Oscar caught sight of me, and stared blatantly for a moment, before bringing Dascha over to introduce us. I figured the whole thing was a ploy to make me jealous, so instead, I smiled sweetly, and complimented Dascha profusely on her dress.
"Thank you, yours is lovely too," she purred in a heavily accented voice, "Ivan chose it for you no doubt? I can spot his taste a mile away. He always did buy such beautiful gifts." Bitch. I smiled in reply, turning my attention back to the two men. I overheard Ivan growl at Oscar.
"What are you playing at?"
"The same as you. You have a problem?" Replied Oscar quietly, clearly hoping I wouldn't hear them.
"So how did you two meet?" I asked Dascha, keeping my smile going.
"Oh, we've been seeing each other a little while," she said, "did Oscar not mention me? Or do you only discuss business at your meetings? I understand that both Oscar and Ivan are clients of yours. Your company must be pleased you get to know your clients so well."
"We don't discuss personal things at our meetings, purely business. It's probably why Oscar never mentioned he had a beautiful girlfriend." Oscar looked horrified, his attempt to make me jealous was backfiring spectacularly. "By the way, Oscar, did you action the LIBOR reporting?" He looked relieved that I'd changed the subject, and began to tell me in detail the changes that had been made in line with my recommendations. I listened politely, with one ear trained on Ivan and Dascha's conversation. I noticed they had lapsed into Russian, I also caught the flirty tone to her voice, and coquettish body language. Ivan's grip on my waist loosened, and eventually fell away as he became engrossed in his conversation. I stood slightly awkwardly, wondering what to do. I was about to suggest I went home and left them to it, when we were called into the dining room.
Ivan actually walked into the room with Dascha, his hand resting on the small of her back as he guided her in. I followed behind feeling rather dejected, and wondered if I could slip away without anyone noticing. Spotting the ladies room, I ducked in, and locked myself in a stall while I figured out what to do. I felt totally out of my depth, and rather humiliated. I fingered the ruby necklace, and in a moment of clarity, realised I'd been bought and paid for, and as such, could be treated in any way that Ivan pleased. I made the decision to leave, and in the morning I would ask Roger to return all the items Ivan had bought for me. I just couldn't help feeling that I'd sold my soul to the devil in return for a ruby and a red dress.
After ten minutes, I came out of the stall, and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked like a lady. I lifted my chin defiantly, and walked out of the ladies and towards the exit.#p#分页标题#e#
Chapter 4
"Where do you think you're going?" Ivan called out, hurrying to catch up with me. "The dining room's the other way."
"I'm getting out of your way, and heading home," I said, "I'll speak to you in the morning." I tried to turn towards the exit, but Ivan grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip.
"Elle, what's got into you? I don't understand why you want to go."
"Ivan, you're not a stupid man. Did you really think you could ignore me to fawn all over your ex, and I wouldn't mind? I might not understand Russian, but I understand flirting. Now I suggest you let me go home, and you can go back in there and spend the rest of the evening with her."
"I don't want her, I want you."
"I'm sorry, I can't do this. Right now I feel bought and paid for, in a dress that you chose, in jewellery that is probably worth what I earn in a year, and that bitch rubbed my nose in it. I just want to go home and take it all off, and be myself again." I fought hard to control the tears that threatened to bubble up inside. I really didn't want to lose control.
"Elle, listen to me, I changed to Russian because I was telling her to behave, and to leave you alone. I told her that I was with you now, and I didn't appreciate her nasty remarks. As for my gifts, there are no strings attached, I bought them because I wanted to make you happy, not because I expected any payback. You are still you, despite how wonderful you look tonight. Please come back inside with me....please."
I thought about it, Ivan looked worried. "Promise me that we won't sit with her?"
He let out a breath, "I promise." He took my hand and led me into the vast dining room, and through to a round table. I was seated next to the actor I'd been speaking to earlier, and a pleasant looking, stylishly dressed, middle aged lady was seated next to Ivan. I noted wryly that she looked as if all her birthdays and Christmases had come at once.