Chapter 3

Williamson never felt his cold heart pound so powerfully in his chest. Though he was immensely successful in all facets of his professional life, he still felt empty inside and alone. He smiled, looking down at his feet, chuckling out loud at his folly, as if he had cast himself in some seedy romance novel in the role of the dashing rich entrepreneur who had found everything he wanted in life, except love. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the effects of the champagne.

There’s no way a woman of her age would want anything to do with me. What do I have to offer, other than money? I’m just another one of the desperate sharks, circling the waters.

Glancing through the trees at his limo, idling in the parking area, Williamson fought the instinct to slip through the grove and disappear. He would’ve gone off to his club to try to forget her, but he knew the Artistic Director expected him to make a fundraising pitch in a few moments.

As Williamson remained cloaked in darkness, he saw Bella Lisa sidle through the crowd to stand in the front row as the Artistic Director of Seaside City Playhouse began his speech to the assembled crowd of donors and media, introducing the playwright, director and actors. As the Director spoke, Williamson’s mind wandered back to the moment he gained access to the theater’s inner circle. It was his good fortune that he answered his phone when the telemarketer called his condo, asking for a donation to the year-end fundraising drive. The theater got his private number when he bought tickets to support a wealthy client whose stock portfolio he managed, whose son was cast in a show. Williamson was reading the earning results of the fourth quarter when the phone rang. The combined net profit from Williamson Investments, Inc., Williamson Real Estate Holdings, Inc. and the A and E Club had risen over 25 percent, reaching the fifty million dollar mark for the first time. He answered the phone as he was going over the numbers. After listening patiently to the earnest young man’s long monotonous scripted pitch asking for a $150 dollar donation, Williamson spoke up.

“Excuse me for interrupting, I know what you’re doing is tough. I started out as a telemarketer, just like you.”

“You did, sir?”

“Yes. And I understand what it feels like, people hardly listening to you, saying rude things, hanging up on you all the time.”

“You got that right, sir. You’re the first person all night that’s even talked to me.”

“Is that right? Well, you gave a very convincing presentation and because of you I want to help support the Arts. I’d like to donate $25,000…”

“Wh… What did you say, sir?”

“$25,000 dollars. You get roughly 10 percent, I would guess? That’s $2,500 in your pocket. Not bad for a two minute phone call. Merry Christmas.”

“I… I can’t believe it! That’s so generous of you, Mr. Williamson.”

“Are you ready to write down my Amex number?”

The impulsive donation turned out to be one of the best business decisions Williamson had ever made. It put him on the Board of the theater and gave him instant access to a new potential pool of wealthy patrons of the arts, their families and their friends who may be in need of his investment and real estate services. The donation also allowed him to sponsor one show per year out of the season. When Williamson found out the wealthy actor, Marc Mauricio, had been cast in the show he was assigned to sponsor, he tried to get to know him by attending a few rehearsals and giving him encouraging comments. One evening they decided to meet for a drink to get to know one another. When Mauricio told him that he dappled in the market, Williamson offered to do an analysis of his investment portfolio. The subject also came up that Mauricio was looking to move away from the noise and traffic of Los Angeles, so Williamson showed him a few days later a three bedroom condo with wrap around views that was currently on the market in the oceanfront building Williamson owned and lived in. Williamson closed him on the deal that day.

The escrow period passed smoothly and his home loan was approved easily. The key exchange was scheduled in two days for Sunday afternoon. His assistants usually did such menial tasks, but perhaps he could shift some appointments around and do it himself. Williamson wondered if Mauricio’s daughter would be there when he dropped off the keys.

As if on cue, Williamson stepped out of the shadows just as the Artistic Director looked in his direction and continued his speech.

“Ah, there he is, always lurking in the shadows, watching us, behind the scenes, like the Phantom of the Opera, pulling all the strings! So at last but certainly not least we wish to give a big shout out to our board member, successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, Phillipe Williamson, for underwriting this production. Without his generosity, all this would not have been possible. He’s notoriously shy and elusive, hiding over there in the trees, the handsome devil, and by the way ladies, Seaside City’s most eligible bachelor, but maybe if we put our hands together we can encourage him to come up here and say a few words.”

The audience applauded warmly as Williamson made his way to the platform. As he passed through the crowd he playfully arched an eyebrow at Bella Lisa, observing her surprised expression with a half-smile meant only for her

Bella Lisa watched Williamson stepped up on the platform, greet the Artistic Director, shake his hand and put his arm around the shoulder of her father. The three men posed for a photograph and the light flashed, momentarily blinding Bella Lisa.

Who is he? And how does he know my father?

Williamson looked out at the crowd and made his speech.

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for coming tonight to attend the opening of “The Last Petal of the Rose”. I won’t keep you from enjoying the buffet table, catered by Wolfgang Puck. Just one thing. There was an envelope placed in your program this evening. As you leave the opening night party I ask each one of you to consider making a donation to help Seaside City Playhouse continue its mission of premiering original and audacious new plays and musicals, as well as to support the theater’s education programs for our Seaside City schools. There is a box on the pathway leading to the parking area you can drop your donation in. Now let’s raise our glass to the success of our play!”