POV: Raven
Before I can answer his question, Lola chimes in from my open door with two security guards in tow. Lola is breathing like she ran all the way from her apartment, a mile away. She looks like it too. She's wearing black yoga pants, gym shoes, a bright red tank top, with her iPhone ear buds draped over her shoulders... hardly work attire. I watch her until she reaches my desk to stand by me, then my glare finds Dexter's again.
“She says hell no to whatever bullshit you are offering!” Lola says as the security guards lurk into the office.
Dexter scrolls his eyes away from mine and leans back in his chair. He looks over his shoulder, smirking at the security guards, before glaring at Lola.
“It's always a pleasure, Ms. Mendez. You know... there is also a position waiting for you at Cunningham Sports Management if Raven accepts my offer, but you will have to adjust that smart ass attitude of yours.” He smiles mockingly, looking at me again. “So?”
“What the hell is he speaking about, Raven?” Lola asks, trying to catch her breath.
“He is talking about merging his company with ours, dangling a reconciliation over my head as leverage. He wants me to allow him to help me complete my bucket list, despite all he has put me through in the past. Thus, benefiting from the fruits of our extraordinarily successful launch, while again making everything that I’m doing all about him. Did I get everything right, Dexter?”
Lola's mouth drops open in disbelief before she starts laughing uncontrollably.
“You have got to be kidding me. I hope you advised him to go fuck himself,” Lola says, talking about Dexter as if he’s not even in the room.
I lift my eyebrows in amusement at Lola's lack of tact. “I guess you just notified him for me...” I shake my head and smile.
Dexter gets up from his chair, soothing non-existent wrinkles from his pants as he walks toward the exit. “My offer is friendly until Friday. Think about it... it's an excellent proposal.”
Ignoring Dexter's last remarks, I look at the guards, pointing towards the door. “Can you gentleman make sure that my ex-husband makes it out of the building okay?”
The guards nod, walking behind Dexter. I reach across the desk for my MacBook and open it up to check my emails.
Before he leaves, his head whips around, and he looks at me. “Until Friday then...”
I wave my hand at him without glancing up from my computer. “Thanks for dropping by Dexter ... just call next time you drop by,” I bellow out to him as he shuts my office door.
When it clicks shut, I close my computer and let out the breath I did not know I was holding. I peer up at Lola with fury in my voice. “What the hell was that?”
“I tried to warn you he might stop by the agency, but you hung up on me! He called my cell this morning looking for you. He mentioned he stopped by your place this morning, but you weren't there, so he claimed he would check here. I warned him not to, but he cut the call short... which seems to be pattern today.” Lola’s sarcasm leaks from her voice before flopping down in a chair in front of my desk.
“How did you get here so fast?” I ask with gratitude.
“I was out jogging when we spoke, so I high tailed it over here just in case you needed me. I’m glad I did! Why didn't he call you?”
“I blocked him after he called me yesterday,” I explain as the adrenaline from what just happened disintegrates into a heavyweight of sorrow.
I stare absently at Lola, and my eyes become glossy with tears. “It's funny because the two men who have abandoned me for the past 2-3 years, who have hurt me deeper than anyone ever has, show up out of nowhere asking me to either abandon my bucket list all together or they crave to be the man to help me complete it. First Hugh last night and now Dexter this morning. What do they want from me and why do I care?” I sob.
“Hey...” Lola whispers as she walks over behind the desk, gathering me in her arms. “It will be okay.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because you are one of the strongest people that I’ve ever encountered. You built this company with just your laptop, your broken heart and your determination, and look at you now. I can only vouch for one of these men. Although your ass left me this morning to avoid this topic,” she accuses. “Hugh cares about you, Raven, and you should give him the opportunity to clarify why he disappeared without so much as a word two and a half years ago. His answers might surprise you. I’m not advising you to abandon your bucket list because I think it will heal you, and hell, it’s fantastic for business. But what I am saying is, figure out how you feel about Hugh. Let him explain, and if you don't like what he has to say, you never have to speak to him again. But you need some closure sweetie...”
Lola pats me on the back before releasing me from our hug. She looks at me with raised eyebrows, nonverbally asking me if I am okay.
“I'm fine,” I choke out after a few seconds, looking at her from head to toe.
“I know! I am moving right now. I’m going home to shower, put my armor on, so we can get to work. This bucket list will be a kick ass initiative, and we will make a ton of money!” Lola marches out of the door, flashing me a big bright smile before taking off.
I reach in my purse and take out my phone... putting it on the desk trying to decide if I will call Hugh or not. Lola’s right, I have to talk to Hugh, but the idea terrifies me because I have so many unresolved feelings for him. On the one hand, I hate him because I don't understand why he would cut me out of his life how he did. No phone calls, text messages, emails... nothing. How could he do that? Despite all of his past behavior, just seeing him last night brought up so many passions and desires that I thought I packed away. The heat and passion between us came rushing back in an uncontrollable storm of overwhelming emotions... I melted.
Overcome by the memories, I put the phone back in my purse. “Not now,” I whisper to myself. “It's time to get to work.”
********************
Many hours later, everything is in full swing. All the ad space on the blog has been accounted for, and all the sex toys, condoms, clothes, high heels, perfumes, lingerie, hair products, jewelry etc.… have been sorted, and categorized. I have spoken to all our sponsors, completed all of my media appearances and I've just finished meeting with my social media team to make sure that everyone knows what they need to do. Lola sits on the couch, after the last millennial has left my office, and takes off her shoe before curling her legs underneath her.
“What a hell of a day. I am starved! Let us grab some dinner!”
I giggle at her as I lean back in my chair. “I don't know if I can move,” I announce as my phone buzzes. “No...” I whisper exhausted, reaching over to seize the receiver.
“Yes, Julie.”
“I think you need to get out here now,” Julie says, before abruptly hanging up the phone.
“What now?” I ask, aloud, looking at the receiver before I set it down. I ease up from my chair and go to the door.
“What's wrong?” Lola asks as she puts on her shoes, following me.
I do not answer her, I just shrug my shoulders and race to the reception area in a zombie like oblivion.
When I arrive... I’m stunned into silence; I literally have no words.
“My God!” Lola says for me as we look around in awe.
White roses fill every flat surface of the room, and they are steadily coming in. Behind the men delivering the flowers, caterers’ wheel in wagons and carts of food, covered in silver trays, while building security bring in countless cases of beer. One of the men walk to Julie's desk and gives her an envelope.
“I was told to give this to Raven Cunningham. Is she here?”
Julie does not speak; she just aimlessly points in my direction while she tries to direct the florist to take the remaining flowers into any available offices.
The guard walks over to me and hands me the note.
“Thank you,” I mumble, while staring at the message.
“Open it!” Lola insists as she takes the top off one tray. “Pizza?! Priceless.” She laughs, confirming what I already knew.
“Hugh...” I sigh to myself as I open the envelope:
Raven,
Let me start by saying I am sorry for how I behaved last night. I shouldn’t’t have demanded that you give up something that you have worked so hard for instead of explaining myself. I guess the thought of another man touching you, someone you've just met, caused me to behalf in a way that I’m not proud of. There are so many things I want to say to you, that I find myself willing to do anything to take you into a room, so I can clarify my stupidity almost 3 years ago. You have changed. And this new Raven is a woman that I am dying to get to know. (I hope she still likes Pizza and beer). I miss you... Let me explain. PLEASE.
I will be in LA until Friday. If you want to meet, text “Yes” to this number (213) 777-9311 and I will text back a time and location... please say yes.
Forever yours,
Hugh
Tears are streaming down my face as Lola stands next to me, munching on pizza, reading over my shoulder.
“Damn girl. If you don't respond to Hugh, I promise you I will. Look at all of this.” She waves her hand around in presentation. “Give the man a chance Raven... if not for him, then do it for yourself.”
I nod my head in agreement, rushing back to my office. I grab my phone from my purse and text Hugh before I can change my mind:
Dear Hugh,
Thank you for the flowers and dinner for my staff. Unfortunately, Friday is reserved. I’ll be out with Greg. He will be the man that I complete my bucket list with. But Saturday works for me.
Raven
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuxM1USMto
Sliding the phone on my desk, I head back to the reception area, so I can help Julie find a place for all the beautiful blossoms that Hugh sent.
After organizing the roses and eating pizza with the staff, I carry a vase of fresh flowers in my office and my phone buzzes. I retrieve my cell and smile when I see Hugh's text.
Raven,
We must meet Friday. If anything changes meet me at: One If by Land, Two If By Sea. 17 Barrow St.
A frown covers my face, wondering why Hugh won't compromise. I cannot help but remember his threat from last night.
He wouldn’t ...
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