Oh if only Ben Garcia knew what I cougar I am. Run for office? Ha!

Hungry?