Novaletti Factor

Elise~

The day had been a success. In the last two months since opening my photography studio every day had been a success. All of those grim nightmares during my times in school and then the few months before getting the studio running had been for nothing. Thank God. I was almost sure it was all too good to be true but until something happened, I could hold off on that thought. And the clientele base I had seemed to be growing by the number as the days went on. Of course I had my hot-shot Attorney brother to thank for that. Sebastian wouldn’t hold it over my head though, nor would he the money he had lent me to rent the studio space for six months.

A couple had just left my small office-a couch occupied the corner and a coffee maker sat on top of a table near the door, along with a microwave and a mini fridge-a couple who insisted on a shoot for every milestone reached-the latest being the males graduation from University-when Camille Danvers tapped on the open door and came in. She, like I had been, was a photography major working for me for too little money but insisted on it. Who was I to complain though? She came from a wealthy family and she lived at the expense of her parents.

“You’re brother is here, Elise. Insists that’s it’s important.” She announced, looking at me through prescription glasses perched on a pointed nose. She was a tiny girl, with thin, blazing red hair and forest green eyes. Pretty with potential. Indeed, my brother was here and when I glanced through the glass window between the reception area and my office, he was studying one of my framed photo’s from my University days, hands stuffed in the pockets of his navy blue slacks.

“It’s fine, he can come in.” Even if I didn’t want to see him, he had every right to barge in whenever. I did owe him, enough money that I knew would take me months to pay back. Camille was gone in a dash. I was shutting my computer down when Sebastian Connolly strode into the room like he owned it and took a seat on the other side of the desk.

We could have passed as twins, with our black hair and golden eyes, but he was several years older than me. Age hadn’t gotten the best of him and he was quite handsome. “God, she is a pain.” He was referring to Camille, who was just doing her job. When he crossed his ankles on the surface of my desk, I scowled at him.

“Camille is fine, you’re just upset because she won’t sleep with you.” I rolled my eyes and shut my appointment book. It probably had everything to do with the wife and child my brother had at home. He was such a dog and I couldn’t wait for the day when Audrey left his ass, as much as I loved him. Whatever. That was their business. Camille wasn’t a home-wrecker. “Now, what do you want and please get your shoes off of my desk. You’re bothering me.”

“Just come to see what my darling little sister is up to this evening.” The corners of his mouth turned up and I could tell he was being snide. I reached down into the bottom drawer of my desk and grabbed my purse out.

“I’m going home.” To order take-out and start packing up the apartment that I shared with a roommate. The place was too close to the University but too far from the studio. It was time to relocate and I’d signed a lease on an adorable little two-bedroom house only a couple minutes from the studio. A place that I wouldn’t have to share with someone.

“Not so fast. I have work for you.” Sebastian took his shiny dress shoes from the top of my desk then and stood up. Unless it had anything to do with photography, I wasn’t interested and even if it was, an appointment could be made. My brother pulled a business card from the inside of his jacket and slid it across the surface of my wooden desk. “Micah Novaletti. I represent him and the other night at a dinner he mentioned he needed a few profile shots done. I recommended you,” Sebastian explained as I picked the card up and read it. Micah Novaletti, Real Estate Broker of Novaletti Realty Inc. The name was certainly a familiar one, considering he owned a brokerage in the city and some in other states, I was sure. Good for him.

“Well, no one has called to make an appointment so I’m guessing it’s been taken care of.” It stung my heart a little to know that there were better and more popular photographers in the city but I was moving up the ladder, slowly but surely. I was quite ambitious and I knew that one day E.Connolly Photography would be big...one day. One step at a time.

“Just call his secretary and have her put you through to him. Micah’s a busy man...”

“That isn’t how things work, Sebastian.” I frowned at him as I slung my purse onto my shoulder. Like I was going to go begging for work...right. Wasn’t going to happen. If Mr. Novaletti wanted a session then he could schedule one or his assistant could schedule one.

“Do you want to make money or not, Elise? Not to rain on your parade, but you owe me.” If it wasn’t for the smile on his lips, I could have swore my brother was being serious. This was Sebastian...ever the asshole. Just then he looked down at his Rolex and hurried around the desk to me. “I’ve gotta run. Audrey will kill me if I’m late for dinner again and her parents are coming tonight.” He brushed a quick kiss over my cheek just as his cell started ringing in his pocket. I had no doubt that was her.

“Bye,” I called after his back and watched him stride out of the studio from the window with his cell phone glued to his ear. He even managed to throw Camille a charming smile on his way out. Would he ever give up? Probably not. I looked back down at Micah Novaletti’s business card and chewed the inside of my cheek.

Of course I would call his secretary and see if he still needed my business but highly doubted it wasn’t already taken care of. I was still staring at the thing when Camille poked her head into the office and announced she was leaving. “Go ahead, I’ll lock everything up,” I told her and she was gone as fast as Sebastian had been.

I sat my purse down on my desk and took my seat back. When I dialed the number on the card, I expected to get a voicemail. It was after five and usually businesses were already closed by now. Like mine...but here I was. “Novaletti Realty,” The woman on the other end answering sounded ethical enough.

“Hi, this is Elise Connolly of E.Connolly Photography. I was hoping I could speak with Mr. Novaletti regarding a session for profile shots.” As stupid as that sounded. Sebastian better not be wasting my time or I was so going to have his head for this. He was a bit of a joker but not childish in the slightest.

“Of course, let me transfer you to his Assistant,” And then she went on to thank me for taking my time contacting the company before I was transferred. Turns out the assistant was just as chirpy and ethical as the receptionist. I relayed the same message and was put on hold for nearly ten grueling minute. Was it worth it, I asked myself as patience was not my virtue. Was it really worth it? I nearly hung up and decided to call again in the morning when she came back on.

A session was set for nine o’clock in the morning. I logged it into my appointment book, sent Camille a text about it before locking up and leaving the studio. The drive to the restaurant for Thai was hell, and it was even worse making it to my apartment right at the edge of the University’s campus. I was so glad that I had graduated and I would be even more glad when I moved out of this part of the city, always bustling with activity.

My Chilean roommate of two years, Gabriela, was sitting in the living room when I came in, nose-deep in her school work. “Oh, you brought food, thank God.” She said, pulling her earbuds free, when she caught sight of the takeout bag. That I had. We met in the kitchen and she pulled some plates from the cabinet. Paper plates. I couldn’t hardly wait to buy actual dishes when I was out on my own. “Want some wine? I’ve got vodka too.”

“Wine is fine.” I replied. I’d had my share of ingesting vodka in the four years attending University and I was over it. Once that too was in paper china we sat at the bar and dug in. “Have you found a place yet?” I asked, halfway through. The lease here would be up in a week and as anxious as I was to get out, I wanted to make sure Gabby was straight.

“Actually, I think I’m going to extend the lease here. An exchange student from my country has agreed to come stay as well. Is that alright?” She announced. I didn’t see why not. This location was still perfect for her, as she was still a student. Of course, I would keep in touch with her once I was gone. Gabriela and I had made memories in this cramped apartment over the last two years...She had been there right along with me, staying up late to finish papers or stumbling in together at three am from a frat party she had drug me to.

It was time to put those days behind me though. I had a booming business to tend and I needed no distractions what so ever.

"Shit,” The next morning I flew out of bed after glancing at the clock. It was eight-forty and I had a session with Novaletti at nine. God, why had I agreed on that second and then fourth paper glass of wine with Gabriela? I wasn’t worried about the studio, Camille always opened things up at eight thirty. I must have slept right through my seven o’clock alarm. I threw my night clothes off and shoved into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. And really...flip flops. I’d planned on dressing more professionally, as always, but I didn’t have time.

After running a brush through my long, unmanageable black hair, I grabbed my purse and was out of there in no time. And it was just my luck that I had to stop by the studio to grab my camera before I did anything else. I didn’t even have time for a damn coffee and coffee was my lifeline in the mornings. To my surprise, I reached the studio by nine.

“You’re late for your appointment with-” Camille said from behind the reception desk, looking as on-time as ever, with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands.

“I know, I know. With the real estate agency.” I was nearly to my office when Camille stopped me.

“Elise, slow down. I have everything right here and I even called and told them you were running late.” Annnd that was why I kept her around. I grabbed my camera bag and the stand that was propped against the desk God, yes, was that Styrofoam cup full of coffee for me too?

“You’re a lifesaver, I love you. Are you coming with me?” I asked, as I made it back to the door. Her red hair danced on her shoulders when she shook her head.

“No. You had a session this morning at ten and I figured I could cover it for you.” She replied with a pleased look. My brain was completely scattered this morning and I didn’t like feeling like a chicken running around with no head. But that was why I had Camille and not only was she a great photographer...I trusted her.

Smart, handsome, and successful. Micah Novaletti was all three along with a list of other things. I didn’t have a doubt in my mind that women just flailed over the male; threw themselves at him and begged him to ruin their lives and break their hearts. I got several shots of Mr. Novaletti in front of a bland, gray backdrop in an unoccupied space of his office building. He had a face that would stop anyone-man or woman- in their tracks to stare; strong and defined, every bit masculine, molded from granite. His thick, dark brown hair was tousled perfectly as if he just got out of bed without having to touch it and his blue eyes sparkled with gold...held a thousand secrets in them. He was muscular yet slim, tall and tanned. The suite he wore was a like a second skin; not too loose or too tight, tailored to him perfectly. A dream, really.

Of course, I noticed all of these things, as it was in my nature, but I didn’t dwell on them. I was here to work and that is what I did. I fully expected his assistant to handle business with me, but as I put my camera away safely after the session, Mr. Novaletti himself strolled over to me; long legs taking even longer strides.

“You were late this morning.” He stated and his cologne was strong, pleasantly overwhelming as he stood so close. When I glanced up towards his face, one neat brow lifted. His lips, that had smiled so confidentially with the threat of dimples on either side, now thinned, as if he was displeased.

From pure embarrassment and that alone, my cheeks flushed. “Yes, I was. I apologize again, Mr. Novaletti.”

“Do you make a habit of that...running late, Miss Connolly?” He asked next. I was about ready to shrink under that gaze. If I wasn’t mistaken it sounded like I was being chastised and interrogated. Did he do this with everyone? Whatever, it wouldn’t matter anyway the second I got out of here. The only thing that mattered was him being pleased with my work. I wouldn’t have any of his photo’s ready until the end of the day anyway, maybe even tomorrow, depending on how my schedule looked.

“Um, no actually. Never.” I couldn’t help but frown. Just who did he think he was anyway? It looked like he had a million more questions to ask me and as I held his gaze, his eyes darted around my face as if he was trying to figure something out. I didn’t like this..at all.

Finally, he stuffed his hands into his pockets, “You can bill my assistant.” Is all he said before he turned on his heels and walked away. The lady chased after him as if he was a king and it left me shaking my head. Thankful that it was over, I grabbed all of my things and left the building as fast as I could. I was anxious to see how Camille’s session had gone.

It was nearly lunch time when I reached the studio again and Camille was at her usual spot. We ordered delivery before we went into my office and she showed me the shoot she had done this morning. Of course, they were perfect. Camille never disappointed me. The amount of excitement that showed in her dazzling eyes when she insisted I show her the shots of Micah Novaletti humored me. Really, he had been a looker, but flailing took too much energy.

“Wow he is so...just wow. Tell me how he was?” Camille asked me as I went through the slides and she sat on the corner of my desk. I didn’t know how to answer her at first. He really hadn’t said anything besides the whole one minute conversation we had shared.

“How was he? He was...” I tapped my chin and browsed for a word as I stared at the photo of him on my screen. “He was quite...insistent.” Well he hadn’t really been but I had a feeling he could be. I clicked off of the photos then and looked up at Camille.

“Insistent huh? I like that word.” She wiggled her brows...actually wiggled them and my mouth nearly dropped open. Camille was always so professional...barely ever said a word about her personal life but was implying that she would have no problem dealing with an insistent Mr. Novaletti. She slid from the desk then as the bell chimed in the reception and left me there.

I rubbed the base of my neck and sat back in my chair. Considered calling Sebastian and thanking him for ‘the work’ he had brought me but before I could think about it any more the phone on my desk started to ring. I didn’t hesitate to answer it.

“Good afternoon, Miss Connolly. This is Tiffany Nash, Mr. Novaletti’s assistant. We met this morning. Micah would like to meet up with you and discuss the photo’s.” The familiar voice spoke into the other end. Micah, huh? They were so rolling around in the sack together.

“Oh, um, the photo’s? I haven’t even finished with them yet.” For some odd god damn reason her words had my heart leaping. I hadn’t even started on them yet for that matter.

“Yes, the photo’s. Would you like for me to tell him no? Mr. Novaletti doesn’t really take no for an answer, Miss Connolly. I’ve emailed you the details.” She informed me before the line went dead. So she did have a little unethical bone somewhere in her body? Doesn’t really take no for an answer...I rolled my eyes and placed the phone back on it’s hook.

The way I seen it, if Mr. Novaletti had any questions about his photo’s he could wait until he received them and then come to my office. I had a feeling meeting him would be one big ass distraction...I didn’t have time for distractions.