The Corporate Escape (10 page)

Sandra, continued her search into Lynn's life. Certainly she could find something that could be of use against Lynn! She had been delighted that afternoon to find that Lynn worked for a company that was currently negotiating a deal with Paul for the purchase of one of the Thompson subsidiaries. Sandra was elated! She had found a new angle for her fight. She called Christine and continued the conspiracy. When they were through with Lynn Eastman, Paul Dillard-Thompson would never think of her again!

*****

The barbecue party was a huge success. Lynn often found Paul staring at her throughout the night. A strange thoughtful look on his face. Instead of feeling endeared, Lynn felt inspected. She wondered if he had been thinking of her comment about his wealth being out of her league. She had felt a bit awkward when Duane asked her to say grace, and Paul interrupted and stated that he would, as it was his house. He seemed out of character tonight, and found she was not alone in her impression.

“What is with Paul tonight?” asked Katherine. “Did you two have a lovers quarrel?”

“Not that I know of,” Lynn confessed. “Must be something at the office.”

Katherine agreed and prayed that it would work out.

For the rest of the evening Paul was his old self. There seemed to be some moments of solitude in the crowd. But his attention to Lynn and his joy returned.

Lynn continued to feel awkward around Doug, and yet made every effort to be friendly. She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Certainly Katherine would not be in love with him if he were not a wonderful man. Yet, the uncomfortableness remained. She wondered if she should share her concerns with Paul. But she knew that tonight would not be the right time. Paul had been very attentive during the rest of the evening, but he was still distant.

When the guests had left, Paul announced he was too tired to take her home.

“Perhaps you should just stay here tonight,” Paul said.

Lynn was aghast at the suggestion!

“Paul, what is wrong with you tonight?” she asked. “You seemed to constantly be preoccupied, and now you suggest I spend the night?

“It would be easier for me if you stayed,” Paul said seductively.

“What?” Lynn said startled.

“Fine, it’s your choice,” said Paul. “But I don’t feel up to taking you back to your hotel.”

Lynn stepped away from him.

“Now you are acting like I’m some kind of imposition,” she stated.

“All I said was that I am tired,” he replied.

“It is alright, Paul,” she said, as if soothing a child. She stepped back into his embrace stroking his hair and looked deep into his eyes. She saw fear, doubt and confusion.

“You need to sleep. I'll get a taxi home,” she kissed him softly on the cheek, and moved towards the phone to call a cab. “Go to bed, I'll meet you for lunch tomorrow.”

He pulled her back and hugged her tightly. “I love you, Lynn,” he said seductively.

Was he serious, or was he trying to seduce her? She pulled from his embrace, picked up the phone and called a taxi. As she walked towards the door she turned back to look him in the eye.

“I love you Paul Dillard,” she said quietly with feeling. “More than anyone in the world.”

He ran to her side, picked her up and swirled her around. Kissing her all the while. “Why didn't you tell me?” he asked.

Lynn was confused by his continual changes of behavior tonight.

“Because confessions like that make our situation a lot closer to fatal,” she replied.

Paul laughed and hugged her tighter. They stared into each others eyes for an eternity. Both relishing the moment. Both logging it as a significant event in their minds.

“You go say your prayers, and get some sleep,” Lynn said finally as she left to get in her taxi.

*****

Paul went to out on his deck to watch the moon over the Ocean. What was he doing? How could he have actually tested Lynn like that? Feigning that he was tired, and suggesting that she spend the night, just to see if she would actually agree to stay with him. Lynn was clearly not Christine. How could he be questioning her commitment to the Lord? How could he be manipulating the situation to see her reaction?

He had behaved poorly tonight, and she had been kind and forgiving. She had not insisted he drive her home, but had suggested calling a taxi, and then did. Lynn had passed all the tests he had thrown at her during the evening. She had been the virtuous woman he thought her to be, not the seductive corporate spy that Sandra had painted her out to be.

*****

Lynn awoke with a smile on her face. Paul loved her. She loved him. She laughed as she remembered her fright last night in the taxi home. It was a winding road impaired by the darkness of the night. The taxi driver swerved several times around the curves. But, she made it safely back to her hotel.

Lynn’s smile quickly left her face as she was thoughtful again remembering Paul’s suggestion that she spend the night. She shook her head as she tried to sort out what all of that was about. Perhaps he was just tired and his guard was down.

Lynn dressed for lunch with Paul in Sydney, and took the Jet Cat Ferry to the city. Paul was in a meeting when she arrived. Sandra was as nasty as ever.

“You'll never get him, you know,” Sandra said bluntly.

“Excuse me?” said Lynn. “Get who?”

“Oh, you truly are a gem,” Sandra smirked. “Paul, of course. He doesn't really love you. He thinks you are a fun little toy.”

Lynn had to laugh.

“Right, Sandra,” she replied trying to not show her concern.

“Laugh if you like. But it is true,” said Sandra. “He is in love with Christine. Has been for years. She went to be with him in Cairns you know.”

“Yes, I know she was there,” Lynn said.

“I bet he didn't confess it was at his request. He paid for the trip. When he asked me to book her flight he said he couldn't stand the puritan anymore. And you weren't making Christine as jealous as he had hoped. That's the only reason he went to see you in Melbourne. She was there at one of the meetings, and he wanted to be sure she knew you two were an item.”

“Right,” said Lynn, shaking her head.

“Truth hurts, doesn't it?” Sandra smiled smugly, “Christine is worth over ten million dollars. What is your dowry? Ten thousand, if that? You don't really think he is interested in some working woman, do you?”

“The truth rarely hurts,” Lynn said. “I don't know why you are so bitter, that you would lie like this. But, I believe Paul, not you.”

“Your choice, sweetie,” Sandra spat. “Believe me, he would never fall for some working gal.”

Lynn understood. Sandra was in love with Paul. Sandra considered Lynn in the same category as herself, that of a working woman. Since he hadn't fallen for Sandra, he wouldn't fall for Lynn. Sandra's logical defense mechanism.

“You love him don't you?” Lynn asked calmly.

“Your right I do,” screamed Sandra. “And Christine has got him around her little finger. So, I guess we both loose.”

“I know you are mistaken,” said Lynn.

“Right, now who is being stupid?” Sandra continued, “He has me make reservations for her to go to him in Cairns. He insists I send her flowers while she is gone on her trip. He has lunch plans with her as soon as she returns. He has tickets to take her to the Opera as soon as you leave, and he is planning a trip to Hong Kong with her next month.”

Lynn sat in silence. Sandra was waving papers at her that resembled itineraries and tickets.

“He is just using you to try to get her. It is working too. Caused quite a fight in Cairns. She broke all kinds of things. She made demands on him, which he is keeping to the letter. He had it all planned out, and you just happened along at the right time.”

The sound of the elevator brought Sandra to a quick stop. She quickly picked up the papers she had been waving around. She smiled brilliantly at Paul as she began dialing the phone.

Paul noticed that Lynn looked nervous. Certainly there wasn't any truth to the tale that Sandra had told him. He couldn't believe that Lynn was involved in industrial spying. Sandra had informed him that Lynn worked for the company that was trying to buyout one of his subsidiaries. Lynn had mentioned she worked in San Francisco, but it hadn't sent off any alarms. Yes, she had seemed evasive about the details of her job, but that didn’t mean she was a spy. Even if she did work at the acquiring firm, it didn't prove that she was responsible for the contract with PD Thompson Corp. He couldn't believe Sandra’s claim that Lynn was in Australia to ensure the deal went through at any cost.

Lunch had been difficult as best. Lynn kept looking for signs that Paul was using her. She refused to believe he had been lying to her. Yet, she had certainly let him off easy enough with his explanation of Christine. And what about his behavior last night when he had suggested that she stay the night with him? Was he really not who he claimed to be? Was he really trying to seduce her, and use her to make Christine jealous? Should she believe Sandra? No, Sandra was a woman in pain. She was trying to stir up trouble. But what if she was right? Lynn's mind became more and more confused.

Paul was watchful. He was aware of Lynn's nervousness and her extra long pre-lunch prayer. She agreed to meet him back at the office at 5:30 PM and they would go to dinner in Sydney. As they bid good bye he noticed how preoccupied she seemed.

*****

Lynn was shaken from their encounter. She barely saw the shops in the beautiful Strand Arcade. She was again lost in a world of self doubt. She spent most of her mental energy on prayer. She noticed the stores were closing and panic swept over her. She would be late. He would be gone. She began her return, and realized she was lost. She certainly had been preoccupied. She searched for a taxi, but found none. She called his office. Sandra answered a little before 6:30 PM.

“He's gone,” Sandra said. “He was tired of waiting.

Lynn was crushed.

“If he calls, tell him I'll meet him at my hotel,” Lynn said as she hung up the phone. She searched for a half an hour before she found a ride to the pier. The Jet Cat Ferry had just left, and she would have to wait for the next one. Lynn felt tears welling up in her eyes. 'Dear Lord,' she prayed, 'Let all this work out, please.'

The Ferry to Manly arrived. She continued her prayer. 'But your will, not mine, be done. If it is not in your plan, I know it is not fatal.' She found herself smiling again. There was no message at the hotel and no answer at Paul's house nor on his cell phone. She changed her clothes and waited. An hour later, Paul still had not called or arrived. She called his cell phone, there was still no answer. Where was he?

She ordered room service, and ate slowly. At 10:00 PM, a very angry Paul called from his house.

“Where have you been?” he shouted into the phone. “We waited for two hours at the restaurant!”

“I have been here waiting for you,” she said. “I got lost shopping, and was going to be late. I called and Sandra said you had gone, because you were tired of waiting. I told her I would meet you here at my hotel. I've been waiting since seven.”

“Did you ask where I had gone?”

“No.”

“So, you just assumed I would cancel our dinner with Katherine and Doug, and come to your hotel?”

“I didn't know we were having dinner with Katherine and Doug,” Lynn said. “You never mentioned them.”

“Today, at lunch,” Paul replied. “I asked you what you thought of going to dinner with Doug and Katherine and you said 'great'.”

“I thought you meant tomorrow,” confessed Lynn.

“Why didn’t you call? he asked.

“I tried. Why didn’t you answer your phone?” she asked defensively.

“I found out the battery was dead,” he replied. “I guess Sandra forgot to recharge it.”

“I see,” said Lynn, again convinced of Sandra’s intent to come between them.

Silence filled the air. Finally Paul laughed, “I think this is our first misunderstanding.”

“I hope it is our last,” said Lynn quietly.

“So, how was your evening?” Paul asked.

“Quiet and lonely,” said Lynn. “How was yours?”

“Loud and lonely,” he replied. “Doug and Katherine both send their love. They think you're pretty special, you know.”

Lynn felt a twinge of remorse about the negative feelings she had about Doug.

“They think you are perfect,” teased Lynn.

“Smart people, just like you,” said Paul. “Even if you do get lost, are absent minded, and don't listen when I talk to you.”

“I'm sorry,” teased Lynn. “What did you say?”

“Stop that!” laughed Paul. He longed to pull her close, here on his deck, as the moon shone over the water, and the sands of time washed into the sea.

*****

Thursday Lynn spent the day with Barbara in Double Bay. They went shopping, and talked of the many trials of life. Barbara was as easy for Lynn to talk to as Katherine. Lynn confided her concerns about Paul, and told Barbara of the conversation with Sandra. Barbara listened intently. She helped to displace some of Lynn's fears about Christine. Christine was indeed very wealthy, but it was Christine who was plotting to increase her wealth, not Paul. Barbara shared Lynn's concerns about Sandra's dangerous affection, and Christine's pledge for revenge.

“But, God's side will prevail,” she reminded Lynn. “And the Lord has His own plans for both of you. I just pray that His plans are for you to be together. I have never seen Paul so happy and content.”

“Thank you Barbara,” said Lynn “It is good to hear that kind of a compliment from you. I love him so deeply.”

“Must you leave next week?” asked Barbara.

“No one has asked me to stay,” replied Lynn.

“Would you?”she asked.

“I really don't know,” said Lynn. “I don't think I should dwell on it. If he asks, then I'll know.”

“Of course,” said Barbara, as they pulled into her driveway for dinner.

Paul arrived at the Coleman's a few minutes later. He was once again irritable and confused. Sandra had persisted all day. He was unable to concentrate during the day at work. He had left the office in a hurry, after consenting to Sandra’s request to continue her investigation.

Paul felt disloyal, and devious. Even though it had been Sandra's idea to find out more about Lynn's association with the acquiring firm. He was even more ashamed, when Lynn met him affectionately in the Coleman's hallway. The depth of his feelings surfaced. He loved her, and was instantly reassured that it was mutual.

“You look tired,” Lynn said visibly concerned. “Can I help?”