“I really like the sound of that.” Rylie said under his breath as he kissed the top of my head, and stretched his hand out to Sam. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Sam looked to me and then to Rylie again, and in slow motion took Rylie’s hand. When he recovered, he shook his head quickly, and said, “I’m sorry, I’m at a disadvantage here. I didn’t even know Luci was involved with anyone, let alone the CEO of Webster Enterprises.”
“We’ve known each other for a very long time.” Rylie said smoothly. “We’ve also been pretty quiet about our relationship for a number of reasons.”
Nodding, Sam looked at me and said, “This is why you were so protective during our conversation last night.”
I stared at him pointedly and raised an eyebrow. “It is. Until recently, my private life was my own. I realize that now that it is public knowledge that Rylie and I are together, our lives won’t be private, but I want to keep as much of it as possible that way.” I took a steadying breath before saying, “Let me make one thing crystal clear. My relationship with Rylie Allen has nothing to do with my work. There will be no special favors, no media ploys, nothing.”
“Of course.” Sam said, his eyes flicking to Rylie.
“I know you two have much to talk about. I’ll let you get to it.” Then Rylie turned, kissed me quick and ran his thumb over the ring now on my finger and whispered as he leaned forward to kiss the top of my head, “No fair being the first one to introduce us as engaged.” He pulled back and there was a wide smile on his face. I just stuck my tongue out at him, and he shook his head.
“Have a good day, Sam.” Then he was walking off. The way he walked out, head high, shoulders back, and his hands in his pockets… It was like he didn’t have a care in the world. I watched him as he went through the double doors and pulled his phone out.
“Rylie Allen.” He said with a light whistle. “Luci, you never cease to amaze me.”
“So, the Henderson project.” I said, blatantly ignoring the comment, as I strode past him, and toward the maps and drawings on the table. I took off my jacket and hung it over the chair. Rylie had picked out my outfit, and dressed me again this morning, and I had to admit I felt business beautiful in it. He had chosen a simple knee-length skirt paired with a lightweight v-neck sweater and nude pumps.
“First, I need your answer. I have HR on the line.” He pushed a couple buttons on a remote, and the Director of HR and two others showed up on the video conference window on the TV on the right side of the room.
I stood up and crossed my arms. “David. Good to see you again.”
“Ms. Baker.” David’s eyes shifted as if he was looking for someone else in the room.
“Are you looking for someone in particular?” I raised an eyebrow at the Director of HR.
“There have been some,” He cleared his throat, and I interrupted him.
“Photos of me with a certain CEO of Webster Enterprises?” I raised my eyebrows, waiting for his answer.
“Well, yes.” There was something oddly satisfying about seeing the Director of HR shift uncomfortably in his seat.
I took a deep breath and maintained a professional demeaner, even though I wanted nothing more than to roll my eyes. “Rylie Allen and I have been friends for a very long time. I fail to see how this has anything to do with the reason we’re here.”
“The photos released on social media overnight indicate more than friends.” There was a tentative nature to his voice that told me he was trying to ask more without directly asking the question. I kept my face neutral.
This was the first of a long list of lines I was going to draw in the sand. Hold your boundaries.
I took a long breath and said firmly, but professionally, “Mr. Allen isn’t here, nor should he be part of this conversation. We are here to discuss my business life, not my personal life. That being said, don’t believe everything you read and see in the press gossip section. If I did something that violates company policy, or if my work performance and ability to complete the Henderson project or other projects in a timely manner has diminished in any way because my personal life, then, and only then, do I need to make you aware of my personal life.”
There was a quick nod, and David cleared his throat before he looked to Sam, who just gave him a quick nod. “Very well, I assume Sam provided you with the information about the offer last night?”
“He did.” I wanted to keep this quick and short if I could. They didn’t know the development that my personal life had taken, and I tried to hide my hand in hopes they wouldn’t notice the accessory on my left hand.
“An additional 40K a year, your full-time residency in Chicago,—”
“As I said, Sam went through the details with me last night. I’ve already decided to accept, should the following conditions also be met.” I met David’s eye through the monitor and said, “My personal life willnotbe used for company in any way, be it publicity, advertisement, or boasting ability of connections. I will not use my personal connections with Webster Enterprises to help Kolvinal in any professional way, shape, or form. You will continue as you had been before the news of my personal connection with Mr. Rylie Allen broke last night. If, at any time, I feel my connections are being used, or that special treatment in any way is being used or given, I will walk, immediately.”
Another window popped up, and when I saw who it was, I was only mildly surprised to see him show up. “Mr. Kolvinal.” I said in greeting.
“And what does Mr. Allen think—”
I let out a frustrated breath out of my nose. “This is the last time I’m going to comment on this before filing a harassment claim with HR. Mr. Allen has no say in what I do with my work. Mr. Allen doesn’t work for Kolvinal, I do.”
“What if our office has a business relationship with Webster Enterprises in the future?” Chantel, Sam’s boss, said.
“Then you will assign him a representative, other than Luci Baker, and treat him with the same respect and attention we give all our clients.” Sam’s voice was restrained, and I could tell he was trying to hold back his own frustration.
