Chapter 13

Williamson took a cautious step toward, a smile curling the edge of his mouth.

“Should I take that to mean that you consider me to be your new boyfriend now, Ms. Mauricio?”

Bella Lisa backed up, keeping her distance from Williamson.

“No! Of course not. How could you think I’d even consider that? You’re twice my age.”

“I’ve heard some women prefer older, more experienced men.”

“Not me.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m absolutely sure. I’m not the slightest bit attracted you.”

Williamson started to walk in a wide circle around Bella Lisa, tightening the space between them as he spoke to her.

“That’s odd then. I thought I saw you looking at me once, while I was working out. Remember? Before you left for college?”

“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Well, perhaps I was mistaken, Ms. Mauricio, but I thought I caught you staring at me in the reflection of the glass on the elevator doors while I was lifting weights.”

He did see me. Staring at him.

“I never did that. You are mistaken.”

“I don’t think so. I noticed your eyes drinking me in when you thought I wasn’t looking, watching the muscles of my arms, following the veins downward. I think you and I both know you approved of…what you eventually saw in the mirror. My company’s web site address is not the only thing that’s abnormally long…”

“I’ve had just about enough of this.”

Bella marched away, brushing past his shoulder, slapping her heels resoundingly on the marble floor on her way to the elevator.

“I must say, I’ve never felt more ill-used. You made me feel so… cheap that day, ogling my body.”

Bella stabbed at the down arrow of the elevator. It didn’t come on. Exasperated, she retyped in the security code and stabbed at the arrow again and it still did not light up.

“Son of a bitch! Why is this not—”

“Funny thing about this elevator. It’s a little tricky. If you put the code in as you did before, but not go in and press a floor, it trips the mechanism. You need to put it back to its default setting with a gold key. And then reenter the security code. Only problem is, I seem to have misplaced that key. Now, where could I have left it?”

“I’m done playing games with you, Mr. Williamson.”

Bella Lisa crossed back to the couch where she left her purse and got her cell phone out.

“I’m calling the police.”

“And what will you tell them? Please, help. I’m in the midst of a heated contract negotiation. He’s offering me a one week internship worth $350,000 and an annual salary of 100,000 thereafter. I want this man arrested.”

“You must think I’m really stupid,” she said, dialing 9-1-1.

“I wouldn’t entrust you with handling my Foundation if I thought that. Listen, has anyone here hurt you? Have I laid even a finger on you, Ms. Mauricio?”

“You haven’t touched me yet, but I know you are about to.”

“That’s the most encouraging thing you’ve said all afternoon.”

“Hello?”

Williamson took out the gold key from his pocket, holding it out to her.

“No one is holding you hostage here, Ms. Mauricio. You’re free to leave, that is, until you sign the contract. After that you are my sexy little prisoner.”

“Oh, no thank you… I’m sorry. I misdialed.”

Bella Lisa disconnected the call. She took the gold key from Williamson’s outstretched hand.

“Ms. Mauricio, allow me to take you in my limo to wherever you wish to go.”

“No thanks, I’ll take the bus.”

Bella Lisa walked over to the elevator and inserted the key into the hole. She turned it, punched in the security code, pressed the down arrow and it lit up. She handed the key back and turned away from Williamson. He stood a few feet away and spoke to her back, quietly, and somewhat sadly.

“Regrettably, once you leave the deal is off. I’m not running a charity here. My lawyers will immediately file a lawsuit against your father for the repayment of the debt, and make the media outlets aware of the delinquency of his mortgage payments. Within days his face will be on the cover of every gossip magazine, he will be the lead story of every entertainment news show on TV and the comeback, which he tried so hard to achieve in the latter part of his career, will be ruined. Also I’m keeping the 10 million. All those worthy nonprofits will have to raise their operational funds from someone else. I know that’s not nice, but I didn’t get to where I am today by being a nice guy.”

The elevator arrived and she stepped into it. The door closed. A moment later, the door opened and Bella Lisa stepped out. She seemed dazed and physically exhausted. She walked slowly over to the couch, sat down and put a cushion over her lap. Williamson followed her and sat down next to her.

“Think about it, Ms. Mauricio. What are you upset about? You really hold all the cards here. If you are not attracted to me as you say, the week will be spent in a strictly business relationship between us. No matter how much I desire your touch, you will never have to lay a finger on me. If you choose to leave after a week, I will still write you a glowing letter of recommendation; even make personal calls for you if needed. You will have your pick of nonprofits to work for. And the contacts you will make by distributing the funds of my Foundation can only help you in your career… You look tired, Ms. Mauricio. Listen. You don’t have to decide anything right now. Why don’t retire to your bedroom. You can freshen up, take a nap. I’ve laid out some very pretty evening wear for you. And an assortment of the latest models of Italian shoes. I hope you like shoes. Dinner is in one hour. The main course is seared salmon, encrusted with toasted macadamia nuts. After dinner, we can discuss all this further and decide what you’d like to do, agreed?”