Authors: Debbie Roome
Embracing Change (28 page)
Susan looked up from beneath long eyelashes, examining Bella as though she was an unwelcome insect.
Bella rushed on: “I have a nine-thirty appointment with the editor, Mr Gray. I’m a little late.”
‘Miss Perfect’ gave her a decidedly blank stare.
“Um … there should be a record somewhere.” Bella self-consciously smoothed her hair down with one hand. “I confirmed the appointment just yesterday. My name’s Bella Whitman … if that helps ...” Her voice trailed off. She doubted if anything short of her being a celebrity, or a Pulitzer Prize winner, would get her past this woman.
The receptionist was flipping through the pages of a day planner. A light suddenly went on in the skilfully made-up eyes, and her whole manner instantly changed.
“Of course, Ms Whitman,” she purred. “You were booked in to see Mr Gray this morning.” Bella let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.
“However,” the woman paused for effect, her gold pen pointed at Bella from her manicured fingers, “Mr Gray has had to attend a rescheduled meeting this morning. Last minute, you understand. He must not have been able to reach you.” She shrugged, almost as if to blame Bella for being out of contact. “He now won’t be available until after lunch. I suggest you make a new appointment.” Her tone softened slightly at Bella’s disappointed expression. “He is a very busy man, you understand.”
Bella was more than disappointed. She was frustrated, even a little angry. This was the last thing she needed right now. But she wasn’t going to give up this easily.
“Could I make a new appointment for later today?” she asked, attempting to keep the tense edge from her tone.
The secretary’s voice was almost sympathetic. “I suppose you could wait here if you have the time. Mr Gray sometimes has a few minutes to spare between meetings, and he usually walks through here to his office.”
Bella gave her a sceptical smile.
“Maybe—just maybe—you might be able to catch him this morning.” Her small attempt at being helpful seemed to leave Susan feeling exhausted, and she merely nodded at Bella’s thanks.
With a sigh, Bella settled down onto the purple leather couch opposite the counter, glad that she had brought some articles to work on. She wasn’t very hopeful about her chances, but maybe she could grab the editor at lunch. The man had to eat sometime, didn’t he?
Ethan Gray looked at his watch for the fifth time, barely suppressing his growing irritation. While planning meetings were vital in running a publication, the other editorial staff completely lacked focus. They would much prefer to discuss wishy-washy topics like the quality of the graphics, than real issues such as the summer holiday feature.
He had managed to keep them vaguely on track, addressing eighty per cent of the matters on the meeting agenda. But when he noticed Gemma, the fashion editor, filling in assistant editor Chloe on her upcoming wedding plans, he lost all patience.
“Okay, everybody!” he barked—a little too harshly, perhaps, but they needed to show some respect. “That’s it for today,” he continued over the rustle of papers being gathered together. “We’ll have a follow-up meeting on Friday. Check your e-mail for the time.”
One-thirty! Ethan fumed silently as he strode from the room, oblivious to the annoyed glances shared between his co-workers. You would think they had nothing else to do but gossip all day!
He dumped his organiser and notes on his desk, and nodded to Susan on his way out. “Lunch. Back in an hour.”
“Mr Gray!” she called after him, pausing at his audible sigh of frustration. “Uh … there’s someone here to see you. Ms Whitman—your nine-thirty appointment.”
Ethan’s lips had already begun to form a negative reply, when he noticed the attractive woman seated on the reception couch. Wisps of chestnut curls framed her oval face, and her blue eyes looked up at him expectantly—all counterpointing elegantly a white outfit covering a body that curved in all the right places.
“Ethan Gray,” he smiled, cranking up the charm as he extended his hand. “How would you like to join me for lunch?”
# # #
TITLE: Blue Freedom
AUTHOR: Sandra Peut
PAGES: 256
BOOK ISBN: 978-0-9555283-5-4
EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-907984-33-4
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two