by G E Griffin
“Hang on just a minute, Mr Starr. You can't march in here and order me about, telling me where I can or can't work,” she started protesting as she looked up at me from where she was sat.
“Are you seriously telling me you would prefer to slave away in some dingy restaurant for the minimum wage, rather than spend time doing what you really enjoy? Because forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought you told me yesterday that you really enjoyed working on these designs. I’m now offering to recompense you adequately for doing something you enjoy. So what exactly is your problem?”
She glared at me. And the expression on her lovely face made me want to laugh, because I could so easily read her thought process. She was annoyed because she knew what I was saying made sense, but she also hated the fact that I was right, and I realised that she wasn’t used to being told what to do. I'd like to tell her exactly what to do. I pushed those images right out of my head. This had to stop.
“I’ll need to read the contract through first, before I decide whether or not to sign it.” She reluctantly picked it up as if it was contaminated.
“Fine. But I need your response by close of business today, please. Is that your mobile?” I asked, pointing at an ancient old Nokia on her desk.
“Err…yes. Why?”
I picked it up, worked out how to use such an old model, called my own number, then cancelled the call.
“Now I have your mobile number, for when I need to contact you for any reason. Here are my details.” I threw one of my business cards onto her desk. “I would appreciate regular updates from you, and immediate notification of any issues or problems should they arise. Is that clear?”
“As crystal.”
“Good. Is everything progressing satisfactorily as per our discussions yesterday?”
“Yes, Mr. Starr. Is that all?”
“I think so, for now.”
“Then perhaps you’d be kind enough to let me to get on?”
Fuck me, but the cheeky little madam was throwing me out! Her expression made me want to laugh again. Why did her attitude intrigue and amuse me rather than irritate me as I would have expected?
“As you wish. I’ll possibly call in again on my way back tonight.”
“I’ll be sure to look forward to that delight,” she muttered.
~*~
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: 30th April 2013
Subject: Email account
Why are you using your university email account rather than your securely encrypted Starr Capital Ventures account?
LS.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: 30th April 2013
Subject: Re: Email account
Because tea girls aren’t given securely encrypted SCV email accounts, sir.
SJ.
Her reply made me smile. Somehow, the relationship between us had changed and evolved as we worked together. She was challenging and answered me back in her emails, but I didn't mind, because I appreciated her wit and sense of humour. She intrigued me because she was different from anyone else I dealt with, and I found myself looking forward to seeing her emails pop up in my inbox.
I picked up my mobile and called her number. We’d already spoken several times, as I’d been concerned the workmen Andrew had organised would disrupt her, but she’d assured me there’d been no major issues.
“Mr. Starr.” For some inexplicable reason I liked the rather irreverent way she said my name. “What can I do for you this time?”
“You’ll be getting your Starr Capital Ventures email account as soon as it can be set up, Seraphina. But I do hope you can at least make a decent cup of tea, seeing as that seems to have been your prime objective in my company,” I said.
“Of course. You seemed to approve of the coffee I made you yesterday, so perhaps you should sample my tea next time.”
“Maybe when I call in tonight?” I suggested.
“What time will that be? Only I’d really like to go to Yoga tonight, seeing as I missed my usual class. After sitting at my desk for so many hours, I really need a good work out,” she explained.
I could appreciate her need for physical exercise and I thoroughly approved. I swam and worked out most days and always felt better for it.
“What time is your class? And where is it held?”
“There’s one at six till seven I thought I’d go to. It’s on the Backhill campus at university, about a twenty minute walk from here. They give subsidised rates for students, and it’s my little luxury, my treat to myself. I really enjoy it.”
“I’ve got a late afternoon conference call to the States, so I won’t be finished here at the office until at least six thirty. I’m just googling where this campus is. Looks like it’s on my way back, so I’ll pick you up and drop you home after your class, then you can go through the latest mock ups for me to approve,” I suggested. “I don't want to risk wasting time if I don't like what you’ve come up with so far. And you were right – I do need to see them printed out rather than on screen to get the proper impression.”
And so it developed between us over the days. Working together, emailing, talking on the phone, meeting up both before and after work. We just fell into an easy companionship that I had rarely experienced before, certainly not with a girl.
Contrary to my initial impression, I found Seraphina to be extremely organised and competent, as well as very talented. So I came to respect her opinion, and I actually appreciated the fact that she didn't hesitate to contradict me if she felt I was wrong. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed this banter between us, and it made me realise that most people just went along with whatever I said, whatever I asked them to do.
Not Seraphina. She was like a refreshing breath of fresh air coming into my very stuffy life.
I found I was thinking about her constantly, although I took great pains to cover it up. It wouldn’t do for anyone to suspect The Boss was going soft. I had my reputation to guard after all.
But right now it seemed to me that thoughts of my brother’s girlfriend filled my every waking and sleeping moment.
Chapter 13
Seraphina
“What’s this board here?” Liam asked.
Today he was wearing a navy blue suit, pale blue shirt and a contrasting dark red tie with a slight stripe to it. He was always immaculately groomed. He wore a different suit every day, and his outfit was always perfectly coordinated. Liam was the absolute epitome of the successful executive corporate image. He smelled divine, but I had no idea what aftershave or body wash he used – no doubt something hideously expensive, because it was quite subtle, and not overpowering as cheap ones tend to be.
I’d also noticed that he always wore cufflinks, which for some stupid reason I found very attractive. Why, I have no idea, because I’d certainly never been into the suited executive type in my life before. It was just Liam, I decided, the sheer size and magnetism of the man, even though he wasn’t as conventionally good looking as Jamie.
He’d called in after work today, as he’d done every day so far. Morning and evening, as well as countless phone calls and emails. Control freak extraordinaire, that was Liam Starr. But I had to hand it to him, he was extremely thorough and always decisive, which I respected and valued. I could see why he was so successful, because he was so focussed and driven.
At least I understood exactly what it was he wanted from his precise instructions, and so we’d been able to achieve an incredible amount in these few short days. The logo designs had been finalised, and we’d made excellent progress on the Brand Guidelines to ensure consistency for anyone using the Starr branding on any of their products in future. I’d really enjoyed working on this project, and I'd even go as far as to say Liam and I worked extremely well together.
What I wouldn’t say is that I liked the man. No, of the two brothers, I much preferred Jamie, b
ecause he was just so much more pleasant, easy going and laid back. I still felt rather intimated by Liam, even though I tried my hardest not to be, and to give as good as I got with him.
“Mmm? Oh that’s a board of possible hairstyles I’m choosing from for my personal image revamp. My friend Abbey is going to cut it for me,” I explained, as I concentrated on putting the finishing touches to an amendment that he’d asked for on one of the designs. It was nearly the end of the week, and most of the basic groundwork was now in place. He’d stood over me while I'd signed the contract he’d virtually thrown at me, and I had to admit he was paying me very generously for my work, which helped me to relax a little as it took some of the financial pressure off. I could hopefully go back to working some shifts at the restaurant once I’d finished at SCV, as they were always looking for experienced staff to cover the weekend shifts, although Paolo had been pretty miffed about me leaving at such short notice.
“What new image would that be?” he queried, as he frowned and closely examined all the various short cropped pixie style haircuts Abbey had suggested would suit me.
“My professional businesswoman look. To help me be taken more seriously when I go for job interviews.”
“Having your hair cut this short would make you look like a dyke. Is that the impression you’re trying to give?” he stated rather shockingly.
What business was it of his what I chose to do with my hair?
“That’s a bit harsh.” I was getting used to the way that Liam always spoke his mind, but even so…
“I don’t mean to offend you, Seraphina, I’m just being honest, because I don’t believe in sugar coating the truth, as you may have gathered this week. So be honest with me. Is that the impression you’re out to create – that you’re a lesbian?”
“No, I just want something radical and different. I’ve always had long hair, so I thought it was high time I had a change.”
“Then buy a new dress or something, but do not have your hair cut. Long hair suits you,” he stated firmly, as if the matter was now decided. “Talking of lesbians…when are you going to put my brother out of his misery?”
“Excuse me?” Here he was again. Just coming straight out with what he wanted to know. I thought this was just going too far, but he carried on determinedly.
“All these weeks I’ve had to listen to Jamie whining on about how you’re not sure if you’re gay or not, leading him along in the hope that he’s finally going to get lucky at this Spring Ball you’re going to with him. So, have you finally made up your mind? Are you gay or not?”
The nerve of the man!
Liam stood back and folded his arms as he studied me.
“I really don’t think that’s any of your business,” I informed him archly, although annoyingly I blushed.
“I disagree. My brother’s welfare is very much my concern. If he’s wasting his time with you, I think it only be fair to be honest with him so he can move on, because at the moment I'm fed up of him acting like a love sick puppy all the time. It’s cruel to keep him dangling, and I’d have thought it’s a simple enough call to make.”
As he stared at me with those intense blue eyes, I supposed he had a point about being concerned for his brother, and somehow I found myself opening up to him.
“I have been totally honest with Jamie, as far as I can be, and I know he’s been incredibly patient with me. But if you want to know the honest truth, I’m still not sure one hundred percent certain that I’m not gay. I really like Jamie. He’s a great guy, and I would never want to hurt his feelings, but…I just don’t know.”
The trouble was, Jamie wasn’t the one I kept having vivid erotic dreams about was he? He wasn’t the one that I kept fantasising about jumping into bed with. He wasn’t the one who made my heart race when he walked in the room. He wasn’t the one who seemed to give me an electric shock if our hands accidently touched as we worked together.
But I could hardly tell Liam that, could I? Maybe my subconscious was diverting my thoughts to someone totally unsuitable and unattainable as a means of escaping from the truth that I was gay.
“Well, have you done any research? Read up about it on the internet? Had counselling?” Liam demanded to know in his usual forthright manner.
“I’ve spoken to my friend Abbey about it. She’s bisexual, so I asked her advice. She recommended I go to one of the LGBT - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender - clubs she sometimes goes to, to meet different people and try and work out who I'm attracted to. She thinks maybe I’d feel less inhibited in that type of environment.”
“So have you been?”
“No! No way! Um…that is I haven’t had time. I've always been working at the restaurant whenever she’s been going,” I ended lamely. Truthfully the idea scared me, so I'd never accepted an invitation to go with her.
“Well, don’t you think you ought to make the time? My brother is under the impression that he’s finally going to claim your virginity on this weekend away, so I think he deserves to be disabused of that idea if you’re going to tell him instead that you’re a lesbian.”
“What! Jamie told you…he had no right to tell you that I was… How dare you discuss the state of my….” I was so mortified and horrified that I didn’t seem to be able to finish a sentence. I’d also turned pure beetroot red.
Liam, the bastard, seemed highly amused at my discomfort.
“I don’t see why you're so embarrassed. Jamie and I discuss everything, so naturally he confided all the details to me. I must say I find it hard to believe that an attractive young woman like you is still a virgin at what…twenty one or two? So I guess I can maybe see why some doubts about your sexuality may have crept in.”
“I’ll work it out for myself,” I managed to stutter out.
But then I watched in fascination as Liam went over to my lap top and started using it.
“Looks like there’s one of those LGBT events on Friday at The Pink Club. As I told you to hand your notice in at the restaurant, I'm assuming you’re free so I’ll take you,” he stated, as he stared at the screen.
“You!” I stuttered.
“Yes, why not?”
“Aren’t you too busy… working or something?” I had no idea what the man did at the weekend, other than the fact the boys had implied that was when he was usually occupied with one of his special lady friends.
“No, as it happens I have a free evening, and I’ve never been to this club, so it’ll be a new and rather interesting experience for me. Don’t look so surprised, Seraphina. I work hard, I play hard. I’m a very open minded man, and I'm not easily shocked,” he chuckled, as he took in my stunned expression.
Of course, this was the man who was heavily into all sorts of kinky sex according to Jamie and Toby. He’d probably use the occasion to set himself up in a nice cosy threesome or something.
“I’ll be on hand to make sure you don’t come to any harm, so you can just relax and concentrate on getting a clue about your true sexuality. Maybe don’t mention it to Jamie though, not until you see if it’s helped you to make up your mind either way, to discover if you are attracted to any of the other women there.”
As he stared at me, I had the distinct impression that the only reason he was offering to take me was so that he could make sure I didn’t back out.
“I’m usually out working on a Friday evening anyway, and Jamie always goes out with his rugby mates. ”
Jamie and his mates usually got pretty drunk most Friday nights, and when they came back to our house, I was always glad I was tucked up out of the way right at the top of the house. After these lads night sessions, there was usually a disgusting bucket of vomit left in the kitchen to dispose of when I came down the following morning. And Jamie was so hung over that he struggled to get up at a decent hour on Saturdays, so our date mornings had fizzled out after a few weeks. But as I’d been so busy, it hadn't really bothered me. We still saw each other in passing most days.
“What are you tryi
ng to prove here? What exactly are your motives? Are you trying to break Jamie and me up?” I asked. I finally saw Liam look uncomfortable for a few seconds before the impassive mask came down again.
“I’m just looking out for my little brother, that’s all. I’d rather this matter was sorted out well before he sits his finals, as he’ll need to concentrate all his energies on them to do well,” he replied brusquely. “And if you cared for him as much as you claim, then I'd have thought you’d be eager to move things on between you one way or the other, rather than leave them hanging in limbo ad infinitum.”
I stuck my chin up in the air defiantly. Who did he think he was, sitting in judgement on our relationship? If it took going to this club to prove a point to him, then I bloody well would.
“Okay. What time shall I meet you at The Pink Club?”
“I’ll pick you up from here at eight. Be ready. I don’t like being kept waiting. Oh, and I suggest you wear something really feminine and sexy, because if you do turn out to be a lesbian, I see you as the femme partner rather than the butch, so you don’t want to give the wrong impression.”
“Friday at eight. I’ll be ready.”
And I’ll be wearing whatever I bloody well choose, thank you very much Mr. Liam interfering Starr.
Chapter 14
Liam
“You’d better call me Liam tonight, rather than Sir or Mr. Starr, otherwise everyone will assume I’m your Dom,” I said quietly, as we wandered into The Pink Club.
“Dom?” she queried.
“Yes. Even though you’re not collared, they’ll probably still think you’re my sub and then no one will come near you.”
That’s a rather appealing notion.
“Collared…? Dom… sub… what on earth are you talking about?” she whispered back.
I held her arm to stop her in her tracks, so that I could look at her face. No, by her look of total confusion, she was being deadly serious. She hadn't got a clue what I was talking about.