Page 68 of Corporate Escapades

Mya could see the hurt, but all she wanted was for him to leave her alone. The situation made her stomach churn. She’d made her feelings known, and he had applied extra pressure. Now the lines were blurred.

Chapter thirteen

“Mya! Are you in there?” yelled Paris. She’d been banging on her friend's door for five minutes, with no answer. It was Sunday morning, and they were to meet her mother and father for brunch in half an hour. Giving up, she fished her phone out of her purse to dial Mya’s number. As the phone rang, Paris heard her friend’s ringtone coming from somewhere behind her. Turning around, she saw Mya walking down the hall with two coffees in hand.

“Hey!” called Mya. She looked cheerful as she approached Paris. “Here,” she said, handing her a cup. “I thought you could use a mocha for the road.”

“Geez, I thought something had happened to you,” replied Paris.

“Nope, I’m all good. Sorry, I wasn’t in there.” She laughed. “You usually roll out of bed at the last minute, so I preemptively got us some coffees to make the transition smoother.” Then, smiling at her, she said, “You’re supposed to say,Thanks, Mya.”

Paris shook her head in agreement. “Thank you. I appreciate the thoughtful gesture. You know me too well.”

“For many years, Paris, for many years. Anyway, I think the car is already waiting out front. I’m sure your parents have left church and are on their way as well. We should get a move on.”

It took them the full thirty minutes to get to the restaurant, which was packed to capacity. Paris and Mya hurried to the booth her parents had acquired and took their seats opposite them.

“Good morning,” said Mikel, a smile creasing his mustached face. “How are things?”

“Great,” replied Mya.

“I concur,” said Paris. “I’m enjoying my new place. Mya and I sat out on the balcony around the fire and drank mojitos last night. It was wonderful. Thanks for all of the thought you put into it.”

“Sweetheart, you know we only want you to be happy,” replied her mother. “We’ve had a rough year, but despite all that’s happened, we’re still on your side.”

“Yes, darling, we’ll always be on your side,” added her father. “We love you.”

“I love you too,” replied Paris. “Since we’re being open, may I ask you how I’m doing or what you’d like to see improvements on?”

“Sure,” replied Nicola. “Personally, I feel you’re doing well, though I’ve noticed a little distance between you and Vic. Is everything okay there?”

“It’ll be fine. We’re working through something,” said Paris. “A minor disagreement, but I have every faith we’ll get through it.”

Mikel nodded solemnly. “Nothing wrong with that. It happens. I have to ask. Is this the why you requested your own place?”

Paris shook her head in response. “No. I need my space. It was more difficult living with him than I’d anticipated. We have some differences in how we want to keep our homes. We each have friends we want to invite over. It seemed like a good idea to go back to separate places.” Her father seemed satisfied with her answer. He didn’t push the issue any further.

The foursome ordered and ate their breakfast while chatting about the happenings in their daily lives. Paris felt, for once, like she had a complete family again, though there would always be a spot in her heart that felt empty without Alli. Having Mya back was like regaining a lost sister. The family agreed to plan more activities together for the future, beginning with regular Sunday brunches. Paris felt an unexpected relief at rekindling regular interactions with her parents.

Vic and Paris were seated in the boardroom, waiting for the others to arrive. Thinking back to the weekend, Vic had partaken in his usual fitness and family routine, except for Saturday night, he changed things up. Bored while sitting at home, he walked over to the wine bar in the ADG complex. He knew there would be live music, and he was tired of beer.

Vic barely got through the door when he noticed Angela sitting alone at a table, a glass of red wine in hand. Moseying over, he asked, “Are you alone?” He hoped she’d say yes.

Looking up, a smile spread across her supple lips. “Completely,” she replied. “I felt like listening to some music, so I wandered over to check this guy out,” she motioned toward the performer, who was singing and playing an acoustic guitar.

Vic had to admit, he sounded great. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Feel free,” she said, motioning to the empty chair nearest him.

“Do you frequent this place?” he asked as he sat down. He wasted no time flagging down the server and ordering a glass of Syrah.

“Not really. Only when I’m dateless, feeling restless, and hard up for some live music.”

“Do you date a lot?”

“That depends on your definition of a lot. I have a healthy appetite for meeting new people and trying new things,” she replied. “What about you? I hear you like todatea lot.”

“What you said before is my exact response.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “By the way, you look nice.”

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