The Business Affair: Forever Mine (2 page)

“Get her on the line.” He demanded.

“I have been trying since 7:00 am, and she
hasn’t returned the call yet.”

“How could I have ever agreed to giving her 3
weeks off? She has never taken all of her vacation time at once.  This will never happen again. You can
be sure of that.”

“I can try sending her a text message.”

“I should have thought of that because we have
an emergency text code. She better answer that one.” He said whipping out his
cell phone.

Within seconds, Paula’s peaceful shopping trip
was zapped like a bug on a windshield. Everything suddenly came to a screeching
halt. “Damn it!” she hissed, “This better be an emergency or I will be filing
my resignation. He knows this is going to far.”

Paula swiftly dialed Roman’s cell number.

“Are you in the hospital?” she said flatly.

“No.”

“Has there been an accident?”

“No.”

“Have you become incapacitated in any way?”

“That depends.”

“Oh Roman,” she groaned, “I have got to have a
break. I am worn out. I have been overworked for months. I will fall apart if
you don’t give me some space. I need this time Roman. You promised not to use
the emergency code unless it was a life or death situation, or the company was
at risk. Baxter called me 25 times yesterday. You set him on me like a hound
dog.”

“You know I am not good with apologies. I am
sorry for that. But this is an emergency.”

“What!”

“I can’t find the last filing paper that we need
to wrap up Wilson National. I called Max at the Fed and he says he didn’t know
anything about that paper. I looked through the entire file last night and
could not find a thing.”

Paula rolled her eyes in disgust, “That is
because I filed the paper with Constance. They already have everything that
they need to finish the approval for the acquisition. She said we would not
hear back from them unless something becomes urgent. I sent you a text message
on that last week. I followed up with an email, and I left you a voice
message.”

“I thought those messages were for the Tri Star
Bank. I have so much going on sometimes I get a little lost. That is why I need
you here.”

Paula sighed.

“Would you consider coming back? I will give you
a $100,000 bonus and will…”

“I know you are serious, but you are out of your
mind. Roman I am going to get some rest and you lay off of Baxter! Please,
please don’t use that emergency code again.”

“Paula….” Those words were met with a click.

For the next several days Paula was at peace
with the world.  Baxter was still
calling, but the intensity got less and less. Remarkably, Roman had not used
the emergency code. She knew that took a lot of constraint. He was the type of
man that wanted everything now and everything done his way.

Her days were filled with more shopping trips.
Eating at the best restaurants on the island. She spent time snorkeling and
tanning under the brilliant Mexican sun. When she was not doing that the
concierge at Casa Del Leon had a full schedule for her in their spa. There was
nothing like those body wraps or full body massages with hot stones under the
open cabana. Even grander were the hydrotherapy sessions as she dipped her body
in and out of extreme cold and hot showers and hot tubs. It was the most
perfect time for her. Slowly all thoughts of work turned into full throttle
play. For the moment she was laying on a massage table somewhere between earth
and heaven.

“Imelda, I am so much enjoying this massage.”

“I am sorry I could not get you in here earlier
today, senorita. You know when you have come before we get you in
immediately.  You are one of our
favorite guests.”

“I noticed it seems to be busier this year. Is
it something special going on?”

“Oh, you have not been watching any of the local
programming.”

“I am afraid not. What is happening?”

“The Business Affair is being hosted in our
city.”

“What is that?”

“It is wonderful for the city and for the people
that come. There is a group of business people from all over the world that put
on The Business Affair meetings in cities all over the world.  They have been here four times. The
people that come to the meetings pay a lot of money to get in. This years
tickets are $4,000 for the event and it lasts 3 weeks.”

“What is worth $4,000 for a ticket?”

“Oh senorita, lives are changed. These business
people come to meet, mingle and marry. That is there logo.”

“You’re kidding. I did not know anything like
this existed.”

“It is a wonderful affair. Non-stop activities from
the day they arrive until the day they leave. The goal is to have everyone
connected to someone before they leave. It is highly competitive. From what I
have heard it is very successful and that is why they can charge so much
because people get what they came for.”

“Practically every vendor on the island is
involved and it brings in tons of money.”

“Do the business people stay for the entire
time?”

“Some do and some do not. I can tell you this,
there will not be any un-booked rooms in Casa Del Leon for the next two weeks.
We have had to hire more staff because of this. You come here alone every year
senorita. Perhaps you should go.”

“That just might be an interesting move. I am
looking for all the fun I can have. I so need to get out of my box. I work too
much it would be refreshing to go out on a date. Even though I have no
intentions of leaving here married.”

Imelda laughed, “The events are held all over
the island.  The local programming
will give you plenty of details. All you need to do is go to the Coliseum and
pay for your ticket. That will give you entrance into any event you want to
attend. People have been here since Monday, but the official kick off is
tonight.”

“I have been so relaxed I don’t even know what
day of the week this is.”

“It is Wednesday.”

Paula pressed her way through the crowded
ballroom. She had never seen so many business people all congregated in one
place in her life.  The MC
announced there were 4000 people in attendance and more expected to come. The
Coliseum was a spectacular center of attraction. It was a sports arena, lavish
hotel complex and multiple expansive ballroom facility. It was a modern work of
art that was built by 3 wealthy investors.

This was a black tie event. Everyone was elegantly
dressed. There was so many diamonds dripping off of the women and watches on
men that could have paid an employees salary for two years. Paula looked
stunning. Her sleek couture black dress hugged every curve on her body. It
glimmered with black beading and was above the knee revealing her sultry legs.
The back of the dress was cut in a V down to her mid back. It was strapless and
shoulder-less. Her long blond hair was pinned in a twist and she glistened with
her own diamond earrings and necklace. Her makeup was beautiful – wearing smoky
eye shadow and highly glossed lips. She would never have done anything like
this in America. Heads turned as she made her way across the room and found a
seat at the table.

“Welcome everyone to the 10
^th
Annual
Business Affair.” The MC said. “This years attendance is amazing and we
certainly have enough activities for all. Let’s not be shy about the mission.”
The audience laughed. I would like to introduce to you this year’s president,
Mr. Don Stephens. Let’s give him and his team a well-deserved applause for
putting this event together.

Don Stephens rose from the platform and walked
over to the podium. He was a strikingly handsome man. He looked to be in his
early 40’s, slick blond hair, very slim and had the height of a professional
basketball player. His smile would have lit up midnight. “This is going to be
quite interesting.” Paula mumbled.

“Thank you for your applause, and let’s give the
team another hand. They have all done an outstanding job.” He waved his hand to
quiet the crowd. “I hope that we do not have any return visitors. Because if
you are back the mission was not accomplished. All jokes aside, if you are back
we wish you much success this time around. Let’s face it, we are all extremely
busy executives and that often leaves very little time for a social life. That
is why we created this event.

Over the next three weeks, it is our hopes that
each of you will connect with a person, develop a beginning relationship and
live up to our slogan – meet, mingle and marry.” A chuckle went through the
crowded room. “The top can often be a very lonely place but a partner who
understands the demands of business and is like minded can turn a desert into a
flourishing oasis. For the next three weeks, put all work aside. It’s time to play.”
The room exploded with applause.”

“Oh goodness, these people are very serious.”
Paula thought.

“We are hosting events all over the city.  Each of you has a package outlining the
details. Just to highlight some of the most popular events that we have there
will be 24-hour speed dating in concourse A. Most of the entire wing is devoted
to speed dating. In concourse B we have group cooking classes, wine tasting
events, food sampling courts, and the art galleries. In concourse C we have the
nightlife activities that will go on 24-hours. Every type of music from disco
to hip-hop will be covered. There will always be a party going on. In concourse
D you can sign up for events, excursions, sports, water sports and so much
more. Plenty to do people so let’s enjoy.”

“Thank you Don, and he’s available too,” the MC
laughed. “I am going to ask that our food hosts go ahead and start their
service. And while they are doing that we are going to have a video
presentation, followed by testimonials of people that accomplished the mission.

The lights in the ballroom dimmed and then
massive screens began to descend from the ceiling all around the room. As they
locked into place a laser show flashed across the room followed by total sound
emersion. Each screen one by one began telling the story of some of last year’s
events in rapid motion. People began cheering. Paula could not believe what she
was experiencing. It was high tech and impressive. There was a dazzling array
of events, and some of the most cinematic footage – close up shots of surfers,
sky divers, motor cyclist, guest chefs from around the world, casino shots,
romantic dinners at sunset. She was overwhelmed. Towards the end of the video
they started running statistics of all the people who had married as a result
of the event and the numbers were staggering. Then each screen played
highlights of the most amazing weddings of those who had accomplished the
mission.

Then with after one thunderous sound, all the
lights went out and the room was completely dark. The sound of fast thumping
techno music began infusing the room and then a solo spotlight would shine in
one area exposing a couple. Each one of them held up a sign with their wedding
date, then flipped the card – Mission Accomplished, was written on the
back.  After the last spot light
was shown, one of the couples walked up to the podium.

The woman spoke first, “Never take it for
granted why you are here. The person you meet can change your life for good.
There are no coincidences at this event. You are here for a specific reason to
meet someone that understands what it is like to run a corporation or be in an
extremely high stress filled position. You are here amongst people that know
the sacrifices of corporate life and have made an investment in their future. I
went to five speed dating events before I met Michael but once we began to talk
in those very few minutes we both knew that we had made a connection.”

Then Michael spoke, “The Business Affair is one
of the best global activities for anyone serious about having a committed, long
term relationship with someone that understands them. Believe me I tried the
dating scene. I did everything that the average person does and could not find
that match. From bad experiences, I was always worried that a woman was dating
me for my money or my position. It was so liberating to come here and meet
people of equal status. A person that pays $4,000 to enter an event is not here
to waste time. Alison is the best thing that happened to me. We’ve been married
5 years.”

“Oh my God.” Paula whispered.

The next couple took the podium. “I met Donna at
a skeet shooting event. We did not have much of a conversation at first, but I
just was patient and kept trying to get her attention. Finally at the end of the
shoot she surprised me and said, let’s have lunch…”