When I woke up, we were an hour out from landing in Los Angeles. I was grateful that I slept as long as I had. The cabin lights were not on, and the sky dark outside. I looked at my watch. It was roughly 3 a.m. back in New York and only just hitting midnight in Los Angeles.

I waved down the flight attendant.

"How can I help you?" he asked, politely approaching my seat.

"Do you have any leftover meals I could eat before we land?"

"Not at this time, ma'am. We're preparing for our arrival," he said, with a tone that sounded snobby.

"Please, I'm starving," I pleaded.

"I can get you some nuts."

"You can get her a meal," Ryan ordered, looking up from his in-flight movie.

"But sir," the flight attendant started to rebuttal but instantly stopped himself at the look of Ryan's expression. "I'll be back in a moment with your meal," he said to Ryan, more than he said to me.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"Look at you, Ryan. Coming in like a knight in shining armor," Adam teased, looking over me to his brother.

"Fuck off, Adam. I can't let my assistant go hungry." Ryan waved his brother away and replaced his headphones, returning his attention to the movie.

"You must be amazing," Adam whispered, leaning towards me.

"Why? What do you mean by that?" I asked, confused.

"I've never seen Ryan be so quick to the rescue for anyone," Adam explained. I looked at him quizzically but didn't have anything to say in response.

Moments later, the flight attendant returned with a hot meal for me. I thanked him, but he ignored me and walked off. He obviously hated that he had to cave. I ate my food and hoped to God that he didn't spit in it. It was pretty good too, for an in-flight meal. It was Salisbury beef with arugula salad and a soft bread roll. It hit the spot, and I was able to eat it all within ten minutes.

"My, you were hungry." Adam smiled in amazement.

I didn't respond.

When we finally landed, I was sure to thank the flight attendant again as we walked off. He was a little more pleasing and probably happy I was getting off his plane. Adam and Ryan walked along either side of me as we headed for the baggage claim. I didn't have anything, of course, so I just took a seat nearby and read my magazine while the two waited for their luggage to come around the conveyor.

Thirty minutes later, we were walking out the airport doors to a gust of wind. It was warmer than the cold, bitter weather we left back in New York. Parked nearby was a large Cadillac SUV, with a driver holding a sign with the name "HERMAN" written on it. Adam approached the driver, who greeted us warmly and proceeded to open the back door. He insisted that we get in the car while he loaded Ryan and Adam's luggage.

Adam gestured for me to get in first. Inside were seven seats. I moved to the back row while Adam and Ryan took the two seats in the row ahead of me.

"Are you comfortable back there?" Adam asked, turning around to look at me.

"Yes, quite comfortable, thank you." I smiled at how considerate Adam was. Aside from that first night at the lounge, I had never really talked much to him. He seemed very different, personality-wise than his brother.

The driver climbed into his seat, and we were off to the hotel. Adam and Ryan chatted amongst themselves for most of the ride while I stared out the window, looking at the different sites that past. I had never been to the west coast, and I was surprised to see so many homeless people in tents along the drive. Probably, even more than I had ever seen at a New York soup kitchen. 

I tried ignoring them and instead, take in the sights of the buildings around us. L.A. architecture was so different, since there was way more space out west to utilize, compared to what I had been so used to in New York. I couldn't wait until the daytime to really see the buildings in their beauty.

We were booked at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. I had seen pictures of it on their website when I had originally made the reservation, but seeing the hotel in person was even better. It contained 54 floors. The exterior at night was hard to see as it was all reflective glass, but it was lined with radiant lights on the trim of the building, outlining its sail-like shape.

As we stepped into the lobby, we made our way across shiny marble floors to the very modern, wooden check-in counters. I couldn't help but look up at the curtains of light, just behind the check-in area, by the lounge bar. I walked up to the front desk clerk and greeted her and gave her my name. She tapped her fingers on a loud keyboard and confirmed my stay and room information. She handed me the key-packet, pointed at the room number written on it, and proceeded to direct me with an open palm to where the elevators were.

While I waited by the elevator for Ryan and Adam, I admired the dangling glass ball chandeliers, the shine on the elevator doors, and the wood-like panels next to the buttons. Everything was so sharp and screamed perfection. There was even a clear beverage container filled with iced water and cucumbers. I poured a cup and sipped it while I studied the simple blue textured artwork on the wall, behind the container. I could understand why the hotel was so popular, from just being in the lobby.

Ryan joined me first and was quickly followed by Adam. They both looked tired, while I felt more rested. Ryan pushed the elevator call button and the doors to the elevator on the left opened instantly. The men moved aside to allow me to enter first. I pressed on the hold-open button as they stepped in. We were on the same floor as the pool. I made a mental note that I needed to get a swimsuit so I could go there during our stay.

We all walked off the elevator and headed down the corridor. My room came first.

"Goodnight, all. Will I see you in the morning for breakfast?" I asked.

"Let's all meet in my room to go over the day's meetings and itinerary," Adam suggested, "I'm in the executive suite down the hall," He pointed.

"Sounds good," Ryan and I said together. I watched as Ryan and Adam walked a few more doors down together, then Ryan separated and walked into his room.

I had a Standard King suite. Which, to me, was like a palace. The bathroom was beautiful and even had a television behind the bathroom mirror pane. The bedroom had a long hallway from the door to the bed, which was accompanied by a dresser, flat-screen T.V., a desk and chair, and minibar.

I opened the drawers to be pleasantly surprised to see clothes sitting in them, and they were my size. I went to the hallway and opened the closet. There were a few dresses and women's business suits hanging there too.

I texted Ryan.

ME: thnx for the clothes.

RYAN: np. gn.

He texted back instantly.

I smiled at his simple response. Then I thought of Eric and sent him a text letting him know that I was at my hotel. I knew he was probably still sleeping, but at least he would get it first thing in the morning.

*****

By the end of our first day in Los Angeles, I was exhausted. After all the meetings with the new clients and construction teams, as well as adjusting to the time difference, by 5 p.m., I was ready to sleep. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't, as we had a dinner date planned with our clients.

I showered and changed into a beautiful, simple black dress that was provided to me from the clothing fairies. It was business-like and elegant at the same time. The top was plain black with capped sleeves, and the skirt was pleaded. It came with a beautiful black blazer, which gave it the business attire look.

I slipped on a pair of Louboutin leather black pumps and headed out the door. Adam and Ryan were both waiting by the elevator, and they were both nicely dressed in similar black tie suits.

"Vicky, you look stunning in that outfit," Adam said, greeting me first. He had been very flirty with me all day, while Ryan was the opposite and had kept to himself for most of the day. I, of course, smiled and played along with Adam.

"Thank you, Mr. Herman. You look good, too." I smiled slightly.

"How many times do I need to tell you? I insist you call me Adam," he said as we stepped into the elevator. I stood between the two men, but instead of facing the door, I kept my gaze on myself in the mirror. I had a hair strand fall loose from my hair clip. I was relieved that I was able to work it back in without having to redo the whole thing.

We got into the same Cadillac that picked us up from their airport, with the same driver. We had been in and out of the car all day. Going from the job site to meeting rooms, then back to the hotel.

Ryan got in the back this time, and then I climbed in, followed by Adam next to me.

"Did you grab a bite to eat, Hank?" I asked our driver, whom I had gotten to know throughout the day.

"Yes, ma'am, thank you," he said with a husky tone.

"Good. Thank you for driving us around town while we're here. I'm sure your kids hate that we are taking you away from them all day," I said as he made his way through the heavy L.A. traffic.

"Oh, it's not a problem at all. My kids know I love my job, and they get a good education because of it." 

"That's good," I responded with a smile to his genuine response. I sat back in my seat and looked out the window at all the people, buildings, and other drivers. I was engulfed in my new surroundings. I didn't realize that we were already pulling up to the restaurant.

"Thank you, Hank," Adam said, getting out of the car. "We'll be done in about two hours, as long as everything runs smoothly."

"Thank you, sir." Hank gave a slight bow of the head, shut the passenger door, then got back in and drove off to the parking area nearby, where other drivers gathered, waiting for their passengers.

We arrived before our clients did, intentionally. The hostess took us to a very secluded area of the restaurant. It was a long table set for nine people. Adam took a seat at the head of the table, Ryan took the other end, and I took a seat near the center so that all the clients had at least one of us near them.

The server came with nine full glasses of water, and Adam placed an order for their best whiskey for the table. Our clients were a group of very wealthy older men and their wives. I had met the men earlier that day, so I recognized them immediately as they all entered the restaurant together. The first was Mr. Gosling with his very young wife, maybe slightly younger than me. She was dressed as if she was ready to go clubbing. The second was Mr. Smith and his wife, who looked about his age. The third was Mr. Upton and his wife, who seemed closer in age to Mr. Smith's wife, than Mr. Gosling's.

Everyone greeted each other and sat down. I ended up next to Mr. Gosling on one side, and Mrs. Smith, on the other, with Mrs. Upton right across from me. It was a pretty standard business dinner. We all started with idle chit chat, then after our appetizers, Adam presented some folders to the table with figures and sketches. He went over similar information that we discussed earlier that day in the office meetings. But now they were more presentable and typed up to make it more clear about what they could expect from the project we were about to start.

During dinner, it was more relaxed again.

"I love your ring. When are you getting married?" Mrs. Smith asked, admiring my replacement engagement ring. Even though it was the stand-in for the real ring, I knew it still had to cost Eric over $1,000.

"Thank you. We're getting married in May," I said in a slight whisper.

"Who's the lucky fellow?" Mr. Gosling asked, butting into the conversation.

"His name is Eric."

"Eric Walton," Ryan added, throwing me off-guard. Why did he feel the need to say Eric's full name? Then my question was answered without me even having to ask it out loud.

"Donna Walton's son?" Mrs. Upton asked suddenly perked by Ryan's added detail.

"Yes," I answered.

"How is Eric? It's been years since he's visited the west coast," she asked happily.

I told her and other listening ears at the table about Eric. They proceeded to ask about the wedding and other details. I was shocked by how powerful Eric's family was all the way over here in Los Angeles.

By the time we got back to business, we were finishing up dessert. I looked at my phone and saw that it was just about 9 p.m., Adam was right about it taking two hours. He was excellent at wrapping everything up and getting the clients excited about the new project.

After the bill was paid, we all left the now busy restaurant and went to the valet stall. Hank pulled up, but Adam had us wait to see the clients off first before getting back in our car. After everyone said goodbye, Ryan climbed in the back again, and then it was Adam and me next to each other. The ride home started fairly chatty between the brothers and me. Adam thanked me for my help in keeping the conversation light and enjoyable.

When we pulled up to the hotel, I felt very sleepy and wanted to go to bed.

"Crazy thought! Let's all go to a nightclub," Adam suddenly suggested as we said goodnight to Hank and walked into the lobby. "There's a good one nearby I think you two would love."

"Okay," Ryan agreed without needing much persuasion. "But I need to change into something less restrictive."

"You boys aren't tired?" I asked as we got into the elevator once again.

"We're used to traveling through different time-zones. Plus, I don't need much sleep," Adam stated proudly about himself.

"I think I need to sleep. Tomorrow will be another busy day." I reminded them.

"Fine, you sleep. Adam, you and I can go. It'll be easier to meet chicks without her anyway," Ryan commented.

"Shhhh. Be a gentleman, Ryan!" He slapped Ryan's arm with the back of his hand, reminding him how to behave in front of a woman.

"I'm used to this," I commented, annoyed at Ryan for being his not-so-charming, rude self again.

The elevator doors opened. I walked to my room and opened the door. I stepped in, and just before I closed it, I peered out and looked down at the brothers walking. "I changed my mind. I'll go to the club," I said and shut the door.

I had a feeling I was going to regret this in the morning.