Bought By The Billionaire

Up on the tenth floor, my Master makes me welcome in his office. “Hello, Elizabeth. I just wanted a quick chat. Coffee?”

“Thanks, yes, I’d love one.”

He rings through a request to Francis then returns his attention to me. “I have a meeting tomorrow. A very important meeting with potential clients who, if we can get the deal, will be worth a great deal of money to the company.”

“Okay.” I nod attentively.

What does this have to do with me?

“I would like you to sit in on the meeting.”

Oh!

“You have already proved that you have an eye for detail with your work in the procurement section. It may have been an unpleasant little episode, but it saved the company a lot of money. Tomorrow, I want you to sit in as secretary to the meeting and take the minutes.”

He leans forward. “Elizabeth, I want you to bring in that talent for detail again. Take notes of what is said—proposals, agreements, suggestions, whatever there is. However, I also want you to watch the people—body language, expressions. Do they seem comfortable with the discussion? Does anyone look unhappy with the agreement? That sort of thing.” He takes my hand in his. “Are you with me on that? Happy with it?”

I nod. “Yes, it sounds fine to me. What…?”

I do not get to finish my question. At that moment, we hear raised voices in the outer office; Francis’ and some other female voice I don’t recognise. The office door slams open, almost bouncing back on its hinges, and a woman strides in, her face like Fury. She should be rather attractive, beautiful even, with immaculate makeup, expensive designer clothes, and sleek dark hair. However, her furious expression spoils her beauty.

Francis follows her in, gesturing apologetically at my Master.

The stranger says, “Richard! This bloody woman tried to tell me that I can’t come in.” Then she stops mid-stride as she registers me, raising one eyebrow.

My Master stands, not looking pleased. “Adele, it is Francis’s job to ensure that I am not disturbed when I am in a meeting.”

kind of meeting you are having. Who’s this then? Your

answer that. But it isn’t. The last time we met, if you recall, you stood me up. At the time, I took it as an informal way of you finally saying goodbye. I still do. Now, please leave. Feel free to call me this evening, if you think we have something to discuss. Right now, I would

and wearing that arrogant ugly lip curl, then turns her gaze to me. “I wouldn’t hope for too much, dear.” She spits the words. “You’re not the

reception that she’s left the building, would you? Then cancel her entry codes. I don’t want any repeat

sorry, Mr Haswell. I tried to stop her bursting in like

just what she is like. Don’t worry about it, Francis. It’s not your fault. Just make sure that she can’t

sits down next to me again. “My apologies, Elizabeth. That wasn’t

It wasn’t your fault. Was she … were you …” My tongue ties. How do I

met, when you decided to take

was happening, I did not have time to be upset by Adele’s outburst. It was over too quickly, but now

face. “Elizabeth, you mustn’t be upset by this. I do not want you

can

eyes. “I know that you want more than I am offering, but I will make you no promises I think I cannot keep. For now, you must accept that … but …” His grip on my arm tightens, almost hurting me. “… but … she is part of my past. That night you and I first met, I was trying to take one last shot at making it

a taste of her personality. And she was never really any different, even when I thought there might be something real between us. The reality is that she is manipulative, scheming, and really not very pleasant to know. I was

my lip, I reply, “Yes, I am. Thank

back to work, and then later perhaps, we should continue celebrating your

Master.” I

bodice you

“Yes, Master.”

*****

that evening, on my way home, I become aware of being shadowed again. Trying not to show that I know I am being followed, I pause again by shop windows, trying to spot my shadow in the reflection, but he

to lose myself before continuing home. I

*****