Chapter 3 -- Still Waters Run Deep
Monday morning came quickly as it always did. Mika reached blindly for the snooze button on the alarm that was chirping from the nightstand. After a couple of errant smacks she hit pay dirt and the alarm quieted. She hadn't heard Jay leave for work but knew he was gone. He always left earlier than she did. On the rare occasion that she was awake before he left she'd hear him whistling while he sipped at his coffee and took in the morning news. It was blessedly quiet right now affording her a few extra minutes of peace before she had to get moving.
She rolled over and turned the alarm off once it began to sound again. Her feet were dragging as she made her way toward the bathroom. After turning on the shower she headed towards the large walk-in closet to pick out her wardrobe for the day. She settled on a sage colored business suit with a pencil style skirt that hit just above the knee showing off her toned legs. Pulling out a champagne colored blouse to pair with the suit she laid them both across the bed.
Mika stepped into the steamy bathroom and climbed into the shower. She loved this bathroom. Ok, she loved the whole house. But the bath had won her heart the first time she set foot into it. It was spacious, and designed in earth tones colors of sand, coral, and rich browns. The cream colored marble had golden streaks running through it and the large, oval shaped mirror and subtle lighting created a tranquil and serene environment. The tub was sunken and had enough room for two comfortably. She remembered how excited they had been to be moving into their very own home. They'd eaten raspberries and drunk champagne while taking a bubble bath in the huge tub their first night in residence. They had turned on the aero-jets and giggled while savoring the bliss of the whirlpool effect. And as the water had grown cold they'd grown hot for each other. They'd made love in the tub like a couple of eager teenagers just learning what sex was all about. She laughed now at the memory and how silly and happy they had been. They had been young and eager to begin their lives together in earnest. They had planned vacations and tossed around names for their future children. She sighed as she lathered her body with sweetly scented suds.
A few short years later and she was over-joyed that she actually had sex anymore. Not for lack of want or trying she thought bitterly. No, that wasn't fair. She couldn't assign all the blame to him. She recalled a time when Jay had been the one who was gunning for her and she had left him wanting, either by going to bed early after a full day or simply not being in the mood. It seemed like it was so long ago. She guessed she was going to have to do something about that. After Saturday night, there was no way she was going to settle for cool sheets anymore. Mika tipped her had back and let the spray of water pelt her. ***
Forty-five minutes later she was backing out of the garage and headed for downtown Omaha. As the morning show dee-jay commentary tittered in through the Bose speakers of her Infiniti she ran through her agenda for the day. She had emails to go through, responses to make. A meeting with Brad from Finance was scheduled for 10. She expected that would take a full hour. Considering it was a budget meeting and everything was on track they could be done in half the time. However, Brad was a talker and a flirt. Put him in a room with a woman, correction...an attractive woman and Brad turned on the charm. She couldn't fault him for it. He was good-looking and charismatic, and knew it. Yes, the meeting would take the full hour she thought. After that she had some phone calls that could be made before she met up for a lunch meeting with Sherri, Donna, and Maxine. The rest of her day should proceed unexceptionally.
Pulling into the parking garage she lifted a hand in a wave to Bob. Bob had been with ESM for nearly twenty years. He knew the comings and goings of just about everybody there and Mika had always respected him.
"How are those grandbabies Bob?" Mika asked lowering her window, the frosty air seeping in.
"How can they be anything but fantastic they way Trudy spoils 'em?" His gray eyes sparkled as he spoke.
"Oh you know Trudy isn't the only one who spoils those boys." She laughed inching forward. "Have a good day Bob and give Trudy and the boys a kiss for me."
"You know I will." He said with a grin.
Finding a space near the bank of elevators Mika parked and hurried across and into the building. Normally she took the stairs up to her third floor office. Today she opted for the elevator being that it was bitterly cold out. She stepped into the elevator as soon as it opened. Turning she saw a man she didn't recognize walking briskly toward the building entrance. She could tell he had an athletic build underneath the overcoat he wore but hadn't bothered to button. His shoulders were wide set and he had an air of confidence about him as he walked. He raised his arm as if to signal her to hold the elevator. Sorry buddy, she thought as she feigned fumbling with her purse and the buttons at the same time. Not her fault he was running late she thought. He picked up his pace and was just in time to see Mika mouth "Sorry" as the doors whispered closed.
Getting off on her floor Mika exchanged hello's with her co-workers as she made her way to her office. Once inside she immediately turned on the portable heater she kept on the floor under her desk. She took off the eggshell colored trench coat she wore, hanging it on the hook behind her door. She hit the power button on her desktop and grabbed her coffee mug heading for the employee lounge.
The morning got underway and Mika polished off her second cup of coffee as she made her way to the sixth floor conference room where her meeting with Brad was scheduled. She was the first to arrive and set about connecting her laptop.
Whoo-whooooo.
Her head popped up in response to the cat call whistle. Brad stood at the door, an appreciate look on his face. "You are shameless!" she said enjoying the familiar banter. It wasn't until Brad moved further into the room that she saw he wasn't alone. Her face registered shock followed by embarrassment as she recognized the man from the elevator this morning. Shit! Who is he and what's he doing here? Quickly masking her discomfort she met his eyes giving him a polite smile. Please don't recognize me she chanted in her head. Please God, don't let him be a new vp or something like that.
Mr. Elevator quirked a brow. "You look somewhat familiar, have we met before?" His eyes were deceptively blank.
Double shit! So much for not recognizing her. Never let 'em see you sweat right? She opted for cool and aloof.
"No, I don't believe we have. Mika Peeples." Fixing a cool yet professional smile on her face she extended her right hand.
"Marcus Waters." He said taking her proffered hand. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance Mrs. Peeples." He said as he glanced down at the sparkling diamond on her third finger of her left hand. "Although, I'm sure I've seen you around before."
She groaned inwardly sliding into a chair.
"Call me Mika, please." And not the rude bitch from the elevator.
"Marcus is a consultant brought on to assist with several projects." Brad explained taking a seat at the conference table. Following his lead Marcus took the seat directly opposite Mika giving her a chance to study him.
He was attractive, not in a Hollywood leading actor way though. His brown skin was even and clear. The color of strong coffee with a dollop of cream stirred in she thought. He was tall, she'd put him at just over six feet. His hair was cut low and his eyes were dark and piercing. He was clean shaven and had dimples that were quick to appear when he spoke. He exuded pure, male magnetism. There was an air of mystery about him. He deld an intrigue that drew one in without any effort on his part to do so. She knew without a doubt that he was all man.
He glanced up, catching her starting at him. She cleared her throat and looked to Brad waiting for him to begin. Realizing she hadn't been paying attention she opened the portfolio that he'd placed in front of her.
"Mika is responsible for the online client marketing here at ESM." Brad explained. "She's developed several ads that will be presented to the VP's at next month's campaign meeting."
"Mika if you'll be so kind as to forward the Brinkman ads to Marcus by week's end he'll have a chance to review them before they go in front of the board."
Mika's brow furrowed in confusion. Since when did her proposals need approval? "Is this a change in protocol?" She shot a quizzical look Brad's way.
"It's part of the "Go-Green" campaign ESM is promoting." Brad lamented. "No insult to your work, just part of the process."
"I'm in the company email directory already. We can set up a meeting to go over a few things." Marcus said looking at her.
"Fine with me." She clipped.
The rest of the meeting proceeded uneventfully. Besides his cat call at the beginning of the meeting Brad was on his best behavior. She attributed that to his attempt to remain professional in front of Mr. Elevator.
By the time the lunch hour rolled around Mika was making significant headway in the tasks assigned to her. She grabbed the tuna sandwich she had stowed in the small fridge in her office and headed for the employee lounge where she would meet up with her friends.
As she entered, she found that her three friends had already staked a table and were animatedly chatting. Pulling out a chair she plopped down.
"Rumor has it he's unattached." Donna said her green eyes shining brightly.
