The Sweet Poison of Revenge

by Storm, Victory

  I had managed to hurt her. I was sure about that.

  So why am I not as happy as I expected?

  "Fix your tie. In a quarter of an hour you have to go to lunch with a new client and you should really be presentable and not as if you had just had a ...," murmured Audrey, quickly putting the papers on my desk.

  "Had what?" I provoked her, setting her cheeks on fire.

  "A sexual attack," she mumbled uncomfortably, walking briskly toward the exit.

  I had to stifle a laugh at that funny and ridiculous statement.

  "Can you me? Without a mirror it is difficult to fix the knot of the tie," I continued undaunted.

  Finally, Audrey stopped and turned to me.

  Her eyes were lost in mine and all I could see were unbridled emotions, all not incredibly positive.

  "There's a whole wall of mirrors in the bathroom," she said coldly, though the tremor of her hands made me realize how shaken she was.

  "I didn't think I upset you so much with Trisha," I changed my tactics. "I remind you that we have been divorced for four years now. A divorce that you wanted after having done worse with Rick." My words suddenly became harsh and full of resentment.

  "Clean your mouth. You're smeared with lipstick," she replied, before finally leaving my office.

  15

  Audrey

  Zane is free to do whatever he wants. Zane is free to kiss whoever he wants. Zane is free to sleep with whomever he wants ...

  Did Zane and Trisha sleep together already?

  Oh, God, I can't think about it! I feel like throwing up!

  No, Audrey. Remember that you are no longer married.

  Let's take it from the top.

  Zane is free to do whatever he wants. Zane is free to kiss whoever he wants. Zane is free to sleep with whomever he wants. Zane is free ...

  By now that was my morning litany, every time I got ready to go to work.

  Three days had passed since that episode and the shock was still there.

  I knew that I didn't have to make it a matter of state and that Zane owed me nothing, but that sense of belonging and jealousy remained inside me, which had been like a second skin for me, when we were together, before getting married.

  At the time I had even gone so far as to give him a shirt with the words "Private property. I belong to Audrey."

  We had laughed for hours about that gift and I had begged him never to wear it on the job or out and about, because in reality I was ashamed of it.

  It never crossed our minds that gift would have been the inspiration for one of the most famous ice cream advertisements, aimed at a young audience.

  For a whole summer, even the fashion with T-shirts with similar writings had gone wild.

  Unfortunately, it was now past water.

  Nobody wore those shirts anymore.

  I did not even want to know what happened to what I had given Zane years ago.

  It is useless to get lost in past memories. Audrey, live in the present.

  When I got to the office, I went to the vending machines to get a coffee and chat with some of my colleagues.

  Thank goodness they were there to distract me and not make me think of my boss.

  I was still finishing my coffee when I heard Zane's authoritarian voice.

  "Audrey, in my office. Immediately."

  "Someone got up on the wrong foot this morning," chuckled Greg, one of the HR employees.

  "Or you did something you should not have done," said Helena, in administration, who still had not figured out her boss's all too calm and gentle behavior since I was at the reception desk in his office.

  "Let's go see what he wants," I snorted, holding an espresso macchiato for Zane. Usually, when he was in a bad mood, it was because he had not had breakfast.

  "I'm sure you will figure out how to calm him down," Greg exclaimed cheerfully, waving goodbye when I went back to my desk.

  I got to my desk and immediately sprinted out to Zane's office.

  I knocked hard and waited.

  After catching him with Trisha, I no longer dared to go into that room without knocking first.

  Zane invited me to come in.

  "Here's a nice coffee to start the day," I exclaimed, putting the drink on the desk, and sitting in front of him with my eyes fixed on my note pad to take notes.

  For three days I had been having serious difficulties looking him in the face.

  I was terrified that he could read in my eyes the bewilderment and the hint of jealousy that had unleashed inside me, against my will.

  "Farlight decided to come see me," he burst out suddenly, after drinking his coffee, his gaze lost on the city skyline.

  "It's wonderful news! I have not heard from you for weeks about the client I recommended. I was convinced that Farlight had given up on rebranding his line of spirits,” I exploded enthusiastically. That was phenomenal news, which would bring huge gains and prestige to the Thunder Company. Yet Zane did not seem happy. "Why don't I see you jumping for joy?"

  "Farlight is a reserved man and a lover of the countryside. He detests Chicago and asked me to go to him. He offered me a few days' stay in Wisconsin to give me time to explore what is the secret behind his bottles and to better understand his company policy. As far as I understand, he is overly attached to tradition and family."

  "So? I view this as a good thing. It means the contract is already yours."

  "I hate the countryside," he snorted irritably.

  "You love the countryside! Our honeymoon was right in the countryside. I remember how happy I was to ..." I exulted, only to realize that I had said something that I shouldn't have.

  "This is why I hate the countryside," his eyes were telling me, while I could not help but get lost in the lavender fields of Provence around the villa that we had rented for two weeks for our honeymoon in France. It had been the most beautiful and romantic honeymoon I could have ever wished for, among the chateaux of the Loire, Paris, French wines, and cheeses ... An unforgettable journey.

  "You can't compare Wisconsin to Provence," I reproached him, pretending to be offended. "Besides, a little fresh air will do you good. Far from the smog and frenzy of Chicago ... I am sure that when you return, you will feel much better. Not to mention that you will have a contract that will bind you to Farlight for a long time. I promise you that I will take responsibility and draw up the contract personally with the lawyers," I tried to convince him, as he remained silent.

  "You are right. Leaving Chicago for a few days will do me good," he murmured thoughtfully.

  "Exactly! You do not know how much I envy you! If I could, I would come too," I joked, pretending to be jealous.

  "But you will come."

  "What ?!" I shouted, displaced.

  "Shall I repeat myself?"

  "No ... No, Zane, I am not going. My presence would be futile."

  "You are better at certain things than I am. You know that."

  "It's not true! Zane, I can't!"

  "Why?" He asked dryly, with his penetrating eyes.

  Getting lost in those eyes reminded me of Provence.

  "I hate the countryside," I snapped, unable to reason.

  "Copycat," he scolded me with a bitter smile.

  "No, Zane, please ..."

  "I want the contract ready for tomorrow. Get busy. We leave the day after tomorrow at dawn."

  "Can't Ryan go instead of me?"

  "I need Ryan to stay here and carry out the current projects."

  "You and I ... alone ... in the middle of the countryside ... I don't think it's good for you," I confessed worriedly, twisting my hands.

  "The contract. On my desk. By tomorrow afternoon," Zane said, indifferent to my discomfort. "This is work, not the Roses war."

  "Okay," I surrendered, running out of ideas and justifications.

  "Ah, Audrey?"

  "Yup?"

  "This contract is especially important. Do not disappoint me."

  I only had the strength to no
d, crushed by the load of expectations that he had just thrown at me with those words and with his icy eyes, ferociously pointed at me.

  16

  Zane

  "I swear I didn't know," I blew weakly because of the shock from the structure that was supposed to accommodate me and Audrey for three days, or maybe just too, if I really worked hard.

  Stunned, I continued to stare at what was a refurbished barn with direct access to Lake Ripley Lodge. It was a prestigious country house, with a large patio decorated with tables, armchairs, and a rocking chair.

  The panoramic view of the lake was breathtaking and ... very romantic.

  "But I knew it," she exclaimed amused by my hesitancy. "While you were wasting time giving a thousand directions to all your employees, I drafted the contract and I also had time to call Farlight's assistant to ask him where I could stay. I confess that it took me two hours to overcome the shock when he told me that all the hotels were filled because of the fair in the village and there was room for me in the villa too. Apparently, for Farlight and his assistant, our coexistence is only a logistical and communications facilitation. Only after having received by email the details of this villa with six bedrooms, four bathrooms and two living rooms, I calmed down. Between us, there are high chances that in these three days, we won't see each other even once."

  When we entered the house, I had to contain a groan of defeat.

  In front of us there was a huge hall, furnished with attention to every detail, with a vaulted ceiling and exposed beams.

  There was an entire wall made of glass with direct access to the patio and garden, while on the other side there was a large stone fireplace, two soft sofas filled with cushions and covers in dove-gray shades, as well as Persian rugs everywhere on the parquet.

  It was all so dangerously romantic!

  "Wow ... Whoever built this house must have a romantic soul, don't you think?" Chuckled Audrey admiringly, browsing around the room and going to the kitchen, where she found the maid who would take care of us in those days.

  "Good morning. I am Rosie. Mr. Farlight has put me at your complete disposal. I took the liberty of preparing lunch and getting ready the two bedrooms which have a lake view. I hope you don't mind."

  "You are too kind," thanked Audrey. "But I warn you that we want to inconvenience you as little as possible, so take some time for yourself. Mr. Thunder and I will almost always eat out, so you don't have to be here all the time."

  "Agree. Then I will leave you alone. If you need me, my phone number is attached to the fridge," Rosie rejoiced, taking her leave.

  "Why did you want to get rid of the maid? Do not tell me you want to be here alone with me?" I asked provocatively when the woman left.

  "Exactly," she replied without batting an eyelid, but causing my inside to stir.

  "Really? I mean ... Audrey, look, we are here on business ... Nothing will happen between us. You know, don't you? I wouldn't want all of this romantic decor to affect you," I tried to explain, unable to understand if I was convincing her or me with those words.

  I had already spent three extremely hard days between her and Trisha, and now I really did not know what to think.

  "Zane, relax! I sent Rosie away, because I don't want to have indiscreet ears that can hear us while we talk about the contract or what we intend to do with Farlight. We must be careful and vigilant. This deal is too important for you. Or am I wrong?" She replied sternly, silencing me.

  How could I tell her about the hell I had gone through in the past few days, which made me want to leave for Wisconsin as soon as possible?

  Trisha had been a loose cannon in those days.

  I did not know how it was possible, but after seeing Audrey that time, she had stormed me with questions about her, jealousy scenes and sudden visits to the office.

  After the umpteenth scene, the previous evening, I had to put a stop to that story and distance myself, making it clear to Trisha that it was over between us.

  Still, that was not what had driven me crazy in those three days; it had been Audrey.

  From being a perfect and impeccable personal assistant, she had turned into a careless and inattentive novice intern, with impending disastrous outcomes every time Trisha arrived at the office.

  Audrey seemed to suffer terribly from the woman's presence, to the point of spilling coffee on Farlight's new contract, mistaking the date of two appointments with customers I was scheduled to meet, booking the wrong restaurant and filing new invoices in the accounting ledger from the previous year. Not to mention every time she dropped what she was holding, when she saw Trisha coming or leaving my office.

  In three days, I had heard the word "sorry" come out of Audrey's mouth so many times that I almost had a nervous breakdown.

  However, I never had the courage to tell her anything.

  If she had been another assistant, I would have reproached her, scolding her, and finally firing her, but with Audrey I couldn't.

  Looking into her eyes and reading her inner torment stopped me in my tracks.

  Was it possible that seeing me with another woman had shaken her up so much?

  I could not believe that, but it was obvious: that Audrey sill felt that a part of me still belonged to her.

  This awareness did nothing but make me restless and make my stomach churn.

  17

  Zane

  "Farlight is making fun of us!" I exploded out of anger, returning to the villa, where I found Audrey intent on preparing dinner.

  "Will you pass the salt, please?" She asked me, turning the sauce, totally oblivious to my nervousness.

  "We have been here for two days and nothing has happened!" I continued my outburst.

  "I'll take it myself," she snorted, grabbing the jar of salt.

  "Would you mind putting that spoon down and paying attention, please?" I snarled furiously.

  Finally, Audrey turned to me.

  She wore a pretty colored apron, her hair was tied up in a braid and looked so serene and relaxed that I would have been even more enraged, if it were not for the fact that she was so beautiful to take your breath away.

  "I spent all day traveling around the fair and the local markets. I bought a supply of local vegetables and organic fruit. I also bought a cookbook at the second-hand stall. I came home and I have been behind the stove for two hours. I am working hard and now do you want me to burn the sauce?" She scolded me as if I were a child, gesturing with a wooden spoon in her hand and squirting sauce all over the counter.

  "We are here to work. I don't pay you for your cooking, is that clear?"

  By now I was ready for a fight. I knew Audrey and knew how to handle her.

  "Are you trying to fight?" She asked, turning the sauce over again.

  "Yup."

  "Okay, but first tell me if I have to add more salt, in your opinion," he asked, placing a spoonful of ragù in front of my face.

  "Are you joking?"

  "Taste it and then I promise I'll be all yours."

  Audrey blushed immediately.

  Apparently, I was not the only one who noticed what she had just said.

  ... and then I promise you that I will be all yours.

  That was the phrase we always said to ourselves when we understood that the other was nervous and ready to fight.

  It was the phrase that made us avoid confrontation and find a compromise or a truce.

  I tasted the ragù.

  "Missing salt," I whispered, trying to forget what had just happened and what always happened after we used our save phrase.

  In an instant, my mind was filled with images of kisses, caresses, long nights in bed making love ... promising us that we belonged to each other.

  “So, what's wrong with Farlight? We have been here for two days and the negotiations are going slowly or am I wrong?” Audrey erupted in a strangely hoarse voice, as if she were moved.

  "We left Chicago at dawn to be here early and start the negotiations right away," I remi
nded her. "But Farlight told us to enjoy the day and rest after the trip."

  "Thoughtful of him ... Too bad you didn't want to listen to him and immediately went to his offices."

  "You also agreed."

  "Rule number one of the perfect assistant: never contradict the boss," chuckled Audrey, making fun of me.

  "You contradict me when it suits you and yesterday you took the opportunity to enjoy relaxation and leave me alone with Farlight. You just showed up for dinner after Farlight insisted on inviting us to his best friend's restaurant."

  "I was exhausted and after dinner you kept me up until two in the morning to review the contract."

  "You had all day to rest, since you were out today and didn't show up."

  "Farlight invited you to see its factories and talk to the staff. I wasn't needed."

  "All wasted time! I deal with marketing and brands, not production. At the tasting, I risked leaving from there drunk."

  "Isn't that why you didn't come back for lunch?"

  "Yeah ... I spent an hour in the car getting rid of the hangover and drinking the worst coffee of my life."

  "Are you okay now?" Audrey worried immediately, looking at me with that apprehensive expression I had always loved. Seeing her like this had always made me feel loved in the past.

  "Yes, but I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since this morning."

  "Then it was a good thing that I cooked all this time and not to go with you. I don't like alcohol."

  "I know," I sighed thoughtfully, while Audrey had started spreading the ragù in a pan, with layers of pasta and bechamel.

  Seeing her cook was relaxing, even though my head was filled with thoughts.

  "What are you worried about?" She asked, after putting everything in the oven.

  "In two days, I haven't been able to speak about our contract with Farlight once. Every time I touch the topic, it changes the subject and becomes shy and elusive. I am going back to him tomorrow. He wants to introduce me to his wife, and I want you to come with me."

  "Okay," he agreed, taking a platter of cheese and salami out of the fridge, along with bruschetta with cherry tomatoes and basil.