The Heir & I: Taming The Billionaire (20 page)

Oliver gaped.

“Did I just
hear Lily Ashton say the words, ‘Take a leak?’” He arched his eyebrows, voice barely above a whisper.

“I just heard a no class bimbo tell me that she was in a relat
ionship with you,” I told him. “I believe her name was Kelli?”

Oliver relaxed, his shoulders slumping as he let loose with a round of loud, raucous laughter.

“Well if I’m in a relationship with Kelli, it’s the same relationship that I enjoy with a great number of y
oung women throughout this city.” Oliver rolled his eyes heavenward, adding more seriously, “As I’ve said before, Lily, I never promised to give up other women during the course of our arrangement. You knew just what you were getting into when you agreed to our set up.”

I had heard enough.

“You also promised t
o be discreet,” I reminded him. “Making out with your date on the dance floor, all the while allowing her to record your activities via her cell phone, is hardly what I would call discreet.”

Oliver bit his lip.

“Well I am sorry you had to see that, Lily,” he repented,
shuffling his feet beneath him. “And you’re right, I did promise to be discrete.” He paused here, adding with a reassuring smile, “I promise that in the future, things will be different.”

I nodded.

“Well you’re right about that,” I readily agreed, adding as I lifted my chin to proud effect, “As of this evening, Oli
ver, I’m ending our arrangement and, for that matter, my employment in your office. I quit.”

Oliver shook his head.

“Lil, don’t make decisions when you’re mad,” he sputtered, holding his hands up before him in w
hat seemed to be a defensive stance. “Don’t overreact like this—remember our agreement, and everything that you’re getting out of it. The clothes, the jewels, the dinners…”

“The broken heart?”
I interrupted him, planting my hands on my hips. “When we made our little agreement, Oliver, our bargain did not include my body or my heart.”

Oliver nodded.

“I am sorry that I let things get out of hand,” he
allowed, adding as he looked me straight in the eyes, “I must point out, however, that I never forced you to do a single thing you didn’t want to do.”

“True enough,” I admitted, adding as I pointed an accusing finger in Oliver’s direction, “You did, however, say a number of things that lead me to believe that you truly cared about me—up
to and including, ‘I love you.’ When we made love, you told me that you loved me.”

Oliver froze.

“Sometimes in the heat of passion, we say things…” he sputtered.

“Things we don’t mean?”
I snapped, looking him straight in the eye.

Oliver nodded.

“Don’t misunderstand me, Lily,” he released on a sigh, “I do care about you, very much, and I find you endlessly charming, kind, smart, and attractive…
but you and I both know that we would never work as a couple. In fact I’m not altogether sure that I would ever make a decent husband, or even serious boyfriend, for any woman.” He paused here, adding with arms outstretched, “I would, however, like to be a better son to my father, and a top employee at his company. And just think about how deeply it will hurt him if we end our arrangement.”

I shook my head.

“You
mean if we stop lying to him?” I countered, adding as I turned for the door, “I don’t want to hurt Harry any more than you do, Oliver—but isn’t he going to think it’s passing odd if we just keep on dating, without ever moving in together, getting married, vacationing together, etc.? And what if he happens to see you out with another woman? This isn’t going to work, Oliver, for any of us, especially not for me. Perhaps it’s time he learn the truth about you, Oliver, just as I have.”

“Wait!”

Rushing to catch up with me, Oliver placed two hands firmly on my shoulders and pinned me with an imploring gaze.

“What am I supposed to do without you, Lily?” he asked, his fingers digging into
my arms as he pouted profusely. “What will happen to our office, to all our projects? What will happen to me?”

Shaking off his hands, I stepped around him and cleared the room in a few smooth strides.

“Frankly my
dear,” I said over my shoulder. “I don’t give a damn.”

Lily

After spending a near sleepless weekend perusing the wanted ads of my local newspaper and pointedly ignoring Oliver’s calls, I trudged with slow, reluctant steps into my office on Monday morning; appearing just before 9 a.m. to collect my personal belongings and be on my way.

I just couldn’t believe it had come to this—that all of my hard work and dedication could possibly result in this convoluted mess of a situation.

I never should have agreed to Oliver’s ridiculous plan
, I sighed, facing my good old reliable work desk for the last time.
I knew him—and myself—better. I allowed my emotions to cloud my better judgment, which is something I swore I’d never do.

Clearing my desk surface and its drawers with a low, dispirited sigh, I froze as I heard a loud bump emanate from Oliver’s office.

And here I was hoping he’d come in hideously late, like the good old days, and manage to miss my visit altogether
, I sighed, nonetheless lifting my chin and squaring my shoulders as I turned in the direction of an office door that seemed poised to open.
Oh well, it doesn’t matter. I’m more than prepared to face him this morning—along with any arguments or obstacles that he might try to place between me and the office door.

My mouth fell agape moments later, as that door opened to reveal the elder Clark. Immediately Harry and I exchanged friendly smiles—although mine, admittedly, was a bit forced and strained as he stepped into my work space.

“
Good morning Harry,” I greeted him, adding with a sheepish grin, “You’re probably wondering as to why I’m cleaning out my desk this morning…”

“
Don’t say another word, Lily,” Harry interrupted, holding his hands up before him. “I overheard your argument with my son at the chamber of commerce banquet.”

I froze.

“
You did?” I whelped through gritted teeth. “Really?”

Harry chuckled.

“With your volume, Lily, I suspect that the folks that live three streets
overheard your little exchange,” he deadpanned, adding as he rubbed his temples at the memory, “If not three states. And I must say that my son deserved every word of it. As much as I hate to say it, Oliver can be such a jerk at times—such an out and out cad. I cannot believe that my son put you in such an uncomfortable position—asking you to lie to me, and everyone around us, for the sake of some stupid ruse. He honestly thought he could deceive me into thinking that he was a changed man.”

Lily sighed.

“
Well in some ways, Harry, I do believe he has changed,” I revealed. “His work performance has improved tenfold, he shows up on time, he’s even getting new clients for the business. And I also sincerely believe that he loves you and, for that matter, that he loves and misses his mother very much.” I paused here, adding with a hefty sigh, “On a personal level, though, he hasn’t changed enough to save our relationship, that is, our arrangement, that is, whatever the hell has been going on here these past few months. And, although I hate to say it, I can’t continue to work by his side, not for one more day.”

Harry nodded.

“
I understand, Lily; no one could rightfully expect you to feel any differently,” he allowed, adding as he rolled his eyes heavenward, “Heck I brought the guy into the world, and I’m not sure if I want to work with him one more day.”

Lily chuckled.

“
Well since he has improved so much in the past months, I suggest that you keep him on the pay roll, and—for that matter—in the family,” I grinned, but only briefly. “I’m afraid, however, that he will have to find a new personal assistant. As much as I hate to say this, today will be my last day at Clark Industries.”

Harry shook his head.

“
Nonsense, Lily, you’re not going anywhere. I’m not going to lose one of my best employees because of my son’s foolishness. He may not realize what a treasure he has in you—but, believe me, I do,” he told me, raising an authoritative finger for emphasis. “This is a big company, and I have plenty of executives that would appreciate the services of a top notch personal assistant. You could continue to work in this same building, but in a different wing, enjoying a new job with an increased salary, and never have to come in contact with Oliver.”

Immediately I froze, the words “increased salary” prompting me to set aside my packing box just for a moment.

“
After everything that has happened, you seriously want me to stay on with the company?” I asked, eyes narrowed in confusion.

Harry nodded.

“
You haven’t done anything wrong Lily,” he reminded me. “As I said earlier, I am not going to allow my son’s irresponsible actions to cost me one of my best employees. I want you to stay put, Lily and instead of taking that rather unwieldy packing box all the way down to your car, why not just move it up to office no. 432, just one floor up from this one?”

“
Office 432?” I yelped, nearly dropping the blasted box square onto my toes. “Isn’t that the office of Trisha Vance, the head of marketing? That woman is a legend in the field and aside from all the projects she oversees here, she’s the president of the Women in Marketing Association. I can’t tell you how much I admire Trisha.”

Harry beamed.

“
The one and only,” he affirmed with a nod. “She is currently in need of a new marketing assistant. I think that you two strong, feisty women would have a great time working together and coming up with new ideas, not to mention putting a fresh new spin on projects and procedures that this company was built on. I can’t wait to see what the two of you have to come up with in terms of exciting new projects for our company. That is, Lily, if you accept my offer.”

“
I accept!” I bellowed, running forward to engage a laughing Harry in a vigorous handshake. “Absolutely, and without reservation!”

Harry guffawed outright.

“
Well Lily, I do believe I’ll accept that response as a tentative, conditional acceptance of my offer,” he deadpanned, adding as he slapped my back, “Now head on up to Trisha’s office and get to work! Pronto!”

***