The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(212)

He stepped into the office and looked at the picture with her. ''It sure is. One of the best diamonds in the world and it's coming here. I can't quite believe it.''

''Neither can I.'' She'd never heard of the program called, 'Diamonds for All.' It was an initiative set up by the National Association of Jewelers, with the aim of bringing famous diamonds to places where the public go and see them. Based on reputation, Radley had been asked if he would like to house the Hope Diamond when it came to New York. His store had the best security of any in the city, and it had a strong room big enough to house a large show cabinet, four security men, and the viewing public.

''Listen, Tyra, I know I said I'd show you the sales figures this afternoon, but Mrs. Johnson has told me she's feeling ill and would like to go home. Can you fill in for her this afternoon? Tyra nodded.

The shop was divided into departments. Not that the clients would notice. To the untrained eye, the store was one large area full of glass cabinets. To the staff, however, it was different. Usually, there were four sales people on duty at anyone time, and two security guards. Each sales person was responsible for six cabinets. Tyra didn't know why, but she enjoyed working on the cabinets where the most expensive ladies jewelry was housed.

''Wow,'' she muttered when she saw the man talking to Leon. Leon had a great eye for people and was a master at keeping scruffy, drunk or loud people out of the store. The man Leon was talking to was none of these. He was beautifully dressed, six feet tall, and well built. Tyra wasn't an expert on men's suits, but she knew enough to see that it was expensive. Leon pointed to Tyra, and she watched as the man walked towards her. When he got closer, she saw the dreamiest emerald green eyes. She inadvertently adjusted her hair and checked to see her blouse was tucked into her skirt.

''Hi. I have an appointment. My name is Dima Asakov. I'm looking for some jewelry for my mother's birthday.''

''Certainly sir.'' Although she had never seen him before, he was obviously one of the store's high net worth individuals. Very rich people were allowed to make an appointment, during which they got VIP treatment. Why don't you pamper me instead of your mother, I could use it right now, she thought. She was quick to chastise herself for being unprofessional.

He noted her features with interest. Black, beautiful, tall, thin, lovely curves, perfect breasts and beautiful face. His mother always said it was the sign of a classy man, when the man kept eye contact with a woman, despite the size of her breasts. Whenever he met a woman, he reminded himself of this. Most days it was easy, but today it required a Herculean effort.

''Follow me, Mr. Asakov.'' The VIP suite was the most comfortable place Tyra had ever been in, but it lacked atmosphere. It wasn't used nearly as often these days. The financial crisis had seen to that.

''Please take a seat,'' she said. He chose the sofa. In the room, there were two arm chairs and a sofa. Made of velvet, they were red, which gave the room a regal feel. Radley had spent a small fortune getting the lighting right. The ceiling was dotted with tiny spot lights, but around the sales table, they were larger. The sales table was a small glass affair, between the sofa and the arm chairs. Just a coffee table Radley had been advised that displaying jewelry in a homely setting would lead to more sales.

''I'm Tyra, it's lovely to meet you. Tell me about your mother what kind of woman is she? Tyra was the only sales assistant that bothered asking questions about the intended recipient. It allowed her to make better choices on behalf of the clients, she thought.

''Yes. Where shall I start?''

''Well, how old is she?''

''She's twenty-two years older than me,'' he said.

''Thirty-eight then,'' she said playing him at his own game.

''That would make me sixteen,'' he laughed. ''No she's forty-nine.'' Twenty-seven she calculated instantly.

''Sorry, I know it's a lot to ask but can you tell me, what color eyes and hair she has. Is her skin light or dark?''

''She's got blonde hair, like mine and her skin color is the same. Her eyes? Do you know, it's amazing how you think you know somebody so well and still don't know things like eye color.'' He looked embarrassed. ''Is it very important?''

She nodded. ''Have you got a sister?'' He nodded. ''Call her, she'll know.'' After a very short conversation in Russian, he hung up.

''Green,'' he said. ''Do you know what color eyes your mother has?'' When her eyes dropped, he felt awkward. ''Sorry, it's none of my business.''

''She's dead. But most black people have brown eyes, so it's not so difficult in my case. How much do you want to spend today?''

''My budget is five hundred thousand,'' he said it without flinching as if it was the kind of impulse buy mothers make to pacify their whining kids at the supermarket check out.

''Great, well thank you for choosing Samuels. I hope we can find you just what you're looking for.'' Tyra smiled at him. Not the usual friendly smile she reserved for people she liked, but the smile she hadn't used since she fell in love with her English teacher when she was sixteen.

''Of course, if you really want to make me happy, you can sell me the Hope Diamond at a knockdown price,'' he jested.