Craig had arranged for a stretch limo to pick them up before taking them to the Superior. Standing in the foyer Kira thought back to that first day that she had witnessed him walking through. So much had happened since that time and her heart was overflowing with happiness. Seeing her look he had understood what she was thinking and winked conspiratorially at her. As they had entered several managers had been waiting to meet him.
“Sir Mr Buchanan is in the bar waiting for you…”
“Sir I’ve rescheduled your meetings as you asked ….”
“Sir the contractors need to speak with you…”
She heard these and many more from different voices. Hearing his name she was glad to finally be able to see Bill. Craig had nodded barking out commands quickly and decisively to each person as they fired questions at him, all the time holding her close his hand gently guiding her through the crowded foyer. She had been impressed with his quick mind and ability to make decisions on the spot, and finally the voices all disappeared moving off with their orders to fill.
He sighed “God its hard being the boss” he laughed down at her as she looked back at him with a mocking sympathetic look
“Poor little multi-millionaire baby” she laughed as he chuckled back at her tickling her back causing her to jump forward with a giggle.
“That would be millionaire with a b” he said laughing as she scrunched up her nose at him
As they entered the bar Bill came rushing forward from the seat he had been occupying for over an hour as he waited impatiently for her to arrive
“Kira you OK” he asked looking warily at Craig
She flashed him a dazzling smile
“I’m great Bill” she had replied “Good week?”
Bill looked at her in bemusement. He had been imagining all kinds of terrible things all week, given how upset she had been in just a few moments of Craig’s company, but she was glowing, with total happiness shining out of her face. With relief a small smile lit his lips for the first time.
Craig stepped forward his hand outstretched
“It’s great to meet you Mr Thomson” he said smiling brightly
“I must apologise for my rudeness the last time we met” he added
Bill had shaken his hand with a firm grip, laughing off the apology with a quip
“Well I guess it’s good to be the king” he said a smile hovering on his mouth
Craig had chuckled liking Bill already
“My people tell me what a great job you’re doing” he said
With a look in his eye which said that he had understood what was going on Bill had added
“Yes, they seemed to be determined to keep me busy”
Kira dropped her head biting her lip to keep the giggle from escaping her mouth as Craig looked contritely back at him
“Yes, I must apologise for that too” he admitted looking at Kira with smiling eyes
“Not to worry” Bill said “We actually achieved rather a lot….. What about you Kira?” he asked innocently
With that Kira started to laugh her hands flying to her mouth to smother the sound
“Oh Bill, we’re so sorry……well Craig is anyway” she added as Craig nodded his head sheepishly beside her
Looking from one to the other a smile spread over Bills face
“Well no harm done” he said “and like I said we did actually get a lot done….tell you what, why don’t I buy you both a drink” he said with a twinkle in his eye
“Apparently I have a free tab” he said smiling at Craig
“Wonder who organised that”
Craig smiled back
“Seemed the least I could do” he said softly.
Bill noticed the way the two of them stood beside each other, their bodies instinctively moving closer to each other. For the two years that he had known her he had never seen her with a man. He had often despaired at the solitary life she seemed determined to live, never allowing any man, and there had been many who had tried, to get close to her. Now her whole being cried out happiness as the two of them stood so close together.
They moved to the bar, where they were instantly served as the bar staff had recognised Craig.
“Wow” Bill Thomson whispered “I should take you out drinking more often Craig”
He had laughed back and the two men had instantly relaxed in each others company.
Kira watched as the two talked about the new refurbishments. Bill and Kira both impressed with the amount of information he already had about their progress and plans. He had flashed her a smile
“And you think I never listen…”
As Kira had chuckled, scrunching up her nose playfully to him. As she excused herself to go to the bathroom Craig caught looks between the two, looks which he couldn’t understand. Bill had looked intently at her his gaze looking briefly at him and she had shaken her head slightly. Whatever was being said Bill had frowned. Craig wondered what that had been all about, not liking secrets, especially those from Kira.