by Raina Wilde
The primary portion of the meal went by without a hitch. Jake’s parents sat at either end of the table, while the newlyweds shared one side and Neelia and Drew, the other. At first Neelia thought that this arrangement was bound to be awkward but she soon found that having Drew seated to her left allowed her to glance at, and speak with, all other members of the dinner party without the risk of making eye contact with her nemesis. Overall, Neelia was pleased with the balance that they found between avoiding each other and brief acknowledgements that eliminated any appearance of rude intention.
As Hillary began distributing dessert, Neelia was just about to congratulate herself for a successful encounter when Mrs. Matherson turned to Drew with a very pointed look.
“Honey, your father and I would like to discuss that article.” She began.
Drew froze with a fork full of cobbler halfway to his mouth. His eyes were trained on the bowl in front of him. Neelia allowed herself a quick glance that confirmed his attempt at composure.
He set down the uneaten dessert and turned slowly toward his mother, who had placed her hand gently on her forearm. The gesture was a dual-edged blade. The appearance of comfort and the directive to remain seated for the discussion.
“I thought that we had already discussed the article.” Drew placed his tongue in his cheek; a gesture Neelia remembered from when he would tease her now displayed his discomfort. She busied herself with her own dessert. Somehow, it felt like an intrusion of his privacy to be present for this conversation and yet she did not want to cause a scene by leaving the table.
Neelia knew exactly which article Mrs. Matherson was referring to. Two weeks ago an interview had been released by one of Drew’s ex-girlfriends. The CEO of the multi-billion dollar real estate development corporation was extremely tight lipped about his life. In fact, he had never once granted an interview, nor made a personal statement, no matter who offered to place him in the limelight. As one of the most desired and eligible bachelors in the world, Drew Matherson was a veritable anomaly. Little was known about him, other than his extreme success in expanding his father’s business and a drool-worthy physique, resulting in intense speculation about the man behind Matherson International Development.
When the article was released it was clear to Neelia that the scorned lover had biased the interview. However, she had taken sick pleasure in seeing an unsuspecting Matherson skewered by the mass public and doubted that the slanderous accusations had fallen far from the truth.
Neelia refocused on the conversation to hear Jake recounting a report from their PR analyst stating that the reputation of the company was being adversely affected by the interview.
“We can ride it out.” Drew was arguing. “It won’t take long for people to forget the article, and the quality of our work and designs far outweigh any false claims that Melina can make.”
“It does matter if she is presenting the face of our company as a power-hungry, misogynist who does nothing but ruin the communities in which he builds.” Jake replied.
“I’m a workaholic, I can’t deny that,” Drew was speaking very calmly for someone whose entire, pristine reputation had been tarnished in a single day. “but never have I worked for power and you know we’ve improved every community that we’ve touched. We’ve never destroyed anything. A real reporter would have checked the facts before publishing Melina’s lies, including the fact that we fully support all of our female employees.”
Jake slammed his hand on the table, causing Neelia to jump. “Damn-it, Drew. Anyone who knows you knows how off base those claims are. But it doesn’t matter because you never speak out. Melina can spin whatever tales she wants because there is no proof to go against it.”
“There is plenty of proof out there to be found.” Drew repeated.
“Nobody is going to search for it, unless you show them. Unless you make them see that she is a liar. It has been over two weeks and not a single journalist has made any effort past calling you for a statement. They don’t want to prove her wrong. It’s more fun for the story if you are suddenly a ‘Bad Boy’”. Hillary placed a hand on Jake’s shoulder, standing up to address the group. Neelia continued to stir her food, wishing that she could have slipped quietly upstairs without anyone noticing.
“I have a solution.” Hillary began. Her cautious tone brought Neelia’s eyes up to meet her friend. Hillary was watching her carefully and Neelia felt a sudden burst of panic. She was fairly certain that she knew where her friend was heading and she did not like it one bit.
Neelia shook her head slowly and tried to communicate her disapproval to Hillary. Instead, her friend squared her shoulders and plundered on.
“Drew will release an exclusive interview. With it being his first ever, everyone will be sure to read it.” She began.
“I don’t do interviews.” Drew interrupted.
“You do now.” Jake informed. “The board took a vote and unanimously decided in favor of it.”
“I’m on the board!” Drew countered. “I vote against it.”
“I counter your vote, Son.” Their father finally spoke, his gray hair belying the strength that still shone in his vibrant blue eyes. “I think I still have a say in how you run my company and I say that you need to fix this.”
“Yes, Sir.” Drew spoke softly, returning his gaze to his fork. Neelia was shocked with how easily he had acquiesced to his father. She would have expected Drew Matherson to have a my-way-or-the-highway attitude that extended into every portion of his life.
“Excellent. Now, Miss Neelia,” Mr. Matherson turned to grasp Neelia’s hand. She was certain that there could be nothing but complete shock written across her face. Her eyes were wide and she had to remind herself to exhale. “would you be so kind as to conduct an interview, do proper research, and write whatever article you feel truly represents my son and this company?”
Neelia’s jaw dropped. How could she say no to this kind old man? How could she abandon her friend’s new family in their time of need? Yet, how could she write a redeeming story about a man she hates? Neelia refused to lie in her journalism. Truth was not something that she was willing to sacrifice for a paycheck.
“She can’t write about me.” Drew whispered. “Neelia’s not exactly a fan of mine.”
Neelia shifted her eyes to the man beside her. Well, he wasn’t stupid, she thought. Before she could agree Hillary interjected.
“We are all adults here. Neelia is excellent at putting her emotions aside to find the truth.” Hillary smiled with the knowledge that Neelia recognized her reference to their earlier conversation.
“I…” Neelia stammered. “I don’t think…” She was torn between absolute horror and realizing that this was the opportunity of a lifetime. This article would be distributed worldwide, further than any of her writing thus far.
Mr. Matherson gave Neelia’s hand a gentle squeeze. She had forgotten that he still held it.
“Take some time to think about it.” He smiled a wrinkled grin. “Hillary has already cleared it with your editor who, we must inform you, is very excited about the proposition.”
She glanced at Drew, who had a severe, disgruntled look as he continued to poke at his dish. She looked at the four other faces, smiling back at her as if she was the perfect solution to all of their problems.
Neelia pushed herself up from her seat, finally drawing Drew’s anxious gaze.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she tried to keep her voice from shaking. “I need to call my editor. Thank you for dinner.” Neelia exited the dining room acutely aware of the five pairs of eyes that followed her. When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she sprinted up the two flights to her room.
Thirty minutes later Neelia hung up her cell phone. She had a headache that was not being aided by the pulling at her scalp from the new hairstyle. She rubbed her temples and lay back on the plush duvet. Her editor had demanded that she accept the article. Jackson Reeves was retiring in the fall and Neelia had applied for his position
. As editor she could work from anywhere, allowing Neelia the freedom to travel, following whatever story peaked her interest at the time. Jackson had informed Neelia that this article would effectively seal her position as forerunner over all other applicants.
There was a soft knock at the door that Neelia ignored by telling herself that it had come from further down the hall. When it occurred again she raised herself, with a sigh, to answer its call.
She opened the door to find Drew Matherson leaning seductively against the frame. No, Neelia corrected herself, he was just leaning against the frame. She realized that Drew was not attempting to be seductive. In fact, he looked rather uncomfortable. It had been Neelia’s own approval of his appearance, she admitted, that had determined the act as seductive.
“Can we talk?” Drew gestured into her room. Neelia stepped back and allowed him to pass, leaving the door a few inches ajar in a way that she hoped would encourage him to leave quickly.
Drew seated himself on the pale blue wingback chair that sat beside the curtained window. He gestured for Neelia to join him on the chaise opposite him. She sat stiffly across from him and waited for an explanation.
Drew took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped in front of him. Neelia felt uncomfortable with this side of Drew. She was not sure how to react to him behaving like a—well, a normal human being. He had always seemed over-confident and larger than life. Tonight, he seemed tired.
“Neelia, I came up here to talk to you about the article.” Drew rubbed his lips together as he paused in thought. “Listen, I know this is probably the last thing that you want to do. I know that I’ve teased you a lot and that I have a way of getting under your skin.”
More than one, Neelia thought.
“My family is going to make sure that this article is written, whether I like it or not.” Drew stood and moved to stare out at the lake through the gap in the curtains. Neelia remained quiet as she watched him arrange his thoughts. Finally, he turned toward her, crossed the space between them and sat next to her on the chaise. “I’d really appreciate it if you would be the one to write the article.”
Their knees were brushing and Neelia was not sure that she understood what he was asking. Of course she would write it, her editor had already told her that she did not have much of a choice. Why would Drew take it upon himself to help convince her?
“The truth is, I’ve read your work and I respect your skill. If you write this article, whether it turns out good or bad for me, at least I can be confident that you will be honest.” Drew lifted her chin so that Neelia was forced to look at him. “I would rather it be written by you than any other journalist. I trust you to write it.”
Neelia couldn’t speak. If she could, she didn’t know what she would say, but Drew’s fingertips still brushed her skin and were sending tingling sensations throughout her body. She looked down at his hand, his skin so pale against her own, and felt a strange urge to press her cheek against his palm. She resisted, barely.
“Will you?” His blue eyes searched her face. She did not want to think about what he might see there. She hoped it was hesitation, but a part of her warned that he was observant enough to glimpse the desire that raged beneath the surface.
“My editor has already instructed me to take the assignment.” She swallowed. Please stop touching me, she repeated over and over in her mind. His nearness was distracting her from the cool demeanor that she would need to maintain as a professional. She was enjoying it far too much.
“You don’t need to feel pressured to help me.” Drew withdrew his hand and Neelia was instantly confused by the regret that she felt in its absence, though it is what she had thought she wanted. “Not by your editor, or Hillary, or even me.”
“I don’t.” Neelia admitted. “I’m up for a pretty big promotion and, to be perfectly honest, this could help me out as well.”
“Good.” Drew gave a half smile that caused Neelia to stare. When he shifted as if to leave their thighs brushed against each other once again, causing heat to rush straight to the center of Neelia’s body.
Drew turned back with an abrupt motion.
“Can I…” he began, “Nevermind.”
He started to rise but Neelia stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“What?” she asked, unsure why she had stopped him from leaving. He sank back down beside her.
“There is something that I’ve been wondering about since the wedding and I know it is completely inappropriate…”
Neelia braced herself. “Go ahead.” She spoke dryly, in a tone that dared him to ask.
“Really?” Drew seemed surprised.
“Sure, why not?” She shrugged.
“Ok.” Drew took a deep breath and watched Neelia’s face for any sign of hesitation. The question might decrease her opinion of him, but it really couldn’t get much lower, so she didn’t see the harm.
Neelia was completely unprepared for Drew to lean forward and press his lips against hers. The breath caught in her throat as Neelia’s eyes involuntarily fluttered shut. He tasted heavenly, sugar from the cobbler still sweetening his lips. Neelia leaned into him, her mind completely blank, all thoughts swept from her mind.
She felt his hand rest upon her neck as his fingers kneaded the tense muscles along her spine. Neelia sighed against his mouth, the opening allowing him to deepen the kiss in a way that sent a thrill through her body. She raised her hands to his shoulders and allowed him to pull their torsos against each other. Neelia felt his thumb brush the side of her breast and she knew that her body had never reacted this way to a man before. Every place that he touched seemed to burst to life, his fingers leaving a trail of lingering sensation as they brushed against her clothing. She very much wanted to know what they would feel like against her bare skin.
Someone called his name from two floors below and they both froze.
Neelia eyes snapped open as she realized the terrible mistake that they had just made. This could never happen again, she told herself. She pressed her lips together, as if by doing so she could erase the memory that was now branded upon them. She was certain that the knowledge of kissing this man was going to haunt her dreams for a very long time.
Neelia cleared her throat. Drew was breathing very hard while waiting for her reaction.
“You aren’t going to sway the article in your favor with seduction, Mr. Matherson.” She stated in a formal, and professional tone.
“I wasn’t trying to, Neelia.” He said her name in a breathy way that forced Neelia to believe him. He quickly stood to leave the room, straightening his clothing before stepping into the hallway.
Neelia leaned back on the chaise and tried to process what had just happened. It occurred to her that before he had kissed her Drew had mentioned that he had been wondering about it since the wedding, when they had first met. She placed her hands on her over-warm cheeks and decided that a cold shower was in order before she headed back downstairs.
***
The next two days were spent shadowing Drew at his office. It was all fairly uneventful. Neelia and Drew maintained a professional distance. Except for one brief moment when he had placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her through a doorway, they had not touched or shared any looks that could be misinterpreted as lingering.
Neelia had interviewed a fair selection of his employees, both those who interacted directly with Drew and those who did not, only to find that they all admired his work ethic and thought that he was both an honest, and fair, employer. Neelia was forced to admit that Drew was good at his job and that at least some of Melina’s claims may have been unfounded.
On Wednesday, Drew was forced to leave town on business and would not return until late the following night. This gave Neelia the opportunity to make an overnight trip to one of the Matherson developments. The six-hour drive gave her a lot of time to think. This factor, the destruction that followed in the wake of his developments, was quite possibly the most detrime
ntal claim that was brought against him. Neelia was determined to tell the truth about what she found, even if it destroyed the man that she was beginning to find that she respected more than she cared to admit. She could not fathom how such a diligent boss would leave a wake of devastation in his path. Yet, if it existed, and it must if no community had countered the statement, then he needed to be held accountable.
Neelia arrived at the elegant gated community promptly at eight o’clock in the morning. She toured the neighborhood and found that the lavish homes were exactly the type of project that she would expect to destroy the surrounding neighborhoods if they were comprised of low-income residents. Maybe, she thought, the Matherson’s did not consider the way their projects might affect areas outside of their control. Disappointment welled in Neelia’s heart. She realized that some small part of her had hoped to champion the Matherson cause, hoped to prove the previous claims to be those of a scorned and resentful gold-digger who was looking for her next paycheck.
At the end of a disappointing day Neelia finally tipped her hand to explain that she was looking for answers about the effects of the Matherson developments.
“Why?” the woman replied angrily. “You won’t print it anyway!”
Neelia was taken aback by the vehemence with which the previously docile woman spoke.
“I certainly will print it. The Matherson’s sent me here themselves to tell the truth. Whatever it is, I want to know the truth.” Neelia watched as the woman’s face transformed with relief before her eyes.
“Thank goodness!” She wrapped Neelia in a wild embrace. “Every reporter who has been here only wants to see the main development. When we try to show them the rest they tell us that they have seen enough and aren’t interested in viewing more. We’ve finally gotten to the point where we don’t even bother offering. No one wants to see it. Will you really?”
Neelia nodded. She was dying to see whatever it was that no one else cared to write about. They made arrangements to meet the following morning and Neelia returned to her hotel room.
