Cougar Boss

by Kerry Belchambers

  We went back to her office and I spent the rest of the morning with her explaining the process of how the exhibition was going to be set up and my role in the whole matter.

  I didn’t have much to do except inform Mrs. Gallagher of every decision made together with how the whole thing would take place, what she needed to do and when.

  Since I’d already planned one event for her, I doubted this would be quite as hard. I knew I’d have to send out invitations to her rich and powerful friends who were art lovers.

  “It was nice meeting you, Olivia. I hope to see you soon,” Jaime said when I was leaving.

  “It was nice meeting you, Jaime.” I meant it. It was great meeting her. I liked the way she looked at me and the way she spoke to me.

  We exchanged our contact information and shortly after, I left the art gallery. I found James waiting for me, and he was pleasant enough to meet me with a smile.

  “I hope your meeting went well,” he said.

  “Better than I expected.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” He opened the door for me. “Where to?”

  “Back to the Gallagher residence.”

  I needed to do some research on organizing art exhibitions. Even though that wasn’t part of my job, I needed to know what it involved so that if I was liable for something, I’d be aware of it. The last thing I needed was a screw up which would have Mrs. Gallagher doubting my skills and potentially even firing me.

  Chapter Five

  “Oh man, I can’t believe I’m not going to be part of that. Isn’t there anything you can do to get my stuff in there?” Rex complained.

  I’d just told him about my new project. To be honest, I was very excited about this one. I didn’t know if it was because I was developing a liking for art or because Jaime was part of it but something told me it was the latter.

  “Rex, if I could, I would. I can try and get you invited.”

  “Come on, Liv, please try and see if you can do more.”

  “I’m telling you, Jaime told me the application process is closed. The gallery is reviewing the pieces submitted and some have already been chosen for the exhibition.”

  “Just great.”

  I could feel his disappointment but there was nothing I could do. I’d gotten into the project a little too late. “You should be grateful I brought you artistic souvenirs.”

  His expression changed and he leaned close and pecked my cheek. He was an affectionate guy and since we were great friends, I didn’t mind his display of affection.

  “I am and thank you. You know, I can’t believe in just two weeks you’ve traveled more than you’ve done your entire life.”

  “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

  It was Sunday afternoon and we were having lunch together at a nice restaurant in our neighborhood. We’d just been served and were catching up as we ate. I was happy to see him because I’d missed him.

  “Was Mrs. Gallagher excited to see you?”

  Her reaction still made me sad. “I found her fighting with her husband. She wasn’t particularly happy to see me when she walked out to find me standing at the door. I haven’t seen her since and I’m not sure I want to. In fact, I think my crush might’ve disappeared.”

  “How come?”

  I smiled, thinking about Jaime. I didn’t have a crush on her. I just liked her because she was nice. “I met someone, the art gallery owner, Jaime Bryce.”

  His face lit up. “That’s wonderful, how’s she like?”

  “She’s beautiful, sweet and she has a great smile. She made me feel so at ease when we met and I think there might’ve been a little bit of flirting.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, I’m seeing her again tomorrow. We’re meeting to further discuss the art exhibition.”

  “This is so great. I haven’t seen you excited about dating in a long time.”

  “School tends to do that to a person. Speaking of which, if I do see Mrs. Gallagher tomorrow, I need to figure out how I’m going to ask her for a few hours off in order to do my exams.”

  “Do you think she might say no?”

  “Yes, no, I’m unsure. Mrs. Gallagher is unpredictable.” I was playing with the food on my plate because I lacked my usual appetite.

  “I can’t believe you’re over her. I’ve never heard you talk about anyone the way you did her.”

  “I still find her attractive, I mean anyone would. But those other feelings have sort of faded.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  To be honest, I wasn’t. I just thought that if I redirected my attraction towards Jaime instead, whatever I felt for Mrs. Gallagher would somehow end up fizzling out.

  “I don’t want to think about it right now. I want to resume studying because of the exams and I need to figure out how I’ll rearrange my schedule to fit my working hours otherwise I’ll be completely left behind.”

  “You don’t want to work for Mrs. Gallagher for the rest of your life?”

  His sarcasm didn’t elude me.

  “By the way, did she give you grief for spending during your travel?”

  “No, I don’t even think she cares.”

  “I’d like to have such a boss.”

  Her stunning regal features were a great bonus. “She’s not as great as you think.”

  “She gave you a chance to work for her, you traveled through Africa on a first class plane ticket and stayed in the best hotels, spending on an expense credit card and now you have a driver and on your working hours, you get to move around in a sleek BMW. On top of that, your boss is stunning and she let you kiss her.”

  “Well, when you put it like that,” I said.

  Maybe I was being too hard on her. She’d been good to me and that day, she’d been having a bad morning. She deserved the benefit of the doubt.

  “Do you think you want something more with this Jaime?”

  I shook my head in uncertainty. “I don’t know.”

  “Maybe you should find out,” he said.

  I laughed at the idea.

  “Are you going to eat that?” he asked, pointing at my food.

  I handed him the plate and he transferred all the contents to his plate.

  “What? You said you weren’t going to eat it,” he said as he took a spoonful. “Tell me more about your exotic trips.”

  He was only aware of what I’d shared while traveling and now that we were together, I realized I was actually excited to talk about it in more detail. He was fascinated by the stories, as I shared what I’d seen and shown him the photos I’d managed to take.

  Since South Africa had been my favorite country because I’d slightly toured through it, I talked more about it. He had so many questions but I was happy to answer them.

  I was in my office when Mrs. Gallagher asked to see me the following day. I’d gotten to work on time, and was trying to figure out how I’d broach the subject of school and exams.

  She wasn’t seated behind her desk working as usual when I walked into her office. Instead, she was standing by the window staring into the distance.

  She had an angelic aura about her that made me wonder how she managed to look so painfully gorgeous on a daily basis. I felt like it’d been too long since I’d taken a minute to bask in her presence.

  I approached her desk as she slowly turned around. She was calm and composed, which made me feel like I was on familiar territory.

  “Good morning, Olivia.”

  “Good morning, Mrs. Gallagher,” I said.

  “I saw the pictures you took of the paintings,” she said.

  “They’re the paintings the gallery has chosen for the exhibition.”

  “They were good.” She walked over to her desk and handed me her iPad. “These are the names I need you to address the invites to.”

  I was going to contact the company I’d used to design the invitations for the charity ball. If these kinds of events took place on a weekly basis, then the company must’ve made a fortune out of the
business they got from the Gallaghers.

  “I’ll get straight on it,” I said as I headed out.

  “Olivia.”

  I turned to face her and found her leaning against her desk.

  “I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day.”

  Her words caught me off guard. I was under the impression that anything an employer did was somehow justified in one way or the other. I’d even decided to forget about it after my chat with Rex.

  “Oh, that’s okay.”

  “No, it wasn’t right for me to treat you that way. Please accept my apology.”

  Wow, a full proper apology from the Queen of the Gallaghers. What a way to start a week. “Apology accepted.”

  I headed towards the door and slowed down, thinking this might be as good a time as any to ask for some time off to do my exams. I probably wouldn’t get another chance.

  “Was there anything else?”

  I faced her at the question and took a few steps towards her, creating appropriate distance between us, but I could smell the fragrance of her perfume. It teased my senses, almost making me forget what I wanted to ask.

  “I have a request,” I said.

  “Go on,” she said, motioning me to keep talking.

  “I’m a part-time student at NYU and I have exams coming up soon. I was wondering if it’d be okay if I took a few hours off on the day of the exam. I’ll make sure I have no pending work and will get back here as soon as I’m done.”

  She gave me a look I wasn’t used to. “You’re a student?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “What are you studying?”

  “I’m on my fourth year of business and management studies.”

  “When do you get time to attend your classes?”

  “In the beginning, I attended full time but eventually had to cut back because I needed to work.”

  “Won’t that take longer for you to graduate?”

  Her interest in my life was soul-stirring. “Yes, but I don’t have a choice.”

  “When is your exam?”

  “Next week on Thursday.”

  She appeared to be thinking about it. “That’s fine,” she said.

  I celebrated inwardly. “Thank you.”

  I got back to my office and immediately called Rex.

  “What’s up?” he asked.

  “She said yes!”

  “What?”

  “Mrs. Gallagher, she gave me time off for my exam.”

  “That’s great.”

  “She even apologized for how she acted the other day.”

  “Oh, wow. Get her a best boss in the world mug.”

  “You know what, I just might.”

  I hang up and got back to work. With my mood changed, the day drastically improved. I called the printing company and had them send me sample invitation cards and shortly after, I went to Jaime’s art gallery.

  I was happy to see her when James dropped me off. Jaime was wearing a grey pantsuit which gave her a serious but sexy look. I’d never had a beautiful, classy woman express interest in me before.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she said after we exchanged greetings.

  “Oh, do you need help with something?” I asked.

  She shook her head, smiling at me and I realized what she meant.

  “Oh,” I said, feeling a bit dumb. “I’m glad I’m here too.”

  “How was your weekend?” she asked.

  I found it odd that she didn’t have any paintings hanging on her office walls, but the interior décor was tasteful.

  “Uneventful, how about yours?”

  “It’s been a busy few weeks so to relax, Caitlin and I went out.”

  “Oh, are you two…” I trailed off, unsure of what I was asking.

  “No, no, we’re just friends and associates.”

  I covered my lips in embarrassment. I couldn’t believe how bold I was, asking about her personal life.

  “Do you have someone to entertain you during weekends?” she asked, giving me that sweet smile I’d come to like.

  “Rex, my best friend, he’s an artist. He loves painting. You two would get along great.”

  “I much rather prefer spending time with you.”

  Her statement left me speechless. She was a good flirt.

  “Okay,” I said, noticing I’d suddenly grown nervous.

  “How about dinner tomorrow night?”

  I should’ve been thinking about studying for my exams. “Dinner will be great.”

  “I’ll pick you up at eight?” she said.

  “Sounds good.”

  We got back to work and she informed me of the progress the gallery had made so far. “You’re aware of everything Mrs. Gallagher does, right?” she asked.

  “I wouldn’t say everything.”

  “She has this piece she’s going to reveal on the night of the exhibition and even I don’t know what it is. I did a background check on the kind of events she’s hosted and I’ve got to say, she’s one classy lady.”

  Classy did not begin to describe Mrs. Gallagher.

  “Would you happen to know what piece she’ll be unveiling?”

  “No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Even if I did, I wasn’t sure I would’ve told her. I owed my loyalty to Mrs. Gallagher.

  “Okay, I just thought I should ask.”

  “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll blow everyone away.”

  Maybe it was one of the things I’d gone to sign for. Maybe it was something else, Jaime piqued my curiosity and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

  “Shall we get to work?” she asked a moment later and I nodded.

  She gave me a portfolio of the artists whose pieces would be exhibited and their professional background. I knew Mrs. Gallagher would probably not get to read it but I went through it, thoroughly taking notes should she have questions.

  Jaime gave me a lot of information which I found useful. She had a passion for her work and her projects, which I envied because unlike me, everything she was doing was for herself.

  She had her own business, doing something she genuinely loved. She looked happy with her accomplishments. She had the life I one day hoped to have.

  “I guess that’s all for today,” she said when we were done.

  “Before I forget, I need you to email me a list of your guests. I’m sending out the invitations before the end of the day.”

  “Will do,” she said.

  I got to my feet. “Do you mind if I take this? I want to make Mrs. Gallagher a copy.”

  “You can keep it. I have another one.”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  She walked me to the door and reminded me of our date the following evening. On my way back to the office, I received the sample invitation cards and sent them to Mrs. Gallagher.

  I was glad when she immediately replied and approved, because all I had to do now was send the list of names invited to the art exhibition.

  When I went back to the house, Mrs. Gallagher called me to her office. It was the first time she’d requested to see me twice in one day. The knowledge had a titillating effect on me.

  “Have you sent out the invitations?” she asked.

  “I sent out the list of names, the invites will be sent before the end of the day.”

  She nodded.

  I wasn’t sure why she wanted to see me but since she wasn’t in a hurry to tell me, I handed her the portfolio. “Jaime gave me the portfolio of the artists whose pieces will be exhibited. I thought you might like to take a look.”

  She placed it on the desk without a second glance.

  I couldn’t help wonder if I’d done something wrong. But then again, she was never quite as vocal as I wished her to be.

  I still desired to know her better and didn’t cower like I had when we’d first met. I looked her in the eye and she looked back at me, making me realize it wasn’t such a hard thing to do.

  It wasn’t hard because she seemed sad. Her eyes were a darker
shade of blue, her posture was more tense than relaxed and she appeared at a loss. I’d never thought I’d ever see her vulnerable.

  “I’d like you to get in touch with Frank Connor. He’s in town for a few days. He brought some Egyptian art which will be used at the exhibition. Collaborate with him and the gallery, then get back to me.”

  I was a little disappointed to know what she wanted was work-related. “Okay.”

  “That’ll be all.”

  I nodded and turned to leave but hesitated at the door and faced her. Her back was turned and she was staring out the window, almost as though she was alone in the room.

  “Mrs. Gallagher?”

  I had no idea what I was doing. Just turn and leave. A voice screamed in my head. “Are you okay?” I asked.

  She looked at me for a moment then smiled and I felt my heart sink. God, how could she make me feel so much with such a simple gesture?

  “Have you ever been to an opera?” she asked.

  Opera? This was an unusual turn. “Uh… no,” I said.

  “There is a show on Saturday night and I’d like you to accompany me.”

  I froze in place, certain I’d heard wrong. “Okay,” I said.

  Did she really want me to go to an opera house with her?

  “I’m okay,” she added.

  I smiled at her, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. Maybe in time I’d get a chance to see through the cracks, but for now, I was going to settle for the slight part of herself she’d just exposed.

  “I have to tell you, I don’t do this often,” I said the following evening.

  Jaime was seated opposite from me. She’d picked a lovely little restaurant that was more romantic and intimate than I’d been prepared for.

  She was looking gorgeous in a sexy turquoise dress that was just slightly above the knee, gently hugging her curves while exposing her long legs, and except for a simple but pretty pendant and a small elegant wristwatch, she wasn’t wearing any jewelry.

  I was slightly intimidated, dressed in a simple but pretty chiffon dress that was a little tight on top and freely falling at the bottom. It was knee-high but the heels I wore pleasantly exaggerated the length of my legs.

  If I’d known she’d be taking me to such a nice restaurant or how well she’d be dressed for the date, I would’ve applied a lot more effort.