One Night Stand With My Husband’s Brother

Mackenzie’s phone burst out ringing on the kitchen counter. She straightened up from the dishes she was washing and wiped her hands on a towel before reaching for it.

It was Uncle Maverick calling.

She answered, “Hello, Uncle Maverick. How’s it going?”

“You will not believe what just happened, Kenzie.” His excited voice came over the phone. “I’ve got amazing news!”

Mackenzie moved away from the counter, clutching the phone tighter. “What happened?”

Uncle Maverick cleared his throat, and said in a levelled voice. “One of the hotels got back to me. They are interested in buying your design and hiring you as their major designer, Mackenzie!”

Her mouth dropped in surprise.

For a moment she was speechless, filled with a mixture of shock, disbelief and unexplainable happiness. When she finally got her voice back, she exclaimed, “W-what?” She let out a big breath. “Wait a minute, Uncle Maverick, did I just hear you right?!”

He was laughing on the other end of the phone. “I mean every word I just said! Now that they have reached out to you, once you sign permanently with them, you will be receiving a huge paycheck, numerous allowances and benefits and even a retirement plan! You just won a damn jackpot, Kenzie!”

Mackenzie let out a squeal, jumping from the excitement. “Oh my god! Finally! Someone finally called me back to hire me! I can’t …” She was even running out of breath from how hard her heart was racing.

Happiness. Excitement. Joy.

None of those could describe how she was feeling right now.

Charlotte and Felicity heard Mackenzie’s squeals from their rooms, and they came out to see what the noise was all about. Felicity was even about to scold her for almost waking the twins from their nap, but they both froze when Mackenzie turned to tell them the news.

“I got picked! They’re going to hire me! They’re interested in my designs!” She exclaimed.

Charlotte and Felicity both erupted in their own squeals of excitement, moving forward to crush Mackenzie into a hug. She hugged them back, tears gathering in her eyes.

“I’m so happy for you, Kenzie!”

“Finally, your hard work is being appreciated!”

They showered her with words, which made her even more emotional, but at the same time they couldn’t stop smiling from the amazing news.

Charlotte broke out of the hug and exclaimed loudly. “Now, this is something worth celebrating! And guess what? It’s a Friday night, we’re going to turn up tonight!”

Felicity laughed, nodding along with the idea, but Mackenzie paused, still smiling. “I’d love to celebrate, girls. I still can’t contain my happiness so I have to let it out somehow… but I can’t leave Calista and Cameron all alone.”

“You girls go celebrate with Mackenzie and have fun.” Uncle Maverick spoke up from the phone, startling Mackenzie who thought she had ended the call. “I’ll drop by and take care of the twins. You all have been working so hard.”

“Thanks so much, Uncle Maverick.” Mackenzie sighed. “You are a godsend.”

“The drinks tonight are on you, designer girl!” Charlotte piped up. Felicity added, “She can pay for the meals for a month, too!”

“I will do more than that, girls.” Mackenzie laughed. “I will spoil you both, and my kids. We can finally go on weekend trips, dates and all the things they should have been doing a long time ago.”

She was getting emotional as she listed those things. Cameron had always wanted to visited the amusement parks he saw on TV. There was none of that in their little neighborhood back in North Dakota, but now that they were here, she could finally afford to take the kids.

Calista loved water parks as well. Mackenzie could provide all of these for her kids, with this job.

She pulled her friends into a hug again, sniffing. “I’m so happy I have you two every step of the way.”

“Enough of the waterworks, girl!” Charlotte wriggled away, making Felicity dissolve into laughter. “Let’s visit the biggest bar in the city!”

Mackenzie froze with sudden fear. “No. I’m not going there. Let’s just go to one of the nearby bars, instead.”

“You’re no fun, Kenzie!” Charlotte protested.

“There are great bars around, Charlotte.” Felicity said. “We just have to find the best one and have fun.”

Mackenzie eagerly nodded. Her fear of running into someone from her life as an Axford was never quelled. So she would rather just avoid situations that would bring her face to face with them.

They settled for a small bar nearby, and went to get ready to celebrate.

*************

“Aren’t you done, already?” Mackenzie protested. “I have to be there as early as possible!”

“Just a moment!” Charlotte said. “I have to lay edges of yours to perfection!”

It was Monday morning, and Mackenzie was ready for the meeting with the hotel management. She was actually clueless to which hotel she would be meeting, because Uncle Maverick got things all mixed up and couldn’t remember the name they told him.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

But he sent her the address, anyway. That was something.

“All done!”

Mackenzie got up from the seat and moved to glance at herself in the mirror. She looked breathtaking. The dark blue pants she had on held snugly to the contours of her curvy hips, and her cotton blouse left just a hint of cleavage. Her curly, thick hair poured down her shoulders in shine and softness.

The last time she straightened it was in her terrible marriage, and she had never attempted it again since then.

Her feet were in matching blue heels, and her light make-up sharpened her features.

“It looks great. I’ll get going, now.” Mackenzie said and hurried out of the door with Charlotte following close behind her.

However in front of their house, was a sleek black car, parked confidently. They exchanged glances, wondering who in their neighborhood was rich enough to own such a car.

The door suddenly opened and a man in a sharp black suit stepped out, staring straight at Mackenzie. “Good morning. I’m your designated driver to the venue.”

“What venue?” Mackenzie asked warily.

“The venue where your work will be discussed, ma’am.”

“What work?” She still wasn’t convinced. The setup of the car and its driver felt suspicious.

“Miss. Mackenzie Torsney, you have been invited to a meeting because you have been chosen as the new designer for the hotel. I am here to get you there comfortably.”

After that, Mackenzie was convinced it was safe to go with him. So she did.

Some moments later, the car eased into a large building through the back entrance, and into a massive garage filled with luxury cars. In the garage, Nora comes up to her and introduces herself. “I am the CEO’s assistant, and I will be your escort to the meeting room.”

After a brief elevator ride, Mackenzie found herself in a large, dimly lit room with a long table and numerous chairs. As she took in her surroundings, she noticed a dark figure sitting at the farthest end of the room.

She could not see the person’s face.

“That is the CEO. He will be paying attention to this meeting, but I will be doing most of the talking.” Nora said, pressing a button and a projector came on.

Slides began to be projected onto the screen, showing many different designs, but Nora diverted Mackenzie’s attention by placing a couple of bound documents in front of her.

“That is the contract.” Nora said. “It states the terms of our agreement. We want to buy your designs for mass production and also…”

As she spoke, Mackenzie opened the papers and read through it. She had not gone too far when her eyes landed on the pay.

Her breath fled.

One hundred and seventy thousand dollars per annum.

She abruptly looked up at Nora, “This pay… it’s kind of…”

“Oh, that is well deserved, Miss. Torsney, as you would be working closely with me. In your resume, we saw that you have experience in management supervision. You will be doing that here, as well.” Nora said levelly. “The contract covers travel expenses, health insurance, car insurance, vacation allowances and so many others listed out in there. Please go through it, and place your signature.”

Mackenzie was nearly bursting with happiness. It was just too good to be true!

How did she land such a job, just three weeks after moving to Greensville? If this wasn’t luck, she had no idea what it was.

She skimmed through the contract, placing her signature in every spot it was required. When she was done, she excitedly promised the assistant to give her best.

“That’s good to hear, Miss. Torsney. Please excuse me, the CEO would like to have a word with you now.” Nora smiled politely, and moved out of the room.

Now alone in the room with the dark figure, Mackenzie turned around to politely thank him, taking a few steps closer. “I am so thankful to you for granting me this golden opportunity, Mr. CEO.”

He responded in a cool tone. “Your design was worth it.”

That voice slammed into her ears like a boulder, because she recognized it. Her entire body froze.