Chapter Nine
Gavin Jenkins excitedly sat beside Arianna, staring at her all the time as she started the laptop for Laurence. Michael Garner started talking but Laurence couldn't hear a thing he spoke. His blood was boiling at the sight of Gavin Jenkins.
"Arianna, sit here. It'll be easier for me," he said and Arianna looked up him.
"Yes sir," she said, getting up and sitting on the chair on the other side of Laurence. Gavin looked at Laurence with a smirk on his face as Laurence glared at him. Michael Garner chuckled.
"So won't you introduce us to the lovely young lady here, Laurence?" Asked Michael Garner with a smile.
"This is Arianna Willis, my personal assistant," he introduced and Arianna smiled at everyone.
"Shall we start with the discussion without wasting any more time?" Asked Laurence.
"Sure, I have a few conditions that I want to discuss before we proceed to sign the contract, " said Mr Garner.
"Yes tell me," said Laurence. The next twenty minutes they discussed the conditions that Mr Garner laid down. Arianna noted down everything on her laptop. She was a very fast typist although she couldn't take shorthand. While Gavin simply creepily stared at her, she remained unperturbed, fully concentrating upon her own work. Laurence relaxed much at her disinterest and they finally signed the contract papers. Congratulating one another, they relaxed and kept aside the work related stuff.
"So that's finally done. Let's have lunch," said Mr Garner. Laurence called the in-house restaurant to serve them their lunch. Within five minutes, their lunch arrived. It was a grand array of mouthwatering dishes laid out before them with a wide variety to choose from. There were cashew chicken spring rolls served with plum sauce, Greek salad, rosemary marinated strip steak, pan seared salmon, cauliflower cous cous, grilled chicken breasts and roasted asparagus. Everyone enjoyed the food. Laurence was very particular that she ate everything on her plate. He served her each and every dish, making her taste all that was available. Gavin got the idea that Laurence wanted him to get but that didn't disinterest him one bit. He was dying to ask her out after the meeting was over.
"Thank you sir but I can't eat anymore, " she whispered to Laurence.
"Okay just finish what's on your plate," said Laurence. Michael Garner smiled at them and Arianna blushed not knowing why her boss was behaving so possessively with her. Mr Garner wasn't possessive of Gavin.
The lunch was over and Laurence shook hands with Michael Garner and they parted amicably. While Laurence saw Michael Garner off to the door, Gavin approached Arianna.
"Hey, I'm Gavin Jenkins. We couldn't get to know one another well today. Would you go out with me so that we can get to know each other well? I promise to give you the best time of your life," he said with a charming smile.
"Maybe some other time, thanks," said Arianna diplomatically avoiding him.
"Sure, here's my number, just give me a call, " he said, handing her his card.
Laurence got furious seeing Arianna holding Gavin's card while he strode off with a smirk on his face and a nod at Laurence. When he left, Laurence strode upto her and snatched the card from her hands and tore it off, throwing the shredded papers into a dustbin nearby.
"How dare you flirt with him," he said furiously, his hands holding onto her wrist and pulling her into his arms, flush against his body. Arianna was shocked by the suddenness of his actions. The moment her body came in contact with his, she trembled as electric currents shot through her. She placed her palms on his chest to put some distance between them. However Laurence wasn't releasing her nor was he allowing her to put any distance between themselves. He crushed more into him.
"I I d didn't flirt," she tried but his index finger touched her lips to quieten her.
"Shh, you won't flirt with anyone else, Aria," he said softly in a husky voice. Arianna's breath hitched at the warm touch on her lips. Her mind wasn't functioning anymore. What did he mean by that? Did he mean that she could only flirt with him and no one else? Did he call her Aria? It was such an endearing name. But did bosses call their employees with such endearing names?
"Sir, I," she started but couldn't continue since he lowered his head, his lips inches from hers, his thumb and index finger teasing her lips. Would he kiss her? Her breath stuck in her throat anticipating her first kiss as she breathed in his intoxicating scent. She now really had a bad crush on him wanting him to be her first kiss.
"Oh sorry sir, we'll come back later," said an apologetic voice from the entrance of the conference room. Laurence came to his senses and he released her. Arianna composed herself and started packing up their stuff.
"No no, you can continue. We were just leaving, " said Laurence indifferently. Arianna was confused by his aloofness. Didn't that interaction between them mean nothing to him at all? Maybe he behaved that way with all his female employees. The thought hurt her a lot. She picked up the stuff and followed him out of the conference room. The manager approached Laurence and spoke to him. Laurence thanked him and they walked out of the hotel into their waiting car.
"Take us to the North Premium Outlets on Grand Central Parkway, Tim," said Laurence to his chauffeur. Arianna was puzzled why he was going shopping to the expensive designer stores. Maybe he needed more clothes. She could stay and wait for him inside the car as she would feel out of place wearing her loose borrowed clothes.
Tim parked the car at the North Premium Outlets which was a 540,000-square-foot shopping mall located near Downtown Las Vegas located on 40 acres. Laurence looked at her with a frown on his face when she didn't get down from the car.
"Why aren't you coming along?" Asked Laurence impatiently.
"You go ahead and complete your shopping sir. I'll wait in the car," said Arianna. Next month with her salary maybe she would buy some cheaper clothes at a discounted price.
"No, you're coming with me Aria, " he ordered her sternly. Did he call her Aria again? It made her feel mushy inside her head. It made her feel as if he liked her. Maybe he really needed help with his shopping but she hardly knew anything about designer clothes. She nodded and climbed down from the car. He led her inside the mall with Arianna being acutely aware of his hand on the small of her back. She wouldn't escape back to the car then why was he holding her so possessively. She was sure that this wasn't how bosses behaved with their employees. With these thoughts Arianna stepped in to a glitzy family clothing and accessories store where Laurence led her to. He led her to the women's section.
"Choose formal wear, casual clothes and dresses," he said to her and she gaped at him.
"For your girlfriend? What size, sir?" She asked a little disappointed. Why couldn't he buy them himself? Laurence smiled at her questions.
"Of your size," he just said. Arianna's face fell. So he was buying clothes for his Lucy. She wouldn't buy cheap clothes so she should choose classy ones for her. She chose combinations of formal skirts and tops, jeans, sundresses, evening dresses. She picked up a pant suit but Laurence took it from her hands and placed it back on the shelves. Arianna looked at him puzzled by his behaviour.
"What? I don't like pantsuits," he said with a shrug.
"Oh," said Arianna. "I'm done," she said.
"You haven't chosen any lingerie. The section is that side. Choose shoes and handbags too," he said with a poker face.
"Oh but I don't know her size," she said helplessly. How would she choose lingerie with him hovering around her?
"Same as yours," his glance briefly taking her in from head to toe. Arianna blushed at his scrutiny. She felt hurt that he was making her choose clothes for his girl. She would be such a lucky woman that he loved her so much.
She walked reluctantly to the lingerie section with him following her. With pink cheeks she randomly chose a few sets. But he chose every possible colour and placed them in the hamper. Thankfully they moved over to the handbag and footwear section. He made her wear all the shoes before selecting at least 4 pairs of shoes. After selecting handbags too they went over to the billing counter.
Since Laurence held a gold card membership at the store, they were shown to the executive member's lounge and were served with drinks while their billing was being processed. Laurence handed his card for payment and then they left towards the parking area. An attendant from the shop loaded their shopping bags onto their car.
"Tim take us to Sycamore View street," he instructed when they had climbed into the car. Arianna's eyes widened. That was Isabella's house where she lived.
