A Chance Encounter

Annex Building
Manhattan, New York
 
Assocation Meeting
 
Raised voices echoed in the corridor sliced through the quietness of the boardroom. Everyone attending, including Isabella appeared nervous and anxious to get this meeting underway.  
   
Julius stood ready to greet his employer.  
   
The brown door opened, and emitted a light-auburn headed woman. Where have she seen her before? Isabella pondered as she tried to recollect. Accompanying her presence was a tall sinewy muscular-built man.  
   
No! Someone tell her this cannot be happening Isabella thought. She became lightheaded; she tried at best to uphold her composure. Can life be this cruel? Fate must be reprimanding her for some past unforgiving act.  
   
Isabella suddenly remembered where she seen the woman before, she also attended the Gradison’s fundraiser.  
   
“Buongiorno Sig. Galeio.” Julius shook Steffen’s hand. “Signorina Deavax.” Julius slightly bowed his head to the woman standing at Steffen’s side.  
   
Maybe the floor would swallow her up before anyone of the two recognizes her.  
   
“Ladies and Gentlemen, all attending shall stand.”  
   
Too late Isabella thought. She bit down on her lip.  
   
Everyone stood upon Julius’ command.  
   
“I would like to introduce to everyone Sig. Steffen Galeio. The present owner under the new management of Galeio’s Shipping Company Incorporation, formally Waynes’ Shipping Company.”  
   
Steffen turned around to greet everyone he slightly bowed his head. His eyes began to scan the boardroom. He smiled until his eyes bore directly into Isabella’s eyes, which had him raising his eyebrows in silent recognition.  
   
“I do have those reports you requested signore.”  
   
Julius was obvious talking to himself. The signorina at the end of the boardroom captured his employer’s attention. Who at the precise moment was also returning the open stare?  
   
Steffen was the first one to break the eye contact. He cleared the lump in his throat. He removed the folders from Julius that he was trying to hand to him earlier.  
   
Steffen began to read off the names, he addressed each one attending personally. He shook their hand and placed everyone and himself at ease. He did this in a consistently nature. Upon approaching Isabella, Steffen read their names from off a business folder.  
   
“Lady Isabella Tramaine and Signorina Sherell St. James representing Fashion and Accessories.”  
   
Steffen came to stand directly in front of Isabella.  
   
“Bellisimo.” Steffen switched to his native tongue. He used the sentimental endearment reserved for her.  
   
Steffen looked down into Isabella’s eyes.  
   
“Are you Signorina Tramaine or Signorina St. James?”  
   
“Lady Isabella Tramaine.” Isabella extended her hand out to Steffen.  
   
Steffen grasped it and raised it to his lips; he turned it over and kissed the softness above her knuckles. He held her hand longer then required.  
   
Isabella swindled her hand from Steffen.  
   
“Well we meet again.”  
   
Steffen spoke to Isabella as if they were the only ones suspended in time. He caged her eyes.  
   
“Yes, such a small world,” Isabella replied.  
   
“Where is this Signorina St. James?”  
   
“Actually, it’s Miss. Bizet`. She states St. James sounds more American. Moreover, the answer to your previous question, Miss. Bizet` St. James will be arriving shortly.”  
   
Everyone in attendance witnessing the verbal exchange, patiently waited for the next dialogue.  
   
“Excuse me Sig. Galeio, I do not mean to interrupt this tit-a-tat, but we must get back to business,” the auburn headed woman commented. Her cold calculating eyes assessed Isabella from head to toe.  
   
Steffen glanced down at his Bulova timepiece.  
   
“Yes I agree.”  
   
Steffen redirected his eyes back to Isabella.  
   
“We shall talk again soon Signorina Tramaine where privacy shall benefit us both.” Steffen’s eyes passionately roved over Isabella.  
   
Isabella’s face turned two shades darker. She was embarrassed by an intimate discussion in a  boardroom with everyone observing.  
   
Steffen and the woman walked back to the head of the boardroom.  
   
“La Signore e Signori, I must introduce to you Signorina Deavax. She is one of my personal assistants.”  
   
The way she stared up at him, Isabella could only discern she was involved with him on a private professional level.  
   
“As all of you have heard by now. There has been a recent takeover of Waynes’ Import and Export Shipping Company. The shipping company is now under the new management of Galeio’s Shipping Company Incorporation.  Importing and exporting services and goods will remain as usual. Although, I must counsel you to date, there will be some basic minor adjustments. As noted, transporting bulk supply on demand, the cost of delivery, and addition shipping routes will be included. I will be venturing into business in Italy, Japan, and Germany. It will take capital gain, expenditures, and interest. Therefore, you can expect a slight increase in the standard exporting and importing shipping fee if your business will venture in these geographical destinations. The increase will take effect one month from today.”  
   
Julius walked around the boardroom conference table. He handed out to all seated attendants a stack of stapled documents containing a table of revised information.  
   
“What each and every one of you have been given is an official outline of all adjusted fee amounts, and an addendum of all transporting routing fees. Look it over, read it, and understand it.”  
   
A hushness ensued.  
   
“Are there any questions on the information you have been given?” Steffen asked.  
   
“Yes, I have one.”  
   
“Is it Sig. Ecuador?”  
   
“Correct. Now when you mean a slight increase in the fee amount. Do you mean for shipping as well as for delivery and so forth?”  
   
“That is precisely what I mean.”  
   
“But Mr. Waynes…”  
   
“As I stated in my opening remarks, this shipping company in now under the new management of Galeio’s Shipping Company Incorporation.”  
   
Poor Mario Isabella thought to herself, she witnessed how this formidable man could make him slum back in his seat.  
   
“Are there any other questions?”  
   
“Yes I have one.”  
   
Steffen directed his head in the direction where Isabella sat.  
   
The door suddenly opened, briefly startling everyone.  
   
“Je fais des excuses pour le retard de mon temps,” Sherell said in an exuberant voice.  
   
“Je m'excuse, cependant, mon dialecte français est très limité,” Steffen confirmed.  
   
“Je suis désolé.”  
   
My name is Miss. Sherell Bizet` St. James.”  
   
Steffen strolled over to where Sherell stood.  
   
“Please to finally make your acquaintance Signorina Bizet` St. James.”  
   
“Enchante.”  
   
Sherell shook Steffen’s hand.  
   
For a brief moment, Isabella thought he would kiss Sherell’s hand as well.  
“You may have a seat Signorina Bizet` St. James; this meeting has just gotten underway.”  
   
Julius handed Sherell today’s meeting agenda.  
   
Sherell sat bi-lateral to Isabella’s seat.  
   
Steffen pushed the intercom button.  
   
“Signorina Gering, I wish to not be disturbed until this meeting has been adjourned.”  
   
“Yes Sig. Galeio.”  
   
Steffen let the intercom button go.  
   
“Signorina Tramaine you were near asking?”  
   
“The question I was near asking is what if there was a change in renegotiating a new contract.”  
   
“Please be more specific Signorina Tramaine.”  
   
“What if we, meaning Fashion and Accessories Boutique signed on with another shipping company?”  
   
“Aah yes that has been brought to my attention Signorina Tramaine.”  
   
“Julius please bring me a copy of the contract we have with Fashion and Accessories Boutique.”  
   
Julius quietly obeyed the order.  
   
“Signorina Tramaine, I’m sure you and Signorina St. James have your contract at your disposal.”  
   
Both women took the time to sort through the papers lying out in front of them.  
   
“Yes we do.”  
   
Steffen planted himself behind Isabella’s seat. His groin skimmed the back of her head. Steffen leaned over; he pressed his abdomen on Isabella’s back. He rested one hand on the back of her chair and lightly touched her shoulder. He read over her shoulder.  
   
“If you ladies would flip to page two of the contract.”  
   
Isabella and Sherell flipped their contract to page two.”  
   
Steffen looked at Sherell and then looked down at Isabella’s head.  
   
“The third paragraph from the bottom is documented as is: under no immediate circumstances, can Fashion and Accessories Boutique arrange or transfer, our, which is your current contract, with any other shipping company; import or export, without the written consent or a verbal agreement in person. Neither request was obliged. I hope you signore had the common sense not to give an installment up front to a Sig. Baron?”  
   
“But how did you…” Sherell spoke out.  
   
“I do not employ Julius for nothing.”  
   
Julius remained quite throughout the verbal lashing.  
   
Steffen straightened his posture.  
   
Sherell sat back in her seat flabbergasted. She turned to Isabella for some form of support. Isabella shrugged her shoulders with embarrassment.  
   
“When this meeting is over, I would like a private word with you donnes.”  
   
Steffen walked to the head of the boardroom.  
   
Isabella’s temper was brewing for the harsh way Steffen treated them in front of the others.  
   
“In the near future, I will be speaking with each and every one of you privately. I will make it necessary to visit your business to get the feel of the type of establishment you are operating. Maybe then, I will be able to assist you further with other resources. Well, since there seems to be any more questions, this meeting is now adjourned.”  
   
Everyone stood and moved in the direction to shake their new shipping contract owner’s hand and solicit some last minute advice. Even Mario swallowed his pride and shook Steffen’s hand again.  
   
“I hope the slight increase you spoke of earlier would not put a dent in my wallet Sig. Galeio?”  
   
“Sig. Ecuador, every cause has an effect.”  
   
Steffen’s comment left Mario baffled.  
   
“Will that be all Sig. Galeio?”  
   
“No. Julius your services will be needed. Signorina Deavax you may be excused for today.” Steffen handed Miss. Deavax some folders. “Please have the transcript of this meeting on my desk first thing tomorrow morning.”  
“Yes Sig. Galeio, first thing. Buon giorno a tutti.” Miss. Deavax departed.  
   
Isabella thought it was rather pathetic watching the others submit to this man’s influence.  
   
“Close the door Julius.” Steffen turned around to face Isabella and Sherell head on. “Donnes we have a problem here.”  
   
Steffen walked around the boardroom conference table. He sat across from Sherell and Isabella.  
   
“Sig. Baron has addressed the issue to me that Fashion and Accessories Boutique was under his shipping company contract…”  
   
Isabella abruptly stood.  
   
“What do you mean was under?”  
   
“Signorina Tramaine, please refrain from interrupting me until you have heard me out completely.”  
   
Isabella looked at the others.  
   
“Do forgive me for my outburst.”  
   
Steffen’s eyes soften under Isabella’s humble apology.  
   
“You are forgiven Signorina Tramaine.”  
   
Isabella sat back down in her seat.  
   
“I assured Sig. Baron the contract that he and you Signorina Bizet` St. James drew up was invalid. Due to the fact, you were still under contract with Galeio’s Shipping Company Incorporation. He being a very good friend of mine returned your check to you.”  
   
Julius searched through the manila folder; he located the envelope containing a financial installment check. He handed it to Sherell.  
   
“Why when I mentioned to Mr. Baron, Galeio’s Shipping Company Incorporation. He made no affirmation he ever heard of your company before?”  
   
“It is a very wise business principle/ Signorina St. James.”  
   
“Listen la signorina and hear me out clearly. If anything ever remotely like this occurs again without soliciting the proper legal channels. I will have you both in court.”  
   
Isabella and Sherell sat back in their seat. Each woman appalled how the situation took a turn for a nonaccomplished victory.  
   
In the realm of surprise between the two, neither one came to their unplanned defense on the feat achievement Steffen brought to light. It was a disturbance to Isabella’s potential business goal.  
   
Steffen stood like a panther ready to pounce; he snatched up a folder, which contained all the financial shipping information on their boutique’s account. He studied their shipping merchandise import and shipping cost and monthly estimates and receipts in peace.  
   
“Well la signora, it appears the boutique has shown prosperity in the past.” Steffen flipped through more pages. “I see silk garments and lace material items tend to be a major selling and ordering asset for your boutique. It was certainly beneficial to me.”  
   
Steffen’s eyes came detached from the page he was reading; he smiled at Isabella for a quick second.  
   
Isabella in return vividly remembered Steffen’s reaction to the silk garment she wore to the Gradison’s fundraiser that evening.  
   
Steffen closed the folder and placed it back on the table.  
   
“Excuse me,” Isabella finally spoke. “This mutual business decision had nothing to do with a financial gain Mr. Galeio.”  
   
“Nevertheless, the proceedings still remain to be illegal,” Steffen sliced through Isabella’s justification. “Julius you may be excused, I will be in touch.”
   
“Yes Sig. Galeio.”  
   
Julius opened his briefcase he placed all the clients’ portfolios and file folders inside. He closed his briefcase, grabbed it from off the table, and walked to the door; he crossed the threshold and pulled the door behind himself.  
   
“Is it permissive we can be dismissed as well?” Isabella asked in an irritated tone.  
   
“Yes Signorina Bizet` St. James, you may be excused.”  
   
Isabella rose from out her seat.  
   
“Not everyone I might add. Can I have a private word with you Signorina Tramaine?”  
   
Sherell focused on Isabella, she sought her approval to exist before she left her alone with this rigid, perplexing, but handsome man. Then again, there is Richard, whom she loved very much, and besides looks and having, money is not everything she thought.  
   
Isabella nodded her approval.  
   
Sherell left but not before shaking Steffen’s hand once again. She walked to the door, opened it, and walked out the boardroom. Sherell pulled the door close after her exit.  
   
Steffen stood at the head of the boardroom’s conference table; he placed his newly acquired shipping account contracts in order. He was elated how today’s proceeding of another successful hostile takeover association meeting went. Despite the desperate poison pill attempts by the former shipping company.  
   
Isabella lounged back against the tufted leather upholstery of a brown high-back swivel chair; she balanced each arm on its armrest. She crossed her long legs and mentally organized herself for the inevitable.  
   
“Is there any logical reason as to why I am the only one still being detained in this boardroom Mr. Galeio?”  
   
Steffen closed his black expandable vinyl attaché case, and locked it with a rotary twist of twin solid gold numeric sequence combination locks. He lifted his head, and carried his eyes the distance of the lengthy boardroom.  
   
“I strongly insist that you call me Steffen. Don’t you fully agree it’s time we promote ourselves to a first name basis Signorina Lady Isabella Alexis Tramaine?”  
   
“Miss. Tramaine would do nicely.”  
   
Isabella’s eyes freeze framed on Steffen’s five-star enclosing confident stride.  
   
His tailored kiwi colored double-breasted two-piece suit, a white shirt, a dark green silk handkerchief stuffed into his breast pocket, and a silk green tie rested around his neck was worn well. His attire comfortably defined a muscular countered physique.  
   
Steffen stopped his field of motion. His footsteps placed him directly in front of Isabella’s chair he glanced down. His dark-ebony colored eyes concentrated on Isabella’s exposed legs. Steffen venerated the limited view.  
   
Isabella arched her head up and caught Steffen’s line of posted inspection; she uncrossed her legs, and rose out  her chair in an overheated rage.  
   
“How dare you humiliate Miss. St. James and me in full attendance of the others?”  
   
“I can easily ask you the same, as to why you would knowingly attempt to break an ironclad contract with my shipping company,” Steffen petitioned. He captured her unwavering eyes. At the time, he welcomed the overwhelming emotional feeling he was experiencing.  
   
“You do understand I could have you prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Signorina Tramaine?” Steffen glided his forefinger down Isabella’s soft cheek; he lowered his voice to a fraction of a whisper, “Never once did I forget how beautiful you are.”  
   
Steffen traced over one of Isabella’s arched eyebrows, down her small nose, and onto the outer edges of her full lips.  
   
Isabella closed her eyes for a quick second; she relaxed into Steffen’s gentle examining touch.  
   
Steffen cupped Isabella’s face within his palms.  
   
“As of now, I have other favorable plans for us that do not implicate anyone else’s presence, but the signorina and mine.”  
   
Isabella opened her eyes and intently observed Steffen’s lips inclining to greet hers she knocked his arms down.  
   
“How dare you touch me after our last conversation?”  
   
Isabella snatched up her briefcase and purse from off the table. She headed for the door.  
   
“Don’t leave! Not yet.” Steffen’s rising tone halted Isabella’s deserting progress.  
   
“Why should I stay?” Isabella tossed over her shoulder.  
   
“You know there is some unfinished business between us I feel we need to discuss. It is not an everyday occurrence in my life that I have the pleasure of meeting the same signorina twice. A comely signorina who have nothing, but occupied my waking thoughts.”  
   
Isabella turned at Steffen’s declaration.  
   
“Am I supposed to be impressed? First you literally try to seduce me and rob my virtues, and then you go behind my back and...”  
   
“And what,” Steffen finished. “Keep you from making a complete fool out of me in front of my own meeting?” Steffen placed both hands in his pockets.  
   
“Have dinner with me this evening,” Steffen asked anxiously. “I’m sure we can clear up this oversight.”  
   
Isabella remained speechless for a moment, she forgot this man seem to catch her mentally off balance.  
   
“For my inquiring mind, do you always like to be in control of every situation you stumble upon Mr. Galeio?”  
   
“Certainly, but not only the situations I encounter. It holds merit also for the ones I create. Isn't it the necessary law of puissance?”  
   
Isabella admired the way Steffen’s dark-ebony eyes shone with intrepidity after answering her question.  
   
“Mr. Galeio, in doing your background research on your clients, I am sure you are well aware  I am in the retailing industry with an indulging national clientele, whom tend to have merchandising needs, which I supply. When Fashion and Accessories Boutique orders an insured mass quantity of serviceable imported goods and the shipment of goods is either stolen?” Isabella counted on her fingers. “Lost, or in some matters damaged beyond recognition, I’m sure you get the picture?”  
   
“So far your speech holds my interest.”  
   
“Well Mr. Galeio. It is my boutique’s reputation on the live wire after these persistent mishaps not yours.”  
   
“If I was not humon, I couldn’t be more sympathic. Still I must ask you Signorina Tramaine, what does that picture you so graciously drew for me have to do with my shipping company?”  
   
“Your company Mr. Galeio is solely responsible for these occurrences.”  
   
“That’s funny.” Steffen walked to the window he turned his back on Isabella. “I did not receive a letter from you, or your Senior Business Associate stating these adversities as you so named.”  
   
“Mr. Galeio, I informed Mr. Salvos of my displeasure over the handling of Fashion and Accessories Boutique’s merchandise shipping account many months ago.”  
   
Steffen turned to face Isabella.  
   
“Sig. Salvos is employed by Sig. Waynes, not I.”  
   
“Pardon me, but Mr. Salvos said...”  
   
“Signorina Tramaine,” Steffen cut Isabella off in mid-sentence. “If you have any future complaints or anything else you wish to address concerning your shipping contract account. You will report them to me directly. Do I make myself understood?”  
   
“Perfectly,” Isabella responded.  
   
“I would have imagined you knew that Signorina Tramaine.”  
   
She did not appreciate the fact he made her feel small-minded.  
   
“You know it’s quite compensating to at last place a name upon an unforgettable face.”  
   
“Do remind me to make a note of it,” Isabella dryly mentioned.  
   
“Are you aware when you’re furious, you seem all the more desirable to me? Your eyes seem to darken.” Steffen gradually closed the distance between the two; he steadied his presence within arms length. “Hum, let’s see here.” Steffen loomed his head down to the level of Isabella’s eyes for a closer inspection. “Yes that’s it, more so in comparison to a deep green tropical rain forest.”  
   
Steffen could not understand when being near her. Why did she make him feel like an adolescent with a crush?  
   
“I did not receive an answer to the question I asked of you earlier.”  
   
“What question was that Mr. Galeio?”  
   
“Will you dine with me under the stars this evening?”  
   
Steffen rubbed his palm through Isabella’s hair. He clasped her dandling plait from aside, and flipped it over her shoulder. He balanced it over one of her breasts and fingered the length of it.  
   
“Nice,” Steffen added he did not withdraw his eyes from hers.  
   
Isabella did not want to cheat father time; she did not breathe in fear of the fragile momentum of the mood being broken. She observed Steffen’s lips descending down to hers.  
   
Steffen kissed Isabella lightly on the lips. He inched back to look down into her eyes.  
   
“Say you’ll agree to my request, please my love.”  
   
Steffen teased the fullness of Isabella’s outer lips with the unhurried swaggering tip of his tongue. He kissed her lips.  
   
Isabella opened her mouth to permit Steffen’s exploring tongue.  
   
“Uum,” Isabella moaned.  
   
“You taste so sweet my love,” Steffen whispered. He pulled Isabella closer and affixed his mouth back on hers.  
   
“Mr. Galeio,” Isabella managed to mumble in between breath.  
   
“Steffen,” he remarked. “Call me Steffen.” He dipped the tip of his tongue into her ear canal.  
   
The magnetic heat sensation from his closeness, associated with the mint taste of his refreshing breath, and the exhilarating smell of his sandalwood soap. Was a physical combination of something to unravel, someone you want to cuddle, someone you want to subdue, and someone you definitely want to happen? Whatever the invigorating aroma acclaimed too. Its basic instinct surrogated as a natural aphrodisiac to Isabella’s animalistic instincts.  
   
Steffen rested his lips against Isabella’s forehead; he kissed her closed eyes and then her nose.  
   
“I’ve been shamefully thinking about you, I’ve been memorizing that night in my mind of us together, and unsuccessfully trying to fill an empty mental void. I’ve also been hungering for this.” Steffen met Isabella’s lips halfway.  
   
Steffen and Isabella relived lost time in precious moments. The kiss became aggressive, almost sinful.  
   
Each one gained physical solace from the other.  
   
Isabella slipped her tongue into Steffen’s mouth; she connected her arms around his neck and pulled his body closer to hers. Isabella blindly unbuttoned Steffen’s suit jacket while playing with his lips. She reached behind him and placed her palm on the curvature of his spine.  
   
Steffen half-picked Isabella up and held her body to his. His mouth dominated hers. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers."I need you tonight." He inhaled the essence of her feminine aura. "God I need you so bad." He kissed her on the lips. He allowed her body to slide down the length of his slowly.  
   
Isabella cupped Steffen’s face and kissed him tenderly on the mouth. He felt so good to hold onto again she thought.  
   
Steffen held Isabella by the small of her back; he kissed the spot underneath her earlobe.  
   
The shrill of an airplane’s engine flying overhead snapped Isabella’s mind back to reality. She backed away from Steffen.  
   
"I'm sorry."  
   
“No not again.” Steffen reached out for Isabella. She took another stop back.  
   
"I have to go."  
   
Steffen dropped his hands at his side; he witnessed Isabella’s quickening departure. He refused to accept the same outcome twice. He spoke out before she met her exit.  
   
“Dine with me this evening Isabella.”  
   
“I can’t.”  
   
Steffen ran his palm through a crop of jet-black barbered trimmed tight curls.  
   
“Tomorrow evening than,” Steffen appealed.  
   
“I’m sorry I can’t.” Isabella hurried for the door. She had one hand on the door, about to open it. “It’s nothing personal Mr. Galeio.” Isabella flipped her plait over her shoulder. “I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure. I’ll leave my business card with your receptionist,” Isabella stated.  
   
She wanted to turn around and face him, instead; she opened the door and walked out.  
   
Steffen stood groundless with a smile on his face damn he liked her tenacity. Could life really be that appreciating to him? He continued to sniff in her expensive perfume, which was sluggardly dissipating in the boardroom. He walked to the head of the boardroom.  
   
Steffen stood erect with his hands clasped behind his back he focused his sights forward. He concentrated on the tall reflecting glassed skyscrapers that ruled Manhattan’s skyline, he sunk himself in a deep thought; such a large Metropolitan city and one donna among a million whom he swore to himself he probably would never set eyes upon again. Who has once again been offered to him on fate’s golden platter. Now he knew it was up to him to play his cards right.  
   
“I will come to posses her,” Steffen spoke out to an empty boardroom. Then finally, he can exorcise her completely from out his mind he thought.  
   
'I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure.'  
   
Steffen recalled Isabella’s last statement.  
   
“Well neither do I my love... Neither do I,” Steffen clarified to himself.  
   
Steffen sat down on the edge of the boardroom’s  conference table. He pushed in the intercom button.  
   
“Yes Sig. Galeio?” His receptionist responded.  
   
“Signorina Gering, this meeting has been adjourned for today; please advice Cobra and Bruce I will be returning to my office from here. In addition, I would like all pertinent calls redirected there.”  
   
“Yes sir.”  
   
“Grazie.”  
   
Steffen let the intercom button go.  
   
   
   
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