Chapter 7
Casually lounging back in his leather chair, Liam Heathcote eyed Elias across the desk with a cool, cat-like nonchalance. Dressed like James Bond and built like an athlete with wide shoulders, long legs, and a strong jawline, Liam fit very nicely into the black and gold décor of his office. Awards and accolades adorned the walls and if Elias angled his head right, he could see an old photo of Liam and Ava’s wedding tucked between the dust-coated knickknacks on the book shelf.
“Would you like a drink?” Liam offered, gesturing towards a mini fridge against the wall. “I have beer and vodka.”
Elias shook his head politely, wishing he’d bought a scarf to combat the air conditioner stationed above his head. Any sweat patches on his body from the train ride had now dried. “No, thank you. Maybe some other time.”
Liam swung one leg over the other and squeezed a stress ball in one hand, his green eyes narrowing slightly. “I can’t trust a man who doesn’t drink during the day.” He threw the ball across the room where it rolled underneath the couch. “Anyway, I want to discuss the work you did for the Manny Magpie scandal. Ava told me how you single-handedly bought the studio back from the brink. She’s very impressed.”
“What man doesn’t like a woman telling him how brilliant he is?” Elias quipped.
Liam tossed his head back and laughed. “Quite true, mate. You would be a great fit for my agency. I need people with sharp wit and instinct. It’s a shame Ava snapped you up before I had a chance.”
“I don’t think Ava would let me go for anyone.”
A shadow of jealousy flashed across Liam’s face and Elias wondered if he’d struck a nerve. He knew the man was intimidated by him because he was working closely with his ex-wife every day. Elias figured the wedding photo on the shelf was a gesture of false hope to rekindle their relationship.
“Ava’s a tough bird,” Liam added as he walked over to the bar fridge to extract a bottle of beer. “When Bobbie Hayes was kicked out, General Manager Chris Smith, a Hayes loyalist, resigned the same week, leaving Ava to clean up his mess. She’s working two jobs to keep the company afloat. That’s why she hired you, Elias.” Liam jarred a finger at him. “Her concerns should be about getting Blue Tail Media out of the gossip pages and back into the public’s good graces.”
“That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?” Elias asked, thinking he should’ve opted for a beer after all. “What do you have in mind?”
Liam sat back down, taking a swig. “I’m thinking a good, old-fashioned charity fundraiser could restore the company’s image. It worked for Sky Airlines after their disastrous PR fail and boosted Malik Bank’s shares when their CEO was caught in a brothel. The business world is rife with scandal. But it’s never the end of the world. If a company can survive public backlash, it can survive anything.” Liam tapped his fingers on his desk in absent thought. “We can raise money for breast cancer awareness or domestic violence. The public associates Blue Tail with Hayes and we want to erase that stigma. I know a great charity called SHE who helps DV victims get back on their feet.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Ava would want this event to be front-page news. It’s our job to make that happen. Since you and I’ll be working closely together, we need to think on the same page. No bullshit, no hierarchy,” Liam explained. “We can brainstorm later on. For now, get on the phone and contact every high-end hotel in the city. Due to the scandal, it might take some persuading to get interest, but we’ll keep going. The Pameer Hotel’s Grand Ballroom might be a good place to start. Let’s see if they would be willing to accommodate our requests.” Liam leaned forward in his chair.
“It’s very important we get this right, Elias. The entire company is teetering on the edge and I want to pull it back from the brink. I’m positive this event will be a hit. Most of all, Ava is relying on us to make it work. She’s an attractive, high-visibility CEO trying to bring some stability and growth back to Blue Tail Media. As hard and tiresome as the job is, she never gets a break, ever. If she were an unattractive man in a bad suit, she’d be a hero to the public. She’s a woman. It makes everything worse, but it’s my job to make it better.”
“I agree with you, Liam. Blue Tail’s still in damage control,” Elias said. “If the fundraiser fails, it’s not just Ava’s head on the chopping block. When should I book a room?”
“The sooner the better. We need to send out invitations as soon as possible. Book something within six weeks. Can you do that? It doesn’t give you a lot of time. Most places book out six to twelve months in advance.”
Elias was very good at his job. In the past, he had booked conferences, meetings, and concerts with less notice. He could do anything. The competitive side of him wanted to prove to Liam he was a solid adversary. “I’m on it.”
Finishing his drink, Liam wandered to the bar fridge again. “Can I interest you in a beer, Elias? You look like a man who could loosen up a bit.”
The clock above Liam’s head ticked over to six thirty. Elias was eager to get home and showered. A month working at Blue Tail Media had already isolated him from family and friends. Was it really worth it? He pushed his chair back and slipped into his jacket. “Thanks, but no thanks. I have plans tonight. I’ll email you a list of hotels tomorrow.”
~ ~ ~
“Elias, how are you enjoying your new job?” Donald Henderson asked as he took a swig of his beer. “Daisy told us you’re working extra hard these days.”
Elias swallowed the chunk of prawn in his mouth and ignored the disapproval dripping from the man’s lips. For years, Elias’s career had come first, always, instilled in him at an early age by his parents. Work hard to earn the things you want. Elias lived by their mantra—owning his first apartment and a brand-new sports car, which he never drove, before he was twenty. When he was younger, success mattered more than love. Past girlfriends had left him out of frustration, angered by his absence in the relationship. It was never intentional—Elias just loved working.
Now, as he sat opposite the astute Mr. Henderson, watching the corner of his lips twitch in distaste, Elias knew the former policeman would be analysing every word he said.
“I’m enjoying my job very much, sir,” he replied, swirling his fork around his creamy prawn fettuccine. “It can be demanding at times, but there’s more career direction with this employer. At the moment, I’m organising a charity fundraiser. We’re hoping it will be the biggest event of the year.” In fact, working with Liam, organising the fundraiser meant he saw more sunrises than he saw his girlfriend. He was failing big time as her boyfriend, and unfortunately Daisy knew it too. She sat next to him, rigid as a post, her cherry-red lips pressed into a thin line, burying her fork into her pasta. Whether she was mad at him or at her father’s interrogation, Elias was unsure.
Donald cleared his throat and reached for his beer bottle. “I imagine it will be.”
“Who will be attending the fundraiser?” interjected Olivia, Daisy’s mother, who sat beside her husband. Her eyes were wide with interest, glistening. “Have you invited any movie stars or television celebrities to the fundraiser?”
Another perk of working in the media was the occasional bumping into famous people at events. Elias had met well-known actors, philanthropists, politicians, and musicians over the years. They were just like normal people. He didn’t understand society’s obsession with celebrity.
“I’m working with a PR company to organize the invite list. We have a few names on there you may recognise.” He flashed her a smile, dropping it immediately when he saw a muscle tick in Donald’s jaw. He was getting sick of the constant battle to impress Daisy’s folks. Unless he put a ring on her finger, he would forever be the pariah. He knew he should’ve hosted the dinner at home, that way he would be in his own territory, but Daisy insisted the one-hour drive to her parents’ was important.
Then, his mobile phone vibrated in his pocket, giving him a brief respite. He took the opportunity to grab the empty crystal jug on the table. “I’ll fill this up,” he announced, crossing the room to the kitchen. As he turned on the cold water, he checked the text message. It was from Ava:
Guess who’s coming to the fundraiser? Teddy Rollins!
There was Olivia’s movie star. The Sydney-born Hollywood actor was the famous face Elias needed to bring the cameras and paparazzi to the event. Teddy was still riding the wave of success after winning his first Academy Award this year. The press followed him everywhere.
Elias texted back:
How did you do to persuade him to come?
Ava replied immediately:
We dated in high school. He owed me one after I got his first audition in Hollywood. Teddy is a good friend and he’ll accept any publicity right now. Having a recent Oscar winner attending the event means we can charge more for the raffle tickets.
Elias heard a chair scrape across the floor in the dining room and he quickly pocketed his phone. Daisy entered the kitchen with a stack of plates in her hands.
“Are you coming back to the table or are you going to stay here and text your boss all night?” she asked, slotting the plates into the dishwasher.
“How did you know it was Ava?” he asked, resting a hip against the counter, arms crossed over his chest.
“You practically left a smokey outline of your body when you ran from the table. I don’t know anyone else who gets the same reaction from you. What did she want?”
“She texted to say she booked the fundraiser’s guest of honour. That was all.”
Fuelled by the five glasses of wine in her belly, Daisy went on a tirade, her pale eyes turning a shade of black. “You can’t take one night off, can you? We came here to see my parents and have family time, but you still brought your work phone. You drop everything for Ava Wolfe.”
“I’m the Director of Communications,” Elias interjected. “I’m on call twenty-four/seven. You knew of this when I signed the dotted line.”
Daisy paced the kitchen back and forth, growing more agitated with each step. “I’ve tried to be lenient and accepting of your late nights and work dinners. There are two people in this relationship, Elias, not three.” She stopped and spun around, shoving a finger in his face. “Are you sleeping with her?”
In his peripheral vision, Elias made out the profile of Daisy’s parents sitting at the table, their heads angled a certain way to eavesdrop on their conversation. He clasped Daisy’s elbow and pulled her out of sight.
“I’m not sleeping with Ava nor will I ever,” he rasped. “She’s my boss. I’m getting paid the big bucks to be at her beck and call whenever she needs me, including the nights we have dinner at your parents. Okay? I’ve worked too hard to leave this job because my girlfriend is jealous.”
Daisy’s eyebrows snapped together. “I never said I was.”
“It’s clear you are. Why are you so intimidated by her?”
Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t know if I can trust her around you. She’s a man-eater, Elias. I’ve read the articles about her conquests in trash magazines.”
“That’s what they are. TRASH!” Elias hardly recognised the explosive voice that spewed from his lips. He wished he never said anything at all, especially when Daisy cowered in surprise.
Donald barged into the kitchen, armed with a ferocious expression. “What’s going on in here?” His eyes lowered to Elias’s fingers wrapped around Daisy’s wrist. “Are you all right, Daisy?”
Elias didn’t wait for her to answer. He stormed out of the kitchen and headed for the front door. He pried it opened and wandered the streets, burning footprints into the pavement. He was trembling with rage. Daisy could drive home without him. At this moment, fuelled by a cocktail of embarrassment, anger, and regret, Elias refused to be with her. Jealousy was an ugly beast that tore apart relationships. Ava meant nothing to him. Right?
As if on cue, his mobile phone rang in his pocket. It was Ava. When he answered, he buried his emotions deep. He vented his frustration by kicking at the grass lining the footpath. “Evening, Ava.”
“Elias, have I caught you at a bad time?”
“No,” he replied bluntly.
“Oh, good.” She paused. “Have you arranged the entertainment for the fundraiser yet?”
“No.”
“I have an idea. Teddy Rollins is on board so we need the get talent to match. The event needs live music, not the crap they play at the mall. Get in contact with record companies around Sydney and start booking their clients. Live music creates a comfortable environment and encourages people to spend more. Don’t forget to include Liam as he has—” A truck flew passed, swallowing up her last words. “Where are you?”
“On the side of the road.”
“Why? I thought you were going up the coast to see Daisy’s folks.”
“We have. I’m walking to the bus stop right now because she and I had a fight.”
“Elias, that’s a little foolish, don’t you think? Give her a call to apologise.”
“Why? I did nothing wrong. Plus, I think her father would kill me. I shouted at his daughter.”
Ava’s low, hearty laugh sent a bittersweet warmth throughout Elias’s body. “You are so stubborn,” she said. “Do you want me to pick you up?”
“I’m an hour outside of Sydney. Besides, if I turn around now, I’ll be back at Daisy’s in fifteen minutes.”
“Elias, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in your position. When I was married to Liam, we fought like cats and dogs. One of us would usually storm out and spend a night at a hotel. Giving yourself time to cool off will clear your mind and conscience. I can pick you up.”
“Aren’t you in the city?”
“No, I drove up the coast Saturday morning for a meeting and I’m heading back now. I’m only thirty minutes away. My offer still stands.”
Elias stopped in his tracks, staring into the enveloping darkness surrounding him. Golden headlights fleeted by, throwing beams of light onto the pavement. He could turn around and face the music—and Donald—at Daisy’s house or he could accept Ava’s lift and sleep in his own bed tonight. There was no point dwelling on his actions, as long as his ride home with Ava was kept secret.
“Okay,” he said at last. “Where should I meet you?”
“There’s a petrol station on Faulkner Street. Do you think you can meet me there?”
“Sure. And thanks.”
When Ava hung up, Elias sent a quick text to Daisy:
Elias: Catching a train home. I need time to cool off. Don’t worry. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.