Chapter 5 Not in trouble

Panicking, I took a few deep breaths. "Okay." I said instantly a little calmer. "Ellise, please send him in in a few minutes. Offer him coffee also." I waited for her reply nervously chewing my bottom lip. "Yes. Okay. Is that all?" She asked. "No, thank-you." I then hung up the phone and stood up. I practically ran over to my shelves pulling out the manila envelope from between two books. Placing the envelope on my desk, I walked over to my hidden cupboard, opening the door to look at myself in the full length mirror.

I pulled my skirt down and adjusted my top before patting down my hair and adding a coat of red lipstick. Smiling at myself, I gently closed the door and walked over to my desk. I sat in my chair, crossing my legs over, my left black shoe tapping the side of my desk rhythmically due to my nerves.

The familiar man then stepped further into my office wearing a three piece suit and grey tie. I stood up and offered my hand over the desk. "Katherine Williams." I said smiling at him. He took my hand and shook it carefully. "Liam Robinson." He replied in his deep, smooth voice. I smiled and gestured at the two leather chairs in front of my desk. He took a seat and I took mine.

Smiling, I found the folder on my desk and grabbed one of my gold pens to mainly fiddle with but to also make notes. "Well. You obviously understand I would like to come up with a business arrangement," I paused waiting for him to show some sign of his understanding. "Yes." he replied simply. I nodded my head and shot him another smile. My cheeks were already hurting from all this smiling. "Well basically, it's not much to do with my actual business. You see this is a publishing company. I don't expect you to write a book or anything though, as it's more of a personal business contract." He nodded again. Suddenly, I had lost my adrenalin and was feeling nervous. "Questions so far?" He smiled at me. "Not really but I'm sure I'll have some later." His eyes told me he was encouraging me but I was suspicious. Ignoring it for the moment, I pushed myself to continue.

"Basically, I have told my parents that I have a boyfriend and will bring him to my sisters wedding in December. I however do not have a boyfriend so I am looking to employ one." His face showed no emotion and he said nothing. "I have a contract that requires you to spend the week of the wedding with me and also Christmas day. You of course can have your lawyer look at the contract if you please." I paused still waiting for a reaction. My smile was slipping as the silence continued lengthening.

"Ms. Williams?" Ellise asked, getting my attention. I looked at her nodding. "Mr. Robinson." She said introducing the coffee shop man. "Thank-you." I smiled at her, hoping no one could tell my heart was beating dangerously fast. She gave me a good luck smile before excusing herself and disappearing.

"Liam, the fact you haven't said anything worries me a little." He stared at me harder, leaning forward slightly. "Would it be possible if we were to continue this......" He paused looking for the right word. "Charde, with my family also?"

I was quite taken aback and had to recollect myself. "Um, I don't see why not. As long as it doesn't impact the business to much. We would have to adjust the contract though." He nodded. "I'm just talking about a dinner or two with my parents and maybe Christmas eve." Much more relaxed now, we begun discussing details and I handed him his copies of the contract.

An hour later, Ellise knocked on my door. "Katherine, Mr. Morray is here." I looked at my Marc Jacobs watch to see it was now 12.00. "Um, I'll see him in a second. Thanks." She nodded and left the room silently.

"Well, I'll um hopefully have this back to you by next week." Liam said standing up and taking his suit jacket off the back of the chair and pulling it on. "That would be great." I smiled as I also stood up. "You can arrange with my assistant when you'd like to meet up and plan out an approach because my family are crazy for detail." I said, no excitement in my voice at the thought of actually letting Liam meet my family. "Sure." Liam nodded bringing me back from my thoughs of disaster. "Bye." I said as I shook his hand.

I then opened my office door, holding it open for Liam to leave and Mr. Morray to enter. The heavy knot in my stomach from the morning of my heavy lie , seemed to loosen slightly as I watched Liam leave and I let a deep heavy sigh of relief.

The rest of my day dragged on as I was rushed from one meeting to another, taking many phone calls and making many. At six o'clock, Ellise came in with a toasted foccacia. "Thank-you so much." I said as she placed the wrapped parcel and on my desk, I hadn't even noticed who hungry I was until now. She shrugged at me. "I noticed you skipped lunch again." I pursed my lips at her. "You're not going to give me a lecture, are you because you know I can fire you ." She looked at me nervously. "Well you should eat, but no, I won't lecture you." I weakly smiled at her. " I was joking, you are too dear for me to let go." I said softly. She wasn't much older than twenty one but she was a great support and help to me.

"Sit down." I said, pointing to the chairs in front of my desk. Ellise did so but she looked a little scared. "You're not in trouble." I said and she instantly relaxed.