A Very Corporate Affair Book 2 (The Corporate Series) (13 page)

 
              "I would love to take you on that shopping trip I promised you."

 
              "I couldn't Oscar, I'd feel like I owed you, and it's not how I want to feel. Ivan bought me that dress and stuff, and I nearly had a bloody meltdown over it. I earn a really good living, and there's nothing I need." He looked disappointed. "How would you feel about me buying you stuff?" He flopped onto his back and thought about it.

 
              "I don't know. It's never happened, so I've got no idea. I'm not trying to buy your affection Elle, I just want to give you a little treat, and make you happy. I like seeing you all polished and sophisticated almost as much as I like seeing you in your pyjamas with your birds nest hair. I hate that Ivan got to do that for you, and I didn't."

 
              "Let's get some tea, and talk about this." I was desperate for a drink, and felt a bit 'put on the spot'. As much as I enjoyed being treated to nice things, I didn't want that awful feeling of being bought and paid for, and I had so many mixed feelings about Oscar that I needed some time to think. Oscar threw on a dressing gown, and passed one of his to me. We went down to the breakfast room to find Mrs Dunton fussing over the tureens, having just made sausage, bacon and eggs. She bustled off to make me a pot of tea, while Oscar helped himself to coffee. We had just sat down to eat when Lady Golding arrived with a cheery smile.

 
              "How lovely to see you again. Oscar told me about the pickle you're in over that dreadful Russian woman. Terrible way for her to behave, especially given your circumstances this week."

 
              "Yes, I'm appalled at it all too. I'm supposed to go to Conde Nast on Monday and oversee some work. I'm dreading it. I'm worried they could snatch me at any time." Lady Golding looked horrified.

 
              "Can't someone else do it, and you stay here until this is all blown over?"

 
              "Apparently Dascha is insisting that Elle is within reach until the deals done. I suggested that too mother. I also offered to put security all around the building until this is over, but Ivan tells me he's already arranged it." Oscar said, looking a little uncomfortable.

 
              "I suggest you put some there anyway, just in case. I don't trust foreigners Oscar. Just the fact that Elle's been dragged into this is bad enough, let alone trusting Podunky to give back a five billion pound company. He's a greedy man, and all it would cost him would be Elle. No, you organise our security to make sure she's not betrayed."

 
              "Of course mother."

 
              "So, have you planned anything for today? It looks like rain, and the forecast isn't very good."

 
              "I wanted to take Elle shopping, but she's not keen. Beyond that, maybe wellies on, and a long walk."

 
              "I thought you liked fashion?" Lady Golding said, frowning slightly.

 
              "I do, but I can buy things for myself, and there's nothing I really need."

 
              "Need never comes into it," she smiled, "he's got nothing to spend his money on, so why not indulge him? Plus it'll be fun in the helicopter. You can trudge through the mud tomorrow."

 
              "Helicopter?" I asked, looking at Oscar.

 
              "Yes, quickest way to get to town and back. I booked it for today." He looked a little sheepish. "Plus it's safer than transporting you by car. I also booked two bodyguards to meet us at Battersea heliport."

 
              "In that case, it would be churlish of me to refuse." I looked up to see Oscar beaming.

 
              "Good. It arrives here at half nine, so could you be showered and ready by then?"

 
              After breakfast, I headed up to my room to get ready. I was just about to get into the shower when Ivan called. "Still in one piece?"

 
              "Of course. Is there something you need?" I was back to professional Elle.

 
              "Elle, please stop being so cold. This isn't my fault you know."

 
              "Really? Well it never happened to me before I met you. Now, if there's no legal issues, I'm just about to jump in the shower. Let me know if there are any developments please."

 
              "In three days, this will all be over."

 
              "Provided you sign that company over of course," I replied. I wasn't convinced that he would.

 
              "Do you think I'd renege on this deal and throw you to the wolves?" He sounded incredulous. I didn't answer. "Elle, how could you possibly think I'd do that to you?"

 
              "It's five billion quid Ivan, and I'm just a girl you've known a few weeks. By your own admission, you want to own the world."

 
              "I don't want to own a world without you in it. What's made you think I'd do the dirty on you?"

 
              "You did. I saw you shark a client once. It doesn't matter what you say or do, I saw it, and I know you did it deliberately, so forgive me for not believing that you're always the good guy. You lied to me over this, so I now have to assume that everything you say is a lie."

 
              "Lying to you at the start of this was a mistake, and I wish I hadn't, but I will keep you safe Elle. I look after what's mine." He sounded panicked.

 
              "I'm not yours Ivan. I don't belong to anyone." I cut the call, reasoning that he never said goodbye anyway. He called back straight away.

 
              "Don't you dare put the phone down on me. I will NOT let Dascha drive you away from me. Let me just deal with this, then I'll figure out a nice treat for you to say sorry for letting this happen to you."

 
              "Keep your money Ivan, and shower it on your next girlfriend. I don't want any gifts, treats or surprises thank you. What I want is a quiet life, with my peace of mind intact, and a boyfriend who doesn't dump me on the news at ten." I clicked off the phone, and put it on silent before heading into the shower.

Oscar and I ended up having a really lovely day. The helicopter landed on the back lawn, and took us to Battersea in less than an hour, with stunning views all the way. A car, driver and bodyguard met us there, and whisked us off to Harrods, where Oscar tried to persuade me to practically buy up the whole store.

We had a gorgeous lunch at the Mandarin Oriental, before heading over to Harvey Nichols for more retail therapy. It was fun in the menswear department, where I insisted on styling a new outfit for Oscar, making him try on uber stylish Prada jeans, and skinny fitted shirts, which he agreed, looked great. I even bought one for him, which made him pout a bit. He loved a Roland Mouret dress I tried on, and insisted on buying it for me in four different colours. We even had afternoon tea in Fortnums, before heading back to Conniscliffe.

 
              Lady Golding greeted us when we hopped out of the helicopter, her helmet of hair not even moving in the strong downdraft. Back in the sitting room, we showed her all our purchases, eliciting oos and ahs from her. I had decided to wear one of my new dresses for work on Monday. If I was going to be kidnapped, at least I'd look good. As I had clothes to wear, I didn't have to return to London Sunday night, and Oscar said he would arrange a driver, and personal protection to pick me up early Monday morning to accompany me to the Conde Nast headquarters.

 
              Oscar excused himself to organise my security arrangements for Monday and Tuesday. While he was in his study, Lady Golding and I had a gin and tonic, and chatted about my day. She looked quite wistful when I told her about our afternoon tea in Fortnums.

"I love that shop," she declared, "they do the best cakes in London, and the tea is always so fresh. I miss those
type of things since my husband died. I never seem to go up to London nowadays.

 
              "I could always book an afternoon off, and meet you. I'd love to go back there again."

 
              Her eyes lit up, "I'd really look forward to that. When you are back at work, see when you can arrange, and just let me know. Maybe we could even see a show while I'm there."

 
              "I love theatre. Yes, we'll do that. I'll call you on Wednesday, and we'll arrange it." She looked delighted, and it struck me how lonely it must be for her in a vast castle in the middle of nowhere day in day out, with only Oscar for company at the weekend.

 
              We had dinner in the smaller breakfast room that evening, as Oscar's mum was joining us. None of us bothered to change though, as it was only us three. She was on good form, and entertained me with funny stories about Oscar as a boy, smiling as he groaned at her tales of putting worms in his sister's dolls house, and persuading her to slide down the banisters, which resulted in a trip to hospital to have her broken arm fixed.

 
              After we'd all eaten, she bade us both goodnight, and went back to her own apartment. Oscar and I settled into the snug to watch a film. I began to worry about where I would sleep that night. I really didn't want to sleep alone in the scary bedroom, but I also felt it was a bit unfair to sleep in with Oscar with a no sex rule. I really didn't want to lead him on, as he had proved himself to be a perfect gentleman, and a good friend.

 
              In the end, I needn't have worried, by half ten I was sparko, waking up next morning in my T-shirt and knickers in Oscar's bed, with a sleeping Oscar beside me. I looked at his clock, seeing it was half seven, and swung my legs out from under the covers. "It's Sunday," Oscar muttered, "have a lay in."

I'll go and get us both some drinks, and bring them back up," I said, before wrapping his dressing gown around me and heading down to the kitchen. Mrs Dunton fixed me a tray of tea and coffee pots, and I took them upstairs. Setting the tray down, I poured, and took our drinks over to Oscar's bedside table. He struggled up onto
his elbows and took a sip, while I perched on the edge of the bed. "So, what's the plan for today?"

 
              "I thought a nice walk in the grounds, some lunch, a nap, because you've got me up so bloody early, and maybe a film later. How does that sound?"

 
              "Lovely."

 
              "I spoke to Ivan last night, to let him know you would have extra security on Monday. He's not happy. Accused me of stealing you away. I did point out that you have a say in these things, and I was just trying to keep you safe, given that he put you in harm’s way."

 
              "You know my problem? It's when I get treated like a helpless airhead. It grates on me. I didn't fight my way up the ladder by being pathetic or weak, and it pisses me off that he seems to think I'm just an object to be stolen."

 
              "Hmm. Well, he's going to put up with you having security around you. It's not fair to use you as a pawn in a business deal, whoever you end up with."

 
              The day seemed to pass far too quickly, and before I knew it, it was Monday morning, and time to face the music.

 
              I had a horrible sense of foreboding as we pulled up at Vogue House in Hanover Square. It was an impressive building, and I watched chic, beautiful people pouring in to begin their working day, oblivious to the secret drama that would be happening under their noses. I had put on my Roland Mouret dress as if it was a suit of armour that morning, determined that I wouldn't let any nerves or insecurities show. I took a deep breath, and strode in, flanked by my two bodyguards, courtesy of Oscar.

 
              The girl at the front desk confirmed I had been expected, and I waited while she called someone to come and get me. I looked around the immaculate foyer, taking in the posters showing the Vogue front covers, and other publications in the Conde Nast stable. I didn't have to wait long before an immaculate blonde came striding over. "Ms Reynolds? Good morning, I'm Andrea Mills, the HR director here. I understand that you're here to oversee the changeover for Mr Porenski."

 
              "Pleased to meet you," we shook hands, "yes I'm just here to make sure it all goes smoothly, and on time." She led us over to the lifts, and up to the fourth floor. We chatted on the way up, and she didn't foresee any major problems. All the records were properly kept, and pay rates were to remain the same. Ivan's IT people had been in at the weekend, installed everything, and tested it. She explained that the files had all been copied across, and they were now just checking that everything was copied correctly. I listened, wondering what on earth I was going to do for two days. Andrea appeared highly efficient, and on top of everything.

 
              "Mr Porenski's in the chairman's office, and asked that you attended a meeting with him before coming to check on the personnel department." I tensed at the prospect of seeing Ivan for the first time in a week.

 
              Andrea showed me to his office, and explained that she would be down the corridor in room seven, when I was finished with Ivan. I steeled myself before knocking on his door. To my surprise, he opened it himself. "Elle, glad you're here. Security remain outside please." His bodyguards stepped out of the room, and joined mine just by the door. Ivan closed it, and strode over to the desk. "It feels like I haven't seen you for ages, I've missed you. Please let me hold you." I didn't reply, and stood stock still, not sure what to do. I was torn, Ivan still looked like my beautiful lover, but the fear I'd experienced, and disappointment that he'd put me in harm's way, left me frozen to the spot, unwilling to respond to him. "Elle, what's wrong with you? Come let me hold you."

 
    "No, Mr Porenski. I'd prefer not to. Now, Ms Mills appears to have the changeover under control, so what exactly would you like me to spend the next two days doing?"

 
     "Elle, you can sit and read a book, play on the Internet, anything, as long as you are in this building today and tomorrow." He walked towards me, and I instinctively stepped back.

 
     "Don't touch me," I hissed at him. "You want me here, so I'm here. It doesn't mean that I'm happy about it, or that you get to touch me. I meant what I said, it's professional all the way from now on."

 
     "Are you back with Oscar?" Ivan looked anguished, which surprised me.

 
     "I belong to nobody."

     "That's not what I asked. You spent the weekend with him, and he's paying for your security. Are you with him?" I didn't answer. Ivan fixed me with his laser beam glare. "Has he fucked you this weekend? Dammit Elle, put me out of my fucking misery here. It's bad enough that you're involved with this, let alone leaving me over it. Just..just tell me the truth, did he fuck you?"

 
     "It's none of your business Ivan. You lost the right to demand answers when you appeared on television with that creature on your arm, and made me a laughing stock, and when you sent an email that was a lie from start to finish, you lost the right to expect the truth from me."

 
      Ivan banged the desk with his fist. "I will NOT let Dascha drive you away from me, and I will not let Golding steal you. You are mine...please Elle." He looked distraught.

 
     "Ivan, I'm not a possession that can be 'stolen', and you'd do well to remember that. I'm a living, breathing person, who has a say in these things. I'm only here so that this deal happens, and I'm watching you as much as I'm watching the bitch. Now, to ease your mind, no I didn't 'fuck' Oscar this weekend. The last man who 'fucked' me was you, and right now it's something I deeply regret. Now, I'm happy to sit here till five with my security, and read a book, but be aware that there's a bit of me that believes that you'd throw me to the wolves and not give a toss, so think about that when you're shouting at me, and demanding answers." I stood my ground, and had kept my voice low and determined. I refused to let him intimidate me.

       He seemed to slump slightly, and looked defeated. "I'm sorry Elle. None of this is your fault, I just can't bear the thought that I could lose you over this."

        I raised my eyebrow, "C
ould? Try have." Ivan stared at me in disbelief. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have a look at what your personnel department are doing."

 
    "Don't go, not yet," Ivan pleaded, "we need to resolve this."

 
    "I have resolved it. You're free to be with someone else. I do your legal work, and that's all. There's nothing to debate." I stayed firm, noticing how sad he looked.

 
    "Tell me, did you ever have feelings for me at all?"

 
    "I sobbed like a baby when I saw you on the news with Dascha. So yes, I did, but I'm not dumb enough to think I was ever anything more than a challenge to you."

 
    "Oh Elle, don't let her win. This is exactly what she wants, and what I tried to avoid. Please just have a little faith in me, and let me deal with this, and I'll do anything you want to make it up to you. By tomorrow evening the wretched woman and her slimeball father will be out of our lives."

 
    "Tell me about her father. Who is he?"

 
    "A thug. Huge in mining and minerals. Stole his company really when the old Soviet Union fell apart. Made a hell of a lot of enemies over the years, and is well known for his dubious business practices. Wife was murdered years ago, and Dascha is all he has left. She's almost as unpleasant as him really. They are both bullies."

 
    "Did you love her?"

 
    Ivan sighed, "I was dazzled by her for a while. I thought we would be compatible, both being from Moscow originally, and both being ambitious. Her father liked me, and encouraged me. On paper it should have worked. In reality, I grew to dislike her intensely. For such an indulged woman, she is incredibly mean spirited and envious. The incident with Bella gave me the perfect excuse to end the engagement. If I had told her the truth, that I was leaving her because I felt nothing for her, I would have been killed."

 
    "Is she still in love with you?"

 
    "No. She's not capable of loving anybody but herself. She's a classic psychopath, as is her father. She's currently enjoying tormenting me with what she'll do to you should I renege on this deal, knowing how terrified I am for you."

 
    "So am I being watched?"

    "Not as far as I know. I have security all over this building. This deal, by its nature, has had to be totally secret. Only you, me and Oscar know about it. Oscar took care of the money transfers in Switzerland, so there is no money trail. So as far as anyone knows, I bought this with my own money, paid cash, and will give it all to Dascha. If it got out what has really happened, she'd be a laughing stock. At the moment, she has no reason to hurt you, and in some respects, it's in her own interests that you remain safe. She knows that if you go missing before our press conference tomorrow, that our deal's off."

 
     "How come they trust you so much, I mean, it's five billion quid?"

 
     Ivan stared at me for a moment. "They know I'm in love with you."

 
     For a split second, the world stopped turning, as I took in Ivan's words. A bit of me wanted to throw myself into his arms, and cling on to him forever, and another part wanted me to hurt and punish him, as he had done to me. In the end, all I did was gape at him in shock. His beautiful face betrayed a mixture of regret, sadness, and yearning. Did he love me? I believed that he did. How I felt about him was more complicated. I did have feelings for him, possibly not 'in love', but not far off, although I'd felt that he'd stamped all over my heart when I saw him with Dascha, playing the happy boyfriend. Knowing that the whole thing had been faked, somehow changed things.

 
      "Ivan, let’s get through the next two days, and see what happens."

 
       He let out a breath he'd been holding. "We can do this Elle," He gave he a small, rather wan smile, and went on, "let’s just keep up appearances till this is over, just don't forget how I feel about you."

 
       "I'm going to check on your personnel department. I'll be in room 7 if you need me." I left Ivan standing in the middle of the room.

 
        Andrea was extremely organised, and I liked her enormously. Her systems would rival mine in efficiency, and perfection. Her staff were diligently checking the computer files against the paper files, (which were in perfect order), for anomalies or missing information. She had already emailed all the staff their new contracts, and over 80% had come back signed, entered into the system, and filed. She had even run a simulation for the month end, and was happy that there appeared to be no unexplained differences. I sat beside her as she showed me exactly what had been done, and the list of people still to return their new contracts. All in all, I was impressed. 

 
       "It seems everything's in good order. Mr Porenski will be delighted with this. Now, do you have any questions for me?"

 
       "Is he going to be making any significant changes?" Andrea looked a little anxious, which was understandable.

 
       "Not as far as I'm aware. I've not been instructed for any redundancies, if that's what you're asking. You'd be the first to know if he was. As far as I'm concerned, we change everything over to Retinski's holding company, and that's it." She visibly relaxed.

 
      "I was hoping that would be the case, but with takeovers, nobody ever knows if their jobs safe do they?"

 
    "Only when they're not performing, but I can definitely recommend you to Ivan. Your department is run extremely well."

 
    "What's he like to work for?"

 
    "I don't work for him as such, I work for Pearson Hardwick, his legal representatives. His staff all seem to get on with him ok, and he runs his companies very well. He's very exact."

 
    "Good. You know we all thought you were his girlfriend, not that Russian woman. I gather she was talking to one of our journalists about her terrible relationship."

 
    "Did you? No, I'm his lawyer, well, one of them." I was deliberately non committal. "Easy mistake to make, as I'm often trailing along to meetings with him."

 
     "Joan Lester said she met the two of you at a ball, and Ivan introduced you as his girlfriend." She wasn't letting go.

 
     "Well, I suppose it's better than admitting that you drag your lawyer around to charity events. Dascha was there that night, she just arrived separately.”

 
    "Oh, I didn't realise....sorry for being nosy." Andrea looked a bit embarrassed.

 
    "It's fine, really. You're not the first person to assume we're an item, but I really am his lawyer."
Not quite a lie, not quite the truth.
"Now, is there an empty office I could occupy?"

 
     "Certainly. Room 11 is free. I'll show you." I followed her down the corridor, with my guards trailing along behind. "Why the security?"

 
     "Ivan insists on it. Not sure why," I lied. She showed me into an office, and promised to send an intern along with tea for both myself, and the security men. I sat down at the desk and opened my laptop. With a complete absence of work to do after I had replied to my emails, I browsed ASOS, and Amazon, ordering the books that Paul had recommended. I also clicked on the link James had sent me to the hotel we would be staying in. It looked gorgeous. A boutique style place, right on the beach near Sotogrande, with a pretty pool and gardens, and a renowned restaurant attached. It looked like heaven, and I gazed at it with longing, desperate for some chill time with my easy going friend, and no mental billionaires making me jumpy.

 
      I was shaken out of my daydreams by a knock on the door. My guard stuck his head in, and announced that Dascha was there to see me. I said yes, but asked if he would stay. She swept in with a sneer on her face. I closed my laptop so she wouldn't see what I'd been looking at, and smiled brightly at her. "Hello Dascha, how nice to see you again. Keeping well I trust?"