The Billionaire’s Desires Vol.12-13 (19 page)

Coming back down to earth is rough. It's been several days and I see him in the elevator, or at the end of the hall, Maximilian Finn not far behind. If you ask me, his assistant takes his job a little too seriously. I try to stare him down in meetings. I don't understand why he's so polite, distant and indifferent. It's not like our wild and emotional lovemaking was just a dream! Vadim King kissed me with passion, just like before, he made love to me – tenderly, then with fervor. He stirred me by revealing his true self – the man I've never stopped loving. Then he went on his way. We are strangers again, as if nothing happened. I am completely lost. I've got no idea what to think.

Back to square one...

I just met with Sophie and Clarence to talk about the new recruits and go over the questions that will come up at tomorrow's meeting. I haven't had a break all morning, and that's how I want it: the less free time I have, the less I'll think of him. But as soon as I'm back in my office, I can't block the intensely vivid flashbacks from playing over and over in my head. His soft skin, burning breath, his divine fragrance, and that little scar on his lower lip...

Stop!

Without taking a second to weigh up the pros and cons (what's the point?), I open my email and send him the first thing that comes to mind. Okay, I stand corrected: a toned down version of my thoughts.

A few minutes later, his reply appears.

Grrr.... Mr. Condescending strikes again!

Once again, Vadim replies right away.

Shhh? SHHH?!

He's protecting himself, I can tell. Our time together was fiery and explosive, but it was also so much more. I saw his feelings, I recognized them. I wasn't dreaming. He doesn't trust me and I'm going to have to prove myself, make up for my past mistakes, but nothing's finished between us. It can't be, I couldn't bear it.

Our email conversation put me in a foul mood, and the surprise my sister has waiting for me after work only makes things worse. Lily's been sleeping in my living room for two days. Living with her ex became impossible. Note to self: remember to tell her to rent an apartment instead of mooching off her boyfriends. Why did I agree to let her stay with me, again? A moment of weakness... I understand now why Omar dumped her and told her she's a"head case" who needs professional help. In the past forty-eight hours, she's convinced me I need to move out. Far, far away from her and her unbearable habits. All my furniture has been moved around to create a more"stimulating" atmosphere, my fridge has been raided, my hot water used up for her"water therapy" sessions, my saved TV shows have been erased, and my closet has been invaded by her customized ensembles. It's true, I regret letting her come stay with me. Not very nice of me – she is my sister, after all.

Today's surprise? After a nightmarish day, I walk in the door to find myself face to face (or rather face to knee) with a shirtless, bearded man doing a headstand in the hall. Lily's new conquest is called Vittorio. He is Italian and proud of it, pretending to have a thicker accent than he actually does. He teaches yoga, and is not a big fan of clothing. After politely greeting the unwelcome guest, I grab my sister by the arm – not the hair – and drag her into my room. We need to talk. Before I snap...

"Lily, what is this?!"

"Sorry, I couldn't get him to leave..."

"Get rid of him now, before I do it myself, and throw you out at the same time! All I ask is to have some peace and quiet when I get home from work! Do whatever you want during the day. Invite the whole neighborhood in if you want, but in the evening, I want some alone time!"

"Vadim acting up again?" she says, with a wolfish smile.

"Lily, don't get smart with me. I'm two seconds away from tossing your stuff out the window!"

"Okay, okay, I'll get rid of Vittorio... Man, you can be so sensitive!"

"Get yourself a job and an apartment!" I yell as she walks away.

"I already have a job: your own personal punching bag! And your personal chef! And your interior decorator!" she yells, laughing.

Making an obstacle course out of the living room furniture? Is that what she calls decorating?

Shut up in my room – the only territory I've managed to salvage for myself, I get started on a movie marathon. Alone with my big screen, I try to forget all the disturbances gravitating around me.
Gattaca
,
Jaws
and
Hunting and Gathering
prove to be an effective remedy. Nothing like a mishmash of genres to set my mind straight! Vittorio finally leaves at the end of the night. Lily and I had to work together to get him moving. But the calm is short lived. Much too short: The next day, my sister has already fallen head over heels for an Itamae, a Japanese chef. Over the next few days they are together non-stop and have decided to set up camp at... my place!

Welcome to Alma's hostel. Make yourself at home – everything is free!

I'm almost relieved to go to work in the morning. I have nothing against Hiro. I even suspect he's a good guy, but he's one of those early bird, chatty types. Two things that should never exist in the same person. Set the world right while the sun is still rising? No, thank you. I've barely put my badge back in my purse as I walk through the turnstiles in the building on the Champs-Elysées, and already Cléo, the receptionist and Clarence are rushing toward me.

Is everyone in on this together, or what?!

"She's here!
God save the Queen!
" my overexcited coworker jokes, exaggerating his British accent.

"Kate Monroe?" I guess, not quite sure whether it's good or bad news.

"Yes, she came in with King a few minutes ago. She seems very serious – no joking with her around! But she's gorgeous for her age!" Cléo goes on. She herself is one of the most beautiful women I've ever met.

"Good to know," I say, smiling."Is there a meeting planned? I didn't get the memo."

"Not that I know of, but you'll at least get the honor to be officially introduced to her," Clarence complains.

"Meaning?"

"King asked me to get you. They're waiting for you in his office," the receptionist explains, winking at me.

"What is up with you two? Are you hiding something?"

"No, but we wanted to warn you... She's scary!" Clarence half jokes.

"Off you go, you two, out of my sight; you have better things to do!" I say, walking away, turning back to flash them a joking smile.

Zero authority...

I am a bundle of nerves. Meeting Kate Monroe for the first time is a big deal. I absolutely must make a good impression. I can't afford to mess this up or I could end up in the ejector seat. Joseph Wilson considered me easy prey. I have to prove to Katie Monroe that I deserve my position and that I'm tough, a competent assistant director. I've seen on the Internet that her reputation precedes her. Production manager, distribution manager, financial director, communications director. She's worn many hats to get where she is today. At only thirty-nine, she's already earned herself a big name in cinema. She's trained with the biggest corporations and has skillfully managed her career. She's friends with Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and George Clooney – the real one this time. She's been seen with a ridiculous number of internationally famous actors and directors, and has been interviewed by the trade press a good hundred times. She's also been involved in dozens of movie classics. And flops. That's the only critique I can make – before meeting her – Kate Monroe is more interested in numbers than in images; quantity over quality. Just goes to show, no one is perfect...

I knock twice at the door of King's office, going over my speech in my head. Introduce myself without too much ado, but don't sell myself short either. Find a happy medium, seem confident, determined, willing, motivated, inspired, cultur...

"Come in!"

Vadim's warm, deep voice suddenly makes me lose my train of thought, and my action plan falls to pieces. I realize at this exact moment that my challenge is two-fold: make a good impression on Kate Monroe, and don't let myself be distracted by my CEO with the steely eyes and glib smile. I open the door and am faced with the two industry giants. She's sitting on the dark brown Chesterfield sofa, staring straight at me. Her eyes are dark and honest, direct and without malicious intent. He smiles encouragingly, sitting on the corner of his desk. He's made the effort to style his hair and give himself a close shave. His navy blue suit hugs his silhouette perfectly. He's drop dead gorgeous.

"I don't want to bother you, but I wanted to introduce myself," I say, a bit flatly, not sure who to look at.

"We've been waiting for you, Alma," Vadim interjects.

Apparently Kate Monroe is not surprised that the CEO calls me by my first name. I quickly realize why...

"I told you she wouldn't be far away! Kate, this is Alma Lancaster," Assistant Director of the French office.

Do they know each other?

My new boss gets up and walks toward me, holding out her hand. A delicate and thin hand, like the rest of her body. Kate Monroe is not only brilliant, but she's also absolutely beautiful. A classic beauty from another era, no gaudy accessories or frills, but simple, cold, distinguished beauty. The kind that demands respect.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Lancaster. I've heard a lot of good things about you. I'll wait to form my own opinion, but I'm very happy to be working with you. Assistant director at only thirty years old – that's not something you see very often. You must be... special," she says, her face void of expression.

"She sure is!" Vadim chimes in, giving me a naughty smile.

Ignore him, ignore him, ignore him…

Kate is no stranger to the French language, except for her accent, which is on the thick side and only reinforces her stiff, direct persona. With such a slender frame, it's not surprising that she has such a firm character.

Cléo was onto something...

"Wisdom is not only a product of years, but also experience... Nothing comes easy, I'm here to use my skills to the benefit of King Productions, but also to experiment, grow and learn," I answer, with a slightly fake smile.

"Young, pretty AND ambitious! This office is going to give my old bosses something to chew on!" she declares, chuckling softly.

"I know how to pick 'em!" King jokes."Two femmes fatales at the reins equals guaranteed success!"

And here comes misogynistic Vadim again!

"Femmes fatales? You mean hardworking, tenacious, skilled and motivated women?" Kate Monroe corrects him.

"That too..." he jokes.

"Ms. Monroe, if you're available, I'd like to introduce you to Sophie Adam, the Production Manager and Clarence Miller, the Distribution Manager," I suggest, hoping to put an end to this dangerous discussion.

Right from the start of our little meeting, Vadim has been shooting me glances out of the corner of his eye, trying to distract me and dropping remarks loaded with innuendo. I haven't humored him so far, pretending to be indifferent, but I don't know how much longer I can hold out. Teaching him a lesson by slamming him against a wall and crushing my lips against his, now that sounds tempting! Danger! Must leave the premises immediately.

"Excellent idea. Is that alright with you, Vadim?" Kate inquires.

"Go right ahead. We'll pick up where we left off later. Alma," he concludes, nodding his head in my direction and giving me a killer smile.

Kate Monroe is not accommodating. She may have been amiable and almost warm with me, but the same cannot be said for how she treats my"subordinates," as she calls them. Sophie got a comment on her too-short dress, and Clarence was criticized for his illegible handwriting. And Madame the Director didn't stop there. She has already asked them to meet with her to report on last month's productivity. I wasn't asked to do the same, however, my skills having been, and I quote,"proven already." Sophie and Clarence weren't exactly overconfident in front of their new boss. I suspect they've already given her a nickname. Probably"Cruella" or something of the sort.