A Masquerade Affair

by Elin Magdelene

  Vivi took advantage of this time to stare at him openly. The hard jawlines which emphasized his determination to be successful were chiseled. His lips, she had to admit, were perfectly shaped to give pleasure and they did just that weeks ago. She couldn't resist taking in a sharp breath silently. Then her eyes roamed over his face now creased in concentration as he tried to figure out the task before him.

  Richard could sense her eyes on him, although he tried to focus on the papers before him. Enough of the wait, he thought. Hopefully she’d learned her lesson.

  Closing the papers before him he pulled open the manila folder marked Elvira Whitman and browsed the information as he readied to talk to her.

  “Thanks for waiting Ms. Whitman,” he said raising his head to look at her.

  Why did she seem familiar to him? He saw Vivi in the woman sitting in his office. It seemed like his obsession to find Vivi was having more effect on him then he thought.

  Vivi reached nervously for the locket resting against her chest. Richard’s gaze narrowed as he remembered vividly how one other woman had reached for a similar locket weeks ago at the masquerade ball. Those gorgeous fingers, the wrist watch, and her mannerism of reaching for her locket was a dead giveaway. Elvira Whitman was Vivi.

  Stunned, he stood to his feet, “Vivi?

  “I think you have me mistaken for someone else,” she told him.

  “Then is it a coincidence that Vivi, a lady I met at a masquerade ball, has the same locket and wrist watch as yours? I’m no fool Elvira.

  He had not made reference to her fingers because he was not going to complement her knowing she’d deceived him.

  “How long did you think you could have carried on this charade?”

  She could not deny that she was wearing her locket even if she could deny wearing the identical wrist watch.

  “Okay, so it was me at the ball. What are you going to do about that?”

  What really did she want from him? First the sarcastic remark then a charade? She must certainly have something up her sleeves.

  He replied, “I’m thinking about it.”

  Vivi stood up gracefully, “Good, my appointment with you was scheduled for today but perhaps it is best to reschedule our meeting for another day. I’m sure you would have had it all figured out by then.”

  She turned to leave when he called out, “Don’t even think about leaving this room, Elvira.”

  Despite his firm tone, his reference to the office as a room gave another meaning to the sentence. She felt quivers cruising down her spine but she dismissed the feeling as nervousness.

  “Have a seat,” he told her.

  Vivi sat down in the chair. After all he was her boss and she was a stellar employee so she would show him respect in that capacity even if he were behaving like an intolerable jerk.

  Richard took his seat and glanced at her folder a moment. It was then that he realized her middle name was Vivilyn. He said to her, “Tell me, who is Elvira Whitman?”

  His tone of voice sounded more like he wanted the scoop on her private life. But she reminded herself that it was work related. She went into a repertoire about her professional life.

  Richard listened to her patiently, all the time thinking about the modification he would have to make to his relationship policy. He’d never gone against his “no-employee rule” before but then he’d met her at a masquerade ball. Had he not? So technically he would not be going against his rule, would he?

  When she stopped speaking, he held her gaze, “Am I right in assuming you are single?”

  There was no wedding band so he was hopeful that she was not already taken but he needed to hear her say it. He didn’t care if there was a fiancé or boyfriend.

  Vivi replied, “The last time I checked that topic fell under the label “private life” and I’d prefer to keep it tucked privately away from my work life.”

  “Well, your private life is interwoven with your professional life. So if you have a spouse who has reservations about you taking on an assignment, I’d have to make accommodations for that.”

  She would not give him reason to think she was available, definitely not for him.

  She replied, “No husband but, I am in a committed relationship.”

  He didn’t take that information well. An image of her in bed with someone else flashed before his eyes, kindling his primitive instinct. Anger stiffened the muscles at his neck. He wasn’t sure whether he was angry at her, or her boyfriend, or himself for being attracted to her.

  “I bet your boyfriend is not aware of our dirty little secret from weeks ago?” He heard himself ask, regretting it the moment the words were out.

  Vivi stared at him for what seemed like a minute, not speaking. He returned her gaze unwaveringly. Her attorney skills kicked in. Did he really try to come at her like that?

  She responded, “He is aware that as part of my job sometimes I have to conduct fact-finding investigations and last week escapade, rightly so, qualifies as one of such investigations. So he will have no problem with that. But I’d have to say the result was in line with my hypothesis.”

  She saw the twitching at his jawline and knew she had scored. Realizing now was probably the best time to make her exit, she stood up.

  Smiling sweetly at him she asked, “Surely, you didn’t think I had fallen for your charm like your cute little women, did you? I’d hate to spell this out for you bluntly but I will not be one of those women satisfying your lust, Richard Mcgallan.

  Richard leaned back in his chair smiling dangerously, “You shouldn’t have said that, Elvira. The moment you uttered those words, it was a done deal. You will satisfy my lust─ your words not mine─ and I will make sure that you beg me to do that before I leave here to return to my head office.”

  “Then you will have to return to your head office very much unsatisfied.”

  Richard replied, “We’ll see about that.”

  “Now that we’re clear on that, I’d have to say this meeting with you is over,” Vivi told him, standing to her feet.

  Richard moved with lightning speed. He was on his feet and around the desk, facing her, before she could even take a step.

  “No, Elvira. That’s my call to decide when or if this meeting is over, not yours.”

  He was close, too close for her to maintain her cool and reason was evading her. She backed away until she was sandwiched between the desk and him.

  Richard murmured throatily, “As far as I can see, this meeting has just begun.”

  The tension in the room shifted from anger to sexual awareness as they faced off. The role of CEO and employee melted into equal grounds around them. They were just Vivi and Richard engaged in a battle of desire.

  “Do I make myself clear, Elvira?” he asked. He was so close that she felt his groin against her.

  Unable to speak or control her racing heart, she nodded. She watched as his hand shot out to pull the accessories holding her hair in place. She never wore her hair down at work.

  His nostrils flared as her hair fell loose. He combed his fingers through it, and then his hand traveled to the pulse beating eagerly at the base of her neck.

  “So… did you get all the data you needed for your fact-finding investigation?” he murmured before his lips descended on hers.

  Vivi did not have the chance to reply or protest verbally. So she was determined to be unresponsive. She did not kiss him back but Richard felt her body betray her as it responded to his every touch. One hand traveled down the V-neck business suit and rested lightly on her breast. Then just as the vaporized aroma of an essential oil on a burner infuses a room, the smell of her perfume permeated his office as her body warmed in response to his touch. It was only a matter of time before her mind give in as well.

  He reached for the locket lying between her breasts. Holding her gaze, he held the heart-shaped pendent in his hand. He had a feeling it was very special to her.

  Letting go of the pendant his mouth teased hers, with unswer
ving persuasion. The onslaught of caresses from his hands and mouth chipped away her resolve to remain impassive as her true emotions were unveiled. When he palmed the globes of her chest, she inhaled sharply. It was her breaking point and her hands, which until then had remained firmly clenched to the desk, went around his neck.

  She returned his kisses, accepting the emotions assailing her. Her legs buckled and he lifted her onto his desk. She moaned when he unbuttoned her top, exploring the mounds he’d craved since that night. They were more enticing then he’d imagined and as sweet as pears. He shivered with excitement. These belonged to him now and no other man should dare to touch or lay eyes on them. If what she said about having a committed relationship was true then he would make sure the guy was ousted.

  Her whimpers echoed around them in the room and his mouth found hers again. He shuddered, longing for more but knowing he had to wait until the right time.

  His mouth left hers and his hands came to rest on the desk on both sides of her hips. Breathing heavily he gripped the desk as he sought to steady the passion consuming him.

  Vivi opened her eyes to see his emotion glazed eyes staring into hers. She realized she had been right to remain unresponsive to him all along. He was only trying to disprove her previous claim.

  “You can’t use fact-finding as an excuse now, can you?” he asked huskily.

  She closed her eyes but didn’t respond to his question. Willing herself to get a grip on her emotions, she took in gulps of air. Hadn’t she known this was his intention?

  “You heard me, Elvira. What’s your defense for responding to me this time?”

  When she opened her eyes again she replied, “So I guess we’re even. You played your cards well. It must be a big deal for you when it comes to me.”

  Releasing the desk, he stood tall, “We’re not even, Elvira. A draw or loss results in a status change of the alpha-male so loosing or drawing in a game is not an option for me.”

  His finger trailed a path along her jawline to her lips, “Be warned, Elvira, you started this game and I intend to finish it. If there will be a loser here it won’t be me.”

  She turned away from him as she fastened her top then turning to face him she squared her shoulders and replied, “Perhaps I should remind you that technically, this is our second time meeting and you can’t claim to have won the first time, can you?

  She smiled when he made no response. “I thought so.” Then she turned around and walked towards the door.

  Richard stared after her. She was right, he thought. She had won the first time. He had almost lost his sanity trying to find her but he won’t admit that.

  As she approached the door he called out, “Elvira.”

  She turned around wondering what he had to say this time. “Richard.”

  “Three is definitely a crowd so open relationship is not my thing. That means you have to let the other guy go. As you may have noticed, I’m very proprietary.”

  “You must be out of your mind.”

  “The fact that you’re being told suggests quite the contrary.”

  “Mr. Mcgallan, in case you don’t know this, the only request you can ask of me is work related and nothing else.” With that she stormed out of his office slamming the door behind her.

  Marilyn Skinner stared after Vivi wondering what the boss had said to make her so angry. She noticed her hair hung loose on her shoulders which was different from earlier. Then she remembered a coworker had called Elvira, “Vivi.” A light bulb went up and she smiled. Had Mr. Mcgallan finally found Vivi? At least he knew where to check for his “message” if he needed it.

  Chapter Four

  Richard stared at the closed door for a while then he sat at his desk and dialed Bob. Before he got too involved, he needed to know more about her.

  He provided the information Bob needed. With the detective’s expertise, he might uncover whatever dirt was hidden.

  “So I take it you were able to get in touch with Vivi after all?” his private detective asked.

  “Yes,” he replied.

  He was still puzzled that he had not seen her in the building since he’d taken office at the company? He had gone through her department on his tour of the office so was she out that day or did she just try to avoid him?

  Vivi was definitely a challenge but didn’t he like challenges? She was a unique challenge which came with many benefits. He smiled when he thought about how she’d tried to take control by telling him the meeting was over. He should be mad about that but he had not had a more stimulating conversation with a woman since he became a billionaire. Every woman he met since that time has danced to the tune he played so this was refreshing.

  He glanced at his watch then messaged his lead security, William, to have Martin bring his car around. It was also heads up to his team of security.

  Richard left the office surrounded by his bodyguards who had discreetly roamed the floor on which his office was situated. One of his men held the door open for him when he reached the car. As he was about to enter his limousine he saw his lead security talking to a woman in a car. It was none other than Elvira. Jealous rage was the only description that matched the emotions he felt.

  William was not the other guy in Vivi’s life, was he? He wondered. He walked over to them hoping there was a good explanation for what appeared to be a flirty encounter.

  As he got closer, he saw William go around and open the hood of the car while Vivi started the car. He let out a sigh of relieve. William was probably helping Vivi.

  Richard walked to where William stood and asked, “What’s going on?”

  “I think it’s the fan belt,” William replied. “Those need changing after about sixty thousand miles. She’ll have to get a lift and call a tow truck.”

  Richard needed assurance that there was no past, present or future connections between Vivi and his lead security. “Is she a friend of yours?”

  “No, we just met. I walked over when her car made that screeching noise. Now I have to tell her the bad news.”

  “I will give her a ride home and I’ll talk with her about her car,” he told William.

  Vivi sat in the car waiting to hear what might be the problem with her car. Her day had started well but since her meeting with Richard Mcgallan, it seemed as if everything was going south.

  When she’d left his office she’d raced to hers then left hurriedly hoping to leave the building so that she did not encounter him on her way out. The worse that could have happened was to ride the same elevator with him. She’d sped to the elevator then to the parking lot.

  She’d commended herself on avoiding further contact with him as she drove past the front entrance of the building. Then she’d heard her car make an unfamiliar sound. She was the first owner of the car and it had less than seventy miles on it. She serviced it regularly so why would it have problem now?

  Vivi heard the hood snap shut and tensed when she saw Richard standing next to the man who had come to her aid. She watched them walk over then Richard leaned over the window to talk to her.

  “Elvira, your car needs to be towed so I will give you a ride home,” Richard said.

  “Thanks but that won’t be necessary I will call for a ride.”

  She was not going to ride the car with him, she told herself. Vivi reached for her cellphone and browsed her contacts.

  Realizing it would be difficult getting her to accept a ride from him he turned to William who had never thought he would ever see a woman reject Richard’s offer.

  “William, could you go to make the arrangements to have Ms. Whitman’s car towed away, please?”

  William took out his phone and walked away, giving them privacy. He’d read between the lines of that request and knew Richard needed time alone with the woman he was calling Elvira.

  When William turned away and was out of earshot, Richard reached for her phone. Snatching it from her hands, he ended her attempt to call for a ride.

  “You will not contact him i
n my presence, Elvira.”

  “Who do you know I’m calling?”

  “Your boyfriend?”

  Was he that jealous? “It’s really none of your business. I need my phone, please.”

  “You will get your phone as soon as you are in the limousine. Now, unless you want to give me the pleasure of gladly carrying you to the limo, I suggest you walk with me willingly.

  He opened the door to her car, “You have five seconds to get out.”

  He was bluffing wasn’t he? He was not really going to follow through on that threat? She glanced up at him and had the chilling feeling that he was not bluffing. Vivi needed to maintain her professional reputation among her colleagues so she chose to gracefully get out of the car.

  As he walked by her side on their way to his limo, Richard asked “Your car keys, please?”

  She stared at him not sure why he wanted her keys and he went on to explain, “The mechanic will need that to work on your car.”

  She took out her keys and a business card, “That’s the name and contact information of my mechanic.” Then she added, “Thanks.”

  “You are welcome,” he replied but he did not inform her that her car would be going to the company’s mechanic.

  Vivi sat in the limousine, in no mood to converse with Richard because he was being haughty. When he slid next to her in the limousine, she inched away to avoid any physical contact with him.

  Keeping his distance Richard turned to give her what appeared to be a tablet.

  “Type in your address, Elvira, unless you won’t mind having dinner with me tonight?”

  Taking the device from him, she typed in her address. She realized the limousine had a custom built GPS as the car began to move in the direction of her home. Was the GPS audible to the driver? She wondered since it was inaudible on their end. However, the route to her home was visible on the device which he’d replaced on its stand.

  Richard returned her phone once they were on their way. Then he heard the notification alert on his own phone. Pleased to have it as a distraction, he browsed through the notifications. There was an email from Bob so he browsed that quickly.