A very Corporate Affair 2(8)

"Ivan didn't tell me about that. Mother did mention that Mrs Smith had been asked to leave the women's institute committee, but she didn't say why. I bet Ivan freaked, given how squeamish he is." What?#p#分页标题#e#

"So has your mum forgiven you now?" I asked.

"I think so. When she came back from seeing you, she cried. Asked if she'd made me unhappy, and asked if I wanted to 'come out' as gay." I looked at him expectantly. "I'm not gay, Elle, it was a bad habit Darius and I got into, but being caught shook us both up. He is terrified Arabella will find out, and I was terrified that it would ruin my life. So I reassured her that I'm hetero, and it was just an aberration. I think she's ok now."

"She was worried about you. Not because she thought you were gay, but because she thought you were hurting. You look fine now though," I said.

"I'm anything but fine Elle, I miss you more than you would ever believe. I need to ask you something, and I don't want you to get angry."

"Go on."

"Are you with Ivan now?"

I shook my head. "No I'm not. We really are just friends and colleagues at the moment. I think he wants more, but I'm not ready. Both of you seem to forget that I'm not experienced with men, and I'm not terribly adept at coping with alpha males." Oscar looked like he let out a huge breath. "I don't know why it matters to you though, I can't be with you."

"I just want you to be happy Elle, and if helping you be successful at work does that for you, then I'm glad to be of service. It also means I still get to see you, even if it is only business." He looked so sad that my heart broke a little bit for him.

"I meant what I said Oscar, only business. I don't think you realise how much you hurt me. It's better I still have my head held high, and my integrity intact. I can't be with you knowing what I saw, and after hearing you trying to buy my silence. I'll always care about you, but I'm too ordinary to be with someone like you. I live in a different world, with different rules. I hope you understand that."

"Yes I do understand, my only hope is that you change your mind, and come back to me." I didn't reply. I actually didn't want to rule anything out, although I also didn't want to rush back to him. It was far better to let time provide the answer.

By the time we left the restaurant, we were at least friends again. Roger drove us home, and Oscar exited the lift at his own floor. I didn't want to put temptation in my way by inviting him up for coffee, nor did I want to lead him on. I also had to do some laundry, and pack my gym bag for the next morning. I was practically asleep on my feet.

I had no sooner put a wash on when my phone rang "you alone?" Ivan barked.

"Yes, did you expect something else?" I asked, annoyed. "Was there something you needed?"

"No. Still ok for one tomorrow?"

"Yes of course," I replied, "why wouldn't I be?"

"See you then," said Ivan, before ringing off abruptly. I stood staring at the phone, marvelling at the rudeness of the man.

It was almost midnight by the time I fell into bed, physically and mentally exhausted from the demands of the day.

At half five, my alarm went off, rousing me from a deliciously deep sleep. I practically had to drag myself out of bed, and neck two cups of tea to get me moving. By the time I'd finished my workout, I was feeling better, and I made my way to the nineteenth floor for my breakfast meeting with Paul Lassiter.

His office was smaller than either Ivan's or Oscar's, and fairly ordinary. His assistant had provided us with croissants and coffee while we ran through Lewis' proposals and costings. I noted down the points he wanted clarified, and he decided that as soon as he was happy with those, he would give us the go-ahead.#p#分页标题#e#

"So are you seeing Ivan Porenski then?" Paul asked.

"No, I'm his lawyer, well one of them."

"I was under the impression that you were his girlfriend, he warned me not to ask you out," he said, giving me his boyish smile.

"Did he now? Maybe it was his very Russian way of keeping me safe from a charmer," I grinned to let him know I was teasing.

"He uses that 'I'm a Russian' thing way too much to get away with it with me. So tell me Elle, do I have to compete with him for your attention?"

I laughed, "I'm so busy right now that I'm struggling to give anything or anyone other than work my attention."

"I'll be waiting in the wings if you get a spare evening, and require some entertaining company," he said, smiling warmly. I stood to leave, and shook his hand, feeling a tingle shoot right up my arm. Static?

As I made my way back to my office, I thought about Paul. I liked him, and found him charming and nice. He didn't have the extraordinary charisma of Ivan, or the urbane sophistication of Oscar, but he seemed friendly and warm. I made a mental note to google him, having made the mistake of not doing my research before.