A very Corporate Affair 2(32)

I had got right into the story when my phone rang. I was surprised to see from the screen that it was Oscar.

"Switch the news on quick," he said. I jumped out of bed, and turned on the telly. Sky news or beeb?" I asked.

"Sky's probably your best bet." I found the channel, and watched as Ivan left the Conde Nast head office as its new owner, with Dascha on his arm, smiling triumphantly at the cameras. "Are you alright?" Oscar asked.

"Yeah, I'm ok, just a bit...disappointed." I replied, using all my self control to stop my voice from cracking. They looked impossibly gorgeous together, both imperious and charismatic. I felt like a small, brown, country mouse in comparison. I ended the call to Oscar, thanking him for alerting me, and headed back to bed to sob in privacy. Ivan didn't call.

The next morning, I dragged myself to the gym, and ran for the full forty minutes, until my legs were like jelly, and sweat was pouring off me. I followed my beloved routine, taking comfort in the discipline required to be perfectly turned out and professional looking, however, I did wear a suit that I bought myself. I couldn't bear to wear anything Ivan had bought me, even tucking the Prada bag away in my closet, and using my black bag from Next instead. I was in my office, and at my desk by 7.30, with my chin up, and my emotions firmly stuffed into an iron box.

Lewis poked his head round my door, "got a minute?" He said, before plonking himself down in the chair opposite. "I saw the news last night. Have you heard anything from him?"

"No. I'm assuming his in house team handled the acquisition. I wasn't instructed on it."

"That's not what I meant Elle," he said softly, "he introduced you as his girlfriend a week ago. I'm assuming you didn't know he'd gone back to that Russian woman."

"On the news, they said she was his long term girlfriend," I said, "I must have just been the short term one. Anyway Lewis, it's better to find out now, early on, than later when I'm in deeper. I knew he'd never stay with me." Lewis looked surprised. "He's a beautiful billionaire Lewis, he can take his pick. He only wanted me because I kept saying no."#p#分页标题#e#

"Personally, I find that hard to believe, I've got no idea why he's done this to you, all I can say is that I'm sorry, and I hope this doesn't put the company in a difficult position with our dealings with him."

"I'll make sure it doesn't. I refuse to allow my personal feelings to effect my work. I still have a superb professional relationship with Oscar Golding, despite a previous relationship."

"I hope so Elle. He opened a lot of doors for you, so do your best to keep him on side, even though I wouldn't blame you for kicking him in the balls." Lewis gave me a small smile, and left.

I spent the day doing paperwork, mainly for Goldings bank. I sat in with Mr Carey, and he explained the protocols for bank audits, and the elements of the banking code that were relevant to a privately owned entity, as opposed to a PLC. I was grateful for the diversion that such detailed work provided. I worked through lunch, and didn't even look at the clock until 7 that evening. I shut down my computer, and headed home, grateful to see Roger waiting outside, but puzzled as to why Ivan would still have his staff ferrying me around.

I heated up a ready meal, and poured a glass of wine, as I contemplated the envelope I'd placed on the island, clearly marked 'Coroners office'. Fortified by the alcohol, I opened it. I read that the verdict of the post mortem was that mum had died of a brain aneurysm, and that her body had been cleared for funeral arrangements to be made. Seeing it written in black and white slammed it home to me. It really had happened, and I was truly alone in the world. The dam burst, and the tears began to flow, until I was sobbing, sorry for both her, and myself.

I must have cried for a full hour, until I was left with dry, heaving sobs. I glugged a large glass of wine, and picked at the awful ready meal. At nine, my phone rang. It was Ivan.

"Hello Ivan, what can I do for you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I need to see you," he replied.

"Certainly. Would Smollenskis at 8am suit?" I asked.

"I need to see you before that."

"I'm sorry, I'm not available. What's so important that it can't wait till tomorrow?"

"Elle, don't be like this. I need to explain to you. I'm taking it that you saw the news last night?"

"Yes I did. Congratulations on your acquisition. So... Do you need me to meet you at eight or not?"

"No. I need to see you now. There’s a lot I need to explain to you."

"No need. I understand what happened. You just do as you wish. It's a bit late for explanations."