Sinful Lies

Chapter 3: KEEP DREAMING PLAYBOY

To say that the next day at work was busy, was an understatement, I swamped with files for the new merger that our company was in talks about. Just when I was going through the list of contractors my desk phone started ringing “Good morning, sir”.

“Ah, good morning, Anya. Is the list consolidated? I will be talking to them personally to let them know that they need not worry about this merger. After all, we would still need them even if the merger goes through”.

“I understand, sir and I am just about to be done with the list” I opened up the list on my computer and the invoices of our purchase orders and the contracts “I will have it ready in an hour if that is all right with you. Just had to get a few more contractor information up in the list”.

“Ok, ok, no problem. One hour is good! Just email it to me and call me once you have done it, you know how I tend to miss things when I am busy with work”.

“Sure, sir”.

“And how are things coming along for the Charity Auction? I know that these sudden merger talks have got everyone busy, but I expect you to do your absolute best as well for this Auction, you know how much it means to me and the Foundation”.

“Don’t worry about it, sir. I had a meeting with Mr. Sanchez, and we have discussed all the details and he is on it. I have a meeting with him this Friday to check on the stuff that will be auctioned off. I am waiting to receive the invites from the press. Once I have them ready, I will bring them up to you in order for you to sign them personally”.

“I knew you were the best choice for this job the first time I saw you walk through those doors” I heard him chuckle, I knew the man and he was probably picturing how clumsily I had gotten everybody’s attention on that day.

“You flatter me, sir” I chuckled too at that particular memory of mine “I was a bundle of nerves that day when I had come for my interview. I even feared that your security was going to ask me to leave!”

He laughed wholeheartedly “It’s good that they didn’t then, or I would have lost the best Managing Director there is out there” his words made me happy.

“And I would have lost the opportunity to work under such an amazing CEO like yourself!” this is a conversation that I never had with him even though he has always been his friendly self but the talks of merger and the fear of whatever awaits in my future made me it comfortable to have this kind of talk with him.

“I will let you get back to those files and inform Aiden that there is a new guest list. I will have Linda email it across to you. Have a good day, Anya”.

“Sure. You have a good day too, sir” the perks of having a wonderful boss are these little things where he takes time and calls just to check on a few things and have a friendly conversation even if it is just for a minute or so ‘I had this kind of relationship with John, only he is not a sixty year old’.

** Flashback **

I was standing in the kitchen, brewing myself a cup of black coffee, lost in a thoughtless stare. For the first time in months, I feel like the still water of an undisturbed lake, no thoughts, no sorrow, no nothing, just me and a little bit of peace in an otherwise chaos called life.

“Lost somewhere?” his silky – smooth deep sleepy voice came from behind me.

“Just… enjoying the calm” I grabbed my cup of steaming hot coffee and poured one for him as well “Here you go. Didn’t sleep well?”

“Argggghhhh! Don’t ask” he groaned as I handed him his cup “Thank you” he sighed dreamily leaning his perfect as$ to the edge of the counter – top ‘God! Woman! Shake out of it! You are only staying with him coz he is the only one who knows everything that’s happened and is your only friend!’

“I will have to get my remaining stuff…” my voice trailed off as I remembered that I am yet to go back to that house that I once called my own, the house where I had the most beautiful moments of my life with the man, I had loved with my all. I cleared my throat with my cup close to my lips, but I seem to be short on words.

“I will come with you” he was looking at me and all I could see was a pity for me in his eyes.

“No, I am ok… to go alone” even though I am saying that I will be ok to go alone that is not how I am feeling in my heart but having him over there will only make it worse if David is at home too. Knowing David, I am sure he will be waiting for me even though he assured me that he will be at his office.

It has been a month and I have not spoken a word to him “You are not doing this alone and that’s FINAL! We can maybe do a little shopping before we go to your house just in case David is home. Dress sexy with a handsome man on your arm, of course, the handsome man I am referring to is me, and let us show him what he has lost”.

“You are incorrigible!” I smiled for the first time in a month though it was just a momentary “Thank you”.

“Sweetheart, do you think it is that easy, just a thank you and I will let you off the hook. You, my dear, owe me dinner and NO, NOT A DATE!”

This is not the first time that he has tried getting me to get out of his house and go out with him, even if it were just to share a meal together. I chuckled, shaking my head side to side “I know! And, yes, I will be more than happy to have dinner with you”.

A tired sigh left my lips “Honestly, thank you though… for everything” I placed my hand on his before wrapping both my hands around his palm, squeezing it gently “It means a lot to me”.

He tucked a handful of loose strands of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering a little longer on the shell of my ear before gently trailing down my jaw. He has been doing this, touching me like I am some delicate Glass doll, walking on the egg – shells around me and even though I feel bad for him, I am not able to help it.

‘How different things would have been had I not married David?

Would I have gotten a chance to fall in love with a guy that had the best interest of my heart in his?

Would I have gotten married to a guy as amazing as John?

Would I have been happy with whomever I might have ended up with?

Would my life be any different had I not met David and moved from Paris?’

The way he was looking at me and the moment, made the time stop and everything around us faded into the background while the air surrounding us seemed to turn heavy and charged “See, I could make you forget all about that jerk” he said in this tone that he has specially reserved to seduce women.

I rolled my eyes and slapped his bicep “Keep dreaming playboy! I have worked for four… no… five gruelling long years of your flirting to now be immune to those charms you put on”.

** Flashback Ends **

Just as I hung up the call with my boss my phone started ringing again “Yes, Mr. Sanchez. Is there something that we missed to discuss that you are calling me this early in the morning?”

“Ah, yes, Ms. Smith. I was calling to check if we can make an appointment today for lunch? I just have something that I need to discuss”.

“Uhh… hang on a minute, will you?” I pulled up my schedule for the day and checked if I had any meetings for today ‘Hmmm… I am free but do I want to meet him? I have had enough male drama going on already!’ “Well, lunch it is! Will Saturn Hut be ok for you?”

“Absolutely! I will see you at 2 then… Anya.

“See you then Mr. Sanchez” I hung up and got back to the files that needed my attention.