2. Ian
Chapter 2
Ian
A s I enter my country club, I see Lily isn’t at her desk. She must be at lunch or in the bathroom. The woman was about to pop the last time I saw her a week ago. I suppose there will be someone new at the desk soon.
I make my way through the frosted glass double doors towards my office. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a lot of scurrying around, but I hear almost nothing but keyboards. Sometimes I think that the staff just bang on their keyboards to make it look like they’re working.
It’s not as if I’m a monster or a tyrant, but I expect my staff to work hard and efficiently. I pay them well enough to expect that out of them.
“Mr. Gallo. Welcome back. How was your weekend in the Bahamas?” Mrs. Wilcox asks me as I walk past her desk into my office.
“It was nice. My father always enjoys it when both his sons go fishing with him. Especially when it’s Father’s Day.” I take the messages from her outstretched hand and start reading through them.
“Very nice.”
“How are things here?” I toss most of the messages in the trash and keep only the ones that are important to me.
“Steady as a ship. Would you like some coffee?” She offers.
“Yes, Mrs. Wilcox. Thank you.”
She leaves my office as I wake up my computer and see that I have over five hundred emails waiting for me. That’s the downside of taking two days off to go fishing. Work is always there, waiting for me when I return. It’s why I hardly take the time off, but it was for my father, so it’s worth it.
“Here you go, Mr. Gallo.” Mrs. Wilcox brings in my coffee as we both stare at my ringing phone.
My desk phone never rings unless it’s Mrs. Wilcox calling me. Everyone that I want to have access to me calls me on my cell phone. I don’t even know the number to my office to even give it out to anyone.
“Yes?” I answer on the speakerphone as Mrs. Wilcox is standing right there.
“Um… you’re not Mrs. Wilcox.” A female voice says over the speaker.
“You’re right.”
“Who is this?” she asks, sounding perturbed.
“Who is this?”
“I asked first.” She replies, laughing.
“Mia. You called Mr. Gallo’s line. My extension is five hundred. I’ll call you when I get back to my desk.”
“Oh, my god. I’m so sorry.” She says and hangs up.
“Who’s Mia?” I ask Mrs. Wilcox, noting the wrinkle between her eyebrows, showing her displeasure at the mistake Mia made by calling my extension.
“Our new receptionist. Temporary receptionist. Lily had her baby this morning.”
I turn to look at her. “Isn’t that early?”
“Actually, no. She was due two weeks ago.”
“Ah. Did I send her anything?”
Mrs. Wilcox smiles, “You sent flowers this morning to the hospital, and you bought a stroller as a gift.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
She smiles. “Let’s hope you never have to find out.”
“Hey big brother. What’s happening?” My irritating brother, Sawyer, asks when I call him.
“Just wondering what you’re doing Saturday night.” I have an ulterior motive for calling him, but since everything is about him, I learned a long time ago to always start a conversation talking about him.
“I’m not going to that gala in Washington D.C. for you, if that’s what you’re calling to ask me to do. That’s for sure.”
He’s on to me. “I really don’t want to go, dude.”
“Then you shouldn’t have RSVP’d and made a big ass donation to the charity. Besides, Maria will make it worth your while if you want her to and pay her enough.” He laughs.
“You know she’s not like that, man. Be more respectful.” I snap at him. I hate when he talks about my professional date like that. Maria makes good money being my date to functions like this one, but there’s been nothing romantic or unprofessional between us. She strictly helps me keep the leeches away and allows me to do business at these functions. Her talents are worth their weight in gold.
“Sorry,” he says, not sounding sorry at all. “Anyway, I have a thing in Atlanta for Mom’s charity, so I can’t cover for you.”
“Well, it was worth a try, at least.” I resign myself to having to fly to Washington this week and then spend half of next week in Seattle. Being the CEO of Gallo Enterprises means I’m needed and wanted everywhere at the same time. It can be exhausting, but I love every second.
“Hey, I saw that your number four on the Most Eligible Bachelor’s list again. You just can’t seem to break the top three.” He teases.
“Ugh, that list is so useless and causes more problems. I’ve already received three texts from three exes trying to hook back up.”
Sawyer laughs, “Serves you right for making it known you’re single.”
“I didn’t make it known. Mom did.”
“Yeah, she really wants grandkids.” He laughs. “Sounds like a job for the firstborn.”
“Well, she can look to you for them because I’m too busy keeping this company growing. Besides, I can’t seem to find anyone that doesn’t just want my money.”
“That’s the beauty of it all, brother. Stop looking for forever and just enjoy yourself.”
I shake my head, “Sawyer the playboy. Isn’t that what the tabloids call you nowadays?”
“Yep, and I own that shit.”
“Okay. I’ve gotta go. Will I see you at Hooplas this week?”
“Yeah. I plan to stop by on Friday. You?”
“No. I have to be in Washington by then. I may reach out to Garrett to see if he’s gonna be there on Wednesday.”
“Okay. Have fun. Talk to you soon.”
“Yep.” I hang up the phone. “Mrs. Wilcox,” I say into the intercom on my desk, “I’m going to Washington and to the charity gala. Can you please arrange a date for me?”
“Of course, Mr. Gallo. Will Maria be sufficient?” She asks.
“Yes, if she’s available.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Mr. Gallo.”
I really would rather not have to find a date for these events because there are always expectations afterwards and I’d rather not have to worry about that. Maria, being a professional, is well aware of the expectations at these events and is compensated generously for her services. It just makes attending these types of functions easier.
“Mr. Gallo, Maria is available and will meet you at your hotel Saturday evening before the event.” Mrs. Wilcox says.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox.” I tell her as I walk by her desk. “I’m going over to the Marketing department. I’ll be right back.”
I don’t hear or see her response, but I don’t need to. She knows how to get a hold of me if she needs me. On my way back, I can hear her even before I see her. Mackenzie Laughlin. The uber-bitch of all the uber-bitches and she’s fighting with Mrs. Wilcox.
Even though Mrs. Wilcox is older than her by at least thirty years, my money would be on Mrs. Wilcox.
“Mackenzie. What are you doing here?”
I can see her fake facade slip in place as soon as she sees me. “Ian, baby. I’m so glad you’re back from your trip. How was it? Did you catch anything?” She slides up along side of me and puts her hand on my chest like she owns me. She’d like to own me, but that will never happen. Again.
I pull her hand and her talons off me. “What are you doing here, Mackenzie? I’m working.” Deciding not to go back into my office because Makenzie will just follow me in there, I start towards the front entrance… essentially walking her out.
“I just wanted to see you, that’s all. I missed you.” She mewls and it’s like nails on a chalkboard.
Holding the door open to the lobby, I follow her through and over to the exterior doors. “Thanks for stopping by Mackenzie.” I try to end it there, but of course she’s not done with me. One night I had too much to drink and I slept with her. One time and I’ve been paying for it ever since. That damned article isn’t helping, either.
“When will I see you again?” She whines.
I shake my head, “Not sure, but I’ve got to get back to work.” I’m polite only because her parents and mine are friends.
“Maybe we can have dinner one night this week.” She doesn’t ask, but states it like it’s going to happen.
“Not sure. I’ve got a lot going on.” I look at my watch for dramatics. “I’ve got a meeting. Good-bye Mackenzie.” I turn and go back through the frosted glass doors hoping that’s the last I’ll see of her but knowing she’s not getting the hint. I may have to spell it out for her soon.