Overlooked

by Lulu Pratt

  “We’re almost at your car.” He smiles and I realize that he’s right. He offered me a lift, but I declined, preferring to take my own car and have an escape route. Now I wonder why I even worried about that in the first place.

  “Thank you for tonight.” I turn to him as we reach my car.

  He shrugs, “Thank you.” He leans in and takes my hand. I can feel my heart beating in my chest, thudding as color rises to my cheeks, “The company… was exquisite.”

  He presses his lips to the back of my hand and I think I might swoon right there and then. Then he smirks and there’s something different in his eyes, something that’s different from the teasing glances of before.

  One hand wraps around my waist and he pulls me in. When his lips meet mine, all I can taste is him, the lingering flavor of coffee on his tongue, the tiramisu. His kiss is electric and I feel it move through my body, down my skin and fizzling in a blush along my cheeks.

  He’s kissing me like he means it and I cannot help but melt into him, my arms going around his broad shoulders.

  Keeping this strictly professional is not going to be easy.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ADAM JONES

  The wind nips at my heels today and I wrap my coat tighter around myself. It’s a chilly day – not yet cold enough to bring on the wrath of winter, but not warm enough to turn off the heaters or unwrap the coats. It’s my favorite time of year – it has a way of cleansing the city, leaving it feeling fresh and crisp in a way that I could never have imaged before coming here.

  It feels like it is blowing away the soot and dirt of the world, and leaving it scrubbed fresh and new. I enjoy it and work seems to pick up around this time. I glance at the building in the distance. It’s a tall, imposing sort of building with mirrored windows. It is completely impersonal. Funny, because that’s the opposite of what I do.

  I make my way into the building, the doorman nodding at me when I step inside. At the elevator, I push the button to the tenth floor and let it do its thing, grateful for the silence, for the fact that I am alone in this elevator. I turn and check myself in the mirrored walls. A little windswept. I smooth back my hair and straighten my jacket.

  The elevator dings and I step out into the corridor, making my way to my office. It’s a small space, seeing as this is a privately rented office. But it works for appointments with my clients, and that is really all that I need it for. I unlock the door and step into the room. Simple waiting room space, leading into a clean office with minimalistic décor, clean lines and a desk with three chairs. One for me, two for my clients.

  I flick on the coffee machine and let the scent fill the room. I take off my coat and drape it neatly over the back of my chair. A legal pad and a pen follow, placed on my desk.

  I sit, unpack my laptop and fire it up. It doesn’t take me long to get into my emails, and I do a bit of digging on this job. It seems simple enough, and I am not feeling very worried about it. It seems like it will be straightforward. Easy money.

  Then it’s just a case of waiting until they show up. I glance at the clock. A few minutes to go.

  Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I take a moment to admire the artworks that decorate the wall. Simple, sedate landscapes that I am quite fond of, and my clients don’t deem as too emotive. This is meant to be a calm space, a relaxed and professional environment where my clients can speak to me in the strictest of confidentiality.

  A knock on the door catches my attention and I set down my coffee with a small smile. Time to do what I do best.

  I pull open the door.

  “Mr. Jones’s office?” The man in front of me is an older gentleman, dressed in a suit that is obviously not cut to fit him. The watch on his wrist highlights wealth, as do the diamonds that drip from the woman beside him. His wife, I presume. It’s my job to be observant, very observant.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Samuel. Please, come in.” I step back graciously to let them past, “Please take a seat in my office.” I lead the way to my desk, taking care to shut the door behind them. I pull out the seat for Mrs. Samuel.

  “Coffee?” They both nod and I go to the machine and pour out two cups. The silence and the smell of coffee linger in the air. It’s comforting – to me at least. It also gives my clients time to collect themselves before we talk – take out any paperwork and that kind of thing.

  It’s a ritual that works time and time again – the social connotations of talking over coffee. A way to ensure that my clients talk more, give more answers, let me into their motivations a little more. It just makes my job so much easier.

  “Sugar and cream?” I enquire with a smile, glancing at them.

  “No, thank you.” Mr. Samuel answers almost coldly and I make a mental note of it. Remember what he drinks and how he takes his coffee – you’ll come across as more personable later, which is just what I want.

  “Cream and two sugars.” Mrs. Samuel answers. I hear an almost distressed edge to her voice and I understand that this is big deal for her, probably in more ways than one. I wonder where they both fit in to all this. After stirring the sugar and cream into Mrs. Samuel’s coffee, I set them both down on the table.

  I grab my own coffee, giving them another moment, listening to the sound of clinking cups and the dull thud of one being put on the table, before I turn and take my own seat.

  “Now… what can I help you with?”

  Mr. Samuel purses his lips, “Mr. Jones, if I may speak very frankly…”

  His wife glances at me, almost nervously. I can see the displeasure radiating from the both of them. “I am in charge of a trust fund for my nephew, and I have been for many years now.”

  I nod, paying close attention to what he is saying, as well as how he says it. Reading people is an art, but it is vital in this business.

  He continues, “However, I am… concerned about the validity of some of his claims.”

  “The validity, you say?”

  “Yes.” He answers stiffly, “There is a clause which states he must be married by the time he is thirty, in order to gain his full inheritance.”

  “Is he married?” I ask in quiet tones.

  He shakes his head, “No, but evidently he is engaged.” He frowns deeply, “This only happened very recently, mind you, and he is approaching his thirtieth birthday.” He looks at me in a knowing sort of way. I suppose he thinks that he is being smooth. I keep my own face collected and composed.

  I nod my head in understanding, “So you believe he has entered into a fake relationship in order to gain access to this trust fund?”

  “Exactly.” Mrs. Samuel hisses with such ferocity that I almost drop my façade. Almost.

  She continues, “He’s never been interested in settling down before. Never! He’s had a string of one-night stands a mile long. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

  I hide my smirk and nod seriously instead, “Of course, Mrs. Samuel, of course. It would be terribly distressing for you and your family.”

  She nods and sinks back into the chair, seeming satisfied with her little outburst. Her husband continues on instead, “We want to make sure this relationship is legitimate. You understand?”

  “I understand very clearly, Mr. Samuel.” He wants me to find some dirt on the two of them, and it couldn’t be clearer. He has something to gain from his nephew not getting the money and I have no doubt as to what that might be. I need to make sure that I find some way of disproving their relationship, in order to have success in this job.

  “What is your nephew’s name?” I ask.

  He hands me a stack of papers, and the name that appears time and time again is Cade Harlow. He’s the one I’m looking for. He’s the one I am seeking to undo. The pile of papers is huge and it will take me forever to skim through them all. I take a quick look through a few of them, before I set them down and look at them both dead on.

  “I will do the best I can to make sure that this relationship is truly legitimate, to protect the honor of your… family.” The w
ord ‘money’ lingers on my tongue but I do not say it. Instead, I stand, “May I keep these papers?”

  “Of course.”

  I nod in satisfaction as I see them both to the door. As we are walking, we discuss the contracts and the money. They will be paying me quite handsomely and I make a note to send over the contract to them as quickly as possible. I want this signed before I start with any of the work.

  I have learnt the hard way not to trust anyone, especially not my clients.

  “Thank you for your time, Mr. Jones.” We shake hands and I smile.

  “No, thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel. I assure you that I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this.”

  I see them out of the door. The name plate on the door glints in the light. Adam Jones. Lawyer. I smirk and shut the door behind myself. I might be a lawyer, but sometimes I feel far more like a private investigator, like someone who works on covert missions instead of someone who should be defending a man in court.

  I sit down at my desk, taking a long sip of my coffee as I read through the information that they have provided me. It’s quite in depth. There’s the paperwork from the original trustee agreement, all the legalities and the clauses outlined perfectly. There’s proof of Cade’s birthday.

  I read on, nodding slightly as my suspicions are confirmed. Yes, if he does not get the money, then they will. The two of them looked wealthy enough, and it’s not like they needed the money, but that’s not what it’s about.

  If I expose Cade in a lie, then it’s hardly my fault if his world crashed around him. I’m just doing my job and he should be doing his. I file away all the paperwork, and lean back in the chair, staring out of the window.

  I’ve been caught in the crossfire too many times in my life. Too many people who lie and cheat their way to the top. I’ve been trampled too many times in the process and, I swear, I will never let it happen again.

  If Cade is lying, deceiving his family for his own personal gain, then he deserves everything that he gets. I feel the resolve harden in my chest as I pick up the phone, preparing to make the call.

  I hope that Cade is ready for this.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CADE HARLOW

  It has been another day of nonstop meetings. It has not eased since I first walked into the office and it doesn’t look like there is any chance of it slowing down any time soon. If I am not emailing somebody, then I am phoning them and if I am not doing that, then I am in a face-to-face meeting with some executive or employee who wants more from me than I can give.

  I sit at my desk, staring at the figures that had seemed so promising only a few months ago. Without warning, they have plummeted against prediction and I am left with debts to pay, deals to make and the burning drive to pull my family’s company up and out of the dirt. I know if I have the money, these deals will work. I know it. They will build the company that my father worked so hard to create – I will build it to even greater heights.

  I lean back against the chair and rub my face. I could really do with another coffee. I have barely had time to drink the first one today and I am beginning to feel as if I am running on fumes. The memory of last night seems so far away.

  The thought of Ellen and the spark that buzzed between us seems like nothing more than a fevered dream. There is no way that we kissed under a sparkling sky. There is no way that we walked hand in hand after drinking Champagne and coffee. Something that romantic, however fake, doesn’t seem like it could exist in the harsh world of business.

  The lights glare down on me. The emails that pour into my inbox demand solutions, demand so much of me. I am just about to grab a coffee, hoping that a five-minute break will have me back up to speed, but as I stand, the phone begins to ring.

  With a groan, I sit back down. I clear my throat and pick up the phone, sounding as professional as ever, “Cade Harlow speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Mr. Harlow, I am so glad that I got hold of you.”

  It might just be the exhaustion talking, but the voice on the other side of that line sounds too smooth. Too unruffled. Too calm and composed. He has only said a single sentence and already I have a feeling that he believes he holds all the cards.

  But I have no idea what game we are meant to be playing.

  He continues, “I’m Adam Jones, a lawyer. I’m calling in regards to the release of your trust fund.”

  I feel my heart clench in my chest as I stare at the figures on the screen, the terribly bleak figures. I steel myself, my voice as even and professional as ever.

  “Mr. Jones. Thank you for your call. How can I assist you with that?” I ask.

  “I would like to arrange a meeting to discuss the transfer of funds upon your birthday.” I can hear a quiet smile in his voice. “When would suit you?”

  “My schedule is quite full at the moment.” I glance at the computer. I am most definitely not lying.

  “I understand, Mr. Harlow. Running a company must take so much of your time.” I feel defensive, chilled. He’s done his research on me.

  He continues, “But if you could find some time, I would really appreciate it. The quicker we can get through the paperwork, the quicker we can get the money transferred to you.”

  I skim through my calendar, considering his words, “I’m free Wednesday morning.”

  “That would be perfect. Let me give you my details.” He rattles off an email address and I take it down, so that I can give him a more concrete time.

  “Is there anything I should bring?” I ask, curt, polite.

  “Just the standard paperwork, proof of identification and so forth.” He pauses and I can feel the tension crackle in the air as he adds casually, “And bring your fiancée. It would be good to meet her.”

  I freeze. It is so causal and so threatening at the same time. Completely harmless, a simple request and yet it gets my back up.

  “I’ll see if she is available. Thank you for your time, Mr. Jones.” I know the edge in my voice is cold, but I am beyond caring. I’ve played nice with this man for long enough and it is clear what he is up to. What worries me most is the fact that he doesn’t seem interested in hiding his true intentions – he must be pretty confident in himself, in finding a chink in my armor.

  “Thank you so much, Mr. Harlow. I look forward to seeing you there.” So pleasant, so polite.

  I put down the phone and I am angry to see that my hands are shaking. It’s nothing. This man doesn’t know anything. He’s just a hired snoop, lawyer or not. He’s the hired help and there is no way I am going to let him topple the empire my father built.

  There will be no reason for him to doubt the relationship between Ellen and me. No reason to snoop any further or get anyone else involved. There is no reason for me to worry and I need to keep that firmly in my mind, and not worry about the rest of it. Just play my part well and leave the rest to fate. And to Ellen.

  I stare at the phone, the longing for a cup of coffee strong. I have to make yet another phone call now, deal with yet another set of problems. My head is starting to throb and resentment builds in my chest against Adam Jones, even though I have never met him in person.

  I pick up the phone again and with a sense of reluctance, I dial Ellen’s number.

  It rings for so long that I’m worried she is not going to pick up. When she does, I sigh in relief, “Ellen. When’s your break? I’m dying for a coffee.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  ELLEN CASSIDY

  I jump when my phone rings, scrabbling to find it in the bottom of my bag. I finally manage to get it out, just before it goes to voicemail. I answer and hold it up to my ear. I sound breathless, “Ellen speaking.”

  “Ellen. When’s your break? I’m dying for a coffee.” It’s Cade. There’s an odd tone to his words and I quietly wonder if there’s news.

  I glance at the customer in the chair, waiting for highlights to finish developing, “In about half an hour. Where would you like to meet?”

  “I’ll s
ee you at the salon.” He sounds distracted, like he has had one heck of a busy morning.

  I smile, despite my frustration. “What if I have plans?”

  “Do you?” He shoots back.

  I sigh, “I’ll see you in half an hour.”

  “Good.” His tone softens a little, “Thanks for agreeing at such short notice.”

  We get off the phone and I turn back to my client. Only five more minutes on the highlights and I take my time preparing the equipment I will need, readying the sinks and more. Five minutes later and I am rubbing the lather into her hair, rinsing it out and styling it into a flattering cut, a quick blow dry and a spritz of hair product and another happy customer is leaving the salon. I glance at the clock, and tell my manager that I’m taking my break now.

  Ducking into the back, I change into a more flattering shirt. I leave the same old jeans on – not really bothered to change them. A quick brush through my hair, flash of hair product and application of lipstick has me feeling a little fresher.

  I pull on my coat, grab my bag and head out of the store. Cade is right on time, standing at the corner. He smiles at me and I feel my insides flutter despite myself. He’s carrying a single rose, which he presents to me, “Thank you for joining me.”

  I shrug, although I cannot hide the blush that grows on my skin at the lovely gesture, “Thank you.”

  We begin walking down the street, the cool air teasing my hair and brushing down my neck. I shiver and I can see Cade hunting for a suitable coffee shop. He eventually settles on a little one not far from my salon. It’s quaint, almost boutique and it is not the type of shop I would have thought Cade enjoyed.

  We sit down and we both order our coffee. Cade orders a double shot of espresso and I notice the sallow look to his skin. He is as handsome as ever, and you’d have to have seen him many times to notice when he is looking a bit pale. There is little doubt in my mind, though – Cade is working himself hard.