The Best Laid Plans

Monacco Desert Cottage - Vista Glenn

Lexie ran up the stairs to her boss’s room concerned and pressed for time. She hadn’t heard a peep out of her all morning and didn’t hear her come back from her outing the night before. She reached Isabella’s bedroom to find a freshly made bed, but no sign of her boss.

“I’m over here, Isabella said from the terrace, not even bothering to turn around. This was the second time that Lexie had caught her out there staring off into space. Ever since they had arrived in Las Vistas Isabella had been pensive and constantly distracted, a state Lexie had never seen her in before.

“You’re up already. I was up until 4am, when did you get back?”
“About an hour ago.”

“You’ve dressed already, did you get any sleep at all?”

“No. Don’t worry Lex, I’m fine.”

Finally turning around to face her assistant, Isabella tried to reassure her with a smile. “Did you get that phone number for me?” “Still working on it; I should have it later today. It’s getting late, you should probably get going. Blair is going to meet you at Mr. Carlyle’s office.”

“Thank you, Lexie, I’ll see you later,” Isabella said as she exited the bedroom. “Good luck,” Lexie said smiling. “Trust me; I won’t be the one who needs it.”

*************************************************************

Carlyle Financial Group - Downtown Las Vistas

“I told you that the last paragraph doesn’t change anything Blake. It merely reinforces Carlyle Enterprises’ right of first refusal to any future trademarks for the club or any such merchandise, of which—at this time—you have none.” Thad’s firm grasp of legalese was way over Blake’s head, a troubling fact that he would have to rectify. 

Blake considered signing the contracts just to get it over with, but he thought better of it. “That’s fine Thad, but I’m going to have Blair look over this once more.” “Suit yourself; I’m sure your sister will tell you the same thing I have. Now if that’s all, my next appointment will be here any minute.” 

“Great. I’ll see you at the opening?” Blake asked, already knowing the answer. “Don’t hold your breath. I just finance this stuff; I don’t have to dance along too.” He gave a sarcastic smile and went back to his papers. 

Blake took the contracts and headed out of the office. As he opened the door he ran smack into his sister Blair. “Damn it! I’m sorry B. You okay?” he said grabbing her shoulder to make sure that she was steady on her feet. 

“I’m okay, but I see you’re still as clumsy as ever,” she said with a disapproving smirk.

“What are you doing here?” Blake inquired. “I’m waiting for my client; we have a meeting with Thad.” They both turned towards the elevator bank as the bell chimed and the doors open. “Here she is now. I have to go.” 

Blake stood dumbfounded as the woman he had seen on the beach approached his sister. If it was possible, she was even more beautiful in the light. Once again he found himself drawn in by her eyes, almost as if they were speaking to him. 

She walked right past him as if she had never seen him before. Blair greeted her and pointed her in the direction of Thad’s office before she turned back to Blake. “I’ll see you later okay?” Blair said as she walked away. 

“You certainly will. I’ve got a lot of questions for you.” 

************************************************************ 

“Ms. Monacco, it’s been such a long time. It’s good to see you after all of these years.” Thad put on his fake smile and invited the ladies to have a seat. “Now tell me, what brings you by today?”

“Frankly Thaddeus, you do. You and the way you have been handling my family’s company.” Isabella was direct. She wanted this over with as soon as possible. “It’s come to my father’s attention that you have been less than forthright in your dealings with our real estate holdings—to the tune of $50 million.”

 

Blair hadn’t expected her client to be so blunt. Her plan to lead Thad with a few questions, let him hang himself, and then go in for the kill had been all but shot to hell. “Look Thad, I’ve been over the books several times and the numbers just don’t add up to what you have actually reported. Can you explain these discrepancies?” 

"Sure I can, why don’t you and I set up a meeting to discuss this privately. I’m sure Ms. Monacco has better things to do with her time than listen to us chat about this small business matter.” Thad’s mouth drew even tight as he tried to keep his composure.

“If I had better things to do, I assure you I wouldn’t be here talking to you,” Isabella said, her tone bordering on anger. “I’m not some debutant putting on a pretty face for daddy’s company. I’m on the board at M.S.I., or was that lost on you somehow?” 

Trying to keep things from escalating Blair jumped in. “Look, Thad, all you have to do is….” 

“I know what I have to do Blair, thank you,” he said, interrupting her. 

“I know when my balls are being handed to me and I can’t say that I appreciate it. I’ve taken care of this company for years. Maybe the fact that I have increased the capital of Monaco International’s domestic division by threefold has been lost on you, Ms. Monaco.” 

“Not at all, neither has the fact that a large portion of that revenue is unaccounted for, Mr. Carlyle.” Thad’s patience had run out. He resented being questioned by anyone, especially a spoiled princess masquerading as a business executive. 

#3-9

“Does your father know what you are doing here? Does he realize that the prospects of his company are being compromised by you coming here and questioning me; insinuating that I’m so sort of an embezzler?"