by S M Mala
‘This was me avoiding grieving for my husband and concentrating on something to prevent me from becoming angry and bitter about the way I was treated by that spiteful bitch!’ She held her breath for a moment. ‘You willingly slept with her? That?’
‘I was drunk and I didn’t actually do anything!’ he said, before letting out his rich laugh. ‘I vaguely remember it and the only reason Toby found out is I told him years later when we went to one of the fund raisers. He thought it was very funny.’
‘I think it’s appalling!’
‘My mother’s going to go spare,’ Finlay said, grinning at her. ‘What will you do? Now you have no job and no company?’
‘I get paid until the end of the year. I’ll make some money so I intend to continue with the DIY at home and get the place all ready for Christmas. I’ll find a job doing something, not sure what, and all will be fine.’
Her heart sunk as she said it and before she could mask her hurt, Finlay leaned over and kissed her very gently before hugging her.
‘And I got you in the process,’ she whispered into his neck. ‘I’ll put you down as a bonus.’
‘You know I was getting together a group of people to try and buy out the sixty per cent. I was nearly there. Andy was helping and even Rosalind put some money together.’
‘What a lovely thing to do,’ she said quietly, stroking his face. ‘It’s for the best. Thanks for trying even though you were defying your mother.’
‘I love you,’ he smiled, leaning towards her.
She was lost in his kiss.
Then she heard someone clearing their throat.
Sylvie looked up and noticed Piers and, a very red faced and furious, Alice walking into the room.
‘I… I don’t know what to say,’ said Alice, physically shaking as Sylvie held tightly onto Finlay’s hand.
‘I’ll go. It’s all sorted and I’ll tell the others. I’ve organised drinks for them this afternoon in the local pub and you’re very welcome to come and speak to them Alice, if that’s what you’d like,’ Sylvie replied and stood up, not letting go of his hand. ‘You can give them an outline of-.’
‘You really expect me to accept your shares after all that has happened?’ Alice replied on the verge of tears. ‘I’m a fair business woman and I would never have sacked Finlay, it would never have seriously crossed my mind, but I needed to do something to make him take action.’
‘Really?’ he said, pulling that familiar glare of disdain as Sylvie smiled.
‘Yes really and I haven’t finished with you regarding Freya! How could you do it under my own roof? Piers can you say something. It’s totally unacceptable!’
‘Well Finlay, I hope you got over the shock,’ Piers said with a smile.
‘You’re no bloody help!’ barked Alice as Sylvie kissed Finlay’s hand and let go.
‘I’ve got to go. I’ve informed my lawyer of all the changes and she’s looking forward to hearing from you,’ said Sylvie quietly. ‘I need to freshen up before I return to work.’
She watched Alice walk towards the table and grab the papers before tearing them up.
‘What are you doing?’ Sylvie gasped as Finlay stood up beside her. ‘You can’t just-.’
‘I can Sylviana and I am doing so,’ the woman replied furiously, tearing the documents up before throwing the torn sheets to the ground. ‘I’ll sell my shares. You don’t do anything. Keep what you’ve got and we’ll sort something. You were willing to let them go because you loved my son so his ex-wife could keep her business. That speaks volumes and I know you leant Piers the money when they lost a hefty chunk. This is not how I do business!’
‘You simply are a wonderful woman!’ sighed Piers, walking up to his wife and putting an arm around her. ‘Why can’t we keep it?’
‘Just because this isn’t how I do business doesn’t mean I want to be a part of it,’ she said matter of fact as Piers screwed up his face. ‘I’ll just have to find-.’
‘If you give me a week I’ll find a buyer for the shares,’ Finlay said as Sylvie looked up at him. ‘And I will be one of the people putting money in as well as Andy Simmonds and a few others. The plan is that I have a major say on how it operates and they will be sleeping partners.’
‘What?’ Sylvie shouted stepping back and staring hard at him. ‘When did you decide this?’
‘I realised you weren’t doing anything, now I know why, so I went to Andy for help. I knew mum was speaking to him but I had to do something to show I think it’s a good business and I have money. My own money to invest and-.’
‘Finlay! What about your wife and her business? What about your child!?’ she said, starting to shout. ‘Juliette will rip you to pieces and you’ll lose your son if you don’t let her keep her company!’
She was met with a very broad smile.
‘Ah, you’re really very sweet,’ he said gently as she punched him on the arm before turning to Alice, hearing Piers laugh.
‘What about her company? She’ll think I didn’t do what I agreed then what will happen? She’ll get angry and then all sorts of bad things will happen. We have to do something!’ she said to Alice who was frowning. ‘I can’t let him lose his child. It’s just not right and-.’
The next second she was spun around and Finlay peered in to her eyes.
‘Listen to me and listen very carefully. I love you Sylvie and there’s nothing that can change that. I will do it all properly and above board, no underhand tactics and certainly no emotional blackmail. We’re going to get the money back she leant to the chef and then we’ll take it from there. That business is not your concern but you will never know how what you did has made me feel and that is… truly wonderful,’ he said as she frowned. ‘Why the look?’
‘Who said I want to work for you again!’
Sixty eight
‘And you did this for me?’ she asked, while they sat in the back of the taxi on their way back to Brentford. ‘It never crossed your mind to tell me the plan?’
He couldn’t stop laughing at her face as he escorted out of his mother’s offices.
‘You don’t like the idea of me being in charge?’ Finlay teased. ‘I’ve put up forty per cent of the money and Andy and his partners will do the twenty per cent unless I can get some more cash before then. They’ve asked me to run it on their behalf. So I’m not your boss, we’re let’s say, business partners.’
Sylvie scowled for the umpteenth time as he thought she was beautiful and wanted to show her how much he loved her.
‘I’m not sure about this,’ she sighed before looking at him. ‘We don’t work well as a team. You’re rather pompous when it comes to the business and I don’t even know what you can do.’
‘What did you call me?’ he said, doing a double take. ‘I am not pompous at all. Just because I didn’t take a proper interest doesn’t-.’
‘That’s because you wanted to close it down.’
‘Now I want to keep it open and with me at the helm.’
‘And me too!’
‘How could I forget about you?’ Finlay laughed out loudly. ‘I’m doing this because I love you and it’s a good little earner.’
‘We need to discuss this, properly. I do have a say.’
‘Yes my darling, you have a say.’
The cab stopped at the hotel and they both got out.
‘I thought we were going back to work?’ she asked as he grabbed her hand and walked her through the reception.
‘This is the merger, so to speak,’ he said grinning. ‘And we certainly need to merge.’
As he opened the door, she walked in front of him and turned before flinging her arms around his shoulders and pulling him down to the bed.
‘You want a fast merger?’ he asked, before feeling her lips trace his skin. ‘I’d prefer to go through the points succinctly and slowly.’
‘Shut up,’ she groaned.
Then she kissed him, her tongue pushing through his lips until they were intertwined, their
mouths moving in unison as he felt his head swirl. Gently he caressed her side but he was aiming for her breasts as he squeezed one and she let out a little groan before he put a hand on each one, and squeezed them again.
Her hand was moving down to his arse before she started to pull off his t-shirt. Again, he headed for her mouth as his fingers started to unbutton her dress.
‘I’ll help,’ Sylvie said, before rolling him onto his back and taking off her dress, then pulling off all her clothing until she was naked.
Finlay, in anticipation, pulled down his jeans and boxers as she smiled.
‘Come here,’ he said as she crawled on the bed towards him before gliding on top.
His hand caressed her arse as his other one stroked her back, all the time as they kissed. Then he grabbed both her breasts, eager to touch them again and turned her over so he could go on top. Quickly, his lips travelled down her throat as he sucked hard on each bullet nipple before letting his hand stroke all the way down her stomach and headed between her thighs.
She opened her legs so he could grab her pubic bone and gently massage it, feeling her groan into his mouth. Then he pushed two fingers in, making her jump and feeling her scratch his back for a moment as he pulled out and used both the same fingers to stimulate her clit wanting to watch her come.
His fingers were working quickly as Sylvie pulled her face away and looked down at his hand. His mouth was on her neck, kissing her frantically as he picked up one of her legs and put it on his shoulder, making the sensation stronger.
Holding on, she didn’t want to come so quickly but Finlay leaned down and started gently biting her nipples and she knew he wanted her to. His fingers were working faster and faster, as her legs spread further apart and she caught him smiling when she could no longer withstand what was firing up through her.
‘Oh god, yes, I’m going to come!’ she said loudly and as she had a belly busting orgasm.
He didn’t take long to start thrusting her very hard, making her body visibly shake with the force at which he was going.
He then pulled her leg off his shoulder and pressed his body against hers, while stroking her face. Finlay smiled as she was trying to catch her breath.
‘I’m enjoying my takeover,’ he sighed into her ear.
‘Merger and never ask me to make you tea,’ she gasped as he went faster and she panted with joy. ‘Or you’ll have a permanent lisp which I don’t mind as I think it’s very sexy.’
All showered and freshened up, they left the hotel and walked slowly to the building.
‘What happens if it all falls through?’ she asked, seeing him glowing in the sunshine while kissing her hand. ‘It can happen.’
‘Do you think my mother is going to force the sale? I don’t think so and not when I tell her that I’m asking Piers to be the Chairman, if that’s okay with you?’
Sylvie grinned for a moment, knowing that would piss off his mother then grimaced.
‘I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with Alice. I have to be doubly sure she likes me and is supportive,’ she said, feeling nervous. ‘This is a mess! What am I going to tell them now when I said this morning they were going to lose their jobs?’
She was met with a laugh.
‘Finlay, this is no time to be gormless!’
‘Pompous and gormless, you’re full on with the flattery assault aren’t you?’ he replied, carefully guiding her across the road. ‘Can’t we just be happy?’
‘I’m scared Juliette is-.’
‘You don’t worry about it, let me. She’s my problem and what the fuck was she thinking of asking you to do something for her?’
‘I was doing it for you.’
‘Not at the extent of you losing potential money. She was doing it for her own benefit and you let her. I should be very angry with you but… I’m a nice man and I’ll forgive you.’
Sylvie just burst out laughing as he grinned and they stopped outside the building and looked at each other.
‘What do I say? What if they want to get a pay-off and leave?’ Sylvie felt sick realising she’d left her colleagues in a pickle before Finlay put his arm around her. ‘You’re not the only boss you know.’
‘Yes dear,’ he sighed as she stood there for a moment and thought hard.
‘But maybe you should be,’ she muttered and noticed he looked down at her. ‘Maybe I should take a back seat and let you do all the work.’
‘Get in!’ he said, shoving her forward as she walked into the building and was met with silence.
There was no music or echo of voices.
Then she realised no one was there.
‘They’ve gone!’ she said loudly and looked at Finlay’s blank face. ‘Those little fuckers! It didn’t take them long to up and leave!’
‘Oh darlings! There you are!’ said Rosalind, who was locking the upstairs offices. ‘Where have you been? I thought you’d be back ages ago. They’ve all gone down to the pub! Isn’t it brilliant news? Piers called and told us that we’re not closing down and Finlay and your friend Andy Simmonds are going to buy the percentage! And there was you telling us this morning you were going to sell your shares. All stuff and nonsense as I know you were stopped.’
The woman rushed down the stairs and hugged the pair of them.
‘You two can lock up and we’ll see you down the road!’ she said loudly before rushing out. ‘What a great day it’s turning out to be?’
Sylvie watched Rosalind scurry out as Finlay was still smiling at her.
‘Are there some mental health issues about your family you need to tell me about?’ she scowled as he grabbed her and gave her a big kiss. ‘Don’t answer that.’
‘You force her to have sex as sign and sealant of deal?’ asked Samina as soon as they got to the room.
There was a massive cheer as Finlay nodded in acceptance and Sylvie felt relieved then scared.
‘Whatever he did, it was fine,’ she replied and started to hug the others as Finlay walked away. ‘I’m so sorry for putting you all through it.’
‘I knew you would nay sell us,’ said Marianne who had a large drink in her hand. ‘And Finlay saved the day.’
‘What you do now? Have sex with Simmonds man? He look like he have big winky! I try and say,’ said Samina seriously as Sylvie watched the others smile.
‘If he goes near you, we’ve had it, innit?’ laughed Pria sipping her wine. ‘He’ll realise you shouldn’t be testing the products as your hole is probably the size of Wembley!’
‘I tell you, it tight for my age. I push five girl through there and it firm!’
‘Who says?’
‘I says,’ replied Samina, acting affronted before shouting out. ‘Hey Matthew, you want to come to Wembley?’
The woman laughed as the poor man just scowled before turning his back on her.
‘He man who can fill it all up!’ she said, raising her eyebrows.
‘Leave him alone!’ sighed Rosalind, handing Sylvie a glass of wine. ‘The poor man literally shakes when he comes near you.’
‘I give him shake and now we not close, I can get for husband number five!’
‘Oh please?’ groaned Marianne as Sylvie noticed Alice had walked in as so did Rosalind.
She held her breath wondering what the woman was going to say but saw her look over at her sons in dismay before Piers came behind her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders.
‘I better go and make peace,’ Sylvie mumbled as Rosalind nodded.
‘She let sons get touch up. Not good mother,’ whispered Samina. ‘But her sons not good sons.’
‘That’s not true,’ butted in Sylvie. ‘Her sons are very good but a little odd when it comes to their opinions on sex.’
‘Finlay Chambers odd when you sex him?’ asked Samina. ‘Tell me.’
‘Listen, let me speak to his mother first and we’ll talk dirty later.’
‘I like talk dirty. I very good. I did phone line once to make money. I stop because
men get too excited and keep cutting off when I tell them sex things.’
The others laughed as Sylvie slowly went to Alice and smiled.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Alice said, grabbing her hand and pulling her into a corner as Sylvie glanced at Piers and Finlay talking. ‘I need to sort this out and I will. Sylvie, I know you love him, I can see, and he looks like he feels the same way. I’m surprised he wants to finance it but it’s obvious, he thinks it will make money and most of all, he wants to help.’
‘He hasn’t got all the money and someone else is going to help who-.’
‘Andy Simmonds,’ she replied, taking in a deep breath. ‘I think that shows my son must have been really desperate to go to him. He didn’t want me to sell it to Andy. I think Finlay was worried it might deflect your attention from him.’ Alice let out a little laugh. ‘He’s still quite childish when it comes to competition.’
‘He should have no worries there. I want to do what’s best for him and I know he has his reservations about Andy but we’ll work through it.’
‘Maybe I’ll help him, you never know.’
They stood looking at each other for a moment.
‘I love him Alice, I really do. She didn’t love him the way he deserved and I hated it when she told me how she really felt. At the end of the day, it’s all about being happy and with the person you love, isn’t it?’
‘So you boss man now?’ Samina said and he could see she was intent on winding up Sylvie, who was walking towards them. ‘You be better than her but I not satisfy your canary needs.’
‘Canary?’ he asked, seeing Sylvie smile.
‘I think she means ‘carnal’,’ added Sylvie.
‘I know what I mean and I sick of being told I say things wrong when I not! I know what I say. You not understand and that your problem, you deaf!’ she said, feigning outrage before walking off in the direction of the food.
‘You do know you own forty per cent of her?’ Sylvie laughed before being dragged off by Marianne.
Then he noticed his mother was talking intimately with Piers and Stephen before looking over and smiling at him.