35 #2
Gabe’s office was not what Liz expected.
The shop was functional with clean lines and basic, clinical even, exactly what you’d expect from a drycleaners.
Gabe’s office in contrast was traditional, remarkably large and tastefully decorated.
Apart from the off white marble flooring, everything else was dark wood, from the antique desk and book shelves that covered one wall, to the mahogany coffee table and rich ox-blood leather sofa and chairs that were arranged away from the desk.
Gabe was resting against his desk talking to three people who were sitting in the seating area.
The two men dressed in dark suits and a woman with asymmetrical blonde hair, focused their full attention on Gabe, only fleetingly looking over to Liz when she walked in.
Gabe wasn’t as dark as Jonathan and his eyes were a lighter brown, he was taller and leaner.
Dressed casually in dark jeans and a cream polo necked jumper, he looked to be in his early thirties.
He turned and smiled widely at Liz as she approached showcasing his perfect white teeth and a small diamond earring that twinkled in his right ear.
“Liz, how nice to meet you.” He straightened and stretched out his hand, which Liz took to shake. “How’s Jonathan?”
“He’s well,” Liz answered, puzzled that he seemed to know her.
“And your trip? How was that?”
“Um, it was fine thank you.”
“J told me you were going to Spain,” Gabe continued, seeing confusion on Liz’s face. “Please sit down. We’re just finishing off.” He signalled to a chair by the sofa for her to sit. The three people stood once Liz sat down smiling tightly at her. Gabe turned his attention back to his employees.
“So I want the sales reports by tomorrow. We need to arrange all distribution channels and make sure supplies are readily available and delivered swiftly. It’s going to be a busy couple of weeks. Any problems at…” his eyes shifted to Liz, “… points of sale, I need to know.”
The three wordlessly nodded and left the office muttering their goodbyes.
“So, how can I help you?” Gabe lowered himself into the chair opposite Liz, once they were alone.
“Jonathan told me you could get some slimming pills.”
“Meridia?” he asked in a soft voice and a gentle smile. His gaze slipped over her.
Liz nodded suddenly uncomfortable with the whole idea.
“I see. You’ve taken them before?” he slowly rubbed his chin.
“Yes. I stopped a few days ago but I’ve put weight on and I need to keep in shape for my modelling contracts.”
Gabe smiled at her and nodded. “I think I may have some. I carry a little stock, just in case, for emergencies.” His smile widened and his eyes twinkled. “How much will you need? A couple of weeks supply?” Gabe suggested.
“Sure. That should be enough. Like I said it’s just until I get my contracts.”
Gabe rose from his chair and headed to the book shelf, which had drawers at the bottom. He opened one and pulled out a brown pill bottle. He closed it quietly, then opened up a second drawer and took out a small plastic bag, then closed the drawer and paced back to Liz.
“Here you are, there are sixty pills in there which should last twenty days. And give this to J will you?” he handed her the small plastic bag which contained some white powder.
“What’s this?”
“An early Christmas present.” He winked at her.
Liz swallowed hard. She didn’t need any further explanation.
She’d seen enough models who’d been recreational users of many substances over the course of her modelling career.
Liz put the pills and the bag of cocaine in her hand bag, glad she hadn’t mentioned that Jonathan didn’t know she was even here.
She’d take her pills and leave and if Gabe said something to Jonathan, she’d find a way to get around him, she always could.
Gabe turned to his desk and plucked a card from a holder.
“Here. If you need anything else, call me.” He tilted his head to the side and smiled.
Liz took the card and looked at it. The card was a standard business card with the White Lightening Dry Cleaners logo on it but the number at the bottom was Gabe’s private mobile phone number. Liz dropped the card in to her bag, then pulled out her purse.
Gabe shook his head. “I don’t want any money for them.
If you need anything else, in the future, then…
” his voice trailed insinuating that then there’d be a charge, he shrugged.
Liz was about to protest but he waved his hand signalling her not to bother.
The gesture was slight but Gabe’s stance and slightly hardened expression betrayed decidedly more.
He wasn’t someone to be argued with. For all his polite and soft spoken manner, he had a distinctly powerful presence.
It was well hidden behind his casual dress and his gentle manners, giving an illusion that he was approachable, friendly even.
The interaction with his employees betrayed something entirely different.
Liz had only witnessed a few minutes of their meeting but it was clear that Gabe was in full command.
Their lack of input and full and undivided attention gave away their undeniable respect for the man, or was it fear?
Liz swiftly rose up from the chair feeling uneasy again.
Now that she had what she needed, she just wanted to get out of the place.
Gabe paced over to the door and opened it.
“Give J my best.” He held out his hand for her to shake and Liz took it.
“I will.”
LIZ FOUND JEROME PULLING out a large tray of lasagne from the oven.
The whole kitchen was filled with the evocative aroma of rich tomato sauce, herbs and spices, blended with the distinct smell of strong cheese.
Liz’s mouth watered. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had lasagne or any pasta for that matter.
She groaned inwardly. She needed to take a pill otherwise the now three pounds she’s put on would undoubtedly rise to five.
“Hey. How was your morning?” Jerome asked.
“Okay. How come your home?” Liz asked as she threw her keys on the counter but held onto her bag, deflecting the line of questioning.
“I thought that I’d cook lunch for the kids, seeing as they’re on holiday. I don’t need to be at Level One today and I’m having a late meeting at Sky about the fashion show,” Jerome explained, pulling off the oven gloves.
Liz eyed the Lasagne as steam rose from the earthenware tray.
“I made a salad and steamed sea bream for you. Is that okay?”
Liz smiled tightly at him. “Thanks, I’ll just go upstairs and dump everything. Where are Nina and the kids?”
“The kids are in their rooms playing and I gave Nina the afternoon off to do her Christmas shopping. I need to see about her time off over Christmas too, but I wanted to discuss it with you first.”
Liz scowled. Jerome was always too generous with Nina’s time off. Liz often felt he was far too lenient with her, she was employed to make her life easier not for them to work around any plans she might have.
“I see. Well, Christmas Eve, you’re at the restaurant aren’t you?” Liz’s tone had and icy tinge to it.
Jerome took a deep breath and leaned against the counter.
He was worried that this may escalate into an argument about how much time he spent at both Sky and La Casa over the holidays.
If push came to shove he’d just have to give a little.
He couldn’t face a tense atmosphere over the busiest time of the year.
He was just glad he had competent staff.
“Yes,” he answered cautiously.
“And I take it Christmas day we’re still going there for lunch?” Liz arched an eyebrow.
“Only if you’d like to be. If you prefer to stay home and have lunch here I can organise that.
” Jerome was determined to make concessions where he could.
If he offered Christmas day, she may be more flexible with New Year’s Eve.
The staff could manage Christmas day but he needed and wanted to be at La Casa and then Sky on the last day of the year.
“Your mother would never forgive us if we didn’t go on Christmas day,” chuntered Liz.
Gia would be furious if she didn’t get to see her only grandchildren on Christmas Day.
Liz toyed with the idea of staying home, just to spite her, but the thought of having to cook dinner and clean up after was too much.
“We can go to La Casa for Christmas Day and Nina can have the day off. You’ll be home for the evening won’t you? ”
Jerome nodded, “I’ll need to be at Sky by ten though.” Liz nodded.
“And Boxing Day?”
“Well lunch will be busy and then we have a private party in the evening.” Jerome swallowed and then added, “But I can work around whatever you want to do.” He’d promised Joseph he’d be there, but if Liz was going to be difficult he’d just have to let him down.
Liz thought for a moment. Jonathan would be frantic that they couldn’t spend Christmas together, she was going to have to think of a way to get away on Boxing Day at least, but if she was home alone with the children she wouldn’t be able to leave.
If Nina was here she was sure she’d tell Jerome that she left and where would she say she’d gone? Everywhere would be closed.
“Maybe I should go and visit my mum. We never spend Christmas together, at least if I can go down on Boxing Day. She can see the kids too. She hardly ever gets to see them. You’ll be busy and Nina can have that day off too. Mum would like that, give her a chance to spoil them.”
“Sure, um but shouldn’t you check first. She may have plans and it’s a bit last minute,” suggested Jerome.