Your Secret Admirer

[Lady_Kit]

OOC:
The players are cast, please enjoy the performance.

The desk calendar was covered with various social engagements, business appointments, and the odd squiggles of a busy mind not always fully occupied by the minutia of business. A red envelope partially covered February 14 the only blank space; it was addressed to the occupant of the office. The card was white; its’ front scattered with hearts of all colors and sizes. Inside it read,

“Happy Valentines Day. This is the first of five special days, each one, Valentines Day, for you deserve nothing less than a full week of hearts and flowers. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Your Secret Admirer.

After months of observing you I have finally built the courage to court you, if, that is, you desire to be courted under these odd circumstances. Will you allow me to court you, Beautiful Lady? Please, signal your wishes to me by having lunch in the café across the street from your office building. If you do, you will hear from me again tomorrow. If you don’t I shall never trouble you again.

With deepest regard,

Y.S.A."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was 8am on Monday, February 9th. Stacy had been at work for a full two hours when there was an excited knocking on her office door. She pushed back a random strand of blonde hair and glared briefly at the closed door. The knock sounded for a second time and she gave an exasperated huff when it became clear that someone was determined to get her attention. Like it or not.

Come in, but this had better be good.

A glance at her watch showed that she could use a break anyway. She rose as the door opened. Smiled, as it revealed not the problem she expected, or maybe it was a problem after all. Stacy was still working on that. In any case, the entrance of her best friend was a welcome interruption. She arched one delicate brow and grinned.

Just coming in? You have a hot date last night or something?

It was all in fun since Stacy knew that the woman before her, the only other woman on the executive floor, was just as driven as she, and often first in the office each day. Stacy expected to see her colleague waving a project folder, instead, she held a red envelope.

 

[chanaud]

In one fluid motion, Nora sat on the tan leather couch and crossed her legs. The red envelope waving like a flag matched her manicured nails. She chose to ignore her cohort’s statement, something was on her mind and her face didn’t disguise it.

Enough is enough…. She said.

“Whaa?”

That bastard will not leave me alone! I’ve told him…countless times…I don’t fraternize with coworkers. I need to teach Jack a lesson, will you help?

The desperate plea in her large brown eyes matched her voice. A strand of auburn tendrils fell over one eye. Nora pursed her lips together and blew, chasing the strays back to its place.

“Jack?” Stacy asked incredulously, and held her hand for the envelope. She read it silently, her face remained unreadable, and handed it back to Nora. She paused to study her friend’s face, then continued.

“How do you know this is Jack’s doing? It could be somebody else. Somebody with the initials YSA.” She snorted in return.

Impossible. I know its Jack’s doing. This shenanigan reeks of him, though I've never imagined him to be well versed. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile… It can’t be anybody else. Everybody I know are married already, except for us, of course. And he’s the only guy I know who'll pull something like this… Remember his last words last month when I turned him down? Remember? You were there. He said he’s going to have me, even if he’s the last man on earth. We had a good laugh over it afterwards, remember? Well though he’s been giving me the cold shoulder since then, I’ve been on guard. I had a feeling he would pounce. And just as I had imagined…he has. If he thinks I’m stupid enough to fall for this…this prank.

Nora shook the red envelope in her fist.

He’s wrong! I’m going to teach that boy a lesson. A lesson he’s never going to forget. And that’s where you’ll come in…Will you help me, please?

 

[Lady_Kit]

Jack? Nora thought that Jack was the author of the note? Apparently she was the only one in the room that saw how utterly ridiculous that idea was!

You’re paranoid, Nora. I told you that Jack is engaged. You just don’t want to

Nora held a perfectly manicured hand up, palm facing outward. Stacy recognized the signal.

Ok, Sweetie, I’ll let it drop. For now. Anyway, why after all this time, would he do something like that?

“Well, who else could it be? If you’ve got ideas lets have them!”

How could I have any ideas yet? You’ve only just showed me the card. In fact, the only idea I have at the moment involves coffee and perhaps a scone from Starbucks. Care to join me? I’ll buy and you can tell me all about your grand plan for Jack, or whoever your Secret Admirer turns out to be.

While Nora reluctantly went to get her purse, Stacy grabbed her own small bag and started for the elevator; a moment later she smiled at a handsome new intern as she passed him in the hall. He paused and let his gaze rake her body from the tips of her high-heeled pumps to the top of her head, some 5' 6" later. His eyes took in lean tanned legs and the unmistakably full and firm breasts now modestly covered by the tailored jacket of her suit. Shoulder length blonde hair, bright blue eyes and tanned skin gave her the look of a Barbie doll dressed in her “Business Best.” The image was quickly dispelled by the interns’ male companion who gave him a swift elbow to the ribs and told him just who he was drooling over. Stacy watched the two young men flee around the corner. She was disappointed, it wasn’t as if she really ate little interns for breakfast. Though she had been known to wear one out over dinner.

“Stalking the young Capitalists again, dear? Two of the interns nearly ran me down in the hallway.”

Nora came down the hall with a lithe stride that would have looked at home on the runways of Europe’s fashion houses; the body would have been as well suited. Nora really was stunning, but it was the inner vibrancy of the woman that never failed to get attention. She was the walking talking version of a wet dream.

Oh, just the usual. His mind said “God I’d like to fuck that!” Then his buddy said, “That’s Ms. Thomas, you idiot!”

She shrugged, and dropped the whiny adolescent male tones for her own husky voice.

And they left. It seems my reputation precedes me. I guess if I want something to do I’ll have to help you.

They entered the empty elevator and dropped slowly to the lobby level of the large office building. When the stepped from the car, the glass front windows showed the café, Aarons, that was mentioned in the note; Stacy gestured to the colorful façade and outside tables that even now were occupied.

Are you going to have lunch at Aarons today? Oh, don't shrug your shoulders at me, girl. I know you, and you're dying for some adventure. Why not take a chance, just this once? You know, Nora, it might not be someone from our office. Anyone in the building could have bumped into you, seen you at lunch or in an elevator. Your Secret Admirer could be someone completely unexpected.

Nora shook her head firmly as they got in line for coffee.

"Its Jack. It has to be."

 

[chanaud]

The line was long and slow. Business suits were in abundance. The two women were like E. F. Hutton – when they walked through the doors, men, and women included stopped to stare.

Nora was used to the attention. She wasn’t at first, and used to feel self conscious next to Stacy’s beauty, but she overcame that as she grew fonder of her colleague. Stacy wasn’t just beautiful; she was far more intelligent than most, her wit was always sharp and ready, and to top it off… she was nice and always willing to lend out a kind word.

Ears were everywhere. Their conversation was halted until they had their Venti flavor of the day and cranberry scones in hand.

Like I said…I have a plan…

Nora started after settling down on a wrought iron chair outdoors.

hope you can help me. If you can’t, I understand…

One perfect honey blonde arc rose above Caribbean blue. The Venti cup stopped midair; Stacy pursed her lips together and blew. Despite the warm gentle breeze, Nora shivered. She couldn’t help noticing how incredibly sexy Stacy was. And she’s not even attracted to women! At least not before Stacy..

I’m going to have lunch at Aaron’s…but I would like you there with me..

“Me? Why me?” Stacy asked.

I would like us to pretend that we’re ermm together.

Holding her breath, Nora paused. Then she blew out her breath with the rest of the sentence.

You know as…lovers.

 

[Lady_Kit]

I beg your pardon?

She hoped that the pounding of her heart wasn't really audible, though she feared it was. Her mind whirled at the possibilities as Nora repeated herself.

"I want us to pretend that we're lovers to teach Jack a lesson."

Did you say that was the plan or just a plan? Tell me this, does the plan conclude before or after we find ourselves snubbed by the senior partners? Nora, you need to rethink this idea. Why don't you just play it out? See where it goes? Besides, I’m not convinced it is Jack.

Nora gave a sigh that sounded part exasperation; part desperation. Then she tilted her head to one side, a look that Stacy recognized as meaning her friend was deep in thought. Stacy nibbled delicately at one corner of her scone, and silently considered the possibilities of having Nora as her lover.

What would it be like to run her fingertips across the soft skin of Noras cheek, across the delicate jaw, down the swanlike throat? Stacy trembled at the mere thought of touching the beautiful woman on the other side of the table. She’d never be able to “pretend” at an affair, and she knew it. One touch and her true feelings would become quickly apparent; even to Nora from whom Stacy had hidden her desires for months.

“All right, you win. I’ll play it out. But if you’re wrong and it does turn out to be Jack, I’m going to need some serious shopping, and quite possibly therapy, to get over the experience.”

The husky voice of her companion broke into the fantasy that Stacy was building around Nora. The lingering effects of her daydream left her moist and more than a little distracted. She struggled to focus, trying to concentrate on the conversation, and not faint outline of a lacy bra beneath the fabric of Nora’s’ silk blouse.

I’m glad to hear it. I love it when you’re sensible. Tell you what, I’ll even pick up the tab for lunch. Just in case anyone is watching.

Stacy grinned and winked at the frowning face of her friend; then gave a quick look at her watch. She’d better hustle it up or she’d be late for her mid-morning meeting. One more hurried gulp of coffee, and she pushed away from the small table.

See you at lunch, Doll!

With a flash of thigh and a bright smile Stacy hurried away before Nora could change her mind. “Maybe, this little plan would work out after all,” she thought as she stepped into the elevator.

 

[chanaud]

The senior partners! Nora hadn’t even thought of them, or the possible windfalls, especially to her dear friend….. But before she could change her mind, Stacy had agreed and even seemed to look forward to this.

Nora walked back to her desk slowly, in a daze. She sat down and found several neat stacks of folders she had demanded from her research department, at the close of the previous business day. Reaching for the top file, her eyes caught a glimpse of the distracting red. Her hand opened the note card again. Nora read over the message again, though she’s clearly memorized the note by now. She sighed. It’s been far too long since she’s allowed romance to her life. Work has always taken precedence over her personal life, and she hadn’t found anybody yet who was willing to adjust to her demanding schedule. As her secretary buzzed in, reminding her of a teleconference, Nora tossed the red envelope in her top drawer. There was really no time for that. She had two multimillion dollar accounts to close by quarter end.

Deep in thought, Nora frowned at the doorknob turning, which meant interruption. But when she saw the familiar honey blonde shrouding the blazing blue eyes, she smiled. Removing her wire-rimmed glasses, Nora motioned for her best friend to enter.

“Are you ready to meet your admirer?” Stacy asked.
Nora glanced at the clock and sighed.

“I’ve been thinking,” Nora started, “I don’t think it’s a good idea. You pointed out something that I’ve forgotten because I was so swept up in this ludicrous notion of….”

“Oh no you don’t! Don’t you even dare backing out of this, Nora.” Stacy interrupted. “Not after what you told me last month. Remember?”

The perplexed look washing over Nora’s face prompted Stacy to continue. “Well let me refresh your memory. It was at the [/I]Pacific Rim[/I]… we shared the Sushami combination and three bottles of wild berry Saki’s… one of us brought up the subject of lonliness and tears sprang to your eyes…”

Nora blushed and sat silently. How ever did she remember that? If she recalled, Stacy had equal amounts of Saki’s.

“You mentioned how you crave romance and adventure. How you would give all this up if you found the right person.”

Nora’s pink lips opened in protest. Reading her best friend’s face, Stacy continued.

“Don’t say this is Jack’s doing. Because something about the way it’s written, the cleverness of this planning doesn’t read Jack. So you’re going to go through this. No, we’re going to go through this. Because the person behind this clever proposition might be the one for you. Now touch up those beautiful lips of yours and let’s go eat… lunch.” Stacy demanded.

Nora couldn’t help smiling back. What would she ever do without her best friend, she wondered as she pulled a gold case lipstick holder and a mirror.

“I still think it’s Jack.” Nora grumbled while applying Berry Red to her lips.

“That’s why I’m going to be your lover… just in case.”

The striking pair walked in Aaron's, arm and arm. The cafe was bustling with business, but was surprising quiet. The dark suited host noted the pretty pair, and nodded in apprecation before inquiring into their reservations.

"A resevervation for... Nora Turner, please."

A well manicured finger leafed through the appointment. He looked and spoke solemnly, "I'm sorry we do not have a reservation under that name, nor do we have any available tables."

Well that settles it then. We tried. Nora said cheerfully, and started turning away.

"Is there a name under YSA?" Stacy asked, stepping forward.

"Yes! As a matter of fact, we do." The host exclaimed excitedly.

Damn! Nora cursed silently.