A Fresh Start
Chapter 17
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It was obvious Stephanie liked the view, as they waited to be introduced individually, already intrigued and surprised by her rep as Phoenix. Stephanie maintained her professional decorum, with an air of confidence. Tank was watching her response intently, noting how easily she put everyone at ease with her poise and self-assurance which instantly had the men relax. From his perspective, she seemed comfortable with these large military men as if it was within her realm of experience. Her ability to hold her own, like just in this initial encounter, and especially in his office previously with her interview, was impressive as well as respectful. He had not expected that, like there was no way he had been able to predict the course of the 1100 appointment from the outset. He made a note to himself, not to underestimate this young woman who was not the least bit intimidated.
At the mention of her moniker, Phoenix, someone had blurted out the obvious out loud assumption, but before he could complete the inappropriate statement, Tank clipped him firmly upside.
"Lo siento," muttered the one with the blonde spikey-tipped hair, regret immediately evident on his face. She just nodded in acceptance with a sharp look. It really didn't bother her, but he got the message, don't mess with this girl.
In choosing an appropriate business name or moniker in her freelance role, it was not as hard as Stephanie initially had thought. Her father, Frank, suggested it should be like a nickname for her, selecting a non-gender specific moniker would be ideal. He said to think of something which alluded to her journey and skills at the same time. The fact that Phoenix would lead people to think she was a man would work to her advantage in reminding them not to make assumptions. Just as this scenario had revealed. Phoenix was the obvious choice. It came to her like an epiphany within a day.
Tank introduced each one by name, reminding them that she prefers Steph or Stephanie. In other words, don't call her Ma'am. She repeated their names after Tank with each introduction, in acknowledgment with a smile and a polite nod. She was in actual fact committing their names to memory.
She looked at each of the men, all dressed in black cargoes with those tight body hugging t-shirts proving that they were an impeccably well-muscled, fit bunch of men. Then it dawned on her. This is not the first time she had seen some of these men. They were in different clothes, but she remembered all the same. Yes, she was certain about that.
Suddenly, from behind them, the door to the stairwell opened.
"Hooah!" came the call. She was curious as the tall, silver-eyed man grinned, flicking his wild mop of black hair from his face with a grin as he sauntered casually over to the rest of the welcoming committee. All eyes were cast expectantly on him, like they were waiting with bated breath. He smiled at Stephanie with a polite nod.
"Bossman is about to arrive," he announced to the men, "he'll be here in ten, coming down Haywood now."
Tank watched as Stephanie's interest was piqued in natural curiosity, as she gauged the reaction of the men, more like she was assessing them he figured, with her head tilted like an inquisitive kitten. The men were smiling, with raised eyebrows, pleased to hear that their boss was finally back.
Stephanie was watching the men's reactions noticing that fleeting glances were cast her way. Her finger tapped her nose as she watched Lester before she pointed directly at him.
"You. I have seen you before, I'm sure."
He shook his head with a slight shoulder shrug. She glanced at Hector who shrugged his shoulders but grinned a sly grin. Her perceptiveness picked up on Lester's false denial. Hector folded his arms knowing his brothers had no idea about Stephanie's skills, especially in reading people, and especially remembering people, even if she saw them only briefly, even only once or twice. He always wondered if she had what might be referred to as a photographic memory.
Stephanie assumed a pensive pose, looking him up and down, before she smiled widely indicating she knew exactly where and when. He suddenly felt wary.
"Dancing. Lester, you dance very well. Salsa. I saw you," she smiled confidently, pointing a well-manicured finger at him.
Lester's face was one of bewilderment as he looked at his brothers in surprise. "What the hell?" was the unspoken question.
"Little Havana. Yes. Hang on, I even have a photo to prove it," as she grabbed her phone from her bag with a captive audience watching in awe. She scrolled briefly through her shared photo gallery.
"See, that is you, Lester," she smirked with pride, her eyebrows going up and down in delight.
Tank had one of those shit-eating grins beaming across his face. He was enjoying this. The photo, which Abuela had taken, was there as evidence, as she only showed the zoomed in portion revealing Lester dancing in the background, further back from where they were dancing.
"And you, too, Bobby, in Little Havana," she said pointing at him, almost in accusation. He looked a bit wide-eyed and waited for her next revelation.
"Churros. You bought a bag of freshly fried churros. We were having coffee and just doing a spot of people watching."
To say they were astounded with her observations was an understatement. But she was just warming up as she eyed Hal and Cal, who side-eyed each other nervously. Yikes. Tank could barely contain himself. She was a dynamo. She grinned, enjoying this moment, not showing off, just indicating her expertise in facial recognition without the assistance of artificial intelligence. She winked at Hector, because he understood.
"Hal, and Cal. You were on the other boat nearby while we were snorkelling in the Keys. I saw the glint of your binoculars, Cal. I can't mistake you with that impressive tattoo. But that's where your eyes were. I looked at you while you looked at me. I bet, that you two are SEALs."
"Damn. I tried to get a closer look but the zoom was not enough from that distance. Sorry, Ma-, er, Steph. No disrespect intended."
Stephanie accepted that with a curt yet polite nod and moved on.
The confusion on the rest of the men was evident. Cal mouthed "tattoo". Lester clutched his heart.
"Aw, Beautiful. You are teasing us."
In the meantime, Hector and Tank were chuckling as this wisp of a woman held court with these mighty fine men in black, recognising who they were and where she had seen them. Tank folded his muscular arms over his broad chest, enjoying this remarkable and uncanny perceptive woman with her spot on reveals. "How does she do this?" He wondered.
With another smirk, raising her eyebrows at Hector and Tank, she homed in on her next targets.
"Ah yes. Key Lime Pie is so yummy, isn't it, Vince? And …?" She pointed at his partner in crime.
"Ram," Tank added as he knew she was eyeing the last one to enter the group after introductions had been made.
"You two were watching us parasailing. Ram, you had your scope. You see, Cal. That would have been a better option. Ram, I bet you're the sniper for this team." She said this pointing at Cal like it was a lesson to remember while smiling at Ram. All her revelations were said in a calm, matter of fact manner leaving many of them scratching their heads.
"Come to think of it, you three, Manny, Junior and Miguel, were in the dining room at different times, sometimes together. I think that covers it. I might have missed someone …."
"How did you do that?" Lester asked, not suspiciously, but in absolute wonder. They all knew she had nailed each and everyone of them.
"Stephanie has a unique memory, practically like a photographic memory, where she can remember small specific details," Hector explained briefly, just enough to whet their appetite for information.
"And you know this, because?" Hal asked curiously.
"Stephanie and I worked together, even before her freelance work under her moniker Phoenix. We have known each other since college."
Another unexpected reaction of surprise to her skills. They were impressed. She was too good to be true.
"Now, you tell me something." She eyed each of the men and then Tank, her hands now on her hips. A quick intake of breath from Lester with a whispered, "Uh oh. My Abuela would get that look."
Tank was about to explain, but Ram stepped in. "We were protecting you."
"Protecting me? From what?"
"Our job was to shadow you, to keep you safe. It's what we do," elucidated Lester almost apologetically. "You were not supposed to see us."
"Me? Keeping me safe? From what? Or whom?" Her nose wrinkled in confusion, tilting her head in curiosity. They thought it was rather cute. This time it was Stephanie's turn to be surprised.
Before Tank could clarify any further, the door to the stairwell opened.
"Boss on deck!"
"HOOAH!"
With all the bodies around her, Stephanie couldn't see around them, but that she felt a distinctive tingling sensation surprised her.
"Welcome back, Ranger. Damn good to see you, man." Tank remarked as he stepped aside.
It was like time stood still, as Ranger rubbed the back of his neck, with a grin at the welcoming party. He too tilted his head in surprise. He knew that sensation. Then he saw her, as Tank stepped aside so he could see everyone in the control room main area.
"Stephanie?"
A huge surprised smile spread across his countenance.
"Carlos?"
Just as surprised, Stephanie smiled broadly, with a touch of girly coyness, recovering quickly to her confident demeanour.
Their eyes captured each other in a gaze of awe. There was Carlos, Ranger Manoso, CEO of Rangeman Inc, in an Armani suit, black on black, looking like he just stepped off the cover of a GQ magazine. Then there was Stephanie, classy in a black on black suit, like she was Vogue-styled for the next cover. They certainly made an impressive pair.
No one spoke as they watched the electricity between their boss, Ranger, and Stephanie. There was chemistry, no denying that, which they already knew. They had all witnessed it with their own eyes as it started and blossomed. However, they all assumed Ranger was getting along, with different people, not just one woman in particular. They had all championed his peopling recovery, not realising that Stephanie was the constant factor in his remarkable recovery. They smiled as they watched the silent interaction between these two special people, their eyes drinking each other in. Yes, Stephanie was special to them, she had blown them away with her unique perceptiveness. But having seen her and Ranger interacting in their various adventures over the last few days had them already drawn to her. They had noticed how he was relaxed while they were trailing him, actually talking to people, but most of all, smiling and enjoying himself.
"Stephanie," he said again. He smiled at her and came close to her. "What a most unexpected surprise to meet you here."
"Same for me, Carlos. I didn't figure we would see each other so soon, at least, not until later this afternoon."
She was admiring this new Armani look, her hand was tempted to run along the inside of the lapel, since she had only seen him in casual gear at the hotel and, of course, looking luscious in his board shorts while snorkelling. At the same time, Carlos was appreciating her classic business apparel and really liked what he saw.
Whispers of "Later?" with eyebrows waggling in curiosity.
"Tank? Care to explain?" Ranger asked his 2IC, with a smile.
"Stephanie is our new employee, pending your approval."
Tank was still grinning, enjoying their reaction to seeing each other. Seeing his boss, his brother, looking so well and relaxed, and totally enamoured with their newest recruit, had made his day.
Ranger grinned. "Who would have thought it? Your interview was here, at Rangeman? This was one of the "reputable companies" you had for an interview?" He laughed.
Grinning, Stephanie nodded. "I had no idea, at least, I had all the advertised details, but none of the personnel specifics. The firewalls were exceptionally well-secured," she replied, smiling at Hector.
Just then, the elevator doors opened, much to everyone's surprise which had them stand to attention, immediately saluting. Stephanie was amused, her lips tightened, bowing her head slightly as she hid her grin behind the back of her hand. Hector winked at her.
"At ease men," he says commandingly, with a sneaky wink with that distinctive little chin lift he is known to do to her. Tank noticed the brief exchange. It was aimed at Stephanie. He was wondering why the General was here to grace their company.
"Sir, welcome aboard," Ranger replied with a handshake. "To what do we owe the honour of your presence here at Rangeman?"
He glanced directly at Tank. "A request for a reference check crossed my desk this morning. As this is confidential, and I happened to be in the neighbourhood, I thought it would be more expedient to come in person. Your office Ranger. Tank, Hector and Stephanie, too."
Whiplash. He knew her name. How the hell would he know that? The stunned surprise was like a synchronised reaction, like stunned mullets.
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FYI
I couldn't resist adding this Aussie slang term, because it describes the scene so perfectly.
What does like a stunned mullet mean?
Dazed, stupefied; uncomprehending; unconscious. The phrase alludes to the goggle-eyed stare (and sometimes gaping mouth) of a fish that has been recently caught and made unconscious. A person typically looks like a stunned mullet as the result of a sudden shock or surprise.