Mind Games

Part 1

Michelle

Friday, August 3rd

Michelle kept skimming the pages of the tourism site while listening for her boss’ footsteps. She was so excited, her and her boyfriend Brad had been planning this vacation for almost six months. They were planning on spending two and a half weeks together in Japan; Tokyo to be exact. With an inward smile Michelle remembered the conversation she had with her boyfriend just the night before. While looking over more tourism sites, they were trying to decide how they wanted to spend their time in Tokyo.

Sweetie maybe we can also go to Nagano, catch some snow boarding, wouldn’t that be great? Brad asked while slowly massaging Michelle’s shoulders as she flipped through her stack of magazines. All of my friends keep telling me about how great the slopes are out there, and Sebastien took some crazy videos of him and his friends when they went out there last year!

Michelle smiled lazily as she flipped through a magazine, "Of course you want to go snowboarding, but I don’t want to spend our entire vacation on the slopes. Remember this is supposed to be relaxing too. And everything I keep reading says that the shopping in Tokyo is amazing. I want to leave us plenty of time to go shopping!"

Hmmm, yeah, nothing sounds more relaxing than spending a day carrying your purse and bags for you as you try on everything in the store. Brad murmured in a soft sarcastic way. Michelle turned to swat him playfully.

You know what I mean! We need to make sure that we do plenty of things that both of us like. And I’ve never snowboarded before…not really sure if I want to spend more than one day busting my ass on the slopes!

Well, if you have any injuries then I’ll just have to spend all night making you feel better and kissing the pain away. Brad slowly began kissing Michelle’s neck just to emphasize the kind of TLC he had in mind.

Before Michelle could savor the steamy memory of last night’s activities with Brad, she snapped herself back to the present in enough time to switch one of her computer monitors back to the work she was supposed to be doing before her boss walked out into the main portion of the office. Michelle was an account director at one of New York’s most successful marketing and pr firms, Yusef Marketing PR & Associates. Before she could lose herself totally to her upcoming vacation, she needed to finish coordinating a celebrity event for one of their largest and most high profile accounts.

Michelle Beauford had been brainstorming with her team, planning the ultimate launch event at one of New York’s hottest venues, the Puck Building. With barely a month’s notice from the client, Michelle and her team managed to plan a high profile event and entice numerous media contacts from some of the largest magazines and news feeds in the country. All that was left was for the actual event to take place. But in the meantime, Michelle’s boss, Ari Yusef, was the epitome of nervous. He was known in the industry for bringing an exceptional level of quality in marketing and publicity services to his clients. For the clients, this was fantastic; they never worried about the details when Ari accepted a project. For his employees, the same attention to detail that his clients loved was a bit of a burden for his staff.

Nothing happened at Yusef Marketing PR & Associates that Ari didn’t oversee. Even when he delegated projects to his account directors, they knew that this meant that at a moment’s notice a meeting could be called and they were required to account for every detail that made their events and PR stunts a success. To Ari, the phrase I don’t know was the kiss of death, and his successful employees knew to come prepared to these kinds of meetings.

For Michelle, this position was the culmination of her very hard work finally paying off. After graduating high school in Indianapolis, Michelle left Indiana to attend NYU. Although she loved Indy, she felt that it was time to move on to someplace where her quirky personality and stand out qualities wouldn’t be so shocking. And what place embraced differences better than New York? Once there, she used New York as an opportunity to completely reinvent herself. The girl with a thousand secrets in her past was finally able to create the dream lifestyle that she always wanted.

Michelle finally felt free, and able to truly be herself. She was considered one of the most confident people within her circle. This confidence encouraged Michelle to take risks that she would have never done in Indiana. She worked hard in college and networked her way into a dream internship at Yusef Marketing PR & Associates as an assistant on an account team. The account director relegated Michelle to the typical grunt duties– getting coffee, answering phones, and making copies. Michelle hated it, but knew that this was part of the collegiate experience. She kept an eye out for an opportunity to showcase the marketing skills that she was learning in school.

That opportunity finally came during a chance meeting with Ari Yusef. Ari was giving a lecture about the importance of social media and unconventional thinking for marketers and publicists and Michelle made it a point to attend. After the question and answers session, Michelle made a beeline to the front and politely forced her way into Ari’s line of site. After a brief introduction and a few probing yet enlightening comments on his presentation, Ari was pleasantly surprised to learn that Michelle was interning at his firm. He took one look at her polished appearance, and recognized her strong business acumen. Ari mentally noted that it didn’t hurt that she was an attractive African American woman - his weakness - and decided to increase her responsibilities.

From that point on, Michelle was no longer a gopher. She became a junior staffer, with a paid internship and even though she still did a majority of the administrative tasks, she was able to attend events. After graduating Michelle was offered a full time position. Within three years of being employed with Yusef Marketing PR & Associates, Michelle had been promoted twice from a junior account executive to an account director. Now at the age of twenty six, she managed the elite group that developed high profile events for the company.

Ari stressed the importance of quality over appearance, and proved it by hiring a diverse staff that was affectionately coined the UN team around the office. In fact, the office atmosphere was definitely casual, albeit very trendy. Coming to work was like attending a fashion show where the employees displayed the trendiest looks before they hit the runways. This was partly due to the fact that Ari’s firm represented some of the hottest fashion houses. So, his employees were privy to designer gifts and discounts comparable to what the fashion lines’ employees would receive. In addition to boasting a fashionable atmosphere, Ari Yusef stressed the mantra work hard, play hard. It was very common for the office to go out on a monthly basis for drinks or bowling at New York’s ultra chic Chelsea Piers. Ari knew how to keep his employees happy and engender loyalty, including offering three weeks of vacation even for new hires.

So, how is the Coty project coming along? Is Elisa giving you any trouble over there? Ari asked with a chuckle as he parked himself on the corner of her desk.

Michelle laughed softly, Oh the usual! Elisa likes to change her mind about the invite list at the last minute. But, I told her that the contracts were signed with the caterer and that the seating arrangements have already been made. I think we’re definitely in a good position to pull off another fabulous Yusef event. We’re a week and a half out from the event and we have ninety percent of the RSVP's. Plus, the press is on our side for this event, so no negative spin in Page Six!

Excellent, and the promotional talent?

I have Leon working on that. But, we’ve booked all the staff and they’re coming in next week for fittings. I think this is going to be an awesome event. The press is going to be fabulous for us and for Coty. Michelle smiled brightly as Ari began to stand.

That’s wonderful, it’s a shame you won’t be here for the Hamptons event we’re doing later this month but I know I can’t convince you to beg off from Japan. When you get back I want you to start brainstorming for that MTV reality show I mentioned a while back. We finally got the contract signed and I want to make sure we strike before some b-list pr firm tries to get Diddy’s business from us. And with that Ari strolled off back towards his office.

Michelle blew out a sigh of relief; sometimes Ari could be tedious with his questions, putting even the most patient person on edge. Today, she could tell he was slightly distracted by his upcoming pitch meetings scheduled for the rest of the week. They had an impressive project roster slated for the rest of the year and Ari wanted to make sure it stayed that way in the upcoming year. He always lined up meetings with his clients towards the end of the summer to guarantee business for the following year.

Hey Michelle! Two weeks 'til to your vacay, you must be so excited. Michelle looked up to see Soraya Montez smiling in the doorway. Soraya was an accountant in the finance department and one of Michelle’s best friends. Soraya and Michelle started at the same time as interns and found solidarity in their coffee running days. Three years later they were both successful at the firm and had maintained a close relationship. Their first year out of college they were roommates until they realized that two fashion crazy women living together who wore the same size clothes and shoes wasn’t as great an idea as it had sounded when they first moved in.

Hey Soraya! I know, two and a half weeks in Japan! It’ll be nice to be a little anonymous for a change and not have people snapping our pictures all the time around town. Plus, this is going to be a mix of a romantic and adventurous vacation. Michelle grabbed her Gucci clutch and headed out of the office with Soraya for lunch.

As they rode down the express elevator to the lobby Soraya dished on her latest boy toy. Soraya was amazingly attractive with the quintessential good looks attributed to Latin beauties typically seen in the Miss Universe pageant. She was always proud of her multi-ethnic heritage, claiming both Columbian and Dominican roots as well as a number of South American countries. Regardless of her heritage, she was gorgeous and never had a hard time meeting a men, just a hard time meeting a nice guy that she could take home to meet her abuela. Michelle listened to Soraya describe her date from the previous night. She was currently dating a Sean Jean Collection model and was none too pleased about his behavior the night before.

Seriously, he was hot and cold all night, I couldn’t read him for anything. We had a fabulous dinner at Masa and then we went out to 40/40 afterwards. By 11PM I was ready to call it a night because he was too busy posing for pictures. Then, all of a sudden on the cab ride home he becomes Mr. ‘Look Ma All Hands’. And then it was like he didn’t understand why I wasn’t going to invite him up to my apartment. Ughhh what a waste of a night! I should have gone out with G Carlo when he asked me last week. I bet I would have had a better time.

Sweetie why do you keep dating these empty headed guys? You’re too smart and too attractive to keep dealing with that. Besides, that guy is barely twenty years old, he was probably more concerned with taking a good picture for the tabloids than actually going on a real date.

"True, but he was great arm candy right? Soraya said with a laugh. I had no illusions about Antonio. But I just hate that he hardly paid any attention to me and then actually expected to get something extra at the end. That’s just bad dating manners."

So what did you do?

I told him I’d give him a call in a bit. Soraya smiled.

Which really means you have no intentions of ever calling him again. Michelle laughed.

Ohhh you know me so well! But enough about lame Antonio! Have you and Brad decided what you’re doing in Japan?

Michelle smiled mischievously, Well we started to talk about it…

Aha! Details, details! What were you two up to last night? How much ‘talking’ did you two really do? Soraya’s face lit up as she probed Michelle for more information.

You’re terrible…let’s just say we didn’t get too far. We got a little distracted with other things.

"’Distracted’ my ass! You two got down didn’t you? I can tell by your face…look at you! Don’t play coy with me chica, I’ve known you too long!"

"Soraya! Okay, okay, we definitely had some fun last night. Brad was just showing me how he would give me some TLC if I fall on my ass non-stop if we go snowboarding in Japan. Let’s just say, I kind of hope I do fall down a lot when I’m out there!"

Michelle and Soraya fell into a fit of laughter and continued to tease each other mercilessly as they headed back to the office. The two shared everything and very rarely held anything back from each other. Soraya helped Michelle through some very rough times in the past three years when she had dealt with her sometimes volatile extended family. And likewise, Michelle helped Soraya through a particularly rough relationship with a man who never seemed to understand the meaning of the word no.

__

Michelle managed to keep her mind on work for the rest of the day and at five, she uncharacteristically left instead of sticking around to organize her plans for the following Monday. Today was Friday, the day that her and Brad Albrecht always had a relaxing and at times very romantic dinner together followed by a night spent at home. After moving out of Soraya’s apartment, Michelle and Brad moved in together. She met Brad during her senior year at NYU in her fall marketing coop course. Brad was popular since his relatives included an official on the City Council and two star quarterback cousins that were brothers and played for the NFL. Because of this, it wasn’t strange for Brad and Michelle to get their picture taken no matter where they went.

At first, she found him to be somewhat cocky and it almost turned her off. He was smart, well connected, financially well off, extremely attractive and he knew it. He had the stereotypical surfer dude good looks, including corn silk blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a miraculously natural olive complexion. Not to mention, standing at six foot two he had a tall athletic build from his days as a corner back football player in high school. At first, she was somewhat intimidated because Brad had the kind of personality that consumed a room when he entered it. But of course, Michelle never let her hesitation show. When he first approached her in college and asked her out, she was somewhat skeptical. Eventually, Michelle realized that Brad had a diverse group of friends, much like her own, and through some mutual acquaintances she learned that Brad wasn’t new to interracial dating.

After almost five years together, there was no doubt in Michelle’s mind that Brad truly loved her for her. She was somewhat disappointed that she hadn’t received an engagement ring yet, but she also knew that Brad wanted to make a financial nest egg on his own, without relying on his family’s money. Ironically though, much of Brad’s meteoric rise to stardom within the legal system was due to the fact that he was a legal legacy. His father had worked in the District Attorney’s office, taking several high profile cases to trial before choosing to retire two years ago. Michelle now secretly hoped that Brad would propose to her while they were in Japan. She had been dropping hints for weeks now, but only time would tell if her hard work would pay off. Michelle stopped her introspection as the elevator doors opened and she stepped out into the lobby of her office’s Madison Avenue location.

Hey, there’s my princess! Brad smiled as Michelle rounded the corner. How was work, any maniac clients with crazy demands today? He asked as he kissed her.

Brad and Michelle made a stunning pair. Where Brad was all muscles, athleticism and height Michelle was petite with model qualities. At five foot six, her copper-pecan coloring had warm orange undertones, giving her the ability to practically wear any color. Her high cheekbones and almond shaped eyes were attributed to her Cherokee and Creole background. Michelle was a healthy size two, although she was petite, she still managed to be curvy – in all the right places as Brad would always say.

The pair walked out of the marble tiled lobby and headed downtown to have dinner. This Friday, they had chosen a cozy Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy. After being seated and given menus, the couple chose a Riesling bottle of wine, Michelle’s favorite, and began to peruse the menu.

You know I love the way you look in that dress. You look good in everything, but I love how that turquoise color looks on you. And of course, I love that low neckline too! Brad smiled wickedly, setting Michelle’s mind on a new path entirely. Instantly, she thought back to last night, when Brad had gone from seductively kissing her neck and massaging her shoulders to exploring her body with his hands and mouth. He knew exactly how to excite her by starting with verbal innuendoes that turned into physical flirtations, like wandering hands in a taxi becoming full on foreplay. Michelle marveled that they had never been caught in all the time that they pushed the limits in a public place.

Thank you! I figured I could break from my traditional pants since it’s been so hot lately. And I’m glad you’re enjoying the view, you seemed to really enjoy the view last night too. Michelle raised an eyebrow as if to say, checkmate – two can play this game.

Brad smiled slowly, leaned forward and dropped his voice to nearly a whisper, Well, you know I love the way you taste, and the way you move when I touch you. He leaned back, knowing the effect he was having on Michelle. She bit her lip, feeling the familiar twinge of desire rising in her body.

And to keep the teasing going, Brad chose to also have dessert, an after dinner drink and coffee, all the while watching Michelle’s look of impatience with quiet satisfaction. Finally, Brad paid the check and took Michelle’s hand as they headed out towards Broadway to catch a cab. Once inside the cab, after all his innuendoes, Brad couldn’t control his desire anymore. Michelle sent up a silent thank you that it was later in the night so the back of the taxi was dark; preventing the cabbie from seeing Brad slowly slide his hand up the inside of her thigh.

Her twinge of desire from dinner turned into a full slow burn as Brad softly stroked the inside of her thigh. Michelle parted her legs just a bit more and had to keep from moaning as he slowly stroked her damp La Perla lace boyshorts. She sighed slowly and closed her eyes as he began stroking her with his fingers inside her boyshorts. Michelle slid further off the seat to give Brad better access while she tried to keep from moaning and alerting the cabbie to what they were doing. Finally, while they were driving up the FDR towards the Upper East Side, Michelle felt the delicious explosion she had been anticipating.

After they left the cab and were in their ultra modern apartment on 63rd Street and York Avenue, Brad’s control completely crumbled. He embraced Michelle in a tight hug as he devoured her soft lips in an intense kiss, leaving her breathless again for the second time that night. Brad picked her up with no effort and headed towards their bedroom in the two bedroom apartment they shared. He laid her down softly on their king sized bed and slowly lifted her left leg to take off her Jimmy Choo stiletto open toed heel. He began to softly kiss her feet; something that at first had been weird for Michelle but later became a point of arousal as their relationship continued.

Michelle let out an audible moan, closed her eyes and leaned her head back as Brad slowly raised her dress and began to gently pull her boyshorts off. She suddenly found herself very impatient. Although she enjoyed the fact that Brad was intentionally drawing out the foreplay, she was too turned on to let him tease her like he normally would. Michelle sat up and began to unbutton Brad’s shirt, pausing to take in her boyfriend’s muscular arms and chest. That was all the encouragement Brad needed, in an instant he peeled off his pants and boxers and quickly begin pulling Michelle’s dress and lingerie off. Now that they were both naked, Brad began burning a trail of hot kisses down her body and knowingly settled near her upper thigh, seductively licking and kissing her sensitive skin to set her body on fire.

Brad teasingly caressed her between her thighs while he continued to kiss up her body, pausing at her stomach to lick her navel. Michelle ran her fingers through Brad’s hair, tugging gently at the ends, a sure way to keep him turned on. Brad continued his trail of kisses up her body, stopping at her breasts, alternating between kissing and sucking on her pert nipples.

Do you like that?, he whispered in a raspy voice in her ear. Michelle could tell that Brad’s self restraint had reached its limit.

Of course, baby! Michelle gasped, trying to control her voice while enjoying the feel of Brad’s hand between her thighs. She dug her nails into his shoulders and gave him a knowing look.

That was all the encouragement he needed. Brad kissed Michelle deeply, noting the urgent desire in her eyes. Within seconds, Brad had positioned himself on top of her and in one smooth motion, slid inside of her slowly. Michelle moaned and turned her head towards the pillow. While Brad kissed and sucked her neck, he slowly stroked Michelle until she was calling his name. Hearing her begging for more only fanned his desire on, and it wasn’t long before both of them were brought to the peak of their lovemaking.

Mmmm, I never get tired of this with you baby. Brad murmured into Michelle’s neck. He smoothed away some of her hair that had fallen in her eyes a few moments ago.

Me either, I would love to do this with you forever. She waited for him to respond but the only reply she heard was the ticking from the alarm clock across the room, and his breathing returning to normal after their vigorous exercise.

Brad was softly stroking her head but had chosen not to reply to her comment. He knew that more than anything Michelle wanted to get married. Within their group of friends, besides Soraya and a few other people, most of them had married nearly three years ago, when everyone in their set was either twenty-three or twenty-four years old. Now, most of their married friends had moved to the suburbs and were working on having their first or second child. But, Brad didn’t know if he was ready to commit on that level.

But at the same time, Brad was on a fast track for success at Pishton & Graham as a superstar defense attorney. He gladly sacrificed weekends and worked very long hours to ensure that his defense strategies were solid. In the two years since he had finished law school, Brad had only lost a handful of cases.

There was nothing preventing the young couple from getting married. Both of their families were anxiously waiting for the day that Michelle would walk through the door with a piece of hardware as her father would often say. And on more than one occasion his own parents had hinted that they wouldn’t mind having a grandchild from their oldest son. His mother adored Michelle, viewing her as the daughter she never had. Brad heard Michelle sigh as she slid off his chest and rolled onto her back, pulling the sheet higher around her breasts. He turned onto his side, facing her, to look at her profile.

You know how much I love you princess. It’s just that, we’re both moving so quickly in our careers, and are finally hitting our stride. I’m just afraid that somehow marriage will make me lose my focus on my career.

Michelle bit her lip, thinking of what to say. The last time they had this conversation it ended with her in tears and Brad frustrated. She actually hadn’t been implying that much into her comment. She just wanted to express her joy over the passionate moment that they just shared. In a moment of irritation, Michelle vented, Well, thanks for letting me know that you’re deathly afraid of committing to me. But, I was actually just saying that I enjoyed when we’re intimate.

As soon as the words were out she regretted saying it. The only drawback to dating an attorney was his constant love of debating. And in reality, she had no desire to spend the next two hours exhausting this topic. Before Brad could start his counselor and witness routine Michelle got out of bed, grabbed his button down shirt to put on, and padded into the living room. She flopped onto the couch and turned on the flatscreen TV. Brad followed her into the living room and sat down next to her, with absolutely nothing on. Michelle slid him a glance, it was hard to stay mad at someone who looked so good naked. She looked away, just to maintain her resolve.

You know that I love you! And I promise you that very soon, I will make you a very happy woman. But just right now, we have so much going on – both of us. Brad cradled her face in his hands, and leaned in slowly to kiss her. You know there’s nothing I want more than to make you happy, and to keep you that way for a very long time. But I want to make sure that I’ve created a lifestyle that you’ll love. You know I don’t want my wife to have to work.

Michelle swallowed a sharp retort. She appreciated that Brad wanted to provide for her and the family that they might one day have. But, she had no intention of stonewalling her career just because she got married. Michelle smiled at Brad softly, this was a conversation that they had gone through so many times in the past six months and she had no wish to rehash it all over again. It wasn’t typically in her nature to give in without defending her point, but it was already one o’clock in the morning.

I’m just going to watch some TV and go to bed. I promised Soraya I’d go shopping with her tomorrow. There’s a sample sale we don’t want to miss.

Saturday, August 4th

Michelle and Soraya were at a warehouse sale, sifting through racks of jeans while they chatted casually about their last night’s activities.

So, did you go out with G Carlo last night?

Soraya giggled wickedly, Mmmmm yeah, but we didn’t really leave the apartment! I know G and I have this crazy on again off again relationship, but there’s something that keeps bringing us back together. And it’s more than just the physical chemistry. Soraya sobered for a moment, I know it might seem crazy that I keep dealing with him, but we can’t all have the idyllic relationship that you and Brad have.

Soraya, nothing is ideal. Michelle noted quietly, quickly looking away before her friend could pin her with a knowing stare.

Hey Missy, look at me! What’s going on? That’s the closest thing I’ve heard to you talking negatively about Brad since the two of you were dealing with that drama when he was graduating from law school.

Michelle sighed, Well, last night, Brad came out of no where again saying that he wasn’t ready to get married, and it’s just so frustrating because-

"Hold it, Brad came out of nowhere saying he wasn’t ready to get married?! Tell me the other part that you’re leaving out. You know you’re my girl and I would defend you against anyone who opened their mouth, but you also know that I know when you’re holding back, so spill it!"

Michelle looked at a pair of jeans with more interest than necessary and mumbled, Last night after we made love I said how I wished that we could be like that forever, and I guess he misinterpreted and thought I was hinting at getting engaged again. I was just too tired to get into it, but what gets me heated more than his constant commitment-phobia is the fact that Brad just assumes that I’ll quit working as soon as we get married. Her frustration was visible. It’s wonderful that his mother was a stay at home mom and had nothing better to do than make PBJ sandwiches and drive the kids to soccer practice but that’s not me! I love the thrill of closing a deal or planning an event, and for him to assume that I would just instantly give that all up is so unfair.

Soraya looked sympathetically at her friend. I know what you mean. But in his defense, you’ve always known that Brad believes in the old school theory of a wife staying at home. I don’t think there’s anyone in his immediate family who married a woman who continued working. And remember how shocked you said his mother was when you mentioned you wanted to have your own company when you got older? This shouldn’t be a surprise to you.

Michelle ran her hand through her hair, brushing her long bangs out of her eyes. "I know, but it never makes it sound any better. I’m just concerned that he’ll keep choosing his career over me. It’s like he keeps assuming that I’ll always be here waiting for him to reach this magic level. What if that level never comes? Sometimes…sometimes I feel so trapped. I’ve spent four and a half years dealing with paparazzi and women throwing themselves at him, and at times I just feel like I’m never going to be a true priority for him. I know he loves me, but Brad Albrecht always comes." Her voice wavered on her last sentence. And she quickly swallowed hard to hide her emotion, silently willing herself to reign in her feelings.

Soraya patted Michelle’s shoulder. Sometimes she felt like she knew her friend better than Michelle knew herself. She had bought into the picture perfect ideal that her relationship with Brad created. As much as Michelle complained about Brad’s cold feet, Soraya knew that her friend had no intention of walking away from him. Brad embodied the strong father figure ideal Michelle had lacked while she was growing up. Even though she had a rational fear of becoming a trophy wife, Soraya knew Michelle would just as soon move back to Indiana and switch to a dead end office job before she would give Brad up and everything he symbolized for her.

Well, I’m sure you two will work things out. For all you know, he could be planning to surprise you in Japan. You two are going to be together and you know it. Don’t stress these things, come on, first Saturdays are our shopping day. If I remember correctly, Brad gave you his Amex, let’s go use it!

Soraya and Michelle spent the rest of the afternoon going from store to store, each internally wrapped up in their own relationship issues, but pushing them aside to enjoy the ritual they had created when they first became friends years ago.

On her way home in a taxi, Michelle thought over her conversation with Soraya while they were in the sauna. Maybe she was forcing the situation, when she should just let things happen naturally. She loved Brad, in fact to be honest she adored him. But she also knew that part of her frustration was from the fear that she would be starting a phase of her life much later than most of her college friends did.

Michelle breathed in deeply and looked out the window as her cab whizzed up FDR Drive towards her apartment. She chewed her lip, deep in thought, and made the resolution to stop pressuring Brad to commit to marriage. Maybe Soraya was right, maybe he was planning on surprising her when they went on vacation. All she had to do was get through the next two weeks, and wait for fate, or destiny, to happen.

Monday, August 6th

Michelle looked out the window of her office onto busy Madison Avenue twenty-three floors below. Once again she tried to concentrate on the fitting session that Leon organized the week before. She looked over the sea of composite cards that covered her desk, pleased that Leon had picked an excellent selection of models. Yusef Marketing PR & Associates strove to present positive multi cultural events, maximizing the weight of the minority buying power. Whether, they were promoting a classic line or an edgy brand, Ari’s firm was known for their healthy array of male and female beauties at all of their events.

As Michelle looked over the comp cards, she was pleased to see that Leon remembered Ari’s penchant for exotic beauties. There was a healthy array of Asian, Hispanic and African American models in addition to a number of Caucasian models ranging from red heads to brunettes and blondes. All of the women looked like they could have stepped off the cover of a men’s magazine and the men could have posed as hotties in a hottest bachelors issue.

Leon clapped his hands to get the models’ attention and began expertly coordinating the fitting. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being on time. I hope that we can get through this fitting as quickly as possible! Ladies please line up on the left side to have your measurements taken and gentlemen please do the same on the right side.

Leon came from the fashion industry, working as a dresser for fashion shows. So, he was used to getting models runway perfect in a short amount of time. Michelle couldn’t imagine anyone more qualified to oversee the promotional talent than him. She was always surprised that Leon had never been a model. He had the classic Italian good looks that would have made him a perfect model for Dolce & Gabbana or any other couture line.

Leon sauntered over to her and looped his arm through hers. So, how do you like my picks? Do you think Ari will be pleased, or will he complain because there aren’t enough exotic scantily clad women running around the party? Michelle and Leon laughed, giving a knowing smile to each other. Although Ari was definitely an older member of Generation X, he was rarely seen with women who were older than twenty-two years old. He preferred models, tall, leggy, preferably Latin or African-American and with dimensions that would rival some of the leading lingerie catalog models.

Oh, I think Ari will find a few people here to keep him interested. Michelle said, casting an eye over the room. And with the theme we’ve chosen, I don’t know how he’s going to keep his mind on business and off the models!

The Coty event was going to showcase a new perfume that paid homage to Josephine Baker. And, to fit the theme, the female models were to be dressed in costumes similar to the one she made most famous – her banana skirt. However, the Coty models would be wearing champagne colored bikinis underneath that had Sworavski crystals adorned on them. Meanwhile, the few men who were cast to work the event were also going to be showing off their physical assets with champagne colored briefs, minus the Sworavski crystals.

This event is going to be awesome, and what better way to leave for my vacation than on a high note. Hopefully I won’t drink too much! Michelle laughed.

Leon rolled his eyes, I hope I drink too much, I already see some ladies that I’d like to get to know better. Especially that gorgeous Ecuadorian cutie over there. The really tall one in the middle of the line. He nodded in the leggy model’s direction, guiding Michelle’s line of site towards a very attractive model with curly jet black hair, offset against her smooth olive skin tone and curves that could give any woman cause to be jealous.

"Ahhh Leon, you always do have good taste. She