The Bean Counter and the Billionaire: Love Aloft, #2

By Trisha Preslee

Livia has everything she wants.

 

Dare is the mystery man she didn't know she needs.

 

Can she resist getting unwittingly pulled into his murky world?

 

Livia has devoted her life to others. As a wife and mother, she has always focused on those needing help. In her career at the hospital, she helps patients. But after five years of living alone she feels she finally knows herself.

 

That is until she and her family are pulled into Dare's chaotic world. This whiz kid billionaire has left a trail of friends and lovers in his wake. Will they be next?

 

Follow their tempestuous tale as these two soulmates untangle the confusion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trisha Preslee
• Release date: Sep 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215311554

Trisha Preslee

Trisha Preslee has loved romances stories forever. She is now at a phase in life where she has time to tell the stories from her vivid imagination. Her love of sailing and aviation is woven into the narratives. Tapping into her diverse experiences allows for the creation of wide-ranging situations. She lives with her spouse and adventurous cat in sunny Florida.

Book preview

Chapter 1  MBC Presentation

LIVIA

Hurriedly walking past my assistant’s desk, I almost stumble carrying several boxes.

Alice asks as she gets up, Can I help you with that?

No, I have it, I say as I set the boxes down on the table.

You know Alice, I used to like this job. But the way this next project is being pushed makes me suspicious, I say.

You were also a little skeptical about that last project, at first, Alice says.

This is different. We have clear cut procedures, and they were violated to accommodate this. The whole thing is very shadowy. I don’t like it, I tell her.

For the last several years this job has saved me from a lot of gloomy thoughts and probably some bad actions. It was nice to be focused on positive constructive projects. But lately I am rethinking why I am here, I sigh.

Yeah, just after your husband died, you were in a very bad place. That was so not the Livia we loved. It seemed the more challenging your work became, the happier you were. But I do have to agree. There is almost something sinister about how this new MBC system is being implemented, she explains.

So, it’s not just me? I ask as I pick up the boxes.

Can I have those folders you were working on? I ask.

Thanks. Just set them on top. Please, continue working on those notes. We will need them for this rushed meeting, I instruct. This is so not the way we normally do things. Usually, we follow the schedule I carefully planned. It appears corporate is being pressured by the vendor. That’s not right.

As I shuffle down the corridor, I hear a deep almost ominous voice.

Pardon me. Can I bother you for some directions? a well-dressed and well-built guy in his forty’s asks me as I hurry down the hall.

Sure. I’m not up to much, I say sarcastically as I fumble with all the folders and boxes, I am carrying.

Can I give you a hand with that? he offers.

No. What do you need? I snap.

Suit yourself, he retorts.

Can you point me toward the conference room for the MBC presentation? he asks eyeing my unstable jumble.

Please let me help you with that, he insists, looking at me with his hazel eyes.

I am slightly shaken by the intensity in his gaze as he approaches with concern on his tanned face.

No no, I am fine. Just follow me, that’s where I am headed, I hurriedly say as I try not to drop anything. Of course, the folders start a slow-motion avalanche as he watches.

Before I can rebalance the load, he grabs the errant folders. We make eye contact and I almost dump everything over just before he steadies it. After I compose myself, I lead him into the conference room.

Thanks. Just set that stuff on the table and I’ll straighten it out, I say.

I know I am early, but I was warned this campus is sprawled out and it may take a while to find out where the meeting is, he says as he puts the folders on the table and gently taps the edges to make the stacks nice and neat. He even arranged the piles in a perfectly aligned row. OCD much? He lingers near me just a moment longer than necessary. He is studying me. Who is this guy?

OK, friend or foe? I ask.

Ah, what? he asks.

Are you from MBC or SouthEastern Care?

I thought I met everyone from MBC at the pitch meeting. They said that would be the core group we would be dealing with. If you are a new guy, it looks like they already can’t deliver on their promises, I sigh.

That would make me a foe, I guess, he says.

That’s a damn handsome foe, I think to myself. Now I study him. This guy is no tech geek or accountant. Maybe security, hired muscle. But that makes no sense.

Breaking away I walk over to the wall of windows that overlooks the city and glance out. The morning light is glowing and reflecting off the skyscrapers. That reflected fire of the sun reminds me of Mr. Fabulous Foe’s ominous eyes.

Down in the valleys of buildings I watch the hundreds of people scurrying about. Looking around this room at the rich woods and materials, I think back on how far SouthEastern Care has advanced over the years. As a company we have always done business in an open fashion. Why are we suddenly dealing with the likes of MBC.

Glancing up I see Mr. Fabulous Foe watching me with those penetrating eyes.

Looking straight at him I say, It’s going to be a while. There is a break room down the hall if you want some coffee or snacks.

Please leave. I don’t need to be distracted right now. I am trying to psych myself up for this stupid meeting.

Normally, I am all sweetness and sugar. I cajole and work with people to get things done. But that does not seem to be working. Somewhere from higher up this MBC software update is being crammed down our throats. Time for a new tactic.

Looking up, as I prepare for the meeting, I see my new foe just sitting and watching me.

Don’t you have to prepare or something? I testily ask.

I would have no idea what to do. Mulchley and his minions will be here to set up all of that. I only came because one of the assigned team is out on personal business and can’t make it. I guess we could have pleaded with his wife to hold off on the delivery so he could make this meeting. But that seemed a little harsh, he chuckles again.

Boy, this guy cracks himself up.

So basically, you are a body and have no clue about SouthEastern Care’s special needs, I harshly state. Good, I am getting in the spirit of confrontation. Even to Mr. Fabulous Foe here.

Yeah, I suppose you could say that. My role at MBC is loosely defined. I sort of do whatever needs doing. I’ll try not to slow down the meeting with stupid questions, he chuckles again.

Seriously. Damn he’s cute when he laughs. Trying to fake a scowl I turn away.

The door slams open and Mason Mulchley makes his usual grand entrance. This guy is a real showman. Quite full of himself. I haven’t decided if I will enjoy taunting him today. He’s so damn arrogant though. But he sure knows his stuff.

Arrg. Why did it have to come to confrontation? I hate confrontations. Well, unless I precipitate them. Which I have been known to do.

Mulchley strides over to me and offers his hand, I hope Dare here hasn’t caused any trouble. Normally we would never have him attend these meetings. But he has promised not to be his normal disruptive presence, Mulchley chuckles.

What’s with these guys. They all think they are comedians.

No, he’s been a little angel so far. He explained his attendance and even prevented an avalanche, I chuckle. Now, I’m doing it. Focus. Anger. Hostility. Grrr.

Some familiar faces from SouthEastern Care corporate drift in. No greetings. No pleasantries. No stupid chuckling. Good. That’s the spirit I want here. Everyone sits at the large table, except Dare or Foe or whoever he is. He opts to get a chair in the corner away from everyone. How strange.

After everyone seems to be here, I address the room. Glad everyone was able to make it. We all know each other from our last meeting except for... I gesture over to the corner waiting for Dare to introduce himself. He gives everyone a cute wave. Whatever.

Let me explain my role in this project. I am here to facilitate the smooth implementation of your MBC-4000 system into our Chicago campus. Everyone here from corporate knows my opinion on this. I feel it is not in the best interests of SouthEastern Care to waste the resources needed to switch over from our current information management software, I say.

Looking at our corporate people from Florida, I ask. This is highly irregular that you test bed new systems at our Chicago facility. Normally we get well tested and operational ‘upgrades’ like this, I use finger quotes around upgrades.

Well Ms. Trumbault, you are a victim of your own success. Seeing how well you did on the JCN implementation last year. You have quite a history of success on complex projects. We thought allowing you the privilege of bringing this revolutionary MBC system to fruition would be rewarding for you, Chantel Washington says without a hint of sarcasm.

I appreciate your confidence in me. However, I have been known to pull the plug on projects midstream if I see major risk for SouthEastern Care. This MBC project has a lot of red flags for me. From the research I have done, MBC is part of a murky conglomerate of medically focused companies that apparently stem from the pipe dreams of some reclusive tech wunderkind. I’m not so sure that’s a good fit for a relationship with our organization, I emphasize.

Relax Livia. We’ve worked with MBC and some of their other subsidiaries. They have always been responsive and accommodating. You may even grow fond of how willing they are to please, Chantel assures.

Either way, I will be extraordinarily vigilant overseeing this installation. That said, I give the floor to Mason Mulchley, I say.

Mason stands up, even though there is no need in the small room. Beginning his oration on how they have been one-hundred percent successful in their past projects to achieve the stated goals. He drones on for way too long. I’ve read his material as has everyone.

I stand up midsentence. Thank you, Mr. Mulchley. We’ve got it. Please sit down. I was hoping to open the floor up to questions, I say as I look around. Nobody has even the slightest interest in asking anything. Either they are numb from Mulchley’s bloviation or are afraid to get more hot air from him.

Great! In the spirit of brevity, I chuckle to myself, I will refrain from presenting my concerns right now. You will be receiving an email with the 27 pages of fears I have. It’s slightly less than 300 items so I look forward to your speedy reply, I chuckle bordering on a laugh. Everyone from corporate has zero response. Mulchley and his minions are frowning. Dare in the corner is smiling like a goof, trying to control himself from bursting out laughing.

Damn him again. I try to look away, but he stares right at me with dark hazel eyes. I almost swoon. That’s crazy. I don’t even like or trust that guy.

Everyone gets up to leave. Mulchley pats Dare on the back and congratulates him on being so well behaved. Dare whispers something to the dour Mulchley and he breaks into a laugh as they leave.

After the MBC minions, as Fabulous Foe called them, leave I walk over to the Florida corporate group, Chantel approaches me. We appreciate your concern, Livia. In fact, we count on it. To put it coarsely you unscrewed that last project. It was getting screwed up and you fixed it. I fully expect some very unexpected complications to develop during this endeavor, she chuckles. Sheesh. More comedians.

I will send you details for the next progress meeting. We are thinking of having it down in Orlando at corporate. You won’t mind escaping this Chicago dreariness for a few days, will you? Maybe take a few of those stacked up PTO days you have accumulated. Use it or lose it. While being from corporate, I shouldn’t say these kinds of things. But you work too hard. Take some time for yourself, catch some sunshine when you are down there. I expect to see some color in that pale skin of yours, she chuckles again.

The corporate people help me gather my materials and carry them back to my office.

As I pass by Alice’s desk she hisses at me, Psst. Who is that hunky guy? Maybe you need to work more closely with him, she suggests.

I have a bad feeling about him. I suspect he may be responsible for some of the weirdness surrounding MBC.

Chapter 2  Leaving Meeting

DARREN

That went well, I chortle.

Ms. Trumbault seemed a bit testy today. Did you do something at the pitch meeting to antagonize her? I ask Mulchley.

You know at the last major project we did for SouthEastern Care she was our main cheerleader. There was much resistance to the JCN equipment, but she shepherded it through the difficult process with her charming people skills. I don’t think she realizes JCN is part of that murky conglomerate she was so critical of, I chuckle.

What’s so damn funny? I didn’t see anything charming there. I just saw someone who was angry and pissed, Mulchley states.

Well, I got there a little earlier than you. We had a few minutes for some gay banter. She really was quite charming. I was expecting someone a little younger. Folks from JCN described her as vivacious and outgoing. They commented on her energy and vitality to guide the project to completion, I say while a smile grows on my face.

I could tell she was trying to muster up some hostility, obviously not her normal mode of operation. But when she looked at me with those green eyes, I saw warmth and joy. That warmth was accentuated by her auburn hair.

Well, we will see how wonderful she is. I can hardly wait to dig into her 300 issues, Mulchley scoffs.

We are winding our way through the maze that is the SouthEastern Care’s campus heading to the parking structure. Along the way I admire the brightness and upbeat colors and materials used throughout. The architects did a good job trying to relieve some of the depression hospital visits can trigger. I could have used this aesthetic to help cheer me up when I was coming here regularly for treatments.

Mulchley starts heading the wrong way.

Yo, Mason. Come on, I don’t want to lose you in here. You’ll never find your way out, I tease.

You just don’t want to have to deal with Trumbault’s questions yourself, he retorts.

I don’t know. I was thinking I might personally come back and go over each of the 300 questions in excruciating detail with her. I suspect I may even have to ask for more details and get her explanations, I say.

I thought I saw something going on between you two. What’s that about? She’s got to be 15 years older than you. She’s not your normal type. Not that you actually have a type. Your sort of all over the map with that. I guess when you’re the tech wunderkind zillionaire or whatever you are you can get whatever you want, he scoffs.

I’m not a zillionaire. Probably not even a billionaire. Yet, I clarify jokingly.

I have a type. It’s smart and engaging. Not a physical type.

Yeah well, please try and not screw this up by making anything more difficult for us lowly working people, he pleads.

Oh yeah, and thanks for keeping my introduction vague. I am trying as much as possible to stay under the radar. I love the work we are doing. All the diverse companies we have are doing medical advancement technologies. But it is getting hard for me to actually go to the meeting and facilities without a big fanfare. It’s so annoying being glitterati. You’ve known me for years. I’m just a nerd that had some good luck, I lament.

Mulchley slaps me on my back, You have been doing a fair job of staying out of the tabloids. That last scandal was how shall we say...colorful? he teases.

Unfounded scandal. And that was almost 5 years ago. That’s what I mean. I’m tired of being a target. I’m a nice guy. Why is everyone out to get me? OK yeah, maybe I was little out of control 5 years ago. This whole fame and fortune thing was new and overwhelming, I state.

We take the elevator to our parking level.

Hey, can you drop me off somewhere? I walked over here. I think it’s on your way, I ask.

Oh, no boss I am too busy. I need to rush back and get started answering stupid questions from your new infatuation, Mulchley states.

I turn to walk away.

Of course, you goof. Let’s go, Mulchley chuckles as he unlocks the car.

Chapter 3  Dancing with Christine

LIVIA

As I get off the elevator in the lobby of my condo building, I stop by the front desk.

Hello James, how is everything with you tonight? I ask the door attendant.

Jim is fine, he says.

Oh no, not nearly upscale enough. Look around, take in all these exotic materials, I say while making a grand sweeping gesture.  Focusing on some glittery material in the reception desk, I ask.

Is that real diamond? It sure sparkles enough. And that is why you are James. Maybe we could try some other names. Oh, Wimberly can you hail a taxi? I huff in a pretentious accent.

Let’s just try James for a while, he suggests.

Is your daughter better? She was under the weather last week, I ask.

Oh yeah, she passed it on to everyone in the family. We were all sick for a while but now we are all just peachy, he says.

Great. I am just waiting for my friend to pick me up. Not that you deal in rumors, but what’s the lowdown on the two on the fourteenth floor, I ask conspiratorially.

Oh, you didn’t hear. It’s over! At least that’s what she was yelling at him as they came off the elevator screaming yesterday. I thought everyone in the building heard that. I think my ears are still ringing, he gestures for me to come closer.

But I did receive a giant bouquet of flowers for her today. She seemed adequately appeased after she read the card. So, I would say unofficially it’s not really over, he says playfully.

Walking over I sink into one of the plush loveseats in the lobby. Moments later Christine pulls up in her small car.

Hurrying outside I open the door and try and wrangle my fluffy skirt into her diminutive car.

Almost starting to laugh Christine says. Don’t you think that is a bit much? I mean this is supposed to be casual.

What’s the fun in that? After my day today I needed some release. I got all gussied up special. Some lucky guy gets to feast his eyes on this get up, I gesture and wiggle around to fluff up some more.

Have you ever considered cosplay? You would probably really enjoy it. Next time I am going to an event I’ll give you a heads up.

This absurdly small car may be tight for fashion. But Christine sure can zip around the city in it.

I know we have a work talk moratorium at dancing. So, I need to hurry and vent on the car ride there, I state.

Bad, huh? Christine asks.

The worst. We had the big kick off meeting for my next challenging project. I am so not on board. At the meeting I almost went ballistic. The wheels from south corporate were there. Of course, they think this boondoggle is just fantastic. They believe all the smoke and mirrors BS those MBC guys are shoveling. The project manager for MBC is an arrogant piece of work. Mason Mulchley. Just his name gets my blood pressure up. Then they had a pinch hitter come in for some unknown reason. In as far as I can tell he does nothing useful. Maybe comic relief. He found everything entertaining, I say while recalling that mischievous glimmer in his hazel eyes.

That mystery dude was sort of bold too. He was basically staring at me while I tried to prepare for the meeting. Not rude, but disconcerting, I state.

That’s called being checked out. Was he good looking? she anxiously inquires.

Well, I suppose in a I work out all day and have perfect hair handsome kind of way. OK maybe gorgeous, I say fading off.

And of course, you did absolutely nothing to entice or engage him. You are so hopeless, she sighs.

He was young like mid-forties maybe. Hard to tell, that tan made him look younger. He must do something outside or lounge next to the pool. But I don’t think you get abs like that by lounging, I say.

Wow, there is hope for you after all. You actually notice a good-looking guy and took some mental notes. Any tingle? Maybe a tiny spark? she asks hopefully.

Well, I was really annoyed with his company MBC, and I was trying to harness my anger for the meeting. And that guy is hiding something. I don’t trust him. But yeah, maybe a little tingle, I shyly say.

Bad boys are the best. Jump him, Christine commands.

It’s been way too long since you have done the horizontal tango, she takes her hands off the wheel and starts dancing with her hands.

None of us are going to be doing any dancing when you get us all killed. Drive the car, I insist.

Well now that I think of it my lady bits were sort of perking up. That hasn’t happened in a long time. I tried starting something last year with and old longtime widower friend. But it turned out he was just starting a relationship with someone else I knew.

Se la vie.

After some impressive zooming through traffic, we arrive at our destination, unscathed. Parking nearby we quickly walk to our evening’s entertainment.

Hubba hubba, Hello sailor, Christine mocks as she checks out some of the handsome elegantly dressed men. She opted for the sultry siren look tonight.

Va va voom, Teddy exaggeratedly calls at her.

You got that. Buy me a drink big spender? she asks in a mock sizzling voice.

Hey Teddy, you look fabulous as always. I thought you would steer clear of our temptress here after last week, I playfully say.

Some people never learn, he responds.

Looking around, I see many familiar faces. I have been coming to these casual dance meetups for a few years now. Very informal. Just a chance to dance in a friendly environment. It is not the meat market Christine is trying to project. Just good-natured fun. There are married couples here. Girlfriends trying to get their klutzy boyfriends comfortable dancing. Basically, just a good time. It’s a chance to dance with different partners. And just enjoy yourself. We do try to make it a little special by dressing up every couple of months.

Today’s theme is frilly.

Teddy has fully embraced the theme. His tux has frilly sleeves, a fancy burgundy cummerbund and matching bow tie. Somehow, he fluffed the bow tie. And the ruffled kerchief in his pocket finishes the look.  Frilly.

Most of the other people have embraced the theme to varying degrees. A few of the reluctant boy friends are fighting it. Hopefully they will learn how to lighten up. That’s part of why we do these gatherings.

In my marriage it was my husband that made sure to keep some lightness and joy flowing. Even when things seemed bleak, he always could lighten things up. I wish he was here tonight.

Teddy and Christine are already floating around the dance floor. They glide over towards me. Excuse us for a moment we are on a mission, they say as they drift by.

Teddy elegantly bows and asks a cute twenty-something for a dance. She accepts because her hesitant boyfriend is dragging his feet on the whole dancing experience. Teddy exaggerates his flirting with the woman, and they laugh and spin away. After a minute Christine saunters over to the now disappointed boyfriend and suggests they dance.

Christine is very patient and a good teacher. She helps build her partners confidence enough that he forgets his inhibitions and finally starts to enjoy himself. After Teddy and Christine have primed these two aspiring lovebirds, they bring them back together. Sometimes it works. Tonight, it is a success. The cute couple embraces and dances away.

Teddy comes back to me and offers his hand. Come on gloomy-kins, he murmurs. His energy immediately vanquishes my sad thoughts. As we dance my mind wanders about how Mr. Fabulous Foe dances. I laugh a little thinking about it.

What gives you the giggles, he asks.

Oh, just thinking about dancing with the enemy, I say.

He looks distressed. Not you silly, you saved me from my thoughts. Just some guy at work today. Nominally he is my foe, but I was just imagining dancing with him, I chuckle.

Dancing is always a good way to break down barriers, he says as he looks over and gestures at the dancing lovebirds.

Beside I can’t envision any scenario where you are really angry at anyone. That’s not how you view people, he says emphatically.

I bet in no time you will have him dancing, he laughs.

Someone new walks over and makes a gentle gesture asking if he may dance with me. Teddy sees Christine and acquiesces to his request.

While dancing, I watch Teddy and Christine together. They make a great couple. But Christine is relationship adverse since her divorce two years ago. She enjoys men’s company immensely. She’s just in no hurry for anything long-term. Teddy seems perfectly happy with that arrangement.

I really don’t know much about Teddy. He is pleasant enough. He always comes alone. He mentions he is trying to drag one of his reclusive friends here but to no avail yet.

My tensions from the day are long gone. I just enjoy a relaxing evening.

Chapter 4  Volunteering at Museum

DARREN

I walk through the door and am overwhelmed by colorful lights and happiness.

Oh, hi Dare. Your precocious little friend is back at her favorite display, a volunteer at the information desk informs me.

This kids’ museum sure has evolved since I used to come here as a child. Looking down the aisle I see all sorts of interactive displays. There are even a few of the non-electronic mechanical devices that so used to fascinate me as a kid. This was the place that sparked the desire to figure stuff out. To understand what made things work.

I was fortunate that there was a volunteer docent who viewed everything through the lens of math. Looking at the giant gear crank device it went through multiple gears with various numbers of teeth. If you cranked one end the other handle barely moved. If you cranked it the other way the other handle spun furiously. I am surprised that the thing is still here and working.

I remember that docent Wilbur. He challenged me to figure out without turning the crank how many times the other end would rotate. I was pretty good at math, but he showed me how to break a complex problem down to its components. He was crazy patient. After a while I viewed his patience as a challenge. Sometimes I would just stare at the various devices until I came up with an answer.

Then he would playfully crank the handles and count out turns in an impish singing way. After I figured out one thing, he would bring me to a completely different display and pose some question in a mathematical context.

I am broken from my nostalgic memories by a cloying voice. Oh, hi Dare. Can you help with this? It’s too heavy for me, a flirty twenty-something blonde coos. One of the older ladies rolls her eyes at me. I walk over and move the crate for her. She wasn’t kidding, this thing is heavy. I lift it up and down a couple of times just to try and estimate it’s weight. 150lbs maybe.

Where do you want it? I ask. The blonde is all goo-goo eyes at me.

Where? I abruptly ask. She snaps out of her fantasy. I used to be on the other side of that dream looking at girls like her in my youth.

A woman like her was completely unattainable for me back then. I was a total nerd. The 98lb. weakling total dork.

I carefully set the crate down where she pointed.

Oh Dare, thank you so much, she coos.

Always feel free to ask for anything you need, I happily say. I want to keep the volunteers coming back so I am always extra nice.

It’s been just a couple of years since I have reconnected with the museum. As I walk through it reminds me of how important this place was too my development. By spending some time with the volunteers here, I hope to come up with some ideas on how to improve it. So far everything I have seen is inspiring. But I was really hoping to get some insight on how to get this museum up to the next level.

"I’ll be back in the hall of numbers if you need anything else," I tell the volunteer. I jauntily walk back to see what my friend is up to. I walk past lots of video screens and geometrically shaped displays. Entering the math area, I am assaulted by two-foot-tall cascading numbers. Sort of like The Matrix but in primary happy colors. Way better.

Hey Susan, how’s it going today? I hear our little friend Ada is here, I cheerily ask.

Oh, she is over there at the puzzle-o-tron, she gestures toward another brightly lit area.

As I approach the little girl’s eyes light up. She looks to be early teens. Sort of skinny but pretty enough. She doesn’t totally embrace the nerd aesthetic but she’s definitely not on the princess fashion track. Walking up I watch as she quickly runs through several screens of puzzles.

Are you having fun? I ask.

"Well not really. Some of these repeat, so I just have to tap through to get the next one. Even