By Mezzo
mezzosmelodramas@msn.com
Copyright © 2002 by Mezzo. All Rights Reserved.
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Installment Twelve
Victoria went about the business
of getting settled in her new life.
Richard and Victoria agreed that the transfer of power would be better
received if it were done slowly allowing the employees and board members time
to adjust to Victoria’s coming on board. After all, it was a dream of Tori’s to
work side by side with her father.
Ian was also glad that
Victoria had come home. His
relationship with Pamela was a bit strained what with the new baby’s arrival
and the pile up of work that had accumulated.
With Victoria and their father putting off his retirement, they could
spread the responsibilities out evenly and run the business more
efficiently.
Tori had brought in a lot of
new business and they could finally catch up on all the work that had backed
up. Ian and Richard discovered that
Victoria had an incredible sense of the whole as far as the business was
concerned. Her approach was a bit unorthodox at times but her reasons for doing
it were understandable. While she was in London, it was hard to understand what
Victoria’s plan of attack was. Now that
she was able to sit down with them and explain her actions for the last four
years, everything seemed to make sense.
One day Victoria called a
board meeting. Those present at the time were her family and other members of
the board. One of which was Gordon Montgomery.
When Victoria was finished her presentation, everyone was left sitting
with his or her mouth wide open.
Victoria’s plans were brilliant.
Each acquisition, each negotiation in the last four years was part of a
complex puzzle crafted in Victoria’s head.
Every business played an integral part in her plan. If Victoria’s master plan came to fruition,
Hull enterprises would literally employ hundreds of thousands of people thus
providing a stable environment to countless families and boosting many sagging
economies. Everyone listened as
Victoria went over projection after projection, study after study quoting
proven methods and possible outcomes. Hull would be involved in international
commerce, state of the art technology, and provide funding for much needed
medical research in a bureaucratic health industry. The board had many
questions for Victoria. With poise and
grace, she answered each and every one with intelligence and ease. When the
meeting ended, everyone agreed that Victoria Hull would be the next CEO of Hull
Enterprises.
Through all of this, a very
proud Richard Hull watched as his daughter captivated the board and assumed the
position of the future CEO of Hull Enterprises. His daughter was back and she was better than ever.
*****
Victoria had been staying
with her family in South Hampton, but wanted a place in town. Viewing many listings, she finally decided
on a property. The moment she saw it
she new it was perfect and within 30 days, closed on a very spacious and
prestigious penthouse overlooking the park.
She met with an interior
designer. Every piece was chosen with her tastes in mind, and a little
consideration was paid as to what Brett might like. She knew it was wishful thinking but a girl could dream, right?
With her plans for Hull
Enterprises in place, her home found and furnished, the next step was
decided.
Victoria had heard that every
Friday night, all the girls went over to a club called “The Grove”. Lauren had
invited her to come many times but she had always declined.
With everything now in place,
she decided to cut out of work early on Friday and go shopping. She treated
herself to a new haircut and clothes ending the afternoon at the spa. Feeling absolutely spoiled, she went to the
club. She was dressed in a pair of
black leather pants, a blue silk blend low cut V-neck sweater that matched her
eyes, black Bandolino leather boots, and a floor length leather jacket. She
entered the club and scanned the area. It was an old converted warehouse on the
pier. Tori had never seen anything like
it. The dance floor was huge. Surrounding it were strategically placed bars.
Above the dance floor were three other levels all looking down onto it. Two wide spiral staircases were located on
opposite corners of the club and two glass elevators balanced the other two
corners leading to the upper levels.
The theme was tropical in nature with waterfalls cascading down the walls. There were tall coconut trees, other tropical
plants, and quaint bridges that spanned over little ponds. Filtered jungle
sounds and light misting all over the club completed the mood. When you looked
up you found a skylight that covered the whole ceiling allowing you to have an
incredible view of the sky. The second
level had an arcade, ping pong and billiard hall, a bowling alley, and a
skating rink.
The third floor held a food
court and “Cornucopia”, an upscale restaurant featuring an array of palatable
feasts. The fourth floor had various intimate lounges where people could sit
and enjoy a quieter atmosphere. VIP rooms were available as well for private
functions.
French doors and windows ran
from floor to ceiling along each level allowing you to venture outside and look
out onto the river. The first floor opened onto a deck allowing you to walk
along the boardwalk.
Tori was amazed with the
place. It had every kind of entertainment that you could possibly want under
one roof. And it only catered to adults at night. Looking around, she knew there was no way she would be able to
find the girls in this place. Pulling out her cell phone, she pulled up
Lauren’s number and tried to track them down that way.
Lauren had tried for weeks to
get Tori to come out with them. But she
was always told that she was too busy.
It was understandable. Their
father, Gordon, had told them during the holidays of Victoria’s plans for Hull
Enterprises. It was quite extensive.
Lauren really wanted to get Tori and Brett together but time was working
against her. Or at least the lack of it.
After Lauren informed Brett
of how busy Victoria was now, Brett decided to wait for Tori to get settled in
before she tested the waters. Lauren had told Brett that she thought Tori was
interested however Brett wasn’t quite as convinced. Brett hadn’t really dated anyone seriously since Jenna. She was a
little gun shy. However, if in the end
she might be with Tori, then she could wait. Tori was definitely worth it.
Lauren, Brett, Alexi, and
Adrian were upstairs just beginning to order their meal when Lauren’s cell
phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Lauren? Hey… its Tori.”
“Hey gorgeous! Where are
you?”
“Well I’m at The Grove.”
“No way! So are we.” She
looked around to see if she could spot Tori.
“Actually,
I’m at the front door. Where are you?”
“We’re on level three
grabbing something to eat. You haven’t eaten have you? The food here is incredible.”, Lauren
exclaimed.
“No, I haven’t. Okay…well
I’ll be right up. See you in a minute.”
This was it. She was finally
going to get to see Brett and hopefully spend some time with her. She excitedly
made her way to one of the elevators.
Looking at everyone, Lauren
told them that Tori was on her way and that she would be up in a minute.
Brett immediately felt her
heart rate pick up. Tori’s
here? Okay… breath Brett… That right,
nice… deep…. breath… Whew… That feels
better. Okay you can handle this. “Oh my God…”
They spotted Victoria making
her way towards them. All eyes in the
place watched her come into the restaurant wondering who this beautiful
creature was.
“Hey guys. How’s it going?”
Tori went around the table and gave everyone a hug, lingering a little longer
when she reached Brett.
The waiter quickly came over,
obviously in lust. “Miss, will you be joining us this evening?”
Tori nodded and waiters
everywhere came running over to set a place for her.
Tori let out a little laugh
and thanked everyone for their hospitality.
Sitting down, she met four smirking faces.
“What?” asked Tori.
Lauren spoke first. “You know
Brett is absolutely right. You are a heartbreaker.”
Tori in all seriousness
turned towards Brett, took her hand in hers and looked her straight in the
eyes. “You know baby…If I was ever given a chance with you… there is absolutely
no way I’d ever break your heart.” With
a wink and a smile, she placed a tender kiss on Brett’s hand and then let go.
Without another word, she nonchalantly picked up her menu and picked something
to eat.
Adrian had just taken a sip
of her water when she heard what Tori had said. With an absolute lack of grace she proceeded to cover a very
pissed off Alexi with the contents of her drink. Lauren quickly got up and ran
over to Adrian patting her on the back to try to stop her from swallowing her
tongue. Brett on the other hand just
sat there stunned.
The waiter came over and
asked if everything was all right. When
he received an appropriate answer, he turned to Tori and asked if she was ready
to order. Calmly placing her order, she
waited until he was far enough away and fell into a fit of uncontrolled
laughter. The laughter was so infectious that everyone else joined in.
When they finally calmed
down, Tori apologized for what she had
done. She didn’t notice the look of disappointment in Brett’s eyes. Brett had hoped that Tori was flirting with
her. Instead she took the apology as Tori just being playing and not meaning a
word of it.
After dinner was over, they
went down to the dance floor. They
found a table and ordered another round of drinks. Lauren had spotted a group of friends and said she would be right
back. Alexi and Adrian got up to dance
because they were playing Adrian’s favorite song leaving a very quiet Brett and
apologetic Tori alone together.
“Look Brett, I’m really sorry
for what I said up there. I didn’t mean
to embarrass you.”
Brett looked at Tori. “Look
it’s okay. I understand. Can we just drop it please.” There was a
definite hint of irritation in her voice.
Tori lifted Brett’s chin
making sure she had Brett’s complete attention. She tried again. “No Brett. I
don’t think you do understand. Yes, I
am sorry I picked that moment to tell you.
But I don’t regret a word of what I said.”
Tori moved her hand to
Brett’s cheek and moved in a little closer.
“You have always meant the world to me.” Brett tried to move away not wanting to hear the little girl
speech again. However, Tori stopped her.
“Listen to me. I love you Brett...I’ve always loved you…I
would do anything and everything to make sure your heart was never ever
broken.” Tori watched as a single tear
made its way down Brett’s cheek.
Thinking this was not where
she wanted to have this conversation, Tori looked around the club and spotted
what she was looking for. She grabbed their coats, got up, and took Brett’s
hand in hers. “Come on. Let’s go
outside and talk.”
___