Chapter 31 #2
We talk about Luke’s promotion and his new responsibilities, then some deals he might be financing in the not-too-distant future.
‘Well you know where I am if I can help you,’ I say, kissing him on the cheek and escaping from his bear hug outside the café.
‘I’ll be in touch but I’m holding you to that night out too. I’m not waiting three months before I see you again, missy.’
Luke heads back to his office and I turn to scowl at Jackson. He’s already out of his chair, key in hand, ready to bundle me back into his car and take me to work.
* * *
‘Thank you for the coffee, Margaret,’ I call from my office as I take off my coat which, thanks to Jackson, has only a light smattering of raindrops despite the heavy downpour still in full flow outside.
While my computer bounces through stages of set up, I flick through the paper mail that Margaret has already vetted for me.
A letter from Companies House has arrived, which states that the new owner of Sea People International is Eclectic Technologies or, put another way, Gregory.
I lay the letter out flat on my desk and watch it as I sip my coffee, expecting it to turn black, crawl and attack me.
When nothing happens, I cast the letter into my pile of filing for Margaret and open my emails.
For the second time this morning, the unread count in my inbox jumps to an impossible number but since I checked in the car on the way here, there’s only one new message.
To: Heath, Scarlett
From: Ryans, Gregory
Sent: Monday 3 Nov 2025 10.12
Subject: New Matter
Good morning Scarlett,
As we have recently discussed, I’ve have been in negotiations with a Chinese company regarding introducing innovative technology to the European market.
I should be grateful if we could arrange a suitable time to discuss potential structures for the relationship; one possibility we have considered is a joint venture.
Things are moving quickly so I would appreciate your support as soon as possible.
Discussions are likely to involve Eclectic Technologies and Shangzen Tek (China).
We’re about ready to get into the specifics.
Regards,
Gregory Ryans
CEO Eclectic Technologies
As I’m reading, another pops up in the bottom right corner of my screen.
To: Heath, Scarlett
From: Ryans, Gregory
Sent: Monday 3 Nov 2025 10.18
Subject: Re: New Matter
iPhone.
Regards,
Gregory Ryans
CEO Eclectic Technologies
A message waits on my phone screen.
Please be honest with me and tell me if you’re not ready for a deal yet. I won’t go anywhere else. I can delay it.
I quickly reply.
I’m fine. Email…
To: Ryans, Gregory
From: Heath, Scarlett
Sent: Monday 3 Nov 2025 10.22
Subject: Re: New Matter
Good morning Gregory,
Thank you for your email. I would be happy to discuss this further. I can meet with you today. Do you have any available time this afternoon?
Regards,
Scarlett Heath
Director
Saunders, Taylor and Chamberlain LLP
To: Heath, Scarlett
From: Ryans, Gregory
Sent: Monday 3 Nov 2025 10.23
Subject: Re: New Matter
12p.m.?
Regards,
Gregory Ryans
CEO Eclectic Technologies
To: Ryans, Gregory
From: Heath, Scarlett
Sent: Monday 3 Nov 2025 10:25
Subject: Re: Meeting
12p.m. is fine. I will see you at your office then.
Regards,
Scarlett Heath
Director
Saunders, Taylor and Chamberlain LLP
Despite the fact I want to breathe dragon flames at his head, butterflies flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing him so soon. I’m still smiling at my screen when Amanda comes into my office.
‘And what do you look so pleased about? No wait, let me guess. I think you’re playing the gooey-eyed, lovesick puppy. Am I right?’
‘Forget that. What’s all this with you and Williams? Are you still, you know?’
‘Sleeping together? Actually, no. Well, not that either of us remember. You’d think I’d know, right?’
‘You’d hope so,’ I laugh. ‘Are you still going to Lara’s party?’
‘Oh, for sure, wouldn’t miss it, but I think we’re going as friends.’
‘Friends? Right, okay.’ I shake my head. ‘So are we still on for shopping one night this week?’
‘Yes, definitely. Oh my gosh, how full-on was Lara yesterday?’
I shrug. ‘I guess she was. She was different after that Camilla woman left, though and what she’s doing for Sandy is really nice. I probably didn’t show it enough but I’ve been wondering what would happen to Sandy after… my dad, and Lara’s fixed that.’
‘I assume Gregory had something to do with it?’
When I nod, Amanda smiles and moves to perch on the end of my desk. ‘You know, I do think he’s really quite miserable and up his own arse but?—’
‘Oh, there is a but!’
‘But, he’s kind of growing on me, slowly. Everyone can see he absolutely adores you. So as long as he doesn’t royally fuck it up, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.’
A grin spreads the width of my face, like a child in her first school play who’s just located her parents in the audience. ‘Well, I’m glad you approve.’
I nudge aside my doubt that he’s in this or any relationship for the long haul.
‘Of sorts. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him,’ she adds. ‘So, have you googled this party Lara’s having? It’s crazy, full of celebs; apparently, it’s a huge event.’
I have actually googled the event and whilst the prospect of celebrities and the press thrill Amanda, I feel an inordinate amount of pressure not to embarrass Gregory and Lara.
There’s frankly no way that will be possible when the press compare me to last year’s guest, Clarissa Fontaine, another Victoria’s Secret model.
I wasn’t snooping exactly; the picture just flashed up on Google images.
Naturally, I looked. And I wish I hadn’t. They looked stunning together.
‘There’s only one thing for it,’ Amanda says.
‘Harrods!’ we sing in unison.
‘Tomorrow evening?’ I suggest.
‘Yes, that’s fab!’
‘Perfect! Now get out of here so I can do some work.’
Turning on her heels and flicking her long hair over her shoulder, Amanda leaves.
I jot down the names of Eclectic Technologies and Shangzen Tek on a Post-it note which I take to Margaret and ask her to run conflict-of-interest checks to make sure there’s no reason the firm can’t act in any potential deal between Gregory and his Chinese acquaintances.
At eleven-twenty, I head to the ladies’ to check that my hair, make-up and dress are in order, as if Gregory hasn’t seen me without each of them out of place.
I turn in the floor-length mirror to check there are no clicks in my stockings then rub a damp paper towel across the toes of my black, patent, leather shoes.
There’s a sickly excitement building in my stomach.
I’m desperate to see him, even if I’ll have to share him with Williams and Lawrence.
A walk will be good for me. It will calm my irrational nerves before I see him. I have to remember to keep things professional.
The rain has stopped when I step onto the street.
My excitement immediately dissipates and is replaced by irritation when I see Jackson standing in front of me, holding open the door to the Mercedes.
Standing still on the spot, it occurs to me that I could ignore him.
What would he really do about it? I take one step right and for a second, I’ve convinced myself I’ll actually walk away but I know it’s not Jackson who’s trying to strip me of my independence.
‘Thank you,’ I mumble as I sit into the back seat of the Mercedes.
Jackson inclines his head but I suspect he knows better than to strike up conversation with a woman sporting a scowl like mine. He sits into the driver seat and does not roll down the partition as he pulls out into the continuous stream of traffic.
When we arrive at Gregory’s glass tower, I’m out of the car and storming through the glass doors to the building before Jackson has a chance to step out of the driver seat. My toe taps the ground as the lift rises. Irritation has now crystalised into rage.
‘I’m here to see Mr Ryans; it’s Scarlett Heath,’ I unintentionally snap at the blonde on the reception desk. There’s no love lost there, in any event. I’ve seen the way she silently hates on me.
‘We’re expecting you. I’ll take you to his office; follow me.’
‘His office?’
‘Yes, he ordered lunch for the two of you to his office.’
‘Williams, erm, Mr Williams and Mr Lawrence aren’t joining us?’
‘They weren’t on the planner.’
We take the lift up a floor to twenty-eight, where a gleaming, gold sign greets us, stating this is the floor for GJR Enterprises.
The blonde leads me along the corridor of floor-to-ceiling windows and knocks quietly, once, twice below the engraving that reads, Chief Executive Officer .
She opens the door to the oversized office, revealing Gregory, watching the FTSE, Dow Jones and various commodity indexes on numerous flat-screen televisions from behind his chrome and glass desk.
A selection of sushi decorates a table flanked by two leather sofas in the unnecessarily large space between his desk and the door.
‘Mr Ryans, Miss Heath for you,’ the blonde says, standing with one foot outstretched in front of her body the way an A-lister might do on a red carpet.
Watching the flutter of her eyelids and her sickening smile does little to cool my temper.
She steps out of the room backwards and closes the office door, all the while undressing her CEO with wild-for-him eyes.
Gregory stands from behind his desk with his delectable half-smile pulling on his lips but not even that can contain my fury.
‘What the hell gives you the right to think you can restrict my liberty?’
I toss my bag onto a leather chair in front of his desk.
He’s visibly taken aback.