“Sorry, Mr. Ellington.” Her face turned red as though she had temporarily lost herself in the moment. “Another scotch coming up.”
“Angela, I thought that was you.” Ravi plastered the fake smile on his face he usually wore when he got caught in a compromising situation, but Angela ignored him and walked back to the galley.
“You read her nametag, didn’t you?”
“Was it obvious?”
Daniel glanced at his watch and then stared at the entrance of the plane. “I think Angela remembers you.”
“What did I ever do to her?”
“You forget, this isn’t the first time you’ve flown on my plane. You probably never called her back.”
Ravi’s eyes narrowed and he sank into his seat. “This trip will be shitty. She’ll probably spit in my scotch.”
Daniel’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “I sure the hell wouldn’t drink it.”
A young man walked onto the plane, his off-the-rack suit a bit too big and a bag with a computer swinging from his shoulder.
“I’m sorry I’m late, sir.”
“You’re right on time.” Daniel gestured to the man. “This is my new hire in advertising, Evan.”
Evan shook Ravi’s hand and then took a seat across the aisle from Daniel. “Thank you again sir for this great opportunity.”
“I’m sure you’ll make the company proud.” Daniel shared with Ravi how he discovered his new marketing talent, emphasizing how studious Evan was when driving people around. He even mentioned, but didn’t go into any detail, about how Evan was good at reading people—which was always an asset when it came to advertising.
Angela arrived with a half-empty scotch glass. “Enjoy, Ravi.” She glanced over to Evan. “Sir, would you care for a beverage?”
“Yes, ma’am. A soda would be nice, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
Polite, courteous… the world was going to eat Evan alive. Daniel wanted to make the young man his pet project. He wanted to make sure he had a fair shake at a stellar career.
Ravi moved his drink away from his seat the second Angela left.
“Sir, shouldn’t we have left ten minutes ago?” Evan asked.
Daniel checked his watch. If Ms. Ortiz wasn’t here in the next two minutes, they would take off without her.
“I’m here,” a shrilly voice sounded from the front of the plane.
Ms. Ortiz entered, plopped her coat and oversized purse down, and let out a groan. “I had to take two shuttles to get to this concourse. I’m lucky to have gotten here on time.”
“Technically, you were late.” Daniel pushed a button on his chair and signaled for Angela that they could take off.
“Please, sit here,” Ravi said, gesturing to the seat in front of him which faced him. “You must be Daniel’s new secretary.”
A skeptical eye inspected both Evan and Ravi, and then Ms. Ortiz decided to take Ravi up on his offer. She puffed up her chest, took her seat, and her mini skirt rode up.
“I’m Dr. Ravi Amarro.”
Her overly plastered smile showed her lipstick stained teeth. “I’m pleased to meet you, doctor. What’s your specialty?”
The plane taxied and Daniel didn’t enjoy the show. Ravi had hit on plenty of women in his day, and usually Daniel had no issues. But how hard up would he have to be to fall into Ms. Ortiz’s traps?
Ravi began telling a boring surgical story, one that was filled with medical terms and sheer boredom. At times, Daniel thought the story even bored Ravi since he kept texting something on his phone.
A cackling giggle escaped Ms. Ortiz’s mouth, and Daniel could tell she only pretended to be interested.
“Sir?” Evan asked, once he finished his soda. “When we arrive, I know you’ll be meeting with your father and other board members.”
Daniel held out his hand and stopped Evan. “My father can’t come this year.”
“Oh, sorry.” Evan looked down at his laptop, still in the carry on. “I read that he’d be on the agenda. I hope everything is all right.”
It was sweet to see the concern in Evan’s eyes. “A minor medical issue. Nothing more. He’ll visit the Chicago office soon and catch up.”
After some chatter with Evan, a quick review of a few files, and an occasional node to Ravi, Daniel realized Ms. Ortiz had monopolized most of Ravi’s attention during the trip—and the plane was scheduled to land in thirty minutes.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to freshen up.” Ms. Ortiz stood and in a non-graceful manner fell into Ravi’s lap.
“My goodness, the turbulence is so bad.”
Evan leaned toward Daniel. “I didn’t feel any…”
Daniel’s hand rose. “No. Just let it go.”
“A beautiful woman like you needs to be careful.” Ravi helped her up and she walked to the back of the plane to find the bathroom.
Ravi’s gaze followed her all the way down the short aisle. “Are you interested in her?” he asked Daniel once she was out of earshot.
Was he interested? You couldn’t pay him enough to fall prey to a woman like her. “I’d rather keep my dignity.”
Ravi glanced at the closed bathroom door. “Young. Beautiful. Energetic.” He nodded his head in approval. “She’s worth a few days of my time. I need to make this conference a little fun.” He gave Evan a cursory glance. “You interested in her?”
Evan held up his hand and showed his wedding band, his face turning beet red in color. He leaned in so he was closer to Daniel. “Ms. Ortiz,” he said, pointing to the back of the plane and whispering, “Is a single scoop of vanilla ice cream.”
“I’m going to see if the lovely lady needs any help in there.” Ravi stood, loosened his tie, and walked to the back of the plane.
Evan watched as Ravi entered the bathroom. “Correction. A drippy single scoop of vanilla ice cream, no cone, that’s fallen on the sidewalk with an anthill nearby.”
22
Lunch out. Now that was a great idea.
Deborah could be herself. No fake persona. No fake name. No fake anything.
Since Daniel was on the company jet flying to the conference, she figured the press would be following him, but she still wanted to play it safe. She dressed down in a soft t-shirt and comfy jeans. To complete the ensemble, she wore Jackie-O type of sunglasses to hide her face so she could make her way to the Ellington-Weston building without the media attacking her.
It had been a week, and the familiar hallways, faces, and noises beckoned to her as she made her way to Scott’s office.
His door was ajar and she heard Caroline’s familiar voice. Deborah checked her watch. She was right on time.
“You picked a winner,” Caroline’s voice drifted out to the hallway. “I don’t even want to know where you found her.”
“A little green goes a long way,” Scott said. “If a client didn’t pick her up, they were going to fire her. It was practically a mercy hiring.”
Deborah knocked on the door and it opened. “May I come in?”
Caroline glanced at her watch. “Sorry. I lost track of time.” She grabbed her jacket and stood, her free hand helping her off the chair.
“Who’s a winner?” Deborah helped Caroline on with her coat.
Caroline’s gaze darted to Scott; her jaw open as if she had been caught in a secret.
“Nannies,” he quickly said. “We’re thinking of hiring some care with the baby. You know,… especially at the beginning when we need to adjust to…”
Scott’s phone beeped and he paused and glanced down at it, leaving an odd silence in the room.
Deborah focused on Caroline. “I thought you were against the idea of a nanny.”
Caroline cocked her head to the side and glanced past Deborah, not making eye contact. “I’m keeping my mind open.”
Scott laughed and set his phone down. When the ladies stared at him, he added, “I just got a funny text. It’s nothing.”
Caroline walked toward the door. “Have you hear
d from Daniel since he took off this morning?”
“He’s still in the air.” Deborah noticed an odd smile from Caroline aimed at Scott, who stifled a grin. “Is there something funny?”
Scott shook his head. “Ravi is paying off an old debt to me. Let’s just say he isn’t enjoying the task, that’s all.”
“Let’s go, Deborah.” Caroline stood at the now opened door.
Scott gave a dismissive wave and sat back at his desk. “Have a good lunch you two.”
Deborah didn’t know what she’d do if it wasn’t for her good friend Caroline.
Four days of shopping, visiting a spa, going out to lunch with Caroline, and basically doing nothing productive… The boredom drove Deborah crazy, but at least she had company. And, it kept her mind off Daniel and the conference.
She quietly typed on her laptop while Caroline slept on the bed across the room in the luxurious hotel suite. Deborah found it difficult to focus on her story since Daniel was the inspiration, and he wouldn't be back in town for at least another hour.
Had it really been four full days since she’d last seen him?
Naturally, during holidays and vacations, she would not see him for this long, but he had attended an important business trip. She should have been with him. Not that she particularly cared for all the executives Daniel had met with.
Nearly nineteen years had passed, and she still couldn't face the founder of the company, the father of Josh. The man walked around these yearly meetings as though he hoarded all the oxygen in the room and everyone needed him for a hit.
Commanding, handsome, powerful,… regretful.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He may be many things, but to her, he'd always be her one mistake. True, Josh had resulted from their one–night stand, and she'd never regret having him, but the bastard who fathered him could go straight to hell.
A tear threatened to roll down Deborah's cheek, and she mentally chided herself for the weakness. She had been all of twenty years old then, not even legally able to drink when she’d accepted his offer to the cocktail party. She’d been thrilled he had taken an interest in her and wanted her as his assistant, she just hadn’t realized that getting drunk and being taken advantage of were part of his plan for her.
The alcohol had certainly made her willing that night. The company had recently gone public, the celebration was extensive, and she’d become a stupid, giddy girl. One who didn't think of any consequences.
She’d certainly thought of them the next day, and especially two weeks later when she’d read the plus sign on the plastic stick.
He had ignored her afterward, moving on to the next woman in his parade of self–indulgence that his wife seemed to ignore. Did having so much money make you blind to your husband's dalliances? Or did she really not care?
The bastard had denied the baby and dismissed her from her position on some made–up disciplinary measures. Thinking back, Deborah should have sued the company, but she didn't want her mistake known.
Thankfully a job in a secretarial pool opened up. Less status, but equal pay. She would have quit and moved on if Daniel hadn't selected her from the secretarial pool as his personal assistant and secretary. Being eight months pregnant, Deborah knew she’d gotten the job based on her capabilities and skills, not her figure.
The nice raise she’d received by accepting the offer had allowed her to provide for her son.
Caroline stirred in the bed, but continued to snore, so Deborah checked her emails.
No word from Daniel. He would be back in Chicago within the hour, but she hadn't heard anything from him the entire time, and she suspected the temp secretary had kept him busy in the evenings.
Her body stiffened. Daniel was away from the press of Chicago, so there were less eyes to see him playing around behind his fake fiancée’s back. Deborah didn’t want to think of the young, temp secretary sitting at her desk all week, seated next to Daniel on the plane, or anything else she may have been doing with the man during the conference. She was probably blonde and under thirty. Chances were, there was a parting gift for her in Deborah’s desk drawer.
What was the going price these days? A diamond tennis bracelet for six months of attention? So a week of temp work would be…what? A gold bracelet?
Some bling and the door hitting you on your naked ass as he slammed it shut.
No office romance was worth it.
They never ended well, and they weren’t worth the heartache.
Her heart pounded when her cell phone buzzed with a text. The noise startled her, and she didn't want it to wake Caroline, but more importantly, the text came from Daniel.
She scanned the message. Flew out early. Important meetings. Ellington–Weston planned to buy another company... Huh. He didn't mention which one, only that he had to work on a proposal all night and meet with the company lawyer in the morning. He asked her to set up a meeting with Scott to come over and help him with the pitch tonight.
A merger coming up, and now the purchase of a company? The man must be swamped.
Her gaze darted to Caroline, who still lay sleeping on the bed. She understood just how tired a pregnant woman could be, but it wasn't as though she had any other plans this evening.
She texted back, “Of course, sir.”
23
Deborah drove to Daniel's estate and pushed the security buttons. The wind came in through the cracked window, chilling the interior of the car, as she waited for the gates to open, allowing her to drive down the pathway to Daniel's home. She felt as though she had been followed, but dismissed the idea since the iron gate would keep everyone out.
Being the center of media attention felt odd. The thought of someone taking her picture and posting that she was pregnant made her paranoid as to who could be lurking about.
Working out in the hotel gym the last few days and laying off carbs had given her a sense of accomplishment. Even though she told herself repeatedly that she didn't care what the media said, deep down, she did. And that bothered her since she had always taken pride in her figure and appearance.
She parked her car in the circular driveway and felt odd getting out of the vehicle, and then she realized why. She usually carried in dry cleaning, groceries, or some other item he needed her to bring over. Today, she brought in only her purse.
She paused and caught her reflection in the side mirror. She wasn't expecting to see him today, at least, not yet. Her disheveled hair and sparse makeup gave her a dressed down appearance. Instead of her crisp business suit, she wore a comfortable pair of jeans and a T–shirt. She gazed at her unbuttoned coat and saw the shirt peeking out.
Geez. There was a stain.
So much for taking pride in how she looked.
There was nothing she could do. Brushing away at the proof that she had eaten a gluten–free pizza for lunch, she realized the last time he’d seen her, she had been wearing a slim, fitted, red gown. If there had been anything between the two of them, the ugly ensemble she wore today would squash that.
Her horrible outfit may just be the perfect remedy. She was here to roll up her sleeves and get to work—not be on a date.
She marched down the walkway to the front door, and the motion sensor lights caught her presence. This visit was business. And that's all it will ever be. She wouldn't be foolish to fall for another boss. Never again.
Good Lord, Daniel needed help.
He sat at the kitchen table surrounded by paperwork. Electrical cords lay on the floor plugged into extension cables allowing him to keep two laptops running.
This second merger had been dropped in his lap. He knew their rival in the industry struggled to keep up, and buying them out and gaining their employees and company secrets was a huge win for Ellington–Weston.
So why could he only focus on Deborah? He glanced at the clock. She should be here by now.
The last time they had bought a rival security company, Deborah had helped him design the proposal. Daniel used that o
ne as a template for this new merger, but Deborah seemed to have more finesse with such details.
She was needed in so many ways.
So many ways.
The doorbell rang, causing his two Shelties to wake from their nap and be on bark patrol. The noise became nearly deafening and he checked the monitor and saw Deborah standing outside.
She was here.
His jacket was off, so he made sure his shirt was tucked in. He grazed his hand over his hair and took a deep breath.
He opened the door and an explosion of fur nearly knocked him down.
“Hi, babies.” She took timid steps trying to get in the door without stepping on paws or tails.
“Dammit. Watch out… Ginger peed.”
Deborah side stepped the urine which had pooled in one area, but the dog’s excitement had spread it across several of the marble tiles. Her brother, Oreo, was now taking an interest in it and smelling around the foyer. “Come babies. Outside.”
Daniel worried about what to wear, what to say, what to do when he saw her again. Cleaning up dog pee was far from the list he had prepared, but it gave him something to do.
“They’re excited to see you.”
A heaviness lifted from his chest, and his lips spread into a huge smile. They weren't the only ones who’d missed her. Having her in the house was like a breath of fresh air.
Deborah glanced around once both dogs were out the now opened doggie door. “Are we the only ones here?”
“Yes.” He disposed of the paper towel and washed his hands.
She placed her purse down on the kitchen counter. “I thought the temp secretary would be helping you.”
Her voice sounded frosty, in a ‘will I be disturbing the two of you’ kind of way. He didn’t like the tone but considering how many women he had been with over the years—how many that he had flaunted in front of Deborah—he could understand her coldness.
A syrupy feeling of shame covered him. Deborah had organized his dating life for years, a duty no personal assistant should have to do for her boss. “Ms. Ortiz…,” he began, shaking his head.
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