A Question of Love

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Chapter 1.

Be it by car, taxi or on foot, the legal firm’s raincoat-clad day staff, some raising umbrellas, made their way home, chatting freely amongst themselves and happy their day’s work complete. Only sporadic flashes of lightning provided respite against the gloomy darkness of the sky. Loud claps of thunder resounded, deafening all else in the vicinity of the imposingly large office building - not an unusual occurrence for a Johannesburg early evening after an oppressively hot summer’s day. Rain pelted furiously on the roof of the lawyer’s office, situated conveniently for its prestigious clients, in the suburb of Sandton. Victoria watched her secretary still furiously typing on her computer.

Are you planning to leave soon Sarah, or wait until the storm is over? The traffic is going to be a nightmare. I’ve suddenly been called to a Corporate Partners’ Meeting in the Boardroom so I shan’t have any more work for you tonight. Alistair is going to love me cancelling our planned dinner out tonight – not! After three weekends of working at the office, Victoria so looked forward to spending romantic time with her husband and now she must call him on her mobile, explaining her predicament. `I am not going to be popular’ she thought as his number appeared.

As Victoria anticipated Alistair groaned I know you’ve been appointed an equity partner Victoria, and just how much your career means to you but I’m not impressed. They’re taking advantage of you. You can tell them that when we get back from Mauritius.

Victoria tried to appease him I promise I’ll leave the meeting as soon as possible she said, Athena can quickly rustle up one of her masterpiece dishes at home. Sunday we shall be on the plane with no work for ten days, and there is no way our holiday will be jeopardized, no matter what happens here.

Okay Alistair’s voice softened. He normally displayed a good nature, not to mention being gorgeously attractive, adorable and funny, yet Victoria knew sometimes Alistair found her ambition, sheer love of law, her obsession and absolute willingness to become totally involved with the firm, very difficult to comprehend. Darling I’m sorry I must go now, Samantha is waiting for me at the door she said.

Are you ready, Victoria, let’s see what Bradley St John has to say. What on earth can be so urgent to necessitate the Corporate Department meeting together for the second time this week, I am so fed up!

I have no idea, Samantha. I’m quite tired actually and was so looking forward to a casual night at home Victoria said as they walked towards the upstairs glass lift. I cannot wait for our holiday - to just arrive for breakfast, take a few steps, reach the beach and walk in the sand with bare feet she said dreaming of her impending trip although I do love these Louboutin heels I’m wearing today, I bought them last weekend.

I simply cannot walk in heels so high, although they do look sexy, I would trip. Even more annoying, Victoria is your hair said Samantha "how you manage your long hair so beautifully amazes me! Even after a day’s work you look as if you have just left the hair salon. My short hair is quite enough to handle. In any event, I’m sure it’s your cuteness helped you reach equity status in corporate whilst I am totally brilliant but still remain an ordinary partner!"

I guess I’ve been fortunate with the recent deals, helping me to bring in a lot of money for the firm. Samantha you know you’re smart Victoria scolded "I couldn’t have coped without you and you’ve been so much help. Indeed Sarah also, she has been with me for six months now and I feel as if it has been for ever. I actually have to force her to go home at night. How lucky am I?"

Being a single parent can’t be easy for her, working the hours she does but I guess staying with her mother must help tremendously. If you ever leave, I absolutely want her as my secretary Samantha pointed her finger so Victoria wouldn’t forget.

The only way I will leave, temporarily I may add, is the baby Alistair and I dream of having. He’s actually been quite broody lately. Yes, I think Mauritius is going to be quite fun and he feels it’s time to make it happen.

On reaching the Boardroom, familiar faces greet Victoria and Samantha. In the conference room several flip charts and a microphone are strategically placed on the podium in front of the mostly already seated audience. Bradley St John stands beside a tall, attractive, auburn haired young man wearing a dark blue shirt and even darker blue tie and navy trousers, yet somehow more casually dressed than the mostly suit clad audience in the meeting.

Grant Carmichael Bradley St John paused and looked around, adjusting the microphone for sound and addressing his audience is joining us this evening. He is leaving tomorrow for the United States. A young man of such stature and able to offer our firm huge value in regard to our Corporate Department moving forward, and I felt it appropriate and he has been good enough to relinquish some of his valuable time, to speak to us this evening. Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention and introduce Mr Grant Carmichael.

Oh he is rather nice Samantha lightly nudged Victoria, her hand lightly concealing her lips whilst speaking. I might even enjoy this.

Victoria smiled to herself and tried to concentrate on Bradley St John’s words. Grant spent his early childhood in South Africa and moved to the United States where he spent much of his early teens and university years. He is a proven computer genius, a strategist and is already making an imprint throughout the corporate world in many fields including strategy and offering his expertise, innovative suggestions and advice to businessmen throughout the world. I will now let you listen to what Mr Carmichael has to say to you all and thank you for attending at such short notice he said.

Oh, please call me Grant the young man greeted the audience in a confident and casual fashion. Once the room darkened and light music introduced a highly sophisticated media display `clearly a fan of the dramatic’ thought Victoria. `Any endeavour to enlighten an audience who themselves are normally privy to addressing who they perceive to be less knowledgeable, on how to conduct their business - surely not an audience easily influenced nor impressed by superfluous technological innovations.’ Firstly a very graphically enhanced advertisement relayed, incorporating all the latest media expertise. Victoria felt such would be more appropriate to an advertising firm rather than a prestigious firm such as theirs, with age-old traditions and attorneys of such high calibre. Grant changed the screening to a very professional, subdued, highly sophisticated, short advertisement, created for a large long-established firm of lawyers in New York, citing their firm’s professionalism, expertise and the successful outcome of recent cases. Which of these advertisements generated the most business? Grant postured, seeking answers in all directions without commenting on the large amount of enthusiasm for the more sombre legal advertisement yet depicting highly sophisticated professionalism. Not one partner advocated the first advertisement. Victoria smugly smiled to herself `surely at this rate the meeting would soon be over.’

I am aware Grant continued, you are all highly successful in your careers but each and every one of you, it would seem, are totally mistaken in your perception. The first advertisement brought in so much business for the small law firm concerned in the States, their new client intake surpassed that of one of the top law firms in Boston. You may want to argue – in corporate you are dealing with professionals, with highly educated and intelligent clients who in their own right run huge businesses, vast conglomerates with a high level of prowess and sophistication. `Victoria surmised he must be reading her thoughts.’ Grant continued Those very people have to account their bottom line profit to their shareholders, their clients and potential clients. You presently relate well with clients who have been with the firm for over half a century and more, but how much time are you spending seeking new business and developing new insights as to who new and future generation clients might be? How much work is spent by your already overworked staff, for example, learning about diversity in cultures, new languages, research, development and even strategy because we all have to be forward thinking in our approach as regards tomorrow and not just to dwell on a successful past history.

Bradley St John then took the microphone. "We want to hold a Brainstorming Session with Grant Carmichael. Grant will only be back in South Africa in a few months time. In the meanwhile he will communicate with those involved by email and you will be required to gather information to be discussed at a weekend meeting. I have put forward to attend from our firm, firstly myself, media lawyer Richard Smith, and I would like a show of hands to determine who our last delegate should be, between my suggestion of either: Clive Williams, Eric Adderley or last but not least Victoria Retief. The largest show of hands appeared for Victoria, despite her futile attempt to become invisible. Bradley St John requested the chosen delegates to come to the podium to meet Grant personally, where they were formally introduced.

Grant, on hearing Victoria’s name on introduction, looked surprised, his American accent quite prevalent I used to know a Victoria, so a favourite name of mine. He smiled warmly in her direction, then turned his attention to the other chosen delegates I sure look forward to our meeting in South Africa at a later date as I am unfortunately committed until then. Standing at the microphone, addressing the entire audience, he said No matter how successful or established a firm or company may be, and tradition and reputation is something to be exceedingly proud of, we must always be aware of the very latest and future trends.

Once Victoria returned to her seat, Samantha looked up sympathetically. "Shame, will you manage to cope with this also, Victoria? I guess it falls into the give-back we undertake as professionals, it does sound interesting though."

Victoria touched her friend’s sympathetic hand, "At least the meeting hasn’t ended too late tonight I can be home soon and make Alistair happy. Do you know the first thing Grant told me when we were introduced at the podium, he said `I used to have a friend named Victoria’ so he liked my name."

Samantha looked thoughtful It is an unusual name, and old Bradley did mention Grant Carmichael lived in South Africa as a child.

No, his surname is wrong Victoria shook her head. I knew someone called Grant, in fact he lived next door. It can’t be him I am sure. In any case this guy is too good-looking Victoria laughed.

Chapter 2.

Victoria wandered over to the window. The endless azure blue sea view with contrasting silver sand, straw umbrellas placed strategically on the beach, surely Paradise. Humming softly `How wonderful to be here at last’ then she yawned, thinking she could live in Mauritius for ever, no work, worry, deadlines, paperwork. Everything perfect, their fourth holiday day and already she felt totally relaxed. After a morning languishing on the beach, swimming, enjoying a divine leisurely lunch with Alistair, enjoyed with some red wine, and once back in their hotel room making mad love. Then a leisurely sleep on a massive bed, in the knowledge most of their friends in Johannesburg would be hard at work. Alistair energetically left shortly thereafter to play tennis.

A few hours later he returned, looking tanned and even more attractive. Hi darling did you enjoy your tennis? Victoria greeted him with a kiss.

I can’t wait for my shower Alistair said, wiping perspiration from his face. What a game. You will never guess who I played tennis with, Mark van der Bilk. Have you dealt with him through business Victoria?

Not directly, we don’t act for him. He has been at some of the meetings I’ve been involved with clients, a very charismatic and astute guy. Isn’t he the husband of the ex-girlfriend who broke your heart? Victoria teased I’ve never met Felicity, but there are so many stories about them in the tabloids, in fact I think that they keep those magazines in business.

It must be difficult Alistair looked sympathetic. I guess the cost of attaining fame. He is actually a self made man. He didn’t inherit riches and commands a lot of respect. We conduct business with some of the charities they support. His twin sons by his first marriage were also playing tennis and they’re about to leave university and join the firm. Mark asked that we join them at their holiday home on the Quay tomorrow. They also have a speed boat.

Hmm Victoria said I would be excited about that, Alistair, but Felicity, well I don’t like the way she hurt you when you were a young guy.

That’s old history, my darling. How about joining me in the shower, instead of talking about my past?

Victoria unsuccessfully pulled at the towel to stop Alistair leading her to the shower. Even after playing hectic tennis, his body looked toned, lean and attractive. She ran her hands over his shoulders and back, his skin felt so good. Alistair knew how to please a woman. He explored her breasts, kissing her lower neck. She tweaked his nose. I’ve also noticed a lot of women eyeing you on the beach, at the restaurant she said. I don’t think I am the only one who finds you so gorgeous.

I like women Alistair said. She admired his confidence. I make no secret about it. I like the way they look, the way they talk.

I know you love me best of everyone though, Alistair. It will be lovely to meet with them. She reached up to kiss him, delighting in his touch.

Chapter 3.

What is the age difference between them? Victoria asked when, after a ten minute drive, they were about to arrive.

Mark must be about 54 and Felicity is around your age, 30. Her parents owned the wine farm next to ours. Alistair steered the car towards the Quay.

Victoria gasped at the view "Our resort is in a luxurious setting, but just look at those villas. Alistair I