Shades of Trust

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Leibowitz Oil Building

Friday, January 22, 2010

9:30 a.m.

“Come in,” Sophia called, looking up from her iMac screen to see Edward at the door and listening to the music playing in her office.

“A waltz by Strauss. Perfect.” He literally waltzed into the room with a stack of papers in his hand, an enormous bouquet of dark red peonies and a huge grin on his face. “Congratulations! You’re a genius, and one hell of an executive. Gabriel would be proud.”

“What is this?” She smiled at him. “The contract for the university students?”

“No. The loan!” He threw himself in the armchair in front of her desk and put the bouquet on the other. “Exactly as you wanted it. Lower fees, a guaranty of a hundred percent, and almost no penalty clauses.” He grinned wickedly at her. “And the best part…please change the waltz to Beethoven’s fifth symphony, Allegro con brio.”

“Come on, Edward, cut the suspense.”

“Put it on. Just the beginning.” His grin was infectious.

She did as he asked, enjoying the suspense he was creating.

Exactly seven seconds after the music started, he exclaimed, “Wales was fired!”

“Wow! There is a god!” A vindictive smile spread over Sophia’s face. “That bastard was disgusting.”

“It’ll teach him manners.” He removed an ivory envelope with dark green motifs from the stack of papers. “Now, this!” He opened it and took from it a folded page. He unfolded the crispy vellum stationary, smoothing it gently with his fingers. Edward’s eyes quickly scanned the letter and whistled. “Change the music. Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concert.”

She did as requested. The ominous sounds filled the room and Sophia shuddered.

“I just love this.” He closed his eyes for a second. “Spectacular, isn’t it? So…intense. As is the man who has caught your attention.”

“I beg your pardon?” She frowned at him.

“Sophia, Sophia.” He threw her a secretive smile and turned his gaze back to the letter in his hand, raising a dark blond eyebrow. “He’s a gentleman; exceptionally fine woven paper, and impressive penmanship.” Edward was fascinated with the correspondence.

“Who?” Sophia impatiently tapped her fingers. “Edward…”

He grinned at her. “It says here…”

London, January 21st, 2010

Dear Mr. Davidoff,

It is with the greatest satisfaction that I send you the new contract for your and Mrs. Santo’s approval. I hope it meets your requirements.

I have to congratulate you on your choice for the head of the legal department of Leibowitz Oil. Mrs. Santo is intelligent, smart and, if I may say, a shrewd businesswoman. Quite a sight to behold.

Mr. Wales is no longer with us. Henceforth, I’m at your disposal for any future enquiries, unless you have any other director or vice-president you would wish to appoint as your contact with us.

It was a pleasure to work with you, as always.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Alistair Connor MacCraig

“Shrewd businesswoman?” Sophia grinned. “I like it.”

“I do too. Especially, because he thinks I’m responsible for the choice.” He chuckled. “‘Quite a sight to behold.’ This is a lot more interesting than a ‘shrewd businesswoman’.”

“Who sent those, and to whom?” she asked when he snatched the card from the flowers, flaunting it at her.

“They aren’t for you! They are for Mrs. Santo. Head of the Legal Department. Perhaps you know her?” He looked at the envelope and his smile vanished. “You have to stop doing this, Sophia. It’s affecting LO.”

“I will, I will. I just need some courage and a little more time.” A lot of courage and a lot of time.

His smile returned. “Can I open it?”

With a flourished wave of her hand, she authorized it.

“Hmm…” He wiggled his blond eyebrows. “A personal card. There is a coat of arms engraved on the center.”

“Who is it from?”

Edward looked at her with a teasing reproving look. “As if you didn’t know.”

“I don’t.” She frowned. “Who sent me flowers?”

Edward shook his head slowly at her and lowered his head to read the card. A blonde lock fell over his forehead and he pushed it back impatiently as he read the card silently. He let out a long whistle this time. “Now. This is a sight to behold! Listen.”

London, January 21st, 2010

Dear Mrs. Santo,

It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I was greatly dismayed by Mr. Wales’s undignified behavior toward you, Leibowitz Oil, and the Leibowitz family.

To undo the unfavorable impression, I request the pleasure of your company for lunch at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, on January 22nd, at 1 o’clock.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,

Alistair Connor

“I would say…up close and personal. Just Alistair Connor. Beautiful name. Strong.” Edward shook his head in amazement and pouted. “Heavens, Sophia! Another one! You have all these gorgeous men falling at your feet. Why not share your secret? What’s the magical, invisible powder you throw to spellbind every man and woman around you?”

Her laugh rang through the room. “Take your pick. I cannot go out with more than one.” She extended her hand. “Let me study the contract.”

“Stop beating around the bush and call him to confirm the lunch,” Edward pushed.

Sophia straightened up in her chair, suddenly scared. “I’m not going, Edward. I’ll write him a thank you note for the flowers, but I’m not going. You can go.”

“He didn’t ask me out, Sophia. He asked you. And it’s solely a business lunch.” He c****d his head to stare at her and asked quietly, “Why not?”

A warning sensation tingled through Sophia. “I don’t know. Instincts, maybe?”

“You cannot skip this lunch, Sophia. Not this time,” he insisted. “It’s too important for LO. Do you want me to go with you?”

She looked at her friend. Edward never asked for more than she could do. Sophia sighed. “Do you really think it’s necessary?”

He thinned his lips and nodded. “Yes. You know I wouldn’t ask if I thought I could go in your place.”

“All right.” Sophia pressed the intercom. “Sarah, could you please call The City of London Bank and put Mr. MacCraig’s secretary on the line? Thank you.” She gazed at Edward. “Have you read the contract?”

“Yes, Jason, from the legal team, and I did. A director delivered it here at half past eight this morning.” He grinned. “It’s perfect.”

The intercom buzzed. “Mrs. L, it’s Mr. MacCraig’s secretary. His name is Angus MacKeenan.”

“Thank you, Sarah. Put him through.” The line loudly beeped. “Mr. MacKeenan?”

“Mrs. Santo, how are you? It’s Alistair Connor.”

Sophia’s heart fired up to a breakneck pace in her chest as Alistair’s deep voice came through the speaker. Eyes wide, she looked at Edward, who merely raised a blond eyebrow.

“I gather you have received my card.”

“Yes, Mr. MacCraig, I have.” A foreboding feeling flashed through her, leaving her at a loss for words.

“So, I can confirm the reservation at Gordon Ramsay’s?” His low, deep voice soothed her.

Sophia glanced at Edward who nodded. “Yes, Mr. MacCraig, you can. I will be there at one o’clock.”

“Great. I’ll send my driver to pick you up.”

“There’s no need.” She bit her lip for a second. “A driver from Leibowitz Oil will drop me off.”

Edward shook his head, amused.

“Very well. I’m looking forward to our lunch. See you then.”

“See you, Mr. MacCraig,” Sophia murmured.

“A driver from Leibowitz Oil? Is that Steven’s new job title?” Edward inquired. “Why are you so nervous, Sophia? The guy isn’t going to bite you. He’s asking you out to a business lunch.”

“Who said I was nervous?”

“You repeated ‘Mr. MacCraig’ three times. And bit your lip.” Concerned, he eyed her. “If you feel this bad about it, don’t go.”

I’m in London. Nothing will happen. No one will find me. They really must think me dead. “It’s okay, Edward. I’ll go.” Sophia waved her right hand again in the air and the long sleeve of her silk dress fell to her elbow.

Edward looked at her wrist and frowned. He rose from the chair and went to her side, holding her hand in his. “What is this, Sophia?” His expression clouded when he noticed the finger marks on her delicate arm, which she had tried to conceal with makeup but failed. “Sophia?”

Stupid, stupid! “It’s nothing.” She dismissed it. “I must have banged my hand somewhere.”

“Somewhere with fingers?” His blue eyes flashed, angrily. “I don’t like this, Sophia. Why did he hurt you? Don’t you dare lie to me!”

Sophia bit her lip and looked at Edward. “Really, it was nothing. I bruise easily, you know.”

“I’ll let this pass. But, beware! If I see something like this again, Ashford and I will have a private talk.” Edward thinned his lips and flexed his shoulders; his face murderous. “I may not be as broad as him but surely, I’m bigger than you. If something like this happens again, I want to know, Sophia.”