The Business Affair: Forever Mine by Jaspira Noel Read Free Book Online

mantle.

    “So that is Stephanie.”

    “Yes.”

    “She was quite beautiful.”

    “Yes, inside and out.” He began to walk towards
the balcony. “As much as I loved her, I want to replace that painting. I hope
you don’t mind but you are close to her size and I asked Ms. Gonzales to pull a
few of her outfits in case you wanted to change. I am hoping that does not seem
morbid.”

    “No, not at all. You are very open about her and
that lets me know that the clothes would just be clothes, not to remind you of
her. There is no way that you could talk about her as you do if your mind was
not in a state of being healed.”

    “That is true.”

 
    Ms. Gonzales had prepared an amazing brunch. It
was a mix of both Mexican and American foods, and a pitcher of Mimosa. “This
looks wonderful Ms. Gonzales.” Paula said, as Roman pulled back the chair for
her. Ms. Gonzales nodded and smiled. Roman reached in his pocket and pulled out
his cell phone, “Would you take a picture of us please.” She took the phone. Roman
kneeled down and placed one arm around the back of the chair and the other on
Paula’s hands. After she snapped the picture, he lifted Paula’s hands and
kissed them saying very softly, “I am so glad that you are here.” A current
pulsed through Paula from her head to her toes. “Thank you Ms. Gonzales.” She
quietly left the room.

 
    “If I can ever get over the view, I might be
able to eat.” Paula smiled.

    “If I can ever get over the view, I might be
able to eat.” Roman laughed pointing at Paula.

    She tossed her head back and laughed thinking,
“He has a sense of humor, I would have never imagined.”

    “One of us is going to have to take the first
bite.” He said.

    “No, let’s both do it, on the count of three –
one, two, three…Oh this is fabulous!” She said after a fork full of Fajitas
Rancheros.

    “She is the best cook in the world.” Roman
smiled.

    “Is she for sale?”

    “Absolutely not. She has been with me forever
and lives here in her own wing. I have a few staff here that care for the home
while I am away. They are marvelous people. Not only that she is like a mom to
me.”

    “That sounds very special.”

    “It is. 
I am very fortunate. Now, Ann, tell me something about you. What makes
you tick?”

    “Work. I am a complete workaholic. I finally
realized that I was in desperate need of change.”

    “What kind of work do you do?”

    “I’d rather not talk about it, because I need to
get it off my mind. I just want to focus on this moment. You will never know
how precious this time is to me.”

    Roman felt those words. They came across so
sincere. “How so?”

    “I have time to be myself and that is not
normally something I have time to do.”

    “That I can understand, because neither do I. We
all wear masks don’t we?” He said.

    “Yes.”

    “Alright, then let’s just spend the day doing
whatever the hell we want to do if we were being ourselves. What would that be
for you?”

    “See that waterfall over there?” She said
pointing.

    “That’s my grotto.”

    “I would be right out there in it.”

    “Ok, let’s just make a day of it on the water.
We will drive around the gulf for a while, let our food settle and then go to
the grotto.” He called Ms. Gonzales to take Paula to a guest room. Then he made
a call on his cell. She heard him say, “Tell them I will need to cancel the
speech for tonight. Let them know how much I have appreciated being on the
schedule this year.” Paula began feeling faint. “Tell Ms. Gonzales if you need
anything, she understands some English.” Paula grabbed her bag and followed Ms.
Gonzales to the guest room. After Ms. Gonzales left, she immediately picked up
the phone and called Don.

 
    “He cancelled tonight’s meeting.”

    “Then things must be going better than we
expected.”

    “Oh Don.” She sighed.

    “Don’t worry about this baby, look, you’ve got
to know. I am going to be