Chapter 4

Chapter Rating: PG-13 for swearing and sexually suggestive banter...oooo fun!

Walking a little too quickly to take in the details of the hotel's decor, Olivia made note of the overall Mediterranean design or, as it is often referred to amongst North Americans, Spanish Modern. The walls of the lobby were textured and finished with a light wash to denote age. Long, tan silk curtains were drawn back from massive floor-to-ceiling windows, which Olivia knew would flood the area with glorious natural lighting for most of the daylight hours. To the right was a row of Registration and Check-Out counters and to the left were a few information booths and a Currency Exchange. Further to the left was a long corridor that led to the small gift shops and novelty stores. They were being led straight ahead to a grand staircase made of white and beige marble, at the top of which was the mezzanine that housed the elevators.

Olivia surveyed the throngs of people waiting to enter one of the four elevators and her stomach lurched at the thought of being sardined in there with a bunch of tourists. Not to mention the irksome Ms. Rivera.

"Relax," Natalia quipped from behind her as though reading her thoughts. "We would never allow our beautiful fellow tycoon to be groped in a packed enclosure by a bunch of foreigners." She laughed, "Springfield would never forgive us!"

Very funny!

They walked past the last elevator car and Jacques swiped his security card down the locking mechanism of an unmarked door to the right. They went through, walked forward a few steps, and then made another right where Olivia noticed the private elevator tucked in behind the ones in the hall.

Olivia was ushered in first, Jacques following, and then Natalia. Olivia felt her nerves begin to stir at the thought of finally meeting the great Mr. Rivera. Would any mention be made of my previous conduct with his daughter? Was Natalia planning on waiting until they were behind closed doors with the elder hotelier before launching an all out verbal attack on me, virtually erasing any chance I have at securing this business venture?

Natalia reached across Olivia to press a number on the keypad. The doors began to close and they headed up quickly to the Presidential Floor.

Hey waaaiit a second... Olivia turned to Natalia for a brief second and then returned her eyes straight ahead, her lips curling into a devious grin.

You think I'm beautiful!

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"Ms. Spencer, how wonderful it is to finally meet you," Mr. Rivera extended a hand to Olivia and placed his other over hers as she accepted it.

"It's an honor, Mr. Rivera, but please, it would give me a world of pleasure if at least someone from the Rivera family would address me by my first name." Her eyes darted at Natalia and then back to her father, who had no doubt caught the look as well.

"Why, of course, Olivia," he took in his daughter's tense demeanor while urging his guest to be seated on a small day couch near the fireplace in the office suite.

"If I am no longer needed I will just make my way to my room..." Natalia didn't get to finish her sentence before her father was motioning for her to sit beside Olivia. She reluctantly obeyed.

"I do trust my daughter has been good company during your trip to our hotel," he asked, unsure of whether he really wanted a truthful answer, knowing the state Natalia's emotions had been in lately.

At this question Natalia folded her arms and waited to see whether or not she was about to be called out on her stand-offish and most unwelcoming attitude.

Olivia caught sight of Natalia's crossed leg, bouncing in agitation, out of the corner of her eye.

"Your daughter has been the picture of loveliness, Mr. Rivera, I could not have asked for a more cordial escort to help ease me into my new surroundings," Olivia stated, rather believably.

Natalia let out the breath she had been holding and fought the urge to roll her eyes, knowing that her father rarely missed anything. Is she trying to kiss his ass or piss me off? I can't tell.

"Wonderful," he returned. "And Natalia, now that you have gotten to know Olivia better, I am sure you see why I have selected her to meet with me this week."

It was Olivia's turn to wait and wonder. Natalia turned her knowing eyes to meet Olivia's, whose were saying 'don't you dare don't you dare don't you dare'...

"I have found Olivia to be in every way the woman I expected her to be..." she said smoothly, "and so in that case, I could not at all be disappointed, now could I?" Natalia smiled.

Mr. Rivera waited a few moments before speaking, eyeing the two smiling women who were looking at him. "Yes, well then.... Excellent!" He clapped his hands and turned his body towards Olivia in his chair. "I have had a schedule of this week's meetings sent up to your suite already, but I don't want you to think anything about business tonight." Olivia nodded her thankfulness. "Just relax and enjoy your surroundings, and if there is anything you need, you will have a direct line in your room to my assistant."

"How thoughtful of you, thank you."

"My pleasure." He continued, "There are several restaurants in the hotel that will deliver anything you desire, however, should you wish to dine away from the hotel, my daughter will, of course, recommend some fine dining places in our area."

"Oh, I would so enjoy it if Ms. Rivera may not only recommend such places but might also consider joining me for dinner, also." Natalia was refusing to look at her as she continued, "Maybe show me the sights, help me get better acquainted with the California Night Life?"

Natalia was just about to shoot Olivia a venomous look when...

"That's a splendid idea!" Mr. Rivera announced.

Good God!

"Natalia will show you to your suite now".

"Dad, I..."

"So wonderful to see the two of you getting along so nicely."

"Isn't it though?" Olivia beamed, clearly quite pleased with herself.

Natalia rubbed her temple and threw another fake smile at her opponent, for her father's sake.

Mr. Rivera stood and straightened his jacket. "All set then," he showed the way to the door. "I have Olivia staying at the end of your corridor in suite 9189, please show her the way, my dear," he drew Natalia into a sideways hug. "Olivia, I look forward to meeting with you again tomorrow."

"Me too; until then, Mr. Rivera," she said regally and followed Natalia back towards the elevators.

I wonder if she can feel the daggers...

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As the elevator doors closed, it was Natalia, who had been staring up at the numbers, who broke first.

"What the HELL was that all about?"

"That was about keeping your father happy, something it would seem I'm not alone in trying to do," she remarked, watching the exasperated expression on the young woman's face shift slightly. "Why didn't you tell him about my accidental rudeness towards you this morning?"

"He has a heart condition," she replied a little too quickly. "Causing him undo stress over your contemptible behavior seems pointless at the moment."

"I wouldn't call it contemptible... For Christ's sake, it was a misunderstanding."

The elevator doors opened and Natalia flew out and into the corridor. She swiped her passkey into door 9189 and opened it for Olivia.

"Your own passkey will be resting on the living-room table next to a list of room service numbers and details of the shops and restaurants downstairs." She practically pushed Olivia through the door. "A wake up call has been issued for the time noted on your schedule, and an hour after that, Jacques will be by to pick you up for your first presentation."

Olivia stood there, looking a bit confused, but as it seemed the brunette had not finished her rant, she decided to remain still.

"I have no interest in continuing this BS with you. I am not going to pretend that I can stand your presence here." She sighed, truly wishing that she wasn't coming off as harsh as she was.

Olivia made an attempt to speak but was hushed by a wave of a hand.

"I pride myself in being honest and, truth be told, my father already knows of my feelings about this 'deal' of yours." She took a deep breath.

"Ms. Spencer…"

"O-li-via"

"Ms. Spencer, I want you in my hotel just about as much as you will want me here once you have stolen it."

Olivia waited patiently to make sure it was safe to speak.

"I'm finished," Natalia said.

"Well... That's fine and all, but I am still waiting for you to recommend your favorite Hot Spot that I could eat out at." She flashed her eyes and a toothy grin at Natalia. "And yes, there is a small part of me that meant for that to sound dirty."

"You are incorrigible!" Natalia huffed her way passed the blonde woman to the side drawer of the living-room armoire. She pulled out a phonebook and plopped it into Olivia's hands. There, consider them ALL recommended!"

With that, she made her way to the door.

"I'm really not so bad once you get to know me..."

Olivia's quiet and serious tone dropped off at the end, and Natalia felt her body turning slowly to look into emerald-green eyes that were pleading for some kind of connection. Some common ground in all the angst and mistrust. She also felt much of the rage melt away from her body.

"I am rather certain that is true," she answered thoughtfully, and stepped one step closer to Olivia. "But this week will be so much easier on me if I can just hate you."

It was a quiet confession. Not exactly the answer Olivia was hoping for, but it was honest and raw...and she understood. The room fell silent and the moments seemed to tick away.

"Huh, you are intense aren't you?" Olivia smiled.

"To a fault," Natalia smiled back. "Now order yourself something from room service and make it an early night because you really need your beauty sleep," she jested and headed once again for the door.

"Oh, yeah?" Olivia piped up, following her into the doorway. "Seems to me I recall you referring to me as 'beautiful' just a half an hour ago," she crossed her arms and leaned into the door frame, chin slightly raised.

Damn, you caught that, huh?

"Yeah, well... I truly expected that I was never going to see you again." She maintained her steady expression and voice. "Just being cordial." She was turning to leave, when she suddenly turned back to face the older woman. "You want the truth?"

"I love your 'truths'," Olivia said sarcastically.

Natalia leaned towards her and lowered her volume. "Those pants make your ass look fat." And off she went towards her suite at the end of the hall.

"Good to know!" Olivia called out after her. "By the way, those shoes make your legs look like twigs."

"Duly noted!" Came Natalia's reply with a 'thumbs-up' as she continued walking.

Both women walked into their own suites. Each one closed their door and leaned against it. And neither of them could stop their glowing smiles from spilling forth into their darkened rooms.