Page 82 of Corporate Escapades

“Mostly the conversational type,” blurted Paris. “We discussed our issues and worked through them. We also agreed on how to handle any differences in the future. That sort of stuff.”

“Well, at least you’re in agreement,” mused Nicola. “There was once a time when your fathers disagreed over business practices, and they refused to speak for a month. If only they could have fixed their issues the way you have.”

Vic grinned. “Yeah, if only.” Paris again kicked him under the table, and Mya, no longer able to hold it in, let out a small laugh.

“What’s so funny, my dear?” asked Jessamine.

Mya straightened in her seat, and her face turned to a neutral look. “I apologize. My mind wandered to a funny cat meme I saw this morning,” she lied.

“I see. I love a good cat meme as much as anyone else. You’ll have to send it my way,” said Jessamine.

“I sure will,” replied Mya. Chase gave her an ‘oh, please,’ sort of look, then refocused on the pastry he’d swiped from the tray in the center of the table.

“I think we’ve fallen off track,” said Dom. “You didn’t answer my question. How’d last week go?”

“Oh,” replied Paris, “I think we both agree that it went well, as long as they kept me away from the bathrooms,” she laughed. “I’m proud to report that there were no mishaps.”Except for Friday night when I slept with Vic, she thought to herself.

“I agree with Paris,” Vic replied. “The week was productive, and there were no mishaps. We’ve come back to the boardroom with a sense of understanding between us, and we’re ready to hit this week hard as well. I also want to take this time to apologize again for my prior indiscretions. I promise it will never happen again.”

“Glad to hear that,” replied Mikel, “because we’re giving you back your upgraded apartments and your original jobs. As you know, there’s little time left for you to prove you want to be a part of the company. We see you making progress, and we hope it continues. We’re now down to the wire—no more mistakes. Like you said, Vic, we want you to hit it hard this week. Here are the keys to your apartments,” he said, sliding them across the table.

“Now,” said Jessamine, “make us proud.” She stood, and the rest of the board stood as well. “Help yourselves to breakfast, and then you can move on with your day.” She waved and followed the other partners out of the room.

“That went well,” Chase commented cheerily.

“Geez, you couldn’t wait to eat until they were done?” asked Mya. “I mean seriously.”

“What? I’m starving. I can’t think when I’m this hungry,” said Chase.

“You two need to keep at this, and like they said, hit it hard this week. You cannot afford any more mistakes,” said Mya.

Back in her office, Paris looked over the scant few files Tom left her. She was once again feeling peeved when the devil himself knocked on her door. “I see you’ve made it back. I dropped those off this morning when I heard you’d be here. Mind if I come in?” he asked.

Glaring, she said, “I don’t know. Are you still ignoring me?”

“Oh, come now, Paris. I haven’t been ignoring you. I had a situation with my sister, which needed attending. I’m all yours now.” He smiled suavely. “Let’s get some dinner Wednesday night, my treat.” He smoothed.

Paris shook her head. She didn’t know what to think. “Yeah, I guess.”

“You guess?” asked Tom. He was now standing next to her. Reaching down, he cupped her chin in his hand and tipped her head up to look at him. “Don’t guess, darling. I only have eyes for you.” Paris could feel her knees weaken. Tom let go of her chin and headed toward the door. Pausing, he said, “Pick a place. Whichever you prefer, and as expensive as you like. You deserve an enjoyable night out.” Shutting the door behind him, Tom disappeared into the hall.

His ability to weasel his way back in amazed Paris. She took a deep breath and released it slowly to calm her racing heart and return to composure. Another knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” she called.

“Hey,” said Vic. “To celebrate moving back to normalcy, may I cook dinner for you this evening?”

Paris considered his proposal. “Sure, we can do that,” she replied. “What time?”

“How about my place at six? I’ll whip up some salad and tuna steaks.”

“That sounds great. I could go for a nice salad. I think I ate a little too much junk food this past weekend. Marshmallows are not a part of my regular diet.”

“Yes, but aren’t they wonderful?” asked Vic. “You seemed to enjoy roasting them. I think you offered everyone who approached a marshmallow,” he laughed.

“I did, didn’t I?” she said, laughing.

“Okay, I’ll see you after work,” he said, then left the room.

Paris went back to skimming her client files. Snapping back to the present moment, she glowered at the low client load. Any peon off the street could have handled these files. She really needed to discuss it with Tom, but she wasn’t in the mood to approach him yet. Perhaps she would work through them and ask for more once she had finished? With any luck, she would have them completed by Wednesday afternoon and could nicely bring up the idea of further work while at dinner.

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