Out of His World Read online

  “That is very kind of you Ms. Rylan but I’m afraid a lot of yesterdays have passed since I was young, as you can see by the wrinkles on my face,” Mr. Cranston said dramatically.

  “Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.” Lena poetically replied.

  “Mark Twain.” Mr. Cranston said in acknowledgment and Lena smiled.

  Gabriel wasn’t used to be in a role of bystander but in the past few hours, it turned out that was exactly what he was. But he didn’t mind. On the contrary, all the sides of that girl’s personality actually intrigued him.

  After breakfast, Gabriel went to escort the clients to their cars, Lucas rushed to another meeting and Lena stayed behind to give the hotel staff information about billing their services. She was surprised seeing Gabriel swaggering back inside.

  “Is everything okay Mr. Seaborne?”

  “Everything is perfect,” he said presumptuously. In truth, he came back to tell her she did a good job but suddenly refrained. Commending people was not something he practiced. Or was good at.

  Not knowing what to say, Lena awkwardly smiled. That gesture made him realize he was making people uncomfortable and for the first time he felt some sort of remorse.

  “Just make sure to send Charlotte update about the deal.”

  “Yes sir.” Lena nodded and was about to turn away.

  “No goodbye? Didn’t your parents teach you manners?” Gabriel caught himself trying to engage in a conversation. However, it didn’t turn out smoothly.

  “Well, sir,” she emphasized the last word, “I thought about it but a girl can only handle one blow-off per day.” As cynical as it sounded, Lena couldn’t help it.

  When she realized what she’d just said to one of the most powerful man in New York, her mouth swiftly closed and eyes widened. But there was no taking it back.

  Gabriel needed a moment to figure out what she meant. Initially infuriated by this young woman’s cheekiness, he suddenly got aware of his double standards, and got upset at himself instead. Sometimes, he seemed to forget his manners. He wouldn’t usually apologize, but this woman and everything about her was new to him. It was a third time in a few hours that she caught him off guard. In an act of redemption, he approached her, towering her and lowered his head to meet her eyes.

  “Perhaps I was forgetting my own manners.” With great effort and looking around if somebody could hear him, he managed to say his next sentence.

  “I apologize Ms. Rylan.”

  Stumped by his apology, Lena slowly lifted her head to his and he flinched. Those were the most beautiful emerald eyes he had ever seen. But it wasn’t the color that astounded him. It was bravery and defiance in them. No pretending, no hypocrisy.

  “Apology accepted,” a smile dangled on the corner of Lena’s lips.

  “So… goodbye?” Gabriel teased her, which was a completely new territory for him when it comes to women, except with Charlotte.

  “Goodbye Mr. Seaborne. And don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul you apologized to me.”

  “Damit Lena. Close your mouth and walk away,” she snapped at herself in her mind.

  Gabriel held back not to laugh and stayed semi-serious.

  “Quite considerate of you, Ms. Rylan,” he tilted his head in amusement and walked away.

  It took Gabriel 20 min to get back to the office and the whole time in the car, he had Lena on his mind. That girl, woman to be precise, felt like a breath of fresh air, which was hard to find in NY streets. She showed mercy, brains and wit, something that women in his branch didn’t have these days.

  “Something must be wrong with her,” he concluded before entering the building.

  *

  Lena wished she didn’t have to go back to the office. A chance of meeting Mr. Seaborne again was very slim; in past few years she only saw him a couple of times from the distance, but she still wanted to escape as far away as she could.

  Her mouth would always let her down in a nervous situation. It’s as if they were programmed to randomly eject stupidities. Embarrassed, she occupied her mind with the latest reports and numbers.

  It was late afternoon when she left the office. Staying late was never a problem for her, but she welcomed all the noise and buzzing when she exited the building. She rushed to the first coffee stand to get the fifth dose of caffeine for the day, then put her body in a slow mode and started walking through the busy street. It was liberating after being stuck in an office all day.

  An hour later, she climbed the stairs to her apartment. The proper word would be a shoebox, but she loved it. Kitchen and living room were basically the same room, the bedroom was big enough to fit a bed and a tiny closet, and the bathroom was small but functional. Throughout the apartment were shelves filled with books, and walls in between were covered in painting replicas.

  She microwaved a plate of spaghetti Milanese and sat back at the sofa with her legs up, placing the plate on her stomach. There was nothing interesting on TV but she never liked eating in silence.

  When she ate the last of her meal, her phone started vibrating.

  “Hey mom.”

  “Hey sweetie. How was your day?” Mom’s soothing voice instantly cheered her.

  “Oh, same old, same old. I saved a world a few times and found a cure for stupidity.”

  “Very funny young lady.”

  “But something did happen. I attended a meeting with Mr. Seaborne.”

  “Seaborne as in Seaborne Consulting? The one you’ve met yesterday?”

  “Yep. And it went okay. When it comes to work. When it comes to his charming personality… well, let’s not go there.”

  “Oh no, Lena. Please, tell me you kept your mouth shut.” There was something alarming in her mom’s voice.

  “Who? Me? Of course. I behaved.” Lena crossed her fingers while saying that little lie.

  “I hope so. By the way, we got the money you send us. It’s too much Lena,” she exhaled.

  “It’s not too much mom. I want you to cut back on your work. You don’t have to clean houses all day anymore. Let me help you.” Lena knew her backache is getting worse and wanted to ease her as much as possible.

  “I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you sweetie.”

  “I love you too, mom. Give dad a hug from me.”

  A big part of Lena’s paycheck went to her parents. They initially refused to take it but Lena insisted. It hurt her watching them struggle their whole life to provide her with everything and this was the way of giving something back.

  When she hung up the phone, she thought about going for a walk but felt exhausted and decided to get a good night sleep instead.

  Chapter 3.

  Five days later, Gabriel was frantically typing on his computer when Marc approached him.

  “Mr. Seaborne, Ms. Miller is here to see you.”

  “Sent her in.”

  “You look like you are about to pull another all-nighter.” Charlotte smiled to her friend leaning on the doorway.

  “Yeah, well, somebody’s gotta do it,” he grinned her back.

  “Speaking of work, tell Marc to put a note in your calendar for next Saturday because you will be attending an event that has nothing to do with it whatsoever.”

  “What event?”

  “My birthday party.” Excitement was written all over her face.

  “What are you, seven?” Gabriel thought of various occasions but this wasn’t one of them.

  “No, I’m not seven. But I will be fifty. A half of century. Do you know what that means?”

  “One step closer to heart attack?”

  “Oh shut up, you brat.” Charlotte tried to stay serious.

  “Well, you asked.” Gabriel played insulted.

  “Jesus, you remind me of…” She was about to say “Lena” but refrained.

  “It doesn’t matter. Anyway, you are invited and I’m not taking no for an answer. I want you to promise me you will come. So say yes.”

  “Ok, yes.” Gabriel grinned, got up from his chair and put her arm around Charlotte.

  He wouldn’t miss it for the world. Yes, they had these friendly fights but she was his best friend, his family and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

  “Good, because I should probably tell you that party starts on Saturday but it ends on Sunday. Because it’s not going to be located here.” Charlotte dragged the last sentence and waited for his reaction.

  “I beg your pardon?” Gabriel removed his hand from her shoulder and lifted his eyebrow.

  “Well, since I turn fifty only once, I thought I might celebrate it properly. Twenty of my favorite people on a Hawaiian weekend getaway. All expenses paid.”

  “Hawaii? Ten hours of flight within 48 hours? You’re supposed to be good enough at math to know how bad that sounds.”

  “I know, I know. But I always wanted to spend my 50th birthday on Hawaii. Let’s make it about me for once.”

  “And you waited for me to say yes to reveal the rest of your plan, huh?”

  “Well, I knew you would never agree to leave the office for entertainment for more than one day.” Charlotte admitted.

  Gabriel had to give her a credit. Only Charlotte could pull that off.

  “You know me too well. But alright, since you are a year closer to heart attack, give Marc all the details and I’ll be there.” Gabriel knew he was being played but it still amused him.

  “Absolutely.” Charlotte winked at him and waltzed out of his office.

  *

  “I really don’t feel I should…”

  “I don’t want to hear it. You’re coming.” Charlotte was relentless.

  Lena felt uncomfortable because she invited her to a birthday weekend getaway and insisted to pay for all the expenses.
On Hawaii.

  Still, she couldn’t say no. Truthfully, she felt uncomfortable but she didn’t want to say no. An opportunity to see Hawaii wasn’t something she often came across.

  “Ok, thank you for your invitation then.” She flashed a broad smile and added,

  “If you need help organizing, I’m available.”

  “No need, I have it all covered. Just show up at the airport at 10 AM. We’ll all be on the same plane, except for Gabriel. He‘ll join us in the afternoon because he needs to finish some work first.” Charlotte really had everything covered.

  “I’ll be there.” Lena allowed herself to be a little excited. She hadn’t been on a vacation in years. Actually, a visit to her aunt in Florida when she was sixteen didn’t even qualify as a vacation.

  On Saturday morning, Lena was at the airport among firsts. With her hair down, wearing dark jeans, green t-shirt and flats, she could easily pass as a high school girl. A small suitcase she carried around annoyed her but she couldn’t fold her dress in a backpack as she initially intended. Charlotte was her friend but Lena was still out of her league. She knew the party will be fancy, tasteful, and she needed a dress that would fit in. So when she finally found one that was affordable, yet gorgeous, there was no way she would put it in a backpack.

  “Lena, over here.” Charlotte waved to her.

  After a quick hug, the duo waited for the rest of the entourage and then boarded the plane.

  Five hours later, they landed on the island of Maui. The surge of hot air made Lena feel light-headed but then she looked around and felt the rush. She was there, in a new place, dying to explore it. Every inch of her small-town body flickered in anticipation.

  Her excitement only grew bigger during a bus ride to the resort. When they arrived, Lena had to take a deep breath. She didn’t expect anything less than a five-star hotel, but this was over the top. Even the air she was breathing felt expensive.

  “Jesus, they might bill me just for walking on the pavement,” she thought for herself.

  “Yes, you can come in.” Charlotte laughed noticing her hesitation.

  “I’m trying. But my legs don’t seem to listen.” Lena replied staring at the hotel sign with her mouth open.

  The hotel exterior was nothing comparing to the interior. Outrageously posh would be the right description. The vast, exotic flower-strewn lobby, broad corridors, mirrors… Lena felt as she stepped into a fairytale. After they checked in, she went to her room.

  “Okay, so this is what heaven looks like”, she said at loud and resisted the urge to jump on the bed. If she tore even a millimeter of sheet, she would probably have to sell a kidney to compensate the damage.

  Her room was on the fourth floor and was fully equipped with luxurious bathroom, gigantic bed, a desk, a mini bar and a balcony. The view was spectacular but when Lena took a closer look, her excitement went down just a bit. There was no way she would be able to see the real island- people, places, the good and bad sides of the island life. Charlotte had it all planned. First, they were supposed to rest and have lunch, then go on a quick resort tour and join her at party at 8 PM. The next morning she planned a hangover recovery in hotel’s spa and later they were scheduled to leave back home. Therefore, a possibility to go outside resort was non-existent.

  Still, she didn’t want to feel ungrateful.

  “Enjoy the hedonism, Lena. Stop looking for reality for once.”

  *

  Gabriel had just arrived at the resort, an hour before Charlotte’s party, and he felt exhausted. New York heat and Hawaii heat were definitely not the same. He was accustomed to New York but Hawaiian humidity made him want to jump in the hotel fountain to refresh.

  Hotel room didn’t impress him much. That’s the other thing he was accustomed. However, the cold shower was reinvigorating and he took his time. With his hair still wet, he thought about shaving but he decided to loosen up a bit and leave his day-old beard. Then he put on beige linen trousers and white cotton shirt. It was definitely different from his usual custom tailored suits but it was as festive as he could get.

  A few doors away, Lena also got out of the shower. She’d spent a lovely afternoon exploring the resort with Charlotte, her family and friends. Charlotte’s husband Samuel was like her- smart, kind and funny and he and Lena immediately hit off. Although in his 60s, he still had a boyish charm but it was his devotion to Charlotte that made Lena instantly like him. They reminded her of her parents. Although, they were so different in the same time, she thought. Her parents had never been on a vacation and that is something Lena promised to change and decided to save more money to give them a surprise trip for their anniversary.

  Not letting her own life put her down this time, she pulled out the dress from the suitcase. Luckily, it still seemed perfectly ironed, without a wrinkle on sight. She slipped into it and looked in the mirror. The dress was ivory white, mid-length, with high neckline covering her breasts and neck but revealing her bare shoulders. The silky fabric loosely hugged her body while she moved. She made a low messy bun that only accentuated her bare back.

  “Elegant but no cleavage. Checked.” She winked at herself in the mirror.

  Lena’s wardrobe before her job at Seaborne Consulting consisted of jeans and t-shirts. Knowing that wouldn’t work in that line of business, she learned to adapt and embraced suits, blouses, skirts and occasional cocktail dress. At the office, she would wear heels but the second she would turn off computer she would shove them under her desk and slip into flats.

  She picked silver strap sandals for the party, but placed white laced flats by her bed just in case she needed them.

  It was 7:45pm when she grabbed her clutch bag and left the room. She dreaded those women who would made everywhere last so people could see them arriving and turn heads to admire them. She was definitely not that kind of a woman.

  *

  “Gabriel! You made it.” Charlotte was overjoyed.

  “Did you doubt me?” He teased her.

  “Never.” Charlotte hugged her friend.

  “I knew you will arrive among firsts so I tried not to be late to my own party.”

  “I bet that was hard for you.” Gabriel laughed.

  “You have no idea. My hair is still partially wet,” she leaned to him whispering.

  Gabriel was about to say something witty but then he noticed a woman approaching.

  It was Lena. Lena Rylan, wearing the most beautiful white dress he had ever seen, with those eyes that captivated him instantly. Hell, he wasn’t afraid to admit that she looked like an angel. And that was the sexiest dress he had ever seen which made no sense because there was fabric all the way to her neck. From that moment on, shoulders became his favorite part of a woman’s body. Then her attention was drawn to some noise in the background and she turned around. One look at her back and Gabriel’s stomach curled. His heart threatened to jump out of his chest, but what worried him most was something else trying to jump from his trousers. The excitement wired his body and he felt like his brain was on fast-forward.

  He lowered his eyebrows, angry at his own weakness, as he watched Charlotte greet Lena with a warm hug.

  “You look breathtaking. Don’t you think so Gabriel?” She turned to him.

  “Breathtaking. Yep.” Smitten, Gabriel tried not to look at Lena as he struggled to make a sentence.

  “Thank you.” Lena blushed. She felt exposed and that’s what she was trying to avoid. Gabriel’s awkward behavior only contributed her discomfort. But why did she care?

  “A drink?” Charlotte asked.

  “Yes please.” Lena and Gabriel blurted at the same time.

  Charlotte secretly glanced them both and gestured to the barmen, while sitting on the chair between them.

  Within minutes, the rest of the group arrived and slowly drew Charlotte away. Gabriel and Lena stayed at the bar each staring at their drinks as if the colored liquids were the most interesting things in the world. To their relief, some people joined them quickly and they all engaged in a casual conversation.

  Lena was happy she didn’t have to talk to Gabriel. As history had shown, she sucked at that.

  When she saw him with Charlotte, she barely restrained not to turn away and come back later. Her boss looked incredibly sexy in that white shirt, with sleeves up to his elbows and she was afraid someone would read her mind.

  “Great Lena. Did you just use the words boss and sexy in the same thought?” she rolled her eyes.