Tempo by Kelley Maestas Read Free Book Online Page A

activity.
    3.        Latin word for time
    I can see these as being accurate , but their definition is lacking. When I think tempo I think living, breathing, organic. The word that comes to mind is lifeblood. It’s not speed, motion or activity but all of these things and so much more. It’s the rhythm of life, as it races past you. Nothing in life exists without tempo.
    Pleased with my interpretation, I fold my paper in half and walk it up to where Michael is standing. Looking up, he stares deeply into my eyes. There is something there. Something resembling mischief hides behind those beautiful baby browns. He is toying with me and that infuriates me.
    “Here you go Mr. Scarpetti.” Handing him my paper he reaches forward, grabbing my hand he pulls me forward slightly.
    “Karlie, you can call me Michael.”
    “No thank you, and Mr. Scarpetti, I would like to be addressed as Ms. McKenna.”
    Turning on my heel, I leave him standing with his mouth agape and his eyes opened wide. Feeling as if I have re-established the boundaries of our working relationship, I head for the door. I feel strong and powerful. Did I really just assert myself?  That felt really good. Holy smokes! Will my brazen attitude hurt my chance at landing this job?  Set free, I break the confines of the conference room and set out to explore my surroundings. Taking stock of the space, I see the third floor executive office area has been completed. Modern art graces the chocolate colored walls. Textured, khaki colored carpet runs wall to wall. Upholstered chairs are strategically located around the foyer. The conversation areas are comfortable, well lit and thoughtfully placed. Thinking back to my research, I mentally run through the hotels floor plan. There are twenty-one floors and a rooftop patio. Each floor has sixteen rooms. Level twenty contains sixteen two-story suites. The twenty-first floor is slotted to be either one or two penthouse suites. I figure the best plan of attack is to start at the top and work down. I look over my shoulder and see that the other two designers have decided to chat for a while. No time to waste, I set out on my self-guided tour. Thinking that I would love to take notes and draw diagrams, I go in search of a writing utensil. Finding a security officer by the elevator I ask to borrow a pen.  Reaching into his pocket he hands me his. Asking directions to the restroom, the officer guides me in the right direction. I enter the bathroom looking for paper towels but find none. Looking around I spy the bathroom stall and rejoice. Toilet paper would not be my first choice , but I will take what I can get at this point. Unrolling the massive paper rolls, I create smaller rolls consisting of twenty or so squares. Pleased with my scrolls, I stuff them into my pockets and head to the elevator. Arriving at the top, I step onto the rooftop patio. An eight-foot glass railing fence surrounds three-fourths of the perimeter and the remaining side is a granite wall that duplicates the face of the building. What a brilliant idea! The glass provides safety and wind protection and the granite hides the air conditioning units and provides noise reduction. I am impressed. The area is a blank palette except for the charcoal stained concrete floor. I find an area against the wall; sliding down the cool granite I take a seat on the concrete floor. Closing my eyes, I envision the patio completed. Six large fire-pits are placed throughout the space. All weather wicker furniture consisting of sofas, chairs and ottomans are placed in u-shaped configurations for easy conversation. Smaller intimate groupings are near the glass taking advantage of the romantic landscape. Spanning the length of the granite wall is a sexy bar that provides both walk up and seated service. Opening my eyes I can feel the space and I am so excited. This is not a space that I have been asked to design, but I would love to create something special up here. Sighing, I