2 -Unexpected Summoning-

Sarah's POV

Izzy is ecstatic.

"But what was he doing at Lindsey's ?" Her curiosity oozes through the phone. I'm in the depths of the stock room, trying to keep my voice casual.

"He was in the area."

"I think that is one huge coincidence, Sarah . You don't think he was there to see you?" she speculates. My heart lurches at the prospect, but it's a short-lived joy. The dull, disappointing reality is that he was here on business.

"He was visiting the Mrs Lindsey to move her shop to the Alicanté Mall. Yes Izzy, he was here, today, again, Alex was here," I mutter.

"Yes, and I researched and found out that he's offering the people in the himey street to continue their business in the Alicanté Mall. "

Wow.

"How do you know this?" I questioned Izzy through the phone.

"Sarah, I'm a journalist, and I've written a profile on the guy. It's my job to know this."

"Okay, Elizabeth Inn , keep your hair on. " I smiled., I never knew that Izzy had an obsession with the Alicanté,

I hope you collected his number today, "bitch"You can contact him?"

"I have his cell phone number."

Izzy gasps.

"The richest, most elusive, most enigmatic bachelor in New york City, just gave you his cell phone number."

"Er... yes."

"Sarah! He likes you. No doubt about it." Her tone is emphatic.

"Izzy , he's just trying to be nice." But even as I say the words, I know they're not true - Alexander Alicanté do nice but for Jace, he simply don't do nice. He does polite, maybe. And a small quiet voice whispers, perhaps Izzy is right. My scalp prickles at the idea that maybe, just maybe, he might like me. After all, he did say he was glad that Ozzay didn't served him coffee in the first place.

I hug myself with quiet glee, rocking from side to side, entertaining the possibility that he might like me for one brief moment. Izzy brings me back to the now.

"I don't know if Mrs Lindsey had agree with his offer. I don't know if He'll be pissed if she disagrees, because Mrs Lydsey had been in Himey streets for years before her husband Mr Hennessy Lindsey passed away.

My mind was far away from my conversation with Izzy on the phone, but I came back in sight when she spoke again,

"Hmm... What about Kelvin?"

"Kelvin? I don't know why Izzy is asking bout Kelvin, but all I know is that she don't like him for me.

"Yes Kelvin, your boyfriend,"

"he's  not my boyfriend,  Izzy ".

You ask him, he might be able to talk Mrs Lindsey over moving to the Mall- he'll do anything for you.

Then call Alex and find out which side of the mall he wants Mrs Lydsey to start the coffee business ."

Izzy is irritatingly cavalier about Kelvin.

"I think you should call him."

"Who, Kelvin?" Izzy scoffs.

"No, Alicanté ."

"Sarah, you're the one with the relationship."

"Relationship?" I squeak at her, my voice rising several octaves. "I barely know the guy."

"At least you've met him," she says bitterly. "And it looks like he wants to know you better. Sarah, just call him," she snaps and hangs up. She is so bossy sometimes. I frown at my cell, sticking my tongue out at it.

I'm just leaving a message for Kelvin when Rita enters the coffee room looking for Coffee glass.

"We're kind of busy out there, Sarah," she says without acrimony.

"Yeah, um, sorry," I mutter, turning to leave.

"So, how come you know Alexander Alicanté ?" Rita's voice is unconvincingly nonchalant.

"I had to serve him coffee the day he came in, I didn't even know he was one of the world and Mexican richest person's. " I snuggled my nose.

"Alexander Alicanté in Lindsey little coffee shop? . Go figure," Rita snorts, amazed. She shakes her head as if to clear it. "Anyway, want to grab a drink or something this evening, because I'll be going out with my friends ?"

I always do say no to her, not because I don't like her or Anything,but I just don't felt like grabbing a drink right now. Because I found out from Luis that she's a lesbians, I'm not judging on her though, just saying.

"isn't it a friendship dinner or something for your your boyfriend who arrived today?"

"That's tomorrow."she replied.

"Maybe some other time, Rita. I need to study tonight. I have my finals next week."

"Sarah, one of these days, you'll say yes,to hang out with me" she smiles as I escape out to the coffee floor.

"But I do places, Sarah, not people," Rita groans.

"Rita, please?" I beg. Clutching my cell, I pace the living area of our apartment, staring out of the window at the fading evening light.

. .

"Give me that phone." Izzy grabs the handset from me, tossing her silken Ginger red hair over her shoulder.

"Listen here, Kelvin , if you want Sarah's workplace to be more opened to the world you'll do this peep talk for us to Mrs Lindsey tomorrow, capiche? Make her agree. " Izzy can be awesomely tough.

"Good. Sarah will call back on when to meet up with Mrs Lindsey. We'll see you tomorrow." She snaps my cell phone shut.

"Sorted. All we need to do now is decide where and when. Call him." She holds the phone out to me. My stomach twists.

"Call Alicanté, now!"

I scowl at her and reach into my back pocket for his business card. I take a deep, steadying breath, and with shaking fingers, I dial the number.

He answers on the second ring. His tone is clipped, calm and cold.

"ALICANTÉ." I swear his voice sounds different from when we talked in real life, Is like someone else is talking to me, he sounds cold and stiff.

"Err... Mr. Alicanté ? It's Sarah Elaine ." I don't recognize my own voice, I'm so nervous. There's a brief pause. Inside I'm quaking.

"Miss Elaine . How nice to hear from you." His voice has changed. He's surprised, I think, and he sounds so... warm - seductive even. My breath hitches, and I flush. I'm suddenly conscious that Elizabeth Inn is staring at me, her mouth open, and I dart into the kitchen to avoid her unwanted scrutiny.

"Err - we'd like to go ahead with the Arrangement with transferring to the mall, but tomorrow we'll have Mrs Lydsey words of agreements."

Breathe, Sarah, breathe. My lungs drag in a hasty breath. "Tomorrow, if that's okay. Where would I meet with Mrs lydsey that will be convenient for her, ?"

I can almost hear his sphinx-like smile through the phone.

"I'm staying at Himey confidenal hotel(The ALICANTÉ Suite) , Shall we say, nine thirty tomorrow morning, in the coffee shop?"

"Okay, we'll see you there." I am all gushing and breathy - like a child, not a grown woman who can vote and drink legally in the City of New york.

"I look forward to it, Miss Elaine ." I visualize the wicked gleam in his blue eyes. How can he make seven little words hold so much tantalizing promise? I hang up. Izzy is in the kitchen, and she's staring at me with a look of complete and utter consternation on her face.

"Sarah Megan Elaine . You like him! I've never seen or heard you so, so... affected by anyone before. You're actually blushing."

"Oh Izzy , you know I blush all the time. It's an occupational hazard with me. Don't be so ridiculous," I snap. She blinks at me with surprise - I very rarely throw my toys out of the pram - and I briefly relent. "I just find him... intimidating, that's all."

"Himey Confidenal ,that's  simple the other name for the ALICANTÉ Suite, that figures," mutters Izzy . That's so not Alexander Alicanté, Alex hates hotels and Suites , but I dunno people do change right? Yeah."

I just looked at her with curiosity.

"I'll make supper. Then I need to study." I cannot hide my irritation with her as I open one of cupboards to make supper.

I am restless that night, tossing and turning. Dreaming of smoky Alexanders eyes, coveralls, long legs, long fingers, and dark, dark unexplored places.

I wake twice in the night, my heart pounding. Oh, I'm going to look just great tomorrow with so little sleep, I scold myself. I punch my pillow and try to settle.

The Himey confidenal is nestled in the downtown heart of New york, it's an hotel for the rich, so I'm not surprised at all. Its impressive Blue stone edifice was completed just in time for the crash of the late 1990s. Kelvin , and I are traveling in my Turtle Car, and Izzy is in her Lexus, since we cant I'm more closed to Kelvin more than Izzy is closed to him, in a fair share.

. .. .after the meeting between Mrs Lindsey and Mr Alicanté which she agrees, he summoned me to come and see him in their big ALICANTÉ Suite Company,so I went with Kelvin, and Izzy since Mrs Lindsey had somewhere  to go after the meeting  with Mr ALICANTÉ, but I still wonder why he calls us here

When she explains at reception that we're here to see Mr Alexander ALICANTÉ the CEO, we are instantly upgraded to a suite. Just a regular-sized suite, however, as apparently Mr. Alicanté is already occupying the largest one in the building. They told us that Alexander travelled to Brazil and that he's not the CEO of ALICANTÉ This Suite, that Alex is the CEO of ALICANTÉ Shipyards in Brazil,

Then who is the CEO that summoned me here?

An over-keen marketingexecutive shows us up to the suite - he's terribly young and very nervous for some reason. I suspect it's Izzy beauty and commanding manner that disarms him, because he's putty in her hands. The rooms are elegant, understated, and opulently furnished.

It's nine. We have half an hour to set up. Izzy is in her rightful mind now.

Half an hour later,someone walks into our suite.

Holy Crap! He's wearing a white shirt, open at the collar, and blue flannel pants that hang from his hips. His unruly hair is still damp from a shower,but his hair is dark brown in color, wait a minute, Alex hair is dark black. My mouth goes dry looking at him... he's so freaking hot. He turned around to our widest surprise, it was no other person but JACE ALICANTÉ.

Jace is followed into the suite by a man in his mid-thirties, all buzz-cut and stubble in a sharp dark suit and tie who stands silently in the corner. His grey eyes watch us impassively.

"Miss Elaine after all this years, we meet again." he extends his hand, and I shake it, blinking rapidly. Oh my... he really is, quite... wow. As I touch his hand, I'm aware of that delicious current running right through me, lighting me up, making me blush, and I'm sure my erratic breathing must be audible.

"We meet again after all this years? " my ears didn't get that right, have we meant before? I know we've meant before. I remembered those Neon eyes and bed wet hair, those lashes, those hard muscles. But still can't recalled where or when.

"Mr. ALICANTÉ , this is Elizabeth Inn A. K. A Izzy ," I mutter, waving a hand toward Izzy who comes forward, looking him squarely in the eye. I knew it was not Alex that answered you when you called it, it was Jace, Izzy muttered.

"The tenacious Miss Izzy . How do you do?" He gives her a small smile, looking genuinely amused. Jace ALICANTÉ smiled?

"I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Jace ." She shakes his hand firmly without batting an eyelid.

"It's a pleasure," he answers, turning his neon gaze on me, and I flush, again. Damn it.

"But Mr ALICANTÉ will do, not Jace ok"

Then I hate him pretty fast.

"This is Kelvin Adams," I say, grinning at Kelvin who smiles with affection back at me. His eyes cool when he looks from me to Mr Alicanté .

"Mr. Alicanté ," he nods.

"Mr. Adams," Alicanté expression changes too as he appraises Kelvin.

"Will you walk with me, Miss Elaine ?" he asks.

"Sure," I say, completely thrown. I glance anxiously at Izzy, who shrugs at me. I notice Kelvin scowling behind her.

"Good day to you all," says Jace Alicanté as he opens the door, standing aside to allow me out first.

Holy hell... what's this about? What does he want? I pause in the hotel corridor, fidgeting nervously as Jace, oh I mean Mr Alicanté emerges from the room followed by Mr. Buzz-Cut in his sharp suit.

"I'll call you, James," he murmurs to Buzz-Cut. James wanders back down the corridor, and Alicanté turns his burning Neon gaze to me. Crap... have I done something wrong?

"I wondered if you would join me for coffee this morning."

My heart slams into my mouth. Jace Alicanté ?. He's asking if you want a coffee. Maybe he thinks you haven't woken up yet, my subconscious whines at me in a sneering mood again. I clear my throat trying to control my nerves.

"I have to drive everyone home," I murmur apologetically, twisting my hands and fingers in front of me.

"JAMES," he calls, making me jump. James , who had been retreating down the corridor, turns and heads back toward us.

"Are they based at the school hostel or Himey resident?" Alicanté asks, his voice Cold and inquiring. I nod, too stunned to speak.

" he can take them. He's my driver. We have a large 4x4 here, so he'll be able to take them."

"Mr. ALICANTÉ ?" James asks when he reaches us, giving nothing away.

"Please, can you drive , Miss Inn And the others back home?"

"Certainly, sir," James replies.

"There. Now can you join me for coffee?" ALICANTÉ Eyes cold without a smile line on his face .

I frown at him.

What  does he want from me? I know only Alexander Alicanté, not his cold, controlling plus bossy elder brother, how did he know me? I felt something strange as he looked at me,  his eyes says something that I can't picture.

"Um - Mr. ALICANTÉ , err - this really... look, James doesn't have to drive them home." I flash a brief look at James, who remains stoically impassive. "I'll swap vehicles with Izzy, if you give me a moment."

Jace smirk a dazzling, unguarded, natural, all-teeth-showing, glorious smile. Oh my... and he opens the door of the suite so I can re-enter. I scoot around him to enter the room, finding Elizabeth in deep discussion with Kelvin.

"Sarah, I think he Knows you," she says with no preamble whatsoever. What is going on? She questioned, Kelvin glares at me with disapproval.

"But the statement  he made,  after all this years. ," she adds. I raise my hand up in the hope that she'll stop talking. By some miracle, she does.

"Izzy, if you take the Turtle car, can I take your car?"

"Why?"

"Jace Alicanté has asked me to go for coffee with him."

Her mouth pops open. Speechless Izzy! I savor the moment. She grabs me by my arm and drags me into the bedroom that's off the living area of the suite.

"Sarah, there's something about him." Her tone is full of warning. "He's gorgeous, I agree, but I think he's dangerous. Especially to someone like you. And most of all he's  my full time crush I must presume that you know right, he hardly talks to person's like you, I thought we called for Alexander? "

"What do you mean, someone like me?" I demand, affronted.

"An innocent like you, Sarah. You know what I mean," she says a little irritated. I flush.

"Izzy, it's just coffee. I'm starting my exams this week, and I need to study, so I won't be long."

She purses her lips as if considering my request. Finally, she fishes her car keys out of her pocket and hands them to me. I hand her mine.

"I'll see you later. Don't be long, or I'll send out search and rescue."

"Thanks." I hug her. And walk passed them into the suite.

This is the time to know where I knew him, but why did he summoned me,  and ask James to drive them home without  me? 

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