If Only

Five

Nate Crawford

"Sir, if we get this deal, it could be next level; imagine going into publishing. Sure, the guy is an ass hole, but we work with guys like him all the time," He budges me slightly, but I'm merrily a filler spot, and he knows this.

"It could be next level, you're right. But I am not a part of your company. This is my father's company. So if we don't get this deal, my father will be pissed, and I am in his place today doing him a favor. No matter how big of an ass hole this guy is, it's what my father wants," Another pinnacle decision of his.

When I was young, I learned my father was simply evil in ways I could never beat. But I knew I could, with time, in the business world. I built my own business, going against him, Leonardo Crawford, in spite. My father wanted me to take over, but straying from the path, I left that to my brother, Niccolo.

Unfortunately, the two people who should be in this meeting are away in an even bigger meeting. They'd been caught up in Sicily working on a tight deal for months, and now they were stuck.

"Just do whatever you must to get this deal done, or my father will rip the place apart." Sighing, I left and made my way to the dreaded conference room. Pushing open the glass door, I quickly took my seat as others shuffled in behind me.

Leaning back into the chair, I looked up, and then I froze. I just couldn't even believe it.

She sat across from me, her soft brown hair in curls this time and her more put-together appearance. God, she looked like a deer caught in the headlights, staring at me.

Tesoro.

She was here.

It's been four weeks, and she's visited me in one too many dreams. She clogs up my thoughts in an infuriating way because nobody's ever really occupied much of it. Not until now, those captivating dough-brown eyes.

I wondered who she was and what her name was. Without a name, there isn't much you can go on. Tracking down a picture and sending it off to a PI seemed a little bit too far.

But here she was a month later, looking perfect, just as I remembered.

A throat cleared, and I was drawn to the head of the table to where my father's new conquest sat.

Harrison Bartlett was an ass, and that was no secret. His public and social skills didn't do him many favors. But unfortunately if you want to get into publishing, he was the guy to go to.

He shuffles a few papers in his hand and looks back up to me, "Mr.Crawford, sorry to hear about your father's travel issues. We thank you for stepping in and taking the time out of your day. I am Harrington Bartlett," He pauses and waits for me to respond but I glance back to her.

"Mr.Bartlett, it's nice to meet you. I apologize for my father's absence. But sometimes, my father calls me in to do a little cleanup as I leave my people behind for the day. But they can survive without me." My voice hints at my annoyance and my father's minion, like employees here. But they aren't dumb enough to step in now.

Harrison looked like he was trying to come up with a response. Which left this meeting in a slight mess. But I couldn't help but stare back across from me.

She held a notepad in hand with a small black dot pen. The publishing company engaged on the side of it as she quickly scribbled down something. Two others were beside her doing the same, but she was more relaxed.

"You," her eyes peer up to me, and that same expression is set on her face, "I feel like I've met you before... as if you were on my-"

"It's nice to meet you Mr.Crawford, shall we begin?" She cuts me off quickly with my teasing but I could tell I've worried her. I wouldn't outright say she fucked me in front of her boss. But I'd at least have her know that I remember. How could I not remember her?