Chapter 2- When Everything Changed (Part 2)

I rapidly blinked my eyes after Mrs. Yoshida’s words registered in my brain. Did I hear that right?

“Respectfully Mrs. Yoshida,” Martha started after suddenly jumping out of her seat,” That’s an impossible deadline.” 

“For you maybe, but not for me.” Veronica said cockily.

“If Miss Summers doesn’t think she can meet this deadline, then I can sign a contract with Mrs. Burns right now.” Momoko said in a ‘go ahead, test me’ tone. 

“N-no!” I blurted out. I quickly regain my composure and put my hand on Martha’s,” I can most definitely get it to you by tomorrow night. I think my CFO here lacks some faith in her boss. I’ve done a lot more in less time.” 

Mrs. Yoshida nodded her head and gestured towards the conference room door,” Alright. I’m looking forward to seeing what you two come up with. Have a great night everyone.”

We all started to file out of the room. I froze after a small yet sharp stinging sensation came from behind. Martha crashed into me after Mr. Yoshida passed by me and out the door. I’m pretty sure he just pinched my ass.

“Sorry” I mutter absentmindedly to Martha after my legs start to move again. Normally I wouldn’t stand for such harassment, but I have a point to prove with this project, going up against my biggest competitor after all. I can’t risk this contract over a small pinch to my ass, it’s not like it hasn’t happened before. I’m always getting cat-called back in New York, so this isn’t a new experience. 

After grabbing a bite to eat from a certain fast food chain with golden arches, Martha and I headed back up to the room to begin working on what would be my next brainchild.

***

After pulling an all nighter and only getting about two hours of sleep, my dream resort was complete. Martha decided she was going to skip on the party tonight and catch some z’s. I didn’t blame her since she played a big part in finishing this on time, only one of us needed to go and seeing since I’m the CEO I didn’t get a choice. Martha definitely deserves that vacation though. 

I almost fell asleep standing up in the shower, but managed to stay awake long enough to clean myself and not die from smoke inhalation from the steam coming off of the hot water that massaged my muscles. Wrapping my hair in a towel after drying myself off, I rummaged through my suitcase for something decent to wear. My hands landed on a piece of dark magenta silk fabric. I pulled it out and revealed a single shoulder strap dress with a high thigh slit in it. The neckline went down deep enough to provide just the right amount of cleavage while not parading my tits around and the back was open. Overall, I really liked this dress since the color went well with my skin tone and hair color, as well as hugging my curves nicely. The silky fabric made it super comfortable, light, and breathable. 

I unwrapped my damp hair and combed through it before putting it in a low pony. I didn’t feel like applying a full face of makeup, so I put concealer over the bags that hung under my eyes, did my eyebrows, lashes, and liner, and put a medium shade of maroon on my lids to match my dress. Once my makeup look was finished, I took my hair out of the ponytail, set some hair aside to make bangs, and then pulled my hair up into a high bun. A small amount of gel went onto the leftover hair and I styled some side swept bangs. Content with my appearance, I sprayed my favorite lavender smelling perfume and put on a pair of silver stilettos. I grabbed my purse, my computer, and the rest of the materials that consisted of my project and quietly left the hotel room. I met my chauffeur at the door and we started the thirty minute drive to the Yoshida’s estate. Their mansion is right by the Big Sur Cliffs in the Santa Lucia Mountains, which ups the property value because of the view. I wonder if it would be higher if it wasn’t near the cliffside. 

My mind kinda went blank as my vision was ensnared by the California shore that passed. It was early in the evening so the sun had just begun to set. The water sparkled and was an almost dark purple shade, which contrasted from the soft pink and golden oranges that swirled in the horizon. I saw some dolphins or seals jump out of the water in the distance. I smiled as it was like they were waving to me and welcoming me into their home. 

Now that I think about it, even though I’ve been all around the country, I’ve never really seen the California coast. I’ve seen plenty of the east coast since living there, and have been to Los Angeles once before, but I haven’t had the time to go to the beach in years. Running a multi-million dollar company will do that to you. There are two types of CEOs, the ones that work all the time or the ones that always seem to be on vacation. Take a guess of which one I am, and it isn’t the latter. 

My mind started wandering after I thought about how soft the sand looked. From there it traveled to sea turtles, and then my favorite pair of turtle pajamas I had as a kid, and then to my hotel’s comfortable pillows…

I was startled awake after the Cadillac braked really hard. I got out of the car as the driver was muttering a string of unsavory curses towards the guy in front of him. I stretched as I took in the massive mansion. It was a sandy white and tan colored three story Jacobean style piece of architecture. The colors made it seem more modern for the style it was built in. They had one of those circular driveways with a fountain in the middle. Water gushed out of the mermaid sculpture's mouth and into the little pool below.  When the sound of roaring waves crashing against rock finally registered in my ears, I stopped marveling at the Yoshida’s house and spun around to face the cliff top that was about one hundred feet away. I was surprised they hadn't had any handrails installed. 

“Ah, there you are Miss Summers!” Momoko yelled from the front door. She quickly descended the stairs and around the fountain where she wrapped an arm around me and guided me into the party. 

“You have such a lovely home, Mrs. Yoshida.” I told her as I handed her my work. She took it graciously then pointed around the large foyer. 

“Well, thank you my dear. Why don’t you go mingle with some of my colleagues while I go over both yours and Mrs. Burns projects.” 

I nodded and she gently pushed me into the crowd of people. Veronica came up to me once she noticed I had arrived, interrupting the conversation she was having with one of the CEOs that was at the meeting yesterday. 

“May the better woman win” Veronica said coyly as she stuck her hand out to shake mine, in other hand was a salt rimmed martini glass filled with a red liquid. 

“Indeed, may the best CEO prevail.” I said with just as much coy, but even more confidence. 

We both parted our ways with a competitious tension between us, the other guests definitely sensed it as they backed up from us as she walked off. I was too tired for this bullshit and needed to escape. I mingled through the crowd and found a side door leading out to a nice patio. The proximity to the part was still too close for comfort, so I followed the little stone path that led towards the cliff's edge. The cold and salty breeze coming off the water sent a shiver down my spine. The sun had mostly set by this point and some stars were shining through the light pollution. I was beckoned to the edge by something inside me to a point where I could see the large waves crash into the rocks at the bottom of the cliff face.

“Careful,” a man’s soft, but deep voice whispered in my ear as he grabbed me from behind- a strange tingle shot through my core,” you might fall.”

I shrieked as fear shot through my stomach at the thought of being pushed off the edge. I pushed back rough muscles and spun around to face this man. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” I punched his toned arm. He just threw his head back and kept laughing to himself.

“That isn’t funny.” 

“Sure it is,” he countered. “I saw you standing there all by yourself and couldn’t help myself.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah whatever, funny man,” I stormed back into the party. My eyes went straight to the open bar where I ordered a scotch on the rocks.

About an hour filled of Mr. Yoshida staring at me creepily, his wife finally announced she would be revealing who won the contract soon. The party goers gathered all around the grand staircase where Mrs. Yoshida dramatically stood, eager to hear the results. I admit my heart started to beat a little faster as the tension built up in the room. 

Clink, clink! Went her wine glass after she banged a fork on it, calling the rowdy room to attention. “I will now be announcing who I’ll be contracting for the beachfront property. This woman won because the work put into her presentation in such a short time is impeccable. Not only is the design very unique, warm, and inviting, but the project overall just screams the ultimate dream resort. And the winner is…”

I felt like I was going to throw up. I surely hope I hadn’t wasted a trip out to California and lost a night’s sleep for nothing. 

“Mrs. Veronica Burns! Give it up to her everybody! It’s like she designed the resort out of my very own dreams!”

My heart sank into my stomach, as my shoulders slumped. I felt tears starting to build against my waterline. 

“Don’t cease the celebration yet,” Mrs. Yoshida yelled as she clanked her fork against her wine glass several more times,” Once again, I also fell in love with Miss Summers work. So not only will I be contracting Mrs. Burns, but Miss Summers as well! And on the plot of land right next to it! How exciting! Congratulations to the both of you!” 

I practically crumbled to my knees. I raced up to Mrs. Yoshida and shook her hands rapidly. She smiled and just told me to come back tomorrow to sign and finalize everything. I found myself back at the bar getting celebratory drinks. 

“Here,” the man from earlier said as he handed me a shot glass full of what smelled like tequila,” congratulations, and I’m sorry about earlier.”

I took the glass with an eyebrow raised. “You could’ve drugged it,”

He scoffed and looked down at his feet before looking me in the eyes. “Don’t worry, I didn’t.” 

 I stared into his ocean blue eyes for a moment, taking in his features. He was tall, muscular, a very pale redhead with a bajillion freckles on his face. He was a very fine piece of man in a very nice suit, I got to admit. I could tell in his eyes he was being truthful, and with a little bit of liquid courage already in my system, the shot of tequila slid down my throat as my mind was already wandering to the sheets.

“What’s your name?” I asked as he took a shot too.

“Emory.”

“I’m Iris, well I guess you kinda already knew that didn’t you.”

Emory chuckled as he wiped his mouth. “Yeah.”

We sat there drinking together for about twenty minutes before I got too hot and needed a breath of fresh air. I excused myself and found myself wandering to the same side door that leads out to the patio. I drunkenly hopped from stone to stone as something warm and powerful in my chest pulled me towards the cliff's edge. I stood there at the edge for a moment, hypnotized by the waves going back and forth. The water sparkled brightly as the light from the full moon shone onto them. A noise draws me from my trance, it’s Emory and he’s standing behind me. He joins me as we stand there and admire the water together.

Jump.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Emory whispered.

Jump.

I say nothing as I’m drawn closer to the edge. Something within me switches and I can’t focus on anything but staring into the water as one thought continuously plays on repeat in my mind.

Jump. Jump. Jump, Jump. Jump.

My feet move on their own accord and they lose contact with the soft grass. A sharp and cold breeze envelops me as I fall deeper towards the pitch black waters, welcoming what’s to come.