A very Corporate Affair 2(12)

The day flew by in a flurry of meetings, culminating in taking a client out for dinner. She was the owner of a publishing company, and was negotiating the purchase of a rival. It was a different experience dealing with a woman, and I liked her enormously. She was meeting the other party the following Tuesday, and we agreed that I would attend with her. Thankfully, it wasn't a late finish, and I was able to get home by 9.30.

The flat felt empty without James, and the only item in the fridge was milk that I'd picked up on my way home from work. I sat in bed, with my laptop open, and googled Ivan. I read his Wikipedia page, and marvelled at the number of companies he controlled. Before I logged off, I clicked on images, to see page upon page of his beautiful face. I also saw the same woman in a lot of the pictures. She was tall, dark haired, and looked Slavic. Clicking on the links, I found out her name was Dascha Meranov, and was the daughter of another Oligarch. There were pictures of the two of them together from 2009 right through to the end of 2012. I studied her face before switching off the laptop, and dozing off.

I was grateful that Friday passed in a blur of busyness, and before I knew it, I was ensconced in Lauren's bar with my workmates, sipping a large glass of cold white wine. "It's been a hell of a week for you, Elle," said Peter, "you must be exhausted. Any plans for the weekend?"

"Out Saturday night to a ball, so tomorrow afternoon I have a hair appointment. That's about it. Nothing planned for Sunday, although I have a bit of paperwork to catch up on. What about you?"

"My girlfriends parents are coming to stay," he said, pulling a face, "is Golding taking you?"

"No, I'm accompanying Ivan. He said it would be good for networking. I'm not seeing Oscar anymore."

"But he instructed us?"
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"Yes. That was after I stopped seeing him though."

"Did he instruct us so that he could hang around you?" God you're sharp Peter.

"There's always that possibility."

"So even when you dump them, they still hang around like devoted puppies?" I just smiled. "Jesus Elle, you're like Pearson Hardwick's secret weapon. What with Paul Lassiter making moon eyes too, we'll be roping off an area so they can form a queue soon."

"What's Paul Lassiter got to do with anything?" I frowned.

"There are three billionaires in the tower, Golding, Ivan, and Paul Lassiter, and all three of them are going stupid over you. Plus of course, all three are now Pearson Hardwick clients. Carey has been trying for years to get them signed up, and yet, even when you spit them out, they sign on the dotted line just to get to sniff your skirt. It's impressive."

"Has it occurred to you that they might actually think I'm good at my job? I saved Ivan a shitload of money on two occasions, and I wasn't even aware who Paul was. I don't think it's all about my sex appeal, it could well be my little brain too." I was getting annoyed. Peter was insinuating that I was getting new clients by being female and pretty. "The proof will be whether I can keep these clients happy. If it was just my pretty face, they'll move on to a better lawyer pretty sharpish. None of these people are fools Peter, and you're doing them a disservice assuming that they are."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't think they're fools, not for one moment, I'm just saying that you managed to do what eluded Carey for years, and you made it look effortless. Whatever it is you've got, we need to clone it."

"Maybe the firm should recruit more female lawyers?"

Peter pulled a face, "they're normally more hassle than they're worth. I think we had a couple over the years, but they don't like the workload, or the long hours. They were never at their desks by 7.30 like you, nor did they land any clients. I don't think it's a female thing, although it doesn't hurt to have good looking people. Maybe it's a charisma thing." With that, he went off to get another drink.

I left the bar at ten, and was surprised to see Roger waiting patiently outside. "Mr Porenski asked that I see you home safely," he said, holding open the car door. How did he know I was here?

"Thanks Roger. Did you track my phone to find me?" Roger didn't answer, just pinked up slightly. I decided I needed to have words with Ivan about privacy, before sliding gratefully into the soft seat. My feet were aching from my new shoes, and I was shattered.

Back at the flat, I microwaved my meal for one, and switched on the telly. I flicked mindlessly through the channels, wondering what James was up to. I decided to give him a call.

"Elle! It's great to hear from you. How's everything?"

"Boring without you. How are they treating you out there?"