Chapter 2 #3
‘Yes, of course. And, Mr Ryans, please forgive me for assuming our scope of work. I was following the usual protocol. I’m more than happy to indulge the sensitivity and intricacies of this deal and will be sure to do the best job possible for you and Eclectic Technologies.’
‘I know that, Miss Heath. It was a pleasure to meet you this morning. I look forward to working with you.’
‘I look forward to working with you too,’ I say sincerely for some unfathomable reason. This devastatingly attractive man, whom I’ve known for less than twelve hours, has already shown me numerous sides to his personality. ‘Oh, and Mr Ryans, please call me Scarlett.’
‘Scarlett,’ he repeats. His voice is baritone yet smooth, his mild South African accent intriguing and exotic. I let the sound of him saying my name replay in my mind.
To: Heath, Scarlett
From: Ryans, Gregory
Sent: Tuesday 7 Oct 2025 17.36
Subject: Future correspondence
Scarlett,
Thank you for your time today. I have discussed our call very briefly with Williams and Lawrence and we believe we may move forwards in a more productive and efficient manner if you collate the information you obtain and bring it in person to the office, in order for us to discuss it together.
Regards,
Gregory Ryans
CEO Eclectic Technologies
‘ Gregory . Gregory Ryans,’ I whisper to myself.
To: Ryans, Gregory
From: Heath, Scarlett
Sent: Tuesday 7 Oct 2025 17.39
Subject: Re: Future Correspondence
Mr Ryans,
I am happy to progress the matter in the manner preferred by you and your board. I will be in touch as soon as possible with a suitable time, once I have collated sufficient information to make a meeting worth your while.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries.
Best regards,
Scarlett Heath
Senior Associate
Saunders, Taylor and Chamberlain LLP
‘Time’s up! Let’s go!’ Amanda yells into my office, swinging by one hand on the side of my doorframe.
I blush as if I’ve been caught red-handed doing something abhorrent but I’ve no idea why. I reluctantly shut down my computer but I could really use a drink. ‘Give me two minutes. I need to make a quick call home.’
* * *
Amanda is nestled into a burgundy, leather booth when I return with a mojito for her and a 1930s cosmopolitan for me.
She looks at home in the chic surroundings of the wine bar.
As ever, her auburn hair is flawless, curled at the edges and resting just below her shoulders.
Her cream, silk camisole looks effortlessly sexy as it flows over her curves and into the top of her ruffled skirt.
‘Mojito time! Cheers,’ she says, taking her cocktail from me and flashing her Hollywood smile. ‘Nice!’ she adds after taking her first gulp.
I laugh as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and slide into the booth beside her. ‘Graceful. So, how was The Bod on Saturday?’
‘His name was Joshua.’
I raise a suspicious brow. ‘Was?’
Amanda’s love life – I use the term loosely – is somewhat mercurial.
She dates a lot and there’s rarely a keeper.
The last one, by Amanda’s standards, was months ago and it never really got out of the blocks to start the race.
Tom. A mummy’s and money boy. A trust-fund baby.
They made it to six dates and Amanda ate well and for free for five consecutive weekends but ultimately, she drew the line at picnics and polo and he drew the line at a club until the sun comes up.
‘Was,’ she confirms. ‘He bought me a nice dinner and I thought I might actually like him.’
In response to my side-eye, she gives me a shoulder bump. ‘Hey, I did!’
‘So what happened?’
‘Well, he said he’d go my way in a taxi.
You know, to make sure I got home safe, but then he came on to me quite heavy in the cab and was a bit of a prick when I said I’d never put out on the first date.
Soooo, I got the taxi driver to pull over outside of some amazing house and watched Joshua drive off.
I waited until he was out of sight and jumped in another cab to take me to my flat. ’
She pauses for a sip of Mojito and reflects on how little she has left in her glass.
‘Can I get you ladies another drink?’ a waitress asks as she passes our table, a tray held high in her hand.
Amanda lifts her empty glass onto the tray. ‘Please.’
I glance at my watch. ‘I really can’t stay, Amanda; this will have to be the last.’
‘Okay, last one,’ she concedes. ‘How did the big pitch go this morning?’
‘Mmm,’ I nod through my cosmopolitan. ‘We got the work.’
‘Excellent! Shame you’ll have to spend more time under Jack, though.’
‘Less of the “under Jack”,’ I say, only half in jest. ‘Anyway, they’ve asked me to take the lead on the matter with Jack supervising. It’s a really big deal, I think.’
‘Wow, yeah it is; that’s a great opportunity. Is it to save costs, do you think?’
‘Hey!’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’ She giggles.
‘Well, actually, yes. But like you say, it’s a good opportunity and the CEO is a bit… interesting.’
‘Interesting?’ Amanda takes her turn to raise a brow.
‘Okay, yes, he’s extremely hot and must be filthy rich but that’s not what I mean. He’s kind of, I don’t know, serious and sexy and polite and…’ I shrug, genuinely unsure of how I feel about the billionaire CEO.
‘Somebody likes somebody,’ Amanda purrs.
‘As if I do. I’d never go there. We can’t ever go there. Clients are a strict no-go. Jack would throw me out on my arse.’
‘Yeah, because you chose someone else over his ugly, wrinkling vileness.’ She shudders for effect, the ultimate dramatic-arts prodigy.
‘Amanda! He’s my boss. Urgh, another year or so and maybe I won’t have to work in his shadow. Anyway, no, Gregory, erm, Mr Ryans, is not interesting in a good way… I don’t think.’
‘Well, if he’s a gorgeous bazillionaire and you’re not interested, please send him my way. I’d gladly ruin my career for that!’
The waitress returns to take our empty glasses and Amanda settles the bill for the second round of drinks, tapping her smart watch against the contactless machine.
‘Bear hug and smooches,’ she demands, then plants a kiss on my cheek and squeezes me as tightly as she can before she heads in one direction for her bus north to Camden and I walk in another to catch the underground to West London.