Temptation (The Temptation Series) (7 page)

I noticed an email from
payroll, attached was my payslip, a small smile crept across my face.
Hmmm I
wonder?
I clicked on the attachment and opened it.
Holy Fuck!
$500,000.00
annually, minus tax gives me just over $5,000.00 clear a week.
This
is insane. Rick will be over the moon though! It’s too much, way too much, shit
he really can’t take a joke, can he? Or is this his idea of a joke.
The
man is utterly infuriating.
Lucy stepped out of the elevator, she looked a
bit off.

“Good morning Lucy, you
alright?”

“Yeah just feeling a bit icky
today.”

“That’s no good, would you
like me to go out back and make you a cup of tea?” Tea used to help settle my
stomach.

“Thank you, but I need the
toilet for like the 5
^th
time this morning, so I’ll make one when I’m
done.”

“Ok, but if you need anything
just yell out, I’m only happy to help.” She put down her bag and waddled out
back. Poor thing, the last month of pregnancy was extremely uncomfortable, the
aches and pains and the feeling of pressure on your uterus was not pleasant at
all, then there was the back pain and tiredness, she was doing so well but she
really should be resting.

I looked back at the computer
screen and to the evidence of my new promotion. I couldn’t agree to that much
money, it really wasn’t deserving of the job description and he had to be
playing a game with me. The elevator doors opened and he stepped out in his jaw
dropping work out gear.
Be strong Alexis; don’t let his toned legs, biceps
and arse distract you.

“Good morning Ms Summers.”

That’s it, he not only
said ‘Ms’ but he’s ‘smirking’ at me too, right here goes.

“Mr Clark,”
Oh he looked
Hot
“I don’t know what game you are playing with me, but $500,000.00,
really? That’s absurd. I can’t possibly accept that.” He came over and sat on
my desk.
Does he really need to do that?

“Is it not enough Alexis? I’m
sorry, just tell me what you want and I’ll pay it, I don’t want anyone else for
my P.A, so whatever you want it’s yours.”

He almost looked worried, he
was serious!
Shit, I’ve come across as demanding and ungrateful.

“Bryce, it’s enough, it’s
more than enough, it’s far too much, my job description doesn’t warrant
$500,000.00. I’m sorry, I should’ve just been professional and up front with
you in the first place.” I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled down
$85,000.00, folded it and placed it in his hand.

“Here this is more than
enough.” I smiled apologetically at him.

He opened the piece of paper
and shot up from the desk.    

“Absolutely not!” He was
offended, I think?

“It stands at $500,000.00 and
if you think you are not doing enough to ‘warrant’ the figure,
then I
will have to give you more to do.”
He even did the little quote actions with
his fingers as he said warrant, how cute.

“Starting with tonight, I’ll
need you to stay back and attend a meeting with me, I am renovating some of the
rooms in City Promenade to be more ‘family friendly’ and seeing as you are a mum,
your input would be perfect.”

I felt terrible for offending
him, I just wanted to run my hand through his luscious blonde hair and tell him
‘it’s fine I’ll do whatever you say’, how does he turn me from being so angry
and infuriated with him to wanting to nurture him like a child
?
Before I
could say anything to him Lucinda appeared at the door way to the conference room,
she was standing awkwardly and looked very distressed.

“Um, I think my waters just
broke?” Bryce was up like a shot and by her side in no time.

“Right we’ll take the
chopper, where is your hospital bag?” He looked panicked but still remained
calm.

“It’s in my room, oh crap
that hurts.” She was squeezing Bryce’s hand. I looked at my watch.

“Tell me when the contraction
stops Lucy, we need to time them, just breathe Hun, nice deep breaths it will
ease shortly.” Her body language told me the contraction was easing as she
started to relax.

“Ok, that was just over 30
seconds, tell me when the next one begins.” Bryce walked her over to one of the
sofas in the waiting area.

“I’ll go and get your bag and
prepare the chopper, Alexis stay with her and clear my schedule.”

“Bryce, its fine, go and have
a quick shower, I’ll ring the birthing suite and speak to a midwife. Lucy what
hospital are you booked in at?” I placed my hand on Lucy’s back.

“The Royal Women’s, arrghh.”
Her body tensed up again, I looked down at my watch, 6 minutes, she breathed as
I rubbed her back. I kept an eye on the duration; it was just over 30 seconds
long again.

“Ok you’ve got time Bryce,
go. I’ll let the hospital know you are flying there.” He nodded and took off.

“Lucy, do you want me to call
Nic for you?”

“No, I’ll do it, my phone is
in my bag.” I got up and fetched it for her.

“You’re doing good Lucy, your
contractions are just over 30 seconds long and 6 minutes apart so you’re doing really
well.” I handed her the phone and went back to my desk. I dialled the Royal Women’s
and spoke to a midwife.

“Her contractions are
approximately 5-6 mins apart and between 30 and 40 seconds long, her waters
broke about 20 minutes ago.” The midwife’s name was Stacey and she was lovely

“Lucinda’s brother is Bryce
Clark, he will be flying her in by helicopter.” Stacey hesitated.

“He can drive her in, by the
sounds of it she’s in early labour.”

“I understand that Stacey,
but Mr Clark will not take no for an answer. Which Helipad does he have
clearance to land on?” She placed me on hold, Lucy was having another
contraction, 5 minutes this time and 40 seconds long. Stacey came back on the
line and advised Helipad 2.

“Thank you Stacey, they will
be on their way soon.”

Lucy had dialled Nic and was
explaining the situation.  I took a quick look at Bryce’s schedule whilst she
was distracted, it was not too heavy, thank goodness. He had an appointment
this morning between 11:00 and noon, then a ‘Jessica’ at 3pm.
Hmmm Jessica,
I didn’t make that appointment!
Lucy hung up from Nic.

“She’s a worry wart, I just
hope she drives safely!”

“Is she far?”

“No, she is an Interior
Decorator with a firm on Collins St.”

“Oh good. Lucy, I need to
cancel an appointment Bryce has with a ‘Jessica’, I don’t know who she is or
her contact details.”

“Jessica is, Oh Shit Shit
this one is, arrggh, stronger.” She gripped the couch, I ran over to her and
rubbed her back.

“Just concentrate on your
breathing, I know it’s hard but it does help.” She took deep breaths in and
out, then it eased. Her contractions were definitely lasting longer and were
now 5 minutes apart.

“Sorry, Jessica is Bryce’s
therapist, remind him about the appointment and he will cancel himself.”

“Ok.” Therapist, it’s not
surprising really considering his loss. He burst through the door, he was
definitely more anxious now.

“How is she?” He looked
glorious, his hair was slightly towel dried and he had thrown on a pair of
jeans, Nikes and t-shirt.

“She’s fine, her contractions
are lasting a bit longer and are more frequent, so whenever you are ready. You
have clearance to land on Helipad 2.”

“Good, come on Sis.” He
helped Lucy up and allowed her to completely lean her weight on him. I put her
hand bag in his free hand.

“Don’t worry about anything,
I’ve got it under control, I’ll cancel your appointments and reschedule, go and
good luck Lucy, you’ll be fine, soon you’ll be holding your beautiful little
boy.” I kissed her cheek and stepped back. She grabbed me.

“Please don’t go, come with
us. I need you, please?” She was begging me and quite panicked, I looked up at
Bryce for permission.

“Alexis, you’re coming.” I
grabbed my bag and took back Lucy’s.

We helped Lucy into the Chopper,
I sat next to her holding her hand. Bryce was talking to someone, somewhere
through his headset, I had no idea what he was saying and really didn’t pay
much attention. Lucy was getting more agitated now as her contractions were
stronger. We lifted off the roof of City Towers, I took a moment to take in the
view of the city from the air, one word for it, WOW! The flight only took what
seemed like a few minutes, the Royal Women’s was on the outskirts of the cbd,
so by chopper I guess it was only minutes. He gently placed the Helicopter down
on the Helipad, he was good, real good, but I had no time to admire his
piloting skills. Lucy was panting now and not far from making Whale noises, we
helped her out and into a waiting wheel chair, Bryce held her hand as the nurse
pushed her to the birthing suite.

“I’ll wait outside,” I said
as they went through the door.

“No, Alexis please come in,
arrggghh.”
Here come the ‘Whale impressions’.
I knew better than to
argue with a woman in labour, so followed closely behind.

“Ms Clark, would you like
some Pethidine, for the pain?”

“No, no drugs.” Bryce glared
at the midwife

“She has a history with
addiction, so NO drugs.”

“It hurts, it hurts give me
something, anything. God dam it Bryce, if I don’t have something for this pain
I will rip your head off.” Bryce looked at me in horror.

“Epidural? What about an
Epidural?” I had a feeling it was a bit too late for that.

“She is too far dilated for
an Epidural, if she doesn’t want the Pethidine Injection she can have Gas.”

“What’s in the ‘Gas’?” Bryce
asked hesitantly.

“Give me the freaking Gas, I
don’t care what’s in it, just give me the Gas.” I let go of Lucy’s hand and
walked over to Bryce, he was starting to lose it. I put both hands on his
shoulders.

“Bryce, the Gas is fine, it’s
Nitrous Oxide, it’s a form of anaesthetic, it won’t hurt her. You’re doing
well, just hold her hand and let her yell at you and hate you for being a male,
she will love you again when it’s all over.” I lightly pushed him over to the
side of her bed and asked the nurse for a face washer. I went back around the
other side of the bed and placed it on Lucy’s head.

“There you go Lucy, you’re
doing so well, deep breaths, suck that gas in and try to relax. Your son will
be in your arms soon, just focus on that.” A midwife came in and announced that
Nicole Smith was outside.

“Ah, there you go, Nic is
here, I’ll go and get her.” I pried my hand out of hers and gave her shoulder a
squeeze, I looked up at Bryce and smiled. He managed a half grin, this must be
so hard for him. Letting myself out of the birthing suite, I found Nic pacing
just outside the door, she gave me a ‘who the hell are you look’.

“Hi Nic, I’m Alexis, you can
go in now.” She left no time for thanks and burst into the birthing suite.

One of the nurses directed me
to a waiting room where I made myself a cup of tea and took out my phone. Firstly
I needed to call Abigail and advise her that the Penthouse was unattended. I
cancelled Bryce’s 11:00am but with only 15 minutes to spare. Mr Jackson the VIP
services Co-Ordinator, was very understanding about the late notice. I also
called House-Keeping to attend to the mess Lucy had left behind in the bathroom
and I left his 5 o’clock appointment as is, I figured I’d talk to him about it
when he came out, together with the appointment with ‘Jessica’. I gave Rick a
quick call to let him know about my exciting morning so far, the over exuberant
salary increase and the fact I could possibly be late home.

“Melbourne Mortgages, you’re
speaking with Rick.”

“Hi it’s me.”

“Hey, your number didn’t come
up?”

“Oh yeah sorry, I’m calling
from my work mobile.”

“What’s up, did you find out
the salary figure?”

“Yeah I did, steady on, I’ll
get to that in a minute. I’m just letting you know that I’m at the Royal
Women’s, Lucy has gone into labour.”

“Oh, nice, so why are you
there?” He sounded confused.

“She was anxious and didn’t
want me to leave her, I think my experience in the whole pushing out babies
department was comforting for her. We flew here in the company helicopter!”

“Fair enough, well why wouldn’t
you?” He was so blasé about this stuff.

“Anyway, I negotiated my salary
with Mr Clark this morning. He wants to pay me, wait for it.........$500k, but,
it will mean I need to attend out-of-hours meetings and events possibly
starting with tonight.”

“Fuck, $500 grand, are you
for real?”

“Yes, I know, it’s
ridiculous, but that’s the figure and conditions, thought you’d be happy.”

“Happy, maybe I should get you
to negotiate with my boss! Shit, I’m speechless. Wow, Lexi the bread winner,
never thought I’d say that.” He was laughing, more like mocking me. I rolled my
eyes.