life. A man who cut to the chase, said what he wanted, did what he wanted, and left it at that.
“And now, I invite you all,” Derreck said, making his way back to the podium where he hooked the microphone to its stand. “I invite you to go to Room B and have something to eat, something to drink, and enjoy yourselves. Remember, it’s not about a return on investment, it is about a return on our life. And their lives...” Derreck turned and pointed to Macy.
She gasped, not sure if she was supposed to smile.
“Our families,” he continued, his eyes dead locked on Macy. “The ones we care about. The ones we love. The ones we depend on.”
Macy couldn’t believe her ears.
The flirty billionaire spoke the words like a happily married man.
It was about image.
Derreck finished speaking and the room applauded him. He walked towards Macy with his hand out. She wanted him to look worried so she didn’t reach for him. She wanted to make him sweat, wanted him to feel a little uncomfortable.
But that wasn’t the style of Derreck Hagan.
His lips puckered and a smile forced itself across his face.
He loved it and Macy couldn’t deny that. He loved the game, the cat and mouse kind of thing, only he knew he was going to win.
The bright lights shined on Macy like spotlights. She realized the longer she sat there, the more awkward the situation would become. The easiest thing to do would be to go with the motions.
Whatever Derreck Hagan wanted, he’d get.
Just for now.
And tonight.
Macy took his hand and stood. She took a step, looking down at the heels. They looked as beautiful they shined in the light. The silver trim shined like diamonds. They heels were so expensive, probably worth more than what Macy made all year.
She walked from the stage out the door they came in without stumbling once. Her feet were in pain and for a second she felt like telling Derreck about her discomfort. But what would that do? It would appease him probably, in some strange way.
So Macy sucked it up. She walked proud, letting her hips sway as she walked. With her curves there should have been no way she could manage the heels for as long as she did. Her voluptuous body hated her for doing it, but each time Derreck looked back at her, smiling, his eyes scanning up and down her body, it made her gush.
Everyone wanted to talk to Derreck, saying hello, trying to shake his hand, some calling his name. He walked through the lobby of the hotel like a rockstar. Most of the people were satisfied just seeing him or calling his name. Some insisted on getting close, sometimes too close for Macy’s comfort. She figured it would only be a matter of time before someone called out Derreck’s choice in such a curvy woman. Not to mention some of the women who were there with other wealthy men. They were tall, beautiful, super skinny. They walked in their heels putting one foot in front of the other, letting their bodies rock back and forth like a pendulum. At first it bothered Macy until she realized she didn’t need anything fancy to show of her hips.
A few men followed Derreck until he got to his breaking point. He stopped walking and spun around, throwing his hand out, not for a handshake, but with his pointer finger pointing, in command.
“What do you exactly want from me?” Derreck boomed.
“Time,” the first man said. He looked young and hungry.
“Time,” Derreck said. “That’s the most valuable thing I have.”
“But sir, Mr. Hagan,” the other man said, “this technology we’ve developed...”
“Oh, here we go,” Derreck said. He looked at Macy and rolled his eyes.
“No, you don’t understand,” the first one said with his voice squeaking.
“I don’t understand?” Derreck asked. He laughed and then snapped his wrist forward. Both men jumped back, threatened. Derreck flicked the clasp of his watch and wiggled it off his