Mixing Business & Pleasure - Chapter 3
Author's Note: After much delay, here is the awaiting next Chapter in the Mixing Business & Pleasure series. To everyone who has left comments or sent messages, I appreciate the feedback both good and bad. If you have ideas on future exploits for Lauren or are interested in editing, message me directly. Thank you and enjoy.
*************************************************************************************
Blinking slowly, Lauren read the email a second time before exhaling loudly to calm her nerves. It wasn't that she was entirely surprised, this was going to happen eventually but she'd been able to convince herself that that was some future date down the road. Now looking at the email to herself and her boss, that day had come.
Lauren & Team,
After a few years hiatus, I intend to conduct another series of trips and would like to hear what you all can offer. It would be best to discuss and plan this in person. I am available to meet next week in NY.
Dr. William Jameson
Most of Lauren's clients had re-started travel following the pandemic and she'd been pretty successful at wooing them back to her firm. However, her book was a bit light in part because Dr. Jameson's school hadn't yet made the leap. Bringing them back into the fold would be the highlight of her year and come with a healthy bonus. Her boss, Steve, would be thrilled and eager to do anything required to win the business.
Yet, there were complications. It had been almost three years since Dr. Jameson's last trip which concluded right before the pandemic closed down the industry. A trip that had also taken Lauren down a very different, unexpected path. For weeks after her return, she had been filled with torn emotions, conflict and uncertainty. She still recalled sitting on her bed, stomach in knots, waiting for the results of a pregnancy test. Inexplicably, it was negative. Then, almost blissfully, the global lockdown eliminated any remaining open questions. Her world had returned to an expected sense of normalcy. A little more than a year later, she and Michael had welcomed their third child and the extended pause in travel allowed her to spend much of that time with the family. The buzz of her phone interrupted her thoughts.
"Good morning, Steve . . . I saw the email . . . Yes, it is exciting . . . Am I available? I don't know. I'd have to check. This trip is last minute. Could you? . . . Isn't 3 of us excessive? . . . I understand the importance of the business . . . Ok. I'll make it work. Yes, I'll let Dr. Jameson know . . . Thank you."
Hanging up the phone, Lauren closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She needed to clear her head and decide how to proceed. She needed to talk this through with Michael. First, she had to confirm the trip details that Steve requested. Carefully she dialed the number for Dr. Jameson's assistant and heard a nice lady answer the call.
"Yes, this is Lauren from Travel Associates . . . No, I don't need to speak with him I'm just calling to . . . That's really not necessary," but she wasn't able to finish her sentence before the click of a transfer sounded on the phone.
Suddenly, the deep, recognizable voice on the other end said, "This is Dr. Jameson."
Hesitatingly Lauren responded, "Yes. Dr. Jameson. This is Lauren Manson. I'm calling to follow up on your recent email."
*************************************************************************************
Less than a week later, Lauren was in a relatively spacious New York hotel room gazing down at her bed. She'd worked magic to join this trip so quickly. A feat only made possible by Michael and their family's willingness to look after their kids while she cleared the balance of her calendar. Once he learned which client, Michael had asked several more questions wary of its purpose but her reassurance had put him at ease.
Now Lauren was staring at an unmarked black gift box that sat on her bed. It had arrived shortly after she checked into her room. After several minutes of delay, she untied the pink ribbon around the box before removing the heavy lid. Inside was carefully folded tissue paper obscuring the box's contents and a small note. Opening the card, she read the handwritten script slowly.
Lauren,
Look forward to seeing you tonight. This will make the evening that much more memorable.
William
She set down the card and pulled back the tissue paper uncovering a folded pink garment. Lifting it out, the silky material cascaded down to the floor revealing itself to be a maxi dress. The thin material and aggressive cuts were readily apparent. Placing it gently aside, she picked up a pair of nude-colored heels at least 4 inches tall. Finally, she saw the small black jewelry box at the bottom.