Running Rings

by Ruth G Juliano

  Verity was hesitant. Those arms had been holding her man. ‘Stop it, Verity. He’s not your man anymore’. Verity put her arms out and allowed Marian to hug her. It was a friendly hug. “I owe you a birthday present,” she said into Marian’s ear.

  “Nah,” Marian said, “Having you here was enough.”

  Verity felt guilty. She wondered if she should stay a little longer for Marian. No. Her boyfriend was coming and this was an encounter that she didn’t want to have again. It could potentially ruin Marian’s birthday and she just wasn’t prepared for what to say to him or what he might say to her. She’d rehearsed it thousands of times, but none of them were right. She said goodbye to the other women and made her way to the exit. She turned around again and all the women waved. She turned back and tripped into a man in a wheelchair. “I’m so sorry. I should watch where I’m going,” she said, “I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be,” he replied, “I run into the most interesting people all the time. Would you like to stay a little longer?”

  Verity smiled. He was a handsome man around her age and he had a devilish grin. Verity told him to enjoy his night, and walked out the door onto the street. Maybe the street was a bad place to be. He was going to come this way to go inside. Verity realised she should get away from the doorway and find a taxi to go home and then go to Adrian’s or maybe she should walk straight to Adrian’s. She walked down the street wanting to cry. She really liked Marian. She knew why he’d fallen for her. She was a simple, down-to-earth person like him. Marian was genuine and friendly and earnest and cute. Verity felt like all the shit that had happened since she’d left university was showing on her face and she was ageing by the day. Marian was fresh-faced and full of happiness. Verity wanted to be happy for him and for Marian. At least he was with someone nice who would treat him well and not break his heart. Verity looked up and realised he was coming straight towards her. She looked left and right and then ducked into the alley and pressed herself against the wall in the shadows.

  She watched him walk by the end of the alley and smiled. He looked so good. He probably came straight from work. She closed her eyes and then squealed as a hand touched hers.

  “Are you hiding from me?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am,” Verity replied.

  “We need to talk.”

  Verity shook her head. “No.”

  “You don’t want to talk to me?”

  “I want to talk to you desperately, but not right now. Your performance today was beautiful.”

  “Thank you. I guess if we can’t talk now then we kiss. I want you to feel what my kiss is saying,” he said, taking her face in his hands.

  Verity melted into his kiss as though she was chocolate and he was hot metal. His kiss was the same. It was the same perfect kiss but with more passion then she had ever felt in a kiss. It was like in the bathroom only less angry. Tears filled her eyes. His kiss said that nothing had changed since university. If this was a dream she didn’t want to wake up. She opened her eyes hoping that he’d still be there. It was hard to see him but she could feel him and taste him and he was the same. She wanted to yell to the world that she loved him and she’d missed him and she never wanted him to leave her again.

  “You’re crying on me again. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?” he asked, wiping her cheek with his thumb.

  “I don’t know,” Verity said. What she did know is that he was now with Marian and Marian was a lovely girl. She pushed him away. “You have a party to get to and you’re already late.” She stepped around him and walked back to the street. She saw a taxi and hurried to wave it down. She got in the back and closed the door, looking over to see if he was still there. She saw that he was standing there with his arms folded. She kept looking at him for as long as she could see him then cried into her hands.

  Chapter 39

  Verity admired the light grey walls of her office. This job was supposed to be for a total of six months and it had already gone beyond that, but she wasn’t sure if she could hold out and be brave or if she should resign. It was getting harder to be around Marian. Every time she looked at her she felt guilty for kissing him, and jealous, and angry, and she found herself comparing herself to Marian. Was she prettier than Marian? Was she nicer than Marian? Was she better at loving him than Marian? Did Marian feel as deeply about him as she did? Would Marian pine for him for all these years? What difference did it make? He was with Marian now. She was becoming like her high school self; bitter and jealous and unfocussed.

  A knock on her door brought her back to reality. The door opened and it was Hayden, her current manager.

  “Hi, Mr Baldwin.”

  “Hi, Verity. I need you to go down to the finance conference on Taylor Street as Atom’s representative. It runs from three to seven, and I’ll ensure you’re compensated for the overtime.”

  “I’d be honoured.”

  “Sorry it’s short notice. I can’t go. Just hear them out, find out what they’re all doing, get all their pamphlets and things and tell them how great we are. You know the drill. I’ll get you one of our gold name badges.”

  “Thank you,” Verity replied. The door closed and Verity smiled. She was being asked to represent their company for a finance conference. It could be very interesting. She looked down at her clothes and was happy with her choice. She would be a fine representative. The door opened and Hayden was back with a gold name badge. He walked over and was about to pin it on her. She put her hand to his and took the badge from him. He apologised and said he was used to pinning them on his children. He looked at his watch and told her that she should probably go now as there was going to be refreshments and schmoozing beforehand. He said to keep an ear out about any takeovers or mergers that might be happening among the local financial establishments and other trust companies. She agreed. He thanked her again and left her office.

  She opened her bottom drawer and took out some perfume to spray herself with. She took off her shoes and smelled them and sprayed them with perfume too. She wondered if she should change panty liner just to feel fresh, or take it off altogether. Verity rolled her eyes. ‘Bloody Jake and his panty liners.’ She had to admit it did extend the life of her underwear. She shook her head and smiled. She brushed her hair and tied it back in a plait then stepped into her high heels. She looked down at her legs. She wondered if bare legs were inappropriate at a conference. She had some pantyhose somewhere. She began digging through her drawers then stopped. Knowing her luck, she would get a ladder in them and look unprofessional. She felt her legs. They were still smooth. She told herself to relax and that she would be an excellent representative.

  She left her office and put her head high. She nodded to Mr Baldwin as she passed him and did up the jacket to her matching skirt. The conference centre was only two blocks away in the financial district and it was a cool day. If it had been a hot day, she may have considered taking a taxi the short distance to ensure she didn’t perspire too much. She exited the building trying to maintain a professional air. She suddenly realised she was wearing her company’s name tag out in public. Maybe there were people around the city who she didn’t want to know where she worked. She moved her plait over her name badge and smiled. She reached into her handbag and put her sunglasses on. She laughed at herself. People around her probably thought she was a little crazy, but this afternoon could be a lot of fun.

  She walked down the street as if no one else was around and made her way to the conference centre. She was greeted and directed to a sign in table to obtain her name badge and tote bag. She followed one of the attendants and signed in. They handed her a name badge. It had been typed with the conference name and her first name and was in a plastic sleeve. Verity thought it was very professional and was glad they knew she was coming, even if she only found out a short time ago. She looked at the tote bag. It would be handy for putting pamphlets or business cards into. She opened it and looked at the water bottle and other promotional material. She close
d the bag and put it over her shoulder with her handbag. An attendant advised her that the conference was in auditorium three up the stairs, and that refreshments were being served in the adjoining back room.

  Verity made her way up the stairs with a few other people and went to auditorium three. There was a large sign advising that it was the finance conference, so there was no chance that she was in the wrong place. There were about twenty people there so far, but seating in the auditorium for at least one hundred. She looked over to where people were milling about the food and drinks tables in the back room. This is where Hayden had assumed the ‘schmoozing’ would be occurring. She probably didn’t know anyone here, but it was a great opportunity to network. Finance was her field of expertise and she was confident that she could converse with anyone on any level.

  A wait person walked by with a tray of champagne, orange juice and mixed champagne and orange juice. Given it was still early, Verity decided orange juice would be the safest choice. She had to be careful about what she chose to eat too. It shouldn’t be anything that would leave crumbs on her shirt or pieces between her teeth. She realised she forgotten one step she normally undertook and that was to find out where the nearest bathroom was located. She asked the next wait person who stopped by and he advised it was out of the conference room at the end of the hall on the right. She thanked him and inspected his tray. Why anyone would offer pickled onions and olives at a conference was beyond her. She politely declined for the sake of her breath.

  “Verity Sharpe.”

  ‘Speaking of panty liners’. Verity turned around, “Mr Jake Horton, how are you?” she asked, extending her hand.

  He took her hand and kissed it. “I am very delighted to see you here. I worried what would happen to you after Harold died which is why I made suggestions for you. I was disappointed that you didn’t quite get the gig in Atom I was expecting. Chief Officers of any kind can be quite particular about who they bring with them up the chain, can’t they?”

  Verity sipped her orange juice, “Yes the next one brought his wife, and who are you bringing up the chain? Some pretty young thing whose small vagina and jealousy will no doubt become a bore at some point?”

  “Thank you for your interest. I have a male assistant now, George, and my work runs a lot more smoothly,” Jake replied.

  Verity smiled, “And how’s Flora?”

  “She’s extremely well and sends her regards. You’ll be happy to see that my head isn’t stuck anywhere and I haven’t suffocated yet.”

  “I am actually happy about that, Jake. You have a lot to offer the world of business,” Verity said.

  “As do you,” he said, “Perhaps you would consider a friendship? Perhaps I could take you for a meal that included your underwear.”

  Verity laughed, “The edible kind?”

  “That didn’t come out right, did it?” Jake asked, “You are a lot of fun, Verity, and I don’t have anyone else in mind to share my home with if you would still like to consider it. No one before or since has spoken to me the way you have. I do find that attractive.”

  “But what about my nose, Jake? You don’t like my nose, and I do. It’d be a real sticking point in our relationship.”

  “Your nose is right for your face, although broken. Without it you would look like someone else and you are lovely just the way you are,” he replied, “I am happy to see you are here conversing with people about business matters. I feared you would be working in a grocery store, giving absolutely correct change in your spare time.”

  Verity raised her eyebrows, “What are you trying to say?”

  “I’m trying to say that you could be a Chief Officer of some kind one day if you stopped doing things that are beneath you. While you are still young you could learn many things and enjoy a long and lustrous career, but you need to aim higher. What position are you in at the moment in Atom Trust?”

  “Assistant manager,” Verity replied.

  “Only an assistant manager? See, you could be a manager then higher, but keep putting marks on paper. If you want a career, you should choose a company you like and work your way up inside it. Like I do with Flora.”

  Verity laughed and shook her head, “Lovely.”

  “I threw that it in for your amusement, so that you know I care. You can be doing your menial tasks as you are now, but for a better company, one you like, and work your way to the top there. Get tenure, think bigger,” Jake said, “You are an intelligent woman, and obviously one who catches people’s eye. There are eyes on you now, and two in particular seem quite desperate for your attention.”

  “Oh? And whose eyes might they be?” Verity replied.

  “That young man over there,” Jake said, pointing.

  Verity rolled her eyes. “You’re not actually supposed to point, Jake. And you queried me on my finishing standards. Honestly.”

  “He is a man with brown wavy hair and a ruminating expression, whose eyes haven’t left your profile during our whole conversation,” Jake said, “Perhaps I am intimidating him. Perhaps if I walk away he will be brave and venture closer. I very much want to talk to you more today, and see if I can get you back in my organisation or into another organisation I have my eye on. Perhaps I will be the fly that buzzes you.”

  Verity glanced to her right and sucked in air. It was him.

  Jake laughed, “Uh oh. I think he has your panties twisting. Let’s twist his too.” He leaned down and kissed Verity on the cheek and walked away.

  Verity thought it would be impolite in front of whoever else was watching to wipe her cheek, but Jake always kissed like a groper fish. She finished her orange juice and put it on a tray that was passing. She walked out of the auditorium and headed towards the bathroom. She looked at her watch. There was still plenty of time before the conference started. Metres from the bathroom door, a hand was on her elbow. She turned around and he pulled her into his arms. He held her close and she closed her eyes. She didn’t want to cry and that’s what his touch made her want to do. She inhaled and smiled. He still smelled the same.

  “Please don’t feel like you have to run away from me,” he whispered.

  “I’m not, but I can’t have a personal conversation somewhere like this,” Verity whispered.

  “I understand that. I’ll be very professional, I promise, but don’t run away from me. It hurts.”

  His words stung like a bee. She didn’t want to hurt him. She inhaled his scent again, but didn’t know if she could look at his face. She wanted to look at his face. She wanted to touch it and kiss it and press it to her chest. She moved back from him and looked at his face. His brooding face cracked into his beautiful smile and Verity couldn’t help but smile too. “Okay.”

  “Are you running away from me or do you actually need to go to the bathroom?” he asked.

  “I was going to wash Jake Horton’s saliva from my cheek,” Verity replied, looking into his deep brown eyes.

  He smiled again, “Can you do this? Can you stay calm and not run away from me for the next several hours?”

  Verity nodded, “I’m a professional too.”

  “Okay, go wash your cheek and I’ll see you soon.”

  Verity smiled and walked towards the bathroom. She turned around and he was still there. He smiled again. Verity walked into the bathroom and put her bags down on the plush couch. She walked to the sink and washed her face. She patted it with paper towel and looked at herself. Maybe she should take Adrian’s advice and hear him out. She went to her handbag and found her moisturiser. She covered her face and walked back to the mirror to make sure she hadn’t left any white streaks. She squealed as she looked in the mirror. “What are you doing in here?” she asked as she turned around.

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, “And I wanted to kiss you.”

  “This is a women’s bathroom.”

  He shrugged, “Technically the bathrooms are through that other door. May I please kiss you, Verity Sharpe?”

  Verity
wanted to say no, but she couldn’t. She nodded. He smiled and moved close to her. His thumbs came to her cheeks as he held her face and pressed his lips to hers. He licked gently between her lips like tapping on a window. Verity opened the window and welcomed him in. She put her arms around his middle and was carried through time by his kiss. He kissed her like this just before their final exam. They had both aced it and credited it to that lucky kiss. “I love you,” he whispered onto her lips and released her face.

  Verity blinked slowly and felt giddy. She smiled, “That wasn’t very professional.”

  He gave a little laugh, and wiped a white line above her eyebrow. He showed it to her on his finger before wiping it on her nose. He winked at her and then left the bathroom. Verity put the nail of her thumb between her teeth. It was good to see him. She couldn’t deny that. She didn’t know what kind of man he’d become that he thought it was okay to kiss another woman when he was clearly in a relationship with Marian, but she couldn’t deny him a kiss. She also couldn’t deny herself. She went back to the mirror to make sure there was no more moisturiser that wasn’t rubbed in.

  Back in the conference room she tried not to look for him. If they bumped into each other and talked professionally it would be fine. She could do that. Most of the attendees were men, and they seemed very interested in approaching the women to talk. The level of conversation was high and Verity enjoyed talking to people she’d never met before about current affairs, companies, and economics. She hated talk about politics. She knew that sometimes the subjects crossed over but she found politics of all kinds boring. She smiled about the fact that people probably thought talk about commerce was boring too, but none of those people were here. The lights were dimmed and they were asked to take their seats.

  Verity chose to sit in the back row in a corner. It was always the seat she chose in an auditorium because … he sat beside her. Verity looked at him and he looked at her. He used to sit beside her and they’d hold hands. She was left handed and he was right handed and they could both still take notes while holding hands. He moved his arm onto her armrest and turned his hand over. He glanced at her then opened and closed his hand. Verity smiled. He always did that when he wanted her to hold his hand. She couldn’t resist. She put her right hand in his left hand and he slid his fingers between hers. He reached over with his right hand and touched the ring on her right ring finger. He smiled at her and patted her hand.