With a smile, Jade rose and walked up the stage with Lexie. She wondered how Paul and Gordon would act this out, seeing they hadn’t even discussed any scenario.
Would Lucas join in? She bet Thomas would be thrilled to bits to see his son wearing his mask.
Sitting next to Lucas tonight just showed her how far she was from getting over him completely. Lucas had been giving her glances that she’d chosen to ignore. But as the night wore on, she found herself wondering if he’d ever make a move on her—like bump her knee or touch her thigh.
Ugh. She was being crazy. Which proved she wasn’t ready to be friends with him. He still affected her too much.
She sat on a chair in the middle of the stage and slumped, pretending to be asleep. She kept her lids slightly open, though, so she could watch the show. Lexie stood by the edge of the stage, pretending to comb her ‘very, very’ long hair.
Paul gripped on Lexie’s invisible strands and started to climb. The audience laughed as Paul ‘fell’ on his ass. He got up, tried again, only to ‘lose’ his grip and land on his butt again. With much ‘effort’, Paul made it to the stage, to the audience’s delight. He bowed theatrically to Lexie, who placed a finger on her lips. She was motioning for Paul to keep quiet so as not to wake Sleeping Beauty. Paul nodded, whisking Lexie away from the centre of the platform.
Gordon walked up the stage—slowly and deliberately. Then he waved his elbows up and down, as if he were flying like a bat. He swooped onto where Jade was sitting and circled her.
The audience hooted.
“Wake her up, Count!” someone called out, and others whistled in encouragement.
Jade blushed. A few of their colleagues knew Gordon was interested in her. Some probably even thought they were already dating. Argh!
She sat still, not reacting. She was supposed to be asleep. But she couldn’t help but search for Lucas with her eyes. How was he reacting to this?
He wasn’t at their table. Where did he go?
The audience burst into laughter.
“Go, Mr. Bilton!” someone cried.
Jade looked to her right. Lucas was climbing up the stage, Thomas Bilton’s mask fixed on his face.
He sauntered towards Gordon, his hands firmly on his hips in an intimidating fashion.
Gordon clasped Jade’s shoulders, as if showing Lucas he couldn’t get to her.
Lucas shook his head, then with a slow deliberate movement, he pointed to Gordon then pointed to the exit.
“You’re fired, Gordon,” yet another workmate yelled, and there was another eruption of laughter.
“Are you gonna defy Mr. Bilton, Gordon?”
More comments were thrown about, some of them encouraging Gordon to bite Jade already then run for his life.
The MC’s whistle sounded, indicating that their group’s time was up.
Jade breathed a sigh of relief as the audience applauded their performance.
“Great acting, guys,” Paul said as they settled back on their seats.
“Good job, Jade,” Rick said with a grin. “You were very compelling up there.”
Jade chuckled. “Thanks. Pretending to be asleep was such hard work.”
“Glad you enjoyed it, Jade,” Gordon said, giving her a smile.
She smiled back, feeling a little sorry for him. His planned act had been thwarted by Lucas.
Her heart thumped. Did Lucas mean what she thought he meant by interrupting Gordon’s attempt at ‘claiming’ her?
She glanced at Lucas casually. He was finishing his dessert.
She took a deep breath and bumped her knee to his.
From the corner of her eye, she saw him freeze. She lifted her glass to her lips and joined in the conversation Lexie was having with Rick.
“Did you know that Rick knows my brother?” Lexie asked her in wonder.
“Really?” she asked with real surprise.
“Yes,” Rick said. “We went to school together. It’s a small world.”
“When was the last time you saw each other?” Jade asked.
Rick’s answer didn’t register to Jade when she felt Lucas’ hand on her thigh. Her breath caught as she tried to stifle a grin.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” she said to Rick, flustered but happy.
“I said it’s been years since Lexie’s brother and I last saw each other.”
“What did you say, Rick?” Lucas asked, leaning closer to Jade but looking at Rick.
Rick repeated his answers.
“Interesting connections,” Lucas said, smiling at Lexie.
“I know,” Lexie answered, gushing a little.
Jade narrowed her eyes. Her friend was attracted to Rick. Oh, no.
Oh, well, who was she to talk? Here she was, rubbing thighs with the man she swore she’d move on from. Mr. Fuck King, no less.
But, damn it, Lucas was wearing her defences down.
*****
Jade smiled as her boss made his way to the stage.
Everybody listened attentively as Thomas gave a speech, thanking both staff and business partners for their valued contributions throughout the year.
“I must say this year’s pantomime has been the funniest I’ve seen so far,” Thomas said. “I guess you guys must have spent a lot of time practising.”
“No practice whatsoever, Mr. Bilton,” Paul called out. “We’re just naturally talented.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Thomas said. “Paul’s not really going to China. The truth is he’s joining a travelling circus to be their clown.”
Jade laughed with the others, enjoying seeing this side of Thomas.
“Anyway, it’s been really difficult for me to pick the runner-up and the winner. But make a decision I must, and it is final.”
Everyone clapped.
“Well, we really can’t go past the final act, can we?” Thomas asked. “They elicited the loudest reaction out of all the contestants.”
“Woo, that’s us!” Paul said.
“Before I announce the runner-up and winner, I’d like to say that Jade and Alexia did a wonderful job,” Thomas said.
The audience agreed by applauding.
“And Gordon, if you didn’t have a vampire mask on, I would have thought you were doing the chicken dance.”
People chortled loudly.
“But it was still great acting. I was impressed.”
Paul gave Gordon two thumbs up.
“So that leaves Lucas Renner and Paul Chow as the two people contesting the main prize,” Thomas said. “Let me announce the winner first.”
Anticipation filled the air as everyone waited in silence.
“For being willing to fall on his behind again and again, and for making us all laugh in his last Staff and Partners Halloween Dinner—in Australia, at least—the first prize goes to Paul Chow.”
Cheers went up the room.
As Jade watched Paul accept his gift certificate, her heart thundered in her chest.
This meant Lucas would be getting her necklace. What would he think of it?
Paul went back to his seat and Thomas resumed the presentations.
“Lucas, Lucas, Lucas,” Thomas chanted. “When I walked in here and looked at the tub with the masks, I asked why there were so many of me left behind. I was told no one wanted me. I was crushed!”
“Aww,” the men exclaimed.
Jade bet most were now regretting not picking a Thomas mask.
“Well, Lucas,” Thomas said. “You made me so happy when I saw you walk up the stage wearing it. And you know what? I just might give you the company as your prize, son.”
Everyone laughed, taking Thomas’ words as a joke.
Jade smiled at Lucas, knowing the true meaning behind the words. Lucas grinned back at her, squeezing her thigh and giving it a gentle rub. She sighed softly, feeling lightheaded.
“Come up here, Lucas. We have a prize for you.”
Jade bit her lip, her breathing shallowing.
Her face burned as
Lucas unwrapped the box on stage and pulled out the ruby heart. As he held it up to the audience, his gaze flickered to her, his mouth parted in... awe?
Oh, thank God. At least he didn’t think it was a laughable gift.
“Something for you to give to the woman of your dreams, Lucas,” Thomas said.
“Me!” came a round of shouts from different females in the room, and more laughter followed.
“That concludes our presentation,” Thomas said. “Let the dancing begin.”
The music started blaring as Lucas went back to his seat.
“Let’s have a look,” Rick said, holding his hand out for the box.
The necklace went around the table.
“Is it ruby?” Paul asked, looking at Jade.
“It looks like it but it’s not. The budget Mr. Bilton gave me wouldn’t buy a real ruby,” she joked.
“I wouldn’t have minded winning this myself,” Paul said. “Except that my wife would ask why it isn’t real ruby.”
“With the gift certificate you got, you could get her what she wants,” Rick said.
Paul sighed. “Yes, this goes to the wife. Where’s yours going to, Lucas? You don’t strike me as the type who’d wear it,” he added teasingly.
“I have someone in mind,” Lucas said, chuckling.
“I hope it’s me, darling,” a voice behind Jade said.
Jade turned and saw Hazel, an undeniably gorgeous woman who worked in the accounting firm used by Bilton Machineries. Did Hazel and Lucas know each other?
“Hazel!” Lucas said, clearly surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I was invited. What are you doing here?”
“I was invited, too.”
“You didn’t tell me you have dealings with Bilton Machineries when we were in Japan,” Hazel said.
“Didn’t come up,” Lucas said with a shrug.
Hazel chuckled. “Well, I expect at least one dance tonight, okay, Mr. FK? Didn’t dance enough with you in Japan.”
“Sure,” Lucas said.
Hazel let out a throaty laugh and whispered something to Lucas. Lucas grinned, whispering something back to Hazel. Hazel nodded, touching Lucas’ biceps, before sauntering off.
Jade stared at Hazel.
Japan? Didn’t dance enough?
Mr. FK?
And why the hell did Lucas respond to Hazel’s flirtations right in front of her?
“I’m going to the bathroom,” she said to Lexie.
Lexie read her expression. “I’m going with you.”
Jade kept a bright smile pasted on her face as she and Lexie made their way to the ladies’. When they were out of the function room, Jade let it drop.
“I’m so stupid, Lex,” she said.
“Why?”
“Didn’t you hear what Hazel said? She called him Mr. FK. That means Mr. Fuck King. They know each other and were in Japan together. And they danced while they were there!” she said with distaste. “Then he let her whisper in his ear. When I was looking!”
Lexie sighed. “I knew you were weakening back there. Your eyes went soft and you started smiling at him sweetly.”
“I already said I’m so stupid.”
“Well, snap out of it.”
“I am,” Jade said quietly. “It won’t happen again.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lucas sat on his chair while the others went to the dance floor, or mingled. He was waiting for Jade. By the looks of it he was in trouble again.
He let out a huge sigh. Just when he was getting somewhere with Jade, Hazel had to appear and flirt with him. Damn it.
Hazel was a stunning woman with a mischievous streak that could turn devious. Used to getting her way because of her looks, Hazel would simply turn up her flirtations rather than retreat when faced with competition.
He’d been so surprised that Hazel was here. The last time they bumped into each other was in Japan, when she’d gone to watch the Formula One race.
If he hadn’t acknowledged Hazel the way he did, Hazel would just have cranked up her ‘charm’ full blast. He’d wanted to avoid the attention that would generate. He’d thought it was a smart move at the time.
But nope, he was clearly wrong. He saw Jade’s reaction, and before he could explain, she’d dragged Lexie with her to go outside—to the ladies’, presumably.
Hell, hell, hell.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Thomas, who sat down on Jade’s vacant seat.
“Nice speech up there, sir,” he said, smiling warmly at his father.
“Thank you. And I’m really glad you’re getting to meet our staff and business partners. This is a great way to get to know them.”
Lucas chuckled. “I haven’t told you my decision yet,” he said, glancing around. No one seemed to be eavesdropping. He guessed no one would dare anyway.
“Don’t tell me it’s anything other than you joining the company!” Thomas said. “It’s better if you start early, Lucas, while I’ve got plenty of years left to help prepare you for when you head it in the future.”
“I was thinking of quitting Formula One even before we met. It’s to join my friend Connor in his business. Part of my hesitation is that I’ve promised him that when I stop touring, we’ll be partners and build a strong, nationwide chain of luxury car service centres.”
“It had crossed my mind that that’s your issue, Lucas. There’s nothing stopping you from being involved in your friend’s business. The only question is how much time you want to give to that and to Bilton Machineries. You can most definitely support his business as an advisor or investor, while still working at our company full time.”
That option sounded attractive to Lucas. He’d love to work with Connor, but more and more he was finding his interest leaning towards Bilton Machineries. “I’ll speak with Connor,” he said. “Then I’ll give you my decision in the next couple of days.”
Thomas nodded, pleased, before his demeanour turned serious. “We need to talk about other developments. The investigators just called. They think they know the man responsible.”
*
Lucas wandered the room, looking for Jade. He hadn’t seen her since she left with Lexie. Surely she hadn’t gone home?
He wanted to find her before he had to go himself. He and Thomas didn’t want to wait until tomorrow to discuss the new information dug up by the investigators. They were very close to finding out who’d been trying to sabotage their lives.
From the other end of the room, Lucas noticed Thomas’ driver motion to him. He nodded. It was time to leave.
With a big exhale and a heavy heart, he walked towards the exit.
He’d talk to Jade tomorrow—if she’d pick up his call. How would he get her to listen?
*****
Lucas placed his hand on his father’s shoulder as Thomas stared at the investigator in shock.
“Are you sure?” Thomas asked, anger and incredulity in his tone. “This is an extremely serious accusation.”
“We went over everything multiple times before we rang you, sir. We wanted to be absolutely sure.”
Lucas glanced at Thomas’ ashen face, before facing the investigator. “I guess his primary motive is to make sure I don’t make a claim for my father’s fortune.”
“It would appear so, sir.”
“Is... does... what about Diana?” Thomas asked shakily.
“She doesn’t appear to be involved, sir. In fact, evidence suggests she was kept in the dark, too.”
Thomas breathed a sigh of relief. “I will talk to him,” he said in a stronger voice. “I want all your documentary evidence so he can’t explain his way out of it.”
“I’m going with you,” Lucas said.
“Lucas,” Thomas said. “I’d like this first confrontation to be between him and me only. He is my father-in-law. You can have your day with him after.”
Lucas hesitated, then nodded. While Diana’s father also messed up with his and Ruby’s lives, this was much more pers
onal for Thomas.
“I still can’t believe it,” Thomas said softly. “But I think I know why he went to such great lengths to keep us apart, Lucas.”
“To protect Diana and his family’s reputation?” Lucas guessed. Diana’s father most probably didn’t want the world to know that his son-in-law had fathered a child with an escort while engaged to his daughter.
“Yes. For sure. But that’s not all. He’s also trying to protect his family’s lifestyle.”
“What do you mean?” Lucas asked.
“Not long after he pulled his money from Bilton Machineries, he invested heavily in a failed venture. He almost went bankrupt, and was weeks from shutting down his business. That broke him.
“Around that time, I became successful in securing the support of investors to plug in the financial hole. I decided to help him keep his business afloat as my way of making amends for my own actions. That kept the impression that he wasn’t in any financial trouble. My father-in-law is a very proud man and would have avoided anything that cast his name in a negative light.”
“But to do what he did...” Lucas said. “It just seems so unbelievably cruel.”
“Some people can’t handle heavy pressure, Lucas. They don’t have the fortitude, especially if it involves falling from great heights. I believe my father-in-law is such a man. And I think that he might have compensated for that kind of failure by controlling what he could. In this case, it was your mother when she was at her most vulnerable. And once he started, well, I suppose he thought he couldn’t stop or else he’d be found out.”
“Now he’s been found out,” Lucas murmured.
“Yes. He has been. We’re close to sorting this out, son,” Thomas said, smiling at him with sad, sad eyes.
Lucas embraced his father and gave him whatever comfort he could. Thomas had found him, only to lose another family member. He hoped Thomas and Diana could weather this storm.
*****
Lucas waited until someone opened the front door of Jade’s apartment building before slipping in. He doubted that Jade would let him in if he buzzed. He’d tried to ring her all morning and she didn’t answer.
He went up her floor and knocked on the door, making sure that the three dozen red roses he was carrying covered his face from the peephole.
The Unwilling Executive Page 14
