Page 4 of Mistaken Assumptions

Me: Hey Pint Size, I have those documents we discussed. Don’t ask me how I got them…I’m just awesome like that.

I needed a mental change and working on Rhea’s internal business problem gave me the clarity and focus I was looking for. When I beat Rhea with the acquisition, I wanted her to have something good to remember me by. I felt it was the right thing to do, so I made time for Rhea’s problem.

My suspicions that something had happened with Rhea were confirmed when I looked at the clock and realized that message had been sent hours ago. It was now after three. I picked up my office phone and dialed the offices of Capitoline Foods—the subsidiary that Rhea was working for under her father’s company. When the receptionist for the main building picked up, I told her my name was Reese and I needed to speak to Miss Dimakos.

After being transferred, I was told by Rhea’s personal secretary that I could have the documents sent via courier.

Hell no.

Enough was enough. I knew radio silence when I saw it. The only trouble was, I didn’t know why. What reason could she possibly have for stopping our communication all of a sudden?

Our time together wasn’t done. We hadn’t taken out Rodger, the President of Operations and world class shit stain. And I wasn’t backing out on my promise. This woman deserved help and I was the man for the job.

~*~

Rhea wanted a courier. I had an obscene amount of money—and around four in the afternoon I just happened to pass some of that money to a young man named Steven in a parking ramp. His clothes were a size too big, but I changed into the baggy uniform nonetheless. I really needed a costume. The plan was to have Steven sit in his underwear, hanging out in his truck for an hour at the most. And when I came back to return the uniform, Steven would go home with more money in his pockets than he made in six months. It was a win for both of us.

Hat pulled low over my face, I penetrated the enemy’s turf. Making it past the front desk was easy. No one questioned my presence disguised as a commercial delivery boy. When I approached Rhea’s secretary, however, I was told that she had authority to sign for Rhea.

“No can do, Ma’am.” I smacked my gums, imitating tobacco chewing. “Tell your boss that Mr. Reese was clear that she sign for them herself.”

The woman scowled, but I just leaned against her desk, acting as unpolished as possible. After I needled the secretary just a little more, she escorted me into Rhea’s personal office. Rhea was bent over her work, not even bothering to acknowledge our presence.

A flicker of rage sparked in my chest. I had gone to great lengths to gather these documents. And Rhea knew their potential importance to her cause. I knew she was busy, but I expected her to at least show a little enthusiasm at their arrival.

Walking past the secretary who was standing in the middle of the room, I boldly marched right up to the edge of Rhea’s executive desk. Dropping the manila envelope on her table, I barked, “Sign here, Miss.”

Those dark eyes snapped up as Rhea realized who I was. Part of me found the look on her face too cute and I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing at the shock she didn’t bother to hide. That look did a little to bring down my irritation.

“Glenda, you can leave. I’ll just be a moment to ascertain these are in order before I sign for them,” Rhea managed to remain in control of her voice until her secretary left the room.

“I can assure you, they are in order, Miss.” I glowered down at her, but spoke low enough so she would be the only one to hear.

“Are you for real?” Rhea leaned to the side to ensure her secretary was out of hearing. Although I was fairly certain that she was still angry about whatever had been eating her goat all day, my stunt had amused her. Bursting out laughing, Rhea demanded, “Reese…why?”

“It’s Steven,” I responded pointing to the name tag that was stitched onto the work uniform.

“Alright…Steven.” Rhea looked at the clip board. “Where the fuck do I sign for these?”

“You don’t.” I dropped my voice and reached for her fingers. “You tell me what happened.”

“Nothing happened—”

“That’s bull shit, Rhea,” my voice was a touch sharper than I meant it to be. “If I did something wrong, I deserve to make it right. So you need to tell me.”

Even though I was towering over her, Rhea sat ramrod straight in her chair. The regal energy that flowed from her was mixed with something more deadly. I could see the calculating look in her eyes.

“Just spit it out,” I, too, was irritated and in no mood for her games.

“You have a girlfriend.”

Grabbing for the edge of her desk to steady myself, I felt my jaw drop to the floor.

“No,” I stammered. That was the last thing I had expected to pop out of her pouty lips. “I am single—not even fooling around with anyone else. Theonlywoman I am interested in has been nothing short of a bitch all day.”

“You’re interested in me?” Rhea folded back into her chair, as if suddenly overwhelmed by my little admission. Shaking her head, she refocused and said, “But what about the distribution sale?”

“You and I have never discussed that—I vote that we don’t. Frankly, it is going to be ugly either way and I just want it to end without putting a strain on us.” I reached out to quickly smooth down a wisp of her hair. She shivered in response to my brief touch. “Now…we have work to do with this Rodger situation—but more importantly, there is somewhere I have been wanting to take you.”

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