‘Go on.’ I crossed my legs and arms, wondering what she had planned for us now.
‘So, I’ve compiled a list of the board members’ dietary preferences for tomorrow night. Some have serious allergies you need to be aware of,’ she said, passing me her clipboard. ‘Trust me, we do not want Russell Todd anywhere near shellfish.’ She smirked as if we were gossiping together. But I knew Russell was, in fact, a lover of shellfish, and it was Noah Banks who had the allergy.
‘Oh, this is so useful.’ I scanned the clipboard, noting how she’d mixed up likes and dislikes. This was childish sabotage, but if that was her best shot, I’d play along. ‘I’ll call the caterers right now. Thanks, Britney.’
‘Who are you using? For catering?’ she asked.
I paused, not wanting to reveal my secrets. ‘It’s a sushi place in Chinatown. I’ve heard people raving about it.’
She looked unimpressed.
‘Do you like sushi?’ I asked.
‘No,’ she replied, her face turning red. ‘Not a fan. But anyway, I’ll leave you to it.’ She paused. ‘Just thought I’d help.’
I grinned as pleasantly as I could. ‘No, thank you, seriously.’ I nodded. But as soon as she exited, I chucked the entire clipboard into the bin.What a fucking fanny.
Moments later, my office phone rang and I lifted it to the crook of my shoulder. ‘Hello, Ella speaking.’ I was still typing up emails to vendors for the launch night, feeling a little distracted and under a serious amount of pressure.
‘Hello, miss. We have a gentleman down in the lobby looking for you. He has a delivery.’
I paused, wondering what was due. I’d ordered so many boxes – merchandise, influencer walls, decorations – it could be anything.
‘Can’t you sign for it, and I’ll head down?’ I asked.
‘No, ma’am. It has to be you,’ the voice said.
‘OK, then I guess I’ll head down now.’ I sighed, standing up from my desk, heading towards the lift. I intentionally walked past Jimmy’s office and glanced in. He was in a meeting but still managed to check me out as I passed.
I smiled as a message came through while the lift descended.
Jimmy:Dat ass, wow xxxx
The lift doors opened to the lobby, and I headed towards the security guard. He pointed at a tall man dressed in a smart jacket and dark jeans. I felt my heart fall to the floor.
It was Philip.
I waited until I got close enough and muttered through my teeth, ‘What the fuck are you doing here? I’m working!’
He arched an eyebrow. ‘Can I have my nose back now? Jesus! I forgot how crabbit you get when you have a deadline approaching. Next week, isn’t it?’
I was seething; I could feel the anger rise from my toes to my face. ‘I am not crabbit! And yeah, but I have an investors’ launch tomorrow to get through first.’
‘Clearly,’ he pointed at my face, ‘you are supremely crabbit.’ Then he laughed casually, as if we were two old friends catching up. ‘Look, I wanted to see you. I was in the building and .?.?.’
‘You were in the building?What?’ I ran my hands through my hair.
‘Well, I wanted to get into the building, but the place is like fucking Barlinnie.’ He laughed. ‘I wanted to see you! And you haven’t replied to my messages.’
‘Because we’re not pals, and I have a boyfriend, Philip.’ I glanced at the people coming in and out, hoping they wouldn’t catch any of this unsightly domestic.
He laughed lightly again. ‘And you can’t have a chat with an old friend because you have a boyfriend? Hmmm .?.?.’ He held his finger up to his face. ‘What would The Dicktionary Club say about that, I wonder? Controlling or .?.?.’
‘They would say you’re being a manipulative prick, actually!’ I spat.
Philip’s shoulders drooped and he smiled sadly. ‘I only want a chat, Ella. Five minutes of your time, that’s it. I’ve had a thought .?.?.’
I glanced around again, making sure I hadn’t been spotted.
