The week at work commenced with lifted spirits. After the short retreat, the working environment improved due to better communication amongst the staff. We encouraged them to share ideas and strategies if they have any in mind.
The outcome was productive. They were no longer shy to voice out, resulting to a more stock ideas driven community. Precisely what our firm needs.
I met up with Sarah on Tuesday for lunch. Ever since she started dating Spencer and I was occupied by Nate, we haven't been able to spend one on one time as often as before.
"I've missed you woman", she greets as we exchanged hugs. "Me too", I replied earnestly.
We sat down, ordered our food and began our catch up session. "How’s things with Spencer?", I asked.
"Rocky. Papa's been wanting me to start taking over the reins of our family business. Spencer isn't too happy with that. He thinks it'll drive our social status further apart", she sighs.
"Don't you want to run the company someday? Afterall you're the only child, and it's been managed by your family for generations".
"I guess I do. I mean, it sounds fulfilling", she mused.
"Think about it, instead of Prestige magazine, you'll be having interview covers on Forbes listed as most powerful woman of the year", I grinned convincingly.
Cheering up a little, she replies, "I might have to start shopping for more power suits".
"There you go. If Spencer is in it for the long run, he should be supportive".
"I just don't understand why is my love life so complicated when it comes to material things. It's ok when a girl dates a richer guy, why can't it be the same for guys? It's bad enough Papa's been giving me a hard time about Spencer too", she rants.
"Because your wealth emasculates them Sarah. Why don't you ever date guys that are the same league as you? Do you have this secret fantasy of eloping to the mountains leaving your family fortunes and live on everlasting love?".
She grins, "Maybe".
I laughed, "You won't last a week, let's be real".
"I know. Maybe 2 weeks though, cut me some slack. Wait, how's you and Nate? I was startled when he appeared during my birthday".
It was my turn to frown, "Good and bad. It's not good because things are great. Does that make sense?".
She scrunches her nose slightly and shake her head no.
"I'm not supposed to be having emotional attachment, remember?".
"Good luck. You're beyond help now Brooke. I saw your face that day, it spells in love", she grins evilly.
"In love is a strong word. I'm supposed to be Ice Queen, we don't love", I retorted, telling her and trying to convince myself.
"Lie to yourself but deep down you know that your frozen heart has melted", she points her index finger at my chest to emphasize about the heart. "I can see why you like him though, he's a real charmer when he wants to be".
"Yes, that's the dangerous part", I agreed.
We changed the subject shortly, with both of our own issues remain unresolved. Nonetheless it was quality time well spent, we agreed to meet over the weekend for our usual retail and spa therapy that we've been neglecting recently.
On Wednesday morning, Nate called. This was the first time I received a call from him during market hours, plus we left for work together this morning after he stayed over last night. "Are you okay?", I asked, wondering if it's an emergency since the stock market is both our main priorities during trading hours.
"I've got a last minute conference in Bali, I'm leaving during lunch. My partner can't make it", he answers.
"Right, it's the Asia Investor's conference I reckon? We've sent a representative over to sit in. He left last night. When are you coming back?".
"Yes. Next Tuesday. Come with me. I'm leaving in 3 hours", he commands.
I laughed, "It's too last minute. I can't just pack and leave. I can't even pack in time".
"Then join me there. You can come tomorrow. By the time you've arrive, the conference will end and you'll only miss three days of the markets at most", he states casually.
I kept in silent for a moment, contemplating my decision.
"Check your phone, I've just sent you a picture. Tell me you won't change your mind after looking at it", he continues.
I put him on hold and opened the image file he sent. It revealed a breath taking scenery of a beautiful villa overlooking the cliff of the ocean. "It's gorgeous", I exclaimed, resuming the phone call.
"Told you so, come with me. Unless you want to spend another weekend apart. Besides, you can monitor the market in the plane. There's in flight wifi. Just book a one way trip, and we’ll return together in my jet", he persuades convincingly.
I smiled, a rush of spontaneity kicking in. "Ok, I'll leave tomorrow. Call you when I arrive", I confirmed.
"Great, see you in Bali kitten", he says before hanging up the phone.
I called Brandon in to schedule my flight and entrust a few duties upon my absence.
"Brandon, I'll be overseas tomorrow noon till Tuesday. During that period, I need your assistance to overlook the portfolio. You should be ready after all the reading and learning over the past month".
"Yes mam. Anything to look out for?", he agrees eagerly, whipping out a pen and paper to take notes.
"Send me an update in the morning about the overnight and relevant news. Also alert me if market drops, I'm going to add positions on Netflix and Amazon. The growth phase for Netflix is quite promising this year".
"I noticed it creeping up steadily. Ok I will. When are you planning to re enter oil?", he asks.
"Not so soon, though the price is low but there's still a huge oversupply in the market. I'll revisit that later. By the way, can you research on the pharmaceutical company I've mentioned yesterday. If the approval goes through for the blockbuster cancer treatment drug, it might be a jackpot call".
"Sounds exciting", he grins broadly.
"It is, son. Get ready to fall in love with the stock market".
"I'm already having a crush", he jokes.
"Ah, one last thing. I need you to help me charter a private flight to Bali for tomorrow at 11am", I requested.
I got back to work, maximizing my productivity level to make up for upcoming lost time. In reality, a couple of days wouldn't make a terribly large difference, however it's the lingering 'fear of missing out' syndrome that gets me anxious about going on a holiday. The other hassle? Packing. Needless to say, that will probably take up my whole night.
The next day however, I was feeling the holiday vibes kick in as I stepped into the plane. Spontaneity used to be my middle name, somewhere along the peregrination to becoming an adult, I lost it. Now, I'm about to fly halfway across the world in a 20 hour flight to meet a guy in a no strings attached agreement.
I wonder if it is a mid life crisis thing where he makes me feel young or rather reckless again. Regardless, I was ready for an unplanned vacation.
Once the plane takes off, I connect to wifi and checked on the markets. Afterall, there's plenty of hours to kill, with a couple of successful buy orders.
6 hours in to the flight time, Sarah texts asking to return her call after reaching voicemail for the 3rd time. I called her via Facetime instead.
"Where are you?", she asks, a little surprised.
"Hanging out amongst the clouds".
"What?! How come you didn't mention about it on Tuesday?", her eyes widens marginally.
"Because I just found out and confirmed it yesterday".
"Why do I have a feeling this is Nate related? Where are you going?", she smirks.
"Heading to Bali", I replied cheerfully. I've visited many islands in different countries but Bali remains unexplored. Mainly because it's been romanticized as a honeymoon destination hence it wasn't the first choice as a trip with friends.
"You'll love it. It's quite commercialized but still a resplendent island. Night life is happening too. Wait. Why are you going with Nate? Haven't you heard about the legend?"
"What legend?"
"Oh, never mind", she replies sounding uncomfortable.
I pressed on due to my insalubrious obsession of needing to know the whole story when being told things halfway. Finally she spilled about a folklore tale infamously known as the ‘Bali Break Up’ curse.
Putting her on hold, I researched online and it was an urban legend about a prince and princess who were deeply in love, ready to get married. Upon becoming intimate, he called off the engagement and vanishes, never to be seen again. A typical fuck boy move – ghosting.
Devastated, the princess unleashed her wrath upon the island with a vengeance, cursing all unmarried couples having premarital sex while visiting the island will break up shortly after leaving.
"I just read it", I resumed our conversation.
"Forget I mentioned it, the legend is probably another superstitious tale", she replies trying to lighten up the mood.
"You're right. Plus you can't break something that isn't even together to begin with", I joked good naturedly.
"Just have fun, it'll be fine. Call me when you come back".
I didn't dwell into it any further. Afterall, I don't believe in myths and superstitions. Life is stressful enough as it is without integrating additional unnecessary rules of what one is permissible to do or not without being punished by cruel tragedy.
20 hour flight time is a gruelling feat, despite flying private. Though it makes it bearable, I was the type of person that gets restless being in stuck in one place for too long.
By the time I arrived at 8pm in Bali, one can imagine my relieve. Nate instructed to call him immediately upon touching down.
"Hi lover, come to St Regis and unload your luggage. There's a room key at the reception under my name. Once you're done, I've arranged the hotel limo to send you to my location. Having dinner now with a bunch of analysts and brokers. Hurry", he orders in an upbeat tone.
"Coming. Coming. I'll join you later when I'm ready. About 3 hours or so", I grinned broadly.
"That's too long. 1 hour tops", he bargains demandingly.
"2 hours max. I need to freshen up", I negotiated.
He sighs resignedly giving in at the end. It took only 15 minutes from the airport to St Regis. Since it was already night time, there wasn't alot to see during the car ride.
The moment I was granted solitary in the suite, I unwind and relaxed, took a much desired shower and lazed on the king size bed. To be honest, nothing sounds better than room service wrapped in a bathrobe. My back was sore and so was my bottom from excessive seating.
I contemplated telling Nate that I'll be resting, and as if reading my mind he sends a text demanding my whereabouts. His tenacity at persuasion is an admiral effort. Willing myself to get ready, I slipped on a black floral halter maxi dress and tousled my hair in messy loose waves. The limo Nate chauffeured was already at the lobby waiting.
The driver drops me in front of a bar, located in the middle of a busy street filled with night life. Nate was waiting at the entrance sporting a playful grin on his face as I walked towards him, and all the effort to drag myself seemed worth it. He looked relaxed, incredibly handsome and welcoming with his arms wide open. Lifting me in hug, he twirls me around in a small circle before placing me back on my feet.
"Hi stranger, want to hook up tonight?", he jokes flirtatiously.
"Well, I was supposed to be meeting someone, but since you're better looking than him, why not?", I grinned, playing along.
"Role playing. How sexy. Get ready for an island affair", he laughs aloud, leaning in for a kiss before slinging an arm across my shoulders as we walked into the bar. "I think you might know some of them, there's a guy from your firm at our table and Paul is here", he continues.
He introduces me to the group of 5 at the table, I recognized all of them including my colleague Thomas and Paul. I wasn't close to the others but we've been briefly introduced before. It's a small industry afterall.
Thomas’s eyes widen slightly in surprise before a sly grin broke across his face. He pulls me aside from the table when Nate was talking to Paul and remarks, "Fancy seeing you here Brooke and of all people with Nate Graham?".
"It was a last minute trip. How's the conference?", I replied casually, ignoring the part about Nate. In reality, I didn't know how to answer him, since our relationship falls under it's complicated and neither do I want to admit of our secret rendezvous in the bedroom affair.
"Same old stuff, you didn't miss out much. I'll forward the notes when I'm back", he winks knowingly. Thomas was a clever guy, his EQ was high enough to know when to stop asking questions. Especially when he knows the answer.
Nate turns his attention to us, slipping his arm nonchalantly around my waist and drew me closer to him with subtlety. Thomas smirks and returns to his new arm candy, which is likely his catch of the night.
Paul wore the same expression as Thomas, if not even more shocked. Afterall, Nate and I were equivalent to cats and dogs when we met at his event. "Hi Brooke, I see you've made it. Here with Nate?", Paul flashes a grin of the Cheshire cat.
This time, Nate steps in and answers instead, "She's with me. You can stop making her uncomfortable", drawing my waist in and captures my lips with his in a domineering manner. The table breaks out in cat calls.
As infamous as Nate was as Wall Street's Casanova, so did I have a reputation as Wall Street's Ice Queen to upkeep. He was known to conquest, and I to reject. Tonight, he has dethroned me from my title.
I felt my face flushing and smiling abashedly after his impromptu stunt.
"Holy shit, this is the first time I've seen you blush", Thomas cracks up uncontrollably.
Nate looks at me amused, tracing his finger across my cheeks oblivious to the gaping stares. "Am I making you shy, kitten?", wrapping his arm around my waist.
They finally drop the teasing after awhile and we moved on from the subject. Through my observation, Nate was conclusively the alpha of the table amongst the other men and he knew it. It was the air of cockiness and superiority naturally portrayed by him which I find immensely attractive. Like the leader of an animal pack.
Thomas's girl of the night suggests we head to a rooftop party down the road. Nate got the bill and we walked on the street. We held hands openly in front of the others, another one of the many firsts tonight.
Perhaps it was the care free environment or the fact that we were 10 thousand miles away from Manhattan, our secrecy did not matter and tonight the rules were broken. He took the liberty of initiating everything first as I reciprocated willingly. From the first day I've submitted with my body, he has been dictating the tempo of our tango together.
We were lead to a private party held at an open rooftop bar. There were laser lights beaming from the DJ console and it was packed with a mix of tourist and a couple of posh locals. The whole area was a small space, resembling a human mosh pit.
Nate stood behind me with a protective hand around my waist. Every time a random stranger walks up to me, he would step in with a back-off manner. On normal occasions, I would have frozen any unwanted attention in their tracks with an icy glare. Today, however, Nate does the fending off for me.
He was unbiasedly the best good looking guy in the room, garnering countless of flirty smiles from the ladies and he knows it. Despite various attempts to capture his attention, it was fruitless. Tonight, our eyes were only meant for each other.
Dancing was impossible with limited space hence we ended up swaying along to the beat. It started to drizzle but the crowd didn't care. Fireworks from the back of the DJ console were set off, lighting the night sky with colourful sparks. Nate turns me around to face him, sporting a wide grin as he dips my waist and kisses me with an urgent ardency like there was no tomorrow. Interlocking my arms behind his neck, I return his kiss with equal intensity matching his passion with passion.
The light drizzle escalates into pouring rain and everyone went wild. Despite the commotion around us, we were oblivious to our surroundings. At this very moment, it was only him and I, lip locking on a rooftop under the rain with fireworks in the sky, in the middle of an exotic island 10 thousand miles away from home.
It was perfect. The kind of kiss I've only ever dreamed about. I've checked 3 items off my bucket list that night.
He lifts my waist back up to a standing position, as we continued to sway along to the eclectic beat together with our foreheads touching. We were drenched, with our clothes soaking wet clinging to our bodies. No words were spoken, as we locked gazes, our faces wearing mischievous smiles. The sexual and now emotional chemistry between us blossomed to a new level, higher than before.
By 4am closing time, we loitered around waiting for the crowd to disperse before heading down. By the time we regrouped, all of them now have their own respective ladies around their arms.
Since the conference was held in St Regis, the whole group entered the limo and headed back to the hotel where everyone was staying. I was tired by then, resting my head on Nate's lap while he strokes my hair with one hand and his other across my shoulders holding my mine.
After our whole night of public display of affection, the initial shock factor for Thomas and Paul has tapered off. Besides, they were engaged with their own dates that they've met earlier on the rooftop.
Once we arrived our hotel, we parted to our respective suites.
"I can't feel my legs from all the walking and dancing", I exclaimed, taking my heels off when we were alone heading back to his room.
"Are you sure it wasn't from the electrifying kiss of mine", he replies flashing a killer smile.
"It'll be even more electrifying if you'd carry me back now", I replied playfully giving him the puss-in-boots-eyes.
He shakes his head looking amused and easily scoops me up in a cradle position. "Satisfied?".
"How strong and manly you are", I grinned replying with mock sarcasm.
"I know. That's why you're crazy over me", he smirks cockily.
I glared at him trying to keep a straight face from laughing, landing a smack on his arms.
He chuckles, "Give up kitten, your death glares are harmless to me now".
We entered the suite and head straight to the washroom. The damp clothes were beginning to feel uncomfortable for the both of us. I was removing my maxi dress when Nate asked me to turn around in a suspiciously innocent tone of voice.
Before I could answer, he sprays a strong gush of cold water at my face from the shower nozzle attached to the standing bathtub and starts cracking up hysterically.
I sputtered the water that got into my mouth before I declared, "Nate Graham. This means war". I lunged at him, snatching it from him and pointed the nozzle at him. I know he absolutely detests cold water.
"Stop, I'm sorry", he laughs unapologetically as I showed him no mercy. We spent the next ten minutes wrestling for control and soon
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