Page 56 of The Facilitator: Part 2
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Iranfrom bedroom to bathroom checking I hadn’t forgotten anything, as Mackenzie and our driver from Virgin Airways loaded our cases in the boot of a chauffeur drivencar.
“Lauren!” Mackenzie shouted impatiently from the frontdoor.
“I’m coming,” I snapped back. I descended the stairs as quick as my heels would allow and smirked at him as Ipassed.
The car door was held open for me and I climbed into the back. I placed my handbag on the floor of the car and settled into the leather seat. Mackenzie soon joined me. Excitement started to bubble inside me. I hadn’t visited the U.S. before, and I had a romantic idea of what Charleston looked like after spending some time on Google. Mrs. Collingsworth, Gabriella’s mother, had wanted us to stay with her for a couple of days and attend the party Gabriella had texted details of. We were then scheduled to head to Boston with her and Alex. Mackenzie had other ideas, though. He wanted to stay in his old family home, and he’d made arrangements for it to be cleaned and stocked with groceries for the few days we’d be there. It seemed we were going to be busy, and I wondered if I’d be able to get used to the time difference before we had to leave andreturn.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting your home town,” I said, as we reached the motorway toHeathrow.
“We moved when I was in my late teens to LA for a while, but it was a comfort to returnthere.”
“Why LA?” I remembered he’d started working with his father and assumed that to be in SouthCarolina.
“We ran away for a while,” he said, giving me a wink. I squeezed his hand. It wasn’t the time to cover oldmemories.
We chatted about America, Boston in particular. Mackenzie was taken with the city. He told me a little of its history, how it was one of the oldest in the U.S., he certainly had an affinity with the place. I could feel the nostalgia and love for a place I was yet to visit from the words hespoke.
A member of the Virgin staff met us and our bags were taken through. We were escorted to the Upper Class Lounge and, although early morning, champagne was offered. I opted for a Buck’s Fizz instead. To say I was excited in the Upper Class Lounge was an understatement. It was thrilling and luxurious, pampering, and also rather daunting. I remembered Mackenzie’s statement about the Mile High Club and I prayed he’d forgotten—although the butterflies in my stomach prayedotherwise.
I read a newspaper, although I had no interest in current affairs other than what was happening around the business world. Even when I was with Jerry, I wanted to know what our competitors were doing, where there was an opening for us before that opening happened. It was also amazing what opportunities could be found in thetrashmags.
“Look at this,” I said, showing Mackenzie an article I’dfound.
“What’s it about?” heasked.
“David Lamont is having anaffair.”
He stared at me for amoment.
“Lord Lamont is the major shareholder of Comptest, one of our competitors. What do you think that scandal will do to their shareprice?”
He picked up his phone and called someone. He wanted to know what was happening to their shares, and if they did hit an all-time low, he wanted some. After his call, he leaned forward and kissedme.
“You might have just made me half a million,” hesaid.
“How? You just boughtthem.”
“Because when this scandal is asswipe paper, those shares will go back up. I’ll sell and make half amillion.”
He laughed and I raised my glass to him. “And you deserve half the profit,” hesaid.
“I’ll drink to that,” I said, not for one minute assuming he was joking. He never did where business wasconcerned.
It was another hour later that we were called to board our flight. We were shown to our seats, yet more champagne was offered, which was declined, and we were given a vanity case of toiletries and a ‘lounge suit,’ which comprised a fleecy top and yoga pants. My clothes were hung so they’d be crease free for later. Take off was effortless and we were soon being fussed over by thestewards.
I read while Mackenzie used his laptop to work; we ate and drank before the lights were dimmed. We were then encouraged to nap in an effort to trick our bodies we were already in a different time zone. I had raised the footstool and lowered the back alittle.
A while later, Mackenzie turned on his side to face me. He reached over and ran his finger over mylips.
“Come with me,” hewhispered.
My eyes widened completely involuntary. “What?”
He stood and reached out his hand. “Come withme.”
“We can’t,” I said, starting tochuckle.
