Chapter 11 First Tour Date #2
Veronica and James met about halfway across the distance from the rear entrance to where Carry had positioned the group from Veronique.
Greg approached cautiously, still keeping his eyes on Carry.
James had his tablet down in front of Veronica as Greg arrived.
“I’m telling you V, these guys don’t seem to understand that the concert tour and Veronique are separate parts of the same machine.
They think you can be in two places at once,” James complained softly.
“Then tell them they can choose which to cover, and we’ll cut the other shoot with their company.
I’ll hire someone else for either Veronique or the Concert if they can’t understand that we will always do the Veronique shoots first, then move in for the concert shots.
” She looked up as Greg arrived. “It’s about time you showed up, dear,” she greeted him.
Greg smiled briefly as he turned his head fully toward Veronica.
“The flight was delayed out of Kansas City,” he said in a soft tone.
“Pimico promised to fully support your tour, and per our contract, I’m here officially representing Pimico for both Veronica LaFayette the singer and Veronique, your perfume line.
” He then gave her a full smile. “I’m very happy to be here. How can I help the tour tonight?"
“Greg, dear,” she said brightly, then leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “I only need you to be here for me, tonight.”
“Now, that I can do with pleasure, Veronica,” he replied smartly. “I see you still command everything with ease.” He turned to James. “I apologize for not greeting you already. How are you doing tonight James?” he asked politely with a hidden wink at James as Aarie moved in from behind him.
“Outside of these horrible photographers in Houston, I’m quite well. I see you are doing well yourself. Those numbers you shot down this morning about the Mid-Pacific Project were staggering.”
“Indeed. He’s now got eight wells on site and two more enroute. Well seven is now producing over four thousand barrels a day and well eight is even better than well five, giving out nearly ten thousand barrels a day.”
“That’s money in the bank, Greg. Keep our investments there. They are paying off quite well.”
“Ha, ha,” Greg mocked a laugh. “That was a good play on words, James.”
“I try Greg,” James replied with a light laugh.
“Hey V,” Aarie interrupted as he finally arrived. “The hotel is ready to serve the meal if you are ready to seat everyone.”
“Sounds like we’re ready,” Veronica said with a nod to James. “Greg, would you escort me over to the head of the table?”
“It’s my pleasure to have the honor to escort you,” he said with a light bow. He offered Veronica his left arm, which she quickly took hold of, then started walking her toward her seat. “I see that you’ve got Miss Carry transitioned into her role managing Veronique almost seamlessly.”
“She’s a perfect fit, Greg. Thank you for developing her so well over at Pimico.
She’s got so much potential, not just in business, but as a model.
Having her as the Face of Veronique has been wonderful for us.
” She smiled softly. “I know what you are thinking, Greg,” she teased softly.
“Relax. I’m not going to stop you from speaking with her.
I’ve learned that I need to trust you to make the right decision based on all the facts. ”
“I’m a bit stunned, and not sure how to respond,” Greg let out slowly as they neared the table. “We agreed to openness and honesty. I didn’t expect outright trust in such manner.”
“Greg,” she said spinning to face him just before the table.
“I know how I feel, and I know how much Erica hurt you. Carry has been there for you as much as I have. If we are going to be together forever, then there can’t be any regrets.
” She leaned in and kissed him deeply. “I trust you to learn the fullness of your heart and choose me in the end. I won’t have anyone as a memory standing between us when the day comes that we settle down together to raise our family. ”
Greg stood there in silence for a moment, just gazing into Veronica’s deep blue eyes.
He was nearly mystified by her charm. Behind him somewhere was a small and subtle reaction as Carry turned away from the spectacle in front of her eyes.
She covered her face with both hands as she ducked down behind Cassie, Wendy and Katie, out of view.
She started breathing hard, and Cassie responded to it quickly, moving to her side in a crouched position.
She could see the look on Carry’s face and decided to take action.
“Cousin, I need to get you out of here.”
“I can’t do this,” Carry nearly sobbed through her hands. “I can’t watch her kiss Greg like that.” She started to shake in place and Cassie quickly wrapped her arms around her in a comforting manner, trying to lift her up.
“Help me get her out of here you two!” Cassie demanded in a forced whisper.
“Wendy?” Katie quietly called with an elbow to her side, pulling Wendy’s attention back into their circle.
“What the hell?” Wendy nearly asked too loudly.
“SHUSH!” Cassie whispered hard. “We don’t need Veronica seeing her like this.
Help me get her to the bathroom. Katie, run interference and let Veronica know that we had a ‘feminine emergency, that we’ve gone to the bathroom to handle.
’ Wendy, help me get Carry out of here.” Carry was now nearly hyperventilating.
“On it, Cassie,” Katie replied and broke formation to move to Veronica.
“My word, Carry, you’re heavy,” Wendy complained as she got underneath her arms to help lift her all the way up. “I’ve got her,” Wendy confirmed, and she could hear Carry’s panic in her ragged breathing. “We’ve got you, Carry, don’t worry about Greg.”
“She’s right, Carry,” Cassie assured her.
“We’ve got you. Don’t let this get to you.
” She looked at Wendy. “Let’s go,” she said as Carry continued her shallow panicked breathing between her hands.
“This way,” Cassie said, turning the group toward the left side of the room where the women’s restroom was located.
They worked to get Carry there quickly and quietly while Katie headed toward Veronica.
“I’m shocked,” Greg said, still gazing into Veronica’s eyes, completely oblivious to the unfolding panic in the group behind him.
“You have me so completely and utterly confused right now. You tell me that you love me, but you don’t want me to avoid Carry when you know that I was going to propose to her,,” and the look on Veronica’s face made Greg halt mid-sentence.
She was stunned, and slightly wounded. “I thought you knew that,” Greg said with an almost pleading voice.
“I suspected it,” Veronica said as she recovered. “I just didn’t expect you to admit that openly with me.” She eyed him closely now. “Why did you admit it?”
“Openness and honesty. I’m not going to hide anything from anyone any longer.”
They stood there in silence for about thirty seconds, just looking at each other, trying to read the other’s reactions.
Greg lifted his hand up in front of himself as if he was about to touch his chest when he heard the footsteps coming from behind.
He saw Veronica’s eyes suddenly lift from him to look past him, so he quickly spun around to see Katie coming over to them.
“V, we’ve got a ‘feminine emergency’ situation, but it’s being handled. ”
“Thank you, Katie. Please let them know to take their time. The meal can wait a while longer.” Katie nodded her head. “Oh, and let them know that I completely understand and offer any assistance that may be needed.”
“Thanks, V. I’ll relay the message, but I am pretty sure we have it under complete control.”
“Thanks, Katie.” Veronica turned back to Greg. “Another crisis averted. When it rains, it pours.”
“At least the oil is still pouring in from the Mid-Pacific Project,” Greg quipped, trying to get the mood lightened back up. “You have a dividend of nearly fourteen million coming at the end of this month based on current projections.”
“Now, that my sweet Greg is the kind of news I like to hear from you.” She wrapped her arms around him and stepped in close.
“However, what I really want is for you to shut up and kiss me again.” He eyed her for a half a second then angled his head to the right as he leaned in and kissed her slow and deep, wrapping his arms around her back and pulling her tight to himself.
“I love you, Greg. I don’t want you to ever forget that. ”
“With kisses like that, who could ever forget that,” he let out in an almost childlike manner. “I want to say it back, Veronica, but I have to know that it’s because I truly do, not just because you spark that emotion within me.”
She quickly put her finger on his lips. “Enough. Just kiss me some more while we wait on the girls to get back.” He kissed her again, then pulled back with a puzzled look on his face.
“The girls?” he asked.
“Our ‘feminine emergency’ is with the girls,” she said nonchalantly. “Didn’t you see them leave as a group to the bathroom?”
“Uh,” Greg began, “I guess I was too lost in the moment with you to notice that,” he said, spinning back toward where Carry and her entourage had just been.
It hit him quickly like a gut punch that she was no longer there.
Veronica saw it, and slightly bit her lip to keep from saying anything.
“Are they alright?” Greg asked with concern streaming out in his voice.
“Them?” Veronica said with a dismissive wave.
“They are just fine. It must have been early for one of them. They’ll have it all sorted out in a few minutes.
” She lifted her left hand up to Greg’s chin, gently set her fingers on it then began a light pull that would turn his attention back to her.
“Don’t worry, dear. These girls are experienced at working in the limelight now. ” She smiled softly. “One more kiss?”