Desire Play

Stakeholder meeting

My hands were securely placed in his hands. Walking hand-in-hand we crossed the parking area and reached the lift. It was still early and there were few employees eyeing us out. I am not a social person, I survive in shadows. Dad, Mom, Tia always made sure of this. I felt like my breathing was labored, being the center of attention is not my cup of tea. As we entered the lift, he descended his lips on mine. In my stomach butterflies were flapping their wings wildly and my heart was doing somersaults. I was floating and started feeling fog everywhere. Maybe Andrew guessed it and let me breathe. “You are the most beautiful person, Eve. The people who were gawking at you..” He trailed off and started giving feather light kisses along my jaw. “You have nothing to be worried about.” I nodded. “This is private lift and code is 7929, you might need it later.” He winked at me. This intimacy is making me ten folds nervous. Elevator door opened with ping and I saw his secretary standing elegantly with files and coffee in hand. She was Mrs. Fulton in her early forties, a lady I know too well. She was always there at mum's brunch parties. “Eve dear, how are you?” I smiled at her. “I am good. How are kids?” She waved her hand “Oh !! you know them, bunch of brats.” I could not help but laugh. Her kids used to come and create havoc in the garden area, and to my joy I was the leader. I loved playing in sprinklers. After a good scolding we will come back to the living room to have more fun. We will paint our hands with colors and do face paintings or sometimes paint each other in colors. I am fond of those memories, a time that can never come back. We reached the conference room, before entering Andrew looked me in the eye and squeezed my hand reassuring me. He placed his hand at my back and brought me forward. My eyes widened in surprise, what does he want? Does he want me to lead? Panic kicked in. I was resisting him but my attempts were futile. We took a couple more steps and all eyes shot up at Andrew and I. It felt like time stopped, all eyes strained on me, few smiling, few scrutinizing, few familiar faces nodding. I lowered my eyes but all I wanted was to take a turn and run away leaving everyone behind. I mentally cursed myself. I was prepared to take up this but at this moment I felt like a coward. I momentarily closed my eyes to calm down. Dad’s smiling face appeared and I felt at ease. If he would be in this situation he would say do as your heart says. Yes. Thank you Daddy. I want the best for my company and nothing can come in this way. I promised this a long time ago and the moment of truth is here. I saw some people standing up to leave, these are the problematic ones. Martha had told me about them. “Sir, Mr.Talley and Mr. Olsen, we are nothing but a big extended family here. It is rude to leave without listening to the other party. I heard you tell this to Dad so many times. I urge you to please listen to our proposals.” It was a pin drop silence. I cannot say anything about Sean Talley but I knew Damian Olsen was a big softie. I gave them my genuine smile. “Well it would not hurt to listen to the proposal they have. Would it?” Damian Olsen replied and took back his seat. Mr. Talley followed him after a few seconds of indecisiveness. I took a breath of relief. If I want to do this and do this correct, we have to take everyone onboard. We can't risk a single person backing out. Presentation started and Andrew’s other assistant, who was also with him at my house the other day did a marvelous job in explaining everything. People were smiling and nodding, and I was relieved. I felt a heated gaze towards me, I followed the gaze and it was none other than Oliver. What is he doing here? He smiled like a saint. It was unsettling. I could not put my finger on it but something was off. Andrew sensed my distraction and squeezed my hands. I immediately looked at him and he gave me a lingering kiss on my head like breathing in. Goosebumps erected at the nape of my neck. Eve please behave, meeting is in progress. My subconscious snickered at me. After the presentation, Andrew stood up and answered a few queries and doubts. It was magic, looking at him answering these questions. He looked at me and kept his hand on my head like blessing me and I smiled at his gesture. Everyone was looking at our interaction, totally subject to public eye PDA. It is easy to blend in with Andrew. He makes everything look so effortless. I could not thank him more for what he is doing for the company. And his kisses are hot and he is steaming hot, my subconscious chimed in. Yes that too. I wanted to do nothing but hug him tightly and kiss him senseless. Like listening to my inner turmoil Andrew looked at me again with incredulous eyes. What did I say out loud? Why is he looking at me like this? Like my secret is out in the open and you cannot do anything about it.

“If this is all, we shall take a vote in for the proposal.” Andrew suggested. “ I want to ask something.” Everyone looked at the person. Oliver. Oliver Tally. Sean Tally’s only son. He leaned in on the table “ Is it true that you are investing in this company because you are getting married to Eve?” Wait what? Andrew placed his hands on my shoulder. He knew I would panic. “Yes, we are engaged. We are keeping this as low key. We do not want big media coverage. Catherine is still recovering.” I looked down, fidgeting my fingers. “You should make it official, Andrew.” someone from behind said teasing us. Andrew smiled. I wanted to disappear. Suddenly everyone has suggestions. Ugh.. Meeting got over and people started to disperse, few came to congratulate us. Oliver also came in and I smiled at him. Andrew shook his hands and snaked one hand on my waist, like claiming a stake. This is way too awkward. We were about to leave when a lady in late 20s appeared in front of us and discarding me she went directly to hug Andrew. “Long time no see Andrew.” and kissed on his cheeks and mumbled something in his ears. Color drained from my face. I recognize this person from the list of people Andrew dated. He is still in contact with her. I excused myself and left. I could not understand if I was sad or angry or jealous. This is an arrangement made by us, I have no right to be jealous but still I am feeling angry. In my haste I didn’t see where my feet were taking me because this place feels like a maze. I bumped into Oliver. “Hi” his breath fanned my cheeks and he was dangerously close to me. What is he upto?