ROMANCE: Billion Dollar Question (BWWM Billionaire Bad Boy Romance) (African American Alpha Mail Order Bride New Adult) (12 page)

Chapter 3: Preparation Before Success 

Just as quickly, it seemed, as she had moved into her college dorm room and then housing on campus, she was moving out. She and Clinton had met at their favorite coffee shop only a few days before, him confiding in her that he had been accepted into his first choice of Law School. She was ecstatic for him, but also hesitant, knowing that it was in New York.

They had talked for hours, weighing their options. They ended up deciding that a long distance relationship would most likely be extremely difficult for both of them, especially when they would both be so focused on succeeding in their paths. They had kissed for the last time, his hands grabbing her face across the table and pressing his lips firmly to hers.

“You are an amazing woman,” he said, and she had seen in his eyes that he truly meant this in his heart.

She had been upset, but not discouraged. She missed him immensely as she packed up, especially when she got to their pictures and his old sweatshirts. She held onto them, a reminder that there were true and honest men in this world, much like her brothers.

Her mother had offered up the idea that she move back home for a bit, but Alicia was too enthusiastic to finally be on her own. She had worked every summer, long and tedious hours, in order to save up for her first apartment, still only a few blocks from campus and her mother’s. The commute to work would be a bit longer, but she could bike to the train and study on the ride. She had a plan and she had no doubt she would follow through with every aspect of its action.

Her mother helped her set up in her modest apartment. She had a small kitchen, bathroom and living space, where she placed her bedroom and dresser in the corner. She hung a simple, bright cloth between her bed and dresser and her couch and tv, making a makeshift bedroom.

She and her mother had traveled to Goodwill to get her some suits to wear to work, Alicia insisting that they be longer pencil skirts, in order to keep some of her style in place. She had splurged on a pair of heels and a friend had given her an old briefcase and she had found a slightly used laptop on Craigslist, and felt ready to begin her first career that upcoming Monday.

Chapter 4: A Man With A Mission

Alicia woke up earlier than needed that Monday, sipping a cup of her favorite coffee in order to prepare herself for the day ahead. She felt hesitant, for the first time since beginning college; she was afraid people would see through her Goodwill purchased clothes and hand-me-downs, especially at such a prestigious company.

There weren’t many times in her life when she allowed herself to divulge in these thoughts and let them consume her, primarily because there wasn’t much she could do about it. However, she had a fear of feeling less than, regardless of all the hard work it had taken her to take a path that some were fortunate enough to be born into. She had knocked down doors that were, many times, left open for the richer kids in the suburbs whose mothers stayed at home to raise them. She reminded herself that she had been the one selected for this position, no one else.

She had met Mr. Arthur on her second round of interviews at the company, and had loved his calm demeanor. Although very elderly, he had described a family business that he ran from the bottom up, a sentiment that resonated within her deeply. His son, he said, worked just as hard, if not harder than himself, and this was obviously a sense of pride within the old man. This was a family that was very similar to her; a hard working family, and she reminded herself of this when she became nervous as she prepared herself for the commute.

She slipped on her favorite suit purchase, a long black pencil skirt, button up white shirt and red cardigan, the red looking beautiful against her sweet tea skin. She added a light gloss to her lips that day and a bit more volume in her hair and put on some pearl earrings Clinton had given her, being probably the most expensive gift she had ever received, and headed towards the train.

After an hour long commute, she arrived and took the elevator of the sky rise to the 100th floor. She was guided to wait in the lobby, and so she did, briefcase firmly in hand. She stared out the window, jiggling a foot nervously.

“Ms. Marshall,” she heard, after having been waiting for ten minutes. Her eyes darted from the view out the window, admiring the tall and strenuous buildings, and glanced at a man standing before her. Her heart caught in her chest and she gasped quietly.

Before her was a man who, she could tell instantly, was extremely self-assured, his arm extended, with a smile spread across his face the way a hand caresses its lover. His eyes, the same golden color as her skin, shined, and she glanced at his carefully manicured hand which was engulfed in the most expensive suit she had ever laid eyes on. His thick dark hair was combed back, a piece or two endearing themselves to her by going against the grain and poking out, onto his forehead.

“Hello,” she said quickly, as she stood up, practically stumbling on her usually reliant and firm feet, shaking his hand. The warmth and strength of it sent a chill down her spine.

“I’m Mr. Arthur, I believe my father hired you?” he asked. He motioned for her to follow him. She did so obediently. He turned to look at her as he talked while briskly walking down the hallway. She noticed as the women of the office paused in whatever it was they were doing to catch a glimpse of this younger Mr. Arthur; although they saw him daily, his beauty was still something to be admired. She also noticed that they looked her up and down, evaluating any potential threats.

“Yes, yes he did.”

“I hate to be the one to tell you that my father stepped away from his position a few days ago. He was going to call you and tell you personally as he really sees some true potential within you, but I told him I could easily explain it all to you upon your arrival.” Alicia was saddened by this as she had felt a strong kinship with the elderly man.

Mr. Arthur continued on, “My father told me all about you, and I too am extremely impressed with your educational background and application. I just want to hear more about you personally, as I will be your boss from here on out.”

He turned and smiled as they reached his office and she followed him inside. He turned and closed the door then sat down at his desk, reclining in his leather seat. She sat across from him. She caught her eyes glancing at his left hand, smiling when she didn’t notice a ring.

“Your father seemed like such a great man. What is it you’d like to know about me, Mr. Arthur?” she asked, crossing her legs. He leaned forward on his glass desk, clasping his hands, a bright, gold watch catching itself in the sunshine.

“Tell me about yourself. Why our company?” She went on to weave him her story, being truthful and honest; his presence making her feel like this was not only okay, but accepted. He had eyes that spoke to her and that made her feel at ease. She didn’t feel vulnerable at first as she normally did divulging so much information, and not once did she sense a flicker of judgement on his part; if anything, she saw admiration and respect in his eyes.

“Quite an impressive story,” he said once she had finished. He reached into his briefcase and handed her a few folders. “What I would like to do is have you handle these three clients this week. I would like you to type up a business proposal for each of them and pitch it to me by the end of the week. If I like what you’ve done, we’ll go on from there with some bigger jobs.” Alicia was elated; to receive clients in the first week of working there was a great feat.

Mr. Arthur continued on, “I would like to point out that my father spoke extremely highly of you, so you are being given an opportunity here that no other new hires are being offered. This may cause a lot of tension and animosity; I hope it doesn’t, but it may. I imagine you will handle yourself quite well with this, if it does occur,” he said and he smiled.

She smiled back and Mr. Arthur himself felt his hands grow sweaty. There hadn’t been many times in his 30 years that a woman had such an impact on him, both physically and inspirationally. He found her honesty and ability to overcome all the odds that had ever been stacked up against her like a row of wicked dominos both compelling and sexy. She had a secretive aura to her that made him want to explore every inch of her, physically and emotionally. She had a sweet and gentle face, but could see the hard look of determination set within her deep, dark eyes.

“Oh yes, Mr. Arthur, I handle myself just fine,” she answered confidently and he knew this to be the truth. He had always found it hard to resist a woman who was so self-assured and aware of herself, her body, her beauty, and, most importantly, her ability to achieve greatness.

He guided her to her office, which was only a bit smaller than her living area in her apartment. She sat back in the leather seat and began work immediately, determined to make this man proud of her and to admire every aspect of her being.

Chapter 5: Building A Career

Alicia flourished at her new job, and at the end of the first few months, she had been named Employee of the Month by the Business Council. The other new hires were obviously jealous, but Alicia, despite just being beautiful, was the only one who came to work early and stayed late.

Alone, she had already managed to pitch seven ideas that clients loved so immensely, that they referred their friends to her, and so she had the luxury of hiring on two new clients herself. Mr. Arthur was both ecstatic and impressed.

She found herself staying late, not only to work, but hoping that Mr. Arthur would offer for her to come into his office, and together they would discuss ideas and clients, her on the long leather couch and he at his desk, pounding away at their keyboards, making phone calls, and ordering takeout.

At first, she had felt that she had to be overly professional at all times, due to her age and lack of experience, but as they began to spend every evening together, he would kick off his shoes and invite her to do the same.

One night over takeout, he had suggested that they sit and talk, and forget about work over a meal. She had secretly hoped that, in some ways, this was a date, even though she felt foolish thinking so.

“What’s your story, Mr. Arthur?” she asked as they ate Chinese food, chopsticks in hands.

“Please Alicia, call me Ross, just like everyone else here does.” He had untied his tie and his suit jacket lay on the floor. He looked so casual and simple, and she took a moment to fantasize that they were actually act her place, coming home together after a long day at work, discussing their days.

“I know you keep telling me to, but…it feels wrong.”

“Try it.”

“Okay, Ross, tell me your story,” she tried the name out in her mouth, tasting the sweetness of calling him a name that his friends and past lovers had called him. His name rumbled in her mouth and on her tongue and she loved the feeling of it. He smiled, his deep eyes shining every time he opened his mouth to show off his impeccably white smile and two deep dimples in his cheeks.

“Well, I’m not sure I have much of one, or one that is really all that exciting. I grew up with a mother and a father, in an incredible neighborhood with a tremendous education system. I went to Duke, always knowing that I would take over my father’s business one day. My story, in all honesty, is filled with opportunity that was handed to me, that I know most people don’t get. I am not ashamed by it, but it’s not as impressive as yours.”

She loved his honesty, his ability to be both privileged but aware of the fact that most people weren’t given these opportunities, and to acknowledge someone who had less than him; these things made him stick out to her during the nights she couldn’t sleep, and she found herself imagining what it would feel like to kiss his full lips, their hands embracing one another, bulldozing social class and race barriers. 

She caught him glancing at her at times in a way that made her heart flutter. She saw the way the other women looked at him around the office, but he didn’t seem to acknowledge them at all. He looked at her physically, and acknowledged her emotionally and professionally, in ways he didn’t do for anyone else.

She found herself, at night, fantasizing about the two of them making love in his office, his broad chest above her, her laying across his glass desk, his sweaty hands leaving prints on either side of her head on the desk. She imagined his dark eyes peering down into hers, those wisps of hair falling over them, as he guided himself inside of her, her inching her skirt higher and higher, wrapping her legs around his pelvis.

“We’ve been working hard for quite some time,” he voiced later that night. She had nodded in complete agreement. “Maybe it’s time for us to go out and treat ourselves…celebrate all the success we’ve had since you’ve come on board here. You’ve really impacted this company in such a large way, Alicia. Truly,” he said the last word carefully as he looked up and gazed at her. She felt his eyes penetrate into her own, and she had to look away due to the intensity and vibration that was growing between them.

She felt torn; there was nothing more than she desired than this man before her: well educated, a go getter, like herself, and devastatingly handsome; a man you could turn to in times of trouble and he would save you, carry you away in his burly arms, and Alicia was a girl who had never been saved before in her life. She felt woozy around him, like she had indulged in one too many glasses of wine. However, she also knew how hard she had worked to get where she was, and she couldn’t let anything jeopardize that. He made her feel safe, something that she hadn’t felt in a long while, if ever and she felt she was safe in sharing her emotions and feelings for him, but was still quite hesitant to do so.

“Sure, that sounds nice.”

“Strictly professional, of course,” he blurted out, a bit too quickly. Ross, too, felt torn in his professional duties and where he knew his heart lay. He had never met a woman quite like Alicia before; a beauty with an attitude and work ethic to match, he was what he and his friends would call a “total 10.”

It was hard for Ross to date and meet women; he felt many of them too simple minded and, many times, distracted by his billions. Yet, in stark contrast, here was a woman who could actually use his money to better her life, and yet not once had she inquired about it as other woman “casually” did around the office.

Instead of asking him questions about his money, she did what she had to do to make her own, and she did it well and modestly. Her hard life had not worn her down, through it all, she still allowed for peace, calamity and trust to be expressed across her face, within her deep brown eyes, like a message waiting to be read.

“Yes, yes of course,” but Alicia knew that the quickness of his answer gave way to the truth in his feelings; that he too felt as she did and she smiled slowly, engaging his eyes once more before deciding that on Friday, they would enjoy cocktails and seafood.