A Hand to Hold

Chapter five

~ Ronan

*

I was hallucinating. The combination of overwork and lack of sleep had finally caught up with me. How else could I explain the siren standing before me? And she was indeed a siren. For days I hadn’t been able to exorcise her image from my brain. Any female who held so much power over me, after a mere ten-second encounter, was bound to be dangerous. And this one had boldly invaded my inner sanctum.

*

“I asked you a question,” I said, keeping my voice low. “What are you doing here?” She squared her shoulders, as if summoning courage, and said, “It was my understanding you’d be expecting your mid-morning coffee, Mr. Ó Ceallaigh.” Oh boy. The way she spoke my name nearly had me panting. Heaven help me if she ever uttered my first name— she’d have me eating out of her hand. I quickly remembered we had an audience. John sat on my sofa, looking quite amused with the scene unfolding.

*

“Only my PA brings me coffee,” I said. “I don’t have time nor patience for manipulative females desperate for a date with a billionaire.” I heard John’s sharp intake of breath as the girl’s eyes narrowed. It was harsh, I knew that, but it was also true. For years I’d been ambushed left and right by women attempting to entice me into a relationship. Admittedly, she was the first with the audacity to to strut into my private office days after ‘accidentally’ bumping into me. I didn’t care how gorgeous she was, she’d gone too far. Only, she didn’t react to my accusation as expected. Rather than attempt to feign offense, she simply stood there, looking unfazed, if not slightly annoyed.

*

The intruder calmly walked toward me, eyes locked on mine. In my peripheral vision I noticed the natural sway of her hips. When she stood directly in front of me, she put the cup in my hand and calmly said, “That’s good to know, because I don’t have time for pompous billionaires who think they’re God’s gift to women.” John snorted in an poor attempt to hold back his laughter as she continued, “Candace had to take a call. I’m Natalie Norris, her replacement.”

*

Natalie softly cleared her throat and said, “Let’s do each other a favor; I won’t presume to know you and you won’t presume to know me. Shall we start over? Good morning, Mr. Ó Ceallaigh, here’s your coffee. Is there anything else I can get you?” She smiled sweetly, but it didn’t reach her green eyes.

*

The first impression I made with new employees mattered a great deal to me, especially ones I’d be working with as closely as my PA. As I witnessed the calm professionalism of my new assistant, I couldn’t remember an occasion in which I’d been so mortified by my own behavior. Underneath my embarrassment, I couldn’t help but feel impressed with the way she handled me. This would not do. I could not have a PA with so much power over me.

*

John cleared his throat and stood, extending a hand toward Natalie. “Ms. Norris, it’s nice to put a face to the name. Katrina speaks very highly of you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Herrington,” she replied. “I look forward to being an asset to the business.” Before he released her hand, he sent her a flirty smile and kissed her knuckles. I rolled my eyes to no one’s notice.

*

My business partner was in his early forties, nearly my height, and possessed a lean physique as a result of his love for cycling. His active lifestyle, in addition to his penchant for dye jobs and Botox, made John appear years younger than he was. He’d never been married. He preferred freedom, same as I. Unlike myself, however, he had no qualms about workplace relationships. He’d sleep with any willing participant, and a great many women were. Protectiveness suddenly flared up in me as I witnessed the look in John’s eye directed toward my new assistant. I inserted myself between them as I said, “Let’s take a break for now, John. We can wrap this up after lunch.”

*

As John left, Candace entered. “Price Development called… again,” she informed me. “I put them on your schedule for the end of the week. David was not happy about that.” When she sensed the lingering tension in the room, she asked, “What’d I miss?” Natalie answered before I had the chance. “Mr. Ó Ceallaigh just introduced me to Mr. Herrington.” I sent her a look of appreciation over not ratting me out for being an unmitigated jackass.

*

My new assistant had no idea the dressing down she’d spared me from. If Candace knew I’d made unsavory assumptions about Natalie’s character, she’d never let me hear the end of it. Candace was a tremendous assistant, and would surely be missed. However, I looked forward to having a PA who wasn’t a lifelong friend.

*

“Oh, I see,” Candace said. But she didn’t. “Pay no attention to Mr. Herrington. He shamelessly flirts with every female who crosses his path. Except his own PA, oddly enough.” An adorably playful grin crossed Natalie’s face as she replied, “It might have something to do with the fact that she slapped him.” My jaw dropped. John never mentioned that. “She did?” Candace asked flabbergasted.

“She did,” Natalie confirmed. “During her first week working for him. I suppose now I know why. Apparently, he can’t keep his lips to himself.”

“How do you know she slapped him?” I asked.

“She told me.”

“Natalie and Katrina went to college together,” Candace explained.

“Ah, I see. She’s the one who recommended you for Candace’s position?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m glad she did.”

*

They left me to my own devices and I dove into my never-ending emails. I did my best to give my inbox complete focus, however, my thoughts continuously drifted back to my new employee. I said a silent prayer my new assistant could handle the job. It may prove to be torture, but the idea of seeing Natalie Norris every day had me excited about work again for the first time since my father died.

*

Then, as if God himself was having a laugh at my expense, my door swung open and a dark-haired she-devil unceremoniously entered my domain. “Helena,” I said with contempt as I closed my computer, “to what to I owe this displeasure?”

“Is that any way to greet your stepmother?” she had the nerve to ask me.

“Former stepmother,” I corrected. “Or did you forget you’ve been divorced from my father for over a decade?”

*

When she moved further into the room I repeated, “What do you want, Helena?” She adjusted the collar on her designer jacket and replied, “Would you believe I’m merely here to check in on your well-being since your father’s passing? There was a time I thought of you as my own child, you know.” I scoffed at her words and argued, “You’ve never thought of me as your own and you’ve certainly never been concerned with my emotional health. Remember, I’ve seen your true colors and they aren’t pretty. So, cut the crap and be honest for once in your life.”

*

Helena took it upon herself to get comfortable on my sofa, before stating, “I want to discuss your father’s will.” I leaned back in my supple leather desk chair, placed my elbow on the arm, and rested my chin in hand as I replied, “Now that, I believe. What about his will?”

“Ronan, you don’t want to be forced into marriage any more than I want to see my daughter and grandchild live in poverty.”

*

I studied her intently from behind my desk. Was she joking? “Benson makes good money and Maddie inherited most of Da’s houses,” I pointed out. “I’d hardly call that poverty.”

“It may as well be poverty compared to how she grew up.” That was true. Being nearly ten years apart in age, Maddie and I experienced two entirely different childhoods. By the time my sister was old enough to hold memories our dad had already made his first million.

*

“Have you spoken with Maddie about this?” I questioned. Helena hesitated, as I knew she would, so I continued, “Because I have. She’s not the least bit interested in taking over OCE.”

“She doesn’t know what she wants,” Helena muttered. “I’m her mother. I know what’s best for her. Just as I know marriage and a child are not what’s best for you, Ronan. You would be unbelievably miserable, and you know it.”

*

“So,” Helena said as she stood and tucked her clutch under her arm, “why don’t you do what’s best for everyone and simply relinquish the company now? Everybody wins.” I rose from my chair and stalked toward Helena with an eerie calm. With my face inches from hers, I quietly replied, “I would rather be married to a life-sucking shrew like you than see anyone’s name on this business but mine. Now. Get. Out.”

*

Helena’s blank face immediately contorted with rage, which only added to my delight. She’d ventured into MY territory and had the balls to suggest I hand over my life’s work, as if it didn’t mean everything to me. Was she f*****g insane?

*

“You selfish unfeeling man!” Helena screeched. “How dare you do this to your sister?!”

“How dare YOU do this to my sister?” I spat back. If she thought she could make this about what was best for Maddie, she clearly hadn’t been paying attention. “If you think this is over, you’re wrong!” she yelled, jabbing me in the chest and turning toward the door.

*

Before she reached the exit, she turned to add, “There’s not a woman on this earth that would marry a bastard like you, Ronan Ó Ceallaigh. Mark my words, I will see you in court!” I revealed a devilish smile and said, “I’m looking forward to it.” She huffed angrily and stormed out of the room, not bothering to close the door behind her.

*

Helena hadn’t always been a power hungry gold-digger. She’d treated me well enough as a child, though she’d never held me in the same league as her own daughter, which I understood. I never saw her as my mother either. But she didn’t turn vindictive until the ugly divorce from my father. He’d spent years pouring everything he had into OCE. It was his lack of attentiveness that led Helena to justify her affair. Only my da didn’t see the justification when he discovered her unfaithfulness. He promptly divorced her, making sure she got nothing.

*

Helena’s thirst for retaliation outlived my father, and therein laid her true motivation for wanting to rob me of my life’s work. To Helena, that would be the final victory, taking the one thing my father loved more than her. What she didn’t know was I loved the company far more than my father ever did, and I’d do whatever necessary to keep it.

*

“Knock knock,” Candace called from the doorway.

“Come in,” I answered, returning to my desk.

“Why is your door open?” she wanted to know. “Your door’s never open.”

“I had an unexpected visit from an irate Helena. She left in a hurry.”

“I wonder how long she was laying in wait for me to leave my desk.”

“I’m more interested in how she also managed to get past Tiffany. She’s supposed to be my first line of defense.”

“You know Tiff is one fry short of a happy meal. She likely assumed you wouldn’t turn away your stepmother.”

“Remind her the witch and I are no longer related, would you?” Candace nodded.

*

I returned to my seat as Candace approached the desk and said, “Here, your grandmother sent this over.” I took the thick white envelope she handed me and asked, “Did you look inside?”

“Have we met? Of course, I looked.”

“And? What do you think?”

“That you can do better. And I’m a little insulted you didn’t ask me for help in this matter. I get that Brigid raised you and all, and you hold her opinion in high regard, but she really missed the mark on this one.”

*

I opened the packet and pulled out a thick dossier. “Well, she certainly is thorough, I’ll give her that,” I commented.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Candice announced, heading for the door. “I’ve got to introduce Natalie to the I.T. department.”

“Have fun.”

“You too,” she replied with a wink as she left, softly closing the door behind her.

*

Upon opening the portfolio, I promptly flipped over the attached photo. Same as I did with prospective employees, I wanted to review my grandmother’s choice of future granddaughter-in-law before being swayed by looks.

*

Cassidy Somerset; twenty-six years old and from a wealthy family. She graduated from UCLA with an art degree, though was currently unemployed. I wondered if that was by choice. I didn’t know what I’d expected to learn from her file, seeing as I didn’t care about stats. I wanted to know who she was as a person. Was she meek or boisterous? Down-to-earth or larger than life? Did she enjoy a hard day’s work or was she a pampered princess? The file revealed nothing of her personality.

*

When I turned the photo right side up, my inner voice immediately gave a resounding, nope. Cassidy had bleached-blonde hair, overdone makeup, and a tan as fake as her eyelashes. Her photograph didn’t reflect her natural appearance, of that I was certain.

*

With a sigh, I closed the folder and slid it to the side. I decided to refocus on work as much as possible before calling my grandmother at the end of the day with my response. She’d be disappointed, but in no way discouraged. Especially once I informed her of Helena’s unwelcomed visit.

*

By the time I looked up from my work, the sun had set and the twinkling lights of the city shone through my windows. As I reached for the phone to order dinner, a soft knock caught my attention. It was exceedingly rare for anyone but me to be there at that hour. “Come in,” I called, and my new assistant timidly opened the door.

*

“Good evening, Mr. Ó Ceallaigh,” she said sweetly. “I just wanted to see if you needed anything before I left.”

“I’m good,” I replied, “but why are you still here?”

“I wanted to take a bit of extra time to familiarize myself with the computer programs without the distraction of people.”

“I know what you mean. I get my best work done after five.”

*

“I was just about to order dinner,” I said. “Can I get you something to eat? It’s the least I can do since you’re working overtime.”

“Thank you, but no. I have dinner plans with Katrina. So, if you’re good, I’m going to head out.” She moved to retreat when I stopped her. “Actually, I’d like a brief word with you, if you don’t mind,” I said, gesturing to the sitting area.

“Not at all,” she replied casually, but I noticed the way she nervously twisted her fingers.

*

I moved from my desk chair to the sofa across from my new assistant. Damn, I thought. How did she look just as perfect as she had earlier, as though she hadn’t been working all day? I cleared my throat and began, “I just wanted to apologize for the first impression I made this morning.” She immediately held up her hands, saying “Please, there’s no need, Mr. Ó Ceallaigh. It’s fine.”

“It’s not though, Ms. Norris. I was an ass. I made assumptions and that was wrong of me. I hope you can forgive me and trust that in future you’ll be treated with respect.”

“That’s very kind of you,” she said. “I will forgive you on one condition.”

“I’m listening.”

“If it’s not against your policies, I’d prefer to be called Natalie.”

“Very well, Natalie. Would you forgive my boorish behavior?”

*

“I meant what I said earlier,” she responded without an ounce of coyness or flirtatiousness, “there’s nothing to forgive.” She was a sweetheart, and unlike any woman I normally interacted with, except perhaps my sister. They both had the same air of innocence, and I felt protectiveness flare up again.

*

“If there’s nothing to forgive,” I said, “why did you have a condition for your forgiveness?” She shrugged and replied, “I saw an opportunity and I took it.” She flashed me a dazzling smile, one I couldn’t help returning, as I replied, “Well, Natalie, I very much look forward to working with you.” And I meant every word.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~