Tiger Lily: Part One

by Amélie S. Duncan

  Oh yes. I will have to show you just how much I appreciated it the next time I’m in town.

  When will that be? I replied.

  I stared at the screen until Gregor came back from his office and motioned for me to follow him. I fell in place and we took the elevator to the ground floor and walked out the building. My phone finally beeped and I looked at it as we walked down the street.

  A couple of weeks. Possibly less.

  I sighed.

  Okay. I have dinner with Gregor now. I’ll talk to you later?

  “It’s rude to text on your phone the whole time,” Gregor quipped. I exhaled and fell back into step.

  Yes. David will be there until you leave. Talk to you later.

  As we approached the white brick and glass building that housed Sophie’s, I spotted David and Jonas’s Bentley. He’s so considerate. I beamed as I waved to David, then followed Gregor inside the bar restaurant. The host set us at a small cloth table. Gregor pulled back my cushy beige and dark wood chair and took the seat across from me. The place was not as full as it would be in an hour with a steady flow of the after-work suit crowd walking in and settling near the oak bar upfront. The cedar flooring and oversized seating gave it a lounge atmosphere. A waitress came over and took our order. We both ordered burgers and Long Island Iced Teas. When she walked away, Gregor turned to me and blew out.

  “I saw the car. So tell me what happened?” Gregor asked.

  I flushed and shrugged. “Well, it’s nothing really. Just casual. That’s it.”

  The waitress brought over our drinks and we both sipped for a few minutes.

  “I’m not mad at you for having sex,” Gregor said, sipping his drink. “I’m worried about what you might think it means.”

  I lifted my chin, ignoring the knot in my chest. “I’m not thinking it means anything.” I refolded the napkin in my lap.

  Gregor sighed. “Good. As I said I know Jonas and Dani. Well, I knew them back in college.”

  I shrugged. “So you were friends?”

  “We were acquaintances. But I introduced them both to Maggie, my girlfriend. They in turn invited her into their inner circle of friends,” he explained.

  I bit my lip. “Not you?” He shook his head. “That’s awful.”

  Gregor frowned. “It gets worse. Maggie broke up with me to pursue a sexual relationship with them. Talking some bullshit about being polyamorous, a word I doubt she even understood.”

  My brows rose. Jonas had mentioned their sexual relationship and Dani had alluded to as much at the yoga center. Still I was skeptical of Gregor’s assessment of Maggie’s decision. “That’s harsh. Give her some credit she was a college student. She knew what it meant or she wouldn’t have pursued it. Right?”

  “Okay. Yeah. So I’m bitter, sue me,” Gregor grumbled as he sucked down his drink. “I haven’t seen many woman like her. Beautiful face, hour glass figure, innocent, sweet….”

  My lips parted. Dani had mentioned I looked a little like a Maggie they knew. So maybe I was Jonas’s type. “Is that why you sent me?”

  “Yes,” Gregor said without hesitation. He tucked his hair behind his ears. “But that’s not the point. I thought I was going to marry her. They eventually dumped her, but when I came back to her afterwards, she didn’t want me. Said I couldn’t give her what she needed. They corrupted her.”

  The waitress came back and dropped off our burgers and fries. Gregor bit into his and groaned in pleasure.

  I picked at my burger with my fork. “I’m sorry, Gregor. But maybe people change over time.”

  Gregor nodded. “I was willing to keep an open mind about the polyamorous thing too. But she finally told me the truth,” he said between bites. “She didn’t want someone that didn’t have the wealth and power they had.” He sipped his drink.

  I looked down. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  “Maggie was poor and they seduced her with sex and gifts. Then, they dumped her. She was fun, but Dani and Jonas were basically destined since birth. She had the breeding, bank, and connections. Maggie thought she was special to them. She thought they would still make room for her in their lives,” Gregor said.

  My stomach churned as I listened and ate my burger. “So, Jonas and Dani did what?”

  “They not only dumped her, they took all their lavish lifestyle and friendly connections with them. Maggie was devastated to put it mildly, but she couldn’t deal with going back to a regular guy like me,” Gregor said. “So what I want you to know is, Jonas will enjoy you, but don’t get hung up on him.”

  I put the burger down. Was that my fate? Would I become entranced with Jonas and his life, only to be heartbroken like Maggie? “I didn’t know. They both seemed kind to me,” I mumbled.

  “Jonas isn’t usually a liar. He didn’t promise you anything, did he?” Gregor asked.

  I moved the fries around my plate. “No. He didn’t….”

  Gregor shook his head. “You’re already upset. I’ll have a talk with him.”

  My eyes widened. “I’m not upset. I’m fine. Please, don’t.”

  Gregor pursed his lips. “Sure you aren’t.” He sighed as he reached out and clasped my hand, “I just don’t want to see you hurt. You’re my favorite assistant. I like to see your face smiling.”

  I eased my hand back and busied myself twirling my straw around the inside of my now half empty glass. Trying to understand the Jonas, Dani, and Gregor experience from the ones I met. Surely people change over the years. I’m not the same as I was in Quincy. Of course, I was willing to make excuses because I liked them.

  “Well,” he said breaking our silence, “we have a good six weeks or so before our presentation with him.”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  Gregor smiled broadly. “That will earn you a promotion. I may even be able to swing a raise now with all the business I generated during the conference.”

  “Great,” I said, plastering on a smile.

  Gregor joked over the remainder of the meal and I tried to be as enthusiastic for him as I could while he talked about his conference and all the new business contacts he made there. However, my mind was playing over the highlights of his conversation regarding Jonas.

  I rubbed my chest and pushed the food away from me. He was right. Jonas hadn’t promised me a relationship. We had a business companionship. The moments of him holding me; his comfort and care meant something to me, but not to him. I needed to not allow myself to get lost in him.

  When the check arrived, we were both buzzed. I reached in my purse and took out my half.

  He smiled jovially. “It’s a business expense.” We walked to the door and as we reached the Bentley and the car service I had set up for him to take back home. He opened his arms and I gave him a hug, and he held me.

  “You take such good care of me,” Gregor said. “You’re special, Lily.”

  I moved back from him and he leaned down and kissed me.

  I jumped back and touched my lips. “Gregor. What are you doing?”

  His eyes widened. “Oh. I’m sorry. I…‌don’t be mad.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Go sleep it off.” I suddenly found David at my side, blocking Gregor. “You need some help, Lily?”

  “No. He was just joking around,” I said. He didn’t move from between us.

  Gregor glared at David and moved towards his car. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lily. Remember what I said.”

  I shook my head as he stumbled in his car. “Light weight,” I called out.

  Turning back to David, I thanked him and climbed inside the car.

  After a few minutes on the road, my phone chimed. I looked at the caller ID and a flutter went through my stomach. Jonas.

  “I want to hear it from you,” He barked out.

  I narrowed my brows. He’s upset? “You have David spying on me?”

  “I have David looking out for you as you’re alone in New York. What happened?” His harsh tone alerted me that David must have told him what happened
between me and Gregor.

  “Gregor was drunk. He didn’t mean anything. It was just one kiss.”

  “I don’t want any part of Gregor Worton touching you, or anyone else for that matter. I’ll be clear when I talk to him.”

  My mouth went dry. “Don’t, please. He’s my friend and I know he didn’t mean anything by it. He’s probably all upset at himself now.”

  “Not open for discussion. He won’t touch you again. Ever,” he said sharply.

  I glared at the phone. “Why not? I’m just a companion.”

  “My companion, which means you’re mine and off limits to anyone but me,” Jonas said.

  I licked my lips as my stomach fluttered at the thrill of his possessiveness towards me. But I didn’t liked the idea of Jonas fighting with Gregor. “He’s my boss. I can’t have you ordering him to not touch me.”

  “I’ll just let him know he wouldn’t have gotten into that conference in the Hamptons if it hadn’t been for me,” he said.

  My brows furrowed as my mouth gaped. “Jonas, you didn’t. How could you do that to him?”

  “I helped him out. Arch is a good company, but let’s be serious. He needed to be invited into the game to play. I made it happen. That’s all.”

  I pushed back my hair as my heart sped up. “I’m not a bargaining piece. You can’t go around threatening to take things away because of a kiss. That’s insane.”

  “The second you let someone get away with disrespecting you, that respect is gone forever. There will be no compromise. Gregor knows that much about me,” he said.

  I frowned. “Please don’t hurt him. He’s one of my only friends.” My words stumbled as a pain gripped my chest. Did I say too much?

  “Shhh. I don’t want you upset.” His voice softened, “Please calm down. I’m not going to harm him, but we’ll talk.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The talking is what concerns me.”

  “Answer me this. Did Gregor talk about me with you this evening?” Jonas asked.

  I chewed my lip. “A little.” It wasn’t exactly a lie.

  “A little,” Jonas said curtly.

  My stomach churned. “Okay, Jonas. But I like my job there. And I don’t want to lose it.”

  “You won’t,” Jonas said with conviction.

  We were approaching the Holland Tunnel. “I’m about to lose phone reception,” I said. “Talk to you soon?” After another beat I said, “Wait, Jonas.”

  “Yes, Lily?”

  “I miss you.” The words came out without thought and it was too late to take it back I held my breath.

  “I miss you, too. Talk to you soon.” He hung up.

  I thanked David as he walked back towards the elevators outside of my apartment. He had insisted on bringing up my new bags and backpack and seeing me inside the door. I indulged him as I now regarded him as a spy that would report my actions back to Jonas. I didn’t know what to make of what Gregor and Jonas told me.

  My phone chimed, alerting me of an incoming message. It was from Gregor.

  I sincerely apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I’m sorry. I value you as my assistant and friend. I promise it will never happen again. Please accept my apology.

  The knots in my stomach tightened. He was speaking weird. What did Jonas say to him?

  You had me at apologize. It’s fine. I’m ok. I know you didn’t mean anything. I’ll see you in the morning.

  Take Monday off. You can make it a three day weekend.

  I rolled my eyes at the phone.

  I can’t do that. You just got back from the conference. I’ll be at work Monday.

  I frowned. Was this some type of rivalry? Gregor suddenly kissing me and Jonas manipulating his business. Not sure. They both never promised me anything. So if I could manage to hold on, would I be able to hold him?

  “Louis Vuitton?”

  Natasha ran over from the couch and pulled the bag out of my hands and opened it. Inside she found, to my surprise, a matching handbag and a Paul McCartney and Wings and Double Fantasy CD. She quickly tossed the CDs to the side to stroke over the leather, springing to my mind imagery of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings.

  I pick up the CDs and felt a flutter go through my chest. He remembered. “I have no idea,” I said absently.

  She pursed her lips. “I know you don’t. So who is he?” Natasha asked.

  I bit my bottom lip. “A friend.”

  She laughed. “Some friend. You were with him the last few days. You could have told me.” She sounded annoyed. She wheeled the bags and carried the handbag towards my bedroom and I followed after her.

  “Would you mind if I borrow this one for Barbados? Ari is taking me there,” Natasha said.

  I hesitated. “Hum. Okay.” I walked into my bedroom and put the CDs on the bed and started to unload my backpack for laundry when Natasha started speaking again.

  “So, we’re the same now,” she said clasping her hands together.

  I lifted my brows. “How so?”

  “I have Ari and you have…‌what’s his name?” she asked.

  I busied myself with hanging my dress in the closet. Natasha continued speaking.

  “It’s better to tell him what you want next time. Not bad for your first.”

  I stopped and glared at her. “I don’t know what you have going on with Ari, but Jonas isn’t like that.” I walk back to the bed and start unwrapping the CDs.

  “Jonas who? Is he in the middle of a divorce?”

  I flushed. “He was, but it’s a friendship.”

  She flounced down on my bed. “Darling, so is Ari.”

  I gritted my teeth. What does she know? I didn’t want to discuss Jonas with her. “Get out of my room.”

  “He sexed you for the last few days where? A hotel, I bet. He gives you expensive gift and controls your moving around. I’d say he’s the same,” she said.

  I closed my eyes. I had become Natasha. Star Wars came to mind. My journey to the dark side was complete.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Enough. I don’t want to talk about Jonas with you.”

  “Why? Because you’re in love with your sugar daddy,” she snickered.

  “Get the hell out of my room now.” I motioned toward the door.

  Natasha rose slowly. “Stop being dramatic. I’ll borrow this bag, and you can borrow something for the next time. Go to Journelle or La Perla and get better lingerie. Ask. He’ll take you there.” She picked up the bag and walked to the door. “It’s not so bad. My first lasted a good year. You just keep your eyes open for the next.”

  “When do you know to, uh, look?” I asked. Not that I would look, but I did need to be mindful of when I was getting replaced.

  She smiled. “Smartest question you ever asked me. Less attentive. Cancels with you and starts talking about other female friends. He’ll say ‘friends,’ but don’t be stupid. She’s your replacement.”

  I nodded. She closed the door behind her and I went and covered my face with my hands. Was this what I had in store for myself? A desire to maintain by hopping to the next wealthy man that took interest in me? Gregor even said I wasn’t more than an occupation of his time. So how was I going to protect my heart?

  I walked over to my CD player and put in Paul McCartney and Wings Maybe I’m Amazed. I changed into my tank and shorts before doing sit-ups. After I finished, I walked to the bathroom and washed my face and brushed my teeth. Returning to my bedroom, I crawled inside my bed and inhaled deeply‌—‌I could still smell scent of Jonas’s aftershave.

  My heart squeezed as I recalled Jonas in my bed holding me. A few days ago? It seemed so much longer to me. After a while, I drifted then fell asleep.

  The sound of my phone ringing woke me. I drowsily reached for my handbag and pulled it out. “Hello?”

  “Hey.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Declan.”

  “Yes. Guess what I found?” he said.

  I groaned. I hated when he played childish guessing games with me. “
Just tell me.”

  “If you will change your attitude, I will,” he grumbled.

  I pushed my hair back. “I was sleeping.”

  “You’re so lazy, Lily. It’s barely eleven.”

  My eyes glazed over. He’s insulting me again. “Okay. I’m going now.”

  “I was only joking with you. Damn you’re sensitive and grumpy when you first wake up. Nothing’s changed. Will you ever grow up?”

  I sighed. Except I don’t care to listen to you talk about me. “Did you have something you wanted to tell me?”

  “I found a bunch of pictures of that last Perchance to Dream. It has pictures of you, me, your mom and dad, and all the kids. Remember we couldn’t find them? Well I did, and more.”

  My pulse pounded in my chest. “More? What did you find Dec?”

  “Say thank you and you’re the best, and I’ll tell you.”

  I puffed. “Thank you, you’re the best.”

  “Not like that. The way you used to say it to me. Like you mean it.”

  “I’m sick.” I lied. “Thank you for telling me, it means a lot to me. You’re the best.”

  “That’s my good girl. I miss you so much. I keep thinking about how you look now. I’d love to take you out. My friends are all asking about you.”

  I clenched my jaw. “I’m busy with work. So….”

  “If you want the video, you’ll go to lunch with me tomorrow.”

  I covered my mouth. “You have found the last video…?” I had searched for years for the video of me and my parents from the last year of our lives together, but never could find it. “Where did you find it?”

  “Heather…‌I mean, I was cleaning out my place and found it. It’s good. Even has the first dinner I came down to.”

  I pushed my hair back. “Thank you, Declan. But I won’t be able to do lunch.”

  “But you want the video, don’t you? You can’t spare an hour after I found this for you? It’s only a friendly lunch. Salomé’s show courtesy and respect to everyone.”

  I stopped myself from the retort I wanted to say back to him using my father’s words to get his way. “Fine next Thursday. I have a lot of work to do and I won’t be able to take more than an hour for lunch.” I paused and pulled up my calendar. “How about between 12:00 and 1:00? I have a meeting at 1:15 with Gregor.” Well, I do now.