Summer Loving 2

Monday morning came around quickly.

Both Tony, Samantha and Jonathan had checked in on Sunday evening.

Mona had left at the crack of dawn. Angela decided to make her way to the city early that morning as she had an important client to see that afternoon and she wanted to find the right files to take back to work from home.

Because she arrived at the office this early, it was completely empty. She turned on the computer and looked for the needed files. Opening the file for her upcoming meeting. This client was as important or even more important than Alexander McAllistair. This was an international client, William Bennett was a successful business man from London. Looking to expand his business to the US. His tea products had been wildly popular in England. Angela had never attempted to sell anything like that. And she knew they should cut the costs because no American would buy expensive British tea. But she loved this challenge. Jack and she had worked on the storyboard for hours last week.

And, she had to be honest to herself, their campaign was good, not it was great! She was sure Mr. Bennett would be taken by their ideas, as they had more than one. Even a great idea to cut costs without losing profit.

Mr. Bennett was coming in the afternoon and Jack and she were about to run through the campaign one more time. Just in case.

Her phone rang.

"Good morning. Bower Agency, Angela Bower speaking."

"Morning Angela."

His voice send a tingle through her body. "Tony?"

"The one and only." He joked.

"Why.. why are you calling me this early?"

"Don't you have this big client this afternoon?"

"You remembered?"

"You know who you're talking to don't you Angela?"

She chuckled. "Silly me."

He loved this particular chuckle, she didn't often chuckle, but when she did it was because of him.

"But why are you calling this early? You phoned me yesterday when you arrived in Brooklyn and then in the evening to ask if the kids arrived safely at their destination."

"I know, but those were just as important as your big client today. I called the house first and when I got the machine, I knew you were already at the office. I just wanted to call to wish you luck, but knowing you, you don't need luck! You've probably got a brilliant campaign lined up. Jack and you worked for hours on it last week."

This was one of those moments she realised how lucky she was to have Tony in her life and also why she loved him so much. He was her number one fan, always in her corner and always showing her how much he cared about her in his own way.

"I'm so lucky to have a best friend like you." She said. "You always have my back."

"Well that's what best friends are for. I know you always have my back. It's one of the things I love about you.." He halted when he realised what he had just said "I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Don't." was all she replied.

"Okay." He cleared his throat.

"Thank you for your never ending support Tony. It means a lot to me."

"Always Angela. Call me when it's done, okay?"

"Will do Tony. Talk to you soon."

"Bye Ang.."

"Bye Tony."

Jack arrived just after Angela hung up the phone.

"Morning boss." He popped his head through the door.
"Good morning Jack."

"You this early for the meeting?"

Angela nods. "Yeah and I assumed you would be early too, guess I was right." She winks.

"I'll get us 2 coffees so we can get things started."

"The machine is ready, I turned it on when I came in."

Within minutes Jack was back with 2 steaming hot coffees.

"Here you go."

"Thanks Jack." She looked up at him over the rim of her glasses. "So I've been going through our campaign and to be honest. Jack, we did it. This will sell. I'm just not certain about cutting the costs. But we can explain to Mr. Bennett how this won't affect his profit. That will be Dana's part of the presentation, she is brilliant with explaining numbers. I've spoken to her on Friday about this and she seemed very excited."

"I've heard. It's good that you're giving her a chance on this big campaign. And you're judgment is right, she is ready for this challenge."

"So you'll do the creative presentation and I will finish the presentation. Are you okay with that? We need to reel this one in as a team."

"We will be great Angela, we've got this. If he won't bite, he's already got different plans." Jack winks "Because this campaign is brilliant."

She was ever so thankful for Jack. He had turned out to be a great asset to the Bower agency and he made Tony jealous the first time he brought him back home.

Tony thought she didn't know, but she wasn't an idiot. She had seen him look at them and in some way she felt flattered. It showed her he cared about her way more than he was willing to admit to.

Dana arrived 10 minutes later. They all went through their presentations and their campaign strategy. Before lunch they were finished. Mr. Bennett would be there at 2 pm. Angela was thankful the building was airconditioned. She wanted to out for lunch, but it was too hot. It was already 92 degrees and it was supposed to reach 100 on Wednesday.

She turned around and looked out of the window. The city heavy under its heat, people in shorts and shirts, every one of them strolled. She longed for a cold salad with an iced tea. Preferable a long island ice tea, but as she had the campaign, she needed her focus.

There was a small knock at the door, not expecting anyone she turned around to see Tony standing there with a huge smile on his face holding a brown bag.

"I figured you wouldn't make your own lunch and you certainly weren't going out in that heat." He smiled. "So I got you a Mediterranean grilled chicken salad and an Ice tea. Figured you'd prefer a long island ice tea, but that wouldn't be wise seeing you have that campaign."

Angela stared at him open mouth, it's like he had just read her mind and now he was there. She bit her lower lip.

He stared at her biting her lip.

"Thank you Tony. Are you staying for lunch?"

"I was hoping you asked." He grinned. "I bought myself a roast beef sandwich and an extra ice tea." He sat on her desk.

She leaned back into her chair to have a better look at him, his smile was warm yet cocky and she loved his smile.

"Come on." She got up. He didn't move so she had to inch her way in front of him. Looking down as she passes. She smells his cologne mixed with his sweat. It's an intoxicating smell to her.

He smells her body odour even though it's hot and sweaty outside, she still smells sweet. He wondered if she was even able to sweat.

She stopped in front of him licked her lips and looked him straight in his eyes. He was taken aback by her flirty behaviour. She leaned in softly and pecked his lips. Then she pressed her lips on his harder, sucking in his lower lip.

His tongue pried open her mouth as she gave in to him as he explored her mouth.

There was a knock at the door. Angela nearly fell out of her seat.

"Oh sorry boss, did I interrupt anything?" Jack asked.

Angela felt herself turn red. "Oh no, sorry Jack. I think I just dozed off. It was a hard night and early morning." She missed her daydream.

"Derek and Kerry ordered some sandwiches, I thought you might want one."

"How thoughtful, thank you. What do I owe Derek and Kerry?"

"Are you sure you're okay Angela? Because that is why we pay the $20 dollars a week. To get these lunches and you've paid weekly but you hardly ever eat anything." Jack smiled.

"I'm so sorry Jack. I must be more nervous for the presentation than I thought." She excused herself.

Mr. Bennett arrived on time and their presentation was flawless. Jack did his part eloquently and Dana gave her presentation on the numbers. Explaining how they could cut costs without losing quality. And well Angela did the magic she always does. They reeled him in. And around 4:30, Mr. Bennett signed the contract with the Bower Agency. It wasn't the best paying campaign she had ever gotten but it was an International one, which would put her agency in the European spotlights. If this tea would sell, she would be a shoe in!

Jack opened the bottle of champagne and poured everyone a glass. The glasses clinked sealing their deal. Angela felt a wave of relief come over her.

"Mrs. Bower?" Mr. Bennett smiles.

"Please, call me Angela, Mr. Bennett."

"Only if you call me William."

Angela gave him a small smile. "Of course William."

"Angela, because I chose your agency I'd like Jack, Dana and you to visit our London office next month. Of course partners and children are welcome to join." William smiles. "My company started as a family business, family is important to my company and to me. I'd also like you to meet my wife and children."

Angela was a bit in shock, although nobody would notice. "Thank you for your kind offer William. We will, of course, have to check our schedules. As much as we appreciate your account and your business, we too are a family business and we do not want our other clients to feel that we are shortcoming them. So I don't know if all of us are able to come over." She meant every word.

William gave her a warm fatherly smile. "Now I am even more certain I chose the right agency. Maybe 2 of you can come next month and the other a month later?"

"It does sound wonderful and we will check the schedules and we will try our best to clear it as much as possible. Thank you for understanding."

At 5:30pm the office was nearly empty. Angela smiles at Dana and Jack.

"You two did great today. Please check your schedules for the coming month. Try to find a week you both could go to London."

"Angela?" Jack sounds surprised "You found this client, you should be the first to go to London. Especially with your son being at his father."

Angela smiles "You heard what Mr. Bennett said, he wants to meet the family. That's why I will go in September, after I checked my schedule. Jack, you take Carol with you and Dana.. David and the kids will love London, don't you think?"

Dana's face lit up. "They will love it and so will I."

"For now, let's head home. I won't be in tomorrow. I will work from home. The commute is horrible in this heat. Of course you can always phone me. Oh and Jack, let's give the employees a break in this heat. Anyone that is able to work from home, let them." If she didn't state that, she might feel guilty about working at home herself.

"Well boss, most of us don't have air conditioning at home. So with this heat, people would probably prefer to sit in an airconditioned office building." Jack winked.

Angela knew he was right.

"Well.. I'm off then." She smiles. "My lovely commute." Involuntarily her nose twitched at the thought of sweaty people on the train.

Dana and Jack were also ready to leave. The three of them left the building and parted ways after saying their goodbyes.

Even though it was late in the afternoon, the city was hot, the humidity high and the people sweaty. Angela tried to hold her breath as long as she could when she first entered the train. Advantage of the hot weather was that most people had already head home, she could easily find a spot to sit, which was rare.

When she finally arrived home, she dropped her briefcase and headed upstairs, she needed to shower and change. Being home alone had one huge advantage, she discarded her clothes behind her and took a cooling shower.

After the shower she put un her underwear and bra and a simple, sleeveless summer dress and put her hair up in a bun.

She looked at her discarded clothes. What if Tony came home early and saw the mess she made. She quickly picked up the clothes and placed them in the hamper.

"Tony!" she said louder than she intended. "I forgot to call him."

She reached for the phone next to her bed and if on cue, it rang.

"Hello?"

"Angela? Oh thank God! You had me worried!" Angela smiled into the receiver when she heard the concern in his voice.

"I was just about to call you."

"Well why didn't you call me sooner? I tried the office a couple of times, first I was told you were still in the meeting. Then no one answered.. then I got the machine.." Tony rambled. "Then I tried home, first the machine again.. then nothing. Where were you?"

"Well gee dad.." Angela started.

"Don't Angela.." the seriousness in his voice stopped her.

"I'm sorry I made you worry." Her voice was soft.

"I'm just glad to hear your voice. So tell me.. how did it go?"

"He signed! We've got the Bennett account." He heard her smile.

"YES! I told you! You did it again Angela! So proud of you!"

"Well it was a team effort, I couldn't have done it without Dana or Jack. They were brilliant." She meant every word and he knew it.

"Congratulations Angela. I wish I was there to toast on you achievement. I am so happy for you."

"There is more." She giggled.

"More?"

"He has invited all of our families to come look at his office in London."

"Wait.. all of us?"

"Yes our partners and children. So we can all go. He is a real family man."

"Uh.. Angela?" she could here him swallow. "I am not your partner."

Realisation hit her. "Well no, you.. I guess.. not." She thought for a second "But you are my family Tony, both Sam and you are my family and I want, no need you to be there."

Tony grinned at her words.

"But it won't be until we figure out all the schedules. Because I don't want the kids or you to miss too much from school."

"Have you eaten yet?" he asks.

"No I was planning to eat after I called you. I took a shower first, the commute was horrible in this weather. I'm not looking forward to the rest of the week!" she complained.

"Won't you work from home?"

"I will work from home tomorrow. But don't know about the rest of the week. There is so much to be done. I want to get this campaign up and running as fast as I can. There is another meeting on Thursday with Mr. Bennett, to dot the I's and cross the T's."

Tony smiles, he loves hearing the passion in her voice when she was on a roll. Another thing he loves about her. "I am so proud of you Angela." His voice filled with a mixture of respect and love.

She feels herself blush not at what he says, but the way he said it. "Thank you Tony. For everything."

"Now go eat that grilled chicken salad I left you in the fridge."

She blinked "You what?"

"I knew were going to be too tired to fix yourself anything this evening and I didn't want you to end up eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so I made you a salad yesterday. The dressing is on the side. It's my special recipe." He smiles.

~He knows me so well.~ she thinks to herself, knowing she was about to make herself a PB&J sandwich. "See there you go again, not even here and still taking care of me and looking out for me."
"Always Angela. I will always look out for our family and especially for you."

~Especially for you…~ she repeated to herself as the butterflies flutter in her stomach.

"You enjoy Brooklyn. Send my love to Mrs. Rossini. Bye Tony."

"Bye Angie."

She smiles as she puts down the receiver. He had never given her a nickname, never shortened her name and he said he would always look out for their family, especially her.

She went downstairs and found the grilled chicken salad and dressing in the fridge. She poured herself a tall glass of ice cold lemonade. She enjoyed the salad and found she was more hungry than she thought.

She had just finished the salad when the phone rang again.

"Angela Bower."

"Mom?"

"Hi Sweetheart. How are you?"

"I'm okay I guess. And you?"
"I'm good sweetheart. How are your father and Heather doing?" Angela held no resentment to them.. anymore.

"They're okay. Dad has this whole plan for this week, which is cool."

"Then why are you calling me?" she smiles.

"Well.. mom.. I mean.. Look I know you're all alone and I just wanted to check in on you."

"I am fine. I landed a big client today, so I am very happy. About to head out to the Wittner's for their plants and mail. It's very sweet of you to check in on me, but please sweetheart, don't worry. Enjoy your time with your father and Heather. I love you so much."

"I love you too mom. I will check in on you in a couple of days, okay?"

"You can always phone me. You know that. If I'm not home, I'm at the office."

"Okay mom. Enjoy your evening."

"You enjoy your day and evening. Bye sweetheart."

"Bye mom."

Angela slipped on her flipflops and grabbed the keys Wendy had given her.

Wendy had a separate mailbox which Angela emptied, inside she made 2 separate piles: Junk mail and regular mail. She grabbed the watering can and filled it. She slowly walked through all rooms and watered the plants. Wendy had told her that the sprinkler system would go off at 8am and 8pm. She locked up after she finished. She places the sets of keys on the table and walks over to the pool, her flipflops in her hands as she dipped her toes in the water. It felt so good to feel the cold water on her foot. She dipped her foot in further and drops the flipflops before jumping in the pool. Her entire body starts cooling immediately, she loves it. She starts making laps, which is quite hard in her summer dress, even though there is hardly any fabric.

Swimming back and forth reminds her of the time she just started losing weight. Besides the gym, she had also started swimming. Which she found she enjoyed very much, because she hated the gym.

She got out of the pool, grabbed the keys and flipflops and walks back home. She had decided then and there to swim every day.

When she got back in her own house the phone rang again. For a second she contemplated just letting it ring but she thought the better of it.

"Angela Bower."

"Angela?"

"Hi honey, how are you? How was your day with Bonnie and Marci?"
"Oh Angela it was fantastic! We have so much catching up to do. I can't believe I'm actually here with them." Sam chatted away as Angela watched a puddle of water starting to grow at her feet, she couldn't interrupt the chatter.
"And how are you doing?" Sam finally asked.
"I am great, scored a big client, had a lovely salad and now I'm dripping on the floor."

"What? Dripping on the floor? What?"
"I went to do the Wittner's plants and mail.. I dipped my toes in the water."

Sam started laughing. "You fell in."

"Samantha Micelli!"

"Sorry Angela." After that Angela lost it and started to laugh.

"No honey I jumped in the pool. I wanted a swim. Needed to cool off."
"You did what?" Sam was in shock, this was so un-Angela like.

Angela smiles as she listens to Sam holler.

"Well if you don't mind, I'm going to dry off and get the floor clean, before your dad gets angry with me for leaving water rings on the floor."

"He could never be angry with you."

"What?" Angela was surprised at Sam's statement.

"Angela.. dad only has puppy dog eyes for you. Not anger." She chuckled.

"Samantha." Angela whispered her name.

"Oh like you didn't know." Angela heard Marci yell something at Sam. "Look I've got to go now. I will call you in a couple of days. Bye."

"Bye Sam.." Angela put the receiver down and smiles. ~Dad only has puppy dog eyes for you.~ Angela repeats those words to herself.

"Yeah right." She whispers as she sprints upstairs to get dressed.