Hi everyone,
Sorry for the HUGE mix up on my part. BUT here is the REAL Chapter 3.
Happy Fantasies!!!
LD AKA Vicki Vale
Chapter 3
Eliza Perry was the youngest CFO in her company's history. She was known for not being a pushover. She knew what she wanted and she went after it. So, when she informed the executive staff of Meager & Meager that she was going on a three week vacation, even though the "Finland Project" was still not finalized, they were a bit confused to say the least. This project could not be completed without her, and she was getting away to clear her head and get some much needed relaxation.
The truth was she was being hounded by her family and friends to settle down. They had tried to set her up with every cute executive, lawyer, doctor, or professional they came in contact with. Her sister Molly had even gone as far as putting up a profile on seven matchmaking sites to see which one would get the most hits. Eliza got weekly reports on who to follow up with and who she would have a dinner date with. In short, Eliza needed to run away. This vacation was for her.
~~*~~*~~*~~
"Hello," she answered the phone with a barely disguised moan.
"Liza, it's your mother."
"Yes, mother I know, your picture and name pop up on my phone when you call." Eliza rolled her eyes. "What's up, I am pretty busy with some last minute things at work before I leave tonight."
"That's why I am calling," her mother continued. "I think you should take your sister with you. A young, successful, intelligent woman like yourself should not be prancing all over Europe on your own. Some man might try to take advantage of you, Dear."
"Mother, we have gone through this. I'm okay traveling alone, and it would cost a pretty good amount of money to get Molly on the tour at this point."
"It's been taken care of," her mother interrupted, "Mark knows someone who knows someone who got a great deal." Eliza's mouth dropped open and she removed the phone from her ear. Was she hearing right? Somehow her sister was going to tour Europe with her? She stared at phone as if she could melt it with her heat vision. "Oh great", she said after returning the phone to her ear and biting her crooked index finger.
"Yeah, yeah, I thought it was a wonderful idea, and when it came together, I knew it was just meant to be," her mother said proudly. "So see, Dear, you and your sister will have a great time."
Eliza sat at her desk looking at the floor and shaking her head in defeat. She thought
, 'This only happens in my life. Why couldn't I just have a vacation to myself?'
Her mother continued, "So Liza, she will meet you at the airport tonight, unless you want to come out to dinner with us. We are throwing her a sendoff party at Althea's Cafe on 33
rd
." She paused to await an answer.
"Um, no Mother, I will not be able to make the dinner, but do give everyone my love. I have to really push the clock before I leave at 10PM tonight. I will be heading to the airport from here." How pathetic, she thought to herself, that she was about to go on the vacation she'd wanted to go on since college, and she is spending every last minute before departure working. She really needed this vacation more than she had thought.
"Well, Dear, remember you are about to go on vacation and please leave that office humbug there when you push off. No, and I mean, NO working on this vacation," her mother demanded.
Eliza for the first time agreed to do just that. "Yes, Mother, that is the plan."
"Okay dear. Love you; and remember love can find you if you send out the right coordinates." Her mother blew a kiss through the phone.
"Yes, mother. I love you too." Eliza returned the kiss. It was not tradition for anyone in her family to say "bye." Her mother started it when they were in grade school. She never wanted to say bye to her kids. She had wanted them to know that she would always be there. She felt if the unfortunate would take place and one would die before they saw each other again, goodbye was not the last word spoken. Therefore, she replaced saying goodbye with blowing a kiss.
Eliza pushed the end button on her cell phone and sighed heavily. She knew that her mother had sent her sister with an agenda...simply put:
"Operation: Find Eliza a man."
Eliza knew that any man who showed a hint of interest would be encouraged to approach her and make his move. Eliza felt her stomach churning and wished she could abort her plans and hide.
She returned her attention to files on her desk and the many legal documents that needed her signature. Pressing the intercom for her assistant, "Sally, may I trouble you for another cup of coffee, and can you make it the strongest stuff we have?" Breathing deeply, she refocused on the tasks at hand.
~~*~~*~~*~~
Eliza walked into the airport, dreading seeing her sister and mother. She sighed with relief when she remembered that her mother would not be able to walk them to the gate. It was all Eliza needed was to have her mother lecturing her yet again on how to dress and what to do to get a man. She shook her head remembering her mother's suggestions, "Now listen to me, this is how I got your father, I know what I'm talking about. Do it and you too can get a man."
She checked in curbside, made sure her bags were properly identified before they were placed on the conveyor belt and away to be loaded on the plane. She glanced at her watch, knowing her sister, Molly, was going to be running very close to being late. Eliza decided to head to the gate to avoid her mother's last minute advice.
"Eliza, Dear." She heard her mother's voice behind her.
Eliza cursed under her breath. As she turned to greet her mother, Eliza could tell by the look on Molly's face that their mother was in full strategize mode and that Molly was her weapon of choice. Eliza groaned and waved. This was going to be a long trip, she thought to herself.
~~*~~*~~*~~
Esau arrived at the airport with time to spare. He checked his bags and headed for the security checkpoint. He loathed this part of traveling; it was so annoying to just stand in line, waiting his turn. He tried to think of a reason that he would call Lauren before he took off. Nothing came to mind. He checked to make sure that he had his passports and all other important papers. He found a note from Tammy. It simply said:
If you need someone to talk to while you are away, I am here for you. Call me anytime.
Tammy
P.S. I like the color red.
He crumpled up the paper, rolling his eyes, and looked to see how much further he had to go before he was through the security check.
He got his ticket out and was glad he decided to fly first class. At least he would not have to suffer chatting with some very talkative person on the plane. He just wanted to relax and try to enjoy himself. He hated traveling, but travelling alone sucked even more. He wondered for a quick minute if Lauren would have gone with him. He tossed around the idea, but he didn't want to seem like a desperate case, plus with her being his assistant, he was sure there was some kind of policy against it. Michael would surely have something to say about that kind of fraternization. He grimaced at the thought of Michael and the speech he would be giving him. Esau might have feelings for Lauren, but he would not -- could not - act on them. It would be too great a cost for the both of them.
He felt his cock twitch when he remembered Lauren's voice, how she would saunter into his office when he called her. Her smile, her eyes, everything about Lauren lured him in. There was no doubt he was smitten by her. He decided this vacation was a time to get Lauren out of his thoughts. This vacation would be a perfect time to chill out and stop being such a workaholic and actually have some hot, steamy, and much needed sex.
He inhaled deeply and decided that he would have fun, forget Lauren, and as Tammy would say