DRAGONJULS Storybook
Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: See Part One
Part 15
Chapter Thirty-one
Catherine Warriorson had often wondered what it would be like to fall in love. Now she knew exactly what if felt like and the obvious elation the feeling gave you was nothing in comparison to the drawbacks like jealousy, anger, frustration and loss of control!
Now who was she kidding, even if the other emotions went into override she would still want to share this experience with Jace, it wasn't a decision she could calculatingly make any more, it was just there and not to be trifled with. No, being in love with Jace Bardley was the most important thing in her life, and she was going to make sure that if Jace wanted to share her life with her, then who was she to stop it!
'She said she would take the baggage whatever it was and I'm going to hold her to that! I can't foresee my life without her in it now anyway.'
Tonight she was finishing the last of the 'European short stories' she had started a week ago; those kids wanted at least three chapters a night, so it was easy to get through a book in a week. Nothing she had previously experienced in her life could have warned her of the dangers of becoming emotionally involved with these two children. She had let the defences that Jace had casually brought down around her, remain down and let them in, not just to her home but to her heart also!
Waiting for them to appear or rather the shout from Grace to say that Lisa was bathed and ready for her trip down the stairs it had been another ritual, which had been broken because of her obstinacy over her disagreement with Jace. Now she was back in harness and the kids didn't seem to be any the worse for wear over her handling however badly of them. Except, Grace had informed her of Jake's nightmares and she had been visibly shaken, for she knew she had been partly responsible, no wholly responsible for their return.
"Okay boss lady, there all yours." Shouted a happy sounding Grace.
"I'm on my way." Catherine responded with a chuckle.
Making her way to Lisa's room she glanced at the next door and sighed heavily, it was almost time for her visit to Jace, almost!
Walking inside the child's room she noticed a few toys and trinkets that hadn't been around the last time she looked in. "Have you been shopping Lisa?" Glancing at the small redhead who was dressed in a nightdress with small teddy bears swinging from a half moon emblazoned on the material. Her dressing gown had a similar motif.
The child looked up at her and smiled her gap tooth smile, although the tooth had begun to peep through. "Grace took Jake and I shopping, we have pocket money now!" Her excited voice answered.
Catherine laughed at the remark and held out her arms for the small child to be lifted up and carried downstairs. For some reason they had developed this routine and neither one of them appeared uncomfortable with it. There is only one word for you these days Catherine 'SOFT.' in capital letters. "Glad to hear it, looks like you made some good choices, tomorrow you can show me what you bought, if you want too?"
"Yes, please Catherine." The child hugged her tighter round the neck and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
"Come on, let's get to the lounge before Jake reads the story before us." Catherine was slightly embarrassed at the display of affection, but deep down she relished the innocent contact and silently thanked whoever had let her have a second chance at motherhood.
They settled into the large armchair, Catherine seated with Lisa nestling into her chest and Jake at her feet resting his back against her legs. He didn't go much for personal contact but managed to settle into this pose comfortably.
An hour later the book was put aside on the coffee table and Catherine saw the yawns from both children, although Jake would never openly admit he was tired.
Two minutes later Grace walked into the lounge bearing a tray laden with milky drinks for the children, a mug of tea for Catherine, she brought along her coffee also. It had been something they had agreed on after an hour of reading to have the bedtime drinks around that time, so that the story telling didn't get carried away, as it had one evening when Catherine had totally forgotten the time.
Grace settled down into the chair opposite Catherine and winked at her.
Sending her a raised eyebrow but having a grin plastered on her face, Catherine looked at the drowsy children and took a breath as she considered her options. No better time than this, she might as well get everything in the open. "Jake, Lisa. I need you to listen to me for a few minutes please?" she tentatively approached them.
Grace smiled warmly at them as they starred intently at the woman who had become almost an idol to each child in different ways.
"Okay." they both piped up at the same time.
"Good, good. I need to go away for a few weeks,' noticing they're crestfallen expressions and the quickly tearing up of Lisa, she held the child tightly to her and whispered in her ear. "Hey, it's not that bad, honestly." Lisa gulped and Jake continued to look at her with a hooded almost closed look in his eyes, mirroring old pain.
"I have to go to America and clear up a business problem but I'm coming back and hopefully, I will have a good surprise for you when I do get back.' She looked at their faces closely and smiled at them with gentle understanding. 'You will hardly miss me, for no sooner will I have gone but I'll be back, I promise."
Grace saw the sudden welling of emotion in her friend and continued in part for her. "Yeah, kids we can get the horse lessons finished, for when she comes back so you can surprise her and you can all go riding together as a family, what do you say?" The children looked in her direction and each gave her a small smile the question unanswered.
"What I really wanted to say was while I'm gone I need you both to consider something for me and you mustn't rush into making up your minds, we have plenty of time. What I want to ask is, if you will consider letting me adopt you both!" There she'd finally got it out and what a relief that was.
Both children looked at her in astonishment and wonder. "You know that I care about you and so does Grace. We thought that maybe you might consider becoming a real family here on 'Destiny', but I'll understand if you can't or if want to wait until you're a little older to decide. Like I say, think about it and let me know when I get back. No pressure, it's all up to you." Catherine finished lamely.
Lisa slipped out of the arm that held her and scrambled off her lap to stand at the foot of the chair, almost standing on Jake in her haste, he moved hastily aside for her. Looking into the ice blue eyes that had given them a new life even if she was a little quiet and austere at times.
"I can answer you now Catherine, but I'll wait until you get back. Might make you get back to us quicker?" The childish logic wasn't that far from the truth.
Catherine smiled at the serious expression. "That it will Princess, that it will." She then looked at the bowed head of the boy on the floor, only a foot away from her chair. She waited.
Grace was looking at the bent head of the boy and the pensive expression on Catherine's face. Suddenly he looked up at her and his hazel eyes held a fear that she didn't understand. "It won't make you my mother will it?" He asked her directly.
Catherine was stunned by the question and a little sad at his objection to her taking the role even as a surrogate. "No, no I could never be your mother." she answered his question sadly.
"Then I will do the same as Lisa, when you get back I will let you know what I think about the idea." He got up from the floor and picked up his drink and walked towards the door. "Goodnight," and left the room.
Lisa looked at the two adults in the room knowing that Jake hadn't meant to hurt their feelings. She placed her hand on Catherine's arm and got her attention. "He just gets upset sometimes about his parents, but he wants to be family, really Catherine," the child said earnestly, championing her 'brother'.
Catherine stood up to her six feet and picked the child up and swung her over her left shoulder and snagged her drink from the tray.
"Yes, I know Princess, now it's time for bed and let's get that show on the road before Grace gives us a hard time okay?" as she glanced at her friend.
"Yeah, I should think so too! Keeping our kids up late, shame on you Catherine." Getting up from her seat she placed a gentle kiss on the child's forehead and winked at her.
Catherine entered the room a short time later and walked towards the window, peered out at the white sheet that was forming over the yard, "I think its going to be a hard winter this year Grace."
Grace moved towards the woman standing rigid at the window and she looked at the natural beauty snow held to the onlooker. "Oh, I don't know, something tells me that with luck this winter might be quite beautiful and full of surprises."
"Ever the optimist Grace."
"Someone has to be, thought I'd told you that before?"
"Yes, I think you did and perhaps you're right as usual."
"Jake will be fine Catherine, maybe he's just a little shocked at the speed you came to this decision? Hell, I am!"
"Why?" Catherine turned from her view of the growing bed of snowflakes.
"Come on now, when was the last time you did anything remotely like this?" Grace asked her knowing the answer already.
"I've never done anything like this in my life!" She replied enigmatically.
"Exactly," her friend grinning at her lack of understanding.
"And your point would be?"
"I love you Catherine, the kids love you, and Jace loves you. But lady you sure have some baggage that you're finding difficult to shed and until you do, gestures like this, can mean everything and nothing, depends on your mood." Grace hadn't meant to sound critical of her friends decision, it was the right one for them all, but she did have problems that she kept locked away and they needed to be aired.
"Yes you're right,' a quizzical look appeared on her face, "why are you always right about me Grace?"
Grace laughed at the look on her friend's face, and smiled broadly.
"Guess it must be something your mother passed onto me, who knows."
"Maybe, to answer the jibe, I'm going to tell Jace everything about me! My past, my present and how I want to spend my future. Then I'm going to tell you everything too! You deserve that much my friend."
Grace smiled warmly and put her arm around the taller woman's shoulders in understanding. "Bring Jace back with you, that will be all the explanation that will ever be needed between us Catherine. You're not a saint and I'm sure you've done things that I would personally abhor, but what you are today, far outweighs anything that has happened in the past. That goes for Colin too!"
"You know most of the time Grace, you speak for everyone on this ranch, myself included," she smirked at the blush on her friend's cheeks.
"No! Well, okay it's becoming a habit, I really must do something about that," pulling the woman back towards her chair as they settled down to a few minutes of peace and quiet. "By the way when are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow evening, I have a flight out of Auckland to LA and then onto New York, it leaves at 11pm. I need to get to New York as soon as possible."
"Your business okay?" Grace asked, interested in the other world her friend was embroiled in but rarely mentioned.
"Yes, but I have a threat that needs to be resolved, once it is, I get to ask a certain Jace Bardley if she wants to come and live with me!"
Catherine looked bashful as she said the final words.
"Do I get the guest bedroom ready?" Grace smirked as she looked at the ice blue eyes of the woman in front of her, which held quiet joy at the prospect.
"Christ, I hope not Grace!" Catherine said with feeling.
"Good, I would need to have help soon, if you fill any more rooms." she laughed softly and drank her coffee, seeing the faraway look on her friends face, but it was happy expression.
***********
Chapter Thirty-two
Hudson was happy she had finally received the call from Paul Strong that she had expected over a week ago for some reason he had been unable to contact his employer. Now, he had confirmed the date, it was going to be in three days time at her offices as requested.
'I've finally got to her, she's on the run, if she wasn't, then she wouldn't entertain coming out of her exile for me! I thought throwing in the threat to expose interesting material to the media, might get the desired result. Especially now that she was involved with a certain employee of hers. It had been interesting to see Jace go from despair to the ecstatic all in the space of a few days. How will she react when she finds out her sworn enemy is also the woman she loves? Wonder if the sensitive kid can take it, this once she would bet her share of UCP that Jace couldn't hack it! Well, only three days to go before we find out, now that is some meeting that I'm looking forward too! You never wanted my bed, but I'm going to get you in it Catherine no matter what; some naive blonde isn't going to succeed, not now, not ever!' Walking over to her desk she called for Peter Adamson to get his rear end into her office now!
Several minutes later a harried looking Peter Adamson pushed open the door to Hudson's office and noticed her negligently draped across her desk, viewing some stills of a new feature.
"You wanted to see me?" Peter spoke politely.
"Yep, I certainly do, now shut the door and take a seat," she directed not looking up from the stills on her desk.
"I've got the Xianthos people coming here in three days, are you going to be available to see them over your project?"
"Sure, who's coming from the Empire?" He asked with interest.
"Ah, well I could say it's a secret, but as you already know part of the story, the very reclusive Ms Devonshire or should I say Warriorson herself will grace us with her presence. Also, Paul Strong their new President, appears he's taking over the reigns officially from her," the last she said with bitterness.
Peter smiled inwardly; he liked Paul Strong, and had met him over dinner with James on the several occasions, when he'd been in town. "Sounds like all the big guns are in town, but isn't that a little over the top for a project this small?"
"Let's just say I have my own personal agenda with Ms Devonshire, so at some stage I want you to take Mr Strong out of the room for me and show him the ten cent tour okay?" Her voice brooking no argument.
"Whatever you say, I just want to get a release date before I move on next month," Peter stated finally.
"Yeah, well no promises but I think I can wangle that one if you do your bit."
"If I don't?" He eyed her suspiciously.
"Then your reputation as a director might get a little sullied in the process of this deal, you catch my drift?" Hudson spared him a withering glance.
"Yeah I get the drift. What about Jace?"
"What about her?" Hudson was bored with the subject.
"She doesn't know her friend Warriorson is Devonshire, it will break her heart," Peter said in a quiet voice.
"Fancy that, I'm counting on not only Jace being heart broken but a certain recluse as well! Makes perfect sense to me," she smiled at him.
"You have a strange sense of perfection then, if other people suffering gives you any kind of thrill." He was disgusted at her and knew the sooner he could get out of her grips the cleaner he would feel.
"Quite so, but for Devonshire, nothing else would be appropriate believe me, she's no innocent babe in arms, I have proof of that."
"But Jace is!" Peter exploded at the injustices he saw for his friend.
"Oh Peter it's a casualty of war, think yourself lucky, you get to pick up the pieces, sounds like a good deal for you from my point of view," the vindictive woman eyed him speculatively.
"I don't want her that way," he knew that he was lying; he would take Jace on any kind of rebound situation, any kind at all!
"I don't believe you! Time will tell as they say and the time is getting ever closer," she gave him the dismissal look and he got up and left the room.
He heard her laugh as he passed by Jace's empty chair and went out into the sunshine of a beautiful Californian day.
***********
Catherine walked into her building in New York; it was impressive by any standards and had the opulent designs of the twenties. Her father had chosen well when he'd purchased the deeds back in the late seventies.
She sauntered towards the reception area and waited in line for her turn with the receptionist, a tall brunette who had a smile permanently placed on her face, no matter what the situation. She was new or certainly hadn't been here when she left the building that final time over five years ago.
It gave her the usual rush of adrenaline as she waited and watched the numerous people coming and going in the area. At one time her father being the head of the company, had his picture plastered on all of the thirty floors, or at least twenty-nine, as there was never a thirteenth floor in any building. She had left them in residence until each floor had been redecorated over a period of time and now only one hung in the boardroom, along with her only portrait. She refused to have her picture strewn all over the place, it didn't matter if her employees knew who she was, all she asked was that they do a good job in the positions they held. Having people watch out for her, was a waste of energy and time and in her mind, time was money and she paid far too well to waste it!
Finally the receptionist asked her whom she wanted to see. The tall elegantly dressed woman noticed the badge of the very efficient receptionists, which clearly stated her name as Clare Fallen.
"I have an appointment with Mr Strong," Catherine spoke decisively.
The young woman who looked closely at her and continued, "May I ask who's calling to verify on my appointment sheet, please", then gave her a speculative look? The false smile was back, it amused Catherine and she gave a tight smile of her own.
"Certainly, it's Mrs Warriorson." Catherine waited to see if there was any recognition of her name.
The girl scanned her sheet and looked perplexed. "I don't appear to have that name down on my sheet. Are you sure your appointment is today?" The girl asked tentatively, it wouldn't do to upset potential clients and you just never knew who was coming through the door unexpectedly.
Catherine's smile faded and she looked at the sheet from her elevated position, her stance giving off an angry message. "I'm sure! In that case I suggest you call Mr Strong immediately and clear up the difficulty." Her tone brooking no argument. 'This wasn't good enough, was Paul letting things slip?'
"Would you please take a seat, I'll call his secretary." The young woman spoke quietly to the seemingly pissed off woman.
Catherine glanced her way and gave her an icy stare and shrugged her shoulders then went over to the glass display panels that held information about the company. Her name was mentioned and there was a small photograph taken some eight years ago, when she had taken over from her father.
Celeste Johnson, Paul's personal aide answered the phone. "Hello, Johnson speaking."
"Hi Celeste, it's Clare at reception, does Mr Strong have an appointment that he hasn't mentioned?" Came the quiet voice of the girl, she didn't want to upset the PA, especially if she'd screwed up.
"No, he didn't mention anything, why?" Celeste was inquisitive; Paul was usually very meticulous about appointments, something he had learned from the owner.
"I have a woman here who says she has an appointment and believe me she doesn't look the type you disagree with, not if you still want to be left in one piece that is." Clare said with a light laugh.
"Oh, don't tell me tall, dark and beautiful?" Celeste laughed along with the woman.
"You're right on target, but how did you know?" Clare gasped at the accuracy of her description.
"I didn't but I know what you consider dangerous material. So what's the mystery woman's name?" Celeste chuckled.
"Warriorson, Mrs Warriorson," responded the receptionist.
There was a sound that could have been the phone being dropped, but quickly picked up again. "Are you sure about that?" a strained response from the other end.
"Yes, positive, why who is she?" Clare was intrigued.
"Clare for god's sake send her up immediately, no special passes nothing, do you hear me?" said the PA in an authoritative tone.
"Well, that's outside protocol Celeste, surely she needs a pass, security will raise a fit with me and so will my boss," Clare was surprised at the directive.
"Clare get her a pass, make it one of the gold VIP ones okay, just put down her name and that should appease all the protocol you need. Don't waste any more time Clare, just do it!"
"Who is she Celeste, surely she's not that important that we break all the rules for her?" This was fascinating the woman it was a rare day indeed that anything rattled the Vice-President's PA.
"When are you going on break?" Celeste asked her.
"Actually in about two minutes, Connie is walking towards me now."
"Okay, get the pass, hand over the position to Connie and personally bring Mrs Warriorson here and then you will find out first hand." Celeste smiled at her idea, she knew that Clare was discreet but speculation would be rife if it wasn't handled properly and Clare was excellent at handling this type of situation.
"You got it, see you shortly," replacing the handset, she reached for the box that held the special passes, it would allow a person access to all levels, except for the Vice-President's office, his PA, the boardroom and the not in residence, Chairwoman's Executive Suite.
Clare passed over the position to Connie and said she would be gone about half an hour or less. Walking swiftly over to the tall woman looking intently but with a bored expression on her face at the history of the company.
"Mrs Warriorson, I have your pass, please follow me, I will escort you to the executive floor," she smiled genuinely at the visitor.
Catherine quirked an eyebrow at the woman, "That isn't necessary, I've been here before."
"Oh, that's okay, it is my pleasure." Turning she motioned to the far side of the elevator bank, taking the furthest one from their position.
Catherine was surprised at the move and her face must have shown this.
Clare smiled briefly and said, "We will have the elevator to ourselves, and most people can't be bothered to walk the few yards to the end, but will wait ages for another if it's full. I could never understand that logic myself."
"Yes, I wouldn't understand that logic either, this time Catherine sent her a lopsided grin.
Getting into the elevator, Clare pressed the button of their destination.
"How long have you worked for Xianthos?" Catherine asked her pleasantly.
Clare looked at the woman and saw her interest. "Four years, straight from college; I'm working on an advanced degree in administration and hopefully I can get more experience in other roles."
"I see.... working on reception won't be a good foundation for your degree?" Catherine arched her eyebrow in question.
"Perhaps not, but the company pays well and I need to do the studying part time, I'll work on that problem later," Clare replied confidently.
"Have you talked to your supervisor about it?" Catherine persisted; one thing she wasn't happy about was a waste of talent.
Clare laughed it was almost musical in its tone. "No, Mr Reeves wouldn't understand."
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Well, he's old school. Thinks that women should be around for the more menial tasks not management roles. It happens," the girl replied without bitterness.
Catherine pondered the remark. "I thought this company was owned by a woman? Doesn't that sort of deflate his ideas?"
"No, why should it. Ms Devonshire is only a figure head, men run the company, here in New York particularly," the door slid open as they reached the floor.
Plush green carpet swept up in front of them and she could see the familiar doors leading to the various executive personnel assigned to the floor. Immediately ahead was the Chairwoman's office, the only key except for a security key was in the possession of the Chairwoman herself. They walked briskly towards Paul's office area and his PA in particular.
"You do know your way around," Clare smiled at the woman who was way ahead of her.
Turning back she dismissed the woman's comment but nodded her head, turning the door of the PA's office she sauntered in, followed quickly by Clare. "Hello Celeste," Catherine greeted her.
"Ms Dev.......Warriorson, I wasn't expecting you." Celeste got up quickly from her chair, not knowing if she should shake the woman's hand or just find Paul Strong.
Catherine dealt with that problem, she held out her hand and shook the proffered hand that Celeste held out. "How are the children?"
"Fine and yours?" Celeste said in surprise.
"Good, it's snowing at home, they should be having fun at the weekend, Colin is taking them sledding."
"They will have fun, I'm sure. Paul is in a meeting until 1 a.m. with some clients, I can interrupt him for you?"
Lifting up a hand, she motioned for Celeste to sit down. "No, that's okay, I could do with a drink though, what have you got for me?"
Clare was watching in fascination, this was no ordinary VIP.
"Anything you want?" Celeste confidently answered.
"If they make decent tea, I'll have a mug. If not I will have a cappuccino." Turning she looked at the girl waiting by the door.
"Miss......Fallen, what do you drink?"
Clare was surprised, but was outdone in the surprise stakes by Celeste, who looked at the tall woman with her mouth open. Catherine saw the look and laughed at the sight. "Better close that Celeste before you catch flies," she said casually as she walked towards the window, which had a good view of the city.
Clare looked at Celeste for guidance. She just shook her head.
"So, what are you drinking Miss Fallen?" the voice asked again from her position at the window.
"Oh, expresso for me." Looking once again at Celeste, "Do you want me to go for them?"
"No, take a seat Clare, I will have them brought up." Picking up her phone she connected to the cafeteria on the fifth floor.
"Clare works for someone called Reeves, Celeste, get me his file and have him in my office in an hour," the tone was cold and determined which surprised both women.
Celeste looked at the girl seated opposite her and her frown gave everything away. "Will have that in here shortly."
"Oh, I didn't mean to cause any trouble, it was only an observation." Clare didn't know what to say. 'Which office?'
Catherine turned back to the occupants of the room. Sending the girl a stare that would silence the most antagonistic, "Have you known this woman long Celeste?"
"Yes, since she arrived about four years ago."
"Have you known her to be anything but honest?"
"No, she's a very honest and capable worker."
"Fine, then I'll take your observation and let's see if I make the same diagnosis," she gave a wicked smile and turned back to the window.
Without thinking Clare asked a direct question. "Who are you?"
Catherine chuckled in merriment. Celeste put a hand to her mouth and just cringed.
"Me? You want to know who I am?" as she walked towards the girl seated in the low chair, she didn't look much more than in her early twenties, it reminded her of Jace. Must be the girl's lucky day, giving her a mock menacing stare she answered. "I'm someone's worse nightmare, but I can also be their saviour too. Today young lady you're going to have a saviour," she walked up to Celeste, "When the drink comes I'll have it in my office, along with that file."
She passed the PA and went to the permanently locked door of the Chairwoman's office and pulled out a key, opened the door, entered and then shut the solid, decorated door gently behind her.
Clare looked on as she saw where the woman went; her face paled as the tall impressive frame opened the sacred door and went inside. "I just made a grave mistake here didn't I Celeste?" A small voice asked.
Celeste walked over to the girl and patted her hand, "No, not really. Trust me, she's not the bitch everyone thinks she is, whatever you said, if it's the truth she will see it also, so don't worry."
"Easy for you to say, you knew who she was' I'm right in thinking she's the Great Ms Devonshire?"
"In the very flesh Clare," Celeste smiled at the devastated expression on the younger woman's face.
"She's very beautiful," Clare slowly lifted her head from its hung position and smiled weakly at the other woman.
"Yes, she is. The drinks are here, come on have that before you go back to work." Celeste picked up the mug of tea and the file she had received from personnel, and entered the other office, coming out a few minutes later with a smile on her face.
"She wants the office cleaned, said it's dusty and she hasn't enough clothes with her to have them messed up with dirt."
"Can't she buy more, she must be incredibly wealthy."
"I wouldn't know, she probably is very wealthy if the share prices of this company are anything to judge by. Catherine Devonshire is a woman you never second guess, too many people have tried and to-date no one has ever won that particular game with her, I doubt they ever will." Celeste went back to her desk and called Reeves.
***********
Catherine had her meeting with Reeves, it was one of those times she really liked demoting people, he was pompous and his results over the last two years didn't measure up. He appeared to relish putting women in the background you could see that with the staff line-up. Men dominated all the senior positions and the woman had lowly administrative roles. The turn over of female staff was incredible, especially as she knew that the company was one of the top ranked for employee pay and benefits in the city. 'Wonder why personnel hasn't picked up this trend? Glad the girl was right with her observations, or she would have been looking for a new position herself.'
Closing the file, she would write the report herself, as Paul wouldn't be back for another hour; so she turning on her laptop computer, which had been pulled out of the secured cabinet close to her desk and started the demotion paperwork. The place hadn't changed at all!
Her cherry oak desk with its royal blue blotter in the centre was empty, except for a small in tray of royal blue.
Opening one of the drawers she pulled out a fountain pen and a cartridge, waiting for the flow of ink to reach the gold nib. She glanced round at the dark blue leather sofa, which adorned one side of the office wall. A cherry oak cabinet held her personal filing system and some stationery. A leather swivel chair designed for computer use was tucked away in the corner closest to her desk. Her leather executive chair had pride of place in front of the desk and she sat in its welcoming comfort. The small cabinet close to her desk, housed the computer and the communications system, her personal company cell phone sat in the drawer and would remain there!
Getting up she walked over to the window and switched back the blinds, the bright light of a sunny New York day spread itself over the room. She missed this! The total control she had when she came into this office, it was something she wondered if she could ever have given up, but she had and until now, she had never felt the nostalgia of the situation. 'I was bloody good at the role, even my father might have been proud of me in the end.' The door was pulled open and Paul Strong entered a wide smile on his handsome face.
"Catherine, why didn't you say you were coming?" He went over and shook her hand.
"I thought I'd mentioned coming over, we talked yesterday?" Catherine looked at him in surprise.
"I thought you wanted a meeting at the hotel, not here!"
"I guess I never made myself very clear, but it's good to be here Paul."
"It's good to see you her also, I miss you around here you know?" He looked at her sheepishly.
"Thanks. Even if I was one of the most ruthless people you have ever work with huh?" She smiled at his sudden blush.
"Oh, I wouldn't go so far as saying that," he laughed self-consciously.
"You know if you weren't already taken, I might just ask if you would be interested in a date, you look real cute with a blush." Catherine teased the man that was going to be effectively the man behind the Empire she had forsaken.
He looked at her in surprise. "I would think that a certain party that holds your affection might have something to say about that too!"
"Yes, maybe you're right. Hate to say this Paul but I've kind of demoted one of your senior personnel, a man called Reeves, any objection?" She waited for his response with interest.
"Not me Madam Chairwoman, if that's what you want, I haven't a problem with it. He's been with the company for over thirty years, old school type."
"So why haven't you done something about it?" Catherine asked him with veiled interest.
"He managed to scrape in each year with passable explanations, I'm sorry," he looked at her for a chance to gauge her reactions.
"Who would be the prime candidate to replace him?" She sounded bored with the discussion.
"You have any suggestions?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, but let's get on with the new line up here and in South America. Constance ready to take over here?"
"Yes, she's been over twice, she passed all her materials to Gareth last week and will be here tomorrow, before we go to LA. Enricho Garcia is the new vice-president for the South American operation. He's been with the company for ten years and was heading Eduardo's sales operation. I know he will be good for the role; he has the connections as well as the intelligence. He could do with some support for a few months though, but I'll tackle that one as soon as I can," Paul explained briefly.
Catherine digested all he said and smiled briefly.
"Time for lunch, you seem to have everything under control. I want Celeste's personnel profile on my desk when I get back, she will take over from Reeve!" Looking at the shock on his face.
"Come on Paul, Celeste isn't going to LA with you, so Constance can get her own PA, we need her in there Paul, it's our communications in the company; I want the right person in the position, and she is the right person. Clear it up for me, will you?" She smiled at his expression.
"Did I say I was glad to see you back?" He asked her with a wry grin.
"Something like that," she grinned back it him.
"Do I get to take it back?" He headed towards the door and opened it she walked towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "No!"
They headed for the elevator and the fifth floor; this was going to be quite a day, her first day back from exile and she was already making waves, what a wonderful feeling.
Continued in Part 16
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