Heavy TrafficChapter 11 free porn video

Amanda finished her latest e-mail correspondence with Jeremy Thorndike and Bryce Pierre. She then stood and walked out of Sean’s office to see if Moe had assembled the personnel yet.

She found the last few people just positioning chairs into the open area of the office, and taking their seats. The chairs had been arranged in a manner where Amanda was the center of everyone’s focus as she exited the office. Moe stood and leaned against her own cubicle as Amanda addressed the staff.

“Good afternoon. For any of you who may not have figured it out yet, my name is Amanda Wallace. Mrs. Sean Wallace. I know that I come as a surprise to most of you, and let me assure you, being here today like this is just as big of a surprise to me. I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself to you. Many of you may also have questions, and I will do my best to answer them for you.”

Amanda pulled a chair over from a vacant cubicle and took a seat herself. Seeing this, Moe pulled her chair out of the cubicle and also sat.

A young woman with significantly more makeup than face to hold it raised her hand and began the questioning, “Mrs. Wallace...”

“Please call me Amanda.”

“Mrs. Wallace, several of us would like to know the answer to the question Mrs. Morris posed to you previously. Specifically, what did you do to wrap one of the richest and most eligible men in America around your little finger, and what qualifies you to assume any responsibility for running Wallace Enterprises?”

While the question itself sounded antagonistic, the tone in which it was asked was friendly and denoted simple curiosity as the impetus for the inquiry.

There were several gasps from the audience, and Amanda saw the beginning of tears in the eyes of Emily Johnson as well as a few other female employees, but Amanda recognized the voice, and addressed the query directly, “Ms. Aldaco, thank you for the question. I want to start by apologizing to you for the intolerance I demonstrated to you yesterday. Upon further reflection, I recognize now that you were exhibiting the loyalty to leadership that Sean and I both value in an employee. I cannot blame you if the people you were following were leading you astray. When we are done here, I would like to spend a few minutes alone with you to discuss this attribute of yours further.”

Nina Aldaco was visibly surprised by both the apology and the sincerity with which it was delivered. She simply nodded to Amanda and let her continue.

“Back to your question, I can’t speak to why Sean was attracted to me, but I can speak to what attracted me to him. Sean Wallace saved my life, in more ways than one. He actually rescued me from certain death, but he then went further and showed me the life I knew I was destined to live with him at my side. Sean Wallace is the bravest, gentlest, and most compassionate man I have ever known. I recognized his strength, his selflessness, his intelligence and immediately came to love and respect him. I have come to realize that a lot of people underestimate Sean and perceive his trust, tolerance and patience as weakness or innocent naivety. I can assure you that Sean is neither weak nor naïve. If what happened in this office earlier didn’t demonstrate that to you, then nothing will.”

“I understand that a lot of people may suspect that Sean’s wealth factored into my attraction, but I can tell you with all honesty that I had no idea that Sean was one of the wealthiest men in America until dinner last night. That was fair, however, because Sean had no idea that I was one of the wealthiest women in Australia until yesterday either.”

Amanda paused to look into the eyes of her audience, one by one. “I do not have Sean wrapped around my little finger, but I do have him wrapped around my heart. My devotion to Sean and our trust in one another is what qualifies me more than anything else to stand by his side and him by mine. Speaking now to my business qualifications; while I was raised on a sheep and cattle station in a remote region of Australia, this was only one of my family’s business holdings. We hold extensive mining and mineral rights throughout the country, own and manage several renowned vineyards with wineries, and we control more than thirty percent of the cattle and seventeen percent of the sheep raised in Australia. In addition to telecommunications, we also maintain import and export operations at every port on the continent and invest heavily in technology ventures throughout Australia and Southeast Asia. As with Sean, when my parents died, I assumed control of the family business, Wallace Holdings, Limited. I encourage anyone who is interested to do an internet search on Wallace Holdings to learn more about what we do. It is Sean’s and my intention to merge our two families’ business operations into a single global company, that we will manage together. Sean and I both take the stewardship of the family businesses entrusted to us seriously and we will do our best to operate them in a manner that honors our parents and makes our employees proud. Does that answer your question, Nina?”

“Yes,” said Nina. “Thank you.”

Moe raised her hand, “Amanda, can you speak to how you and Sean envision your stewardship of your combined companies being managed? Will you both be active or will you appoint others to handle the operations?”

“Excellent question Moe. I can’t speak to specifics other than to repeat my previous comment that Sean and I take our responsibilities seriously and will ensure that the management of all our companies complies with the highest standards of integrity, morality, professionalism, and fairness towards all. I am not going to say that Sean and I will have a hand in every aspect of the businesses we control, because that wouldn’t be fair to the employees who have earned a right to assume a share of the responsibility, and to be rewarded for doing so. I can tell you that we will always be available, visible, and vigilant where the needs of our companies and our loyal employees are concerned.”

“In the case of my own organization, Wallace Holdings, I have had an excellent management team running the operations for several years. My business has grown and prospered without my day-to-day involvement, and I see no reason why the same can’t be true going forward. Now, where Wallace Enterprises is concerned, most of you now realize that some unscrupulous former employees attempted to circumvent the ownership authority of Sean by signing an illegal and invalid management contract with Tri-Star Partners. The contract isn’t worth the paper it is printed on, and none of you should concern yourselves with it. If any of you are currently employed by Tri-Star Partners rather than Wallace Enterprises, you may leave now or see me after we are done here to discuss a change in your allegiance.”

Another employee raised his hand and when recognized by Amanda asked a question, “Amanda, your businesses are primarily in Australia, correct? Will the combined business operations open opportunities for employees here to visit or transfer there?”

“I can’t envision how we could avoid that,” said Amanda. “While a large portion of my business operations are agricultural and mining related, there are also operations that either match or compliment similar operations within Wallace Enterprises. There will need to be some consolidation where redundancies exist, but trade regulations, geography and cultural differences will require many operations to remain separate. Australia is a beautiful and unique country, and I would encourage everyone who wants to visit, whether for business or pleasure to do so.”

There were only a few additional questions asked, most focused on concerns over job security and organizational structure of the combined companies. Amanda assuaged the concerns about job security for any “loyal” employees and deferred the questions on the structure of the organization until after her, Sean and the lawyers were able to discuss things in greater detail. As people started returning to their desks, Amanda addressed Nina Aldaco.

“Nina, would you please give me a few minutes of your time? Moe, would you also join us?” She stood at the door to Sean’s office and waited for the two women to enter before closing the door.

“How many of our female employees do you think we’ll lose due to broken hearts or dreams?” Amanda asked her guests before they could take a seat.

“Sean’s eligibility has been an influencing factor in the career choices for several of our employees,” said Moe.

Nina added, “That’s kinda why I asked the question I did. I know of at least three women who began new job searches as soon as they confirmed that the e-mail from Mr. Pierre was genuine. Few of them had ever spoken to Mr. Wallace before, but that didn’t stop them from dreaming and scheming to attract him when he returned. I have to admit that I used to have dreams of Sean Wallace myself, but I have a boyfriend now to fill that place in my life. I am very happy for you and Mr. Wallace.”

Addressing Moe, Amanda said, “If there are any that you feel are salvageable, please let me know and I’ll try to work things out with them. No one knows better than me how attractive Sean is, so if we can maintain a professional working environment, and they respect my position, I will not hold their dreams against them.”

Amanda took a seat in the middle of the couch and asked Nina and Moe to sit on either side of her.

Once they were seated, Amanda turned to face Nina. “Nina, do you accept my apology from earlier?”

“Of course, thank you. I have to say, it was a surprise though,” said Nina.

Amanda took Nina’s hand and said, “No, thank you for accepting it. Was I right in my assessment of your loyalty as the motivation for your actions yesterday?”

Nina contemplated her answer. “I always just thought of it as doing my job, but you made me realize that loyalty to my boss is a major part of my job, even if it wasn’t in the documented description. I think you’re very generous to excuse my behavior due to my loyalties being misdirected.”

Amanda just smiled and squeezed Nina’s hand. “How old are you?” she asked.

“I’m nineteen,” answered Nina.

“Are you attending college or taking any courses currently?”

“Not right now. I’m saving money and hoping to be able to start taking some night classes next semester.”

“What do you want to study?” asked Amanda.

“My plan is to major in Accounting with a minor in general business,” replied Nina.

Turning to Moe, Amanda said, “I don’t think Sean would object to what I want to propose, but if you disagree, please tell me.”

Moe nodded and waited for Amanda to continue. She did so, “We have some key management positions open within Wallace Enterprises that will need to be filled. To those, I want to add a new position called ‘Chief Administrative Officer’. I envision this person having global responsibility for all human resources, training, and administrative departments, and I believe Sean would agree that you are the best person for this role. It will be a senior vice president position within the organization, reporting directly to Sean and me. Interested?”

“The title means nothing to me, Amanda. Just tell me what needs to be done for you and Sean and I will do my best to accomplish your wishes.”

“Moe, it is that devotion that makes you perfect for the role, and no one has earned the right to the title and associated rewards more than you. The first thing I would like you to do is start looking for a new assistant for Sean. I’ll discuss my expectations for that role with you a little later.” Moe gave a nod and a knowing smile but said nothing.

Turning back to Nina she said, “Nina, if you can promise Sean and me the same degree of loyalty that you demonstrated with Mark Morris, I would be honored to have you be my own assistant. I would expect you to dress more conservatively, wear less makeup, and to stand your ground with me if I get too overbearing. I can handle most of my own correspondences and scheduling requirements, so while I would pay you a full-time salary, I envision you only needing to dedicate four hours or less to me each day, but with significant interactions between here and Australia, those hours may sometimes be very late or very early. I would expect you to spend the remaining time on attending classes to achieve your degree. As long as your courses are related to a degree in accounting or business, their costs will be covered by me personally.”

There were tears in Nina’s eyes as she replied, “Mrs. Wallace, I don’t deserve this, but I promise you I will earn it. Thank you so much for having faith in me. No one else ever has. I won’t let you down.”

“Please call me Amanda.” Turning back to Moe she said, “Moe, I would appreciate it if you would take Nina under your wing for a while. I can’t imagine any better example of the perfect personal assistant than you. Would you mind?”

Reaching across Amanda to take Nina’s other hand, Moe said, “It would be my pleasure.”

The three women embraced each other and were just separating when there was a knock at the office door. Amanda stood to open it but Nina took her hand. “Please allow me.” Amanda smiled and let Nina answer the door.

Sean stood on the other side of the door and seemed surprised to see the tear-streaked face of a young woman he didn’t recognize. He looked over her head and saw Amanda and Moe smiling back at him. Glancing down at the young woman he said, “Hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Wallace. I’m Nina Aldaco and I’m very pleased to finally get a chance to meet you.” Nina opened the door wider, stood aside and beckoned Sean into the office. As he entered, Amanda walked up to meet him and they kissed.

“Are you ready to go shopping?” he asked her.

“If you can give me a minute to finish up a few things with Moe and Nina while I pack up my computer, I’ll be ready to go. Why don’t you have a seat on the couch and get comfortable for a minute?”

Sean simply nodded, turned to sit on the couch, and watched Amanda. He liked watching her.

“Nina, please close the door and take one of the seats in front of the desk. Moe, could you take the other seat?” Amanda walked behind the desk as the two women assumed their seats. She began turning off her laptop and packing things away as she delivered her instructions to them.

“I trust that you both appreciate the value that Sean and I place on having employees who won’t betray us. Nina, I would like you to spend the rest of this afternoon assisting Moe with identifying anyone out there who works for Tri-Star Partners, is too enamored with Sean to be loyal to me, or has otherwise demonstrated a lack of loyalty to Wallace Enterprises or Sean personally. Moe, you now have the authority to terminate the employment of any person working for Wallace Enterprises who you believe is not behaving in the best interest of the company. You also have the authority to have anyone not employed by Wallace Enterprises escorted from the building and charged with trespassing if necessary. Are you both okay with these directions? Sean, do you have anything you would like to add?”

Both women waited to see if Sean was going to speak before responding. He took the opportunity.

“I agree completely with Amanda and will only add that Bill Lester will hang around for the rest of the day. He will be available to assist you both should you need his influence to carry out Amanda’s instructions. I have a locksmith on the way to install new locks on Tom Folsom’s office. Please keep everyone out of there unless either myself or Amanda give our approval.”

Moe turned to Nina and asked, “Want some hands-on training on making heads roll?”

Nina giggled and said, “I sure do.” Turning to Amanda she asked, “Would you mind if I changed into some more casual clothes first? The make-up and clothes that Mr. Folsom made me wear really aren’t my style, and I would like for people to start seeing me for who I am rather than what they have seen me as in the past.”

Amanda had just finished packing her messenger bag. She smiled at Nina and said, “I would have been disappointed in anything less, Nina. You are making me proud already.”

Nina was gushing when she stood and embraced Amanda once more. “Thank you so much.”

Amanda handed Nina a slip of paper as she walked around the desk and approached Sean on the couch. “This is my cell phone number and e-mail address. Feel free to call me at any time. Moe knows how to get a hold of Sean should it be necessary.”

Nina and Moe put arms around each other’s waist. Moe said, “We’ve got your backs here. Go shopping and enjoy your evening.” Nina nodded in agreement.

“Thanks, ladies,” Sean said as he stood and led Amanda out of the office. They had no sooner cleared the doorway before they were met with cheers and applause from all the employees assembled in the open area. Sean seemed startled, but Amanda just smiled at everyone, waved, and led Sean towards the lobby.

When they reached the opening to Emily Johnson’s cubicle Amanda paused and pulled Sean closer to her side. With her eyes clear of her earlier tears, Emily was busy taking press clippings on Sean from the walls of her space and setting them into a pile on her desk surface.

Sean and Amanda stood silently watching for a minute, but Amanda spoke before Emily removed the picture salvaged from Sean’s office, “Emily, Sean and I wanted to thank you again for saving that picture.”

Emily jumped when she was spoken to. Turning to see the man of her dreams and the woman she now recognized as his new wife, one hand flew to her chest at the same time her other hand covered her mouth to help suppress a small scream. Seeing the warm smile on Amanda’s face calmed her, but the smile and nod from Sean is what put her totally at ease.

“Good to see you again Emily. What happened to the frame?” asked Sean.

Amanda repeated the answer that Emily had supplied to her earlier, “It appears that Tom Folsom kept the frame and discarded the photo. Emily was kind enough to save the picture, but she couldn’t get the frame.”

Finally recovering her senses, Emily removed the picture from her wall and handed it towards Amanda without comment. Amanda smiled even more warmly at Emily and squeezed Sean’s hand when she said, “Emily, would you please contact whoever you need to in the purchasing department and requisition a new frame for the picture. I’m sure that Moe McKenna or Nina Aldaco will assist you if necessary. I don’t think either you or I want that picture to merely be tacked to your wall any longer. If you can’t find a spot for it on your desk, I will understand, but even if you hang it back on the wall, I would prefer to see it presented in a better light. I hope you feel the same.”

“You want me to keep it?” Emily asked in a voice so low it was difficult for it to be heard.

“Unless you don’t want it,” said Amanda. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of it than the sweet woman who saved it from destruction, can you Sean?”

“Personally,” Sean said as he finally recognized Amanda’s objectives with this employee, “I would be honored for you to keep it, Emily. May I see it for a minute?” He removed his hand from Amanda’s in anticipation of the picture being presented to him.

Emily slowly handed it to Sean, as if she was trying to avoid any contact with him during the transfer from her hand to his. Taking the picture into his right hand, Sean pointed to a cup of pens and pencils on Emily’s desk. “May I borrow a pen please?”

Emily picked up the entire cup and presented it to Sean so he could select the pen he wanted. Once he extracted one, she returned the cup to her desk without taking her eyes off of him.

Using the top of the outer wall of the cubicle, Sean wrote a message to Emily on the picture “Emily, You are my hero” and signed it. He then handed the picture to Amanda, who turned it over and wrote her own message on the back of it. When she was done, she returned it to Sean. After reading Amanda’s message, Sean handed the picture back to Emily.

Emily read both messages before holding the picture against her chest and smiling up at the couple.

Handing the pen back to Emily, Amanda asked, “What is your current role here, Emily?”

Glancing briefly at Sean before returning her focus to Amanda, Emily responded, “I am a Customer Advocate with the World Wings division. In a nutshell, I serve as a sort of concierge for clients who reserve one of our planes, assisting them with transportation, lodging and other business or personal needs both at their point of origin and their final destination.”

Sean was nodding at her answer as he chuckled, “We could have used your help earlier today, right Amanda?”

Amanda smiled at him and said, “I think you handled things just fine on your own, but it is reassuring to know that our customers have access to someone such as Emily should they encounter any difficulties. Do you enjoy your work, Emily?”

“Very much. It’s rewarding when I know that I have enhanced the client’s experience with World Wings to the point where they will recommend us to others and use our services again in the future.”

“Are you open to other opportunities within Wallace Enterprises?” Amanda asked.

“Depending upon the opportunity, I would consider changing roles,” Emily said. “Did you have something specific in mind?”

“There is one particular opening that I think you would be well suited for. The position as Sean’s personal assistant is going to be opening up and I’d like for you to consider applying for it.” Turning to Sean, she said, “Would you object to Emily as a personal assistant?”

“Based upon what I know so far, I would have no objections whatsoever,” Sean said.

Emily glanced directly at Amanda and asked, “You wouldn’t object to me reporting directly to Sean as his personal assistant”?

Amanda put her arm around Sean’s waist and replied, “Regardless of who Sean’s personal assistant is, we will continue a Wallace family tradition; where the person will be his assistant, they will report directly to his wife.”

Sean laughed, “You really have been talking to Moe, haven’t you?”

Amanda bumped her head against Sean’s shoulder lovingly and continued with Emily, “If you’re available tomorrow morning I would like you to meet with me and Moe for a few minutes.”

Smiling at them both, Emily nodded and said, “I’ll make myself available at whatever time is convenient for you.”

Sean took Amanda’s hand once more and said, “Well, thanks again, Emily. We need to run right now, but I’m sure we’ll see you tomorrow.”

As they made the short drive to the mall, Amanda filled Sean in on the question and answer session with their employees, her promotion of Moe and the selection of Nina as her assistant. Sean was proud of her and told her so. Amanda decided to wait until they were driving to his house before discussing her conversation with DeMarcus Steele, because she felt it require more time for them to analyze it completely.

While they were shopping, Amanda noticed that Sean kept paying for her purchases with the same credit/debit card, which he kept in his front pants pocket with his driver’s license. It finally dawned on her that she had never seen him pull out a wallet, so she asked him about it.

“Wallets tend to get filled with a bunch of useless cards and papers that make them too bulky,” he explained. “I don’t like sitting on a lump of a wallet, so I just carry the bare minimum and keep them in my front pocket so they don’t get bent by me sitting on them.”

Amanda slid her hand into his back pocket and pulled him against her hip. “I like having your back pockets empty. That way I always have a free spot for my hand.” She squeezed him through his pants and continued, “Plus, I will generally have a purse or other bag with me, and there will always be room in it for anything you don’t want in your pockets.”

“You just might end up being kinda handy to have around,” Sean teased her as he wished he could put his arm around her shoulder. He was carrying the dress she had selected in a garment bag, and the shoes and other items with his other hand in a separate shopping bag.

Sean was surprised by how much he enjoyed watching Amanda shop. He marveled at her interactions with store personnel, listening with total concentration to their suggestions before either accepting them, or expertly swaying them to her own opinions and desires as if they had shared them all along. She was like a little girl as she tried clothes on, frequently bouncing excitedly out of a changing room to model things for Sean’s approval, and he never found a reason not to approve. Amanda had sensible tastes, an eye for colors, and a body that flattered anything that she wore.

Amanda used her connection to him through his back pocket to steer them both into her next shopping destination. “This store is for you,” she told him as she opened the door with her free hand, and led him into Victoria’s Secret.

Sean’s cell phone rang as he waited for Amanda to select panties, bras, garters and stockings; displaying each for Sean’s approval before deciding on them. He stepped over to a seating area outside the fitting rooms and answered the call from Michelle.

“Hi Sean, I wanted you to know that I am heading up to Nashville in a couple of days. The FBI wants me there when they question Kimberly and Mark Morris.”

“When do you expect to arrive?” asked Sean.

“According to the FBI, the real interrogation won’t begin until Monday when they have had time to gather some phone records and other evidence from their Organized Crime Division that they want in hand before the questions start in earnest. The only questioning so far has been centered on what the Morris’ know about the whereabouts of Tom Folsom. I hope to arrive Sunday afternoon and I’ll go directly to the Federal Building downtown, so maybe we can get together for drinks later that evening and I can fill you in on everything we learn.”

“I’m sorry, but I have family commitments all weekend. I’ll text you directions to my house. You can join Amanda and me for a late breakfast there on Monday morning. I would like to show you the place, and introduce you to my grandmother.”

Michelle’s annoyance was apparent as she said, “I’ll have to play Monday by ear. I may have to transport the Morris’ back to Atlanta in the morning, depending on what they have to say during the questioning.”

“I understand,” said Sean. “Well if we can’t hook up while you’re here, I’m sure we’ll be able to get together when Amanda and I return to Atlanta next week.”

“You’re not returning on Monday?” Michelle asked?

“Not unless my grandmother there needs us for something related to the girls. Amanda and I have some business meetings and other arrangements to make here on Monday, so we’ll need to remain here until Monday evening at least.”

“You and Amanda are now in business together?”

“Husbands and wives are typically in business together,” Sean said.

“You two are continuing that charade, huh?”

“Only until we can make it official. Amanda and I will be getting married and merging our family businesses in the very near future.”

There was silence on the phone for several seconds while Mickey considered this news. She had always been very competitive, but she also knew when to back off. Backing off from Sean Wallace disappointed her on multiple levels. She liked and respected him, but the thought of what a physical relationship with him would be like had been a major fantasy of hers since she had met him. Mickey approached sex with a man like an athletic competition and as a result, she had never attained a level of satisfaction that she knew she was capable of with the men she had chosen so far. None of them had the stamina that her desires required, and most had been excellent physical specimens with either military or law enforcement fitness regimes that kept them in shape. She had sensed from their first meeting that Sean would be the man to finally meet the challenge that she would present to him in bed. Now it was unlikely she would ever know. Damn!

Michelle finally said, “Well, I guess congratulations are in order. I need to run now. I’ll keep you posted.”

Before Sean could reply, Michelle had ended the call. Sean glanced over to where Amanda had been standing previously and saw that she was now waiting for him near the front door with her purchased items in a bag. She held it up for him to see and smiled the most wickedly tempting smile that Sean had ever seen.

Approaching her, Sean smiled his own wicked smile and they both walked out of the store and then to the parking lot with an electric air of anticipation radiating between them.

Sean placed the packages in the back of the car and asked Amanda, “Do you want to try driving here?”

“Not yet. I would rather wait until I know the route so that I can focus on which side of the road I am supposed to be on rather than which direction I need to go. I would also prefer to sightsee a little more if you don’t mind. This is beautiful country.”