Chapter 2: Theme Stated
The winter sun was a distant, cold jewel in the sky as Travis Evans's luxury SUV crunched over the ice-kissed gravel of Marcus Cole's driveway. The house, a sprawling, imposing mansion nestled among the rolling hills of Orange County, was a picture of modern elegance, its clean lines and stark white facade a stark contrast to the generally lived-in, cozy feel that radiated from within.
Lisa Cole, Marcus's wife, was waiting at the door, her arms folded against the crisp air. The sun eliminating her brown skin. A playful smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth as she watched Travis approach.
"You're stealing my husband again, I see," she teased, her voice warm and laced with the familiar southern drawl she'd picked up from years of living in North Carolina.
Travis flashed her a charming grin, his silver eyes sparkling with mischief. "Guilty as charged, Lisa. But hey, I promise to return him in one piece. Besides, you know he loves our little getaways."
Lisa scoffed, unfolding her arms to embrace Travis in a warm hug. "I know, I know. You two are like a couple of teenagers sneaking out to go joyriding. I know exactly how you are Travis. You haven't changed one bit since high school."
Lisa pulled back, giving Travis a playful slap on the shoulder. "Just be careful. And make sure Marcus doesn't do anything stupid."
Travis laughed, "Stupid? Marcus? Never. He's the voice of reason, remember?"
Lisa rolled her eyes, "Uh-huh. Sure he is. And I'm Queen Latifa."
Marcus walked out of the door with his golf clubs in tow. He watched Travis banter with his wife for a moment. It always made him uneasy, but he hid the discomfort. He loved both of these people dearly.
"Daddy!" His children shouted in unison clinging to him with goodbye hugs. Lisa turned her head to the sight with a warm smile. "They're gonna miss you. Make sure you pick them up something on your way home." She said to her husband who game her a short but passionate kiss, "Alright miss Cole you keep that thang warm and ready for me. We'll be back Sunday before the sun goes down, and Imma want some CAKE!" he shouted drawing laughter from all of them.
Marcus got in the car, "Alright Travis. Golf is my kinda favor, but why are we going so far away. There's plenty of Golf here. You said we were going to Mid.. Mid where?" Marcus asked, buckling his seatbelt as Travis backed out of the driveway. The SUV's engine purred to life, the heated seats warming their backs as they set off towards the highway.
Travis glanced at Marcus, a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Midlothian. Just outside of Richmond. I told you about it last week, remember?"
Marcus sighed, leaning back in his seat. "I remember you saying something about a new client and a golf course. I also remember you saying it was a last-minute thing.
You barely gave me any details," Marcus replied, his brows furrowing slightly as he adjusted his glasses. "So, who's the client? And why are we driving two hours to play golf with him?"
Travis chuckled, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the steering wheel. "Relax, Marcus. You know I wouldn't drag you out here without good reason. The client's name is Belk. Old money, with more zeros in his bank account than I can count."
Marcus leaned forward, intrigued. "Old money, huh? Well why is this so last minute."
"Well Hailey left for the weekend to see her mother, and she took Dylan with her. I don't really want to hang around the house without my wife or son. So.. "
"So you YOU decided I shouldn't get to either?" Marcus jokingly egged Travis on.
"Bullshit Marcus. You don't have any sons."
"Well I was PLANNING on working on one but now you got a black man going to Virginia to play golf."
Travis laughed and shook his head.
"But what I'm hearing is that we don't have a formal meeting with Mr. Belk?" Marcus asked.
"Nope. But I did buy into his Country Club last month. Chesterfield Country Club near Downriver in Virginia. My information says he golfs there every weekend. If I can get in front of him I'll land him. I can feel it in my bones ." Travis shifted in his seat, the leather creaking softly as he turned to face Marcus. "Besides, you know I can't sit around the house without Hailey. I'd just end up in some sort of trouble."
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "And what kind of trouble are you planning to get into with me along for the ride?"
Travis grinned, his silver eyes glinting with mischief. "The best kind, of course. The kind that involves golf, gorgeous women, and way too much alcohol. It isn't cheating if you're in a different state."
"Ah shit. Just get me home on Sunday. I could see the anticipation in Lisa's eyes when I mentioned that cake to her."
"You're right, Marcus. I'm a firm believer in the cake theory," Travis said, "A happy wife means a happy life, and eating that cake is a sure way to make her happy." Marcus smiled at the remark, but something about it bothered him.
Marcus shifted in his seat, staring out the window as the SUV pulled into the Chesterfield Country Club's parking lot. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, painting the immaculate greens in a warm, golden glow.
Marcus adjusted his glasses. "This place looks fancy. Did you already reserve a tee time?"
"I did. For tomorrow early in the morning, but now I need to register you.*
Marcus looked at Travis confused.
"Marcus you're not a member. I got a suit coat in the back. I have to fill out some things."
The two walked in. Both wearing khakis and suit coats. Travis let his eyes drift spotting Tiffany Hanks, was a gorgeous blonde with the tight skirt and even tighter smile. She was bent over the reception desk, her perky ass on full display as she scribbled something onto a clipboard. Travis felt his heart skip a beat, his silver eyes shining with interest. Travis and Marcus stared for a moment before Travis broke the moment. "Excuse me. Are you the receptionist?" Travis asked. Tiffany turned around, her blue eyes meeting Travis's, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Well, well, look what we have here. The new member himself. I'm Tiffany. Welcome to Chesterfield Country Club." She extended her hand, her grip firm and confident. Travis took it, his thumb brushing against her palm in a subtle, delicate touch.
"Travis Evans. Pleasure to meet you, Tiffany. I called ahead. I am here with my CFO Marcus for the weekend." He flashed her a charming smile, his silver eyes sparkling with mischief. "We're here to get checked in and possibly make some new acquaintances." Travis leaned closer letting his silver eyes look into hers, 'You Tiffany, it would be very helpful if you could tell me if Mister Belk was here."
Tiffany smiled back at him, leaning closer to him as well "You want me to... help... you CEO Evans?" She asked, her cheeks showing a slight blush. She didn't break the eye contact, and they lingered for a moment in an unbroken gaze.
As they did another young woman walked up to the reception desk. She smiled curiously at Tiffany and Travis. "Hello," she said with humor in her tone. "What is going on over here." Her has a Virginian southern drawl.
"Becca, Mr. Evans wanted me to know if the most prestigious Mr. Belk is here." Tiffany said, her blue eyes never leaving Travis. The other woman, who was introduced as Becca Andrews, raised an eyebrow, looking between the two of them.
"Hey, Becca," Travis said, his charm pulling out all the stops. "I'm Travis, and this is Marcus. We're new members. Tiffany was just about to show us around."
Becca smirked, her eyes lingering on Tiffany for a moment before turning to Travis. "Well, Mr. Evans, it's nice to meet you. I'm not supposed to say but the prestigious Mr. Belk is in the Cigar Room, and Cohiba Spectre's are his favorite. He's specifically wild for 2023s. Oh and Tiffany. He's really wild about Tiffany." Becca said playfully nudging Tiffany.
Tiffany laughed and rolled her eyes, looking back to Travis. "I'm not interested in that old man." She said on a sultry voice.
"I guess even prestigious men can't have everything they want." Travis said with a smile.
"Here's the registration for your CFO Mr. Evans. And these are tickets for smoke jacket rental. It's required for the Cigar Room. You know Mr. Evans I get off in about an hour."
"I'll be in the Cigar room. Come find me" Travis said with a wink. Marcus shook his head as he signed the guestbook. Travis leaned up to Tiffany's ear and whispered, causing Tiffany to smile wide. Travis and Marcus "What did you say to her?"Marcus asked. "That's a trade secret Marcus. Now let's find this Cigar Room.