Free The Elevator: A 21st Century Romance (Book 1) by John Ashford

Chapter 1
     
    “Janice, I need that report on my desk before the end of the day.”
     
    “Yes, Mrs. Clifton I will get that to you as you requested.” Janice responded over the speaker.
     
    Janice was the trusted assistant to Rachael Clifton who was the CEO of Clifton Communications. Rachael was the person that had taken a struggling company that was on the verge of bankruptcy, bought it and turned it into a money making machine in a matter of a couple of years. Rachael was a results driven person that did not like to hear that something could not be done. It was this aggressiveness that had made her a shark in the business world. While the company at the moment was not in the best of shape, Rachael was determined to turn things around. Several factors had hit out of the blue that led to Clifton Communications getting caught off guard. These events had sent the entire industry into a tail spin and people like Rachael were all trying to get their company's back on track.
     
    Rachael was not what you would call a spoiled brat. The fact of the matter was that her parents had raised her in South Beach and money was never a problem. If Rachael wanted it, chances are that within hours she would have it. This allowed her the chance to live like a rich kid and was the foundation of her ruthlessness in the business world. The daughter of a prominent lawyer and a nationally acclaimed psychologist, Rachael was used to living a life that was full of glitz and glam all the time. She had the best of everything in her life, she went to the best schools including the University of Miami. This was looked at as being a huge accomplishment as her entire family had all attended the U and her father had made a very large donation to the University.
     
    Rachael growing up was a very popular girl, she was named Student Body President in High School and was always seen with the most popular kids in school. There was one true friend that remained in her life even after Graduation and that was Lucille. Lucille was a little different from Rachael in the fact that she was a party girl. All through High School, Lucille was always trying to set Rachael up with one of the guys that she thought would be ideal.

Chapter 2
     
    Rachael was just getting in from work after a long day when her phone rang. “Geez do these people realize that I do have a life that is outside of the company. What is it now?” Rachael took her phone and answered the call.
     
    “Hey Rachael sweetie, how are you doing? I have the ideal man for you, he is strong, handsome and loaded with money. I told my friend Samantha at the club all about you and her brother is just getting out of a relationship. You and him would make an absolutely great couple. Samantha and I agree that the two of you could have the wedding at the country club. I know a great caterer that could cater the whole wedding....”
     
    “Mom...Mom do you hear yourself, you are practically having me married and such before I even meet this guy. I don't need you to go and arrange dates for me. After all do I need to point out that your success rate thus far has not exactly been 100%. Do we need to discuss the last guy that you arranged for me? He was a total scumbag that was more interested in his looks than he was me. I could have been naked in front of him wearing clown shoes and a red nose and he would not have noticed. I appreciate your efforts Mom but please do me a favor and do not try to help me out in the way of dating.”
     
    “Rachael dear, I just want to see you happy and to settle down with someone that will make you feel fulfilled. You are a career woman, I get that, me and your father were both busy with our careers but we still found time to meet one another and to have a beautiful daughter nine months after marrying.”
     
    “Wait mother, you and Dad married ten months after you first met, are you saying that you were knocked up with me before you got married?”
     
    “Rachael, it does