How rude! He didn’t even say goodbye. He can be so overbearing and exasperating sometimes, but in a way it feels good to be with someone who is capable and concerned about my safety.
When I get ready, I decide I want to wear something to entice Mr. Mogul in his own territory, so whatever I come up with has to grab his attention. After all, there are probably lots of beautiful women in his office and building. I stand there staring at my closet and wishing that Simone would materialize right about now. I finally choose a black high waist tight pencil skirt that hits me about an inch above my knee, a pale pink stretch silk camisole tucked in with a black crop sweater shrug, and to complete the look, long silver chains mixed with pearls. I put some soft curls into my hair and spray on a light spicy perfume with key notes of vanilla and cinnamon. I put on my favorite suede black stilettos and stand back from the full-length mirror to evaluate my look. I look sexy but sophisticated if I do say so myself. I’ll put some gloss on my lips on the way out.
On my drive to his office, my mind wanders on to the morning’s argument and then travels to the more pleasant weekend we just had. It’s mind boggling how I can feel so connected to a man, who is so walled off at times. I just hope that someday I can break down his barrier before I lose myself entirely.
I pull into the underground parking lot at Towers Holdings Headquarters. I check myself in the mirror and dab on a little more gloss for good measure. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. We’ve been spending all of our free time together and I just saw him no more than three hours ago, but I feel like it’s the first time I toured the Towers with him a couple of months ago. I head up the elevator to the top executive suites. I come off the elevator and walk toward the reception desk.
A cute dimpled brunette sits at the desk smiling at me. She jumps up from the desk and comes around to greet me. She says, “You must be Danielle Austen. You look just like your picture in the paper.” She blushes, “I’m Hilary; I’m Mr. Towers personal assistant. I’m helping at the desk today as our usual receptionist is out sick. I am sorry, but Mr. Towers is in another meeting, he wasn’t expecting you for another half hour. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?” In my anxiety to get here on time I didn’t even notice how damned early I am.
“No, thank you, uh Hilary. Do you think I should come back?”
“That is up to you. I will slip him a note in a few minutes to let him know you are here, if you like.” I contemplate trying to figure out where to go that will allow me to be back here in a half hour. Then I get a brilliant idea.
“That sounds fine. In the meantime, I’m going to wander around the lobby and take some pictures of the artwork and other decorative items. Harrison, uh, Mr. Towers has asked me to utilize what is already here at the new space as best I can.”
“Good, let me know if I can get you anything.”
I smile; she is so young and bubbly, yet so proficient.
”Thank you, Hilary.”
I set about the task of taking measurements, snapping pictures and filling in the diagrams of the new space that I had made over the weekend.
I end up at the corner of the enormous suite looking through the large windows down 36 floors. I turn and notice that I’m standing outside of Harrison’s office. The sign stenciled on the glass door gives it away. I can hear a woman’s voice speaking with a heavy accent that I can’t detect, but I can tell that she does not sound happy. I then hear Harrison raise his voice, but I still can’t hear what’s being said. I pretend to be taking a picture and continue to strain to hear, but to no avail. Giving up, I walk back to the reception area and take a seat. I look at the clock on the wall and it is exactly 10:54 AM. I start thrumming my fingers on the arm of my chair. My appointment isn’t for another six minutes and Hilary has already taken a note to Harrison. I can hear the woman’s raised voice all the way out here
I stow my camera back in my briefcase and continue to wait. At precisely 11:00 AM, Hilary looks up at me and announces. “Mr. Towers is ready to see you.” Geeze, finally, I think to myself. She starts to get up and I motion for her to sit back down. “That’s okay, I know the way. She responds with what I perceive to be a relieved smile. I grab my briefcase and head to Harrison's corner office. As I approach the door, I hear a woman’s voice coo in a French accent, “I’m not done with you yet.” Just then, she comes out the door and runs right into me. I drop my briefcase, and when I recover from leaning down to retrieve the case, who should be standing there in front of me but that wine witch, Marion Devereaux. She looks at me like the cat that just swallowed the canary. She smiles while she buttons the top button on her blouse, then pats down her hair.
“Oh, Miss Austen is it? Sorry for the little collision. Are you okay? I didn’t see you coming; my attention was a bit diverted.” She blushes and then darts her eyes toward Harrison’s office and then looks back at me.
“So, I understand Harrison has hired you to decorate our new office. Perhaps we can meet individually to discuss my ideas for my new office?”
What is this about her new office? When was Harrison going to tell me about this? Holy shit!!
“Well, how about I discuss the details with Harrison and we can set up a time perhaps later this week?” What the hell?
“Oooh,” she purrs with her accent. “That will not be possible; we are heading back up to Montreal tomorrow. We have business to tend to. Perhaps when we return next week?”
What trip to Montreal? He’s traveling with her again. Shit, I could barely cope with the last trip. I start to stammer, but calm myself. “Wha- When are you leaving?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Oh, Harrison did not tell you? We are leaving on a redeye tonight; something has come up of an urgent nature.”
“Oh, I’m sure he was going to tell me.”
She gives me a smug smile like she thinks she’s won this match. “Sure. I will have Hilary contact you to make an appointment for us to meet next week.” Then she coolly walks past me while smoothing down her skirt as she heads down the hallway. What the hell was that all about?
I enter Harrison’s office about ready to spit bullets. “There had better be a good explanation as to why that Wine Witch just left your office looking like she just got rocked!” Before he can respond, I continue. “I would also like to know when exactly you were planning to tell me that you’re heading up to Montreal again on a redeye with her. Oh wait, that isn’t all, I’m also informed that she’s planning to have an office in your new space, and that I’m to meet with her to discuss the details of how she would like it decorated. What the fuck, Harrison?”
He is now advancing toward me. He looks like he’s been caught. “Please, Danielle, I need you to sit down. We need to talk.” I raise my eyebrows at him while my insides start to churn. When someone says ‘we need to talk’, it’s not usually a good thing. Reluctantly, I sit down in a chair facing him with his desk between us. I wait and then feeling extremely impatient when he doesn’t begin, I say, “Well, spill it now, Harrison.”
He scratches his chin and studies me for another long moment. “Harrison!”
He takes a deep breath, another stall tactic? “Listen, Danielle, there is a lot of existing business dealings that I have to address in Canada. I know you are uncomfortable with Marion, but she is the best person to handle the situation that has arisen. I will be flying with her tonight back to Montreal and will probably be there through the weekend, but I plan to be back Sunday night.”
My mouth is dry as if I’ve just eaten a box of soda crackers. I’m now wishing I had a bottle of water. “It all sounds harmless, but why can’t you trust me to tell me things? I had to hear it just now out in the hallway from Marion. And, I might add, she was acting as if you were going away to Tahiti together for a romantic tryst.”
He laughs.
“Harrison this isn’t funny. You know how damaged I am from Bradley.”
He nods, “I know, Danielle, but my business dealings really have nothing to do with you. Perhaps if you really think about it, you can understand why I would not share the trappings of running my company with you.”
“Regardless Harrison, you would not be happy if I were traveling with Bradley somewhere would you?”
He scoffs, “Of course not and that is different anyway, he is your ex-husband.”
“Yeah and Marion wants you more than anything, it’s written all over her face. You should have seen how she watched you from across the room at the gala. She also followed me into the ladies room to plant doubt in my mind.”
He looks surprised, but says nothing. I continue. “I would still like to know why she’s getting an office in your new building.”
He sighs. “Honestly, Danielle, it would stand to reason, that while she works for me, she will require an office in which to work.” He stands up and moves around to where I’m sitting. He sits in the chair next to me and takes my hands. “Listen, I am not sure of who this insecure bombshell is who is sitting here in my office,” he says as his eyes survey me from head to toe, “But let me assure you, Marion means nothing more to me than a consultant that I have hired.” I try to swallow but the lump in my throat remains.
“That’s all fine, Harrison but I’m not convinced. She’s not simply someone you hired to consult on your holdings and wineries. You have a long history that you haven’t shared with me. All I can do is go on conjecture. That, and do you realize there’s pink lipstick on your lapel?” I get up from my chair and lean over to retrieve my briefcase when he jumps up, leans across his desk and grabs my arm with force. He moves around to stand next to me.
He’s pissed. “Let’s get one thing straight, there are many things you do not understand. I cannot explain everything at this time. I would advise you to drop it. All I am asking of you is to be patient. In time everything will make sense.”
I grab my arm from him and start to leave, but something makes me stop. Maybe the fact that he’s flying out tonight and I won’t see him for several days. Despite how mad I’m feeling right now, I don’t want him to leave with us angry at each other. I turn back around and reach up to give him a passionate kiss.
“Have a safe trip, Harrison. I’ll see you when you get back,” I snap at him.
“Danielle, wait, I still want you to stay at my Penthouse while I am gone. Philippe and Garrin are staying here and will be able to take care of you if needed.”
“Harrison, I need to stay in my own place. I have work to do and I need to be able to access my office regularly.
“I can’t let you do that, Danielle, I want you safe and while I am out of the country that is the only way I can personally ensure that you are. You will stay at my penthouse. And by the way, this is not open for any more discussion.”
Sheesh, I like it when a man takes charge, but this is over the top. I’m very put off that he’s commanding me to stay in his penthouse. He has no say over what I do.
“My flight doesn’t depart until late tonight we will have dinner together before I leave.
“Fine, I will see you then.” I know when to fold and something about his tone tells me to back down. My mom always told me to pick my battles.
I’m almost through his office door “Oh and Danielle,” I hesitate in the doorway, “You are right about the pink lipstick, it is from Marion, she made a pass at me.”
In the best sarcastic voice I can muster, I answer, “Well, that’s a relief. Now how is that admission supposed to make me feel better?”
Aha, so I was right, she is after him.
“Danielle, I want you to know I am not interested in Marion. Do yourself a favor and remember that, no matter what happens. Can you do that for me?”
I nod.
“Promise me, Danielle.”
“Um. Okay.”
“Promise me.”
“Okay, I promise, I promise! I’ll see you tonight, Harrison. But just know, I’m now more leery than ever of Marion and I suggest you keep that in mind as well.”
“Oh Danielle. We haven’t discussed the decorating.” He flashes me one of his infamous panty dropping smiles.
“While you were fighting off Marion’s advances, I was out measuring the furniture, taking pictures and making notes. I have a good idea of what needs to be done. Do you have anything you actually need to add to that?”
He is now smirking at me. “I think Miss Austen, that you have it under control. I suggest we reconvene this meeting a few days before the move.”
“Fine. I’ll see you later.” I take my leave and nearly run into the door on my way out.
Ugh! I’m so annoyed and that was weird and I have no clue what I should make of it. We aren’t actually in a relationship, so whomever he spends his time with is really none of my business. On the other hand, he should have no say in who I see either. With Harrison in Montreal, it might be good to have a couple days to myself to get my thoughts organized and to stash those feelings I have for him. I already feel too vulnerable and I’ve given him too much as it is.
I have to put more focus on my business anyway. And right now, I have a conference call to get back to the office for.
After several productive hours in my office, I feel good about my days work. I look at the clock and am surprised that it’s almost 5:00 PM. I lock up the office and head up to my condo to pack my bag. At least I can drive myself; He never said I couldn’t do that.