Romance: Duplicity (Duplicity New Adult Romance Book 1) (5 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

My thumping head in the morning reminds me sharply of last night's exploits. I waken early to the sounds of Tara's music blaring full blast as usual, with an undercurrent of muted voices. I groan as I drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom. The boots outside Tara's bedroom door signal that whoever she hooked up with last night is still here. Hairy Hal? Who knows. I came home in a cab, alone, after my wobbly moment. Adam had wanted to come with me, but I managed to convince him I would be fine.

The warm jets of the shower bring me back to life and I feel invigorated, but my head is still pounding. I know there's only one thing for it. I dress in my running gear and shout out to Tara as I leave, "I'm going out to the Heath."

There's no reply from Tara, and judging by the sounds of her bed squeaking, she is otherwise engaged. The thought of her getting it on with Hairy Hal makes me gag, and I run down the stairs from our second floor flat in quest of fresh air, before the mystery shagger's identity is revealed.

It's a cool, crisp morning on the Heath and there's not many people about yet. I'm greeted by a few familiar faces, people I don't know apart from seeing them out for a walk or a run on the weekends. Some nod and share a "Good Morning," and a smile as we pass, others avoid eye contact. The fresh air works its magic and I return home refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day.

The apartment is quiet, the boots are gone. I unpack my briefcase and settle down to do some work, the radio in the background on a low volume. It's hard to resist constantly checking my phone.

"Well, heard from lover boy?" Tara asks me later when she finally surfaces. The look on my face tells her not to push it.
 

"Oops, sorry,” she says, taking a packet of tablets from the cupboard and swallows several, washed down with a slug of wine from last night's glasses which are still sitting by the sink.

I sigh. "Nope. Nothing from Nick." I won't contact him though - Holly Martin never texts first. It's my number one rule and my test of how keen a man is. I play it cool, which usually works a treat. Not this time.

I have a niggling feeling I'm going to be disappointed with Nick. I was so sure he liked me. Maybe I got it wrong.
So what anyway?
Besides, I behaved impeccably on Friday night and I've nothing to be ashamed of. It's a pity Nick hasn't called, but it's his loss. Or so I keep telling myself.

"I suppose I should phone Adam, and thank him for getting me a cab. I was in a right state.” I shudder, remembering a flashback from last night. "Do you think he's annoyed with me?"

Tara shrugs. "Nah, I don't think so. He hooked up with some bimbo. I'd leave it if I were you. He'll probably still be at it."

Ouch.
Tara's remark stings like a slap on the cheek. Why do I even care if Adam copped off right after I went home? Just as well I'm not interested anyway.

Tara lifts last night's tube of Pringles and gives it a shake, confirming there's still some inside. Armed with Pringles, Diet Coke and co-codamol, she disappears back to her room. I don't expect to see her again until tomorrow.

There's a phone call I need to make but I put it off until I've done some work. I dial the number and wait until a familiar voice answers.

"Holly, is that you pet?" I can hear the joy in the voice and feel the love as if it's travelling towards me through the airwaves.

"Hi Mum, yes it's me." I hope my mother can sense my smile shooting right back at her. My Sunday evening call to my parents is a weekly ritual ever since I left home for university. We never miss it. I look forward to catching up with their news, and sharing mine. It sets me up for the week ahead, keeps me grounded, and helps me remember what's important.

"Well, love, tell me what's been happening there. Your father's in the greenhouse, tidying it up. He's very upset, his latest crop of beans are infested. Now then, did you hear about the new job yet? We didn't want to bother you but we were hoping you might have texted." Mum pauses for breath and I know now she's been worrying about me all week.

You should have called her.

"Oh, Mum. There's been so much happening here, it's been crazy. I got passed over for the job, but everything's fine. They brought in a new boss …" and I give mum the censored version of the week's events. If she knew about my lusty thoughts or drunken antics then she really would have cause to worry.

When I've finished, Mum sighs. "Oh dear. Well try and keep on the right side of the Dutch man."
Underneath him would be perfect.
"There'll be other promotions, when the time is right. How's that nice Adam chap? Oh, here's your dad! Don't mention the beans!"

And sure enough, by the time Dad has given me the run down of his vegetable planting schedule, I'm half asleep and ready for bed.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Amazing what can change in a week. As I enter the Cathwell foyer I think of last Monday morning. There's no sign of Nick in the lift today, and when I get to our floor he's not in his office. I hope no-one notices me walk the long way round so I can go past it and check.

I log on to my calendar and see that the weekly team meeting is cancelled. Lou arrives and before she's even taken her coat off she's giving me the third degree.

"Really Lou, there's nothing to tell," I insist.

"Oh come on, he just walked you to the Tube? You can't expect me to believe that." Lou continues to fish for more information.

"Yes, he just walked me to the Tube. Honestly."

Lou rolls her eyes and turns to log in.

Yes, he walked me to the Tube and he kissed me but it was just another kiss to nowhere.

As the days pass, I'm starting to think that Nick has disappeared. Maybe it's all been a dream. I don't want to bring the subject up for fear of sounding too interested, but Lou is one step ahead of me as usual.

"Does anyone know where the fuck Van Hoogen is?" she wails on Wednesday afternoon, after a particularly fraught phone call with a client she can't pacify. "Isn't it bloody strange that they bring in this big shot and then he disappears off the face of the earth? What's the point? You should have got the job, Holly, you were robbed."

There's a few murmurs of agreement. "I wish I knew what was going on, but I don't," I reply. "Yes. Enough's enough! Leave it with me."

I jump up from my desk and take a wander over to Alexa, Nick's PA, the gatekeeper on guard outside Nick's empty office. As I approach, Alexa is chatting on her mobile phone. "Flat-line, I'm telling you. Dead as a dodo. Bring on the next contender." Alexa looks up and sees me. A guilty flash crosses her face and she wraps up her call. "Gotta go, catch you later. Ciao."

Alexa flashes me a megawatt smile, showing off her dazzling white teeth. She is catwalk ready at all times, in case a casting call comes through. She moonlights as a glamour model and often disappears from the office at short notice. Adam swears he's seen her in an adult movie. His No. 1 Cathwell's ambition is to sit beside her at the Christmas party.

She twists a strand of her perfectly coiffed hair, waiting for me to speak.

"Hi Alexa, is Nick around today?" I smile sweetly. Alexa's not the sort of person you want to cross. "I need to see him urgently."

"Hmmm, let me check the diary," Alexa makes a show of looking intently at her screen and rolling and clicking her mouse. I wince at the sound of her nails scratching the desk as the mouse scrolls. "He's still in New York, but he might have a window."

New York? WTF?

"Sorry Holly, no can do. Nothing until next week. Shall I put you in for next Tuesday at 2.00 PM?" Alexa looks up at me expectantly.

"Um, no it's OK. Look, do you know what's going on, Alexa? Because no-one else seems to."

Alexa looks at me blankly. "I've no idea what you mean, Holly. I can get a message to him if that's any help?" Her dumb blonde act is pretty good, but it's lost on me. I can tell from her eyes that she knows exactly what I mean.

My pride tells me not to ask Alexa to send a message to Nick, even though it's work related. "Never mind, I'll speak to Bill. Thanks Alexa," and as I turn away I can feel tears pricking my eyes. I feel confused, angry, and hurt, but most of all stupid. He asks me to dinner then doesn't call. Now I find out he's living it up it in New York leaving me to deal with all his crappy work, without even having the decency to tell me what's going on. Way to go, Nick.

Why am I such as fool?

It's nearly home time when Adam's face pops up on the internal message system. I haven't spoken to him since Saturday. To be honest I'm avoiding him. I've been so preoccupied with Nick. Although I usually talk to Adam about everything, I can't tell him about this. Then there's the girl he hooked up with on Saturday night. I'm not even sure why, but that bothers me.

He persuades me to meet him for a quick coffee downstairs, and I know the minute I see him, he's bursting to tell me something. We find a quiet corner.

"Hols, have I got news for you? I've got the skinny on Van Hoogen." He sounds triumphant.

"Right. And?" I try to look unruffled, although my stomach is churning.

"Yeah, so get this - he's in some sort of trouble with the police in America and he's been arrested. He came to London on the run and now he's been caught. You might get that corner office after all." Adam leans back in his seat with a self-satisfied look on his face.

The story is so unbelievable I can't believe Adam's even entertaining it. "Adam, don't be ridiculous! He's away on a business trip. Alexa told me."

"No, for real. That's the official story but don't forget I see everything," Adam replies with a conspiratorial wink.

I'm more shocked about Adam's unethical behaviour than the stupid story about Nick. "I think technically, you're not supposed to hack people's e-mail or remote their computer without permission?" It's not the first time Adam's used his IT access rights to uncover confidential information, but he seems to think it's one of the perks of his job.

"Oh Hols, you know how it is. All's fair in love and war!”

It strikes me that's an odd thing to say. Adam hasn't asked me if there's anything going on between me and Nick, but clearly the office gossip has reached the IT department by now.

I bite back at him. "How the hell do people even start to make this stuff up? The rumour mill can be really nasty at times. It's vicious attacking someone's character like that when you don't know anything about them. That story is just pure speculation and gossip. In fact, it's a load of bullshit."

Adam's looking smug. "Holly, it's all true ... I have proof. It's all in his cloud. Look, I'll show you." Adam whips his iPhone out but I stand up, furious.

"Adam, you need to wind your neck in. I don't know what you're up to but you're on very thin ice. This might be a bit of a laugh to you, but it's someone's life and reputation you're ruining. And if it's true, what if someone finds out about your shady snooping? You'll be fired in a heartbeat and you'll never get another job. Is that what you want? Is it really worth it?" I stand up, my entire body shaking.

Adam's face turns grim. "Calm down. I don't know why you're so defensive of him. And no-one's got anything on me, don't worry about that. I thought you'd be pleased to know the shit on that prick. Forget it. Next time I won't bother."

"You know what? I'd do the same for anyone who was being unjustly accused. Adam, I don't know about you but I need this job. You know you could get into a lot of trouble spreading lies about senior people in the company like that. Please don't bring me into this, I want nothing to do with it."

"I wasn't spreading lies, and I'm only telling you because I care," Adam spits, with a nasty look in his eye that I haven't seen before.

I turn and walk away, still shaking. I feel sick in the pit of my stomach. I've never known Adam like this before.

Jesus Nick, where are you?

Back at my desk I try and settle myself but my mind's a storm. It's nearly home time and just as I'm debating with myself whether to go home early, a message over the tannoy pages me to go to reception. My mind made up, I grab my coat and bag.

"Are you OK?" says Lou, watching. "You look ill. Can I get you anything?"

"I'm not feeling great," I admit, grateful for Lou's concern. Her heart's in the right place. "I'll just see what they want downstairs, then I'll probably head home. See you tomorrow," I smile at her as I leave, adding, "and thanks, Lou."

In the lift going down, it occurs to me I've no idea why I've been messaged, and I panic momentarily that it's a client appointment I've forgotten about. I leave my coat off, just in case.

In the lobby, approaching reception, my heart skips a beat when I see a huge bouquet of flowers calling out to me. The most beautiful pink, purple and white dahlias I've ever seen, hand tied and wrapped in fancy tissue paper.

The girls on reception are looking at me excitedly. "Yes, they're for you!" they squeal, pushing them towards me as they wait for me to open the card. My heart is racing in a rush of excitement. I smile and pop the card in my pocket.

"Wow," is all I can say, and my voice is a whisper. I lift the flowers and walk outside, and only when I'm out of sight of the office do I stop to open the card. It reads:-