Race Track to Marbella

 

 A couple of whiskey miniatures and a beer had left Adam Stroe in high spirits by the time they collected their luggage. He even offered to haul Yuiko’s suitcase, an offer she curtly dismissed.

Now, they found themselves amidst the cacophony of Malaga Airport. Families rushed past, children in tow, while tourists with sun hats and cameras hung around their necks chattered excitedly. Yuiko, however, was a stark contrast to the relaxed vacationers. She stood near a line of benches, her foot tapping rapidly, her brows knitted in frustration over a growing list of logistical nightmares. Their initial hotel booking had fallen through, and now they were rerouted to a beach-side spot in Marbella.

“Why the stress? We’ll get some sun and sand. Beats being cooped up in some tourist trap,” Adam remarked, a playful smirk on his face as he watched her frantic pacing.

Yuiko shot him a glare that could freeze lava. “Do not talk to me until I’ve sorted this mess. We have no car and no decent hotel,” she snapped, her voice slightly raised as she continued her phone calls.

Adam, sensing the danger, leaned back in his seat, raising his hands in mock surrender but otherwise remained silent. The business woman’s aura screamed ‘do not disturb.’

 He smoked two cigarettes by the time their eccentric ride arrived — a local driver named Schumacher who drove like a man possessed by the spirits of all the past, future, and present Formula 1 drivers.

“We could’ve rented our own car instead of dealing with van Schumacher here,” Adam growled at Yuiko, once in the car, gripping his seat as the man drove like he was in a Grand Prix.

Yuiko just shook her head dismissively. She was already engrossed in her work, fingers flying over her laptop keys, oblivious to both Adam and their daredevil driver. After about 15 minutes, she finally looked up. “I’ve finalized our schedule for the week and sent you an email.”

Adam stared at her, his gaze lingering, only to be interrupted when Schumacher took a sharp turn, causing them to jolt to the side. Yuiko straightened, adjusting her shirt with a hint of annoyance. Adam ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.

“I’m right here. You could’ve just told me,” He pointed out.

“Email is more efficient,” she replied, her focus already back on her laptop.

“I have over 1000 unread emails. Might take a while to find yours,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips. Yuiko looked genuinely shocked.

“You don’t check your emails?” The disbelief in her voice was evident. Even Schumacher seemed to find the situation amusing, glancing at Adam through the rearview mirror.

“Why would I?” Adam leaned back, looking relaxed as they entered the picturesque streets of Marbella. “My team and I use phones. We call each other.”

Yuiko seemed baffled. “How do you stay organized? How do you track tasks?”

“We just get them done. Emails are just a way to avoid real work,” he retorted, clearly enjoying her reaction.

“I’d appreciate it if you checked your emails, Mister Stroe,” she said, her voice strained.

Adam just shrugged. “You can always call me.”

He gave her a cheeky grin, but she was not amused. “Please refrain from such comments, Mister Stroe.”

After a harrowing 45-minute ride with Schumacher, they finally reached their hotel. Yuiko immediately took charge, intimidating the friendly receptionist into rescheduling breakfast from 9 am to 8 am, exclusively for them.

Adam’s quip about the early hour earned him nothing but a stern look from Yuiko. She informed him of their evening meeting in the lobby before briskly heading to her room and shutting the door behind her.

With Yuiko momentarily out of the picture, Adam felt the need to decompress.

Without even checking his room, he made his way out, drawn to the beckoning blue of the Mediterranean Sea. As he walked, he dialed a number on his phone.

           It rang twice before being picked up. “Let me guess, you were waiting, phone in hand, biting your nails, wondering when I’d call?” Adam teased.

           “More like worried about your man baby ass and your fear of flights. Did you take my advice and have a drink, that’s how I calm down passengers who moan and whine” The voice on the other end was playful.

“Have a drink? Ana, I drank everything they had on that cart. And you are definitely not winning any awards for flight attendant of the year with those strategies” Adam chuckled, pausing as the vast expanse of the sea unfolded before him. “You should be here. Take a break, come surf with me.”

“Pff, no rest for the wicked baby bro. Today I’m in Finland, tomorrow Germany, then off to the States” Ana replied, the sound of a lighter flicking and her inhaling deeply audible.

“Always on the move, huh? What’s the plan? Pay off mom’s house with all that flight money?” Adam’s tone was light, but there was an underlying seriousness.

“Or maybe her start child will. She tells everyone her son is an engineer”

Adam sighed, switching his phone to his other ear as he approached the beach. The sound of waves crashing provided a soothing backdrop. “Not the time to measure egos. They stopped me at the goddamn gates to feel me up, then the turbulence was so bad it was like riding a freaking tractor here.”

“Was it a woman or a man that felt you up? I know how they do it. They see a hottie and they make the machine beep.” Ana explained, a hint of mirth in her voice. “Did mom panic because you’re leaving her alone for nine days? Did she pack you zacuscă?”

“You know she did, but it’s gone” he paused. “I ate it at a gas station, with one of those croissants you like and a coffee.”

“For fuck sake Adam” she laughed at the mental image. “If anyone asks, I’m a single child. So, how’s the boss?”

“The boss is tiny and extremely upset. She took me being late very personal”

“Tiny? Why are you trying to make it sound like it’s a bad thing. You like them small and feisty. Seriously, would you kiss her if I paid you?”

“Are you 10?”  Adam countered, sitting on a border after he was tired of patrolling the same patch of beach. After a moment of thought, he added “Only to shut her up. She’s nice to look at, would be cute if not for the stick so high up her ass I’m surprised she can even sit”

“Look at him, he’s all grown up and frustrated with work,” his sister chimed in, a gentle tease in her voice.

“She said she’ll print out the schedule and my entire email history so I can catch up on it. The girl is manic,” Adam grumbled, a hint of annoyance seeping through his words as he kicked at the sand beneath his feet.

“What did you expect? To relax? You’re at work, little brother, and you better rock that gig, your career depends on it,” Ana reminded him.

“Takeo won’t kick me out until I want to leave. I bet my left nut on it,” Adam confidently responded, smirking slightly.

Ana sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice, “Adam, your nut isn’t as valuable as you think it is. And don’t bet so much on being friends with the big boss, these corporate types would eat their babies for profits. Just send me some pictures and behave like the grown man mom raised you to be.”

“Girls have never complained about me. But this little one is corporate to the bone,” he grumbled, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

“Then just look her in the eyes and give her the ‘kind reminder’. That’s corporate for ‘Fuck you’. Now, I need to pick up my uniform from the cleaners. Behave yourself, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“So basically anything but getting pregnant?” he retorted, ending the call with a chuckle.

The waves beckoned, and after the tumultuous flight, Adam was eager to immerse himself in the Mediterranean’s embrace.

Adam had hoped that the morning would bring a more amiable Miss Ishida. However, as he entered the hotel restaurant, her tight-lipped expression told him otherwise. The early hour, reserved just for them, was a testament to her influence. He mused about the power of the corporate world as he approached her. “

The restaurant was a delightful blend of vintage charm and eclectic decor. Faded artworks, old advertisements, and trinkets from various journeys adorned the space. Mismatched furniture added to its quirky appeal. Beyond the glass windows, a courtyard showcased tall palms surrounding a pristine pool, offering a serene view.

Amidst this rustic charm, Yuiko sat, an embodiment of corporate elegance. Her sharp attire stood out, making her seem like a sophisticated bird amidst a rustic setting. Her focus remained on her laptop,  undisturbed by the surroundings or Adam’s presence. The juxtaposition of her modern, sleek appearance against the restaurant’s vintage backdrop was striking.

“Good sleep?” Adam greeted her with a smile, his casual demeanor contrasting her evident displeasure from the previous evening.

“Not really,” Yui responded, her fingers wrapped around her coffee cup. Her face was etched with displeasure. “The walls here are paper-thin, our delivery got delayed, and they lack gluten-free or vegan options.”

Adam raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from her to the buffet spread. “Are you vegan or gluten-intolerant?”

She shook her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “No, but they should cater to everyone.”

Adam chuckled, “So, you’re advocating for hypothetical guests now?”

She sighed, her patience thinning. “It’s about being considerate.”

He stood, heading to the buffet. “And are you being considerate to them?” he called over his shoulder. When he returned, his plate was a mountain of eggs, and he had a beer in hand.

“This hotel has a staff and an owner who’ve invested in it. Don’t they deserve some understanding?” he asked, taking a sip of his beer.

Yui’s eyes flashed with indignation. “Are you implying I’m a hypocrite?”

Her gaze shifted from Adam’s beer to his face, her disapproval evident. His relaxed demeanor, in contrast to her growing frustration, was infuriating.

Adam, seemingly unaffected by her anger, replied, “In essence, yes. Do people usually tiptoe around you because you’re the boss’s daughter?” His casual tone sharply contrasted Yui’s mounting irritation. He began eating, clearly unbothered by the tension.

Yui’s face turned a shade redder, her eyes narrowing. “Watch your words, Mister Stroe,” she warned, her voice firm.

Adam countered, “You were dismissive of the hotel staff and set up a meeting after a long travel day. When I suggested dinner to get to know each other, you left abruptly. That’s not flirting; that’s trying to establish rapport.”

Yui’s voice rose, her frustration evident. “You’ve been inappropriate since we boarded the plane. After landing, you continued your advances. You claimed fatigue, yet I heard you return late, disturbing my rest. Your lack of consideration is evident.”

Adam simply shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, what can I say, I’ve always been a rebel.”

Yui’s tone was sharp, implying she wanted the conversation to end. “Your rebellion is unprofessional and childish. Act your age.”

Adam’s amusement was evident, which only seemed to infuriate Yui more. “Did any of this happen during business hours?”

“Every hour is a business hour during a business trip,” Yui retorted.

Adam continued eating, seemingly unfazed. “You haven’t responded to why you feel insulted by the alleged flirting.”

Yuiko’s posture stiffened, her arms crossed. “You do not flirt with your boss.”

Adam’s grin widened. “To me, Takeo is my boss. And I only flirt with him if we’ve had enough palinka.”

Yuiko’s expression darkened, clearly not amused. “Can you finish your beer so we can get to work? I don’t wish to hear about your inappropriate behavior around my father.”

Adam’s laughter faded as he regarded her. “I thought you said the transport is late. What’s the hurry?”

Yuiko’s voice was tinged with exasperation. “Our jobs depend on this!”

Adam casually took another bite from his pastry. “Did anyone threaten to fire you?”

She sighed, clearly frustrated. “Of course not, but it’s obvious, isn’t it?”

Adam’s relaxed demeanor remained. “Not in my book. If you can’t make the sale, it’s on you, not my team. And Takeo won’t fire his only offspring.”

Yuiko’s grip tightened on her coffee cup, her voice slightly shaky. “I am NOT relying on my father. And you should be the one to talk, I’ve met your team, they need a firmer hand.”

Adam’s eyebrows raised in surprise, but he quickly chuckled. “You met my team? When?”

“Online meeting when you so elegantly responded…and I quote, ‘Out of office, going hiking with my dogs.’”

“That was exactly what I was doing. Don’t you appreciate honesty?”

“I appreciate hard work. How do you expect your team to respect you and give their best?”

Adam shrugged, his casual demeanor contrasting with her tension. “You appreciate hard work; I appreciate good results. Basic difference.”

“And how are your team’s results? I haven’t seen a report yet.”

 

“You’re supposed to sell this and you claim you have no idea how it went? Which one of us is unprofessional?”

Yuiko’s eyes flashed with irritation. “I think you are crossing a line, Mr. Stroe.”

His laughter filled the space between them. “Oh yeah, I’m a professional line crosser. Pleased to meet you, boss.”

She took a moment to compose herself, exploring the buffet before returning with a plate. “At least it’s good to see that the staff here is incredibly friendly,” she said, her voice softer. “And culturally diverse.”

“That so? What happened?” He asked, genuinely curious.

“The chef came to ask me if everything was in order… and he asked me if I like curry. I believe he is Indian.”

Adam’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “That’s a new one. And what did you say?”

“I said yes, I was polite. What else could I say? He said he will make some someday.”

“And you want the Indian dude to make you some? Because you just claimed me flirting with you was a capital insult.”

Yuiko’s expression was one of confusion. “Excuse me, what does flirting have to do with curry?”

“You didn’t realize that was flirting but you accuse me of flirting for being a decent guy?”

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Nonsense, he was not flirting with me, he is old enough to be my father.”

“And? Do you think your father doesn’t flirt?”

Yuiko’s frown deepened. “Not with women my age,” she retorted, her voice filled with indignation.

 “No?” Adam raised his eyebrows but didn’t otherwise comment. Checking his watch, he remarked, “Looks like you’ll be late, Miss Ishida.”

She quickly checked her own watch and stood up abruptly. “If we are late, I blame you entirely Mister Stroe. We need to order a taxi and leave. Now.”