| Subject: Chapter 10 |
Author:
Juli
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Date Posted: Wednesday, November 24, 04:06:52pm
In reply to:
Juli
's message, "Angelita - Chapter 10+" on Wednesday, November 24, 04:01:30pm
Chapter 10
After breakfast, while he waited for Nikita to shower and dress, Michael used his cell phone to call Switzerland and transfer some of Nick’s money into his everyday bank account. He reasoned that it would be more accessible for him when he returned to South America.
When Nikita emerged, dressed in a light wool sweater and trousers, her eyes were sparkling. Against his better judgment, Michael found himself looking forward to exploring the city with her. It had been a long time since he had been in Manhattan, but she wanted to see the tourist spots first --- and those didn’t change.
The limousine whisked them from the underground garage and out into the heavy weekday traffic. Michael told her about the city as they made their way south to the financial district and ground zero.
He explained to her what had happened on September 11th, and the two proud towers that had stood at the tip of the island. They took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and climbed to the top with the rest of the tourists. They made their way to the Empire State Building and Nikita gasped at the view from the observation deck.
They lunched at one of the fine restaurants uptown, and then the limo drove them through Times Square.
Nikita felt like her head was spinning at all the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells of the city. It was so different from her small quiet village. Different, even, than Peru.
***
Across town in the boardroom of Wirth Enterprises, Nicholas Wirth paced as he waited for his second in command to arrive. He knew that now that Nikita was in his home, he would have to make some changes. His first appointment had been with his attorney, to change his will.
The door opened and Jurgen Richardson walked in, adjusting his glasses. He set down his briefcase on the glass table and popped the clasps.
“This is not a great time, Nick,” Jurgen told him, shuffling through some folders in his briefcase. He glanced at his watch. “I have to leave for the airport in a half hour and I haven’t packed yet,” he complained.
“Cancel your trip, Jurgen,” Nick said, sinking into his leather executive chair.
Jurgen looked up in amazed shock. “I’m sure you don’t recall that I am flying to Chicago to close the Bank One deal,” he explained, slowly, sure his boss had to be losing it.
“I know damn well what deal it is, but I need you here,” Nick said, raising his voice.
“Okay, okay,” Jurgen said, putting out his hands in a placating gesture. “What’s up?”
“The short version is, that I saw a program on Bolivia that talked about natives and visiting scientists who had seen a white woman with blonde hair. I sent a sort of a tracker down there, and instead of finding Rita, he found my daughter, Nikita,” Nick said, dropping into his chair.
He pushed a picture of Nikita across the table to Jurgen, who sat in a stunned silence.
“Uh, Nick. I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, but how do you know this woman really is your daughter? I mean, you are one of the richest men in America, you have no living relatives, and the story of your wife is public knowledge. Who’s to say this ‘tracker’ you sent, didn’t find someone who looks like her and pass her off as a daughter?” Jurgen said, pulling off his glasses.
“There is no way that she couldn’t be,” Nick told him. “Look at her. The resemblance to both Rita and myself is plain to see. Samuelle is not a crook. I doubt he has any wish but to get out of New York.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Jurgen said, “however, before you announce her to the world and turn over your fortune to her, a simple DNA test would be sufficient to silence any doubters.”
Nick stood and placed a hand on Jurgen’s shoulder. “You’re right, of course. It’s why I keep you around,” he said with a smile.
Jurgen smiled back, hoping that his smile didn’t betray the dread radiating within him.
“I’ll take care of the test, you set up the press conference,” Nick said as he turned to leave the room.
Jurgen nodded. After his boss had left, he picked up the photo again and stared at it. His stomach churned as he saw the entire Wirth fortune slipping out of his grasp. His mind worked feverishly to find a solution.
***
Two days later, Nick had the results of the DNA test in his possession and a press release waiting for the scores of reporters that would be in attendance at the press conference. His heart swelled when Nikita entered the large auditorium at Wirth Enterprises and took a seat next to him on the stand.
He took her hand in his and squeezed it. “You look lovely,” he told her.
Nikita blushed and turned to Michael. “It seems that Michael is a wealth of information on the best salons and designers in New York,” she said with a smile.
Nick saw the smile on his daughter’s face and filed it in his brain with the fact that Michael was never far from her side. Making a mental note to think about the two of them later, he smiled and put out a hand to Michael.
“I appreciate all you’ve done in showing Nikita the ropes, Michael,” he said, genuinely.
“Of course,” Michael answered, shaking Nick’s hand.
Nick stood. “Ahhhh, Jurgen, you made it. Come and meet Nikita and Michael,” he said, walking over to greet his right-hand man.
“Nikita, Michael, I’d like to introduce you to Jurgen Richardson, my ‘chief of staff’ so to speak,” Nick told them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Nikita,” Jurgen said, smiling and taking her hand.
“Michael,” he said, curtly shaking the other man’s hand.
Michael nodded, his eyes narrowing to take in this other man. His instincts told him that Jurgen was not to be trusted. Michael watched as Jurgen smoothly engaged Nikita in conversation, complimenting her and asking questions about her former life.
“Very slick,” Michael thought.
The moment was interrupted when Wirth’s press secretary, Miranda, hurried in with a clipboard and earpiece.
“It’s time for everyone to take their seats Mr. Wirth,” she instructed efficiently. “The members of the press will be allowed in shortly.”
Nick took his seat, followed by Nikita. Jurgen sat down in the next seat forcing Michael to take the last seat on the row. He wasn’t jealous of the man’s obvious manipulations, but he was irritated by the fact that Nikita’s new life would include dozens of men such as Jurgen.
The press conference lasted more than an hour as reporters scrambled to get as much information out of the billionaire as they could. The story was nearly unbelievable, and reporters gasped as they read the press release that contained the story. With Nikita’s beauty and Michael’s dashing good looks, the pages of newspapers and magazines would be littered with their pictures and the incredible story by the next day.
Little did any of them know, how this would change their lives.
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