Irish Gem

I wouldn't mind getting Into his knickers

After an hour, I needed to eat something. I went to see if Lacey and I could go out together. So I had to ask Daniel if it was OK. “Right Lacey my treat subway,” I said to her, laughing, “Right OK, just because I'm starving” Lacey replies. We went to Subway after getting our order and setting down, Lacey asked, “Well, you and Daniel,” she says with a raised eyebrow, “Don't even start. There is no me and Daniel,” I sat over my Subway, I thought about it for a minute. Lacey does work every day with us, and she has become one of my good friends here, so I decided to tell her everything. She was shocked and couldn't believe how forward Daniel had been but couldn't believe I hadn’t given into him. “What the hell he’s my boss, and there's rules.” I defended myself. “Seriously Em you're here for another? What 7 to 8 months and you may never come back again? Enjoy yourself, take it from someone who's been with the same man for the last 10 years and only ever was with him. If I could do it over again, I would have enjoyed myself a little bit more. It is a 21st century, no judgment,” she said like a big sister. It's true Lacey was nearly ten years older than me. I just felt so at peace with talking to her. Maybe I will think about it, I reassured her.

Two weeks had passed, nothing was said, and we just got on like before. I think it's me who stopped any uncomfortable moments with my quick wit and banter. I hated awkward moments. I arrived at work as normal and exited the lift, Daniel was talking to Lacey. “Morning all” I smiled at them, Daniel looked worried and smiled a light smile. “OK, what gives boss” I asked. “Can I see you both in my office in 5 minutes, please? And can you bring your morning coffee with you?” He turned and walked away. “What's going on” I asked Lacey. She shrugged her shoulders, unknowing. We grabbed the coffee. I dropped my stuff off at the office and followed her to Daniels office. As we entered, he asked us to take a seat. “OK ladies, lots to go over. Today we are in for a very busy time but before we start. I must tell you that Darren Bell was charged with s****l harassment and attempted r**e charges.” “His in jail” I jumped in. “No, He got a suspended sentence for three years and the $10,000 fine. He and two of his friends got charged. But they will find it very hard to find a new work after the reference they received from here,” He paused. “What does a suspended sentence mean,” I interrupt him. “It means if he breaks the law for anything at all, he will do time, but only within three years. So, anything after three years is a new start,” he finished. I know he was not happy about the outcome. But there's really little evidence to do anything more. “Hey you got rid of the b******. You got them out of your company, and that's a start.” I smiled sympathetically. He smiled back but just a smile of kindness.

“OK ladies, now you have that information. We have great news, I have arranged a new contract. That I have been going after for many years. I heard last night that it looks very hopeful it will be going ahead.” He says this with a smile. “So, this means we will have later nights, more dinner meetings. Long weekends and events away. Lacey, you're pregnant, but if you can keep an open mind that when we are not here. You will be carrying all the office load. I hope this is OK and I don't want to cause you any stress. That is why I need to know now if you can handle it or if I get you an assistant. To try out now, instead of in three month’s time down the line,” Daniel paused for her to reply. “Daniel, I have been your PA for four years, and we have big contracts I could have killed you. Even Joyce retired a year early because of the workload, so please give me someone I have to admit. When enough is enough and there is no way I can manage, so please, yes.” Lacey replied. She let out a long sigh as if Daniel wanted her to choose herself. “You've got it. I know I shouldn't have asked.” He winked and smiled at her. She rolled her eyes as it was a nice change. From I arrive to see these two more relaxed with each other it was nice. He looks at me, “The real reason I also have Lacey here is to witness what I have to say to you, Em”. I looked worried about what was going on. Is he replacing me? “Relax. Would you please” He added before I got all wade up. “Lacey, you know that there have been some moments between me and Em.” She nodded, listening. “Yes, where is this going?” She replied. “Yes, where the hell is this going? Because if you're replacing me, I won't go quietly.” They both laughed at me as if I was joking. I ******* wasn't. “No, I am not replacing you. If anything, you're going to be very close together a lot closer,” “I'm not marrying you”, I shouted it. They both started laughing even more. I’m not amused right now. Lacey jumped in “Em, I have travelled the world with Daniel from B&B to hotels. Once, he slept in the bathtub because I couldn't get a separate room. I know where Daniel is going with this and means that you're practically going to be living with each other. For the next lot of months,” she smiled. When she said it, my face was relaxed.

“Alright, that's all” I laughed. “That is why I asked Lacey to be here. Because had I told you myself, you would think that I was tricking or being inappropriate set up. Do you know what I mean?” Daniel looked worried. “As long as you don't try to Bruce Wayne me, I think I can handle it,” we all burst out laughing, Daniel went very red. Lacey had to cover her mouth when she saw him. It was not the right thing to say in the meeting. But we did make light off it, “So tell us what about the customer?” I interrupted. “OK, back to business” Daniel started.

We were taking on a $3 million dollar deal. This covered four brewery, three distilleries across Ireland Northern Ireland. We would be meeting with them over plans and partnerships across the states and part of Canada. We would be tending all functions, work dinners, and travelling. Happy days, I thought. We would be working with a hand-picked team from all departments. They would all be placed on the floor below us. As we were not waiting on reports or updates or research. It would all be going to be handled in one area. Daniel had never done this before, but after Sinead and Roisin helped me fly through the Indiana contract. This seemed to be a no-brainer. Plus, we would be away. So, it meant the team would all be working together, and all the same things are not distracted with other projects. I was very excited because Daniel said that I had to be with him because he found it hard to understand my accent half the time. “You never said anything before.” I protested. “I have Adopt it to you. But put all of you together. It's like listening to an Eminem rap, and I just laugh when you're you are. Instead of always asking you to repeat yourself,” he said. I laughed, known far, far too well. He didn't understand us half the time because we had made so many jokes about him in his presence, and he was clueless. I giggled at some of the s**t, Sean says. In his broad Dublin accent, half the time he will be saying the things he would do to him, and if he could get his hands on him, it's filthy. I interrupted my thoughts when Daniel said “One more thing, we will be in Dublin and Belfast either before or after Christmas.” He looked at me with a concerned look. “What's the catch? I'm not allowed to call home,” “No it means I may be keeping you here. Over Christmas,” he paused. **** he knew I wanted to go home for Christmas. I really missed my family. I know that the girls were already sorted their flights, and so had Sean. They were all leaving from the 22nd to the 23rd of December. And not back until the second of January. So that meant that I would be by my own. Daniel knew this, and so did Lacey. Lacey piped in “Em, I would take you to California with me, but I'm away for 10 days and knowing Daniel you will be working a lot of that time”. She gave me a sympathetic look and smiled, “So, if you can't get home for Christmas, I would like you to stay with me and my family,” Daniel said. “I have spoken to Ruby, and she can't wait.” Is he for real? I can't stay with Daniel and his family, or can I?

After I got over that, I wasn’t going home for Christmas. But Daniel said after the visit, I could stay home for a week and fly first class under the company. Saving me a couple of hundreds of dollars. I suppose it was better than nothing. I called my mom to tell her “Em honey. How the hell are you?” asked mom. “Doing well, Mom, listen, I have bad news.” I hesitated “What, what's going on? You’ve been arrested, I ******* told you to take it easy on the drink. Don't think I'm bailing you out.” She rambled on. “No ma be quiet for crying out loud. I haven't been fecking arrested. You have little faith in me.” I shout back. “Well Sacred Heart of Jesus, thank God for that.” She breathed out. “I just phoning you to let you know I don't think I can come home for Christmas.” I said sadly. “Why do you need money? I’ll send you money for your flight. Do you want me to get Daisy to Google flights and see the best deal we can find?” She ranted. “No mommy. I have to work” “Who in their right mind works over Christmas is that boss of yours a feckin, Scrooge?” After calming her down, I explained. “I would be working before and after Christmas. As I was getting a free ride home,” I told her. Then I explained that Daniel was letting me join him in his family for Christmas and wouldn't be alone. “His trying to get into your knickers, Emily. By the sounds of it, he's doing a number on you.” Mom barked. “No, he's not ma, that’s uncalled for. Please wind your neck in and catch yourself on. He's not like that, and I get to travel. All over the states, so maybe it's me, trying to get into his knickers.” I laughed. “Well there are not bad looking knickers to get into.” “Ma” I shouted it. She just laughed. “What I've seen the pictures. I wouldn't kick him out of bed for farting.” She laughed, and I just joined in. I love talking to my mum. She's not wise in the head. It makes my day.

After telling Mum, I wasn't coming home. Lacey emailed me my schedule. This was going to be madness, but fun. The first thing we had to do was go to all the department's interviews for Lacey new PA. After three days of looking at all the department candidates and interviews, we were busted already. We interviewed 14 women and four men for Lacey, a secretary position as her personal assistant, but all the women were eyeball and Daniel and with Lacey's hormones. She was happy to see the back of them. Richard from Queens University applied for the PA. Turns out that even though he has the personality as a brush shaft, he was actually the best choice. I didn't like the idea, but then again, I will be out with Daniel all the time, so it was up to Lacey to deal with that.

We put together from all departments a whole new crew. Covering this new international contract. All the guys that came with us from Ireland got picked. I think because Lacey and Daniel knew how well they worked and how professional they could be. As well as their personalities. So when we weren't there they could be trusted. Even Dermot got picked for the graphic department. Roisin with a girl called Karen from Human Resources, Sinead, from publishing with two other fellow Zach Thomas and Peter Column for marketing and purchasing. Lacey bumped Brian from legal and another six Researcher and an office head. They cleared the floor below us, and everyone had put to work. We had all our meetings on our floor so the comings and goings from Daniels floor were never ending. We had two spare offices that were still used for our business partners, shareholders, and clients. I must say I was loving the buzz. I was able to complete several of my ongoing contracts to keep our clients happy until the new merger was up and running. We were two weeks into December. Time was drawing in before Sinead, Roisin, and Sean had their holidays booked.

Dumb d**k, Sorry Richard, Demont, and I were staying in New York for Christmas. Sean was going to stay too, but his Dublin mummy was going to disown him if he did. Everywhere was getting ready for the season. The shops, hotels, the streets and offices in the city looked amazing. We were working so much that grabbing a drink after work was getting difficult, but it didn't stop us. We four always made time to call into Mc Flanigan's to see Mickey and Roisin to see Paddy. Mickey really was an angel. He would make Stew for us. I told him how to make my mommy homemade vegetable soup and what vegetable stocks to use. So, every so often, he would have some soup well filled waiting for us. I didn't socialize with Daniel because he refused to go home before 10:00 PM and was in the office before 7:00 am. This man was dedicated. But it was getting after 12 to 14 hour shifts. As there was more to come and I knew I had to help, but I also have a life. After five years of hard studying and working part time, I know you need to look after yourself. Your body and your mental health come first. I know why he's loaded, but you can't take it with you when you're dead. I keep telling him. He say’s if for his kid’s future, I laughed at him, “And when do you have time to meet someone, let alone impregnate someone?” I kept him going. “One day, I will take a break and enjoy what I have achieved.” He said. Yeah, right, I thought. “Just while you're here am I need to take you shopping for new clothes.” He informed me “What's wrong with my cloths,” looking disgusted at him. “Nothing. I just need you to wear designer clothing from now on.” “What if you think I can afford designer gear? I would not be working for you.” I snapped at him. “You misunderstand me. We have high end Members and a lot of functions to attend, so I need you to look the part,” he added. “So, what you're saying is I look like cheap c*** , like the dogs dinner if I don't buy s*** with a large price tag.” I stared back at him. “OK yes, but I'm paying for your new wardrobe.” He snapped back. “Why the **** didn't you start with that? Then you would never have got so much abuse from me.” We both laughed. “I thought I did when I said I need to take you shopping,” he laughs, rolling his eyes. The next day was Saturday, and Daniel picked me up. To take me shopping on 5th Ave. Happy days his paying, so bring it on.