What Happens in Vegas by C. Qualls

Chapter 8

Fredrick and I start our days out the same way. He waits for me at the table, then we eat breakfast together. He leaves, then I finish getting ready. Corey takes me to work so I arrive a half hour after Fredrick. It’s Friday already. I make his coffee then knock on his door. “Enter.” Mrs. Harvey is talking to Fredrick, so I set his coffee on his desk then sit on his sofa with my note pad and pen.

Mrs. Harvey finishes up. She greets me. “Mrs. Draven, good morning.” My face warms up, I’m pretty sure my cheeks are red too. Fredrick clears his throat. “Your screen saver, Sir. Don’t worry, I’m not one to blab. Congratulations, the both of you.”

He smiles, then nods that he’s okay with the situation. “That will be all Mrs. Harvey.” She smiles as she walks out the door, closing it behind her. We both watch the door, lost in thought. “She’s trustworthy and one of the few people that interact with both of us. I’m not worried about her.” Fredrick breaks the silence. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Come here,” he bids me to him. He pulls me onto his lap and k*sses me. He’s holding my cheek with one hand and the other traces down to my rear.

His phone chimes. I release myself from his grasp and smooth my clothes. Work time, I need to remain professional. I get my pen and note pad and await his instructions. He finishes his call and we get back to work. I’m writing down my to do list as he directs. “I need you to add one more room for Vegas. I’ll be bringing two b*dyguards with us.”

I stop my writing. “Won’t you need two more rooms?”

His s exy smirk appears on his gorgeous face. “Just one. You’ll be staying with me in my suite.”

A simple “oh,” is all I can think to say.

A knock sounds at the door. “Enter.” Four large men file in and stand at attention. Fredrick stands up. “This is Mitchell, Jesse, Kyle and James. They are part of my guard. The rest you will meet later today. I would like you to choose who will be coming along to Vegas. Corey will be coming, so you only need to pick one. You can ask them anything you like so you can make an educated choice. None of my guards are married, so you will not be keeping them away from their families.”

I look them over. I trust they all have superb skills so I think of other questions to ask. “Are there any of you that would prefer to stay behind?”

Mitchell raises his hand. “I’m sorry miss, airplanes get to me. I hate flying.”

I nod. “Thank you for answering. I was afraid no one would say anything.”

Fredrick comes to stand beside me. “Mitchell you may return to your duties.” Mitchell nods and steps out.

My next question; “are any of you compulsive gamblers? I would hate to put someone in that position.”

Jesse speaks up. “Ivan has trouble with it. He’s a good guy, but we all know he struggles sometimes.”

I look to Fredrick. “It’s the truth. You will still meet with him later. I want you to be familiar with all of my guards.”

I think of one more question. “Are any of you dating?” Kyle and James both raise their hands.

Fredrick places his hand at the small of my back. “Jesse, return with the rest this afternoon. You may all return to your duties.” Fredrick pulls me to him after the door closes. “Those were good questions. Thank you for taking this seriously.”

I lean into him. “Of course. I don’t want to be drugged again.” Fredrick hmphs. I place a chaste k*ss to his perfect l*ps. “I need to get back to work. And so do you. You have another board meeting soon,” I tell him. He grunts, but releases me. I get to my desk and make the arrangements for the extra room.

After lunch I meet with Jesse and five more guards. They file into the office and stand at attention just as before. Jesse seems more comfortable since he’s already met me. Fredrick introduces them in order one by one. “You’ve met Jesse. This is Ivan, Darius, Li, Peter, and Anthony.”

I look them all over then I ask the same questions. Peter steps forward first. “I’m not the biggest fan of Vegas, miss.”

Fredrick excuses him. Then Ivan steps up. “Vegas isn’t the best place for me, miss. I have a bit of a gambling problem.” I thank Ivan for telling me. Fredrick excuses him.

I ask the last question and no one steps forward. I’m left with four to choose from. I know I need to complete this task, but I don’t know these men well enough to pick one. “Is there anyone that would like to volunteer?” The men all stand perfectly still. I look at their faces one by one. Jesse is smiling like an idiot, I can tell he really wants to go. I call him out. “Jesse, you seem like you would like to go.”

He straightens up and raises his chin. “Yes, miss. I’ve never been to Vegas.”

I look at the rest, they all seem relaxed and calm. “You do realize that you will be there for work, this is not leisure time.”

He looks a little disappointed. “Yes, miss. My job comes first, always.”

Fredrick’s hand goes to the small of my back. He whispers into my ear, “Jesse is the newest of my guards. He’s still trying to prove himself.”

I nod. “Okay, Jesse, you’re going to Vegas.” He straightens up proudly. Fredrick excuses them all and we both get back to work.

It’s the end of the day. Fredrick and I sit in his chair while he finishes what he’s working on. Everyone else has already gone home to enjoy their weekend. “What are you going to wear under your gown tomorrow?” Fredrick asks me as he runs his hand up and down my back.

I shrug my shoulder. “I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”

He looks into my face. “It’s an important day for you. We need to celebrate all of your hard work. Do you know what you want to do afterward?”

I smile at him, he’s so thoughtful. “I want to go to dinner with you and Shannon. I want her to meet you. I told her we got married in Vegas, but I didn’t tell her who you are. I want to surprise her. I should warn you, sometimes she can be a little crass.”

His hand runs through my hair. “By all means, let’s surprise her.” Fredrick closes out his computer. He takes me to a high end mall and leads me to the women’s dresses. He picks out several so I model each one and get his opinion. We settle on a knee length blue halter dress with pink flowers. It hugs my curves, cinches my waist, and most importantly holds up my breasts. He has me buy a few more of his favorites, just in case. He then takes me to find shoes. I try on several pairs that are similar to the ones I usually wear. They have thick heels and straps. I also find a pair of heeled Mary Jane’s that are really comfy. I plan to wear them for work.

Fredrick’s POV

It’s already after eight and I know Julia is starving. I know of a good restaurant here in the mall, so I take her. We are being shown to our table when I hear a man’s voice growl behind me. “Draven. You b astard.” Julia and I both stop in our tracks. Stephen Baker stands up and starts waddling toward me. I can tell he’s already inebriated.

“Go ahead and sit down. I’ll be right there,” I tell Julia. She nods and follows after the hostess. “What is it?” I don’t have the patience for him, but I also don’t want his attention on Julia.

“You’ve got some nerve bringing that tart in here, after what you’ve done to my daughter.”

Who dares to insult my wife. I give him a cold piercing glare. “Baker, that is my wife. Watch your words.”

He steps up to me with his bulbous belly between us. “I don’t give a d amn who she is. She’s the reason my daughter is a mess right now. She better watch herself, my daughter and I will not be made fools of. We do not back down.”

Now he dares to threaten her! “Baker, I’ve already taken half of your shares. You watch yourself or I will put you in the poorhouse. Your daughter means nothing to me and neither do you. Do not think that you have any power over me or my wife.”

Just then, the manager shows up with security. “Is there a problem, gentlemen?”

I look to the manager. “Not from my end. This drunkard is just causing a scene. Excuse me, my wife is waiting for me.”

I find Julia and sit beside her. My blood is boiling and I know she can calm me down. I put my arm around her and pull her in to me. I breathe in her scent and slowly begin to relax. Her hand lands on my thigh. “Are you alright? I heard what that man said.”

I k*ss her head. “Don’t worry about him. He’s is going to regret going up against me.” We order our meals and I’m surprised when Julia orders a salad. She usually goes the hearty route. “Is that all you’re going to eat?”

She smiles and shakes her head. “I’m saving room for dessert.”

That’s more like it. “What’s for dessert?”

Her eyes light up. “They have tiramisu.”

I’m stumped. “What?”

Her face has a look of innocence. “You’ve never had tiramisu?”

I smile at her. “I don’t eat sweets.”

She laughs. “It’s a coffee flavored, cr eamy deliciousness. It’s my favorite.”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “I know what it is. But you don’t drink coffee…”

She giggles. “I’m not going to drink it. I’m going to eat it.” The waiter places a large bowl in the middle of the table. Julia’s face lights up as she takes her first bite. Watching her slowly take bites into her mouth gets me going. I want to be the reason her face holds a look of pleasure. I take a bite to see what is giving her such a look. It’s actually really delicious. I take another bite. Before I know it we’ve cleaned out the entire bowl. “Good, huh?” She takes the last bite.

“I want one more taste.” I press my l*ps to hers and use my tongue to pry open her mouth. I lick her tongue and l*ps savoring every flavor. Julia pulls away first.

The next morning I’m awakened by a text alert from Mitchell. He handles PR work relating to me, on top of being one of my guards. He sends me a link to entertainment news. Businessman Fredrick Draven Married, the caption reads. I open the article and continue reading. There’s pictures of me on the phone. My wedding ring is circled in red, drawing readers attention to it. The article talks about the scene at the restaurant involving Baker. I’m quoted; “Baker, that is my wife. Watch your words.” to point out my admission. I keep reading. There is no mention of Julia. So, the world knows I’m married now.

I text Mitchell; let it stay.

Julia’s arm is across my waist and she’s using my abdomen as a pillow. I wait a few minutes for her to roll to a new position before I climb out of bed. I get my workout in and shower. I decide against a suit jacket for today, she likes me better without one. I’m walking out of the closet when her first alarm goes off. It took me two days to figure out she’s not a morning person. She turns off her alarm grunts and rolls back over. It makes me laugh. If she had coffee, it might help, but she refuses. She says it tastes like the flavor of burnt. Apparently burnt has a flavor. I go to my study to handle some business, I know I have about a half hour before she’ll come down for breakfast.

I grab my coffee and wait for Julia to come down. Mrs. Graham prepares a special breakfast for Julia to celebrate her graduation day. She sits down to her Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. I shake my head as she takes her first bite. “What?” She asks almost daring me to say something about her choice of food, so I do.

“You’re eating dessert for breakfast.”

She stares me down as she takes another bite. “And it’s so delicious.”

I smile at her. “I made entertainment headlines this morning. Word is out that I’m a married man.” She looks at me not quite knowing how to respond. “It’s a good thing. I have nothing to hide nor be ashamed of.”

She puts down her fork and drinks her chocolate milk. I steal a bite of her food. “Hey! Do you want to die?” She threatens as she takes the fork away from me. I smile as I eat my breakfast and let her finish her food.

I have Corey take Julia to the venue. As I walk in I’m stopped by the dean of students. “Mr. Draven you honor us with your presence. What brings you to our graduation?”

I shake his hand, “I’m here for my wife.”

The Dean has a look of shock, but quickly recovers. “Would you care to join me in the VIP area?” I thank him but turn him down.

Corey, Li, and James quickly take up positions around me and we move in to find our seats. The ceremony will be starting soon and my guest has yet to arrive. I lean to Corey, “Find out where he is.” Corey nods and exits.

A few minutes later my guest arrives and is settled in beside me. “Fredrick. Thank you so much for doing this. Jules is going to be so surprised.”

I shake his hand. “It’s no trouble, Mr. Lewis. How do you like the chair?”

He strokes the armrest. “It’s nice to finally have one.”

I am not familiar with this man, but I understand Julia’s love for him. I extend him an invitation. “Julia, her friend Shannon, and I will be going out for dinner this evening to celebrate. Would you like to join us?”

Mr. Lewis shakes his head. “I’m not sure I can. This crowd is already a bit much. I’m on extra medication as it is.”

I nod in understanding. “Perhaps you can have dinner with us at our home at a later date.”

He nods his head. “Yes, that would be good. You can show me your car collection.”

I smile. “That would be no problem. I recently acquired another classic to my collection, one you may be familiar with. She needs a little work though.”

His eyes light up. “I’ll have to get permission from the new boss, like always.” He looks over his shoulder to the nurse I hired specifically for his care.

“How is she working out for you?”

He grunts, “she’s too d amn strict. She doesn’t let me have any fun and she always beats me at poker.”

I laugh. “Julia and I will be going back to Vegas on Thursday. We will be gone for two weeks. Any other time, we are available at your discretion.”

Music begins playing signifying the start of the ceremony. The graduates walk in single file. Julia is one of the first to walk in as she is graduating Magna Cum Laude. The speeches are boring and long, but I sit through it. Finally, pomp and circumstance begins to play and the graduates receive their papers.

Two hours and 45 minutes later Julie is escorted to me by Corey. She stops in her tracks when she sees her father in his chair beside me. “Daddy! Oh my gosh, you made it!” She rushes over and throws her arms around him. I’m suddenly envious that she went to him first, but I let it go.

He pats her back with his one good arm. “Fredrick made the arrangements,” he tells her as she stands back up.

She runs her hands up my shoulders to embrace me. “Thank you so much, this means the world to me.” She k*sses my cheek.

“You’re welcome.”

Mr. Lewis’s nurse takes him back to his facility. Corey comes forward with a fiery redhead walking at his side. She’s also wearing a graduation gown. “Shannon!” Julia and Shannon meet half way in a hug that almost knocks them both to the ground.

Corey stands to my side, I lean my head to the side to ask; “you’re acquainted with Julia’s friend?”

He leans closer to me. “She ran in to us on Monday. Miss Jules wanted to stop in at a diner for lunch, she introduced us at that time… I’ve been seeing her since then. Miss Jules is unaware of our relationship as far as I know.”

I nod. “Join us for dinner tonight.”

Julia’s POV

Shannon stands up after almost knocking us over. “Did you hear the rumor? I guess your s exy as s boss is here to support his new wife, the lucky bi tch.”

I nod. “I know, he’s standing right there next to Corey.”

Shannon turns to walk toward the two men but stops abruptly. “What the actual f uck! Jules, you married your boss!” Her mouth is open and her eyes are bulging.

I laugh at her face, it’s hilarious. Fredrick walks up to me and places his hand at the small of my back. “Fredrick, this is Shannon McLachlan. Shannon, this is my husband Fredrick Draven. And of course you’ve met Corey, his lead b*dyguard.”