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A CORPORATE AFFAIR
by R. V. Riccio
S m a s h w o r d s E d i t i o n
Copyright 2009 R. Vincent Riccio
ISBN 9781605859057
** Romantic Suspense Series **
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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CHAPTER ONE
“So you’re really going to get involved with a huge, international company like Troy Limited, huh? A sweet, li’l ole home body like you?” Krista Martell's best friend, Jillian Taylor, asked her as they dawdled through a light lunch.
“That seems to be the proper move for me right now,” the attractive brunette answered. “I have enough education to work in their prestigious environment, with a B.S. in Finance and my MBA finally done. I'm confidant I can handle anything their position throws at me.” Krista's large, amber eyes were wide as she thought through her entire experience with the upscale company to date. She sipped clear iced tea through a large straw, noting it needed just a touch more sweetener as they passed some quality friendship time at the small, quaint coffee shop in Fort Lauderdale.
“Even with rich and powerful people like those?” Jillian pursued, flipping her shoulder-length blonde hair behind her. “The rumors have it that they're very connected. You know what I mean.”
“Uh-huh. You can’t listen to all that. Rumors are always saying those types of things about rich and powerful people. The papers will make up anything to sell more copies.”
“I don't know, honey, an innocent young thing like you - in an atmosphere of ninety percent highly ambitious males. They eat young, attractive women for lunch, love. And whole bunches of other people for dinner!” Jillian smiled, leaning across the small, round, table close to the front window, where she’d be sure to see everyone walk by. She munched on the remains of her Turkey Club in between her chatty conversation with the girlfriend she’d known for many years.
“I know your parents would have something to say about this if they were still alive. This is Troy Limited we're talking about! Powerful people who know everybody, the good guys and the bad guys. I saw in the news that they're the fastest growing Fortune Five Hundred company in history. Right? You don't get there playing by the Marquis of Queensberry rules!” The blonde was much more concerned with the flamboyant side of business than her more serious minded friend.
“Close enough - Fortune Thousand. They broke into it a couple of years ago. They're nine hundred and two now,” she said thoughtfully. “You have way too active an imagination, Jillie. Their annual reports are respectable enough, I can tell you that. All the factual data I've seen so far indicates a very smart organization, period. Which makes it an excellent place to advance my career.” Krista squeezed a few more drops of lemon into the tall iced tea glass.
“Mm-m-m,” the blonde mused. “And this Josh Lambert executive, the one you're always talking about - he's not exactly yesterday's socks - how big a consideration is he now, hm-m?”
The amber eyes crinkled a bit while a small smile grew on the pretty face as she continued to suck gently on her straw. “I suppose I'd like to get to know him better,” she offered nonchalantly, “especially if we’re going to work together. Which seems like a near-impossible thing to do. All the information I've ever found on him indicates he has no history at all before fifteen years ago. That might make it kind of difficult to get very close to him.”
“Now, see? Doesn't that make you just a little bit suspicious?”
She nodded a couple of times as she continued to drink her tea. “A little. But, otherwise, he has the best references and credentials. He's exceptionally smart, and well respected in all the financial outlets you can find.”
“And not very hard to look at either, from those pictures you see of him.”
The pretty brunette shrugged casually.
“There's more going on inside of you than you're letting on, my dear friend. You two have known each other too long for this to be merely business. He's been one of your best customers at the bank for, what, over a year now?” The comely blonde said.
“Almost two. But who's counting!” She smiled impishly.
“I am! I want to see you find a nice guy and settle down. Act normal, for pete's sake. If this is a decent guy, you should be doing something with him other than working! No one gets as concerned with someone as you've been - for this long - without caring for him more than a little!”
“You're overly consumed with my love life, and you shouldn't be, with a great guy like Nickie.”
“You don't have a love life! That's the point. A few casual boyfriends since high school! What is that?”
“That's only because I had to take care of Dad - you know that. He couldn't do much for himself - before he - passed away,” she recounted, still maintaining obvious emotion about the ordeal. “So I'm not a floozie. Shoot me.”
The blonde feigned a pout. Then added, “You're not a hermit crab either.”
“Aren't you too old to be concerned with this stuff, Jillian!” Krista Martell tossed out.
“Really. Thirty next month. I should go out and shop for tombstones. Only three more years than you've been around, my little friend; you're encroaching on spinsterhood yourself. It's time you looked at men as something more than business associates. Maybe you have now with this Josh guy, huh! And you're simply not owning up.”
The brunette shrugged a shoulder delicately. “So when is Nickie going to ask you to marry him anyway?” She endeavored to change the subject.
“I don't know! God, I hope soon, or I'm going to burst. We're scheduled for a boating trip in a couple of weeks. Maybe then - I'll make myself irresistible! But, what's happening with you this interview? How many times is it now?”
“This is the forth! I've an appointment with the president, no less -” She looked at her watch. “An hour from now - in Josh Lambert's office.” She briefly raised her eyebrows once. “He arrived here from Europe today, mostly to see me, Josh said.”
“Ooooh, lucky you!”
“Yes, and I've had a case of group butterflies for two days. A lot's riding on this, and I don't want to seem too nervous. Especially after the two formal interviews with Josh - he's Mr. Troy's Executive Assistant. And once with their Personnel Manager, Mr. McGuire, before that. I believe this one will clinch it,” she said with certainty.
“I thought None of the Troys came down here to the Miami branch. I heard they're not crazy about staying in the States. What's that all about?” Jillian's deep blue eyes were sparkling, indicating the intrigue she believed was there.
“Nothing. They’re European! The Troy family operates five offices: New York, Miami, the Bahamas, Italy and France - so far. They are a giant world-wide corporation, predominantly managed by their large family, who happen to be mostly men - until recently. But there are pressures on them, especially in the U.S., to get more women into the organization. It's the right time for me to break in. That's why this timing is so important. You know, timing is at least fifty percent of everything.”
“Didn't Yogi Berra say that?” the blonde friend jested.
Krista sighed, sipping some more iced tea. “At this point, I fit right into Troy Limited's current plans, you know. Another six months or so and I might not be right.”
“You don't imagine 'the boys' are just stringing cute little ole you along as a pretty company plaything? Those Troy men have this international playboy reputation, you know.”
“Even if some of them do, their company is for real - totally legitimate, however they got started. That's all I care about. But, so far, they haven't gotten the numbers for female applicants yet. They can use someone like me.”
“I wish I could muster your internal strength and patience - it would help while I'm waiting for Nickie to ask me to marry him.”
“He will,” the brunette said sympathetically. “You two go too well together. Nickie knows that - he's just waiting to get a little more settled, and properly financed, that's all. You know him - an engineer - all the numbers have to work.” She smiled cheerfully at the blonde.
“I know - I always hated math!”
Krista chuckled, always entertained by her best friend. “And yet your best friend is a financial accountant, and your boyfriend's an engineer. And you worry about my choices.”
“Yeah! In the meantime, Little One, my main occupation is to worry about you.”
“Ugh! I'm going to have to tell Nickie to move it along!” She stirred her iced tea vigorously, staring at the glass, not yet satisfied with its contents, even though its liquid was more than half gone.
“I still don't know. This Troy place may not be the healthiest environment for a relatively inexperienced young thing like you. You're really not that knowledgeable handling powerful people, sweetheart.”
“I'm knowledgeable enough. And I’m not that young anymore. Especially after this last year.” The beautiful, amber eyes troubled a moment as she thought of her past experience with Dave Harper, a man she’d dated for about three months, during which time her father had become critically ill. The whole ordeal was riddled with problems, the last of which ended with David becoming bored with Krista's conservative style of romance along with her constant attentiveness for her ill father; he’d run off to London with a large property acquisitions company, Nickie had discovered, along with its top, forty year old female executive. He hadn't said goodbye, just left a note stating he was relocating to England for a career advancement, he'd be in touch. She never heard from him again. Then her dad, her last remaining parent, died. It was a rough and altogether horrible year for her, filled with conflicting emotions and great strains. But she'd gotten through even that.
“I can tell you about Josh Lambert - attractive or not, he's certainly brilliant. He knows his business extremely well. And he's almost all business. Through almost two years I've known him and Troy Limited as a good clients at the bank, he's been very charming certainly, but serious, and consumed by his work. Besides, I'm thinking about celibacy until I'm forty to keep me away from any more emotional problems.”
“I thought this was the person who asked you for a date several months ago, when you were going out with David? And then wanted you to have dinner with him after one or two of your interviews? Doesn't sound like 'all business' to me, Sweety. You should've dated him the first time he asked, and the heck with the job! You can get a lot farther with a rich husband than a good job.”
“I don’t think he’s all that rich, from what I can gather talking to him. I’m sure he gets by pretty well, depending on his lifestyle, but the mega-millions are with the Troy family itself. He seems happy simply to work for them - which is an oddity, as dedicated to business as he is. I guess we'll have to see what develops between us. Some kind of relationship will probably happen. I'm sure we can at least be friends. We've been too friendly all this time for there to be absolutely nothing there.
“He was well aware of my last horrible year - I could hardly keep it a secret - so I’m sure he thought pushing me again for a date wouldn't have been very appropriate, and he does seem to be very much a gentleman. I only refused the last date because it clashed with earlier plans I had. We said we'd talk about it again next time we got together - which is today.”
“Aha! See? I knew something was going on there.”
“Oh, please. You're incorrigible. Let me approach this at my own pace, will you?”
“What pace? You don't have a pace! Unless you can call stopped a pace!”
“Give me a break, Jillie! I'm not you. And I don't know why you're talking about grabbing people that have money. Nickie's no millionaire; he's just a terrific, hardworking guy.”
“It's a motherly type of thing I have toward you.”
“I know. And I love you for it. But please - would you stop doing it!”
Jillian wrinkled her nose at her good friend. “I still worry about you, though. You're a lot more vulnerable than you like to think. You're tough, sure, but I don't think you can see a primo line coming at you when there's a nice enough smile behind it and a pin-striped suit.”
“Not true at all.” The brunette rebuffed her with a shake of her head. “I'm not that naive. It takes more than a good line to win me over these days.”
“I hope so! But people like these high-powered international types can surely put you to the test. Particularly any with questionable business connections - you’ve heard all the gossip.”
“Yes! From you! I'm serious about this opportunity, Jillian. It's no whim. I've done a good deal of investigation on them, and found them to be progressive and ambitious. Like me! That's the kind of atmosphere and people I want to be associated with.”
The blonde hair drooped down across the side of Jillian Taylor's face, and several strands of it blew out as she sighed deeply. “Your stubbornness scares me sometimes; there's too much of it for your own good. Good thing you're as intelligent as you are. But brains are not always enough. I wish you lots of luck. Maybe I just don't want to lose my best friend to an international corporation - one way or the other. “
”Stop worrying! After I meet with their CEO today, I should be in, then everything will be great.”
“Right. Great.”
“It will! I must admit I was nervous through those early interviews.” She reflected upon her own powerful response to Josh Lambert at their first formal meeting, alone with him on his turf, in the Troy corporate atmosphere - it definitely was different than him being at her bank. After a battery of standard tests to go with the application she'd already made out, she spent the balance of the afternoon predominantly with him, meeting a few others.
Her butterflies grew in their second, a day-long affair, during which they'd talked more about herself and her plans, and she was introduced to several more Troy employees in the conference room, but also during which they discussed their long-standing relationship and the necessity to stop merely talking about it and date. In her nervousness she’d postponed that discussion until next time, telling him she wanted to concentrate on the interview process with them first, and besides she had plans. She knew she had made tentative arrangements to work out with a few of her friends at a new gym that had recently opened, but that was an excuse; it was nervousness invoking her answer. She could easily have broken her casual plans. When she arrived home later, she had cursed her own weakness, knowing she wanted the relationship to move to its next level at least as much as he seemed to. It was awkward for her, but the handsome Troy executive wasn't affected by the timing, rather he was determined they get together after they’d known each other so long and found each other's company stimulating. He had said he'd noticed things in them that were similar.
Krista Martell knew Josh Lambert from his extensive business affairs with the bank she worked for currently, and where she managed to handle personally many transactions with him as his personal banker. She'd found him friendly, attractive, smart, easy to talk with, and engaging enough to arouse new and provocative emotions within her. At first she discounted her feelings as impossible, since they were only discussing business, and they'd occurred during the worst year of her life. Later, she had to admit that indeed she liked the man a great deal, and that there was something mutual working between them. Previously, her scant relationships with men were fairly distant, and always things she was easily in control of. During her father's long illness and eventual death, she was generally even cooler and more reserved than usual. Yet, inexplicably enough, it was during this time period that a friendly relationship developed with the Troy executive. A closer relationship with Josh Lambert at that time didn't make much sense, injecting more complications into her life than she could handle, and was therefore, she believed, a thing to be avoided.
Although secretly hoping it would happen, she was surprised when Josh had asked her for a date at the bank early on, an offer she had declined with some reluctance, citing the fact that she dated only one man at a time, and was doing so. She knew that was a lame excuse, but with everything that was happening in her life, it was all she could manage. Besides, she felt she could handle David Harper far better than she ever could the more devastatingly charming and sophisticated Joshua Lambert. She came to realize that she was disappointed when he hadn't asked her again.
Fortunately none of that had interfered with her application process at Troy Limited. During her interviews with the Troy executive, she found herself both elated and worried that dating had evolved as a topic between them. David Harper was out of her life as an excuse, and the rest of her life had settled into relative normalcy. However, this particular man's intrusion into her life threatened to shatter her recently developed serenity, for she could feel the emotional urgings inside herself to become much closer to him.
Apprehensively she'd replied last interview, “Not right now, Josh. I want to get through this process without complications,” and then, “Don't you think that would make things between us a little uncomfortable?” To which he had confidently replied, “Not at all. I'd be honored to have your presence at dinner.”
“Honored,” she iterated aloud quietly, rethinking the episode in the silence.
“What?” her luncheon partner queried, a puzzled look on her face.
“Nothing, nothing,” came the response.
In the passing of the next two weeks, a time during which she had not seen Josh Lambert due to his business abroad, and during which she hadn't heard any results from her last interview, she’d doubly damned herself as to whether it was even a practical thing to do to have refused. Later, her heart and hopes soared when the call had come from personnel that the company desired another meeting, with Josh and the CEO. The prospects of this new and increasingly meaningful conference gave her a healthy set of ambivalent feelings.
“Oh, the time!” Krista stated. “I have to leave now to make that Miami drive so I can meet Josh and Mr. Troy. And you have to get back to your 'Olde Antique Shoppe.' I'll let you know how it turns out as soon as I get back. See you later.”
“Okay. I'll get the check. You run along. When you get your important job, you can owe me one. Or two.” She smiled, crinkling the laugh lines around her eyes.
The two women stood up from their small table and hugged each other briefly, then Krista walked briskly out to her car. The strong sunlight reflected a bright image back from the store window as she passed. Quickly she smoothed out her light cotton yellow dress, and fluffed her long, golden brown hair behind her. On her arm she carried a short, matching yellow jacket with a white lace collar, for the cooler air conditioned buildings. Her favorite purse, a small, light tan leather, complimented her outfit. She turned sideways left, then right, judging her five foot six, shapely figure in excellent form to meet those who would surely be her new employers.
“Today is the day!” her lips said aloud.
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The pretty brunette walked into the large, white stone building of Troy Limited at 2:20 PM, scheduled to meet the CEO in ten minutes. She looked around the modern building of glistening marble walls and cathedral ceilings, finally deciding it was far too ostentatious and baroque for her tastes, but she could call it home for the right opportunity.
Joshua Lambert, the senior-most local Troy employee, strode toward her from deep in the back of the large, open office. He made his way briskly past Lorrie, the attractive, black receptionist in the front, who had reported Krista Martell in, and came to stand directly before the amber-eyed beauty. He was dressed in a tan suit, satin white on white pin-striped shirt and gold tie with green abstract designs on it. The cuffs of his shirt were held by Jade cuff links, a color that matched his vibrant green eyes. She could not help reminding herself that this was a very coordinated human being, neither hard to listen to or to look at.
The green-eyed executive looked like he had just been dressed by servants. He stood more than six inches beyond her height. His sandy-blond hair boyishly parted in the middle struck a perfect note to his youthfully tanned face. He appeared hardly more than her own age, yet she knew from the interview that at thirty-four, he was seven years her senior.
The man stood before her and grasped both her hands in his own larger version, squeezing them tightly. The two stared silently, amber eyes to green, for a full minute, drinking each other in once again, a little more than business working between them. Their serious expressions gave way to smiles and some small discomfort at their state within public view.
Finally he stated, “We ought to be moving up to the room and look businesslike, eh?”
“Of course,” she replied astutely, currently not feeling put off by the executive.
“Would you come this way, Miss Martell?” He said formally, opening his eyes wide at her. He swept his left hand gallantly in front of him, smiling. “After you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lambert. By the way, do you have a glass of water? My throat's a little dry.” She said the last two phrases softly, feeling a bit more nervous than she'd been earlier. She suddenly realized there was much more transpiring here than she had wanted to think about before coming.
“Certainly.” Josh escorted her up a flight of stairs along the wall and into another large office surrounded by red cedar wood paneling. Some laser print seascapes hung on them, so three dimensional that they conveyed the illusion that they were windows. Otherwise the walls were neat and uncluttered.
Krista sat down into an immense brown leather chair opposite the pearlized white onyx desk top, while Josh Lambert fetched a crystal glass of cold water from the spring water machine.
“Here you go,” he began, holding it out to her, smiling.
“Thanks.” She sipped the cool liquid slowly. It gave her something to do. Although she did not fear the situation, it was providing her with more internal anxiety than she'd wished - or counted on.
“No bother, you're perfectly welcome. Troubled about this next interview?” He smiled easily at her. His voice was cultured, with no traceable accent. Krista's eyes watched the handsome face, trying to relax in an atmosphere charged with consequences.
“Just a little. But, maybe, a little will keep me sharp?” she offered tentatively.
Lambert nodded understandingly.
She thought to herself for a moment as she tried to relax and make small talk. “Mr. Troy is supposed to be here at 2:30, isn't that right?” Her slight southern drawl came back naturally, especially when she was anxious.
“Positively. He'll be in by then. He loves to chat with the staff - likes to try and see everybody - a real people person. It's too infrequently that he comes to this office. I wish he were around more,” he said thoughtfully, then recaptured Krista's amber eyes. “He checks over the work occasionally to keep him directly involved, but his major duties are in Europe. He's a very wise man, for only forty years, easy to talk with, you'll like him. Generally everybody does.”
“I'll take your word for it, although it's hard to imagine such a rich and powerful man being that easy to talk to.”
His eyes narrowed with seriousness, scrutinizing her for a brief moment, then nodded. “Regardless, you'll see I'm right.”
She shook her head. “You know, everything's happened so quickly. A little while ago you were a customer at the bank, now I'm here.”
He nodded. “I know, the first important things you do are usually like that. First you're there, then you're here - you wonder where in the world the middle went.”
She laughed, relieving some inner tension. “I'm glad you understand. You always seem to.”
“I told you nearly a year ago, you and I have some similarities. Trust me, we share a lot in common inside. You'll come to see that eventually.”
“I'll have to take your word for that, too. It's always pleasant when you're able to be understood by the people you talk to - especially the important people.”
“Why thank you. I think that's the first nice thing you've said about me since I've known you.”
“That long? I didn't mean to,” she replied with good humor.
“I know,” he replied drily.
Once again Josh took the entire young lady in, combing her with his eyes, drinking in everything. Part of her traditional self told her she should be protesting, being here, but another part, which was dominated by her emotions and interest in this man of international flare and experience, was thrilled it was happening.
Finally she broke the silence. “Josh, isn't there something we should be doing right now?”
“I'm doing it. Everything goes into an evaluation!” His smile was winning. “Seriously, you are going to have dinner with me tonight. We both know it's way overdue. I know you have a streak of shyness, which is charming, believe me, but I know I'm not the only one interested in moving on.”
“I know, and I recognize that you've been patient with me about this. I do appreciate your understanding. It was a difficult last year.” She took a deep breath and looked into his startlingly green eyes.
He nodded empathetically. “Some years are like that. I've had them myself,” he added with a touch of somberness, then reclaimed his good humor almost immediately. “But you always have to move forward. You know? Alexander often reminds me, you only have two options in life: move forward, or go backwards. If you try staying put, you move back, since everything else will pass on by - like standing in a river.”
“Yes, interesting analysis. He does sound like a wise man.”
“So?”
“Oh gosh, my inclination is to say yes, Josh, but I'm - still a little nervous about everything, and I want us to talk about it a little. So let's wait until after the interview, okay?”
He stared at her a little while, assessing her statement, then nodded. “Fair enough. I'm not insensitive, you know, quite the contrary. It's what this company is all about - people.” He sat on the edge of his desk. “Sit down, please.” He pointed to the chair in front of him, and the young lady complied. “We started hinting about this a few weeks after we met, at the bank. You told me you were involved, but I knew you weren't serious. You were just nervous and had too many things going on at the time.”
“Now - how could you possibly know that?” she said smiling. “Especially way back then, in the beginning.”
“Signals. And don't give me that, ‘What, sweet little old me?' look!”
Krista had to laugh, in spite of her attempts at restraint. It was relaxing, and she knew he was right.
“Plus, I've spent a long time being educated in how to read people. You have to learn that in this company. People are what make business work. Read them right, give them what they need and want, and business works. Read them wrong and business fails. I'm reasonably certain I've been able to read you, and I don't believe you've made it all that difficult.”
“Well, this isn't all business.”
“I believe that was my point.” He smiled disarmingly at her.
The young brunette felt comfortable enough with him these days to be able to discuss anything as a friend, knowing him to be sincere; her natural shields were lowered.
“Let's see how everything goes.”
The blond executive leaned his head to the right for a moment, staring through her, then back. “It will go well. But, think about this. We're primarily in the lending business, we learn about people in order to know who to lend to, how much to lend, what their capacity for repayment is, how able are they to make their business profitable and continue during hard times. In that case, you have a bunch of people here doing business with a bunch of people there.” He gesticulated freely with his hands, moving them wide apart. “The more everyone knows about each other, the better business runs, the more able you are to get together,” he closed his hands, “to make things work.”
Krista listened to his voice interestedly.
“If you take two people - like us, you and me -” He continued moving his hand back and forth in typically European fashion, pointing at each of them, “you're in the friendship business, or love business, however one characterizes that. The same factors hold true. How much you truly know about each other - not guessing or believing in rumors or superstitions - that is what determines how well the relationship will work. You and I - we know a lot more about each other than we'd readily admit, I'd venture. Because we're both fairly conservative. The important things are those which we've already shared with each other, over the last year and a half. But, because of our investigation of you, I know more about details in your life than you do regarding me. We should correct that imbalance. The only way that will happen is for us to get together.”
“Are you this patient and methodical with every situation you deal with?” She was intrigued by his calm air and willingness to explain himself.
He nodded. “Sure, generally. With human beings you have to be tolerant, and explain yourself. Everybody's different. It's what makes them things of beauty, philosophically. Quite often it takes time to connect.”
“Like it's taken us, huh.”
“No-no! We’ve always connected. We just haven't done much about it yet. And that has taken a while. But - I do understand the reasons why. You had a very rough year.”
“I guess it's kind of flattering that you'll spend time going this slow because you understand.”
“Slow? This is not slow! If it were just 'slow' - we'd be married and have kids by now.” He stood up and gave her cheek a pinch.
“Ow!” she feigned.
“European custom. We do it to people we like.”
“Wonderful! You consider yourself more European than American?”
“Of course! I was born there.” He sat back down on the desk.
“Really?”
“Yes! See all the interesting things you'll learn on a date?”
“I do. Interesting!” She enjoyed the light repartee they had between them. “Where is your family from? Where were you born?”
“Uh-uh. Sorry. You can't get that kind of valuable information until you arrive on the actual date.”
“What about this?”
“This - is a job interview. Doesn't count. It's in the rules. You have to physically get out of your place of business for it to count as a date.”
“Which is why we haven't had one yet, despite the umpty-something meetings together we've had. Right?”
“That’s it! See, I knew we wanted you here for a reason - smart.”
“You're a fascinating guy, Mr. Lambert.”
“Wait till you go on the date!”
“I suppose it has to happen sooner or later.” She feigned a bored inevitability.
“You would think. Unless you're truly not interested. I wouldn't ask if I thought you felt that way. But, I'm human. I can be wrong.”
“Mm-hm. You know you're not wrong. At least, not a lot!”
His eyebrows furrowed into a question.
“I've got to maintain some level of mystique and surprise, don't I?”
“I hate surprises. Don't do me any favors,” he retorted with almost too much feeling.
“You're kidding.”
“No! Most surprises in life are bad. I like things you work your tail off for because they're important to you, and then you get them. Things that are unrelated to your effort aren’t worth very much, no matter how positive you may perceive them, and quite often can be negative.”
“So-o - you don't want me to throw you any curves!” she said impishly.
A smile grew on Josh's face. He opened his mouth to say something, but then thought better of it and merely shook his head. “We'll finish this afterward. Alex will be here soon. I just saw him go into Allison's office.” He could spy him through the partially closed office door.
“Oh. Does he have business with the people he talks to, or is it just friendly?”
“With him, both. He likes to get around to talk to as many people as he can, and he also discusses business. He's got a great memory for details, as well as being gregarious. Great personality, terrific salesman and negotiator. The company wouldn't have gone anywhere without him. I'm afraid I'm a shier, more nuts and bolts type.”
“You could have fooled me.”
He shrugged. “You'll learn all that soon enough.”
Krista grinned at him. She could not ignore the man's enchanting manner.
Josh stood up and looked at his watch. “You know, originally, when we got your application for the job, it occurred to me that you'd be perfect for the slot we have, for a whole host of reasons. And that has been mostly borne out. But, I have to tell you, the timing of this - it's not so good with us. I'd rather the two of us go out, and leave you at the bank. Right now, bringing you on here could provide us with some problems, unfortunately.”
“Really?” she responded worriedly, wondering what he was referring to.
“Yeah. It's all business stuff, but, it would be better if we were doing this six months from now instead. But, we’ve waited too long already, Krista Dear. Work will always be with us, and this job has certainly become a company reality; you are very well suited to it, so we'll just have to make do with the situation we've got.”
“That sounds very ominous, Mr. Lambert,” she commented.
“Not really. I may have said too much right now, Kris, but it's going to be very busy here unfortunately. Not the best atmosphere for you to come on and learn, while at the same time we shove a ton of work on you. Not to mention, it cramps our ability to get together more closely - which I had wished would have happened well before this.”
“Oh. Well, Josh, you can't always have the best timing for everything. You have to work with what you have, don't you?”
The Troy Executive sighed. “That you do, Miss Martell, that you do. Still, I didn't need things to be any harder than they already were. And all this stuff going on is going to make life very complicated. We may not get a chance to talk or relate to each other as much as I'd like during this time period. Makes things difficult all around for a young woman coming on here, with so much expected of you, and as difficult and complex as everything will be for all of management.”
“Well, I'm not sure what you're referring to, but a lot of work doesn't scare me. I'm in good shape, and fairly tough. If it's humanly possible to do the work, I'll find a way to do it.” She said seriously and with confidence.
Josh Lambert nodded. “That's why you'll be hired!”
“I hope so!”
“You will, don't worry about it. You're simply the best person we've seen for the job; even though I'd much rather it happened about half a year from now. It would be better for us to simply date, and leave the job for awhile; there’ll always be a place for someone like you here.”
“Well, I’m here, now. Let’s see how it goes. I won't disappoint this company - if and when I do come on.”
“No, you certainly won't.”
“I hope Mr. Troy is as positive as you are.”
“He will be - eventually. I know you a lot better, so I'm already convinced.”
“Well, I guess that's a good thing at least, huh?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, it is!” He smiled warmly at her. “So, you see, it doesn't escape me either that the timing of all this is awkward.”
“All this?” she asked coyly.
“Sure. That you're coming here for a position and that I'd like us to date at the same time. That's part of the complexities. See, in my mind, analytical as it is - and we are alike in that respect by the way - these are two entirely separate things. I have no difficulty with that. But you're not in my mind, you don't know me quite well enough yet, so there is the outside possibility you can look at this as some kind of sham to get you to go out with me, for instance. And all these delays are simply posturing, waiting for you to say yes so I don't actually have to hire you.”
“That really never occurred to me. Call me naive.”
“Mm-m, well, yes, you are. Nonetheless, you've nothing to be concerned with.”
“However, it did occur to my best friend Jillian, so I see the point.”
“Fine. That's what I mean. Hopefully you saw this exactly as I did. But, you know, today, with all the sexual harassment activities occurring everywhere, it's hard for a man to know how to behave in this atmosphere. It must have been so much nicer in the days when I could have clubbed you over the head and taken you back to the cave for a bite of Sabre Tooth Tiger meat!” He furrowed his eyebrows together in boylike fashion as he ended.
The young brunette laughed easily. “Somehow I can see you in that role! Let's get all of our business out of the way first, Josh,” she said compassionately.
“Hm-m. Now to the cynical ear that could sound awfully much like gentle extortion.”
“Little ole me?” she drawled thickly. “Surely you're jesting.”
He smiled. “Fortunately, I don't have any cynical ears! You're as good as hired as far as I'm concerned.”
“What about Alexander Troy? Doesn't he have the final say?”
“Not exactly. But that's later. Right now, this is mine. Not important enough for you?” He added quickly, a bit more suspiciously than he might have wanted.
“It'll do for now, don't get touchy.” She took a deep breath and collected her business attitude. “From everything I’ve seen and heard so far, Josh, I think I’d be the right person here. I hope both you and Mr. Troy think alike. I'm still working at the bank, as you know, and I feel uncomfortable being here and taking this much time off. If I hadn't known you at our bank, I'm sure I never would have applied.”
He nodded. “You can forget the bank. In a little while you'll be here.”
“I hope you're right.” She thought for a few moments about the actual transition from her old job to this one.
As her mind skimmed over her thoughts, Alexander Troy walked into the room. About the same height as his handsome assistant, his appearance was of a man in his mid thirties, not quite as old looking as the six years which separated himself and Josh Lambert. Troy's chief executive was lean and distinguished looking, jet black wavy hair over ruggedly good looking features that had obviously seen a good deal of the sun. His eyes were onyx to match his hair and tanned, olive complexion.
She stood up to greet him.
“Alexander Troy,” Joshua Lambert began the introduction, “This is Krista Martell, the person we spoke about managing this branch.”
“Pleased, Miss Martell.” He grinned youthfully. “Your discussions said little of her remarkable beauty, Josh. If she is only half as capable as she is attractive, she will be a tremendous asset to this office. Ah-h, I forget, this is the States, I can't really say that here, can I?” He smiled, obviously not worried about his remark.
“It's fine. Thank you very much, Mr. Troy,” the young woman replied in the same humor.
“It is you who do us the honor, Krista, with a cultured presence.” He turned to face her, leaning back against the desk. “Let me see, I have read the portfolio compiled on you. Josh believed you to have significant credentials to bring to our establishment, and with what I've seen so far I would agree. Ultimately the position at the Miami office will find all office operations culminating under your direction. An important position since it is our main branch, and will serve as a hub of our business in the near future. However, you are young, relatively speaking, which is a benefit as much as a hindrance. We understand that here. Your college history is superb, right through graduate level.” Troy recited from memory; he knew her past well.
“MBA by age 24, right on through the offices at the bank to assistant manager, and three years later in line for a promotion. You have a good future even there, Miss Martell. However, I believe we offer a bit more excitement and challenge than your bank. We are in a growth mode, as you know. This position dictates that you will periodically travel to our other offices to work, study, consult, or supervise. Some of them are foreign. How would that strike you?”
“That would be fine. Josh - Mr. Lambert and I have discussed that possibility.”
The black eyes sparkled knowingly as he listened and watched her intently, a posture he was experienced in. “Good. In this position, the Manager answers solely to corporate headquarters, here it is often through Josh. The future in our company could be a bright one for a person such as you. However, it is a great challenge, and one tends to need a rather thick skin. Make no mistake about this, were we to hire you for this position, you would be the youngest officer in the corporation, in addition to being female in a predominantly male atmosphere.
“We would like to employ more women here, and yet we will not compromise our standards merely to fulfill government quotas; we have fought them on this. We'll hire them as we find them. We employ only the best individuals for our staff, all other components are subordinate to that consideration. Now, although youth and gender should not be a factor in our determination, this must definitely be one for you. Do you fully comprehend the situation?”
He pulled no punches. Krista digested what she heard before replying. “I thought a great deal about this job prior to today, Mr. Troy. I feel I'm quite aware of the problems my gender and youth will cause - they've caused me those problems already. But I've been dealing with business and the public for seven years, and while I know that's not overwhelming, I feel I've proved myself capable. I know there will be much to learn from you, and I'm enthusiastic about that. Overall, I'm looking forward to working here, advancing myself, and helping you grow. I feel confidant that I do fit into that picture.”
“Excellent, excellent. As you know, our hiring procedure is rather extended. Before a final decision is made, we would like you to come into this office for two weeks to acquaint yourself with the operation, perhaps visit one of our foreign offices - I am aware of the strain that makes on one's current employment. However, in this fashion we will both be best equipped to make a precise final determination. It would be a kind of introductory employment, if not a formal one, one in which either of us could without obligation choose to recant our decision and go our separate ways; you will be well compensated of course. We want to be certain that you will feel comfortable in this atmosphere as much as we want to feel comfortable with you, and this position does represent a considerable step up in responsibility and complexity for you.”
She sighed demonstrably, feeling somewhat deflated. “I'd hoped you would make a final decision earlier than that,” she said hesitantly, carefully thinking over her response. “As I said to Mr. Lambert, I feel uncomfortable taking so much time off from the bank, especially if this doesn't work out.” The two men were quiet as she thought silently for some moments. “But I do think the opportunity would be a great one for my future, and I think I would enjoy the challenges. I'll make it a point to continue with you, as you suggest.” She forced her confidence to flow.
The elder executive continued to watch her closely, even to her thinking processes, for what signals were evident. He had put a lot of people on the spot in his life, and regarded their responses with great scrutiny. “Well spoken. I like the sound of confidence, Krista - you don't mind if I call you that.” He did not ask, but stated the case.
“Please do. I'm not much on formality myself.” Her gaze turned for a moment to Josh Lambert, who smiled back at her.
“All right then,” Troy looked over to his junior employee. “We'll be informing you exactly when that will be. What do you say, Josh?”
Krista noted the twinkle in Josh's eyes within an otherwise unchanging expression. He had noted the distress the situation had caused her. “She has great legs, I think we should hire her!”
“Very funny,” the darker man said with seriousness, eyeing Josh critically. He turned back to face the young woman, noting her slight flush. “Excuse our young executive here, he has a strange sense of humor at times. I would like to take you on a tour of this complete facility and chat with you before I leave. I'll return you back here afterward.” The men's eyes exchanged an odd and knowing glance at each other, green eyes to black.
Josh nodded and went back to the work at his desk. Krista glanced back at him as she was ushered out of the room. He was busily reading through his files, as if nothing had ever disturbed his perfect calm.
“... Krista,” was all she caught as she was escorted by Alexander Troy, an even more powerful and rich figure.
“Excuse me, sir, I didn't quite get it all.”
“Please call me Alex. Everyone does.” The darkly handsome man looked over his shoulder toward his assistant, whom they had just left. “You've known Josh for awhile, have you not?”
“Yes. As a customer through the bank. We - talked a lot this past year or so, and when I saw you had this position opening up I applied. Josh hadn't mentioned it in our conversations, so I wasn't sure he had anything to do with it, but I told him after I sent in the application, and he said he thought it was a good idea.”
He nodded. “Josh is a good man, somewhat enigmatic, serious. He does manage to counterbalance that by being occasionally whimsical, thank God, but it does make him a rather unique individual to deal with. People tend to have some difficulty comprehending him; I don't doubt that you will also. You'll have to learn to deal with him once you come on.”
“Well, he hasn't seemed too difficult in the nearly two years that I’ve seen him,” Krista responded thoughtfully.
“That's good. Perhaps you have enough common elements that it will enable the two of you to work well together. We encourage a type of family harmony in our atmosphere here. But to give you an example, people find it difficult to understand how it can be that Josh is not money motivated, which is certainly unusual in our business - actually any business. But he is exceptionally bright and knowledgeable in corporate affairs, and does comprehend human behavior more than he seems to. He is also a superb man around computers, which is an important function here. You will spend much of your time learning our system once you are on board, so it is important that you and he get on the same track as quickly as possible.”
“I understand,” she said, paying close attention to all the CEO stated.
“Josh generally floats between our various offices, much more than I, but since we have developed our main base of operations to be here in Miami, he is most often here. I am usually based in Europe, with the family and the Board which controls our direction. When we are both away, you will be in complete charge of a significant operation, the hub of our organization. Therefore we will be relying enormously on your intelligence and capabilities.”
The young brunette nodded. “I take it your wife and family is there, in Europe?”
“Family, yes, but I'm afraid I'm not married.”
“That's hard to believe. I mean, you are obviously a very desirable man, Mr. Troy. I don't mean to pry too much, but how can a man like you possibly remain single with the women that must be interested in you all over the globe?” She smiled engagingly at her escort.
The Troy top executive laughed easily. “Good question, from your perspective. I must admit there have been some women in my life, but due to one thing or another, circumstances have conspired to keep me from building my own family as yet. I am working on it! My parents - fortunately still with us - are horrified that their son may not provide them with grandchildren in their lifetime.”
Krista nodded. “I know. It's important to them. My Dad used to say something to that effect all the time.” She was thoughtful. “He never pushed though.”
“Fortunate. No doubt a caring man. My parents, in the European tradition, are not so patient - they push hard!” He smiled comfortingly at the girl.
“It's the same way for Josh?” she could not help from asking.
“Very much. He's one of the hardest working people I know. He takes little time off, seldom sleeps, eats at odd times - I'm always amazed he stays in good health, but he has always been athletic, and fortunately for us he does.”
The Troy CEO had a stately dignity which Krista could feel safe with; she was sure she would like him if and when she got the job. They walked about the building, talking and touring the employees, Alexander Troy explaining the inter-workings of each operation from his perspective. Toward the end of their session, they walked up the stairway to the third floor, and across the spacious light-wood parquet floor which characterized all the building. The tall ceilings, in a Gothic tradition, gave the illusion of being in an old cathedral church. The handsome escort took Krista through a large, 50 foot square room which housed the building's computer network.
In general, the tour of the office had been a fascinating study of costly equipment, computerization, intricate modern interior design, and bright, young personnel, mostly male. There was a notable exception.
“Krista Martell, this is Sara Griffin. She's in charge of our financial accounting department. She's been with us since the opening of this office five years ago. Why don't you two talk a bit. I've got some matters to attend to. I'll be back to collect you shortly.”
“Hello!” Krista greeted in her friendliest manner. She faced a tall, very well built and extremely attractive woman with short, meticulously cut blonde hair, two or three inches taller than the brunette; she presented herself very well, and appeared to be in her mid thirties.
“How do you do, Miss Martell. I take it you have been given the royal tour,” she said with a polite, businesslike, and very British accent.
“Yes. It's a very impressive building. It's amazing what you can do with just a few million dollars here and there!” Krista tried to be lightly conversational, employing her usual good sense of humor.
“Quite!” She smiled thinly. “Rumors have it that you would be our new girl,” the English woman said evenly.
“New girl?” Somehow she objected to the way the Troy employee put the phrase.
“Why yes!” she said curtly, “We do have bosses here, and they have been looking at you, haven't they? Your gender is obvious - and, you would be new.” She smiled at the applicant.
“Uhm, sure.” It was difficult to react to the stunning and sophisticated English lady; she didn't know if the woman was being humorous in her own way, sarcastic, or condescending. “I'm - not sure I understand what you're referring to.”
The female employee raised an inspecting eyebrow. “You will be working for Josh, I believe. Hm? Certainly not an unpleasant prospect, don't you think?”
“Well, uhm, no! Do you know him well?” She was still unsure what they were talking about, but was sure she didn't like the way it sounded. Krista probed, to shed some light.
“Oh, I suppose I truly do; and then again, I don't.” She smiled thoughtfully a moment. “One must experience Josh's charm for a time before understanding what difficulties there are in actually knowing such a man. We've shared a rather good bit of history together, I should say, but we don't get into speaking about those kinds of details, really.”
“Really.” Krista tried to show much less interest than she had.
“Yes! Although he is generally rather private, Josh is uniquely enough a very generous and charismatic man. Like most of the Troy family. Unfortunately, one finds him too often consumed with business affairs for his own good, I should think. It is rather frustrating on those of us who are enamored of his handsome boyish appeal, I can certainly tell you that. Best to take him in rather small doses.” She gave a couple of small laughs, which it appeared only she understood.
“However,” she continued, “you shouldn't find any trouble actually working with him, I suspect. He's an extremely good man. And a wonderful boss to have.”
“I see.”
“Do you? Joshua is a man even more brilliant than he is attractive. He works exceptionally hard, and cares deeply about the business. It's important for all of us here who work with him to know that.” Sara scrutinized the younger woman further. “Has he captured your fancy already? Extraordinary! Although I shouldn't doubt that he would. You shall do well to remember to provide a discrete distance in your business relationship, since our Administrative Assistant does work very closely together with him. Too much familiarity can hamper proper business operation. Do you understand?”
“Yes I do. I'm - properly warned, I guess.” She still was at a loss as to how to proceed with the woman. “You mentioned 'Administrative Assistant'? That's - not the position I’m being considered for. I've been interviewing for the Miami Office Manager.”
“Indeed!” Sara stiffened, her large brown eyes widening, her mind immediately thoughtful. “My, my! Pardon me! Please. I must have the wrong girl in mind. Uh! So many things happening already.” She shook her head. “Alexander should have properly informed me. We get so many young women coming in here - they know we're looking for them. But, you are so young! Nonetheless, Miss Martell, the same rules apply. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and efficiency, so we do not wish that to be compromised by excess fraternization with the Senior Administrative staff - they'll be busy enough. Although we do maintain a truly happy, family-like atmosphere here between the employees; I'm sure you'll find it most agreeable.”
“Uh-huh,” was all Krista could respond with, still not sure how to take the woman.
“I must say,” the British lady continued, “this would be quite a responsibility at your age. You must have extraordinary credentials!” She smiled, nodding.
Krista felt there might have been an underlying implication, but she couldn't be sure of that, either; in any case, she didn't like the way she said it. Just her luck. The only woman near management level and perhaps there was trouble already. After all, she would be the manager here, and whatever that relationship with Sara would be, it would be difficult - if she got the job. She would do her best. “I'm actually a lot older inside than I look on the outside,” she commented with some humor.
Sara briefly smiled a little wider, acknowledging the jest. “Yes, I would imagine that you would have to be. One never truly knows if that is a fortuitous quality or not,” she said thoughtfully.
“I - guess that's true. Some things you can really do without experiencing.”
“Oh my, truly,” Sara agreed. “It's not always our choice, now, is it?” She smiled back at the younger woman.
Krista nodded absently, completely lost as to how to react to the beautiful older woman.
The strange introductory formalities out of the way, Sara became more serious and methodical, introducing her to several of the people in her department along with its workings. After having forged through their opening discussion, she found the woman pleasant, exceptionally knowledgeable and businesslike, if somewhat dry and formal. They were looking over some books when the CEO returned.
“I hope you've gotten well acquainted.” Alexander grinned at them. “Krista will be introduced to our procedures for the next two weeks, Sara. We think very strongly that she might be good material for a Troy Office Manager.”
“So she has told me.” She raised her eyebrows and displayed some mild surprise to the corporate president. “Shouldn't you have?”