34 #3
“Yep, I know,” Jerome answered dryly. “It’s going to be hectic but Gino and his team here are very capable.
In the light of what you just pointed out to me, I think I may need to revamp the pages though.
” He paused for a second, then added, “How did you put it? Ah yes.” He waved the hand that was holding his cigarette in the air, like he often did when he was extenuating a point.
“So, in order to ensure the fashion show is a huge success I need to, promote it by exploiting the information I hold for all three markets, as if I didn’t have enough to do.
” He tilted his head to the side and lifted his brow wryly and smirked at her.
Dani cringed and covered her mouth with her hands. “Sorry. I…”
“No, no. Don’t apologise. Like I said, I welcome your input. Of course it means you’re going to have to help me implement whatever suggestions you made. You’re not getting off that easily.”
“I suppose that’s fair, under the circumstances,” conceded Dani, thrilled that he considered using her suggestions at all and that they’d be working on them together.
Jerome tilted his head back and laughed. “You’d better think next time, before you open your mouth and suggest anything. It’ll probably mean more work for you in the long run.” He took another drag from his cigarette.
“Yeah, I think maybe I will.”
Inside Sky the lights and lasers pulsed to the rhythm of the music and Arsenio found it difficult to find where Dani may have got to.
He wanted to make sure she was alright and maybe coax her to dance with him.
He spotted Kuch by the bar talking with Nicole and Carmen and quickly strode over to them.
“Has Dani left already?” Arsenio asked Kuch once he was close enough.
“No. She’s out on the veranda.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine.”
“I’ll go and check on her.” Arsenio turned and headed in the direction of the veranda but not before he heard Carmen call out.
“Behave Seni!”
He looked over his shoulder at her and answered. “Always do cuz!” and with a wink and a huge grin he swiftly made his way through the crowd of clubbers and out onto the veranda.
He searched the now crowded area full of smokers dragging on the cigarettes and caught sight of Dani sitting with her back to him talking to Jerome.
Arsenio started to advance towards them but slowed down when he had a clearer vision of the two of them.
He stopped for a second and focused on his brother for a moment, unsure of what to make of his expression.
He looked very focused and intense. Whatever they were talking about seemed serious enough for them not be interested in their surroundings.
Then someone jostled Arsenio and his attention was drawn to whoever it was.
The person apologised and Arsenio brushed off the apology quickly, then headed to where Jerome and Dani were sitting.
“I see you still haven’t quit though.” Dani’s eyes gazed at the steady stream of smoke Jerome had just exhaled. “So you’re selective with which one of my suggestions you implement.” She threw him a questioning look.
Jerome turned his hand that held the cigarette and looked at it. “I’ve decided to quit by New Year actually.”
“Ah, delaying the inevitable, and taking full advantage of the satisfaction until then?” Dani stifled her grin, keeping her eyes fixed on his.
“You make it sound even more appealing,” he chuckled. “You certainly have a unique way with words, Dani. But yeah, something like that.” He leaned a little closer as he spoke. Dani took in a deep breath taking in that unique combination of intoxicating scents that always had her pulse racing.
Jerome licked his lips and blinked slowly before adding, “So it would seem I’m not selective at all and in fact.” He pointed with his two fingers that held the cigarette at her, “I have taken you up on all your suggestions to date.”
“Even if you are delaying one of them,” Dani said wryly before she could stop herself.
He was doing it again, talking to her about one thing but it felt like he meant something entirely different, something more intimate and personal, something that they had no right to be talking about at all.
He’d opened that door again and she had stepped through it, without any hesitation, loving every moment.
“The intent is there all the same.”
“I’d better be more careful what else I suggest, then,” Dani countered softly.
“Oh don’t say that! I’m open to all your suggestions. Especially if you think it’s a worthy one? It’d be a terrible waste if you didn’t, don’t you think?”
Dani swallowed, but her mouth was bone dry. “That would depend.”
“On what exactly?” Jerome asked quietly, his mesmerising eyes boring into hers.
“The effect it would have on me.”
“There you are?” Arsenio’s voice jolted both Dani and Jerome from their highly charged conversation. Dani looked up at Arsenio and smiled tightly as he looked down at her. Jerome leaned away and straightened his position, taking another drag on his cigarette.
“What are you two talking about so seriously?” Arsenio furrowed his brow and shifted his gaze to Jerome and then back to Dani.
“Smoking,” they answered in unison. Dani shook her head and blew air up her face and Jerome stifled a grin.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I was just telling Dani it’s my New Year’s resolution to quit.” Jerome reached over to the ashtray on the low table and stubbed out his cigarette.
“About time,” huffed Arsenio.
“Um, well I’d better be off.” Dani stood up.
“So soon? I was hoping to persuade you to join me for a dance.” Arsenio made no attempt to hide his disappointment.
Jerome rose gracefully from the settee, “I think she’s tired, Seni.”
“I am, and I need to be up early. So, goodnight.” Dani looked over to Jerome and he nodded.
“Goodnight.”
“I’ll walk you out,” suggested Arsenio.
“You really don’t need to…”
“I insist.” Arsenio put up his hand to stop her protest, then shot a look at Jerome, who conceded with a nod.
“Okay, thanks.”
They passed by the staff table to say goodbye to everyone, then Arsenio led Dani out to the foyer. Dani collected her jacket from the cloakroom girl who batted her eyelids and shamelessly flirted with Arsenio.
“Someone you know?” Dani whispered sarcastically as Arsenio helped her into her jacket.
“Define know,” he asked, smirking.
“In the biblical sense,” she shot back.
Arsenio laughed, “Why Dani isn’t that a little crude from such a well brought up young lady and so close to Christmas too? Where’s your sense of the appropriate.” He mock tutted.
“Just saying it as it is, Seni. Where’s my sense of the appropriate? Probably ten steps over yours.“ Dani shook her head and pressed the call button.
“ Jeez, Dani, you don’t hold back do you?”
“Nope, and neither do you. Goodnight Seni.” Dani stepped into the lift.
“Good night bella.“ He winked and blew her a kiss as the doors closed to the elevator car.
“Buonanotte, Seni. Dorme bene.”
Dani smiled to herself hearing Arsenio’s infectious chuckle through metal doors.