• • •
Jeremy picked up the clothes he could find and shoved them into his bag. If he left some behind, it would only serve to remind Lalita of their weekend of passion. Living mostly out of suitcases, he was usually a meticulous packer, he hated his clothes all scrunched up. Today, however, he couldn’t be bothered.
He hadn’t stopped to consider the ramification of Lalita becoming CEO of Evans International. It was inevitable, he could see it now. However, there is no way he could work for her. He’d always wonder if her decisions were swayed by their relationship. While they were both directors, it wouldn’t matter; she had no influence on his department and vice versa. Jeremy pulled a pair of trousers out of the sofa cushions and tossed them on his bag.
Lalita as his CEO — they’d cross that employment dilemma when they came to it. It wasn’t as if he’d work for Evans forever. He had plans to open his own marketing company within the next five years. For now, however, he had to think of a way to make John Evans come around in his opinion of him as the man for Lalita. She might claim indifference but Jeremy knew her father’s opinion carried a lot of weight with her.
• • •
“The Chief Executive wants you in his office right away.” Jeremy’s secretary didn’t even wait for him to hang up his jacket before informing him of the summons.
“Call up and tell his secretary I’ll be there in five minutes,” Jeremy instructed. He’d gone straight to the office from his flight and needed a moment to gather his thoughts. Leaving Lalita at the airport had been hard. Jeremy had firmly closed his mind to the last time he’d left her to board a plane and the weeks of torture that had followed that departure.
His phone buzzed with an incoming text.
Off to sleep. Seem to be exhausted even though I spent the weekend in bed. Love you and miss you.
Jeremy could feel a stupid smile spread over his tired face. Probably not a good idea to go see Lalita’s father with an idiotic grin on his lips. The older man would know instantly the cause of the expression.
Sleep well and dream of me. I love and miss you, too, he texted back.
Jeremy thought of adding that he was about to see her father; however, he didn’t want her to either worry or interfere. He would deal with John Evans on his own. It was enough of a sobering idea to wipe the smile off Jeremy’s face.
“Wish me luck. But be prepared to pack up my things,” Jeremy commented as he passed his secretary’s desk. His shoes echoed on the hardwood floor. He felt like a prisoner walking to his parole hearing.
“You may want to take a shield in there.” Marjorie nodded toward her boss’s door. “He’s on the war path for some reason.”
Jeremy didn’t bother adding that he was the reason John Evans was upset. As a trusted assistant, he was sure Marjorie knew. He appreciated her efforts to warn him and smiled in her direction.
“Don’t stand too close to the door. I may be making a rapid exit and not necessarily on my own two feet.”
Marjorie laughed.
Jeremy took a deep breath and opened the door.
“I should fire you.” The CEO dispensed with any preliminary greeting. The older man looked tired, his skin ashen. Jeremy tempered his response.
“You could, but that would only cure one of your problems.”
“Which one would that be?” John Evans took off his reading glasses and glared at Jeremy.
“Seeing me every day. You can sack me. However, I will still continue dating Lalita.” Dating wasn’t really the right word but if he told John what they did do, then he would be fired on the spot.
“You’re nobody. What makes you think you’re good enough for my daughter?”
“With respect, sir, when you were my age, you had a small start-up company with only two offices. I may surprise you yet.”
“Don’t think you’re going to use Lalita’s money for a head start.”
Jeremy could better understand Lalita’s worry about her money coming first if that was what her father kept emphasizing. No wonder the woman was insecure.
“I have no intention of doing so. I’ll make my fortune through hard work and skill. Not because I was lucky enough to be loved by a woman as fabulous as your daughter.”
John Evans seemed to consider the argument.
“Then I guess I had better not fire you. That way I can keep an eye on you. Lalita will be here in three weeks, we will discuss the situation further then.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t thank me yet. If you break her heart, I’ll have you killed.”
“Fair enough. Would it help if I told you I love her?”
“No.”
John put his glasses back on and picked up the report on his desk again.
Jeremy took that as a dismissal and retreated from the office. It was going to be a long three weeks.
• • •
The phone rang, interrupting Lalita in the midst of an erotic dream featuring one delectable Jeremy Lakewood. Five more days.
“Hello?”
“Lalita, it’s Marjorie.”
Lalita sat up. Her father’s secretary knew every time zone in the world by memory. She wouldn’t call her in the middle of the night unless it was urgent.
“Tell me.”
“Your father collapsed in his office. The ambulance just left. We think he’s having a heart attack. I’ve sent cars to pick up your mother and sisters and take them to the hospital. You are booked on a flight in five hours. I’m emailing you the details now.”
“Thank you, Marjorie,” Lalita managed to get out. Her heart was beating rapidly and she’d broken out in a cold sweat. The terse words she’d said to end her last phone call to her father echoed in her ear. She struggled to maintain her composure. Marjorie had worked for her father for twenty-five years; she would be as worried as everyone in the family.
“I’ll have Jeremy Lakewood meet you at the airport.” The secretary’s voice went from efficient to compassionate.
“You are wonderful, Marjorie. See you soon.”
Lalita jumped out of bed, showered and dressed. She was shoving a few items in her carry-on bag when her phone rang again. Her heart skipped two beats and her stomach fell past her knees. Was it Marjorie again? Had her father died before she could say goodbye? Before they had a chance to make up after their argument about Jeremy? Before she could hear his side of Aisha’s story?
It was Grace. “Go. I’ll have everything forwarded to your parent’s house in London. When you have a chance, come back and we’ll say a proper goodbye.”
“Thanks, Grace.” Lalita didn’t even ask how Grace knew. Marjorie must have called her also.
Her mother returned her call before Lalita boarded her flight to say that her father was stable and resting. Jeremy had called to say he’d be waiting for her and would take her straight to the hospital. He hadn’t seen her father himself as he didn’t want to aggravate the situation but that Robert was keeping him informed.
For once, Lalita couldn’t sleep on the flight and the almost fourteen-hour transit time dragged on forever. She kept replaying in her mind the disappointment in her father’s voice when she told him she and Jeremy were together again. Lalita couldn’t shake the feeling that she was, in part, responsible for her father’s illness.
Travelling in first class with only her carry-on bag, it didn’t take Lalita long to get through customs and immigration. She spotted Jeremy as soon as she exited the secure area and ran into his strong arms. He hugged her tight before giving her a quick kiss.
Lalita pulled back and searched his face. He seemed anxious.
“Tell me quick, while you’re still holding me.”
“Your dad’s had another heart attack while you were in the air. Because he was monitored, they caught it right aw
ay. He’s pretty drugged up, according to Robert. The whole family has set up a vigil at the hospital. Your mother hasn’t left his side.”
Jeremy hugged her for another moment before picking up her bag and leading her out the door to where the chauffeur-driven car awaited.
“I am so glad to see you.” Lalita let out a long breath as she held Jeremy’s hand in the backseat.
“Likewise.” Jeremy smiled at her.
“I can’t help feeling that this is my fault.” Lalita wiped a wet spot on her cheek with her free hand.
“Your father’s heart attack?”
“Yes, if I hadn’t upset him … ”
Jeremy kissed another tear that coursed down her cheek.
“Listen to me, Lalita. You didn’t cause this. If anything, it was too much foie gras and not enough exercise.”
Lalita managed a tight smile. Her phone rang, shattering the silence.
“Go ahead,” Jeremy said.
“Sorry,” she shot him an apologetic look. With her father out of action, though, she needed to make sure the company was stabilized. A shock like this could take a huge knock on the share price.
Lalita sent a few quick replies to several Board member emails and made a call to Marjorie. She was pretty sure the woman had slept at the office last night.
“What? John said that? But surely he’ll return to his job as soon as he’s better. I figured I’d have to take over for the next month or so, but … ” Lalita listened as Marjorie explained.
While they were waiting for the ambulance to arrive, John had insisted that Marjorie tell Lalita that she was to be the next CEO, effective immediately. He’d been waiting for her return to step down; his heart attack had only hastened the transition.
By the time she put her phone away, they were pulling into the hospital grounds.
“Do you want me to wait here or come with you?”
Lalita’s eyes flew to Jeremy’s face. “Come with me, of course.” It had never even occurred to her that he wouldn’t stay with her.
“I don’t want to upset your family,” Jeremy clarified as they walked, hand-in-hand, into the hospital.
“You’re part of me now. They’ll have to learn to adapt. Besides, I am sure my mother and sisters will be ecstatic. And I need you.”
Jeremy dropped her hand and put his arm around her waist. He led her unerringly to the cardiac ward.
“Robert gave me directions,” he said seeing her surprised expression.
They rounded a corner and came upon Robert, Jessica, and Wesley all hunched over paper cups of cold coffee. Jessica spotted her first and rushed to hug her sister. She didn’t even seem to notice Jeremy, who took a step aside as the two sisters embraced.
“Oh, Lalita, I’m so glad to see you. Jane had to go home to feed the baby. She should be here again soon,” Jessica whispered as if speaking out loud would disturb anyone.
Lalita glanced over at her brother-in-law.
“Robert, call Jane and tell her to stay at home. Wesley, if you can wait a minute, I would be grateful if you could take Jessica and Mummy home.”
Jessica stood back from her sister and put her hands on her hips.
“You can’t just barge in here and start shouting orders, Laly.”
“I haven’t shouted, and yes, I can. Someone has to take charge.” Lalita softened her voice. “As you will all be running around nursing Daddy in the next few weeks, you had better go home and rest up. Remember how miserable he is when he gets a cold. Think how unbearable he’s going to be after this.”
Jessica seemed ready to argue until Wesley put his arm around her shoulders.
“You know she’s right, darling. At least come home and change clothes and have something to eat,” Wesley prompted. Jessica nodded weakly and sat.
“Which room is he in?” Lalita addressed Robert, who stood with a grin on his face.
“He’s in two-o-seven. Are you going to order him home, too?” Robert’s eyes flicked between Lalita and Jeremy. His smile widened.
“I would if I could, but I’m afraid I shall have to defer to the doctors on that one. Can you come with me and decode the jargon?” Although he specialized in pediatrics, Robert’s medical degree surely had covered cardiology.
“Of course,” Robert said. He skirted the plastic chairs and stood at her side.
“Will you wait?” Lalita turned to Jeremy.
“Forever,” he replied.
Jessica for the first time seemed to notice the tall man. She glanced from Jeremy to Lalita and back. By the time Lalita had taken two steps down the hall, she could already hear Jessica’s voice asking Jeremy what was going on.
• • •
Jeremy watched Lalita stride down the hall. Robert had to lengthen his steps to keep up with her. As she turned the corner he realized that Jessica was staring at him, waiting.
“Pardon?”
“I asked what you are doing here with Lalita and why for the first time in her life she looks all doe-eyed. Although she’s her usual bossy self.” Jessica’s tone was annoyed, but she seemed relieved that someone had taken charge of the situation.
“Lalita and I are … together. We blame you. By pairing us in your wedding party, you put the idea in our heads. It’s all your fault, really.” Jeremy smiled down at Jessica. She seemed inordinately pleased.
“She needs a strong hand. Do you think you’re up to it?” Jessica challenged.
“I’m sure as hell going to try,” Jeremy replied.
“Excellent.”
Jeremy sat down next to Jessica and waited. Every once in a while Jessica would ask a question about his relationship with her sister. He evaded as many as possible. This was Lalita’s territory, her family.
Five minutes later, an exhausted-looking Julia Evans stumbled down the hall. Jeremy jumped up, rushed to her side and put his arm around her slim shoulders.
“Lalita has told me to go home.” Julia addressed no one in particular.
“You need to rest, Mummy. You’ll do Daddy no good if you exhaust yourself as well.” Jessica spoke as if the idea had been hers.
“Is your car here, Wesley?” Jeremy asked the younger man.
“Yeah, I’m parked in the multi-story, floor three, by the lift.”
“Take the Bentley home, as you don’t have room for three in your car. The driver’s waiting by the entrance. I’ll bring Lalita to her parents’ house in your car when she’s done here.”
“Cheers, mate.” Wesley seemed relieved to be leaving. He put one arm around Julia and the other around his fiancée. The three disappeared around the corner.
Jeremy sat in the plastic chairs. He pulled out The Economist and tried to read. His mind kept shifting to Lalita and her command performances, both here in the hospital and on the phone in the car. One thing was for sure, Evans International wouldn’t flounder without her father in control. He couldn’t wait to see her chair her first Board meeting.
But now she was his boss. The situation had come sooner than expected. Right now, she needed his support, to know he was in her corner and he had her back. Once the situation had stabilized, however, he’d have to move on.
He only hoped that seeing her father so ill wouldn’t bring on more feelings of guilt. If Lalita had to choose between him and her father, he wasn’t sure which way she’d go. All he could do now was help and love her, and try to win over the rest of her family.
Twenty minutes later, Lalita returned with Robert. Her steps were slower, her head cocked to one side as Robert explained something to her. She nodded and asked another question. Jeremy searched her face. Did she still want him there or was she regretting that he’d come between her and her father?
As if sensing his stare, she glanced up. Her face creased into a luminous smile and for a moment
Jeremy thought she might actually run into his arms.
“The doctor has assured us that Daddy is sedated and won’t wake until morning. There is no point waiting around.”
Jeremy put his arms around her. He gazed over her head at Robert, who was still smiling broadly.
“Do you have a ride home?” Jeremy flashed Wesley’s keys.
“I can grab a taxi. I assume you’ll be at the Evans house?” Robert checked his watch.
“I’ll take Lalita there so she can be with her mother and sister. I’ll head home to Southgate later tonight,” Jeremy commented.
Lalita’s head shot up, ready to argue.
“I’m not making love to you in your father’s house without his blessing. And if we’re under the same roof, I won’t be able to stop you climbing into my bed and ravishing me in the middle of the night.”
Robert laughed. “You two are great for each other. I foresee many arguments and lots of passionate make-ups in your future.”
“A doctor and a psychic. I always wondered why Jane fell for you.” Lalita kissed Robert on the cheek before returning to Jeremy’s arms. Robert thumped Jeremy on the back then sauntered toward the door. His laughter echoed in the narrow hallway.
“Take me home, please. I’m shattered.”
“I sent your mother, Jessica, and Wesley home in the Bentley. We’ve got Wesley’s car.”
“I can’t wait to see you try to get behind the wheel.” Wesley was almost a foot shorter than him. He’d have to remember to try to adjust the seat before he climbed in.
“What’s worse is there is no backseat — no hope of a repeat of our first meeting.”
“You could always change your mind and stay over.” Lalita batted her eyelashes at him.
“No. I’ve made my decision.” It had been almost three weeks since he’d held her naked against him. His statement was as much for his body as for Lalita.
She reached up and pulled his head down for a smoldering kiss.
“Nice try.” Jeremy groaned. “Come on. Let’s get you home before I end up in the bed next to your father.”
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