by Alexia Adams
“He’s not amused,” she warned him.
“At our getting back together or that now you don’t want to go to Chile?” Jeremy put down his fork.
“Both. He doesn’t think you’re good enough for me. And having convinced him, and the Board, of the merits of opening an office in Santiago, he’s upset that I have let the company down. All to be with a man he doesn’t like.”
Jeremy’s eyes narrowed, and he held her gaze. “How do you feel about it?”
“I’ve made enough personal sacrifices for the company. It’s time I worked for my own happiness. I’m not the only one eligible to go to Chile. In fact, Carlos in Spain would be even more appropriate; he speaks the language better than I do. He’s chafing in the number two position in Madrid. If he doesn’t get a promotion soon, we risk losing him to the competition.”
“What did your father say to that suggestion?”
“He just grumbled. Anyway, I’m to report to his office in three weeks rather than four.”
“I can’t complain about that.” Jeremy finished his breakfast, lingering over the coffee. “You’re not eating?”
She was too upset to eat. Her father’s approval still meant a lot to her. For once, though, she trusted her own instincts over those of her parent. She wasn’t going to give up Jeremy without a fight. Or at all, for that matter. “I’ll eat later. I’ve got three weeks.”
“I’m not one of those men who like stick creatures for women. I love your curves, Lalita. Don’t lose any weight for me.”
Forcing her father’s disapproval to the back of her mind, she pasted on a smile. Jeremy had to leave in an hour and she wasn’t going to ruin the last moments with him by moping over John’s words.
“I’m going to jump in the shower while you try to find your clothes. I think one of your socks is on the mantel.”
As she walked out of the kitchen, Jeremy grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace. “Yeah? Well one of your bras is dangling from the chandelier in the dining room,” he teased. “You really need to control yourself when you undress.”
“A complaint?”
“Never.” He kissed her until her knees buckled. “Good weekend?” he asked as he buried his face in her hair. He teased her earlobe with his lips.
“The best.” She let her head fall back. He trailed kisses down her neck to the collar of his shirt that she wore.
“You can keep that shirt. Now go get in the shower before we end up in bed and I miss my flight.” Jeremy patted her bare bottom as she walked away.
“Would that be such a bad thing?” she asked over her shoulder. He brought out the sex kitten in her she hadn’t known existed.
“Your father already hates me. I don’t think he’d be too impressed if I didn’t show up in the office tomorrow because I was still in your bed.”
“Probably not. But one day I’ll be CEO. Then I’ll have sexual fulfilment written into your contract.” She went into the shower, wishing the warm water coursing over her naked skin was Jeremy’s hands. Three weeks couldn’t come soon enough.
***
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. He 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 come around in his opinion of him as the man for Lalita. She might claim indifference, but he knew her father’s opinion carried a lot of weight with her.
With both their busy work schedules their relationship would have enough stress, he didn’t need to add familial disharmony into the mix. But one thing was certain, he was going to fight for this woman with everything he had. Even if it was career suicide.
***
“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,” he 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. He’d had to firmly close 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’d deal with John Evans on his own. That 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. Is this what a prisoner felt like walking to a 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 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.
He 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 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.”
That earned him a terse nod. “Don’t think you’re going to use Lalita’s money for a head start.”
He could better understand her worry about her money coming first if that was what her father kept emphasizing. No wonder the woman was insecure in her lovability.
“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 seemed to consider the argument. “Then I guess I’d 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, you’ll wish you were never born.”
“Fair enough. Would it help if I told you I love her?”
“No.”
John put his glasses back o
n 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 middle of an erotic dream featuring one delectable Jeremy Lakewood. Five more days.
“Hello?”
“Lalita, it’s Marjorie.”
She 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. I’ve booked you on the first flight out. I’m emailing the details now.”
“Thank you, Marjorie.” Lalita managed to get the words out through a throat rapidly closing in on itself. 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 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. “I heard the news. Don’t worry about a thing here. 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 of the test results as they came in.
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 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 had another heart attack while you were in the air. Because he was monitored, they caught it right away. 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.
After handling the call, Lalita sent a few quick replies to several Board members’ emails and telephoned 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.
Evidently, 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 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?”
Her 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,” he said as they walked, hand-in-hand, into the hospital.
“You’re part of me now. They’ll have to adapt. Besides, I am sure my mother and sisters will be ecstatic.” She stopped walking and gazed into his eyes, letting him see her vulnerability. “I need you, Jeremy.”
He 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 Lalita first and rushed to hug her sister. She didn’t even seem to notice Jeremy, who took a step to the side as the two sisters embraced.
“Oh, Laly, 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 who looked even more exhausted than she felt.
“Robert, call Jane and tell her to stay at home. Wesley, if you can wait a minute, I’d be grateful if you could take Jessica and Mummy home.”
Jessica stood back and put her hands on her hips. “You can’t just show up and start shouting orders, Laly.”
“I haven’t shouted, and yes, I can. Someone has to take charge.” She softened her voice. “As you will all be running around nursing Daddy in the next few weeks, you’d 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 arms around her waist from behind.
“You know she’s right, darling. At least come home and change clothes and have something to eat,” Wesley said. Jessica nodded weakly and sat.
“Which room is he in?” Lalita asked 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 paediatrics, 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?” She turned to Jeremy, wanting to ensure he felt a part of this.
“Forever,” he replied.
Jessica for the first time seemed to notice her sister’s companion. She glanced from Jeremy to Lalita and back. By the time she’d taken two steps down the hall, Lalita could already hear Jessica’s voice asking Jeremy what was going on with the two of them.
Despite the fear of what waited for her in her father’s hospital room, her heart felt a little lighter. She was with the man she loved. And nothing, not even her father, was going to get in the way of their relationship.
***
Jeremy watched Lalita stride down the hall. Robert had to lengthen his steps to keep up with her. She’d been magnificent, taking control and ordering her family to go home. Despite her own fears and worries, she’d seen to the needs of others, realizing they were all on the point of collapse. As she turned the corner he saw that Jessica was staring at him, waiting.
“Pardon?”
“I asked what you’re 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 asked, as only a sister would.
“I’m sure as hell going to try.”
“Excellent.”
He sat down next to Jessica and waited. Every few minutes she’d ask a question about his relationship with her sister. He evaded as many as possible. This was Lalita’s territory, her family.
Eventually, an exhausted-looking Julia Evans stumbled down the hall. Jeremy jumped up, rushed to her side and put his arm around her slim shoulders in support.
“Lalita 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 vehicle when she’s done here.”