by M J Hardy
Gripping the takeaway coffee more tightly, I toss back my head, straighten my back and head purposefully toward Julian Landon’s office.
9
“May I help you?”
Claire Quinn looks up with a curious smile and I say brazenly.
“Mr Landon called down and requested a coffee. He asked me to deliver it personally.”
Claire looks surprised. “Are you sure, it’s just that I always get his coffee. Maybe it was someone else.”
“No, he gave strict instructions that I was to bring it to him, personally.”
I lean down and whisper, “I’m sorry Miss Quinn, but this is rather a delicate matter. The coffee is just an excuse, he um…”
I see the shock in Claire’s eyes as she takes the bait and I undo a button on my shirt and wink.
Looking slightly flustered, she says, “I’ll ring through, um… take a seat Miss…”
Shaking my head, I whisper, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Why not?” A hint of steel creeps into her voice as she senses a challenge and doesn’t like it.
Lowering my voice to a whisper, I say, “His wife sent me. It’s a surprise from her to him. You know these rich types, more money than sense. He won’t like that you know. Just let me pass and I’ll say I sneaked in when you were in the ladies. He won’t be angry; I can guarantee that.”
She still looks unsure. “I’m sorry, I’m just not comfortable with this.”
I nod towards my pass and say softly, “She even had this made up to ease my way in. No questions asked and no explanations needed. I’ll be thirty minutes tops and then be on my way. He need never know of our conversation.”
I can see her weighing up the situation and after a while says with resignation, “Oh fuck it, it’s not as if I care, anyway. I’m off to pastures new and the kinky git can do whatever he wants. It won’t be the first time, after all.”
Now it’s my turn to be surprised as she stands and whispers, “I’ll be gone five minutes. Good luck, you’re going to need it.”
I watch her head off and stare after her in surprise. Well, that was easy. Maybe Mr Landon has a few secrets of his own that nobody knows about.
However, I don’t have time to dwell on that and feel a little weak as I head towards his office door.
Knocking gently, I hear a deep voice shout, “Come in.”
As I edge inside, the scent of an intoxicating aftershave greets me and makes my mouth water. I look across to the desk and see the man himself and my mouth goes dry. Wow. He hasn’t looked up yet, probably thinking it’s Claire and I take a moment to study him.
Julian Landon is the most impressive man I think I have ever seen. He exudes power and he hasn’t even looked my way. He’s wearing a starched blue and white striped shirt rolled up to his elbows. His tie is loose around his neck and the top button is undone, showing the hint of a tanned body beneath it. His forearms look muscular with a smattering of dark hair covering them, and his jawline is carved from granite as he frowns at something on his computer screen.
As I stare at him, I feel the desire sweep through my entire body. What would it be like with a man like him?
Then he looks up and I find myself staring into two pools of velvet brown, liquid desire. He looks curious but not angry which gives me the courage to stride forward offering the cup.
“Mr Landon, I apologise for the interruption, but I have a proposition for you.” The silence is awkward to say the least, so I set the coffee before him and say in my most efficient voice, “Espresso, double shot, double boiled, just the way you like it.”
He stares at me in utter disbelief as I stand inwardly shaking before him. On the outside I present the cool, calm exterior of a woman who does what she wants, when she wants, which is in direct contrast to how I’m feeling inside.
Then he speaks. “I’m sorry, did we have an appointment?”
“No, sir.”
“Then how have got past security and then past Claire?”
He sounds curious, not angry and I say firmly, “I lied my way inside.”
Leaning back, he studies me for a moment and then reaches for the coffee, takes a sip and I relish the pleasure in his eyes as he savours the flavour of his favourite drink.
“You have done your homework.”
“Yes sir, in more ways than one.”
He nods towards the seat in front of his desk and says firmly, “Sit.”
I do as he asks and feel a little unnerved by the way he is openly staring at me. I see his gaze travel the length of me, lingering on my exposed cleavage, and see the flash of something that can only be described as desire spark in his eyes. Playing up to his interest, I lean back and cross my legs and say softly, “I am here to offer my services as your new assistant.”
He looks at me in total shock and I say quickly, “Please allow me to explain my unorthodox behaviour, Mr Landon. All I want is five minutes of your time to persuade you I am what you need.”
Nodding, he leans back and sips his coffee and then says, “You have until the cup is empty.”
As the opportunity opens up, I say quickly, “I am unlikely to make it to interview through the usual channels. I have no experience and no references.” He says nothing but I see the light die a little in his eyes and then spark again as I say, “But I’m good at what I do and I have discovered many failings in your operation that I’m happy to share with you.”
“Such as.” His tone is even, but I sense the storm in his eyes and I take a deep breath.
“Firstly, I know that one of the applicants, Ally Morris, has applied purely as an interim measure. She is currently waiting to return to New York where she feels happiest, but her visa has run out. Sarah Stammers, another front runner, is currently working here as a temp. She likes to gossip and is always chatting about the managers she works for pointing out all their flaws. For example, I know that Fenella Sullivan is planning on resigning because her boss is intimidating her and bullies her every hour of the day. She is currently building a case for the tribunal she intends on putting your company through for bullying in the workplace and anything else she can throw at you.
Her boss, Miles Sinclair, is an oily piece of filth whose main ambition is to make it upstairs to the executive offices. He is currently pursuing Alice Vander Woods, who is the HR managers assistant, to ease his way in. The fact he is married with two children doesn’t stop him from having an affair with Alice to get what he wants. I also know that when the offices are closed your security guard likes to screw the cleaner on that very couch over there.”
I point to the couch and see his eyes widen in disbelief. Warming to my subject, I say confidently, “I also know that your staff are unhappy and are free with their condemnation in public places where your competitors can listen to every word. I know that you are a very demanding boss and are considered ruthless and unapproachable. You see, I know a lot of things that passes the average person by. I study people, Mr Landon, and have an eagerness to learn. If you give me the chance, I will work 24/7. I’ll give it everything I’ve got so you never regret hiring me. I want you to look back on this meeting as the day you met your best ever assistant and I want to prove that you were right to give me the chance.”
Leaning forward, I make sure he gets an eyeful of my cleavage as I lower my voice and say softly, “All I ask is for an interview along with everyone else. Will you give me that shot at least?”
He sets the coffee down and says in an emotionless voice, “Finished.”
I stare at him as he studies me and can see his mind working hard as he contemplates what I’ve said.
Reaching inside my bag, I place my application on his desk and say calmly, “My application, sir. I hope this isn’t as far as it goes.”
I make to stand and he barks, “Sit!”
My heart thumps so hard I’m sure he can hear it as he leans forward and says roughly, “Firstly, I don’t like to be played Miss…” he looks down. “Sorry, Mrs
Carter. Secondly, I don’t appreciate you making my staff look like fools in front of me and thirdly what makes you think I am interested in someone as devious as you obviously are working for me?”
I shrink under his hard stare and feel my legs tremble as he says with tightly controlled fury. “You have overstepped the mark; Mrs Carter and you may think you have impressed me but it takes a lot more than that.”
He taps his fingers on the folder I gave him and then lifts the receiver on his desk and barks, “Claire. Get here now!”
He sounds angry and I shrink under the hard stare he throws me as I see the fury in his eyes. I’ve gone too far.
Claire enters looking embarrassed and he shouts, “How the fuck did you let this woman in?”
Claire stutters, “She said it was a surprise from your wife.”
He looks at her in astonishment, “My wife, are you a fool, Claire? Did you really fall for that one, it’s as old as the hills? I’m beginning to think your resignation was a timely one, because obviously you aren’t cut out for the demands of this particular job. You’re a disgrace, Claire, a fucking disgrace and now get out of my sight before I have you escorted out of here by security with no reference.”
Her face crumbles and she leaves, making me feel as if I’m the worst person in the world. Then he turns his fury to me and I cower under his gaze. “Mrs Carter, let me make myself crystal clear. I am not impressed by office gossip and neither do I give a fuck what my staff talk about during their day. I’d be a fool to think they thought any more of me than they do. I don’t appreciate tales being told out of school and I demand honesty from my staff, which is something I doubt you have the capacity for. I don’t need a spy, Mrs Carter, I need an assistant. Someone who can deal with the demands this job brings with it on a daily basis. Somebody trustworthy and keen to go that extra mile. Someone who can deal with my moods because I’m not an easy man to work for. You have zero experience by your own admission, so where would that leave me? So, in answer to your question, Mrs Carter, why should I give you the time of day when you have absolutely nothing I want.”
He stands and I feel sick as I see the beast I have prodded too hard with a very misguided stick. If he knew my real role here, he would explode with rage. However, I stand firm and stare at him with a frozen expression as he turns and says in an icy voice, “Now get out.”
I say nothing more and just stand, straight-backed and as if I have every right to be here. Nodding, I say in an unwavering voice. “Thank you for your time, sir. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Turning, I walk to the door and feel my heart fall into the gutter where it lives most of the time. At least I tried.
I walk past Claire, who stares at me with hate flashing from her eyes. She says nothing and just watches me walk proudly away. I try not to cry, but it’s hard to stem the flow because I failed. I went too far and now I’m right back where I started. I don’t belong here, and I was a fool to think I would ever fit in.
As I wait for the lift, I contemplate taking the stairs because the sooner I get out of here the better. As it arrives, I step inside and as the doors close, someone shouts, “Hold the lift.”
My heart sinks as a well-heeled shoe wedges itself in the door and an extremely smart woman almost falls inside, catching her breath. The doors close and she looks at me with interest and holds out her hand. “Harriet Masters, head of human resources, you must be Mrs Carter.”
I stare at her in surprise and my heart sinks as I shake her hand. “I’m sorry, I won’t trouble you again.”
She looks surprised. “Well, that’s odd because I’ve just had a call from Mr Landon himself, instructing me to set up an interview for you. I was a little taken aback because I couldn’t recall your application, but my assistant must have dealt with it because I found it with the others. Anyway, he was most insistent that I arrange it and you couldn’t leave until we spoke. How does Wednesday at 4pm suit you?”
I nod because I’m speechless and she says kindly, “Just bring yourself, nothing else. It will start off with a formal interview with me and my assistant, followed by one with the man himself. If you’re successful, we would set the ball rolling to get you in asap before Claire leaves because there’s a lot to hand over. So, are you still interested, Mrs Carter, can I mark you as attending?”
Once again, I just stare at her in disbelief and then find my voice from somewhere and say quickly, “Of course, yes, thank you, I would be honoured.”
Her eyes widen and I say quickly, “Well, maybe not honoured but happy to attend. Thank you so much, I am so grateful.”
The lift arrives at the ground floor and she smiles politely and holds out her hand. “Until Wednesday, Mrs Carter, oh and Mr Landon asked me to tell you…”
I look at her sharply and she says with surprise, “He said he expects a lot more proof that you are what he’s looking for and in greater depth.”
She laughs softly. “I’m sure you know what he means, but I sure as hell don’t. That man is an enigma most of the time anyway, but he’s usually right. So, have a safe journey home Mrs Carter and good luck.”
As I walk away, I’m smiling. Well, that turned out better than expected and I know exactly what preparation he is asking me for and luckily, it’s just the type of thing I excel at.
10
I’m unsure whether to tell Ronnie or not but decide I should, after all, he will soon find out if I get the job, so he may as well be prepared. Ever since our date weekend, things have been a little less cold between us. We are still strangers that share the same house and work different hours, but occasionally he calls in the day and we chat like we used to. However, this weekend he says he has a huge surprise for me and I am excited to see what.
This weekend when we wake on one of those rare mornings together, he doesn’t reach for me as I make to leave the bed. This time he leaves before I wake and when I do it’s to the sight of him placing a tray of toast and jam with some heated croissants and a pot of coffee onto the bed. I blink as if I’m still dreaming and he smiles. “Morning gorgeous. I said I had a surprise for you.”
Sitting back against the pillows, I smile. “This is amazing, thank you. I can’t remember when I last had breakfast in bed.”
He sits beside me and offers me some coffee and winks. “I thought of offering you something else but thought we’d start with food.”
Giggling, I take a bite of the hot toast and groan. “This is good - seriously good. You’re wasted as a cabbie, darling.”
I’m not sure why, but he looks away and I wonder what I said. Then he clears his throat and says quickly, “Anyway, eat up while I tell you my second surprise.”
I feel curious and he looks a little anxious. “I think we should move.”
“Move, are you kidding, why?”
“Because.” He shrugs.
“Because what; where is this even coming from?”
Sighing, he settles back against the pillows. “We’re struggling in every way possible, Emma. Living here is hard work on the mind and pocket. It’s so expensive everywhere and we are surrounded by people with a lot more money than we will ever have. I work nights in a job I hate and for what? There’s no point to this anymore and if we want to start a family and actually have some money for once, we need to relocate to the north.”
“What, North London?”
Rolling his eyes, he laughs softly, “You’re a typical southerner, Emma. No, the North of England. I was thinking Lancashire. It’s a lot cheaper there, and we could live like kings. I’d do some taxi driving, hopefully during the day, and with any luck you’ll be a mum. We could afford a nice house up there because the rent’s much cheaper. What do you say?”
I’m shocked and can’t form words. The North of England. Why?
He leans across and rubs my shoulders. “I know it’s a lot to take in, so think about it. I’ve approached a few letting agents and have a job lined up if I want it. I know it will be a massive change, but when you come to
think of it, there’s nothing keeping us here. Your family live in the Isle of Wight and mine, well… they aren’t around anymore. Your sister can’t stand us, and my brother keeps himself to himself. We don’t have any friends to miss, so it’s the best call we could make. What do you think?”
I feel faint. “I don’t want to move.” I say it slowly at first because I haven’t really thought about it – it’s quite a shock really, but that was the first thing that came from my mouth. As the news sinks in, I want it even less and say desperately, “But I’ve applied for a new job with more money, in the city. That could be the turning point we need.”
Ronnie looks at me sharply. “Since when?”
“Since a couple of days ago. I was going to keep it as a surprise until I actually got it. The interview’s on Wednesday.”
Far from looking pleased as I would expect, he looks quite annoyed. “No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“As I said, if you start a new job, our family plans will have to take a back seat. Why start something when I’ve already thought of the best solution to our problems? I’m sorry Emma, but no, you can’t take the job.”
I feel the anger rising as I say roughly, “I’ll do what I want. If I want the job, I’ll take it.”
Suddenly, Ronnie changes before my eyes and sweeps the tray of breakfast things to the ground and shouts angrily, “No fucking new job, that’s an end to it. We’re moving to Lancashire - end of conversation.”
I stare at him in horror as he paces the room. “I can’t believe you, Emma. You go behind my back and apply for something without consulting me first. How could you?”
My temper flares and I scream. “Says you, the man who’s already got me packed and moving to god knows where without even a say in the matter. If anyone’s being unreasonable, it’s you, Ronnie. Why the rush anyway? We’ve only just started speaking again and here you are organising my life for me. No, I won’t move because I kind of like my life here and if you don’t, deal with it.”