Promises to Keep

“By all means, Darius. I’d love to hear whatever you have in mind. When can we get together to discuss some ideas?”

“Why don’t you set aside a few dates and times when you’re available. Then call my assistant, Jasmine. She’ll check my schedule against yours. I want to make things convenient for you. I’d like this meeting to happen as soon as possible.”

“I appreciate it, but I should be the one trying to make it convenient for you. You’re the one who’s set this town on fire.”

Darius was pleased with what he’d just heard. “I’d like to think so, but I haven’t set off enough alarms yet. I look forward to hearing back from you.”

“Count on it. Is sometime next week too soon?”

“Not at all, Meyer.”

“Talk to you soon, Darius.”

Once the line was cleared, Darius buzzed Jasmine on the intercom to tell her about his conversation with Meyer. “Do everything you can to set up an appointment on one of the dates and times he or his assistant gives you. If you can’t find any free space for next week, let me know. We’ll go over my schedule and do some clever juggling.”

“No problem,” Jasmine assured her boss.

“Thanks, Jasmine.”

“You’re welcome, D.F. Buzz me if you need anything else.”

Several of Darius’s employees and associates referred to him as D.F., but Jasmine had been the first one to call him that before it caught on. In front of colleagues he was Mr. Fairfax, yet he prided himself on creating a relaxed atmosphere among his employees.

Darius finally managed to clear his head of thoughts of Meyer Chandler and Courtney Campbell to tackle the mountain of paperwork before him. There were quite a few tasks he didn’t trust to anyone else. He listened to the input of others and received advice from his attorneys and other advisors, but the final decision on how to handle important matters was always his. D.F. Film Productions, Inc. was his baby. He had conceived it inside his brilliant mind and had given birth to what was now a cutting-edge, lucrative company.

Courtney looked cool and relaxed in fashionable melon-colored pants. A navy blue silk shirt and cute, semidressy sandals in the same navy hue complemented the slacks. Her shoulder-length hair hung loose and was salon fresh, with a high-sheen finish. She had taken charge of the bridal shower festivities from the moment she and Monica had walked through the front door of Sonya Wilkerson’s posh high-rise condo.

The Party People had been awarded full-service contracts for the bridal shower, the bachelor and bachelorette parties and the couple’s wedding reception. Courtney had worked closely with Sonya’s wedding planner to ensure that the future bride was happy with all the arrangements.

Courtney set her briefcase on a bar stool. After opening the lock, she removed several packets of papers. She handed Monica a stapled set. “Let’s go over the catering list, line by line, to make sure everything has been delivered.”

Courtney always inventoried all items to avoid the type of embarrassment she’d endured early on in her career. The cake, of all things, hadn’t been delivered for a fortieth birthday party. An employee had failed to put it into the delivery van. Fortunately, the missing chocolate confection was discovered early enough so it could be retrieved in time. Courtney hadn’t fired the delinquent employee, but she had issued a sensitive yet firm reprimand so it would never happen again.

“It’s all here,” Monica sang out. “Now let’s do our usual last-minute check on the decorations. I recall seeing dozens of helium balloons on the order form.”

“You’re right. They’re stored in one of the bedrooms. We need to bring them up to the front and float them upward. I asked for long ribbons to be attached for easy retrieval.” Courtney looked down at her watch. “Sonya’s guests should start arriving any minute now. She plans to make her grand entry twenty minutes after the start time.”

“One of those, huh?” Monica remarked.

Courtney shrugged. “It’s her party.”

“And she can cry if she wants to,” Monica joked.

Courtney giggled. “In the meantime, let’s get those balloons hovering.”

Courtney and Monica laughed upon seeing the bedroom ceiling covered with silver and blue balloons, inscribed with the names Sonya and Justin. The ladies each began to grab hold of the ribbons. Once they had several in hand, they realized they had too many to fit through the door at one time. Laughing all the while, the women caught and carted balloons from the back bedroom up to the front rooms. Courtney and Monica tried to make each event they worked a fun-filled adventure.

The doorbell rang just as the last batch of balloons was released.

“Time to rock and roll. Let’s get it done.” Courtney hugged Monica before she was off and running to act as hostess until Sonya and her bridal party arrived.

The party was in full swing and Courtney was delighted to see how happy her client was with everything. Sonya had repeatedly thanked her and praised the employees for their expert handling of the party. She was delighted knowing that her wedding reception was in the capable hands of The Party People. They had delivered far above Sonya’s expectations—and this wasn’t even the main event.

Two and a half hours later, Courtney pulled Monica aside. “Do you mind handling the last half hour or so alone? I made an appointment to meet with Mr. Fairfax at his corporate offices.”

“Not a problem. The initial contract was for three hours. Are we billing Sonya for the extra time?”

Courtney frowned slightly. “No, but you’ll be paid time and a half. I wouldn’t ask you to stay later if I couldn’t pay you. The guests look like they’re starting to wind down. Sonya has a dinner to attend later on, so it should be over soon.”

Monica looked embarrassed. “Paying me to stay over the allotted time is not necessary. It was just a question that came to mind. I know we’ve charged in the past for overtime and the clients are made aware of it up front, before signing the contract.”

“Some people you charge and others you don’t. Sonya isn’t someone I’d want to hit with overtime. She’s a wonderful client. Now if she were one of the moody grouches we sometimes get, we’d probably charge her for every additional second,” Courtney said with a wicked grin.

Monica laughed, too. “Go on and get out of here. You don’t want to be late for a date with the gorgeous Mr. Fairfax.”

“Date! Hardly. I’m meeting with the soon-to-be-married Mr. Fairfax,” Courtney countered, lightly pecking Monica’s cheek. “I’m out.”

Chapter 2

After a gentleman said Darius would be a few minutes late for the meeting, Courtney was ushered into his private office to wait for him. As she looked around, she was simply astonished. The panorama of Hollywood from the picture window behind Darius’s desk included a bird’s-eye view of Capitol Records. This was certainly a high-rent district.

Crystal-clear glass and gleaming chrome furnishings breathed high-tech energy into the room. The circular glass desk dominated the space. A high-back chair, crafted from fine silver leather, was supported by chrome arms and legs. The remarkable decor was like nothing she’d ever seen before. It belonged to a futuristic era. Chrome and glass bookshelves, tall and impressive, were for more than show. The white carpet beneath her feet felt thick and plush. Posh sofas and chairs created an elegant ambience. The office, beautiful and luxurious, was manly, yet subtle enough for a woman.

Exquisitely framed pictures on Darius’s desk caught Courtney’s eye. She moved nearer to take a closer look. A single eleven-by-fourteen color photo of a woman made her mouth drop open. Unable to pull her eyes away, she couldn’t help staring.

Talk about beautiful.

The lady with a caramel complexion was positively stunning. Any man would love to hold and caress the slim, petite body, dressed in an alluring, cobalt-blue silk dress. In another picture of the same size, Darius wore a dark, double-breasted suit. He stood directly behind the lady, his fingers locked together at the middle of her waist. Satiny ginger-brown curls nestled back against his broad chest.

Candice, Courtney easily surmised. This beauty had to be Darius’s Candice. What a lucky woman, she thought, hoping Candice treated him as wonderfully as she would if he were her man. Though she didn’t know if he deserved special treatment or not, she somehow felt he was worthy of whatever goodness this world had to offer. He seemed genuinely kind and compassionate.

In an eight-by-ten picture was a lovely woman with a nearly flawless coffee-and-cream complexion. Her midlength, dark brown hair was sprinkled with salt. Standing next to her and much taller than the woman was a handsome, stately-looking man, who called to mind the expression silver fox. Every strand of his wavy hair had turned completely silver. The couple looked into each other’s eyes with adoration. His parents, she surmised.

Darius slipped quietly into the room. Unnoticed by Courtney, who appeared focused on the pictures atop his desk, he watched her. As he drank in her natural beauty, his heart started to race. The effect she had on him was profound, something he’d never experienced before. The view from behind was sexy, spellbinding and thrilling.

Feeling someone’s presence, Courtney turned and saw Darius standing there.

Impeccably dressed in a light gray, pinstriped suit, a pink silk shirt, with a complementary white, pink and gray silk tie, Darius exemplified a successful tycoon. The fashionable attire looked exquisite on his fine physique.

Courtney smiled brightly. “Good evening, Darius. It’s nice to see you again.”

Darius smiled gently. “The feeling is mutual. Would you like something to drink?”

Courtney nodded her assent. “Cold water would be nice. Thank you.”

Darius walked over to his desk and picked up the phone, punching in the red intercom button. “Jasmine, please bring in a few bottles of ice-cold water and a platter of fresh fruit. I’m starving and way past ready for my dinner order.”

“Right away, Mr. Fairfax.”