“I haven’t heard any complaints from his employees, but I imagine that’s because he pays them off if there are any issues.” Patricia considered her words carefully. “When he expanded his company over here, he assumed that he would automatically vault to the top of the heap. He acted like he had already moved ahead of everyone else, even those who have been in the business for years.”
“Oh, Mom, that describes ninety percent of the advertising industry. You all think you’re the best.”
Patricia actually smiled at that remark. “True. But he was trading on his name and his reputation, not on his skill. He plowed through a list of Hollywood starlets without any care for reputation, dating two every weekend and one or two more during the week. He threw wild parties—I’ve heard stories about those that make the ’80s look tame.”
“Are these stories fact or just gossip?” Lauren knew how the southern California rumor mill worked, especially in the industry. Her mother’s disapproval sounded more like a moral judgement than anything else, and after getting to know Hakim a little, Lauren wasn’t sure that judgement was based on actual events.
“Is there any difference in this town? Perception is reality, and Hakim Khalif has set himself up as a wealthy playboy only interested in style over substance.”
Lauren sighed silently. “Have you had any direct run-ins with him?”
“I have. We’ve competed on several contracts, most of which I’ve won. The ones he’s managed to succeed on have been because he dated the CEO’s daughter or the CEO herself.”
“Really?” Lauren tried not to sound too curious, but that didn’t seem like Hakim to her.
“He’s quite charming in person. It’s not surprising that he used a romantic connection to give him the upper hand in negotiations.”
Lauren wrinkled her forehead in confusion. “Did he date any of them for very long?”
Patricia laughed scornfully. “No. He sleeps with them, gets what he wants for his business, and then moves on. But he’s rich and attractive, so he gets away with it.”
“That doesn’t sound…”—realizing that she was about to reveal too much, Lauren frantically changed what she was going to say—“…very professional.”
Patricia gave Lauren a curious look. “Why are you so interested, honey?”
“You’ve never had anything good to say about him, and then he shows up at my party. Of course I’m interested. I’m trying to figure out if he was there for business or personal reasons.”
“With him, there’s no difference. He doesn’t have a personal life.”
“Well, that’s no different than you or me, really. And you said that he dated; that sounds like a personal life to me.”
“Oh, sweetheart. That’s not a personal life. He only dates people who can help him get ahead. I don’t know why he was at your party, but you should steer clear of any involvement with his company.”
Lauren played with her glass, not looking at her mother. “He just didn’t seem like a terrible guy at the party.”
She looked up and her mother was watching her closely, with a wary look.
“You should steer clear of him,” Patricia countered. “As charming as he is, he’s nothing but trouble.”
Lauren needed to change the subject. Her mother was too savvy to not pick up on why Lauren was asking questions, and she wasn’t ready for her mother to know about Hakim’s winning the auction. She needed something to distract her mother’s attention.
“Well, speaking of a personal life, I know you’ve been busy lately. All work or have you had the chance to get out and have some fun? Maybe even go on a date of your own?”
Lauren was mostly teasing. Patricia hadn’t dated anyone since divorcing her husband, Lauren’s father, fifteen years ago. She focused on work and Lauren, proclaiming frequently that she just didn’t have time for anything as frivolous as dating.
So Lauren was shocked when her mother actually blushed—barely, it was mostly hidden by Patricia’s flawless makeup—but it was definitely there.
“I have been seeing someone, actually. Only for a few weeks, but things are going rather well.”
Lauren leaned forward. “Who is he? Where did you meet? Come on, tell me everything!”
She was genuinely happy for her mother; finding some kind of non-work companionship would make life much easier for her.
Patricia smiled. “I think you’ll like him. He’s a pediatrician, with his own clinic downtown. We met at a fundraiser for the children’s hospital.”