by Zante, Lily
What had come over him? It was as if he’d ignited as soon as she’d opened her mouth. She had only come to apologize because she felt genuinely sorry for what she’d said but his reaction had hurt her and left her feeling angry and humiliated. Tobias Stone was unpredictable and his moods were mercurial. He was like a stick of dynamite and she never knew when his fuse had been lit.
“Tell me,” said the older woman, gently touching her arm. “What is wrong?”
She tried to lighten up. “I’m wondering whether to play hooky tomorrow.”
Rosalee made a face signifying that she didn’t understand. “Hooky?”
“I might stay at home.”
“You are ill?”
“I could pretend to be ill.”
“Why would you do that?”
So that I don’t have to go to work and risk seeing that man again. “It would be nice for you to spend the day with your family, and I could spend the day with Jacob.” That too.
Rosalee frowned. “But your work people are so nice and they gave you such lovely gifts at Christmas.” Jacob breezed past at that moment with Iron Man and Venom in combat.
“Mr. Stone did that, Rosalee. Mommy’s boss. He wanted us to have a nice Christmas.” And just as quickly he ran off again with Iron Man leading the way.
“Your boss?” Rosalee’s eyes opened wide, as if she’d discovered the secret to eternal youth. “This boss of yours—is he single?”
Savannah expressed horror at what Rosalee was driving at. “Stop it, Rosalee. It’s nothing like that. He’s not a…” she wanted to say he wasn’t a nice man, in contrast to Jacob’s defiant mantra about him but Jacob seemed to adore the man and she didn’t want to ruin that. “He has a girlfriend.”
Hmmmmpph. Rosalee gave her one of those knowing snorts. This-isn’t-the-end-of-this-conversation type of snorts. Before she headed out of the door, she gave Savannah a last look. “You leave Jacob with me tomorrow. He is no trouble; he is like a grandson to me. You make sure you go to work.”
Armed with that directive, Savannah could hardly back out.
~~
She returned the next day but soon wished she had stayed at home with Jacob.
At lunchtime she’d taken the hour and sat in a coffee shop eating her sandwich and reading a magazine, looking through the latest fashions and wondering what she would buy if she had too much money.
She’d buy dresses of all lengths, and skirts, and boots, tight jeans, well-cut suits and jackets, with sweaters and blouses and accessories to match.
A girl could dream.
Kay had often commented on her slender figure. “Not fair!” she had cried, “You’ve had a baby too.” She wasn’t tall, but tall enough, but she was slim and it helped make more of the height she had.
She turned the page and stared at the beautiful selection of underwear; the shiny, silky and lacy lingerie that looked nothing like the off-white and unsexy cotton pieces she always wore.
A girl could dream indeed.
She enjoyed her hour out of the office, not just because she could turn her mind to things that weren’t related to work or Jacob but because it was a way of avoiding Tobias Stone. He had come in today; she knew because she’d checked on her computer to see who else had logged onto the network; it was an easy way of finding out who was around. Tobias Stone had been in the entire morning and she had successfully avoided running into him so far.
It had been an odd week, nothing like the easy-going post-Christmas spell she’d imagined. Though it would have been, had Tobias Stone not been around.
Maybe she was partly to blame? Had she become too familiar, too brash with him? He’d seen her dancing around and then she’d helped him. It hadn’t been like a ‘normal’ week at work. Yet she’d tripped a boundary somewhere along the way by asking him about his family. Was it really so off limits given that he’d sent her those Christmas gifts?
The bitter chill nipped at her ears as she rushed towards the Stone building having had her lunch.
My last time, she told herself as she rushed through the revolving doors of the Stone building. She had finished the last of the boxes and there was nothing left for her to do. She decided to reply to Briony’s email from yesterday.
It’s my last few hours here and I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year! I hope you’re having fun, ski-ing or otherwise. I’m bored to death, so if you have anything to do to keep me busy for the afternoon, just let me know. You know how much I hate sitting around trying to look busy.
The phone rang and she answered it instantly.
“You have nothing to do?” Briony’s cool, glacial voice cheered her up and she realized how much she missed having another person around; a normal person with a normal temperament, unlike Tobias.
“Nope. I finished the work you gave me.”
“I hoped it would last you until the first week back, while I put together a list of things for you to work on in the coming month.”
“What?”
“I have lots of things in mind; I just have to prioritize them.”
“You want me back?”
“I told you that.”
“When? I thought this was my last day.”
Briony let out a long groan. “So that’s what you meant in your email. I thought you meant this was your last day before the holiday.”
“I didn’t think you needed me anymore.”
“Sorry,” Briony sounded flustered. “I told you my memory had gone to pot. I extended your contract and the agency already knows. I thought you said Tobias had already told you?”
“He said I’d be providing cover for this week.”
“Well, I’ve extended your contract until the end of January and I’m sure I can keep on extending because there is plenty to do. It was one of the reasons I wanted you to get these files out of the way now.”
“You can keep extending?” She was hopeful once more.
“Easily. You really are something else, Savannah Page, and I have more work than I can handle.” Savannah felt as though the sun had burst through the dark, gray clouds outside. A lightness settled over her chest. “Thanks, Briony. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“Hon, you don’t know what this means to me. “I’m sorry I messed things up. Did you really think you were leaving today?”
“Yes.”
“I’m usually not this disorganized—it should tell you just how swamped I am at the moment that I seem to have forgotten so many little details. Let me find the necessary paperwork and I’ll email it to you. But first, let me check—are you happy to extend?”
“More than happy to extend,” Savannah replied quickly. In recent days the shine had started to wear off this temp assignment but she loved working for Briony and once things resumed to normal and everyone returned after the holidays, there would be no need for her to have any contact with the cause of her unease: Tobias Stone. She would report directly to Briony and it was guaranteed work for another month, at least. How could she turn it down? If she worked hard and made a good impression, there was a strong possibility it would continue. This could be the lucky break she’d been hoping for.
“Of course I am. Thanks, Briony.”
“I think I might even turn 218 into your room.”
The coming year looked promising. “How’s skiing?” Savannah asked, feeling happier.
“Amazing! I’m a speed junkie, and I can’t get enough of it.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’m more a Miss Play-It-Safe.”
Briony laughed. “Why don’t you do something daring and go home early today, like now. It’s what, four now?”
“Do you think I could?” Savannah asked. Briony mocked her outrage. “Why not, Miss Diligence? You can so go home early especially since it’s New Year’s Eve. Loosen up Savannah. It’s not like you’re embezzling funds from Stone Enterprises.”
“I know—” She’d gone home early yesterday after that painful encounter with Tobias.
“I’m sure your
son would like to see you home early for a change. I don’t have anything for you to do so it seems to be a waste of your time. I can vouch for you if anyone asks. It’s not as if anyone’s in to keep an eye on you.”
“Actually, Tobias has been in most days.”
“Tobias?”
“Yes.”
“Most days?”
“Yes.”
“That’s surprising.”
You’re telling me, thought Savannah.
“And I ran into Naomi.”
“Where?”
“In the elevator going down.”
“Interesting. The mystery deepens.”
“What mystery?”
“Oh, nothing,” replied Briony breezily. “I wonder why he came into the office. Come to think of it, why did she?” Savannah had questions of her own and decided to come clean. Perhaps Briony would have a better perspective on matters. “I asked Tobias about his wife.”
“YOU DID WHAT?”
“Yes,” replied Savannah, shrinking further into her seat. “I thought Naomi was his wife. I didn’t know.”
“You didn’t know about his wife or the accident?”
“I had no idea.”
Briony made a low groaning noise in her throat. “I’d forgotten. You didn’t even know who he was when you first started here.”
Savannah blushed, remembering that time. “I thought he was still married because he still wears that ring and so I naturally assumed that…”
“Holy shit. What did he say?”
She didn’t want to tell her everything that had happened because even though she felt she could trust Briony, she hadn’t known her that long and didn’t want to take a chance.
“He didn’t say much.”
She decided not to tell her that she had later apologized to Tobias and gotten in even more trouble.
“He’s a man of few words and a real hard nut to crack,” Briony confessed. A knock at the door stole Savannah’s attention and she panicked at the idea that Tobias lurked at the other side; ready to piss her off again. “I have to go. Someone’s at the door.”
“You mean to say Tobias is in today as well?”
Savannah jumped up and whispered. “I think so.” Though it was not like him to knock. He usually strode right in.
“Happy New Year, hon. Go home. Even if Tobias is there. I can shoot him an email if—”
“No!” Savannah hissed. She didn’t want any favors from the man and no special requests from Briony about herself either. “I have to go.” She hung up, her throat suddenly dry and answered the door.
But she found herself staring at someone she hadn’t met before and the relief that it wasn’t Tobias made her smile wider. The man who now stood looking at her had a softer face and longish hair.
“You must be Savannah?” he asked, smiling at her.
“I am. And you are?”
“Matthias Rust,” he said, holding out his hand. “Mind if I come in?”
So this was Matthias? She’d heard his name many times. He’d been the one who’d had the file that Tobias had wrongly assumed she had taken.
She opened the door wider and stepped aside. “I work alongside Tobias,” he told her. Savannah smiled and at the same time wondered what he wanted from her. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Not a thing,” he replied, good-naturedly. It made a refreshing change to have a normal conversation with someone who wasn’t going to jump down on her. “I only came by to see who else was in. Tobias said you were working in here so I came over to introduce myself. So this is where you’ve been hiding?”
“I’ve hardly been hiding.”
“I’m only joking,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with merriment.
Loosen up, Savannah.
“I’ve been quietly keeping myself busy,” she said, moving back to her desk and leaning against it. “And I’ve finished everything I had to do.”
“You’ve been here through the holidays?”
“Every day apart from Christmas Day and the day after.”
“Tobias let you go home for a few days, did he?” Mischief lit up his eyes.
“He couldn’t have kept me here,” she replied defensively, “no matter how much he likes to think he’s king of the jungle.” The bitter memory of yesterday infused her words with anger and made Matthias laugh.
“Someone who doesn’t hide her true feelings about the man,” he chuckled. “How long are you here for?”
“A month at least.”
“A belated ‘Welcome’ to you then.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “It’s great to meet you at long last. I’ve heard your name a lot.”
“I dread to think why.” He flicked his hair to the side and looked around at the boxes which she’d neatly lined up against the wall. “Is that what you’ve been working on?”
She nodded. “Scanning and filing. I just do as I’m told.”
“Working for Tobias, I’m sure you do,” he whispered, conspiratorially. She cheered up even more and already felt as thick as thieves with him.
“It’s been good to meet you, Savannah,” he said. “It’s deathly quiet isn’t it? I don’t know why I bothered to come in.”
“Why did you?”
“To pick up some paperwork. I hope you get to leave early. Don’t stay imprisoned in here too long. It’s New Year’s Eve, don’t forget.”
“Imprisoned?” She laughed, “I’m planning on making my escape soon.”
“What have you got planned for this evening?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” she replied, folding her arms and thinking about it.
“It’s New Year’s Eve and you’ve got nothing planned?” he asked. And then they both turned to look as the door opened and Tobias walked in.
Chapter 12
Savannah’s heart thumped wildly and the carefree mood she’d been in vanished as her stomach tightened. She unfolded her arms slowly and resisted the urge to move over to her chair.
“Matthias.” Tobias greeted his colleague with a slight nod then glanced her way. She’d avoided him since yesterday and had had no desire to interact with him today. But now he had come looking for her. She was thankful that Matthias was here.
“I was making myself known to this delightful young lady,” said Matthias.
“I’m sure she already knows who you are,” said Tobias tightly.
“She’d heard of me, but who hasn’t,” Matthias laughed. “I could do with her help, if Briony runs out of things for her to do.”
“Briony has some projects in mind for her,” Tobias replied coldly. The easy going atmosphere in the room had turned to one of tension and unease ever since Tobias had entered.
“I see,” said Matthias, carefully, and winked at Savannah, who couldn’t help but giggle back at him. Tobias heard the slight laugh that escaped from her and his face clouded over.
“Matthias and Tobias, we sound like a German DJ Duo, don’t you think?” Matthias asked, giving her a wicked smile. “You can call me Matt—my friends do—but whatever you do,” he leaned in towards her, “don’t call him Toby.” She clenched her stomach tightly to stop herself from collapsing into laughter because even though she couldn’t see his face, she felt the heat of Tobias’s stare and sensed his displeasure at Matthias’s words. The idea of such a nickname for Tobias was ridiculous. It implied a friendly nature that didn’t belong to the man at all.
“I’ll be sure to never make that mistake,” she replied solemnly, staring at Tobias.
“Did you want something?” Tobias asked the man.
“Not particularly. Like I said, I came to introduce myself to Savannah. It’s just as well since she’s going to be with us for another month. I didn’t see you at the Christmas party,” he asked.
“I didn’t go.”
“You had a better offer, I suppose. It wouldn’t be surprising. An evening at the Plaza Hotel with Tobias Stone or—”
“Weren’t you leaving?” asked Tobias
.
“I was,” replied Matthias.
“I’ve left some paperwork on your desk,” Tobias said. “You’ll need to sign it and hand it back to me before you leave.”
“I’d better do as I’m told, or else…” Matthias winked at her and headed towards the door. He turned to Tobias. “This young lady has finished all of her work so I hope you’re going to let her go home early. I’m sure she has a celebration planned for tonight; not everyone sits around moping in misery.” His words implied a small dig at Tobias but he didn’t seem to be paying any attention.
His gaze was fixed on her and she didn’t like the way he looked at her.
Matthias walked towards the door. Don’t leave now, she wanted to scream. Let me close down my computer and get my coat on.
“Are you doing anything tonight?” Matthias asked him as Savannah rushed around packing her things away as fast as she could. If she left the office with Matthias, it would make for an easier, less awkward exit. She glanced at Tobias, curious to hear his response.
“No.” His curt one-word reply was typical.
“And on that riveting note,” said Matthias, throwing her a side glance. “I think I shall make my exit.”
Desperate to stall him, she piped up. “Do you have any plans for tonight?”
“Now that you mention it, I’m going for a few drinks with some other poor souls who are lingering around in their offices on the pretense of doing some work. Why don’t you come along?”
The out-of-the-blue invite took her by surprise. Although she wasn’t sure what this man did or what his position was, she felt certain that he was high up and she didn’t feel too comfortable about going out with him for a drink. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tobias’s head turn in her direction and she sensed him waiting for her reply.
Was he or did she merely imagine it? She couldn’t tell, but in that moment she wanted to spite him.
“Drinks?” she asked, waiting to see if Matthias’s invite was genuine. He dazzled her with his smile once more and despite the overt friendliness he showered on her, the ice chill of Tobias’s gaze settled over her, making her uneasy.
