Selective/Memory: The "Depth of Emotion" Book 2 (The Depth of Emotion) by DD Lorenzo Page A

much thought. That is what I will be paying you for—to set up the corporation and to procure the services of the real estate company for me.”
    She leaned in toward his desk and smiled seductively. Her tone put Mr. Dietz on guard.
    Realizing that she was more than just a beautiful woman, he measured his words carefully.
    “Ms. Franzi, do you know exactly what it is that you want from me, or were you going to allow me to use my expertise at all?”
    She scoffed at his words and toyed with the idea of dismissing him altogether, realizing that he wasn’t as much a fool as she would have played him for. The thought of looking for another attorney would delay any strategy she had made, and she then decided against it as it would only put the timeline of her plan further back.
    “Why, I know exactly what I want from you, Mr. Dietz,” she said with all the charm she could muster. “I want you to form a corporation for me. I want that corporation to employ the Davis Realty Company for all rentals and Cole Construction for maintenance, remodeling, and repair issues. I want those two companies used exclusively. I will select the properties that I would like to lease and those I would like to purchase for my real estate portfolio, but I will direct you to make the purchases for me, again through Davis Realty. There is nothing illegal about what I am proposing, so I see us having no problems. Do you?”
    Mr. Dietz was suddenly dumbfounded. He had certainly underestimated this woman. She clearly had an agenda and a solid, legal business proposal—and he’d gladly take her money.
    “I have one question, Ms. Franzi, if I may,” he asked as he reached for a legal pad. He looked up at the beautiful woman and presented her with his most gratuitous smile. “Exactly what would you like the name of your company to be?”
    Her face lit up like sunshine, and her tongue slithered over her lips as the words slipped out like poison.
    “Why, Mr. Dietz. I believe this will be a winning arrangement for us both. I’ve chosen something that has personal meaning to me… The Vencedor Corporation …”

 
     
    The throbbing began around the same time every day, relentless in reinforcing that he was no longer the same man. The pain was a bitter reminder in the message it delivered to his brain—loss.
    The effects of the whiskey continued to accelerate the medication’s mission, and the dark questions began to eat at his brain as they tortured him with the pain.
    What was harder to lose? The love of a lifetime, or the use of a limb?
    The question whipped his brain as effectively as the slicing sting of leather, inflicting pain with no constructive redemption. Day after day, he attempted eviscerating the pain of letting go of the woman he loved, but the void she left in his heart persisted and grew.
    As time carried on, he continued to make physical progress, returning to normal business activities. Photo shoots were offered, and he gratefully took the work—more as a diversion than for the income as The Studio was doing well financially. Clients did note that his look had changed. He was no longer the carefree poster child of the rich and famous. Not giving the appearance of a carefree summer in the Hamptons, he now wore the mask of a hardened, ruthless son of a bitch. It worked to his advantage, for as in the beginning of his career, the industry was seeking a look that was different . More and more physically impaired men were showing up in the pages of magazines, and the popularity of men such as Alex Minsky, made his job easier. At least he could be thankful that times had changed and people wanted variety in their advertising. If Aria hadn’t pushed him into making his dream, The Studio, a reality— well…what would he have done if he hadn’t met Aria —the thought was almost laughable. He’d still be a self-absorbed, narcissistic playboy in New York screwing every woman he wanted, and he’d never have been in an accident… and