Friday morning, I couldn’t help the huge grin that seemed permanently etched on my lips, even the idea of seeing Liam again couldn’t wipe it away. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of Becca and Jason’s big day. I’ve never been in a wedding before, and the thought of it makes me giddy. I’d left after Jason excused himself to bed, only he wasn’t quick enough as Becca dragged out her monstrosity of a wedding binder and insisted we look through it. Safe to say, I was excited, but I’ll be damned if she’s turning into a bridezilla. I found myself searching online until late last night for wedding ideas I was so excited, and these things take months, right? If I could conquer Becca’s wedding, then I could conquer Liam. I chose my outfit wisely and rocked up to the office ready to take on the world. My cream camisole top is tucked neatly into my black pencil skirt, and my black heels are paired with thigh high stockings held in place by my favorite black lace garter belt. I needed to feel every bit the woman I am, and so my outfit was just the beginning.
By the time we get all the necessary paperwork and head out of the office to our meeting, I’m energized and ready. I will not let the Hadleigh’s take anything I don’t allow them to. The niggling thought that I need this more than they do races through my head, I have to make this work whether I like it or not. Becca and I reach the Hadleigh offices, the snotty receptionist directs us to the top floor where we are greeted by another. How many receptionists do these people need? “This is swanky” Becca states, glancing around her at the high end, polished wood lining the hallway before heading for the receptionist.
“Miss Bellucci, Mr. Hadleigh is expecting you” her voice is warm and welcoming and sends, but the way she eyes me sends a shiver through me. Turning on the spot she leads us through the glass doors. This receptionist is nicer than the one downstairs, her long red hair falls in waves around her shoulders. The pant suits she’s wearing is modern and sophisticated, it’s very professional. This I’m impressed with, not so much the other one. I wonder why she looked at me funny? We’re led down a corridor, past a few other offices with their doors closed and into a conference room. The design is a contrast between traditional and modern, woods and glass mixed together to create a very professional looking space. It’s similar to the layout at Bellucci but it feels older with the dark hardwood floors and dark oval table in the center.
“I’ll let the gentlemen know that you’re here” the red head nods and leaves us. I wonder if she’s one of the many women I know Liam has parading around him? That would explain her looking at me like that, does she think I’m a threat? Ha! I place the folder containing all the merger paperwork on the table and take off my coat. Becca does the same and goes to hang them on the coat rack in the corner. I admire the view out of the floor to ceiling windows, we’re higher up here so I can see more of the city. I purse my lips as slight jealousy flows through me. Sky Scrapers dotted around us pop into the London smog like daggers, while the winter sun battles its thickness, trying in vain to cast a golden glow on the people below. I wonder how many floors they occupy here, the total amount of staff in the business proposal slips my mind. The door swings open and David Hadleigh enters all smiles and cheer.
“Amelia! Thank you so much for coming to us today” he comes over and shakes my hand in both of his. A slightly plump gentleman, his beefy fingers are soft and wrinkly in my hand, I notice that Liam looks nothing like his father. A rounder face, with a slightly crooked nose and white hair littered with flecks of pepper. Liam must look like his mother. I’d expected to see some similarities between the two, but I can’t seem to find any.
“It’s my pleasure Mr. Hadleigh. Please call me Mia. This is my assistant and Paralegal Becca”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you” he takes Becca’s hand and gives it a firm shake. I see her flinch slightly at his grip, but it soon disappears.
“Can I get you ladies anything? I’m eager to start the process, Liam will be joining us shortly” David takes a seat at the head of his table, just like I do when we’re at mine.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to use the restroom before we get started” I want to compose myself before running into the lion’s den.
“Of course, it’s down the hall and to your right” he tells me. I give Becca a nod before turning and making my way down the hallway, past the offices we crossed earlier and find the bathroom. Once I’m done I check my makeup and give my hair a little fluff. Heading back to the conference room I hear Liam’s voice. I smile, the teenage girl in me shrieks with excitement but I will her away. Maybe I have a strange attraction to awful men? I seem to have a past with them! He’s awful and I know it. A loud cackle of a woman’s laugh breaks my thoughts and sends chills all down my spine. I slow my pace and stop outside the office door the cackle seems to have emanated from.
The door at the top end of the hallway is slightly ajar, and I can’t help my nosiness when I peer inside. Through the crack in the door, I see a glass desk with a woman perched on top, her back is to me and her legs are spread on either side of the chair with the occupant of said chair clearly doing things he shouldn’t be during office hours. I clasp my hand across my mouth, unable to turn away even as she throws her head back and I get a glimpse of her face. Well her forehead and the tip of her nose as her long blonde locks swish around her backside. I don’t recognize her, but I do recognize him. Liam is sat in the chair directly opposite this woman’s spread legs. My hand around my mouth tightens, muffling the gasp that escapes my lips as I rush my way back to the conference room. Before I step inside I take a minute to process what I just saw. I knew he was a sleaze bag! I instantly feel dirty forever wanting him to kiss me. I wonder how many women he’s had over his knee? I close my eyes at the thought. I can’t believe I have to work with this man, but what other choice do I have? I need this merger to work to get me as far away from my past as possible. It has to work, I have no other options and believe me I’ve considered everything. I clear my throat and hold my head high. Liam’s just given me all the ammo I need against him. David isn’t retiring yet, it’s still possible that I can swing him to work in my favor. Turning the knob, I walk back into the meeting with a new air of confidence, and I’m ready to sign off on these final papers. Seeing Liam in that position has brought the business to the forefront of my mind, I don’t want to get personally involved with a man like that, well I do, there’s no denying the slight jealousy I feel deep in my gut, but fantasy versus reality, right? Becca is laughing at something David has said, and I suddenly feel awkward around him. Does he know what his Son gets up to? Does he allow it?
“David was just telling me all about his retirement plans” Becca says, before taking a swig of her water.
“Oh, that’s great. I’m sorry that this merger came at the wrong time. I was looking forward to working with you” I smile, taking my seat next to Becca, hoping that he will tell me something good.
“Oh, I know! I’m sure we’ll get a few projects under our belt before I leave. But the time is right, and Liam has all the abilities to make this work. I’m proud of him you know” He says with a genuinely proud smile. It seems he’s unaware of his sons’ extracurricular activities, and if he chooses to turn a blind eye then he’s not letting me know about it. I hope he’s right about the few projects, having my name next to Hadleigh’s would be so beneficial to my career, you have no idea! The riches ability to get away with murder infuriates me but I give him my best fake smile and start to say something when I’m interrupted by the door swinging open. Liam strides in, smoothing down his tie.
“Sorry I’m late” he says it like he’s out of breath. I wonder why! I turn to face him slightly and a flash of emotion crosses his eyes. I can’t tell what it is. His brow is creased and he’s glaring at me intently. I turn my gaze away. I don’t care what he’s feeling, I need to get on with this. I hate that he still appeals to my inner needs even after seeing him you know... I grab my file and place the relevant papers in front of me as he sits directly opposite before placing his hands on the table in front of him and tangling his fingers together.
“Amelia, have you met my son?” David starts the conversation.
“Yes, briefly” I say, giving him my best fake smile, giving Liam a quick glance but only out of politeness to his father. Midnight blue irises stare back at me, burning a hole in my head. If I didn’t already know his game, I would say he looked a little terrifying. If he’s going to do this for the duration of our meeting, I might reach out and poke him in those ocean blues. I won’t do that, but I could. The emotion in his eyes registers now as anger, and I find myself slightly pleased. I bet he wouldn’t be acting this polite if he had found me in the same position I found him and that whore. He coughs so I jerk my gaze back to meet his and I don’t look away this time.
“Shall we get started?” Becca asks, clearly sensing something else in the air as she starts pulling the papers from my file and turning them to David.
“These are some of the deadlines Amelia would like to meet as soon as possible. As you can see she has signed off on some of the ideas for the departments already, and we would like to set a date on closing everything off. I think we would all like to see a finish line in place”
The merger itself is a done deal, it’s the finer details that need refining – like a name! Seen as David was the CEO I had met with him and his board months ago, but these niggly details that come with owning and running a company keep crawling their way out of the woodwork.
The meeting goes on like this for around two hours. By the end of it, I think I have burn holes in my head from Liam’s staring. He contributed lightly to our discussions and nodded along when prompted by his father. Smugness washes over me, he is a daddy’s boy. Does he not have his own ability to think and speak without any encouragement from David? Maybe David does know about Liam, maybe he does the same thing. Yuck! I shove that image away as quickly as it appeared.
“I would like to establish some office rules for when we’re situated at the new building” I start, giving Liam my best fake smile. I’ve sat here and done the work that’s required of me, now it’s time to play his game. Liam looks up at me through his long, thick eyelashes and I fight the urge to bite my lip.
“Of course, We already have employee rules and regulations but are happy to add any you have in mind” David nods.
“I’ve actually taken the liberty of looking over them and highlighted the ones I think are most important and should be reinforced” I took the time during the meeting to highlight one in particular. I pass the paper across the table to Liam, careful not to touch him. I can’t deal with the sparks he sends off right now. I see Becca fidgeting in her seat and David tries to glance at the paper. I watch his face for any reaction, but I get nothing.
“I’ll handle this” Liam says with a curt nod to his father, as he does his best to hide the paper from view. The anger returns to Liam’s features and I can’t help but feel proud that I finally got a reaction out of him.
“Great” David nods, seemingly unaware at the internal war his son and I seem to be having.
I highlighted the section that says ‘Interoffice relationships are allowed. However, we strictly ask you to remain at the professional standards of Hadleigh Solicitors at all times. Any breach of this rule will be the direct result of a formal inquiry and your position at the company will be questioned’ I smirk at Liam across the table and the anger in his eyes is evident. I squirm a little but remain as composed as possible.
“All staff will get new contracts under the new company, so all company policies will be included in them” David reiterates. “I think we’re done here” he claps his hands together and stands. We all shake hands, but I avoid Liam’s. Becca and David head for the door and I follow suit, but not before Liam slams it shut and slaps his hand across it.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” his voice is angry, and his eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them, if I was in any other frame of mind I would be melting into them.
“What’s wrong with me?” I ask him, sarcastically. The look on his perfect features darkens and I can see he doesn’t appreciate it.
“Care to explain?” he shakes the paper in his hand.
I scoff at his feigned ignorance. He really is an asshole!
“I thought we left on a good note yesterday and now you’re being the fucking Ice Queen towards me” he hisses. The Ice Queen. I like that.
“I’d hardly call yesterday a good note Liam. But I thought you could use the reminder of how to be professional and I think it’s my right to be cold towards you after what I seen you doing in your office don’t you?” The lines on his forehead deepen, and I resist the urge to reach out and stroke them. Knowing deep down that if I start giving in to his demands now, they will only get worse. Nip it in the bud and all that.
“What are you talking about?” he asks, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets, along with the now crumpled paper.
“Really?” I almost laugh at his ignorance. The look on his face tells me he really doesn’t have any idea what I’m talking about. Crossing my arms across my chest, I decide to give it to him bluntly.
“Oh, you know, just the fact that you had your face buried inside that woman’s pussy on your desk” I spit out and I turn towards the closed door. “Are you like this all the time? I mean, trying to fuck anything that moves?” He grabs my arm and this time see the flash of realization on his face. That’s all the evidence I need from him.
“Amelia…”
“Save it. I don’t want to know. We’re done. You’re just the arrogant, fucking Daddy’s boy I thought you were” I had to get that out there. I want to get a reaction out of him, try me big guy.
“I told you what would happen if you ever said that again” he seethes.
“Oh yeah? Are you going to put me over your knee Liam? Is that it? Office fondling is your thing?” I huff sarcastically.
“Amelia! You have no idea what you saw!” he almost yells at me and I flinch.
“Fuck You Liam. The only reason I’m still doing this is because of my company, otherwise we’re done!” I jerk my arm out of his grasp and grab the door handle. I can’t resist the urge to look back, and when I do I regret it instantly. He’s standing there raking his hands through that thick mop of chocolate hair and I feel a little bad for not hearing him out.