Elizabeth Lowell was an attractive, intelligent woman—when she wasn't covering herself up to her ears in dull, lifeless office attire, the kind of outfits that could easily double for a career in flying the friendly skies.
It wasn't really a question of her being an asset to Bentley Industries, if he hired her. He'd be foolish to think otherwise. No, it went deeper than that, involving a wide spectrum of lustful speculation that entailed her high morality. Standing by, watching her break her standards would be foreplay in itself. That black suit was tantalizing him, now, in strange new ways, but what lay beneath had him literally on edge, the tension building by the second.
Jared leaned forward, his intense gaze burning a hole right through her, the look clearly meant to intimidate.
"Okay. I'm offering you a deal."
Deal? Elizabeth re-crossed her legs and sat up straight, like she already knew the particulars. In truth she was stumped and had no idea what he was referring to. She had come to Bentley Industries to interview for a position, not negotiate a deal with the beast. Where did this new element factor into the equation, more importantly, where was it leading?
"According to your initial reaction after our first encounter where you stressed that my image could do with a little tweaking here, I've come to the conclusion that public relations and marketing are your true talents Ms. Lowell. I'm offering you a position as my PR assistant. I'm not completely satisfied with the state of my public image either.
The deal wasn't what she'd expected and yet it was more than she could honestly hope for or ask for. Normally she dealt with facts and figures, now she'd be re-creating an image, sculpting an impression of a CEO who had no regard for what others thought of him. Looking at it objectively, the offer made no sense.
It would also require her spending more time with him than she'd originally intended, causing Elizabeth to wonder if she was up to the task. Realistically, she knew she shouldn't be anything but grateful for the opportunity.
"I'm honored, actually...” she replied, not really feeling the sentiment.
But Jared Bentley was nobody's fool, least of all a woman's. He could easily detect signs of niceties, politeness and appropriate responses when he heard them. Years in the business world had fine-tuned his ability to read other people's true intentions. Now it was evident that she was still sour about coming to him for an interview. Her pride had taken a beating for the past two weeks when nobody would hire her.
"Don't be so grateful, yet, Ms. Lowell” he suddenly injected.
Grateful? Elizabeth realized it would be a wise move to initiate the stroking process.
"I am grateful for the opportunity, Mr. Bentley."
"Then, you can start by calling me, Jared."
"Fine. Jared."
"Well, Elizabeth there's one more condition that comes with the position. Since I'll need you at my side when the enemy strikes, executive housing comes with the position. Your suite is located next to mine. Does that pose a problem for you?"
The boss would be living right next door to her? They'd be neighbors? That idea didn't sit well with Elizabeth. She was struggling now to hide her expression as the implications raced around inside her head. Jared Bentley was proving to be as unpredictable as the business ventures he speculated in. Elizabeth took a moment, lowered her head, and stared at her hands folded in her lap. She'd chosen to wear the precious ring of amber that brought Jared Bentley into her sphere.
Jared's eyes suddenly darted to the ring.
At first the thought was nothing but a faint whisper. Elizabeth felt her mind was playing tricks on her. But the message gradually grew in distinction.
"Don't delay a moment further, Elizabeth. Any more hesitation and he just might retract."
Her own advice was urging her to quickly comply against her better judgment.
As Elizabeth raised her head she realized that indeed, the beast now held an angry look, his brows furrowed.
"I don't see why it should be a problem,” she said calmly.
"Good."
Jared was relieved that all the cards had been placed on the table. Upfront was the way he usually handled most of his relationships. He took pride in the fact that he was blunt; no surprises usually meant there was no guilt or disappointment when he decided to pull the plug, later on.
"The movers will arrive at your place tomorrow. I should let you go now so you can start packing,” Jared said as he rose from his seat and escorted her to the door.
Of course, he'd already done his homework. He knew exactly where she'd resided, Elizabeth thought as he held the door open for her. Jared Bentley was a man who was always two paces ahead of the pack. If she hoped to be successful at Bentley Industries, she'd best learn to quicken her stride.
So a new challenge had presented itself. The more she thought about it, the more she knew that it was exactly what she and her career so desperately needed; a powerful boost from someone very much acquainted with success and the means to get there. That alone was reason to celebrate. As usual, Madeline had been right.
As soon as Elizabeth stepped inside her apartment, she quickly changed her outfit and set about crossing items off a list she'd created during her subway ride home.
First, there was the landlord.
Mr. Harris, the property manager, had always been stringent when it came to upkeep on the tiny apartment or potential late fees that could be possibly applied to the monthly rent. From the very beginning he'd laid down the law and was always on the lookout should such an opportunity arise. Elizabeth anticipated a hefty penalty fee for breaking her lease, which wasn't up until the following summer. The little money she had left would go for this purpose.
But when she spoke with him, she was surprised to discover that this wasn't the case.
Mr. Harris seemed to be in an unusually agreeable mood that afternoon, more than willing to oblige her request to break her lease and miraculously refusing any additional fees. Instead, he wished her luck and volunteered his services should she need help finding a moving company. This sort of gesture was unheard of from the man she'd come to regard as a genuine ‘tightwad’ who would never go out of his way for anyone without a way to make a profit. Elizabeth was too busy to question her good fortune and moved on to other tasks; organizing her belongings, wrapping and packing them carefully into moving boxes picked up on her way home. Most of her treasured items were from her college days, awards and trophies for academic achievements. Just as she put the finishing touches on one box, there was a knock at the front door. Elizabeth got to her feet and went to open it.
Madeline stood in the threshold, decked out in her trademark outfit, a tailored suit worn with pearls, her hair shoulder length hair up in French twist. She looked as she did most days: elegant, efficient, corporate. Her expensive, floral cologne hung in the air like an aura reminding everyone in the vicinity that she was still, first and foremost, a woman.
"So how did it go?"
"As you can see, it looks like we'll be moving."
"I knew it. Congratulations, well done!"
"Leaving this place is a small step in the right direction. I bet you're happy you took my advice, Elizabeth."
"Actually, I'm very grateful. I can't thank you enough, Madeline."
Madeline was beaming, now. “Remember, my dear, I only want what's best for you. That's the only reason I'm standing here, genuine concern."
Those words filled Elizabeth with kind of relief she hadn't felt since her college days. Most of Elizabeth's college friends that now worked in the city were either too busy with their own careers than to pursue friendship; intellectual, self-absorbed types with little time on their hands to socialize outside their sphere. The loneliness and isolation she'd felt when she'd first moved to the city had been erased the moment she'd discovered that Madeline, her college sorority sister, also worked at Tri-Star Investments.
"Well, I can take care of myself, y'know?"
"Of course you can."
"He's h
ired me as his public relations assistant."
"That's a step up in the right direction. So you'll be handling his social calendar, charities and events. Interesting..."
"I've got my work cut out for me. At least he's open to new ideas. Compared to Tri-Star that's refreshing. I suppose I'll get used to him. Still, there's one thing that's worries me.
"What?"
"Executive housing is right next door. It's an awkward arrangement, that's all."
"He gave you the penthouse next to his?"
"So it would seem. No privacy, not that I've had such an active social life, before, but..."
"Well, that's about to change for the better. I'm almost jealous. I'll be in touch,” Madeline said giving Elizabeth a wink and a light peck on the cheek as she quickly headed down the hallway and then disappeared just in time inside the elevator.
As Elizabeth watched Madeline leave she thought about the situation. Why worry about her living arrangements or the close proximity of Jared Bentley, Elizabeth thought as she closed the door. It wasn't like he'd made any advances towards her. Their relationship would be strictly business, nothing more. Housed in new luxurious surroundings, her career would finally on the upswing. Where was the problem?
By early evening, Jared had finished reviewing and signing several contracts his attorney had dropped by his executive suite earlier. He stood up from his executive chair and stretched when the faintest scent tickled his nose, the one Elizabeth had been wearing that morning reminded him of her visit earlier in the day. Turning off the lights to his office, Jared took a moment to reflect.
As usual, things had gone his way and soon it would be time to move on to plan B even though there were still signs of resistance from her, those barriers would soon come trundling down; the stained-glass morality versus her own ambition. Jared already knew which one would eventually win out. And, the best part was he'd be able to set a wrong, right again; something that had been torturing, threatening his status and reputation for the past five years. Just the thought made him grin as he shut the door and proceeded down the hallway to the elevators.
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CHAPTER SIX
The next morning at seven am there was a steady tap that wouldn't let up. Elizabeth wasn't entirely coherent, blurry from staying up late the night before packing her things and labeling boxes, a ridiculous tedious task nonetheless that she'd insisted on. Elizabeth quickly set down her second cup of coffee and ran over to the other side of the room and opened the door.
Two hefty moving men standing in the threshold suddenly dwarfed the studio size apartment. They seemed to be in some kind of rush and didn't have a moment to spare.
"Are you Elizabeth Lowell?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Bentley hired us to move you. Um, we're running a little bit behind schedule, today. So, if you don't mind showing us where your things are, we'll begin loading."
"Sure.” Elizabeth agreed, directing them to the other side of the room where labeled boxes were already spread out and stacked and organized according to the room where they belonged. While the men lifted several at a time and hauled them out of the apartment, Elizabeth grabbed her list and checked off each box as it left the apartment.
Forty-five minutes later the apartment was completely empty with exception of a couple of hefty bags full of trash.
Elizabeth took one final look around the room at her old odd life and never looked back.
When she'd spoken with the administrative assistant at Bentley Industries with her new address, at first, she'd thought she'd misunderstood the woman.
But, now, as the van she signaled right, to turn into the Remington Estate Homes, Elizabeth found herself gawking at the majestic, towering high-rise, her new residence. There was a horseshoe driveway where several attendants were busy helping passengers out of two limousines and other expensive automobiles parked by the curbside. The step up, the elevation of her status she'd assumed was a minuscule incline was actually a steep incline and another dimension; a standard of living where the well-to-do resided.
In a flash, one of the attendants ran over to the driver's side of the van and gave directions to the underground level where the moving men could then park and unload her belongings. He then came over to her side and helped her out of the vehicle, escorting her to the entrance of the elegant building.
A distinguished, immaculately dressed man, his tone as polished as the expensive suit he wore, cordially greeted her.
"I'm Alfred, the general manager. Welcome to the Remington, Ms. Lowell. If you'll please follow me I'll show you to your suite."
As Elizabeth followed, Alfred conducted a mini tour of the lobby and ground level businesses that made the Remington Estates one of the most sought after and outstanding residencies in the city.
There was French Laundry service, a full-scale salon, health-club and spa along with a personal shopping service for those who didn't have time to shop. A business center with conference rooms, fax and Xerox machines were also on the ground level, next to an Internet café. With these services readily accessible on the premises, most tenants would have no need to leave their residence. However, if you decided to venture outside, perhaps for an evening on the town, the twenty-four hour concierge on duty could easily recommend the best in gourmet dining, local eateries or hot-spots for club goers.
But the best was yet to come.
Once they reached the penthouse level, as Elizabeth stepped off the elevator and onto plush Berber carpeting she noticed there were only two suites occupying the entire floor.
"Naturally, your suite is the smaller of the two. Mr. Bentley occupies the other.” Alfred said quietly as he opened the door and then politely handed her the key.
Opulence held her in its grip as she stood there in the foyer, mesmerized by utter luxury.
A sprawling living room, decorated with expensive, elegant fine furniture beckoned her closer. She stepped inside. . The entire the high-ceilinged space was lit up by a sweeping, panoramic view of the city, making her feel as she was being held aloft in the clouds. Elizabeth wasn't really listening to Alfred's detailed explanation; the names of some of the furnishings, famous designers of interiors and how some items were imported from various continents. None of it really mattered to Elizabeth. Still, she pretended to take an interest and nodded accordingly when Alfred sought her approval.
Finally, the moving men arrived and began unloading. Elizabeth directed them to the proper rooms so that boxes were placed where they belonged.
"Does this lead to the bedroom?” Elizabeth asked as she and Alfred passed through the kitchen into a hallway.
"Straight ahead."
The master bedroom was a plush sanctuary fit for a queen; an enormous bed, huge walk-in closets to fit the most extensive wardrobe and a large bathroom with a sunken Jacuzzi, lined with jade Italian marble.
"Wow."
Alfred suddenly turned towards her and handed her something. “I'm sure you have many things to do, Miss. But, if you need anything else, here's my card."
"Thank you Alfred."
"You're quite welcome,” he replied on his way out the bedroom.
Half an hour later Elizabeth heard the last moving man exit the suite. She was happy to be alone and felt less rigid, more at ease in her new surroundings. She ran over to the sliding glass door to the patio and stepped onto the long, rectangular shaped-balcony filled with a tropical garden of exotic plants and shrubs.
The spectacular view washed over her senses as she leaned against the ledge. The city skyline was pristine, crisp and clear for an autumn day. Far below, the trees in Central Park with muted yellow and orange hues meshed in harmony with the season. In the distance was the towering Manhattan skyline reflecting light in a multi-dimensional rainbow so vibrant that it brought a typical Saturday morning to life. Indeed, life would be very different from now on.
With that pleasant thought swimming in her head, Elizabeth suddenly swiveled around to find Jar
ed Bentley standing at the open patio door.
It was he, the person responsible for her life transformation: her neighbor, her new boss. He was wearing a velvet tracksuit, expensive running shoes and a most devastating grin.
Observing her from behind had its own secret pleasure, he thought; one that held him captivated, at least for a moment. He made private notations: the contours, the snug jeans that clung to her long limbs, hips and heart-shaped rear. But it wasn't until she turned around that the v-neck t-shirt gave him a glimpse, two mounds that cried out in agony to him, begging to be touched and caressed.
Jared sighed. “I passed by the moving men in the hallway. I figured I'd drop by just to make sure you're settling in and comfortable. I hope this place meets your high standards, Elizabeth."
He was clearly jesting with her and fishing for some sort of compliment for his benevolence. Elizabeth decided it would be wise to appease him. After all she needed to get used to the idea.
"I hadn't realized executive housing would be so luxurious. But, I'm sure I'll manage the adjustment, eventually."
Her reservation, even surrounded by magnificence was a form of defense, a way of keeping the boundary between them clearly drawn and well defined. Most of the women Jared knew would've been fawning over him by now, or tantalizing well defined peeks of what was hidden underneath some revealing outfit Nothing like that was likely with Elizabeth Lowell. Her calm and unaffected manner ignited something deep inside him: a challenge.
"I'm also here to extend an invitation for dinner this evening at my place."
"Oh...” Elizabeth tentatively began before she was interrupted.
"We can discuss some of the ideas I'd like to institute for my flailing image."
"I see."
"Unless, that is, you have other plans..."
As his eyes perused her elegantly furnished bedroom and then fell on a few of her belongings, the stark contrast gave him twinge of guilt. But, the feeling was short-lived.
Backed into a corner, business as usual had already begun. Elizabeth knew she needed to step up to the plate and give it her best shot.
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