Claudia pulled roughly on her arm and stood in front of her. “Let me deal with this. She’s not worth your anger.” She stepped in front of Naomi and blocked her path to Stella. “As of this minute, you’re fired. Don’t expect any back pay or severance money, and you’re not getting a reference either.” She waved to the two gentlemen from the security company. “Please, escort her to her office to collect whatever she wants, after that, sling her out to the kerb with all the other rubbish. The police and CPS should be in contact with her in the next few days for the credit card fraud.”
Stella seethed as she watched a smug Naomi saunter towards her office. A soft warm hand slipped into hers.
Carly leaned in to whisper in her ear. The soft breath tickled the hairs at the base of her neck, causing goose bumps to rise on her arms.
“Remember, you’re better than her. She’ll be out of your life once and for all in ten minutes.”
Claudia returned to her seat and patted Stella on the back to signal that everything was okay. Stella stood and everyone’s attention swung back around to her. “There are going to be a lot of changes over the next few months. I’m in the process of hiring a new general manager for all the nightclubs. Please, be patient and roll with it, because in the end, it’ll all be worth it.” She locked eyes with everyone in the room. “I’m looking for a new manager for this club, if you’re interested in applying speak to Ms. Miller. Okay, that’s it for today.”
The small crowd dispersed when Stella raised her hand and made a waving motion. Stella picked her briefcase up and headed back to the bar, where the folder of Carly’s ideas lay open.
Carly walked around the other side of the bar and placed a large glass of water in front of her. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” She flipped the folder shut with a resounding thud and tapped the top of it. “Tell me a little about yourself, Carly. Claudia has told me a little about what you did at university.”
“So, you know what I’ve been doing for the last five years?” Carly poured herself a cup of coffee and joined Stella on the other side of the bar. She sat next to her and took a sip from the white cup.
“Why haven’t you used your degrees to their full ability?”
“I’ve been waiting for the right position to present itself. I check the Internet and papers every day, nothing seems to appeal to me. My resume is up-to-date, but the thing that seems to put people off is that I’ve not had a lot of experience in a managerial role.”
Stella shifted closer on the stool towards Carly. “You didn’t get any training at university?”
“Oh sure, but they were only for a month at a time. Each business they had me take over, whether it specialised in accounting, clothes, hotel, or entertainment, all ran at a profit.” Carly’s chest puffed out.
“I have a business proposition for you.” Stella took a sip of water and waited for Carly’s full attention. “I’d like you to be the new general manager for all the Misfits nightclubs. As for your lack of training, I’d be prepared to work with you for the first eight months until you find your feet.”
“Me?” Carly placed a hand on her chest. Stella didn’t reply just tapped the top of the folder. “They’re only ideas I jotted down.”
Stella sighed and scratched her forehead lightly. “With these ideas and your work ethic…” She held her hand out to indicate their clean surrounding and then pointed to the fridges and pumps. “…you’re the right candidate for the job. You’ll soon learn I don’t mess about when it comes to business. I think you’d be wonderful in the job, and under both of our guidance, the clubs will be turned around in no time.”
Carly blew out a frazzled breath and scrubbed her face with her hands. With a definitive nod, she stretched her hand out for Stella to shake. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Stella’s broad smile brightened the room as she shook the soft, delicate hand. The delightful scent of vanilla and honeysuckle rose from where they were joined.
Claudia approached and noticed their still clasped hands. “O…kay, what did I miss?”
“Can I tell her?” Carly was practically bouncing with excitement. Stella grinned and released her hand. “Stella has just made me the new general manager of Misfits.”
“Oh wow! Congratulations.” Claudia tugged her out of the stool as she swept her up in her arms and twirled her around. “You’ve made the right choice, Stella.”
“I know, and I’m prepared to work closely with Carly until she finds her bearings and has a better grasp on the day-to-day running. I want you to help her with any of the legal stuff, and be on hand if she has any questions regarding employment law. Tomorrow, I’d like you both to come to the house, so we can talk about the other plans I have to deal with the women who were issued credit cards. Come for lunch, I’ll make us something, and we can sit and brainstorm.”
Writing down her address on the back of a business card, she passed it to Carly, who in exchange handed her a slip of receipt paper with her contact details on.
“I’ll pick you up from your place on my way.” Claudia brushed some lint from the shoulder of her jacket. “I’ve got to get back to the office. I have a mountain of work to get through before the end of the day.”
“Okay, thanks.” Carly stood and held her hand out to Stella. “I need to go to. See you tomorrow.”
Stella and Claudia watched as she swept her jacket over her shoulder and slipped her arms in. They waved as she headed out the door. Claudia leant on the bar next to Stella and grinned like the cat that got the canary. “I’m glad I barged in when I did. I think you were seconds away from stroking her hand with your thumb. You were all doe eyed, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if you’d leant forward and pecked her on the lips.”
Heat infused Stella’s cheeks as she rose from the stool and picked her briefcase up. She shoulder tapped her friend as she turned to the exit. “You’re such an arse.”
Claudia raced behind her to catch up or Stella would get her revenge and lock her in for the remainder of the day. For all her teasing, Claudia could see her two friends together. They complimented each other perfectly, and Stella was already attracted to Carly, but she didn’t know how Carly saw Stella. With a gentle nudge, she’d find out. A wicked smile crawled across her face as the plan unfolded in her mind.
Chapter Five
Stella paced the dark slate stone floor in the hallway the next morning as she waited for Carly and Claudia to arrive. Her mind had been on overdrive all night, and every time she closed her eyes to sleep, visions of Carly filled her mind. Her beautiful long red hair hung down the middle of her back in a French Braid. The vibrant green eyes changed colour depending on her mood. Her soft plump, kissable lips and the way she moved effortlessly, as though she was gliding along on a breeze.
She was attracted to her, plain and simple. Long forgotten emotions stirred inside Stella. The desire she felt coursed through her, and it was stronger than anything she’d ever felt before. It scared her. Even Jen hadn’t evoked this strong a feeling within her. There was something about Carly Martin that drew her in; she felt like a moth being lured by a bright light.
The crunching of tyres in the driveway snapped her back to the present. Stella watched from the hallway window as Carly slid gracefully out of the low seat of Claudia’s BMW. Carly was dressed in a navy-blue business suit with a cream shirt. Stella saw the muscular legs for the first time, and she stared transfixed, her breath caught as she scanned each delicious inch. Stella’s eyes slowly roamed upwards, taking in the beautiful curves of her body; the tailored suit fitted her perfectly, accentuating them further.
A hand being waved in front of her face brought her back from her trance. Cringing slightly from being caught, she turned to her friend. “Sorry, I was in deep in thought.”
Smiling coyly and casting a quick glance at Carly, Claudia bobbed her head up and down. “Uh huh, I think―” She was stopped as Carly joined them on the doorstep.
Stepping back, St
ella let them pass. She couldn’t help herself, and as Carly passed she took a longing look at the way her skirt laid smoothly against her backside. She swallowed deeply and followed them into the kitchen. “Set up at the kitchen table. While you do that, I’ll get us a drink.”
Soon they were seated around the table, with their iPads and note pads in front of them.
“So, what’s this amazing idea you’ve had to deal with the other club managers who had cards?” Claudia flipped open her pad poised to start writing things down.
“Okay.” Stella called upon her inner strength. “We’re going to pay them a visit. I want to do secret spot inspections at those clubs and hold a meeting the day after to address any problems they might have. The managers will be out on their butts, and you, Carly, will need to interview to find a replacement. Okay with you?” She met their eyes with her own. “The forensic accountant will have to do his thing before we visit, so we know what we’re dealing with.”
Claudia stopped writing. “Each club should take him two weeks to audit.”
Stella confirmed she knew the plan would take time. “Carly, I want you to travel with us. Some of the clubs are in the same area, so we can inspect them at the same time. I want you to plan our route but leave the travel plans to me. If we have to wait a month to hit two clubs at the same time, then we will. Until then, I’d like us to have weekly meetings, either here, or at the main club.”
Carly flinched when a stack of papers landed on the table in front of her with a loud thud. She glared at a grinning Claudia.
“Oops, these are the in-house applications I received yesterday.”
Stella’s eyes bulged at the pile. “How many are there?”
“Fifteen.”
Carly scanned through the pages and laid one aside. “I recommend him.” She pushed the piece of paper towards Stella. “He’s a hard worker and basically ran the club while Naomi sat on her backside in the office or was absent for days on end.”
Ryan Fairfax. Stella flicked through his CV and saw he’d been employed with them for nearly twelve years and had never progressed higher than bar manager. She flipped open her laptop, logged on to the company server, and searched the personnel records. Her breath caught and held as she scanned through his work record. “He must be some kind of saint. In all the years he’s worked for us, he’s only had four weeks sick time off, and two of those were when his mother passed away.” She gave a final nod to Carly. “If you’re happy with him, so am I.”
Carly leant over, nearly sitting on Stella’s lap, as she looked at the information on the laptop.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get you set up with everything you need this week. If you come over one night, I’ll show you how to access the server and how to navigate it.”
“Okay.” Carly and Stella locked eyes, the small redhead blushed as she realised her proximity to Stella.
“Excellent, I’ll cook. However, we can’t get started until George is in bed. My late afternoons and early evenings belong to him.”
“I understand.”
Claudia walked over to the coffee machine and refilled it with a fresh filter and granules. “Is there anything else I need to do for you, Stel?”
“Yes, call your interior designer and have him meet with Carly at the club next week. I think hers and the manager’s office need a fresh coat of paint. Tell him I want him to go to town on Carly’s.” She turned her head to look back at Carly. “I want you to tell him what you’d like. The only request I have is you don’t use too garish a colour in there—they hurt my eyes.”
Stella jumped to her feet, she ran out of the kitchen and down the hallway to her office. A few seconds later, she returned with a chequebook.
“You’re going to need to set yourself up with a new company laptop and iPad.” She scribbled on a cheque and handed it to Carly. “Take that to the main branch in town, and they will cash it straight away. Get everything you need but keep the receipts.”
Carly stared down at the cheque for five thousand pounds, her eyes bulging at the amount. Folding it carefully, she slipped it into her briefcase. Another cheque took its place. Lifting her head she locked her eyes with Stella’s. The cheque was for six thousand; the payee line had her name on it.
“What―”
“That’s to make up for all the shifts you did at the club and were never paid for. I’ve also included a little promotion bonus.” Stella watched as a small tear escaped her right eye, and had to sit on her hands to stop herself from reaching out and wiping it away.
Claudia saw her reaction and slipped her arm around Carly’s shoulders giving her a comforting squeeze. “You deserve it.”
Still speechless, Carly looked up and smiled her thanks and wiped the errant tear away from her cheek.
Stella retrieved the phone from its hub on the kitchen side. “I need to arrange for a company car for you―” She stopped and stared intently at Carly. “Crap! I don’t even know if you can drive.”
“Yes, I can, and my license is full and clean.”
Another of her contacts at the local Range Rover garage came in very handy. After firing off a few questions, her eyes shimmered as a broad smile curled at her lips as she learned they had some Evoque’s on the forecourt. She instructed the woman that Carly would be in soon to pick out a model for herself.
“Wow, a brand-new car.” Carly sighed with happiness and bounced in her chair with excitement.
“Choose whatever colour and options you want on it.”
The front door banged open and a lively seven-year-old ran into the kitchen, his small backpack jiggled up and down with every step. “Mum!”
Stella’s face brightened, she opened her arms, and George ran straight into them. “Hey, little man. Did you have a good day at school?” Looking over his head, her eyes scanned the room and hallway for any signs of her mother. “What have you done with Grandma?”
“I’m here,” the older woman panted from the hallway. “He was excited you’re home already and that Claudia was here, too. He left me for dust at the bottom of the driveway when he saw her car.”
Stella placed a soft kiss on his forehead and set him on the floor. He was soon up in Claudia’s arms, having a hug from his godmother.
When Claudia released him, he turned, and for the first time saw there was someone else in the kitchen with them.
“Hi.” He buried his face in Claudia’s trouser leg as shyness overtook his excitement.
Carly smiled. “Hello, George. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Carly. Your mum and Claudia have told me all about you.” She rummaged in her briefcase she pulled out a small wrapped gift. “Claudia told me you love Lego, is that right?”
His head peeked out from behind Claudia, and he bobbed it vigorously.
“Well, I didn’t have a chance to go to the big toy shop in town, but I found this in the supermarket yesterday and thought you might like it.”
Stella chuckled as George forgot all about being shy and ran to stand in front of Carly. She saw Carly lean a little closer to him and whisper something, whatever it was he was obviously pleased, and his nodding continued. He peeked up at Stella, seeking permission to accept the gift as he trembled with anticipation. When she smiled, he took the present and quickly wrapped his arms around Carly’s neck for a hug. Wow, he doesn’t normally take to people that quickly. He would’ve said thank you, but a hug…She’s gone and bewitched George, too. George dumped his backpack on the kitchen floor and ran off into the living room with his present.
A soft clearing of a throat pulled their attention to the doorway. Stella slapped her forehead and introduced Carly and her mother.
Carly stood and held her hand out to the smaller woman. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Helen grinned and accepted her hand. She tugged her slightly closer. “You, too.” She studied Carly intently. “Hmm, you look very familiar.”
Carly shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’ve met before.”
Claudia laughed and pulled their hands apart. “Helen, you probably know her parents.”
Helen took another step closer and peered deeply into Carly’s green eyes. Half a minute later, she stepped back, and clapped her hands together. “With that gorgeous flame red hair and those beautiful soulful eyes, you remind me a lot of an old friend. Are you Gabby and Russell’s daughter?”
A smile lit up Carly’s face.
“You’re the spitting image of your mother when she was your age. Oh lord!” she exclaimed with excitement. “How are they? I haven’t seen them for years.”
“They’re fine and currently living in Spain. They spend the winter months there, and come back to the UK for spring and summer.”
“Please give my regards to them when you next speak. It would be great to see them again when they come home. We’ll have to plan something.”
George zoomed into the room, carrying his new toy in one hand and the wrapping paper in the other. “Thank you, will you help me make it?” he asked Carly.
“Sure.” She sat back in her chair, and George climbed into her lap.
Stella, Claudia, and Helen locked eyes in astonishment, then turned their attention to the toy builders at the table.
“I’ll make more drinks.” Helen patted Stella on the arm and moved her away from the coffee machine.
“He’s obviously taken with you,” Stella commented as she sat down opposite.
Carly grinned and ruffled George’s hair. “He’s a little sweetheart.”
Claudia took two mugs from Helen and set them down. “She’s always been good with children.”
Helen sat next to Carly and George. She could see he was smitten, as he kept glancingup at Carly for affirmation he was doing something correctly. “Do you have any children of your own, Carly?”
The haunted, sad expression that crossed Carly’s face broke Helen’s heart, and she instantly knew she’d asked the wrong question.
Absolute Betrayal Page 5