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When Love Takes Over You
Susan took a deep breath and followed the P.A. into Mike Forest’s power office. Mike was standing behind his desk, shouting into the phone when he looked up and noticed Susan, his jaw dropped and with a few well chosen expletives he slammed the phone down.
"I’m Mike, pleased to meet you," he held out his hand and firmly shook Susan’s hand.
"Good to meet you Mike, I’m Susan," she squeaked as she felt the strength of his hand and finally got to see him close up. He was taller and more manly than she’d expected after seeing him on so many TV interviews over the years. At only 37, Mike was the biggest property developer in London with an ego to match and the well toned body of a man who still found time to hit the gym. Susan felt weak at the knees as she slid into her seat. She tried not to stare but she couldn’t. She took in his tanned face, his strong jaw line and those deep blue eyes that danced in the light. His jet black hair was cut short and with his tailored dark suit he looked like he had just stepped out of a photo shoot.
"Are you feeling ok, Susan? You look a little pale. Let me pour you some water."
Susan sipped the water and trembled. "Oh thank you, that’s very kind of you. I don’t know what’s come over me today. Anyway, I’m ready to get started if you are. I read over your email but I could do with some more details before I can come up with some initial interior design ideas for you to look at."
"Of course. Let me give you a quick run down of what I’m working on. I’ve just been awarded planning permission to build a luxury development in Battersea, right on the river bank. It’s going to be my biggest project to date and I need to make sure I’m working with the very best people because this is going to be the most exclusive apartment building in London. I’m talking a parking spot the price of a small flat in the commuter belt. Think five star luxury for only the most exclusive international clientele." Mike adjusted his red silk tie and scratched his chin before tapping his fingers on the desk. "And one other thing, I don’t suffer fools gladly, I expect 100% from anyone who works on our projects. We’re all in this together and I want to ensure this development is a huge success. And clearly, that’s where you come in because I need a wow factor but it’s got to be different to anything that’s every been done in Europe.”
"Sounds exciting!" Susan did her best to ignore her attraction to Mike and frowned in an effort to focus on the business at hand. "I’m sure you’ve already had a good look at my portfolio and you know what you can expect from me. I have a well earned reputation for excellence and originality. Still, I do need to know a little more about what you want to create. I’d like to know who you want to appeal to, what they expect, that sort of thing. So, when it comes to the interior design, what would you like me to factor in?"
Mike hopped out of his chair and looked out the window at the city. "Susan, I need you to create an experience so impressive, so jaw dropping that people can’t stop talking about it. I want River Heights to be the number one choice for new money. Think the opulence of The Dorchester and the style of The Ritz rolled into one but even more exclusive. When I look out over this city I see a desperate need for extreme exclusivity and privacy for the ultra rich but they have nowhere to go. I aim to solve that problem. With your help I can make this happen. One last thing, I have a reputation for being an obsessive and compulsive maniac when it comes to business. I’m sure you’ve heard about me already. “So, let me be very clear. All the horror stories you’ve heard, they’re all true. If you do great work you’ll make a lot of money and cement your reputation as one of London’s top interior designers. On the other hand, if you mess this up and make me look bad I’ll destroy you. Got it?" Mike snarled and turned back from the window to look Susan in the eye.
Susan gulped, her hand shaking, she reached for her glass and sipped on the water before taking a deep breath. "Mike, there’s no need to be so blunt. As I already mentioned, I have a well earned reputation for excellence and if that’s not good enough for you we can end this meeting right now. I can deliver on what you need but I have no intention of working with a client that talks down to me or threatens me. Do I make myself clear?"
Mike sat back down at the table and laughed, "Good for you, Susan. I love working with people who can give as good as they get. You’ve got fire in your belly, I like that. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. One question though, do I make you nervous? You look a little tense."
Susan felt her cheeks flush. "Of course not! I’m just over caffeinated this morning. Don’t worry about it, I’m fine, just fine. Anyway, I’ll go away and come up with some initial ideas and talk to you again in a week’s time if that’s ok with you."
"Sounds good, Susan. Hey maybe we could meet over coffee in Battersea. That way I can show you how I want the development to fit in with the local environment."
"Perfect. I shall look forward to it. Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting you next week." Susan held out her hand and felt the warm strength of Mike’s hand wrapped around her now relatively tiny hand. She felt her heart leap as she looked into his blue eyes and wondered why he had such a big smile on his face.
* * *
Susan sat, with her best friend Becky, by the fire in her living room with glasses of Merlot in hand to wind down after another hectic day at the office.
Becky’s eyes twinkled in the light from the blazing fire. "So, tell me, is Mike Forest as hot as he looks on TV?"
