by Iris Deorre
‘It’s just me and you Buttercup.’ She stroked the furry ball besides her. ‘Just me and you.’
Just then the doorbell rang. Harley squinted at her watch, it was almost eight thirty.
‘Who on earth?’ Harley dragged herself to the door. ‘Oh my god, what’s happened?’
Amber fell into her arms and let out the loudest howl scaring poor Buttercup to find refuge under the couch.
‘He left meeeeee!’ The cry was deep and painful. ‘He left meeee!’ The tears poured down Amber’s pretty face.
‘Come, sit down.’ Harley led her best friend into the living room and sat her down.
For a moment she watched her strong and independent friend turn into a dependent and weak woman. It made no sense at all, she was the strong one, the one who never bowed down to anyone. If Harley had learnt anything about confidence she’d learnt it from Amber.
Amber had gone onto to work for a solicitor’s office. She’d turned into a strong and powerful career woman but had suddenly turned into a marshmallow.
‘Honey start from the beginning.’ Harley reached for a box of tissues that sat on the coffee table.
Amber pulled two bits of the absorbent paper and blew her nose profusely.
‘Itssss Kyle....he left meeeeee!’ The tears started up again and she sounded like a choking engine.
‘Oh gosh, why what happened?’ Harley hadn’t been under the impression they’d been in trouble.
Kyle was Amber’s solicitor boyfriend. He worked in a different department but for the same company. He was handsome but nothing striking and Harley had often wondered what Amber had seen in the guy in the first place. Kyle was arrogant and sarcastic; dining out with him was like scrubbing a brillo pad against ones skin.
‘He said.’ She sniffed and straightened up. ‘That it just wasn’t working.’
‘What wasn’t working?’
‘Us.’
‘Did you ask him why?’
She nodded.
‘And?’
‘He gave me that line, it’s not you it’s me...I just need to play the field a bit more. I feel as though you’re suffocating me.’
‘Jerk!’ Harley was hardly surprised; he was never one to deliver bad news delicately.
‘What am I going to dooooo!’ The tears erupted again.
Harley took both Amber’s hands into hers and waited for the cries to die down. When only a few sniffs were heard, Harley stood up and made her way to the kitchen; pulled out a giant tub of chocolate ice-cream from the fridge and picked up two desert spoons.
‘Here.’ Harley handed her a spoon and put the tub between them.
‘I can’t eat that, I’ll get bigger. Lips to hips.’ She tried to smile.
‘Oh honey please. Listen to yourself. You and I both know we’ve got big booties, we are never going to look like Victoria Secret models, so eat.’ Harley popped open the yummy ice-cream. ‘Come on, why try and be something you’re not? Your words not mine.’ She took the first scoop and took it into her mouth.
A smile crept up on Amber’s face and soon she was digging into the creamy ice-cream too.
‘I hate men!’ Amber screeched.
‘Hmmm, but we love them too!’ Harley thought back to her boss. He was the sexiest man she’d ever set eyes on and yet she couldn’t stand to be near him.
‘Doesn’t it just annoy you?!’ Amber dug the spoon into the tub and brought out a big blob of ice-cream.
‘They think they rule the world!’
‘I’m assuming you mean your boss in particular?’
‘I don’t get that guy. Why the hell did he hire me if he doesn’t want any input from me?’
‘Honey it looks good on the books.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean? I worked damn hard to get to where I am.’
‘Why don’t you leave?’
‘And go where? I’m probably already past my sell by date.’
‘Oh don’t be so hard on yourself. There will be someone who will appreciate you.’
‘I don’t think I can handle another string of interviews.’
‘Hmmm there’s that.’
‘I’ll be competing with a new set of graduates.’
‘You’ll have experience behind you.’
Harley pondered on these things, would it be that difficult to get another job. Her thoughts drifted to the time she’d begun to job hunt, it hadn’t been very uplifting, more soul destroying.
‘I’ll stick with it for a while longer. Maybe when I’ve more experience I could freelance.’
‘Good idea.’
Soon the talk died down and the pair watched some television. Buttercup came out of under her hiding place and made herself comfortable between them. Two hours later, Amber asked if she could stay over.
‘I really don’t want to be alone tonight.’
‘Yeah sure, take the spare room.’
Amber had done that many times before.
‘Just be aware I’m out the house very early. I’m covering a court case late morning.’
‘So why the early start? Can’t you just head straight there?’
‘The boss wants to have a word with me.’
‘Oooh.’
‘My thought’s exactly. It’s never good news behind his closed doors.’
They parted to their separate rooms at the top of the stairs. Soon the nightmare of work would start.
Chapter Three
The lift was stopped by the one and only Sebastian Forrest. Dark black suit, light blue shirt and striped tie, he was looking charming as ever. They nodded at each other as he stepped in and again Harley tried to start the trip to the office. Her hands grasped tightly to the leather bag. She gazed ahead and shuddered knowing very well he was behind her.
Sebastian’s eyes wondered, ventured down the broad hips that had been dressed in a black skirt. Harley wore black stockings that made her lovely legs look slimmer. The black jacket matched the skirt and underneath a white shirt emerged at the sleeves, overlapping the jacket. Sebastian couldn’t help but park his eyes on the voluminous bum. A bum that was begging too be touched by his manly hands.
He sucked in a sharp breath just as the lift pinged. Only slightly she turned and caught his eyes on her behind. But quickly he diverted his attention ahead and stepped out as if nothing had passed between them. He was through the doors. Staff who were already in the office suddenly scurried about like cockroaches caught in the light. There was a presence about him, something he demanded of his staff.
Sebastian nodded at his P.A then in a low voice spoke to her. She nodded glancing Harley’s way. Harley’s heart did a double skip, something was up, she could feel it in her bones. But until then she would get everything ready for the courthouse later that morning.
Angelina swung around as Harley walked by towards her booth. There was a wave of whispers and a few giggles. The group of it women, or sorority girls – that was what they were like – hung out together and for some reason Harley had been the hot topic.
It often surprised her that women of their nature even cared to consider her.
‘There must be something very strong about you they don’t like,’ Amber had said after they’d discussed the issue. ‘It’s not you, it’s them just leave it alone.’
At times Harley thought she was making things up. Had one of the ladies actually sniggered as she walked by? Had someone actually put a chocolate bar on her desk with a note that said, ‘Snack?’ How had the torture from high school followed Harley into the office? Didn’t people grow up, get lives?
As she settled into her desk, prepared to defend herself the best she could for whatever was coming her way, the desk phone rang.
‘Mr Forrest would like to see you,’ Erica, Sebastian’s P.A shrilled down the phone. There was something irritating about her voice.
As soon as Harley stood up, Angelina’s phone rang. Same message same tone. Harley was only two steps ahead, Angelina’s heels felt with each step. Harley could hea
r the sound of her heart in her ears, his office frightened her. Her step wasn’t strong and confident like her opponent’s who swung her hair as she walked and made kissing sounds with her lips. It was feeble, fearful and unstable. Her stomach felt as though it had been wrung dry and there was nothing left in it to squeeze out.
The pair stopped at Erica’s desk. The dark haired woman didn’t flick a smile, instead she picked up the phone and said, ‘They’re here.’
‘Send them in,’ he replied.
Angelina stepped in first beaming a smile so wide Harley felt sick to the stomach.
‘I won’t take your time so don’t bother sitting.’ He got right to the point.
Harley clasped her hands behind her back and waited for the blows.
‘Your story.’ He nodded at Harley.
‘Yes.’
‘I’m handing it over to Angelina. Angelina I want you to cover the story on the court case later this morning.’
‘But that’s my story! I brought it to you attention!’ Suddenly the lioness had erupted. Even Harley was shocked by her own sudden outburst.
‘Yes sir, I’m grateful for the opportunity.’ Angelina smiled at the same time turning to Harley.
‘You can’t do this! This is my story!’ The fight grew within her.
‘That will be all Angelina.’ Sebastian dismissed her.
‘Yes sir.’ She swung around her hair flowing as she did so and modelled her way out of the office.
‘Sir, I didn’t mean to shout but you know this was my story. I don’t understand what you have against me!’ The heat rose within her again.
He moved forward on the chair and placed his hands under his chin and just observed her.
‘Don’t you like me? Do you have something against me, am I just here to make the company look good?’
‘I don’t hate you Moyer.’
Harley was taken back; it had been the first time anyone had called her by her second name.
‘Then...then what? That was my story.’
‘But I want Angelina to cover it.’
‘It’s always the girl with the stick figured body. It doesn’t matter how hard you work! How hard you try to prove yourself it’s always her!’ Harley shook as she said that. ‘Well you can shove your job!’ She turned and began to head towards the door regretting every word that had just splurged from her mouth.
‘Don’t you dare take another step!’ His voice was strong.
Harley froze, her hand almost about to touch the handle. Her body didn’t move but she heard him. The sound of the chair as it pushed back, the footsteps were heavy but not rushed. He took his time and made himself known and soon he was up close behind her.
‘Not another step.’ The words were warm air against her ear.
What was happening? Sebastian Forrest was so close to her she thought she might faint.
‘You’re not going to the courthouse because I want you here with me.’ His voice was low.
Harley took in slow deep breaths; there was movement beneath the white shirt as her heart thudded so hard against her chest.
‘I want you right here with me.’ His words were slow and she felt every word.
At first it was a slow and gentle touch. Sebastian touched the curve of her hip and slowly began to run down it. There was a lot going through her head. The man she despised had his hands on her body and she didn’t want to stop him. His hands followed the contours of her body down to the hem of the skirt. The route was soon diverted and took travel up between her thighs stopping mid way and as if suddenly realising he’d gone too far. He retracted.
Harley breathed heavily against the door and waited, the next step was really up to him. Her body craved his touch and yet her heart loathed him.
‘Now, do we have a problem with that?’ he asked.
‘No sir.’
Sebastian kept his mouth close to her ear and whispered. ‘Don’t you ever think for one second you’re not good enough. You’re the best and that is why I hired you.’
Harley turned to face her boss and for the first time she saw him in a different light. There was kindness in his grey eyes, as if a smile was within them.
‘But I thought...’
‘I was waiting for you to speak up, fight! I’ve been in this business long enough to know who the bullshitters are. Angelina is a good journalist but she isn’t great. A great pair of legs can only get you so far.’ He pulled back and smiled.
This still didn’t answer what had happened between them. Secretly she hadn’t wanted it to stop.
‘Think about it Moyer, your pretty blonde skinny opponent, how long before she’s pushed aside for another younger and better looking model?’ He raised his eyebrows.
Harley shrugged.
‘One year two if she’s lucky. Don’t let any of us fool you. When the frown lines begin to appear through a process that isn’t so kind, how long do you think looks will carry anyone through?’
‘Not long?’ she asked. Harley had never experienced this before.
‘Do you think life is unfair?’ He eyed her as he asked that.
‘Sometimes.’ Harley had to admit that life had been unfair to her majority of times.
‘You my dear have been given the best route there is. I know about you, top of your class. You have talent!’
Harley glanced down at her fingers shyly.
‘You may have been pushed aside but twenty years from now you’ll be much stronger. Do you know what attracts me to a woman?’
‘Her body?’
He laughed gently and he gazed at her curves for a moment. ‘Perhaps, but that’s not the first thing. Yes men are attracted by what they see but I’ve learnt through experience that you can have the best body in the world and be as boring as hell.’
Harley giggled.
‘Intellect attracts me, women who see themselves more than an object of men’s affection. Don’t let that fool you though, I’m a huge fan of women with curves, I prefer it. But a woman with both, that’s who you are.’ There was a mischievous grin on his handsome face. ‘You have a great body, if I may say so.’
Harley lowered her head shyly. Quickly he lifted her chin so that she could face him.
‘There, that’s better. Don’t ever hide your pretty face from me again, from anyone.’
Was he for real, had this really happened or had she made it all up?
‘From now on you work directly for me. I want you at my side day or night.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘It means I want you day and night. Day at work and night well let’s say we’ll leave that to the imagination.’
‘Sir – ’
‘Sebastian, to you I’m Sebastian.’
‘But why?’
‘Because you have staying power, because I like you and I want you.’ He wasn’t shy with his words. He got right to the point.
She felt her body tingle; no man had ever wanted her, not like that. The day she’d lost her virginity was on a drunken night with a stranger, something she’d love to forget. Harley wasn’t that girl, nor had she tried to be one. Suddenly she’d been pulled from behind the curtains to centre stage to be the main character in his life. Sebastian had just introduced her to herself, something she should’ve done a long time ago.
‘Urm...’
He took a few steps forward and pressed his lips against hers and immediately she melted. After a long and awaited kiss from Sebastian’s side they parted. This wasn’t happening. There was tingling and buzzing in her ears. The sexiest man in her eyes had just had his lips against hers. Not only was he one of the richest men, he had a body to die for. At six foot three, broad shoulders, muscular arms and legs like pistons, what woman wouldn’t be falling over themselves to get to him.
‘So your first task.’ He pulled a piece of paper and wrote down the name Susannah Craft. ‘I want you to find out everything you can about this woman.’ He handed her the paper.
‘Who is she?’
‘Isn’t this illegal?’
‘She’s sort of a public figure, you wouldn’t know her but in my circles this thing is common.’
Harley nodded as she took his instructions.
‘So are you clear on what I want from you?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Sebastian.’ He smiled.
‘I can’t sir.’
‘You can.’ He drew closer his lips almost touching hers. ‘Now say it.’ He took her hand in his.
‘Sebastian,’ it was just a whisper.
‘Good. I like that.’ He whispered back then withdrew.
‘Report back to me every morning. If you have to be out just ring my mobile.’ He scribbled his private number on a piece of paper and handed it to her. ‘Don’t bother ringing my company mobile, Erica will just pick it up. This is my personal number.’
Harley took it and nodded. He tilted his head to one side and smiled.
‘Sir?’ She felt exposed.
‘You’re beautiful,’ he said. ‘And again, it’s Sebastian.’
Harley nodded; it would take some getting used too. All of this would take getting used too. So much attention had never been offered to her this way, she hardly knew what to do with it.
‘That’s all for now,’ he said.
‘Okay.’ She swallowed, she didn’t know what else to say.
‘And when you step out of this office, walk tall, walk as if you own this place.’ He winked.
And Harley did just that; that it got Angelina a little hot under the collar!
Chapter Four
Harley had given the first part of feedback about what she’d found concerning Susannah. Sebastian was impressed, it hadn’t taken her long to dig up Susannah’s past and he wondered how long it would take before she found out about the present.
Harley had begun to relax a lot more and that brought forth a confidence that had started tongues wagging. It wasn’t about her continual time spent with Sebastian that was office gossip. Instead it was about her size. For some reason the women in the office had begun to be a lot more vicious about her size and Harley had a suspicion who had started it.