Drulisa opened her makeup case and began inspecting the palettes inside. Mmmm...I know it's summer but the winter-themed shades always boost my confidence, she thought to herself. Then she looked at herself in the mirror. And I could use some confidence today.
Normally it only took her about ten minutes tops to get her makeup applied. But today it took her twice as long. She was taking her time because she wanted to make sure that she did a standout job.
“There we go,” she whispered under her breath in the mirror as she closely inspected the finished product. Her high cheekbones — which she considered to be one of her best features —were accented by the berry-colored blush that she'd chosen. And she loved the way it played with her brown skin.
She made a kissing motion with her lips and smiled again. Her mauve-colored lipstick was just perfect with her look.
She stood there staring at herself for several seconds. Then she said, “I’m strong. I believe in myself. I have confidence."
Drulisa glanced at her reflection in the mirror again, then she gave herself another smile. Next she repeated her little mantra all over. “I'm strong, I believe in myself, I have confidence.”
She nodded her head. “Yep, I sure do.”
She was going through all her trouble because that particular day was gonna be a make it or break it type of day for her. It was a day that could possibly determine her future. Her immediate destiny depended on the meeting she was about to head out her front door and attend — she glanced down at her wristwatch — in what she hoped would be less than five minutes.
"It's good to hear that you really do believe in yourself, sweetheart. But if you don't get a move on, you're gonna be late." With that being said, Sonia Johnson picked her daughter's purse up from off of the bed and handed it to her. "Come on, Drulisa, let's get you downstairs."
Drulisa let out a sigh then began following her mother's rapidly retreating footsteps. They walked straight to the kitchen table where an assortment of daintily decorated cupcakes from Drulisa’s home-based bakery laid waiting. Over the previous three years, Drulisa had perfected her skills in baking some of the most delicious cupcakes and confections in all of Everett County. Her little start-up bakery was doing fairly well, but not well enough for her to completely support herself. The fact that she barely made enough to make ends meet meant that at twenty-six, she was forced to still share a home with her mother.
Drulisa and her mother got along pretty well — at least to the most part — so she really didn't mind living with her mom. But like any other ambitious young woman, she had desires and goals to eventually take care of herself.
A smile made its way across Sonia's face. "Drulisa, I don't see the raspberry cheesecake ones in your cake holder thing-a-ma-bob. You gotta take those, sweetie. You just have to. Everybody just loves ‘em to death. I'm sure you're gonna wow Joshua Forrester with those. The raspberry cheesecake and the chocolate Brulé ones, too."
"Okay, okay, mama. I got this." Drulisa bent over and gave her mom a quick kiss on her velvety-soft cheek to lessen the blow of her borderline-harsh words. Then she smiled. "I got it...okay?"
Sonia nodded her head. "Okay, Drulisa. You got this." Then her eyes met her daughter’s. "Now remember what I told you when we were upstairs — no matter what the owner of that company says at this meeting you’re about to go to, you're still a winner. Okay?"
Drulisa flashed her mother a smile. "Alright, mama. But remember, I told you yesterday that I’m not meeting with the business owner, the CEO. I’m meeting with the purchasing director. Her name’s Mrs. Powers. But irregardless, at least I know I can always count on one person in this world to give me a vote of confidence. I can always count on you."
"That's because I love you, sweetie."
“I know, mama. I love you, too, and I’ll let you know how everything went as soon as the meeting’s over with. OK?”
“Oh okay, sweetie.”
With that being said, Drulisa picked up the two large cupcake holder containers and began making her way towards the front door.
After she’d closed the door behind herself and had begun walking out towards her car, she couldn't help but frown at her fifteen-year old vehicle. She wished she had something nicer to drive to her appointment in. Unfortunately, her choices had only been her old clunker or the pink convertible that her mother whipped around the city in. The convertible was cute, but since it was a little on the flashy...borderline whimsical side, Drulisa figured it was inappropriate for a very important business meeting. A make or break business meeting, she thought to herself.
Shrugging her shoulders, she set her heavy load on the ground then pulled the door open on her ride. Next she placed the cupcake containers carefully onto her front seat, even taking time out to strap them in like much loved children. She shook her head. There's no way I'm gonna allow my hope for the future to end up smooshed and laying on the floorboard.
A quick glance down at her wrist showed her that she really was cutting it close. She rushed around to the driver's side of the vehicle and stuck her key into the ignition. "Please start,” she whispered to the sadly untrustworthy vehicle that she’d nicknamed Diana. “You have to, sweetie. Don't act up today. Mama can't afford that. You know I gotta go get this paper."
A relieved grin made its way across her face with a quickness as soon as her clunker sprang to life. Letting out a sigh of relief, she finally pulled out of the driveway and pointed her car towards J.Forrester Enterprises.
"J.Forrester Enterprises," she whispered under her breath. "It's only one of the most well-known resort creators in America. They have resorts all over the country and just moved here to our little country town on the lake. Getting my cupcakes into their resorts will bring in the cash I’ve been hoping for ever since I started this business of mine. It’ll make me independant from my mother.”
Then she smiled. I love living with my mama...and I know she enjoys having me...but it’d be nice if we both had some personal space for a change. Plus, I’m a grown ass woman with a college degree. Living home with mommy is embarrassing. She shook her head. A damn shame really.
With thoughts of the people at J.Forrester Enterprises actually saying yes to her proposal on her mind, Drulisa didn't notice the stranded motorist on the side of the two lane highway — that's not until it was way too late.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the man push the door of his fancy convertible open. Not having the time to respond, she plowed right into the fancy looking piece of metal and watched in total disbelief as the door detached itself from the vehicle. Then she stared in awe as it careened away from her and flipped over and over on the otherwise empty highway.
"Oh, damn it to hell! I'm totally screwed. Not only am I NOT gonna make it to my appointment on time, but now I’m gonna owe that arrogant piece of shit who’s stepping out his car thousands of dollars!”
She pulled her vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway and inched back towards the man. Under normal circumstances, she probably would’ve noticed how handsome he was. She would’ve noticed how nicely his dark, tailored suit molded itself to his muscular, trim body. But these were no normal circumstances that she was under so she didn’t notice any of those things.
As soon as she stepped out of her car and approached the man, it was on the tip of her tongue to apologize. However the apology that had almost made it out of her mouth went to hell in a handbasket as soon as the man said, “What fucking idiot taught you how to drive? You just ripped the whole freaking door off of my brand new Lamborghini!"
"Excuse you! You were the one who had your door pushed out into the highway in my lane. Oh, yeah...I was in my lane...all the way in my lane. I didn't run off of the side of the road and hit your car or anything. You're the one who’s at fault for this little accident."
The man looked at her in disbelief. "Like I said, you tore my whole freaking door off. I think you definitely are to blame for that." Frowning he skimmed his eyes up and down her body from head to toe. Then his steely gaze met hers. "I bet you were putting on makeup or something similar as you were speeding down the highway doing fifteen over the limit.”
“Fifteen over the limit! I was only doing five over. But I guess someone like yourself wouldn’t realize that.” She pointed to what remained of his vehicle. “People who drive cars like yours never seem to understand there are limits.”
She understood that now she was just being petty, but Mr. Grey Eyes had really gotten on her nerves.
“Well,” he shot back. “People who drive cars like yours don’t often have insurance. Are you even gonna be able to pay me for the damage you’ve caused.”
“Pay you?! You’re gonna be the one who’s paying me!” She flipped her cell phone over in her hand. “I’m calling the authorities so we can get this ridiculous situation over with. I have a very important meeting to get to. But because of you and your negligence, I’m gonna be late to it.”
As luck would have it, Drulisa ended up not having to place her call to the authorities at all — that's because a squad car conveniently rolled up on the scene. It took all of half an hour for the officer to file their accident report. During the entire time, Drulisa didn't say anything else at all to the man she'd gotten into the car accident with. The man — whose name she had learned was Joshua Forrester — didn't say anything to her either. The officer simply gave both of them duplicate copies of the accident report that he was filing with the city on their behalves.
By the time Drulisa was settling herself back into her car, she had a smile on her face. According to the officer, she hadn't been at fault for the accident. Not being on the hook for the damage to the man's Lamborghini was a good thing. Being an hour late to one of the most important appointments of her life wasn't. As Mr. Lamborghini finished talking to the officer and drove away from the scene, Drulisa finally pulled out her cell phone and made the important call to Allison Powers. Allison Powers was the woman she was supposed to be having her appointment with.
“This is Tonya Carruthers. I’m Mrs. Powers’ secretary. She’s already left the office to fly out for a meeting she has with a client in New York. I’m sorry, Ms. Johnson.”
A frown instantly formed on Drulisa’s face. “Is there someone else I could speak with about my proposal?”
“Once again...I’m sorry, Ms. Johnson. You missed your appointment. Mrs. Powers is gone. She won’t be back until late next week.”
Drulisa refused to accept that that was it. I have to do something. I'm still driving over to the Forrester building. Once I'm there, I'm gonna simply have to find someone who can help me. I refuse to give up on this. It’s too important.
Fifteen minutes later found her eye to eye with the woman she’d just gotten off of the phone with — Tonya Carruthers.
The bottle blonde shook her head and grimaced. "As I told you over the phone, Ms. Johnson, there's nothing that I can do for you. You missed your appointment with Mrs. Powers. Perhaps you should've left home earlier."
The woman's comment had of course gotten on Drulisa's nerves. However, she refused to take an argumentative stance with the girl. She felt like she’d already been through enough controversy for the day. Thinking of controversy, an image of the man whose door she had torn off instantly came to her mind. The no account for idiot didn't even seem concerned that the front end of my car was damaged from the collision. Yes, I admit that my car was only slightly harmed, but it was damaged all the same.
Since she really had more pressing problems at hand, Drulisa pushed all thoughts of what had happened out on the highway that morning to the side. She began quickly scanning her brain for any possible solutions to her cupcake proposal problem. Suddenly she had an idea.
Drulisa looked Tonya Carruthers directly in the eye. “What about whoever is covering for Mrs. Powers this week? Can I talk to them?”
With an arrogant, sour look on her face, Tonya replied, “That would be Mr. Forrester himself and I’m definitely sure he wouldn’t want to see you.”
When Joshua stepped out of the elevator and rounded the corner, he’d been intent on making his way directly to his office. However, a frown instantly found its way onto his face. He shook his head. “Oh, no. Not you again.”
Tonya narrowed her eyes in confusion. She looked at the CEO of J.Forrester Enterprises and then back at Drulisa. Next she looked back at her boss again. “You two know each other, boss?”
Joshua grimaced. “I guess you could say that.” His eyes bore right into Drulisa’s. “Why are you here, Ms. Johnson? Did I give you the wrong information from my insurance card?”
Oh, no, she thought to herself. Realization had just dawned. The man whose Lambo she’d nearly annihilated was named Joshua Forrester — she knew that from the info from his insurance card. She was standing in J.Forrester Enterprises and Tonya Carruthers had just called him ‘boss’. He’s the J.Forrester of J.Forrester Enterprises. I’ve done myself in. No way he’s gonna wanna offer me a contract — not after what I just did.
“Again Ms. Johnson, did you have some sort of problem with my insurance card?”
Eager to impress, Tonya flashed her boss a smile. “Actually, Ms. Johnson was supposed to meet with Mrs. Powers this morning, but she showed up over an hour late. She was supposed to do some type of product proposal. I, of course informed her that we run a professional establishment here and that tardiness like that won’t be tolerated.”
From the tone of the girl’s voice and from the words that she’d delivered, Drulisa could tell that the blonde was waiting for Joshua Forrester to shut her down. However, the smug little grin that had settled itself onto Tonya’s face disappeared when Joshua turned to Drulisa and said, “Follow me, Ms. Johnson.”
Every part of her wanted to stick her tongue out at Tonya Carruthers and snicker. However Drulisa understood that gloating wasn’t gonna get her anywhere. Plus I’m sure the asshole’s not asking me to follow him so he can discuss my cupcake proposal. I’m pretty much sure he probably wants to ream me out again for damaging his precious fucking car. Despite feeling all of that, she held out the tiniest shred of hope that he’d listen to her proposal. Therefore, she followed him down the long hallway and into his office.
The office was huge with a large desk and plush carpeting that Drulisa was sure was super expensive.
Joshua pointed to a chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Ms. Johnson.”
Drulisa carefully placed her two large cupcake holders on the piece of nice-looking office furniture while Joshua Forrester settled himself into his leather swivel-style chair. His eyes held a neutral unsmiling expression in them when they met hers. “First off, I want to apologize for how I talked to you back there at our little accident scene. I understand I was at fault, but my day had already started in a majorly rotten fashion before you and I collided with each other.”
Wait a second. He’s actually apologizing to me? Maybe this is gonna end up going better than I’d thought.
Drulisa flashed him a tentative smile. “We all have bad days from time to time, Mr. Forrester. Apology accepted.”
He broadened his grin. “Good. I’m glad we got that out of the way.” He pointed towards her wares. “Go ahead and convince me why we should sell your delicious-looking treats here in our resort.”
Drulisa took a deep breath and smiled right back in return. “Well, Mr. Forrester, my cupcakes are made with ingredients from right here in Everette County. The only thing I get from an outside source is the colorings that go into my icings. Trust me, if someone here made food colorings, I’d definitely be going with them. But since no one does, there was nothing I could do about that.”
She took a deep breath then continued speaking. "Now as for why I think my products belong here, well...each one of your resorts focus on the uniqueness of the town or county that they are located in. My goodies would fit right in with that concept. You could advertise that you really do believe in supporting the local economy, because whenever possible, you actually use local products."
Joshua tented his fingers on his desk and brought his eyebrows together deep in thought.
Oh, hell. He's about to shut my butt down. I know he is. That's why he's sitting over there with that look on his face, not saying anything at all.
Then he surprised her by looking at her and smiling. Next he snapped open the cover of the cupcake holder closest to him and began nibbling on one of her Black Forest chocolate frosted creations. His eyes met hers. “If I say yes to your proposal, Ms. Johnson, I’d need something in return. I’d need a personal favor...directly from you yourself. Directly from those lovely hands of yours.”
Drulisa narrowed her eyes. He’s freaking unbelievable. He’s seriously asking me for sexual favors in return for accepting my cupcakes into his resort! That’s what him suddenly being nice to me and apologizing was all about?!
She shook her head and stepped over in front of him. She grabbed the dessert he’d been eating directly out of his hand. She’d wanted to smoosh it in his handsome, conceited face, but she’d thought that would’ve been a little over the top.
“You, Joshua Forrester are an asshole,” she hissed rather loudly. “I don’t know what type of woman you figured me to be, but I’m not about to indulge your sexual fantasies in exchange for you accepting my products into your resort.” She hastily snapped the lid back on her cupcake holder and snatched both of them from off of his desk.
After she’d angrily stalked over to his office door, she turned back around. “You get all that good press in the media about what a great philanthropist you are, but I guess I’ve had the misfortune of learning the truth.You’re really quite despicable!”