AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We can’t do this here, Nathan. What if someone walks in? What if your secretary hears us? It’s not very professional.”
Nathan sighed long and low, but nodded in agreement. He let me go and walked around to the other side of the desk, sitting in the chair opposite me. As I began to type, he picked up his phone and punched in a number.
Nathan spoke on his phone the whole time I typed. I was a little surprised by his business side. I knew it was a huge part of who he was, but it was a side of him I hadn’t really seen before. He intrigued me. I found myself not listening to Nathan’s conversation as such, more how he was talking. I noted that he could be quite abrupt when talking to people, especially when they weren’t considered ‘important’. I also noted that he was very business-like and straight to the point, never once did he stop and have a chat or ask ‘how are you?’ in the whole two hours. Not one ‘normal’ conversation was had.
When I’d finished typing from the last page, I stood up and stretched. Nathan was still on the phone, so I went and had a quick look around his office. It was quite impressive, but I had expected nothing less, with state-of-the-art equipment and modern furnishings, nothing at all like my old boss’s office. But it was completely void of any personality. There were no photos, personal items, or knick-knacks. Just something that looked like it had been done by an interior decorator, exactly like his house.
I heard Nathan hang up the phone and I walked back over to him. “I’ve finished those notes. What else would you like me to do?”
“Nothing,” Nathan answered as he stood up. “It’s one o’clock, come and have lunch with me.”
I realised I was starving and gladly agreed. I followed Nathan out of his office and waited as he told his secretary he was going out to lunch. Lucy looked at him, shocked for a moment, and quickly regained herself. She smiled and told us to have a good time. I guess Nathan was an ‘eat in his office’ kind of guy.
We got in the lift and rode it down to the basement where Nathan’s car was parked. The small lift felt even smaller with Nathan in it and I was completely aware of our closeness. I could feel Nathan glancing at me during the short trip and I knew he was thinking about touching me. I also knew there was a camera on the roof watching our every move. Nathan wouldn’t put on a show for his security team. We climbed into the Aston Martin and Nathan drove us through the city to a small restaurant by the harbour.
“Do you always go out to fancy restaurants in your lunch break?” I asked smiling, as a waiter brought over our meals. I knew the answer but I couldn’t help but tease him.
“I hardly have time to have lunch these days, let alone go out for lunch.”
“Why do you work so hard? You could hire someone to help you. I’m sure the place won’t fall apart if you’re not there all the time.”
“I like to know everything that’s happening in my companies.” Nathan took a mouthful of his drink and sighed. “I haven’t even had a weekday off like yesterday in over three years.”
I noted a sad look flicker across his face, like he was remembering something that hurt. But like always it went as quickly as it came, replaced by that unreadable blank expression he always wore. He would make a great poker player, I noted to myself.
“Where did you go?” I asked after a moment of silence.
“Sorry?” Nathan frowned, looking up from his meal to look me in the eyes.
“Your last day off. Was it a holiday? Where did you go?”
Nathan shrugged. “Fiji, I think.”
“Yeah? I’ve always wanted to go to an island like that. Maybe somewhere like Hawaii. Did you enjoy it?” I asked. I’d always wanted to travel, but never had the money.
“Yes and no, it was a bad time in my life, I wasn’t really enjoying anything. It is a nice island though. I’d like to go back there one day.” Nathan swirled the ice in his glass before taking another mouthful, that sad look sweeping quickly across his face again. “When I was twenty-two, I finished university and just travelled the world for a year. I backpacked around Europe, America, Asia, India, and even a bit of Africa. I used to take four holidays a year when I was in my twenties,” he sighed.
“What’s stopping you from taking a holiday now?”
Nathan looked at me and shrugged slightly. “Nothing, I guess. I’m just too stuck in my routine, too busy. I suppose there is no reason why we can’t go away somewhere now.”
“Now? I didn’t mean right now. I can’t go anywhere now, Charlotte is going to need help with the baby, Liam still has to have treatment. If we wait a few months...”
“I think now is a good time to go away,” Nathan said, cutting me off.
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is. Liam and Charlotte need to do this on their own. We’ll leave tomorrow.” He flagged down the waiter and asked for the check.
“Nathan, I’m not going anywhere,” I said again, firmer this time. I was trying to keep calm. What did he know about what Liam and Charlotte needed?
“I’m not discussing this, Rose. I’ve made up my mind.” The waiter handed him the check and Nathan gave him his credit card as he stood up. “Come on, let’s go back to work. There are things I need to organise.”
***
“NATHAN, YOU CAN’T BE serious about going away tomorrow, are you?” I asked as Nathan drove us back to the office. I tried to keep my voice light, so not to make Nathan angry, but it was a struggle.
“Yes,” Nathan said calmly. “I think it’s for the best.”
