Sweet Surrender (Book 2)

Mystery Guy

 I thought we were invincible. But, now I know that the things that people in love do to each other, they remember. And if they stay together, it's not because they forget. It's because they forgive.

-David, Indecent Proposal (1993)

Stacey

Why is it so hard to believe anything that he says?

I thought to myself as I sit there, looking at my staff as they do that last check of the set up at the orphanage. This is the big day. I cant let me myself get distracted by a person who thinks highly of himself. Duh!

"So, you ready for today?" Jasmine said as she takes the chair beside me. Jasmine and I are really good business partners. She's very smart and I love her ideas and opinions. I think this is the secret of our success.

"I am! We should be ready." I beam as I look around. Everything is set. All is ready. We are just waiting for the kids, and of course. The client. We still don't have any idea who he is. He wants to keep his identity private and we totally respect that.

"So, have you seen Mr. Mysterious?" Jasmine said, her eyebrows dancing as she teases me.

"Mr. Mysterious, huh. No. His assistant says he's gonna be here anytime soon."

"Okay. I'll leave you for a minute, I have to call Tony. He has been calling me in an hour now, I was too busy with the decorations." Jasmine says as she stands and grabs her purse and went for the back door.

I watch when the kids grow in numbers as they enter the room one at a time. I feel my heart clench as I see how young these kids are. I have been here last year, but their population is a lot bigger now. Some are just toddlers. Where are the parents of these poor children? But what I noticed, the kids don't look sad. Everyone seems happy, looking happy although something is missing in their lives. Family. Or maybe not. I think they found a family in each other. 

"Miss McGuire." I flinch as Jason suddenly touches my shoulder.

"Jeez... You scared the sh*t out of me." I chuckle as I gather my purse and some of its contents that spilled out as it dropped to the floor.

"I'm sorry. Sorry bout that McGuire. I didn't mean to startle you. I just want to let you know that my boss will be here in ten minutes. And the program's gonna start once he arrives." 

"Oh okay. I'll just...I'll just put these back to my car. I'll be quick." I said as I hurriedly go out of the building to my car. I have to be quick. I'll just put everything in my  dashboard and go. How can I be so clumsy sometimes? Damn. I dump everything that was previously in my purse to my dashboard compartment and lock the door. I have to go back in there.

"So, how's the party?" I turn to see Tyler. In a suit. Why is he here? This is a private event.

"What are you doing here? This is a private event Tyler." I glare at him while I walk back to the building.

"I...." He starts to explain but I cut him off. He's been following me around for weeks now and I just keep dismissing him. I know he's here to bug me again. 

"Look. I don't have time for this right now, I'm too busy to entertain you. Just leave. Please." I stop in front of him, not wanting him to go past that door. He's not gonna let me work properly today. He will just distract me. I don't need that right now.

"Miss McGuire. Mr. Johnson." Jason comes out of the door and nods at Tyler. Jason knows him?  

"Jason." Tyler nods back. 

"Let's go Jason. Sorry bout the intrusion. Are they about to start? Is your boss here already?" I turn my back on Tyler and lead Jason inside. I exhale loudly as I see Tyler still following us. He is really annoying sometimes. 

"Uhmmm...." Jason looks at me, then at Tyler. Great! Now he is ruining this day for me. 

"I'm sorry Jason. Ty, can you just go? I'll talk to you later. I promise. I'll call you once I'm done here. I'm really just busy right now. I'm meeting his boss and this is a huge event for me. So please." I know I sound a bit rude. I'll just deal with him later. I cant afford to blow this chance of meeting my client for the first time.

"Uhmmm... Miss McGuire. I think we have a little misunderstanding here. Mr. Johnson. He is my boss." Jason whispers.

"What? What do you mean?" I glance at Tyler who is now smiling from ear to ear. My face suddenly feels hot at the realization. Oh no. What have I done!

"Mr. Johnson, this is Miss McGuire. Stacey, this is my boss, Tyler Johnson." Jason said with humor in his voice. I just stood there, dumbfounded by what's happening. I can feel my ears burn from embarrassment.

"Hi Stacey. It's nice to meet you." Tyler holds out a hand in front of me. 

"I think, I should leave you two alone for awhile." Jason said as he walks away. I never move my gaze from Tyler. I remember everything that I said about him. Everything. Oh God!

"You are...." I swallow hard. Speechless. He just smiles ridiculously at me. 

"Yes. I am the fat, old man with a big heart. Nice to meet you too, Stacey McGuire." Tyler smirks as he reaches for my hand and shakes it lightly. 

"I... I'm sorry, I didn't know... I wasn't...Oh my goodness..." I cover my face with my hands. Okay. No need to rectify that Stacey. Everything has been said and done. You just made a sh*t out of yourself. 

"That's okay. I wanted to make sure that my identity is to be kept in private until today. I don't want to spoil the fun." Fun? 

"You are such a prick!" I push him away but he pulls me closer to him instead. 

"Nope. I am your boss today. You can't push me away. Got it?" He holds me close by the waist with his arm around me and I just stare at him. God! How can I ever resist those eyes. After all these years, he looks hot and super handsome. 

"Yes. Got it." I just grin at him and nod my head. I definitely get what you mean boss. Crystal clear. 

"Good. Now, you think I'm ready for that meet-and-greet with the kids inside?" He says as he pulls away from me and tries to fix his tie.

"I think you'll do." I smirk as I swat his hands away and fix the tie for him. 

"You think so?" He smiles as he leads me inside.

"Yeah." I breathe deeply as I feel his arm at the small of my back. 

"You still think I'm drop dead gorgeous?" I cover my mouth to stifle a laugh and just shake my head.

"What! That's what you always tell me before. Drop-dead-gorgeous."  He said as he squeezes my waist lightly, just enough to tickle me. 

"Whatever. Go, I think they're waiting for you so they could start." I said as I stop by my table. 

Tyler leans down to kiss my cheek but I purposely move away. Not wanting to feel his lips next to my skin. That connection alone is enough to start a flame. And I'm not ready to go that route yet.