Homewrecker Incorporated Read Online Free Page B
Author: S. Simone Chavous
looked.
"I think it's best if you all sit down until I escort her in. It would seem less, um, anxious," I suggested.
"I'm so fucking nervous," Lydia said in a loud whisper as she tucked a lock of shoulder-length chestnut hair behind her ear.
We were all nervous. The commission and bonus we were looking at was more than the seven figures we'd made on all our jobs combined for the last eighteen months or so. Not to mention the connections a woman like Elsa Michaels had to an array of equally wealthy potential clients in questionable marriages.
The sound of clicking heels on the hardwood floor of the hallway just outside the door signaled Elsa Michaels' arrival. I pulled open the door, smiling brightly as I extended my hand in greeting. Wearing a lovely pantsuit from one of the premier designer's spring lines, she was even more beautiful in person than in any of the photographs I'd seen.
"I'm so sorry I'm late," she blurted, reaching for my hand as she crossed the threshold. "This is extremely difficult and I just needed a few minutes to get myself together before I came up."
I admired her honesty and her strength but was surprised by her humility. She was always so composed in public. Clearly those few minutes helped because she looked amazing. Strong and ready for anything. If I'd been crying, I would have broken out in hives and red blotches. One of several reasons I never let myself cry in front of anyone.
"No need to apologize, Mrs. Michaels. You're actually right on time. Can I just say it's such a pleasure to meet you? We're all big fans of the amazing work you do," I said, leading her around the corner to where everyone else was waiting.
"Please, call me Elsa. I think we're going to be far past any need for formality before this is over," she replied with a bright smile, attempting to make light of her situation, but despite her impeccable exterior, the pain in her eyes was evident.
"Here, let me take your coat, and please have a seat. Would you like something to eat or drink?" I gestured toward the table filled with various pastries, juices, and coffee while she set her bag on an empty chair and shrugged out of her blazer.
"Just some water. I haven't had much of an appetite lately."
"Of course." I hung Elsa's coat on the rack in the corner while Grace passed her a bottle of water. She opened it and took a long drink. Finally, she sighed and took a few moments to look me up and down.
"I can see why Patty recommended you," she said, finally sitting. "You're absolutely breathtaking, magnetic even."
I was accustomed to receiving compliments, mainly from men who were trying to get in my pants, but having a woman like Elsa Michaels speak about me that way put a flush of color on my cheeks. I respected her, admired her even, so her words had an impact.
"Allow me to present my associates, Lydia, Grace, and Bridget." I stuck to first names, although all hopes of anonymity were already lost considering we were standing in the building Grace and I lived in and Elsa's attorney's had nondisclosure agreements with all of our signatures on them. On a typical case, Patty served as a buffer and was the only one who signed the agreements our clients saw.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you" Elsa said with a small smile. "Despite the unfortunate circumstances."
Each of my partners greeted her in turn before sitting again.
"So, Elsa, where would you like to begin?" I asked, taking my seat.
"I know that meeting me like this goes against your standard policies, but I'm sure you all understand the delicate nature of the situation, for myself and my foundation. Many of our large donors are affiliated with notable religious organizations; that kind of scandal could impact their desire to support the foundation, at least so long as I remained at the helm. The foundation is my life's work. It's my legacy. I couldn't imagine giving that up."
She looked to each of us and, seemingly satisfied we understood, dropped a stack of
"I think it's best if you all sit down until I escort her in. It would seem less, um, anxious," I suggested.
"I'm so fucking nervous," Lydia said in a loud whisper as she tucked a lock of shoulder-length chestnut hair behind her ear.
We were all nervous. The commission and bonus we were looking at was more than the seven figures we'd made on all our jobs combined for the last eighteen months or so. Not to mention the connections a woman like Elsa Michaels had to an array of equally wealthy potential clients in questionable marriages.
The sound of clicking heels on the hardwood floor of the hallway just outside the door signaled Elsa Michaels' arrival. I pulled open the door, smiling brightly as I extended my hand in greeting. Wearing a lovely pantsuit from one of the premier designer's spring lines, she was even more beautiful in person than in any of the photographs I'd seen.
"I'm so sorry I'm late," she blurted, reaching for my hand as she crossed the threshold. "This is extremely difficult and I just needed a few minutes to get myself together before I came up."
I admired her honesty and her strength but was surprised by her humility. She was always so composed in public. Clearly those few minutes helped because she looked amazing. Strong and ready for anything. If I'd been crying, I would have broken out in hives and red blotches. One of several reasons I never let myself cry in front of anyone.
"No need to apologize, Mrs. Michaels. You're actually right on time. Can I just say it's such a pleasure to meet you? We're all big fans of the amazing work you do," I said, leading her around the corner to where everyone else was waiting.
"Please, call me Elsa. I think we're going to be far past any need for formality before this is over," she replied with a bright smile, attempting to make light of her situation, but despite her impeccable exterior, the pain in her eyes was evident.
"Here, let me take your coat, and please have a seat. Would you like something to eat or drink?" I gestured toward the table filled with various pastries, juices, and coffee while she set her bag on an empty chair and shrugged out of her blazer.
"Just some water. I haven't had much of an appetite lately."
"Of course." I hung Elsa's coat on the rack in the corner while Grace passed her a bottle of water. She opened it and took a long drink. Finally, she sighed and took a few moments to look me up and down.
"I can see why Patty recommended you," she said, finally sitting. "You're absolutely breathtaking, magnetic even."
I was accustomed to receiving compliments, mainly from men who were trying to get in my pants, but having a woman like Elsa Michaels speak about me that way put a flush of color on my cheeks. I respected her, admired her even, so her words had an impact.
"Allow me to present my associates, Lydia, Grace, and Bridget." I stuck to first names, although all hopes of anonymity were already lost considering we were standing in the building Grace and I lived in and Elsa's attorney's had nondisclosure agreements with all of our signatures on them. On a typical case, Patty served as a buffer and was the only one who signed the agreements our clients saw.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you" Elsa said with a small smile. "Despite the unfortunate circumstances."
Each of my partners greeted her in turn before sitting again.
"So, Elsa, where would you like to begin?" I asked, taking my seat.
"I know that meeting me like this goes against your standard policies, but I'm sure you all understand the delicate nature of the situation, for myself and my foundation. Many of our large donors are affiliated with notable religious organizations; that kind of scandal could impact their desire to support the foundation, at least so long as I remained at the helm. The foundation is my life's work. It's my legacy. I couldn't imagine giving that up."
She looked to each of us and, seemingly satisfied we understood, dropped a stack of
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