24 #3
Jerome rested back in his chair and let out a steady breath.
The pictures confirmed what the reports had detailed.
Liz hadn’t been anywhere or seen anyone other than Graham.
He felt a sense of relief simply because up until he’d seen them, he was still unsure.
Arsenio’s words had preyed on his mind all morning.
Ignoring the photos wasn’t an option. He knew his judgment was clouded.
He’d be a liar if he admitted otherwise.
He didn’t want his marriage to end and he wasn’t so naive as to think that all marriages ran smoothly, but this was a major blip and he really needed to focus on whether he could move past it.
Liz had been true to her word and ended the affair.
She’d also been home more and he had not.
Granted it was because of his work but if he was going to make an effort to save his marriage, he was going to have to at least spend more than just Monday night home and Sunday.
They hadn’t been away alone for over three years either.
He was going to have to make some changes.
Jerome flicked through his calendar. It was jammed packed until mid January.
Liz also had her fashion show and Gia would be away until the beginning of February, so there was no chance he could spare a few days off until she was back.
He looked at when the children had their half-term break.
They had two weeks off starting on the sixth of February.
He knew two weeks was impossible but five days he could manage.
Maybe a week tops. He mulled over the idea of taking them away, maybe to La Garda.
A Valentine’s week holiday. He could take Liz shopping in Milan, he knew she’d love that.
There were enough family who adored the children out there which meant they’d be able to have some time to themselves too.
It would be exactly what they needed, time alone to reconnect, away from work and family.
The idea made Jerome a little uneasy. That uneasiness alone made him realise that they had a lot to work through but it would at least be a start and a step in the right direction.
DANI brUSHED THROUGH HER hair and twisted it up into a French plait and pinned it into place.
She then slicked on some lip gloss and blotted her face free of shine.
There, she thought to herself. She looked decidedly better, more appropriate for the evening than a pony tail.
Dani put her things away into her locker, grabbed her bag and headed up to the first floor.
“Come in,” Jerome’s familiar raspy voice beckoned. Dani swallowed hard and stepped into the large office.
The last time she’d been in there was the day of her interview and she’d been so nervous and caught off guard that she hadn’t really appreciated its size and decor.
It was light and airy, due to the large balcony windows looking out over the river.
There was a seating area positioned near the balcony of a large, rich brown leather sofa and two matching chairs.
Jerome’s desk was dark wood and looked like it must be an antique.
The wall behind the desk had an enormous old map, which had a large lake on it, but Dani couldn’t make out the place.
To the right there were twenty framed certificates arranged in groups of four and a large book cabinet housing a couple of trophies, books and decorative boxes.
The office was stylish and traditional but undeniably masculine.
Jerome was seated at his desk wearing just his shirt and tie, his suit jacket flung over the leather sofa. Whatever he was looking at on his computer had him totally engrossed until Dani entered the room. He immediately rose from his large leather chair and smiled.
“Dani,” he said softly by way of a greeting.
“Hi,” she said nervously. Dani suddenly became acutely aware that they were alone.
Jerome rounded his desk and gestured to the armchair in front of his desk. “Please sit down.” Dani lowered into the seat and Jerome leisurely rested himself against his desk, crossing his feet at his ankles.
“You have a lovely office.” Dani glanced towards the windows and the view over the city.
“Thank you.”
Dani looked back at him, then bent down to where her bag was. “I came to pay for the bill from last night. Chef said you were dealing with it.”
“Er, yes. But just leave that for the moment. There’s something else I want to discuss.” He waved his hands in front of him, dismissing the subject. Dani straightened dropping her purse on her lap and staring at him a little wide-eyed and confused.
“Oh, um is there something wrong?”
“No, no, not at all. You’ve been working for us, what is it? Three weeks?”
“Yes. Though it feels like much longer.”
“Oh?” Jerome’s brow creased and he leaned back a little, gripping on to his desk.
“What I meant was, and clearly didn’t it express well…” Jerome stifled a smile. “Was that I feel very comfortable here, very at home at La Casa.”
“I see. Yes that does sound better. I’m very pleased to hear it.” He grinned, his eyes sparkling as he looked down at her. “Well you’ve settled in very well here and Peter has nothing but praise for you.” He noted she’d changed her hair from this morning and it distracted him for a second.
Jerome forced himself to focus on the reason she was in his office, “I’ve noticed that last night was the only night you’ve had off since you started.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And you seem to be working a lot of the afternoon shifts too.” Dani nodded not entirely sure where this was going.
“Is that a problem? It’s just that I’d rather work as much as possible and…”
Jerome cut her off again waving his hands in front of himself. Jeez, did he make her so nervous that every observation he made she instantly thought he was unhappy with her?
“I was just making sure we weren’t over stretching you. What with helping my mother with the decorations and teaching her how to use computers, you seem to leave little room for well… yourself.”
“Oh.” Dani looked down at her tattered heart shaped purse on her lap and fiddled with the zip. “I’d just rather be busy, that’s all.” She looked back up at him and he nodded.
“Well don’t let us wear you out.”
Dani smiled tightly. Little did he know that the last thing she wanted was time to herself.
It would mean she’d think more and right now her defence mechanism was to work so as not to think or dwell on what had happened and where her life was heading.
Dani looked out of the window avoiding Jerome’s inquisitive gaze.
“I can handle it,” she murmured.
“I’m sure you can. I know that you’re far more qualified for the position and that you’re capable of a lot more, but I wouldn’t… I mean we wouldn’t want to lose you.”
Dani’s focus shifted back to Jerome.
“I’m happy here. I really don’t need the responsibility of a higher position.
Not for the moment anyway.” She looked down at her lap and began to open up her purse.
Is this why she’d been summoned? Was he worried she wasn’t challenged here and that’s why she was working all these long hours?
Well he was almost right. She just needed to be constantly occupied, physically and mentally.
He was worried she might leave. The thought thrilled her.
“So, what’s the amount?” she asked trying to veer the conversation off the subject.
Jerome straightened and walked back behind his desk, “I don’t want any money.”
Dani’s eyes shot up to where Jerome was absentmindedly shuffling some papers on his desk. “Um, I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“I’m waiving the bill,” he answered dismissively, without looking up.
Dani stood up suddenly. “But why? I arranged with Chef that I’d pay Chloe and Adam’s bill, as a thank you for having me stay with them.”
Jerome rubbed his forehead and looked up at her, “I know, he told me. Are you still looking for a place to live?”
Dani furrowed her brow at his question. He’d just changed the subject and she wasn’t done with the bill yet.
“Um, yes? But about the bill,” she pressed.
“Any luck?” he interrupted.
“Er, no, not yet. The places I like are a little out of my price range.” Her head was spinning, they hadn’t finished talking about the bill and he was going off on a tangent. “Look, I really want to pay for the bill. I wouldn’t feel right…”
Jerome shook his head and then crossed his arms across his chest, “I’ve told you, I’ve waived the bill.”
“I know but I still don’t understand why.” Her tone a little more forceful.
Jerome took a deep breath and let his arms drop to his sides. “Well you’ve worked more than you should, you’ve hardly had any time off, you’re in early every morning…”
“Yes, but I get paid for the extra hours I work and the shifts,” Dani argued, cutting him off mid-sentence.
He scowled. “But you don’t get paid for coming in early or for helping Peter with the reservations…
” Dani went to interrupt but he put his finger up indicating he hadn’t finished.
“For putting up Christmas decorations and for teaching my mother how to use the computer on the day you’re supposed to have off. ”
“I’m happy to help out, Jerome. And besides Gia said she’d repay me by teaching me Italian conversation.” There was no way she wasn’t going to pay for the bill.
Jerome snorted. “Did she now?”
“Yes she did. I help out because I want to. I like helping Gia, well, all of you.”
“She very fond of you,” he added quietly.
“And I am of her. So please just let me pay for the bill. I wouldn’t feel right.”
“And I wouldn’t feel right taking it.”
“But I can’t let you pay for…”
“Well I am and I will, so that’s it.”
Dani glared at him not entirely sure what to say. She swallowed hard. Shit, had she just argued with her boss? Jerome’s face softened.
“Dani I won’t take the money, so please just accept it. It’s a way of me saying, or should I say us saying thank you.” He cocked his head to the side and allowed a soft smile to curl over his lips. Dani sighed.