Ribbon of Steele: A Romance of Suspense (10 page)

They sat for a long while in silence watching the setting sun. As it dipped below the trees, they packed the blanket and walked down the hill and towards the main building.

Lizzie closed her eyes and smiled
.
Right now I'm happy.

Her phone buzzed twice and she realized she had just received a new voicemail. Instinctively, she pulled the phone from her clutch and looked at the screen. She took in a small breath after reading the screen.

New Voicemail. Sam.

She hoped Mackenzie hadn't noticed the reaction. Luckily, he was also deep in thought as they strolled through the rows of vines. She shoved her phone back into her clutch and tried to put it out of her mind. She almost succeeded.

That night she slept over at Pemlilly. They made love again and he had kissed every inch of her body, teasing her body as she again saw stars from behind the black ribbon. She had planned on resisting the blindfold, but saw the passion in Mackenzie's eyes and relented. After, she had fallen soundly asleep in Mackenzie's king-sized bed.

His strong arms were still around her when she awoke the next morning. Outside, morning had begun without them. She could hear birds beginning their day, and felt the warmth of the sun enter the room.

Lizzie thought about the vineyard. He had made her feel so alive and sexy. He had planned the perfect date. For the first time in her life, she had gone to bed naked, and feeling his body cradled around hers made her feel warm and safe. She watched him as he slept, and smiled at the innocent expression on his face. Then she remembered the voicemail.

She slipped out of bed, slowly pulled on her sundress, and grabbed her clutch. Walking on the balls of her feet, she moved down the long stairway and into the large great room. The Roman gods seemed to stare at her from the ceiling as she quietly made her way to the kitchen.

Lizzie pulled out her phone and stared at her voicemail for a long time. She hovered her thumb over the delete button, but paused and curiosity got the best of her. She pushed the play button and quickly moved the phone to her ear.

"Hey Lizzie it's Sam. It's about six on Saturday, thought you might be around. I didn't want to leave this over voicemail, but I wanted to make sure you got this. I wanted to let you know the museum is opening next weekend. I want to tell you to come. I want to tell you I'm sorry. I want to tell you that it doesn't mean anything without you here, Lizzie. That's what I want to say. It doesn't mean a thing without you. I miss you. I really miss you. Can we start over? Maybe just get a drink somewhere? I love you Lizzie. Call me, ok? Bye."

She slowly removed the phone from her ear. The museum was a big deal. She had not even thought about it since the day she left Sam's apartment. The museum had represented two years of work for both her and Sam. His voice brought back memories that she had almost forgotten. The museum project was how they had met. When they first started working together, they had disagreed about almost every part of the project. She had wanted to make everything beautiful and he had criticized her for not thinking about the function rather than just the form. She accused him of trying to design a box with windows. Their arguments spilled over into comical and spirited discussions at the campus coffee shop and then into something more.

She hated it, but a piece of her missed him too. She was pretty sure she loved Mackenzie, but remembering Sam made her head spin
.
I should have just deleted the damn message.

"Everything ok?", Mackenzie said walking into the kitchen with a yawn. He kissed her cheek, and turned on the coffee pot.

"Yep," said Lizzie, forcing a smile.

"Breakfast?", he asked.

"No thanks," said Lizzie. "I've got to help Nicole today...so."

"You've got to go," he finished. "No problem," said Mackenzie. "Let me get my keys."

The ride home was quiet. Lizzie's head was swimming. The call had completely thrown her off, and she didn't feel comfortable in her own skin. She was suddenly very conscious that she wasn't wearing underwear.

The Mercedes pulled up in front of the apartment, and Mackenzie leaned in to give her a kiss. She gave him a quick peck and exited the car. She took two strides and entered the apartment door. She pushed her back against the door and cupped her mouth. Her tears streamed down her cheeks as she desperately tried to regain her composure.

Taking several deep breaths, she wiped her eyes and put her key in the door.

23

As Mackenzie drove back to Pemlilly, his thoughts were on Steele and Wickes. He had tried to call Anderson twice while at the vineyard, but only got voicemail. Lizzie had been in the bathroom, and he stole the opportunity to reach out to his father's advisor. Anderson had called right after their meeting to let him know he was on Wickes' calendar. Apparently, Wickes still didn't know that Anderson was involved.

The meeting was scheduled for next Friday and his stomach was raw. He had enjoyed an amazing day with Lizzie, but even she seemed weird this morning. He couldn't put his finger on it, but she didn't seem comfortable. He had wanted to spend more of the day with her to calm his head, but she had other plans.

As Mackenzie drove through the gates of Pemlilly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object. Parking his car, he sat for a few moments, glancing at his mother's ring.

He wondered what she would think of his life. He wondered if she would be proud of the decisions he was making. He wondered what she would think of Lizzie. He smiled. In his heart, he knew. He put the ring back into his pocket and exited the car. Looking towards the sky, he walked slowly down the long driveway of Pemlilly.

24

"No fucking way," Nicole said shaking her head. "There is no fucking place on this planet except in your head that it even makes sense. You've got Mackenzie now, what the hell are you even thinking?"

"It's kind of a big deal, Nic," said Lizzie. "I spent a lot of hours on that project and it's finally opening."

"You're a freekin' liar," said Nicole, raising her eyebrows and pointing at Lizzie. "You just want to see Sam again. And what about Mackenzie? Seriously, do you honestly think he is going to fly, I'm sorry, drive fourteen hours to go to a museum opening with you and your ex-boyfriend?"

"I think he will," said Lizzie confidently, although secretly she wondered if it was true. "And it's about the museum, Nic. I'm sure Mackenzie would like to see two years of my work. We talk about my work all the time."

"Oh, ok," said Nicole rolling her eyes. "Do you talk about your ex-fiancé too?" Lizzie shifted in her seat and looked at the floor. "Look I'm just saying be careful," said Nicole more softly. "Don't fuck it up with Mackenzie, ok? Especially seeing how much he must have on his mind lately."

"Wait, what?" Lizzie replied with a frown on her face. "What do you mean?"

"The Steele and Wickes stuff, you know. How is taking the company back over and all that stuff." Nicole trailed off when she realized that Lizzie was clueless about what she was saying. Nicole sighed. "That Anderson guy that works with Mackenzie called me a while ago to plan a hush hush gathering of clients to get support for Mackenzie's new role in the company. Sorry, I thought you knew."

Lizzie looked at the floor and frowned. "You know Nic, I didn't mind being embarrassed about not knowing Mackenzie when we first met, but I am a little upset about it now."

"Lizzie, I'm sorry. I thought I told you," said Nicole reaching out to her.

"Thanks Nic, it's not you," said Lizzie, trying to smile as she got up from her chair. "I'm going to the museum opening this weekend," she said as she touched Nicole's shoulder and walked slowly towards her bedroom.

"Lizzie, are you ok?", Nicole yelled from the living room.

"I'm fine," said Lizzie as she closed her bedroom door.

Lizzie collapsed on her bed. Why hadn't Mackenzie told her about going back to Steele and Wickes
?
Doesn't he know that I would be excited for him
.
Lizzie rubbed her temples with her fingertips. She didn't want to admit it, but Nicole was partly right about seeing Sam again. She sat on the edge of the bed, stared at the stack of unhung pictures, and thought about Sam. She loved Mackenzie, but something inside of her wanted to see Sam one more time
.
Was the museum just an excuse
?
Her time with Mackenzie was perfect, and yet he was holding back. She thought back to their conversation when Mackenzie had spoken about his parents
.
When you love someone, you tell them everything
.
She laid her head carefully on her pillow. Her head began to throb and her heart ached at the decision she was about to make.

25

The day of the meeting, fall weather finally had arrived. Leaves blew in swirls around the grounds of Pemlilly, and the air had a crispness not felt the day earlier. Mackenzie put an overcoat over his suit and stepped out of the door. James had brought the Duesenberg around, and he entered the back seat without a word.

His brain was swimming about the meeting, especially since he had been unable to get together with Anderson to discuss the terms beforehand. He thought about canceling it, but figured it must have been Anderson's way of keeping a low profile. He had tried to think of every angle Wickes might play to keep him from taking his post at the top. He had been grateful that Lizzie had agreed to meet him for lunch, and he was looking forward to seeing her face and hearing her soft voice.

He hadn't told her the details of what was happening and wasn't sure why. When he thought about it, he really wanted her to see him as normal. Normal people weren't involved in the leadership struggles for a billion dollar company. Their relationship was innocent and fun, and he wanted to keep it that way as long as possible.

Still, she was the person he wanted to tell the most. She had seemed a bit off this week. He resolved to talk to her today at lunch and to tell her about his business deal. He knew she would be happy for him, but also knew it meant he would be spending a lot more time working. It was inevitable. Still, in his heart, he knew Lizzie would understand why he had kept it from her.

Today, many things would be set straight. He would have a great lunch with an amazing woman and then go get his father's company back.

He straightened his tie and smiled as the Duesenberg rolled out of the Pemlilly gates.

***

Lizzie reached the restaurant a little early. She felt butterflies as she sipped her water and waited for Mackenzie. He arrived at exactly noon, and smiled as he spotted her from across the restaurant. He looked extremely handsome in his suit and Lizzie took a long breath as she watched him cross the room towards the table.

"You're here early," he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Lizzie managed a smile.

"It's good to see you. Today is crazy and I really wanted to talk to you about something," he said softly.

"I need to tell you something first if you don't mind," she said staring at the table. "Mackenzie, I don't know what this is. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. It's been amazing and thrilling and it feels like I have been holding my breath the whole time."

Mackenzie was smiling at her as she continued.

"I thought I was starting to know you, but now I'm not sure." She continued to look directly at the table in front of her. "After going through hell, I'm scared to trust anybody, and you make it way too easy. It seems you have a destiny to follow and I just don't know." She paused and sat in silence for a moment. She didn't want to see his face. She knew he wasn't smiling anymore. She could feel tears building from behind her eyelids, but continued. "I just feel like I have changed so much, and I love the person I am when I'm around you. I have gotten over so many fears, Mackenzie. You have no idea. But you, you don't have any fears." She lowered her voice. "I want to see you. I want to know you, but Mackenzie, you blindfold me every time we make love. It's like you don't want me to see you, or know who you really are." She had planned to tell him that he had hurt her by not telling her about Steele and Wickes, but stopped and didn't say anything for a long time. When she began again, it was barely audible. "I just think it's best if we stop seeing each other."

She was numb, not even believing the words exiting her mouth. She stood up from her chair and walked briskly towards the door. Mackenzie had not said a thing. She could hear him breathe, but he didn't interrupt. His silence had made it much harder. She hadn't planned on breaking up with him, but the voicemail from Sam and and her conversation with Nicole had left her unglued. She was shivering and realized that she had left her coat at the restaurant
.
There is no way in hell I'm going back
.
Hailing a cab, she jumped inside and disappeared.

***

Mackenzie sat at the table for several moments after Lizzie had departed. He watched as she left in tears and disappeared outside. "I love you. What I wanted to say was that I love you," he whispered quietly.

He spotted the shawl she had left behind and reached over to pick it up. Placing it to his nose, he inhaled. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and shoved her shawl into his messenger bag with his documents. He rose from the table and walked out of the restaurant dejected. He checked his watch. He had an hour until the meeting, and needed to clear his head. He decided to walk to the Steele and Wickes building.

Setting off on foot, he tried to think about the meeting, but his thoughts kept turning to Lizzie
.
Why was she afraid? What did he do wrong
?
She had said that she had to get over fears of being with him. He kept turning it over and over in his mind, trying to get an answer. Couldn't she see that he was scared too?

He continued walking, deep in thought. An hour later, he found himself in front of the Steele and Wickes building. He quickly shook his head from side to side, trying desperately to get Lizzie Fox out of his mind. It was Friday afternoon and office staff trickled out of the building, trying to get an early start on their weekends.

Mackenzie entered the elevator, and pushed the button for the top floor. He felt the stares of people around him, but didn't turn to acknowledge any of them. He hardened his face and began to prepare for the meeting with Wickes.

The elevator chimed, and the doors opened on the top floor of the building. Mackenzie was immediately brought back to his youth. This was the area where he had visited his father growing up. Wickes had done some serious redecorating in the last ten years, and the opulence of Wickes' tastes could be seen in the marble columns and rich oak paneling seen everywhere in the top floor office suite. Six large office doors led from the large marble floored room. At the end of the room was another set of large oak doors.

Mackenzie slowly crossed the room, his shoes echoing on the marble tile. The offices on each side were all lit except one. Mackenzie looked for a name on the door but there was no name tag.

He had hoped to run into Anderson prior to the meeting, but it looked like a dim hope at this point. In front of the oak doors sat two leather chairs and a large secretary's desk. The desk was empty and Mackenzie sat in one of the leather chairs to wait. He looked at his watch. It was exactly 1:00 PM and he wondered if he had the time right.

He decided to review his papers before the meeting. He reached into the messenger bag to remove his papers, and his hand touched Lizzie's shawl. He took a deep breath and pushed past the fabric to retrieve the black folder his father had provided.

At 1:05, the large oak doors of the office opened and a large man in a pinstripe suit emerged.

"Mackenzie," the man said with a smile. "Thank you for joining me today. Do come in."

Mackenzie rose from the leather chair, and walked into the office.  Large windows reached from floor to ceiling and Mackenzie could see that little expense had been spared in the decoration of the office. All around the office, artwork adorned the walls with the signature piece being a nude renaissance painting hanging across from a huge desk.

"Sit down," the man said casually. "Can I pour you a drink?", he asked, not waiting for a response before refilling his own glass.

"No thank you, Mr. Wickes," said Mackenzie politely.

Wickes looked back at Mackenzie and noticed the black folder sitting carefully in his lap. Frowning, he turned back to his desk and opened his own copy of the folder.

"Will Anderson be joining us?", Mackenzie asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Wickes didn't look up from the folder as he answered. "No he won't. Let's just say Mr. Anderson no longer works for Steele and Wickes," said Wickes cooly.

Wickes paused for a long moment for effect.

"Mackenzie, here is what I would like to do," said Wickes as he closed the folder and smiled. "I would like to make you Chief Strategy Officer at Steele and Wickes. I'd like you to travel, meet people, and report back to me every few months on ideas you have to expand our business.You would have access to our company Yacht, a handsome salary and wouldn't be tied down to a desk job all day."

Mackenzie looked at Wickes without expression.

Wickes continued his speech. "The yacht is beautiful, and with the sleeping arrangements on board, you wouldn't have to change your lifestyle at all," said Wickes with a wink. "So, what do you say to Rio in the springtime?"

Mackenzie took a long pause and collected himself before speaking.

"Mr. Wickes, we both know what is held in the contents of these folders. I came here to talk about the succession plan. Are you prepared to talk about this today or do we need to reschedule," said Mackenzie trying to match Wickes level of condescension. Wickes sat back in his chair and studied Mackenzie. When he spoke again, he started quietly but grew louder as he continued.

"Mackenzie, I was in this company when you were still fucking cheerleaders. Don't try to cross me boy or you will get a lot more than you bargained for. I don't care what that little folder says, this company is not yours. If you do work here, it will be on my terms and because of my good graces and not because of your fucking father," shouted Wickes as he stood from his desk and pounded his fist. Mackenzie's blood was beginning to boil and he reached into his bag. His hand touched Lizzie's shawl and he took a deep breath.

Mackenzie stood and calmly glared back at Wickes. For the first time all day, Mackenzie felt calm and in control. He rose from his chair and stared directly into Wickes' fiery eyes. At that moment, Mackenzie knew exactly what he needed to do.