The Personal Assistant (closed)

[Angeleyz]

Tina shook her head in bemusement at Ms. Sophia’s words, but she knew better than to spar with her after a session with Mr. Keach. So she just smiled non-committedly at her, and waved as she clomped out of the suite. Raising an eyebrow at Mr. Keach’s observation about her legs, she was getting ready to tell him about her odd trip to Starbucks when his cell phone rang.

Tuning him out since it was obviously a personal call, Tina busied herself in catching up on the various emails and phone calls that had come in during her quick trip across the street. She was only partially aware of when Mr. Keach finished his call and stated that he had better get back to work as she was trying to decipher Mrs. Brown’s notes on a particular call.

“For Pete’s sake,” she muttered to the empty room, “how hard is it to annotate why a person wanted to speak to Mr. Keach?” Tina called up Mrs. Brown and interrogated her on the missed phone call until she was satisfied she had the complete story for him. As she was updating her phone log, Tina realized that she hadn’t had a chance to let Mike know about her email to Mr. Webster. Taking a moment, she sent him a quick email:

Hey honey!​

Just wanted to tell you that I sent your résumé & cover letter to Mr. Webster, one of Mr. Keach's business associates. He owns an engineering firm, and I thought he might be interested in your talents. ​

Fingers crossed that he'll contact you shortly!​

Hugs and kisses,​

T​

Sipping her coffee, Tina started flagging the various correspondence that would need Mr. Keach’s signature and tried not to count the hours until she could go home.

 

[Gabe619]

Daniel sat and schemed. He was furious at what Steve had told him happened at Starbucks between Tina and Derek Coombs, but he held it inside, no outward emotion. Where did the little bastard get off insulting Daniel's people, his own personal secretary at that. Did he have no decorum at all? Keach had no illusions as to what he himself was, he was a 24 carat gold bastard and looked out for number one, thats how you got ahead in this world, but even so he still felt protective of his people, and Tina especially. Which was odd he considered as he was actively trying to mess up her life right now so he could get her into bed with him, but even so.

Keach sat back and swiveled his chair to look out the floor to ceiling windows behind his desk. From here he could see Coombs office building below him. It always made him feel better to be looking down on the competion, especially now. He had a couple of options. He could let it slide, which really wasn't an option at all as he couldn't show weakness. If Coombs found out Keach had let him hassle Tina and did nothing about it he would come at him like a shark smelling blood in the water. No, Daniel wouldn't sit back, but what to do? He had hired muscle who could wait till Coombs was alone somewhere and beat the shit out of the little snob, but that felt to ... common, even though it would feel immensley satisfying. No, to really get back at Coombs, Daniel had to hit him where it really hurt, in his bank account. That was the only attack he knew the younger man would understand losing to. He had to do this in a way that Coombs would know who hurt him to. He picked up his phone.

"Marcus? That information you sent me last week, about the Saudi business man from Riyadh. Is it still current and firm .... and you told me that Derek Coombs was meeting him to broker that oil deal because we passed on it, correct? .... ok, I want to meet the man before his appointment with Coombs .... I know the deal was risky, but the man is Saudi Royalty, even if he is number thirty from the throne, if he defaults on our deal his father will bail him out to save face. Just get him here fast."

After hanging up Daniel smiled. he had passed on the seemingly lucrative deal because his gut reaction was that the man proposing it was not on the level. Something had felt off, and so he had thanked the Arab, but passed. The following day he had been told the Saudi had approached Coombs who obviously didn't have Daniels refined financial senses yet because a meeting had been arranged to sign a deal. Now, Keach knew the Arab would prefer to get into bed with him over Coombs, and Daniel felt confident enough that the man's hugely rich father would indeed help his son out if the deal went south as saving family face was all important to the Arabs it seemed. So, if he could get the man to sign with him first, then he would let Coombs know in no uncertain terms that he had snatched a multi million dollar financial deal out from right under his nose, and that, most assuredly, would hurt the young man.

 

[Angeleyz]

Feeling the effects of too much coffee, Tina made her way quickly to the executive washroom. As she was washing up afterwards, she looked at herself critically in the mirror. She wasn't sure why Ms. Sophia made such a fuss about her clothes. It wasn't like her skirts were floor length or anything, but she saw no need to wear skirts that rose up mid-thigh every time she set down, and her pantsuits were always tailored, even if they didn't hug her body.

Tina grinned as she recalled the night she had met Mike in college. She and her friends had planned a girls' night out to celebrate Suzie's engagement, and Suzie had insisted that they go all out with dressing to the nine's and a limo. They pressured her into wearing a red dress that was much tighter, more shorter and much more revealing than she was used to.. and the heels... Oh lord, the heels had been at least 4.5-5 inches, which were 2.5 more inches than she was used to wearing. Between the dress, heels, and the professionally done hair and makeup, Tina hadn't recognized herself.

They had gone to one of the more popular bars and proceeded to try every shot and froufrou drink on the menu. Always the more cautious of the brunch, she had done her best to nurse her drinks but she still had gotten... unsteady. As they were heading out to the limo, Tina had stumbled and would have tumbled head over heels if not for the quick thinking young man with the good reflexes. Tina still blushed to this day as she recalled how she had fallen into his arms. It wasn't until he went to straighten up that she realized that her slit had ripped upwards, and as she attempted to hold the dress together, she had all but thrown her chest in the poor guy's face.

He had been so sweet as he attempted not to look down at the generously exposed cleavage, and Tina wasn't sure whose face had been redder. A regular McGuyver, the young man had fished a handful of safety pins from the depths of his backpack and had secured the slit such that she wasn't showing the world her panties. Absolutely mortified, she had told her friends that there was no way she was going to be able to continue the night in her semi-repaired dress. She offered to buy her rescuer a coffee at a later time, and had been pleasantly surprised when he had insisted on exchanging telephone numbers. Dress hung in the back of her closet, she had been scrubbing her face when the young man, Mike Johnson, had called to make sure she had made it home alright. She and Mike had talked for almost three hours that night... and the rest was history.

Tina smirked a little at herself at the thought on Mike's face when she wore the exact dress with the safety pins removed on their 1 year wedding anniversary. Granted there was no danger of public exposure since they were having an intimate dinner at home, but the look on his face when he walked through the door and saw her... priceless! Eyes dancing in memory, Tina headed back to her desk and saw an emails from Mike.

Hey baby doll-​

Just saw your message - thanks. Will let you know if I hear from him or his company. What time are you coming home tonight?​

Love, Mike​

Tina looked at the calendar for the rest of the day and shot him back a response:

Hey hon - Let me check with Mr. Keach, but I should be able to take off shortly. Who knows, maybe I can model something without safety pins before it's time to pick up the kids. Hint! Hint! XoXo, T​

Giggling at the thought, Tina popped her head inside Mr. Keach's office to ask if he'd be okay with her leaving early to take care of some personal matters. "Will that be okay with you, sir," she asked as she tried to maintain an innocent expression on her face, but failed miserably.

 

[Gabe619]

"Personal matters?" Daniel asked leaning back in his chair and watching her closely.

She had a gleam in her eye and although trying valiantly to keep a straight face her enthusiasm for whatever this 'personal matter' was showed clearly on her slightly blushing face. Now he was curious.

"Well, I did want to go over the Fletcher file with you, but I suppose that can wait until morning .... but, Tina, what exactly is this personal matter you need to rush off to attend to, hmm?" He asked with a small smile. "And please, your expression looks like that of a high school prom date about to meet her partner for the evening, so don't be coy."

Now his smile grew into a grin. Mike Johnson, although unlucky in work, seemed like he was going to get lucky in other areas tonight. He was a lucky man, but very soon Daniel Keach would also be sampling some of that luck to, in the form of Mike's wife naked and begging her boss to fuck her. Even as these thoughts crossed his mind he felt his cock hardening in his pants as his eyes roved Tina's covered form.

 

[Angeleyz]

Tina wasn't sure if it was the lack of sleep catching up with her or what, but before she knew it she was violating lesson #17 from the executive training package as she answered tartly, "I imagine it will be something similar to what you and Ms. Bambi engaged in yesterday."

Once the words were out, there was no taking them back and Tina figure she'd just brazen it out. She smiled coolly, looking just over Mr. Keach's shoulder as she pictured her predecessor lecturing her on what subjects she should steer away from and her sex life was definitely one of those subjects.

 

[Gabe619]

The office went quiet, Daniels expression not changing a jot even though he was surprsied by her remark. She had never let herself slip that badly before. Obviously the stress of her home life was starting to make a mark on her. Eventually he let an eyebrow raise slightly, all he allowed himself to show his surprise at her, but enough to let her know he had marked the indiscretion.

"Well, in that case, I expect you will be tired out by tomorrow, so why don't you come in a little later, hmm?" He offered, his coy smile growing slightly.

He and Bambi had enjoyed a night full of sex, in all positions, and she had loved to experiment and pleasure him for hours. Now Tina? He doubted she was quite as ... submissive, to her husband as Bambi had been to him. Neither was she as open minded, not yet at least. So he got in his own volley of shots with that remark doubting she would be anywhere near as physically exhausted as Bambi had left Keach. He broke his gaze at Tina, looking back down at the papers on his desk.

"Enjoy your evening, Tina. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that he dismissed her.

 

[Angeleyz]

"Yes, sir," Tina said, turning on her heel. She could imagine how red her cheeks must be. What the hell was she thinking making a comment like that in front of Mr. Keach! Collecting her things, she rushed out of the office, almost grateful that his reaction had rather subdued... For him anyway.

Tina spent the next 20 minutes on the subway, trying not to dwell on Mr. Keach's words.

I'll expect you will be tired out by tomorrow...​

What the heck did he think she and Mike would be doing that she'd be so exhausted she couldn't come in to work at her normal time? It wasn't like they'd be making love all night. They had kids they'd have to worry about. Tina fought her inclination to wonder what Mr. Keach and Bambi had done the day before and what kind of condition it had left the young lady in.

'Not my business, not my business...,' she told herself over and over as she walked the distance to the commuter lot that contained her car. She simply had to get herself under control or she'd never be able to look Mr. Keach in the eyes again and he'd probably hound her until she told him why. And telling her boss that she had been trying to picture what happened in his sex life was SO totally inappropriate that she cringed to think of it.

Tina was just nearing the outskirts of her town when she heard it. Pop! Whirrrrr! Clank! "What in the world?" she muttered aloud. Turning down the radio, she listened to see if the noise would repeat. She was just starting to relax when she heard it again, followed by smoke coming from under the hood. "Oh no, no, no, no....," Tina cried and began looking for a place to pull over. Thankfully she wasn't too far away from the local garage, so she worked her way over there... The smoke getting darker and thicker.

~~~~~​

Sliding out of the pickup, Tina turned to face the lanky teenager in the driver's seat. "Thanks, Randy. I appreciate the ride. Please tell your dad he can call anytime with the estimates." Stepping away from the truck, she waved and headed inside.

"Honey, where are you?" she called out as she dropped her purse and bag next to the front door.

"In the office," was the faint reply.

Tina found Mike in their home office, paying bills and going through emails. She was getting ready to tell him about the car, when he swiveled his chair around and looked at her.

"What's wrong, honey?" she asked.

"I swear if I didn't know better I'd say I was being black balled! Three weeks ago, I had people trying to steal me away, and now I can't even get a single person to talk to me about an interview," he replied, the frustration evident in his voice.

"Sweetie, you've only been looking for one day. Something will come up. It always does. Who knows, maybe Mr. Webster will call tomorrow," Tina said, trying to sound upbeat.

"I hope so," he murmured, as he pulled her down on his lap.

Caressing his back, Tina took a deep breath and said, "Honey, I don't know how to tell you this, but.... Something happened to my car on the way home and I was lucky to be able to make it to Bud's place."

Seeing the expression on his face, she continued, "He said it was too early to say what the problem was, so let's not assume it will be terribly bad, okay?"

Mike folded his arms around her and kissed her cheek, "Let's hope not, baby doll, let's hope not."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Tina sat dejectedly in front of her terminal, staring at the words in the email before her, unable to make sense of them. She probably should have just called in sick today, but they were going to need her salary now more than ever. She had never had a chance to model the dress for Mike. Just as she was leading him to the bedroom, Bud had called with the bad news - a cracked engine block.

If that and the estimated price tag for repairs hadn't been bad enough, Mike had then sat her down and explained their financial situation. She hadn't realized he had taken a second and third mortgage on the house, first to cover medical expenses when the twins were born and then to help out her parents when Dad had needed surgery. Tina's salary might have been enough for a single mortgage... for a short time anyway, but three? There was no way.

Tina sat, chewing a fingernail as she tried to figure out what they could do.

 

[Gabe619]

Walking into his secretaries office, Daniel stopped in surprsie to see her sitting at her desk at her usual time, but with a seriously concerned look on her face and chewing a fingernail.

"Tina? I thought I told you to come in later today?" He asked walking over to stand before her desk, arms crossed over his chest, a worried look on his face. "And if you don't stop chewing that fingernail your going to ruin your perfect manicure."

He took a seat opposite her and looked at her searchingly.

"What is it? Whats happened?" He asked finally, his tone showing he would be discouraged from this course of questioning.

 

[Angeleyz]

Tina had been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't even aware of Mr. Keach until he spoke. How she wished she'd been able to come in late today for the reasons they had skirted around yesterday.

Acknowledging his comment about her manicure, Tina stopped chewing her nail and clasped her hands in her lap, else she'd likely start wringing them. The concern in his voice was getting to her. She didn't know what to do, and Mike, who was normally her rock, seemed to be totally lost.

Sighing softly, Tina decided it wouldn't hurt to tell Mr. Keach a little of her woes, especially if the lack of a car affected her ability to get into the office. "It's nothing really, sir," she began, thinking he'd never understand the magnitude of her worries when he spent more on entertaining than she and Mike both made in a year.

I had some car problems on the way home yesterday. Cracked engine block, which is a bit more than we were thinking it would be. Unfortunately that leaves us with only one car. I was able to drive Mike's car today, but since we don't know how long it's going to take to fix it... Well, I might have to take some leave, sir."

 

[Gabe619]

"Mike's car?" Keach said faining ignorance of her families situation. "Didn't he need it for work himself?"

He sat back watching the woman before him. She seemed right on the edge of breaking down if he was any judge of character, and for a woman of Tina's strength that said something. For fleeting second he wondered if he was pushing to hard to get her, wa she overstepping the mark? But no, he would make it right for her family as soon as she submitted to him he promised himself.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear about your car, but I am certain you have more than enough leave saved up if you need to take a few days." He smiled at her. "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. If you need overtime for example."

He prodded her memory slightly. Would she recall his offer of the well paid overtime with the Graves meeting?

 

[Angeleyz]

"Yes, um... That's not a problem right not," Tina answered uneasily while studying her hands. She had never being good at dissembling and hoped he wouldn't press the subject. "We'll figure something out."

She looked up at his comment about overtime. There was something there that she should remember, something important. If only she wasn't so tired... She was getting ready to admit her faulty memory to Mr. Keach when her eyes fell on her list of things to do.

1. Remind K to reschedule Graves appt.​

Eyes widening at the reminder, Tina bit her lip. Should she? What would Mike say? She had always been so careful to compartmentalize work and home, but they really needed the money. Perhaps this was the godsend they needed... Just to give them some breathing room until Mike was able to find something. It was only one time - surely how hard would it be to babysit someone for Mr. Keach.

Shoring up her resolve, Tina cleared her throat and asked timidly, "Mr. Keach, are you still looking for someone to entertain Mr. Graves?".

 

[Gabe619]

"Well, yes, but I didn't think you were interested?" Daniel replied putting on an expression of slight confusion to sell the role. "I was going to have to reschedule, remember ... why, have you changed your mind?"

He lent forward a little to add more focus to his words.

"If you do want to take the job I'll need to call him back immediately to get this all sorted out by Saturday, when he is in the country. I know we don't usually work weekends, you and I, but it will only be the one evening I'll need you to look after him. Probably from 8pm onwards? Take him to dinner, etc, etc. Just keep him happy until I meet him the next morning at my house to sign the deal." He smiled at her. "I'll make sure you get a very healthy bonus if you keep him happy for me, Tina. More than enough to solve your car problems at the least."

 

[Angeleyz]

Tina's hands clenched twice before she nodded, "Yes, sir... I guess I have. Only this once though, okay?" She knew Mike would protest a little, but even he couldn't deny that having the extra money at this time would be crucial. Besides the mortgages and the car repair, she was worried about the twins. They had waited for three years for the twins to get into their current daycare, and if money got too tight... Well, that was probably the first thing that would have to change.

Thinking about their normal Sunday routine of church and family time, she asked hesitantly, "Um, how late on Sunday is your meeting? We normally attend a 9am service...".

 

[Gabe619]

"Oh, don't worry about that. Graves will make his own way from the hotel to my house, he has his own chaffeur. You can go home straight from the hotel after taking care of him." Keach smiled. "I mean of course dropping him off. I won't need you Sunday, I can take care of the actual meeting by myself and we'll sort out the paperwork on Monday, ok?"

He sat back again, his expression now one of critical assessment.

"Tina, I want you to be 100% sure about this." His voice serious. "This guy is very important to me and the company, a lot of peoples financial futures are on the line here. If he signs on Sunday we're all looking at huge bonuses. If he doesn't, if he leaves the country unhappy at our company, then it could cost us future contracts. He has a lot of sway in the financial world. You will be representing me and the company on Saturday night. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you take care of all his needs that night, no matter what they might be. If you want to change your mind, do it now, because once I call him I can't back out without damaging the companies image."

 

[Angeleyz]

Tina looked at Mr. Keach in puzzlement. There was something in his tone that she just couldn't put her finger on. It was odd, but there was a little voice in the back of her mind screaming bloody 'Danger, danger'. Normally she heeded that little voice, but she was too tired... too worried... She was a little insulted, however, that Mr. Keach thought that she'd either insult one of his clients, regardless of how important they were, or not see to their needs.

"Really, Mr. Keach?" Tina asked him earnestly, "do you really think that I wouldn't take care of one of your clients... after the last year?"

Don't do it... Say no...

Shushing herself, Tina straightened in the chair and said sincerely, "Mr. Keach, I'll take good care of Mr. Graves... I'll show him some sights and take him wherever he'd like to go. I gave tours at my college back in the day, so this should be a piece of cake."

 

[Gabe619]

Daniel smiled warmly and sat back in his chair. He had no doubt that Tina would be showing Graves some sights on Saturday night, they simply wouldn't be the ones she had imagined.

"Excellent, I knew I could count on you, my dear. You have always shown our clients a good time and I have only ever gotten good feedback from them about you. Thats why I initially brought the job to you. I needed someone I knew I could count on." His smile showed his confidence in her, stroking her ego a little. Not that it wasn't all true of course. She was an exemplary secretary and PA, an asset to his company. "If I may make a small suggestion? Saturday night, could you perhaps wear something a little more ... um, how should I put this? Revealing?"

He raised his hands to stop what he expected would be an instant come back of negative comments.

"I only ask because Mr. Graves has a thing for beautiful women. He has a reputation as always having a sexy and beautiful lady on his arm. As you will be that lady on Saturday I don't think he would be appreciative of us if you turned up in your normal attire?" He shrugged apologetically. "Not that it isn't perfect for work of course, but this will be dinner, maybe dancing, more social, and so you don't need to cover up as much perhaps? You should show off your lovely legs, maybe a little lower neckline? If you don't have anything to wear that you feel would be as I just described I can always give you some money to go shopping?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Tina smiled a little in reaction to Mr. Keach's comments about her performance. It wasn't like he didn't provide feedback on a job well done, but it was nice with everything that was going on to know that he appreciated her work. Perhaps that was why she didn't immediately take exception to his next comments about her attire. When he put things so logically, it was hard for her to refute his words, although it did make her a little uncomfortable to hear Mr. Keach's interpretations of what he thought the evening would entail. Dinner... Dancing.... 'Sounds more like a date than a babysitting assignment,' she thought.

You should show off your lovely legs, maybe a little lower neckline? If you don't have anything to wear that you feel would be as I just described, I can always give you money to go shopping.​

Tina cringed internally when she imagined Mike's reaction to the news that her boss had offered to buy her clothes. 'Oh, my lord, I'm going to have a hard enough time explaining Saturday night in general, I so don't need to add that to the mix,' she chided herself. Gritting her teeth in an attempt to keep it civil, Tina replied, "Thank you, but no, sir... That would be most inappropriate. I believe I have something already that should be sufficient."

~~~~~~​

Thankfully after that conversation, the rest of the week had gone quickly. Mike wasn't really happy with her taking the extra assignment, but when he didn't complain overly much, Tina knew he was really stressing about money and his inability to find a job.

On Saturday evening, Mike was sprawled out on the bed as Tina was getting dressed. She could tell by his tight lipped expression that he was less than pleased by her attire. She had dipped into the back of the closet to the "pre twins" date night attire and was sporting a short, body hugging dress with a plunging v-neck that she was pretty sure she was wearing the night the twins were conceived. Sapphire earrings and a matching necklace complimented the dress. As she slipped into her heels, Tina teased Mike, "Now honey... It's not like I'm wearing the safety pin dress..." She leaned over and kissed him softly. "You know I'd rather be home with you and the kids... Just think of tonight as my version of a business trip."

"I know, baby doll... It just feels like I'm watching you get ready for a date...," he grumbled as he watched her finish applying her makeup. "I've never seen you wear your hair down for a work function, but you do look beautiful."

"Silver tongued devil," she cooed, "Keep that up and I'll muss my lipstick."

Glancing at the watch on her wrist, Tina exclaimed, "Shoot... We better head downstairs... My ride should be here any moment."

 

[Gabe619]

Marco sat quietly outside the suburban house waiting. The stretch limo had got a lot of interest parked on the side of the street outside the Johnsons house, but that was to be expected the young latino considered. In his smart grey uniform and cap he looked every bit the chauffer he was, but looks could be deceiving.

Young Marco had been caught jacking one of Daniel Keach's cars three years ago when he was 19. He had led the Police cruisers a merry chase through the downtown streets before finally being caught, but his driving skills had caught Keach's attention. Always one to be on the look out for raw talent, Keach hadn't pressed charges and had even assigned one of his own attorneys to defend Marco for the hazardous driving charges. Getting him off with a fine, which he paid, Keach had taken the young man under his wing, given him the position of his personal driver, and paid him a handsome wage for the job. Marco owed Keach a great deal, and he never forgot it. However there were times he wishes he didn't, and tonight was one of them.

Everyone involved with tonights events had been briefed by Keach as to what to do, in fact the only person not in the know was Tina Johnson. Marco glanced at the house off to his right. It was nice, well maintained, pleasant, much like the woman in question. Marco liked Tina, she had always been kind to him, never talked down to him, always had a smile for the young man. To think what was in store for her tonight made Marco uncomfortable and he honestly wanted to warn her, but he couldn't. He knew what happened to people who crossed Daniel Keach. He saw Tina step out of her house with her husband. Stepping from the limo, Marco moved to the back door on the pavement side of the car and opened it for Tina as he waited for her to say her farewells and enter the limo.

 

[Angeleyz]

As they walked outside, Tina noticed that Marco was the chauffeur for the evening and immediately felt more relaxed. Smiling up at Mike, she commented, "Look, honey, Marco's driving this evening... He's a very capable young man and someone I can count on. I know I've mentioned him to you before..."

When Mike only grunted, Tina nudged his shoulder none too gently. "Come on, grouchy... Give me a hug. Tell me you love me, and know that I'd much rather be here at home with you and the kids," she said cajoled, a pretty pout on her face.

Sighing, Mike did as she asked, closing with a "You keep your cell phone nearby and call me if you need anything... No matter the time!"

Promising that she would, Tina blew one last kiss to him and made her way carefully towards the limo. "Hello, Marco," she said pleasantly, "I'm so glad you're riding shotgun so to speak tonight." She paused a moment in front of him, not even attempting to slide into the back. There was something about Marco this evening... A certain tenseness to his shoulder... A somberness to his eyes...

"Marco... Is everything alright?" she asked softly, the playfulness she had exhibited with her husband falling away to concern.

 

[Gabe619]

"Oh, I'm fine Ms. Johnson." Marco said with a smile, covering quickly and cursing inwardly that he had let his worries show on his face. "Just a little pain in my shoulder. I think its a trapped nerve. It'll be fine, thank you Miss." He held her hand for her to let her slip into the limo. "I hope you have a great evening, Ms. Johnson."

He quickly closed the door, nodded to Mike who still stood watching, and scooted back to the drivers side and got in. Starting the engine he slowly pulled away and began making his way to the airport. The limo had been well stocked with the finest alcoholic drinks available, but then that was normally the case. One thing Keach didn't skimp on was his booze, Marco considered. And he knew from his own experience that the back had a lot of space, it could seat eight people easily. You could have a party back there if you wanted. Tina must feel kind lonely back there, he thought. Pushing a button on the dashboard he clicked open the intercom.

"You ok back there, Ms. Johnson?" He asked, keeping his voice cheerful. "We should be at the airport in about ten minutes, traffic allowing."

 

[Angeleyz]

Settling into the back of the limo, Tina waved one final time at Mike, not knowing if he could see her or not and then looked into the small black purse she was carrying for the evening. If she had her normal bag, she would have been able to offer Marco more than the Aleve she was pretty sure she had tucked into her purse. Just as she located the pill container, she looked up, her gaze automatically measuring the distance between the driver's compartment and herself. 'Well, I might be able to throw it at him,' she giggled to herself as she dropped the container back in the purse.

One leg tucked behind the other at the ankle, Tina smoothed her dress as best she could. She foresaw a long evening of trying to keep her knees covered and wished she had worn something a little longer. Fingers tapping nervously on her knees, she shook her head as she looked around.

'What in the world was Mr. Keach thinking sending this one?' she wondered, knowing that he had several smaller ones at his disposal.

Suddenly, Tina realized that she didn't know what Mr. Graves looked like. Oh sure, she knew he "surrounded" himself with beautiful women, but then again... all of Mr. Keach's associates did that.

'Maybe he's really tall...' Of course one thought led to another... 'Is he young or old? Ugh, is he a smoker? A drinker? What was he going to want to do this evening?'

Tina suddenly recalled a story from her predecessor where she had to follow Mr. Keach and an associate around at a strip club in case they decided how they wanted to proceed with the contract that they had been negotiating. 'Oh my God, please don't let him want to do that...'

Tina realized that she was starting to get herself worked up and began eying the bar, wondering if she should have a little something to calm her nerves. She tried to tell herself that she was being silly, letting Mike's concerns for the evening affect her. She was grateful for the interruption of her thoughts when she heard Marco's voice come over the intercom.

You ok back there, Ms. Johnson? We should be at the airport in about ten minutes, traffic allowing.​

​

Smiling a little, Tina tried to sound as cheerful as Marco. "Yes, I'm fine, Marco. However, I do have to wonder what Mr. Keach thinks I'm going to do with the big limo.... It's not like I can arrange a mud wrestling demo at the last minute..." Her soft laugh invited him to laugh along with her.

 

[Gabe619]

"I think he just wanted to roll out the red carpet treatment for Mr. Graves, Ma'am." Maroc smiled at Tina's mud wrestling comment. "But if you do manage to organise that mud wrestling, can I have a ticket."

He didn't add that she would look damn hot wrestling some girl in the mud. He thought of Mrs. Johnson as a classic beauty, not the usual girls Mr. Keach took to his bed, although he had no doubt his boss had plans to get Tina there eventually. But Tina was classy, dressed smart, had a beautiful face and Marco had no doubt a hot body under all that. He sighed a little, what he wouldn't give to be with an older woman like her.

"Oh, by the way. don't worry about recognising Graves when you see him, Miss. We'll be pulling onto the tarmac where his private jet is parked. he is waiting for us there."

 

[Angeleyz]

"Marco, if I ever organize mud wrestling, you won't need a ticket... I'll have you be one of the referees," Tina teased the young man, grateful for the levity, even as she continued to fret internally about the upcoming meeting.

Nervously twisting a long tendril of hair around a slender finger, Tina finally broke down and asked, "Do you know anything about Mr. Graves, Marco? I have to confess it's not like Mr. Keach not to have given me a new client's dossier. I'm pretty nervous about going in blind, although I do feel much more comfortable knowing that you're around in case anything happens."

 

[Gabe619]

"I don't know a lot, ma'am, sorry." Marco said truthfully, that wasn't part of his performance to know the details of this other guy, but Keach had told him a few things in case Tina asked. "I'm told he is European though, just flown in from London on his personal jet. He's supposed to be really important in financial circles on the other side of the Atlantic. I think Mr. Keach is looking to make connections over there. If he could I imagine it would double the company turnover in one go."

He pulled the limo through the gates of the airport and drove to the private hangers. Circling out to a small private runway he saw a jet sitting on the tarmac outside a hanger, its stairs down and lights still on, but engines off. As the limo came into view a man began to descend the steps followed by a young lady and two other men dressed in black suits that screamed bodyguards. But it was the first guy who drew the eye. He was tall, powerfully built, with short black hair. He was dressed in a dark grey suit that was tailored to his body, black shoes and a long black overcoat. He stood quietly as the limo pulled up alongside him and Marco quickly got out to run around to his side of the car. He nodded politely to Graves and opened the door revealing Tina inside.

Graves walked over, handed his overcoat to the girl and rested a hand on the doorframe of the car, looking in at Tina. He smiled warmly at her as he looked over his shoulder at his guards.

"Take our car. I'll meet you at the club." He ordered before slipping into the limo.

Marco closed the door and walked swiftly to his drivers door, slipped in and started the engine pulling away from the jet, heading for the nightclub he had been directed by Keach to take Graves and Tina to. Inside the back of the limo, Graves sat next to Tina, watching her, his eyes intense, his body putting out powerful body language.

"I see Mr. Keach is pulling out all the stops to impress me." He finally said, his voice quite deep and educated. "A nice big limo, my own driver, good drink ... and a beautiful woman to entertain me."

 

[Angeleyz]

Tina wasn't really surprised when Marco admitted that he knew little about Mr. Graves, but it had been worth a shot. She had noticed early on that the young man was an astute judge of character and always seemed to be able to send interesting pieces of information her way. 'Probably because people ignore chauffeurs almost as much as maids and assistants,' she thought, smiling wryly.

He's supposed to be really important in financial circles on the other side of the Atlantic. I think Mr. Keach is looking to make connections over there. If he could I imagine it would double the company turnover in one go.​

​

'Oh sure, no pressure on the babysitter,' Tina sighed softly as Marco expertly maneuvered the limo to a small private runway. She sat up a little straighter in the seat as she watched people disembark from the plane. There was no question in her mind which person was Mr. Graves. Relaxing slightly as she saw the number in his entourage, Tina felt much more comfortable when she realized that she wouldn't be having to keep Mr. Graves entertained all on her own.

'Looks like he'll be quite popular with the ladies depending on whether Mr. Keach was correct about his desire to go dancing,' Tina mused as he waited for the limo to come to a stop before him. "Oh this night is getting easier and easier.'

Tina smiled politely at him when he peered down at her after Marco had opened the door. Just as she was going to introduce herself, she was surprised to hear him say "Take our car. I'll meet you at the club" to his men before slipping into the limo. Flabbergasted, she watched as Marco closed the door, slipped into the driver's seat and pulled away.

I see Mr. Keach is pulling out all the stops to impress me. A nice big limo, my own driver, good drink ... and a beautiful woman to entertain me...​

​

Feeling a bit flustered, Tina had to work hard not to fidget under his intense stare. "Hello, Mr. Graves. I'm Tina Johnson... Mrs. Tina Johnson, but please call me Tina," she said politely, unable to explain the need to stress her married status.