Singapore Fling

by Alexia Adams

  “I need to call Grace,” she said. Her secretary was a wall when it came to protecting her boss’s privacy. Lalita had no doubt Grace wouldn’t have divulged any information to her father. However the fact that both she and Jeremy were un-contactable at the same time would have given her father as much information as he needed.

  “Hello, Grace.” Lalita took a few steps away. She could sense Jeremy’s eyes on her.

  Her secretary regaled her with the highlights of the various phone calls intercepted from John and advised of a situation requiring immediate attention. Lalita disconnected the call, closed her eyes, and put her head on the cool glass of the window overlooking the runway. Forty minutes from now, she’d be sitting on an airplane waiting for take-off, going farther away from Jeremy.

  She turned back to him. “The head of the Philippine office has been severely injured in a car accident. His secretary was in the car with him for some reason and was killed. I’m booked on a flight to Manila tonight. I only have time to go home and repack.”

  Jeremy stood and put his arms around her. It felt wonderful to be held by him. She let herself melt against his strong, hard body, absorb some of his strength. He raised her chin with his finger, his thumb caressing her cheek. Lowering his head, he was about to kiss her when the phone, still clutched in Lalita’s hand, rang. Automatically she glanced down.

  “It’s my father,” she said. “I’d better speak with him.”

  Jeremy released her, his hand trailing down her arm. He squeezed her hand in support.

  “I’ll get you a drink.”

  Lalita took a deep breath and did her best to put on a normal voice.

  “Good morning, Daddy. It’s early for you to be calling.”

  “Don’t ‘good morning’ me, Lalita. Are you with Jeremy Lakewood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

  “Are you asking as my boss or my father?”

  “Both.”

  “Then, as an employee, I will answer that I have worked twenty-six days straight, often from six a.m. to after ten p.m. I had no urgent meetings or work to be done, so I thought it was an appropriate time for me to take a few days leave.”

  “And as my daughter?” Her father’s voice was gruff.

  “As your daughter, I would remind you that I am twenty-eight years old and no longer live in your house. With respect, Daddy, my personal life is my business.”

  “Lalita, you are my child, I love you. I only want the best for you, for you to be happy. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Her father paused, as if the next words were painful for him to say. “Do you love him?”

  Her heart stalled. It was a word she’d avoided even thinking about with every fibre of her being. She could admit to wanting Jeremy, it was obvious. She even acknowledged that at times she needed him.

  Glancing up, she saw him stride toward her, a bottle of water in his hand. Her heart did a flip-flop. God, he was fabulous.

  “Yes, Daddy, I love him. And Jeremy told me what you said about sacking him. If you fire Jeremy over this, then you’ll have to look for my replacement also.”

  Her father let loose a weary sigh. “Get on that flight with Jeremy. Come home, Lalita.”

  “I can’t. There’s an issue with the Manila office I have to deal with first. I’ll return when I’ve sorted it out.”

  “Very well. We’ll discuss this further in person. I want you home as soon as this issue in Manila is resolved.” The CEO was back in charge.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Her father hung up without saying goodbye.

  She stared at the phone in her hand.

  “Everything all right?” Jeremy put the bottle of water on the chair. He pulled Lalita into his arms.

  “It’s fine. I told my father that if he fires you I’ll quit.”

  “You didn’t need to do that,” he whispered into her ear. “I can fight my own battles.”

  She closed her eyes. How could she bear to leave him?

  “Miss Evans, your flight is on final boarding call.” A uniformed steward from the lounge approached them.

  “Thank you,” she said, automatically. She hugged Jeremy tighter.

  “This isn’t over, Lalita.” He searched her face, holding her gaze, then kissed her before letting her go.

  “Goodbye, Jeremy.” Lalita picked up her laptop bag and suit jacket and strode out of the lounge. Wanting to glance back, she didn’t dare. She wouldn’t have the strength to walk away if she saw anything like longing on Jeremy’s face.

  ***

  Jeremy stood in front of John Evans’s desk like a naughty pupil sent to see the head master. It wasn’t a feeling he liked. If it was just his employment at stake, he’d tell the CEO where to stick his no-fraternization policy. Despite his boss’s threat, Jeremy had no doubt he would succeed. Losing his job here would be the incentive he needed to start his own marketing company.

  But this was Lalita’s father. And he wanted Lalita. That meant he had to play by an entirely different set of rules.

  Jeremy stifled a yawn. He couldn’t sleep, waking every two hours to reach for the woman who haunted his dreams.

  John put down the report he’d been reading and stared at Jeremy.

  “I hear your trip to Asia was successful, from a business point of view.”

  “Yes, the new marketing strategy seemed to go over well. I’m sure you’ll be seeing increased sales within the next few months.” Jeremy released a silent breath. If this was to be an informal report on his business trip he had nothing to worry about.

  “Have you heard from the Director of Asian Operations since your return?”

  And there was the loaded question.

  “We had a brief conversation yesterday. She’s in Manila sorting out a mess there.” Jeremy kept it non-committal. He had no idea what Lalita had told her father about their relationship.

  “Yes, I spoke with her yesterday also. Sounds as though she’ll be there for at least the week.”

  John sat back in his chair, examining Jeremy as if trying to determine which species of bug family he belonged to. He seemed to weigh up his next words.

  “Okay, I want a written report of your trip on my desk by the end of the week. I also want an informal account of your opinion of the way the offices are run and organized and any problems or issues you feel may need to be addressed.”

  Jeremy searched the CEO’s face. “Surely that information would be better coming from the DAO. She knows the offices and personnel much better than I do. Some offices I was only there for a few hours.”

  “I always appreciate a second opinion. As I said, an informal report is fine. If you want to give it to me verbally, so nothing is in writing, then book a meeting time with my secretary.”

  Jeremy left the office more concerned than when he went in. Why was he being asked to produce what amounted to a spy report on the Asian offices? Was John trying to drive a wedge between Jeremy and his daughter? Lalita took her job very seriously. If she felt he was trying to undermine her, it would spell doom for their personal relationship.

  He sat behind his desk and stared at his phone. The brief conversation he’d had with Lalita yesterday had left him completely unsatisfied. She’d been exhausted, he’d heard it in her voice, and frustrated at the situation she’d uncovered. The office manager had been having an affair with his secretary. His wife had only discovered the infidelity when he’d crashed the car while returning from a weekend away with the other woman. Furthermore, the office records were in shambles and Lalita had to take over managing the office before appointing a replacement.

  No mention had been made in the call about their own relationship, nor when they were going to see each other again. Jeremy gritted his teeth. He glanced at the clock and calculated the time difference. It was six o’clock in Manila. Should he call her now or wait until she was back in her hotel? When was the last time he’d sat around and debated whether to call a woman or not? Aargh…<
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  He started his report for the CEO on his trip to Asia. Each word reminded him of Lalita. It was no use. He grabbed his phone and dialled her number.

  “Jeremy.” Lalita answered on the first ring, as if she, too, had been staring at it, trying to decide to call or not.

  “How’s it going?” Jeremy kicked himself for discussing business. What kind of lover called up and asked about corporate affairs?

  “Slow. Marco was such a totalitarian, he only hired sycophants. So there is no one in the office qualified to take over. I’m bringing in Tim from the Hong Kong office to be an interim manager. We just have to wait on the work visa. I’ve sent an email to all staff in Asia reminding them that relationships between office personnel are strictly forbidden. I hope there aren’t many more of these in-office affairs going on.”

  “What about us?”

  Lalita paused.

  “Us?” Her voice was wary.

  “Do you feel hypocritical enforcing a policy that you yourself have disregarded?”

  “Our situation is entirely different. First, we are on the same corporate level, there is no hint of coercion in our relationship. If one of us isn’t doing our job appropriately, then we can’t cover for the other. Second, we don’t work out of the same office, not even the same continent. Our performance isn’t going to be hindered by seeing each other on a daily basis.”

  Not necessarily true. I can’t even type up a basic report because I am thinking constantly about you.

  “I had a meeting with your father this morning.”

  The pause at the end of the phone was even longer. Jeremy wished he could see her face. He should have video-called her rather than phoned.

  “And what did he say about us?”

  “Nothing. He asked if we had spoken since I returned.”

  “Good.” Even over six and a half thousand miles away Jeremy could hear the relief in her voice.

  “So, what’s next?”

  “For the office, or us?”

  “Us.”

  “Once I sort out the mess here, we can get our calendars out and see when we can get together again.”

  A chill swept through him at Lalita’s words. It sounded like she was arranging a business meeting, not a lover’s tryst. Had she cooled towards him already? She’d managed to walk away from him at the airport without once looking back.

  Jeremy’s secretary knocked before putting her head around the partially opened door. She mouthed that his mother was holding on the other line. Damn, he needed to speak with his mother, but the bad timing was epic.

  “I have to go. I miss you, Lalita.”

  “I miss you, too, Jeremy. Take care.”

  ***

  Lalita disconnected the call and banged her head on the desk.

  Take care? How lame was that? I should have told him that I can’t sleep without him, can barely breathe. Take care? That’s what you say to a colleague or a distant relative, NOT what you say to someone who holds your heart in their hands. I am utterly pathetic.

  Lalita stared out the window at the myriad of lights on the street below. Horns blared as commuters impatiently rushed home to loved ones. Loneliness seized her with its icy claws, making her shiver.

  How could she be so stupid as to fall in love with a charmer? The emptiness would only get worse the longer they were together. But she was hooked, there was no way she wasn’t going to see this relationship through to its conclusion. She’d told Jeremy that his kisses had ruined her for any other man. Now that they’d made love, the destruction was complete.

  A sigh escaped her lips. She turned back to the desk strewn with papers. Her previously well-ordered life was now a similar mess. It would take more than an efficient secretary to sort that out, though.

  Chapter 11

  Lalita’s heart pounded loud enough she almost didn’t bother knocking on the door. Surely Jeremy would be able to hear it and open up to her. Wiping her damp palms on her jeans, she checked her reflection in the glass. She should’ve worn a dress, something sexy. Except she’d been so anxious to see Jeremy again that she’d come straight from the airport.

  She’d had enough of pussyfooting around on phone calls and video conferencing, pretending they were nothing but lovers waiting for the next hook-up. She was going to tell Jeremy how she felt, and she was going to do it before she lost her nerve. It wasn’t a conversation she could have on the phone or via the internet. Declarations of love definitely had to be done in person.

  If his phone had been on, he would be standing at the door now, watching for her arrival. However, he hadn’t answered his mobile. Therefore, he had no idea she was coming. She couldn’t wait to see his face when he realized she was within arm’s reach and not half-way around the world.

  She sure as hell hoped he didn’t have any plans for the weekend. Because neither of them were going to leave this house until Sunday afternoon when she planned to take him to meet her parents as her boyfriend, not a colleague. She could picture Jessica’s reaction. Her sister would undoubtedly claim it was because she’d put the idea in Lalita’s head after pairing them in her wedding party.

  What if Jeremy didn’t want a more permanent relationship? What if an occasional lover was all he ever intended to be? They’d made no promises to each other. Her stomach clenched.

  Before she lost her nerve, Lalita rang the doorbell. She undid one more button on her shirt. It would save half a second later on. Footsteps approach the door. They were much too light to be Jeremy’s. She checked the house number against the address he’d given her. She’d been surprised he lived in a mid-terrace cottage in Southgate. She’d figured him for a swanky cutting-edge Docklands flat, not some non-descript mini-house in a nothing suburb of north London.

  The door flew open. A tall, bleached-blonde woman, wearing nothing but one of Jeremy’s shirts, stood in the entryway. No coyness, no hiding behind the door. When she saw Lalita, she leaned against the door jam, crossed her ankles, exposing more of her bare legs. The woman fingered the cuff of the sleeve, drawing Lalita’s attention to the monogrammed JL. How many times had she joked with Jeremy about the need to put his initials on his clothing?

  “Can I help you?” the blonde asked.

  “I’m looking for Jeremy Lakewood. Is he home?” She channelled her inner CEO and used her best business voice. The woman’s blue eyes raked her up and down. Lalita returned the compliment, noting the darker roots of her hair and the patchiness of her fake tan.

  “Yes, he’s in the shower. Would you like to come in and wait?”

  “Thank you.” That seemed to surprise the tart.

  She leaned into the door jam and let Lalita pass. The cloying smell of cheap perfume, alcohol, and sex made Lalita want to vomit. After slamming closed the door, the woman padded barefoot over to the one sofa and sat down, crossing her legs, making it obvious the shirt was the only thing she wore.

  “I’m Lalita. You are?”

  “Mimi.”

  Jeremy’s sisters were Natasha, Susan and Daisy. Not a Mimi among them. Lalita swallowed. She was not going to be sick in front of this woman.

  “Do you think Jeremy will be a while?” Lalita didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to keep up this pretence of being unaffected. Forget the inner CEO, her inner bitch was about to get the upper hand. She wanted to scratch the smug smile off the blonde’s face and pull her over-processed hair from her scalp.

  “Possibly. He beat me to the shower. He’s probably waiting for me to join him.”

  Mimi examined her chipped manicure, ignoring Lalita.

  She couldn’t bear to look at the other woman a moment longer. In two steps, she was in the centre of the small room. Two more and she stood in front of the bookshelf. A range of photos were displayed. A picture of Jeremy with an older woman, Lalita assumed was his mother, stood next to one with him surrounded by his siblings. She picked up the photo and searched the faces. A twinge of recognition set off an alarm in her brain.

  Lalita repl
aced the picture and stared at another—one of a radiant bride on her wedding day. The resemblance to Jeremy was so clear it could only be his eldest sister, Natasha. Lalita picked up the framed photograph. Standing next to Natasha were her two bridesmaids. One younger maid, with Down’s syndrome, smiled broadly into the camera, rapturous joy on her innocent face. On the other side, a tall blonde also smiled, but her eyes were jaded. She was there under protest and she didn’t care if the world knew it. All three women had the same coloured eyes as Jeremy. Lalita replaced the picture and turned to the other woman.

  “Mimi? I’m sure Jeremy calls you Susan.” She took a deep breath. Her chest no longer seemed in imminent danger of implosion.

  “Susan is old-fashioned. Mimi is much more … me.”

  “Interesting game, pretending to be his lover. Any particular reason?”

  “Jeremy is such a mama’s boy. I thought I’d spice things up a bit. So, you’re his latest, are you? Daddy’s got money, I assume.” Susan sneered.

  Lalita wasn’t surprised that Jeremy hadn’t told his family of their affair. She was disconcerted, however, that Susan seemed to know her. She glanced down at her clothes. There was nothing ostentatious, nothing that screamed wealth. In fact she’d bought the jeans at a market in Hong Kong for less than ten pounds.

  “Why do you think I have wealthy parents?”

  “All Jeremy’s girlfriends have wealthy parents; he only goes out with rich girls. Not many of them show up here, though. They usually just drive right by.”

  Lalita could hear the water still running in the shower down the hall. She contemplated walking in on Jeremy, joining him. Susan’s voice stopped her.

  “Ho, you’re the Evans bird, aren’t you? His new boss’s daughter. You must be the bonus he talked about.”

  “What?” Suddenly her good feeling was gone.