Chapter 18
Gabriel
One hour earlier…
When my alarm goes off, I’d love nothing more than to skip work. But today’s meeting is too important. After all, we need to discuss the quarterly figures, and my presence isn’t optional.
I glance at my phone and notice two missed calls.
Cornelius Grey tried to reach me?
I check my messages and see that he’s texted me. Either he wants to know how last night went—or Caroline has already filled him in on everything that happened in the past few hours.
Grey: You forgot your gold watch in the room.
Grey: Caroline isn’t flying back to Dublin until this afternoon. She’s checking out later. Should I have the watch brought to you? Where are you right now?
Grey: Your assistant is picking it up now.
What? I look at my wrist and then at the nightstand where I usually leave it. It’s true. I never put it on after my shower in the hotel room. I sit up immediately.
Wait. Which assistant?
I call Cornelius back. I need to straighten this out. That watch is an heirloom—engraved. My father had it made for me and gave it to me for my twenty-first birthday.
“There you are. And people say I’m hard to reach,” Cornelius says, amused. In the background, I hear soft lounge music—and the laughter of young women. He’s always surrounded by them, like moths to a flame.
“I needed to catch up on sleep,” I reply, irritated, running a hand through my hair. I get up and yank open the curtains. The sunlight might help wake me up. I don’t have much time—I urgently need to shower, get dressed, and drive to the office.
“Yes, I already heard Caroline’s quite taken with you. Apparently, you gave her a very pleasant night,” he teases, grin audible in his voice.
“You texted that someone’s picking up my watch?”
I'd better not respond to what he's heard from Caroline and me.
“Yes, your assistant. She’s already on her way.”
“Which one? I have several. Was it Sally?”
“No, her name’s Kimberley. Sounded really sweet on the phone when I spoke with her. Caroline’s waiting for her in the lobby.”
“I hope this is a bad joke,” I snap.
“Why?”
“Because those two should not meet!”
“Ah!” Cornelius bursts out laughing. “Could it be that two redheads are about to meet each other?”
“Tell her to leave the watch at reception.”
“All right, I’ll text her.”
“I’ll stay on the line…” If Kim meets Caroline, she’ll instantly realize I slept with her double. “Then she’ll know I was there last night. What a damn mess.”
“Why don’t you answer your phone? If you’d told me you were infatuated with your assistant, I would’ve handled this differently.”
“I’m not in love with Kim,” I shoot back.
“Hmm. Sure,” he chuckles. The sound makes my blood boil.
“She hasn’t answered me yet.” And I’m running out of time.
“Text me later. I’ve got to get ready for a meeting.”
“I will.”
I end the call and head straight for the shower.
Since Kim hasn’t reached out yet, I assume she hasn’t run into Caroline.
Still, I’d better come up with a damn good excuse if she asks questions.
At the very least, she’ll realize I didn’t spend the night at my mother’s—which makes everything even more complicated.
After showering, I check my phone immediately. Still nothing from Cornelius. No word from Kim either. I get dressed, head downstairs, and even have time for a coffee before Thomas arrives—he’s already texted that he’ll be here soon.
Just as I’m about to leave the house, a text from Cornelius pops up: Caroline has been in touch. She gave Kimberley the watch.
That’s not good news. I reply: “Okay, I’ll handle it”. At least I know what’s coming and can brace myself for the scene Kim will no doubt make.
By the time Thomas drops me at the office, I’ve already rehearsed a few excuses for the inevitable confrontation. But when I step upstairs, I find Sally and Kim laughing together in front of the meeting room. A few department heads are already there, so I blend in with my employees.
The moment Kim sees me; she smiles and walks over. My throat tightens.
“Did you get some sleep?” she whispers when no one’s nearby. She slips the watch around my wrist like it’s the most ordinary thing in the world.
“Yes. Thanks for covering for me,” I reply, thrown off balance. No shouting? No accusations? No anger? Nothing?
“My pleasure. After the meeting, I’d like to go grocery shopping to restock the kitchen.”
“You can do that now if you want. Sally’s here if we need anything. But after the meeting, I’d like to keep working with you.” And I need to talk to her. Alone.
“Okay. Then I’ll call Thomas to drive me,” she says with a smile, then heads back to Sally. I only catch a few fragments of their conversation, but I think it was something like: "I'll be gone for a bit and back in about an hour." That works.
I glance at my wristwatch, run my thumb over the glass, then look toward the meeting room. How could I have forgotten it there? Of all things—my watch. I always wear it, only taking it off to shower or sleep.
I was just too wound up this morning. And my guilty conscience hasn’t let up. Even though Kimberley and I aren’t a couple, it still feels like I cheated on her.
After the meeting—nearly two hours long—I head straight to Sally.
“Is Kim back yet?”
Sally stands quickly from behind her desk. “Yes, she’s in your office. Should I bring you something to drink?”
“Not necessary. And please don’t put any calls through for the next hour, all right?”
“Of course.” She nods nervously and sits again. I give her a brief nod and step into my office.
Kim is sitting on the couch, looking up at me in surprise.
“Don’t you knock?” she asks with a sweet smile as I close the door.
“It’s my office,” I reply, caught off guard by her question. But suddenly I’m the nervous one. I loosen my tie as I walk closer. Kim goes back to her tablet, types a few notes, then sets it aside.
“That was just a little joke,” she says, looking up again. “Anyway, I went shopping, restocked everything, and managed to finish the presentation for tomorrow. That went faster than I thought.”
She doesn't let anything show. Is she just playing the cheerful, dedicated assistant who's seething inside and would love to tear me apart? Or does she truly suspect nothing?
“Very good.” I settle into the armchair, watching her doubtfully.
“I’ll get started on the emails next. A bunch piled up that need answering. Unless you have something higher priority I can take off your hands?" she asks.
“No. I… just wanted to thank you for picking up my watch. It belonged to my father, so it’s priceless to me.”
“That’s my job. That’s what I’m here for.” She smiles sweetly again.
Maybe I’ve misread the last few days. Maybe Kim really does only want to work for me. Maybe she doesn’t have feelings I could have hurt. She doesn’t even show a flicker of jealousy. Not even a trace.
“Yes. You were probably surprised where it was…” I test her again.
“That’s none of my business. But next time, you could at least let me know where you’re going.
In case something happens, I need to be able to reach you.
You’re a grown man—I have no say in your private life.
” Her voice is calm, conciliatory, almost like she’s trying to ease the weight off my shoulders.
“Okay. Next time I’ll do that.”
“Good. Then I’ll finish the emails. I should be done in about an hour.”
“Then we’ll pick up Rosie and—”
“Do you want to cook again?” she cuts in.
There’s a flicker of tension in her tone. Or am I imagining it?
“Yes. Gladly. Cooking relaxes me.”
Kim nods at that. “Do you want to stay here in my office or go to yours?”
“I’ll go to mine. You still have a few calls lined up—I scheduled them. After that, you’re done for today.”
“Okay.”
Kim gets up and leaves my office in good spirits. She’s not angry. Or jealous either. Maybe the tension I noticed was just because the subject was awkward for her, nothing more.
And if that’s true, then I don’t need to feel guilty about meeting Caroline and spending the night with her.
It’s better this way. Nothing should happen between Kim and me. She’s doing an excellent job, and it should stay that way.
I call HR to prepare Kim’s permanent contract. She can pick it up and bring it to me later for my signature.
I don’t particularly like making phone calls. I prefer visiting manufacturers in person. But sometimes I can’t avoid them. So now I sit and work through them. There isn’t much left, anyway.
Still, during the calls, I keep picking up my phone. Starting to type something to Cornelius. Deleting it again.
On the way home—just before we pick up Rosie—we sit in the limo. Kim is on her phone, and I’m on mine.
And so, I text Cornelius: "When will Caroline be back in London?"
It takes only a few moments before he texts back: "I can have her flown in for you on Sunday."
That would be perfect timing.
By then we’ll be back from Italy, Rosie will be with her mother again, and I could spend the evening with Caroline.
No—better. The entire night. Monday and Tuesday I won’t be at the office, and Kim has those days off as well to finish moving into my place. She has plenty on her plate: giving notice on her apartment, changing her registration, handling all the small but necessary details.
"Could she stay until Tuesday?" I ask him.
"Of course. At the hotel again?"
"No, I have an apartment in the city." I text him the address. "Sunday. 10 PM. She should wait for me in the lobby in case I'm late."
"Got it," he answers.
After our Italy trip, I'll need someone like Caroline to get through the following week.
Because I only need to turn my gaze to the side, and I can already see her sitting next to me.
Those long legs in flesh-colored pantyhose simply look incredibly good.
Plus, that wild red hair that falls loosely over her shoulders.
All day long, she's worn a strict bun - only one lock of hair at her forehead kept falling out.
The black pencil skirt emphasizes her delicate figure, and the red blouse says: I'm ready for anything.
I can't get enough of looking at her. Kimberley is a feast for the eyes. An absolute dream woman.
I wonder if she still tastes as good...
Still feels as good...
My gaze wanders over her body, up to her red cheeks. Wait. Why are her cheeks flushed?
I look back at my phone. Did she notice that I was staring at her?