Notice Me (27 page)

“I know it must be amazing.” I was in awe of her job. To work with the world’s best business brains was a price I’d pay almost anything for.

“Yes, I have to say Jennet Downing was very impressed with your marketing contract with Cadman Limited.” I froze just at the thought of Jennet Downing hearing about me! “Well, I was gloating about my boy first. His photographs left me speechless. They are so beautiful. Then I told her about you. I mean for a work placement, you are really making a name for yourself.” Rachel looked proud of me.

“Thank you,” It was all I could say I was so stunned. “What is it like working for Downing International?”

“You mean is she really that much of a bitch?” Rachel laughed knowing exactly what I meant. Jennet Downing hadn’t gotten where she was today by being nice. To be honest her nickname was the ‘Iron Dragon’. “She can be frightening, but as long as you do your job to be honest it is a pleasure to work for her. I have seen so many places, met so many important people. I know how lucky I am.”

“You girls aren’t still talking business are you?” Charlie teased coming to sit beside me throwing his arms over my shoulder.

“That meal was delicious, darling. I never realised you could cook so well.”

“Well, you know mum. I need to impress now. Shannon might leave me if I turn into a slob.”

I laughed. “Actually Charlie, I think I would still stay… That doesn’t mean you can turn into a slob though,” I teased. Rachel laughed, watching Charlie and me.

“That’s good to know, thank you sweetheart.” Charlie kissed me softly on the lips. “I would still love you if you were a slob too.”

As the night came to an end I was so at ease with Charlie’s mother. She really was wonderful.

“You two come and see me soon. Do you hear me?” Charlie just rolled his eyes at his mother. “You guys can pretend it is a business meeting. I bet Shannon would love to meet Jennet Downing.”

“Really?” I asked shocked. That experience would be astounding.

“Yes, I am sure Jennet would love to meet you. Anyway, love you both.” We all exchanged hugs and waved Rachel off as she disappeared down the hallway.

“Well,” Charlie rested his chin on my shoulder. “That went really well. My mother loves you almost as much as me!”

“She is amazing Charlie. You are so lucky.” It made me realise how much I had missed when I was younger. It made me wonder about my own mother. What sort of person she would have been if she hadn’t died when I was a baby? It was no good to wonder. I knew that. I would never get the answers.

“I know she is one of a kind,” Charlie kissed me. “Just like you!”

The weekend drifted too quickly for me. Sunday nights were a lot worse when I knew Charlie would be working away for a few days. Sir Straton had assigned him to a job in Malan so Charlie would be gone for most of the week.

“I’ll miss you,” Charlie whispered while I was half asleep. It still was the middle of the night to me. Suddenly I woke up realising I wouldn’t see him for a few days.

I wrapped my arms around him pulling him down inches away from my sad face. “I bet I will miss you more,” I whimpered.

“That would be impossible. I will ring you when I land,” Charlie kissed me passionately tracing his fingers gently across my face. I sighed wishing he didn’t have to go. “Good luck with your presentation on Wednesday. Let me know how it goes.”

“I will,” I reached to kiss him again. I wanted as much as possible to make up for the days I would miss. I ran my hands across his chest then up his smooth muscled back. Charlie pushed himself closer to me running his hand up my leg.

“You Miss Davis will make me late for my plane,” Charlie whispered in my ear as his lips moved up from my neck.

“You can leave at any time. I am not stopping you,” I teased.

“Like I could leave now,” Charlie accused. I giggled as Charlie kissed me urgently.

Luckily, or perhaps unfortunately, Charlie didn’t miss his plane. He called just before he boarded.

“I love you. See you in four days. If you get lonely I have left you a note in your kitchen.” I knew I would never get bored of Charlie’s letters as I raced into my kitchen. For once happy that my apartment was so small.

My Emerald Princess,

I will be thinking of you every moment we are apart. Even in my dreams I know they can only be of you.

Try not to miss me too much. Good luck with the presentation.

I love you!

Notice me

xxxxxx

It made me smile how Charlie still used the same disguised handwriting from the early days when I had no clue he was my Mr Anonymous. It was more personal. As if the words were only mine. That no one had ever loved anyone the way Charlie loved me. It made me feel so completely in love as I read his words over and over again. My whole body felt vivacious. I could have taken on the entire world in that exact moment.

“So are you ready for tomorrow?” Lorna asked while we were putting the finishing touches to our presentation.

“I think so. What about you?”

“Totally bricking it.” Lorna put her hands through her deep red hair. “Mind you I am glad we are both doing it. I would be even worse if it was just me.”

“Well, all they can do is say yes or no.” I amazed myself just how calm I was today. I knew it would hit me tomorrow. Standing in the boardroom with the Cadman Limited directors watching me.

“It just better be a yes,” Lorna smiled at me. “We have done too much work for a no, plus you managed to get a famous in demand photographer as part of the deal.” Lorna gave me a wink. With everyone in the room it was funny how only Lorna and I knew what we were thinking. I had only ever had that sort of connection with Megan. Lorna really was a wonderful friend to me now. I never realised what it could be like to have a friend who was just as equal as me. I didn’t owe her anything. Lorna needed nothing from me. We were just happy to be friends, enjoying each other’s company.

It was late that afternoon. I had gone back into my office to run through the figures one last time. My head was slowly beginning to thud from all the concentration, when the door slowly opened. I jerked in my seat not really sure how to react to Will standing at my door with a soft longing expression on his face.

“Will,” I finally spoke. I was sure Will would have just stood there otherwise watching me. His light brown hair caught the light from the window. I had never really seen him so causal before. With his dark jeans and cream jumper. I had only ever seen him in suits. He looked troubled as he watched me, still not answering me. Part of me began to panic. “Will, are you alright?”

“Sorry Shan.” Will finally spoke as he walked into my office closing the door behind him. “I just wasn’t expecting you to look… well, so beautiful really. You look amazing Shannon.”

“Um… thanks,” I replied a little uneasy.

“Megan was right. New York is good for you.” Will laughed to himself.

“How is she? Did she go to Russia in the end?” I asked remembering a call I had had from Megan last week.

“Yeah, she goes next week. She is really making a name for herself, even mother is impressed.”

“That’s good. I was going to call her, but…”

“She knows you have a busy week. This contract with Cadman well, it is really impressive Shannon. Well done,” Will interrupted, taking a seat next to me.

“Thanks. How did you hear about it? Let me guess – Megan?” I had told Megan in confidence, but should of guessed she would tell her brother.

“No, I heard it from Downing International. We had a meeting last week.”

“Oh…” I was a little shocked then began to freak out. Charlie had been at mine last week if Will had decided to pay a visit to my apartment. I couldn’t even finish my thought. The result was so disastrous.

“I know I should have come sooner. Sorry Shan. I was building up the courage I guess.” Will looked deep into my eyes. His ocean eyes were familiar, warm, burning into mine.

“No, it’s fine.” My voice was a little too high for Will to believe that was true, but I could tell he took my reaction the wrong way. He thought I wanted him to have come sooner.

“I didn’t think I would still find it so hard seeing you Shannon, but I still care about you.”

“Will, please don’t do this. I have a really big day tomorrow.” It wasn’t the real reason and it wasn’t good enough for his expression to soften.

“Shannon, I go tomorrow. I only have today to tell you.”

“Will, please.” I tried to pull away as he placed his hand on mine.

“Shannon, I still love you. Please consider what we could have together. I have tried to get you out of my head, but I can’t. I will even move to New York if this is where you want to be.” Will’s eyes were moist with emotion. I stood up breaking his hold on me, walking towards the door to ask him to leave, but he beat me there shutting the door firmly as I began to open it. “Shannon, please I have to be with you.”

“Will that is not going to happen,” I replied trying the door handle again. “Please just go.”

“Why? Shannon, I don’t understand. I can give you everything you ever dreamed of.” Will put his hands on my face as he spoke, but his words were nothing. Charlie was all I could see. He was all I ever wanted.

“Because I have found myself, Will. I am happy just to be me even if it means I am alone.” Will was beginning to irritate me. Was it my fault I didn’t love him? I had tried, what more did he want from me?

“Just think about it please. We could be so happy together, Shannon.”

“Will, please just go. I can’t do this now.”

“When then?” Will asked in an annoyed tone.

“I don’t think we ever can. My answer will always be the same.” I looked at him trying to make him understand. “This,
us.
It will never work.”

“Shan,” Will whispered moving his lips towards mine. I was so frustrated that Will wasn’t listening I slapped him across the face. It wasn’t hard. I wasn’t angry with him. I just needed him to pay attention to me. Will looked at me, pain spread across his face. “Sorry,” I whispered a little shocked at my action.

“I’ll go. I see I have overstayed my welcome.” Will stormed off pushing past the office junior nearly making her drop her tray of coffee.

I shouted back, trying to end on a better note, but Will didn’t turn around.

“Who the hell was that?” Lorna asked suddenly over my shoulder.

“Will,” I whispered. I hated that I was hurting him, but I couldn’t understand why he was still in love with me. I was nothing special. I laughed as I thought exactly the same about Charlie. What was so special about me? I found it hard to see that there could be anything.

“William Field?” Lorna confirmed.

“Yeah.”

“God, your life is so exciting. Can I be you for just one day?” Lorna sighed.

“If I could I would let you Lorna. Trust me.”

“What did he want anyway?” Lorna asked. I pulled her into my office closing the door.

“He said he still loves me.”

“Bloody hell. What did you say?” Lorna’s brown eyes were wide with anticipation.

“I told him it would never work of course.”

“Did you tell him about Charlie?”