His Baby, Her Life

Chapter 3

'Talia!' Christian's deep voice could be heard through the slightly ajar door. 

Natalia rolled her eyes. This had become a daily routine with Christian for the past few weeks. Even though they only saw each other three times in a week, and Christian intended to work her hard! She rose to her feet and walked to the office, 'Yes, sir?' she asked, raising an eyebrow at him, though he did not even look up from what he was doing

'I need the reports of Project Siesta from the Research and Development Department sent to me by the end of the day. Also, make sure that finance knows that you will be accompanying me for the business trip tomorrow.' he said, his focus on the double screens in front of him.

Natalia ran the schedule in her mind. This would mean that she would be away for a week, 'it is rather short notice, sir,' she said hesitantly. She had learned to tread softly when it came to Christian's temper. It seemed he had no patience when it came to her. 

Christian looked up for the first time since she entered the office. 'You need to be notified about work trips? When you signed your contract with Howard and Associates, your time became the company's time.' 

Natalia had to control her eyes and facial expression. 'Sir, my contract was slightly adjusted, due to some personal reasons. I am more than happy to bring it to you for review.' 

'Let's get something clear, Talia. You now work for me. I really do not care about your personal reasons. As clearly stated those are your personal problems, do not bring them into the business. As all the contracts for Executive Assistants go, where I go, you follow. I am not here to babysit you and bend to your will. I am not Howard. I will expect you at the airport before seven-thirty,' he dismissed her by going back to his work. 

Natalia, seeing that arrogant tilt of his head, walked out without a word. Flopping on her desk she quickly made a call to the Research and Development Department before calling the Finance Department for the accommodation and travel allowance allocations for herself and Christian. When done, she sat back and closed her eyes. Working with Christian was energy draining. Not only did she have to have the professional façade on all the time, but the guilt was also starting to eat on her. Should she come clean to him about the secret she had been keeping for the past three years? No!  Her sub-conscience exclaimed. He threw you out like last week's meatloaf, he does not deserve to know anything. 

Lost in her thoughts, she was not aware of the tall blonde lady who walked in. The first thing Natalia noticed was the length of her legs accented well with the form-fitting pants she was wearing. 'May I help you, ma'am?' she smiled gently, cussing inward as the front desk did not inform her of the visitor beforehand.

'I am here to see Chris.' Her voice was cool and calm.

Natalia frowned and reached for her diary. Now she was really annoyed with the front desk for not communicating with her. She was sure that all of Christian's meetings were done for that day. 'I am sorry but you are not on today's schedule.'

The woman gave a fake laugh, 'no, darling. No need to look for me in there. I am a private appointment,' she gave a smile. 'Just let him know that Cassandra is here.' 

Natalia wiped out any emotions from her face and her voice as she reached for the intercom. 'Cassandra to see you, sir.' 

'Let her in,' Christian drawled from the other side immediately. 'Oh, and hold all my calls until she leaves' He did not wait for her reply but disconnected the call. 

Natalia turned to Cassandra, finding her playing with her fingers, her posture bored. 'Please follow me.' She stood up, walked a few feet and held the door open. Christian had stood from behind his desk and was at the front, leaning on it with his hands in his pockets, seeming to wait patiently for the lady with his sexy smirk on his lips. Natalia gave him a blank look as she let Cassandra pass, but she might as well had been the door because Christian had eyes only for the blonde woman.  

'Darling,' she heard Cassandra purr as she closed the door. Sighing, she walked to her chair and flopped down for the second time that afternoon. A private appointment, huh? So it seemed as though now he was into leggy blondes. 

She frowned as unwelcome thoughts made their way into her mind of what that private appointment entitled. Shaking herself she took a deep breath and went back to work, diving into it so that no other thought had time to manifest itself in her mind. 

His intercom sounded and he reached for it like a thirsty man reaching for a glass of water. 'I said no disturbance, Talia.' 

'I was just informing you that I am done and heading home now. Everything is set for tomorrow, I have sent all files you may need to your inbox. Is there anything else you needed before I leave?' 

Christian glanced at his watch. Office hours were over already? He glanced at the woman waiting for him to take her for dinner and groaned inwards. What had possessed him to offer her dinner? Their business was long concluded but he had deliberately told her to stay for his own agenda. Cassandra would have understood if he did, in fact, cancel the dinner on her, but he had wanted Natalia to show some type of emotions, something that she had kept under a rock but nothing. And she was the total opposite of Natalia. Where Natalia was a curvy brunette, Cassandra was slim blonde. 'Please wait until we discuss the trip we will be taking tomorrow.' Anything to get her to stay. 

Natalia was quiet for a while, 'how long, sir?' 

'A few minutes,' he ended their conversation before she could object. Standing up he walked to where Cassandra was clicking through her phone. 'I am afraid we have to cancel our dinner date tonight.' 

Cassandra stood and crossed her arms, 'I understand. Next time make up your mind a bit earlier.' 

'Seems I have something urgent to do before I travel tomorrow.' Christian rubbed the back of his neck, a small smile playing on his lips.

'Of course, you are! What will you be discussing with the brunette outside?' Cassandra reached for his tie and started playing with it. 'I could come with you.' 

'That is not possible,' untangling his tie from her hands, he walked to the door and opened it for her. 

With a pout, Cassandra swayed her way towards him, placing a kiss on his chin she whispered loudly enough for Natalia to hear, 'Call me when you get back,' and walked away, her stilettos knocking on the tiled floor. 

Christian turned to look at Natalia, finding her busy collecting her belongings to head home. She appeared unfazed by what had happened, as though this was a daily occurrence. What did you expect? his conscience asked him. Annoyed, he gritted his teeth and said. 'The driver will be at your place at exactly six-thirty. Be ready.' He was turning and closing his door when her soft voice stopped him. 

Natalia frowned, 'Was that all you wanted to discuss, sir? Your driver coming to get me?' He tried to peek at her, to see if she was at least upset, but her face was empty.

'Yes,' he replied. 'Do you have a problem with that?' He arched an eyebrow as a challenge.

Natalia shook her head as she collected her car keys and shrugged on her suit jacket. 'Chris,' she used his first name for the first time since they started working together. 'You have lipstick on your chin. Though it is a very beautiful color, I don't think that's where it should be.' She turned around and walked away without a backward gaze.