“I see…” The words trailed off as Iyana watched him, then her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone, not since you broke up with that lady in Italy. You didn’t tell me.”
That got Rome’s attention. Where he’d been lounging in his chair, tired after that hell of a meeting, now he sat forward and it was his turn to regard Iyana with narrowed gaze. “I don’t make it a habit of discussing my personal life with my employees,” he said, his voice cool. “You learned of Daniela by mere coincidence. The fact that I’m in this relationship has nothing to do with your responsibilities as my personal assistant.”
For the second time in minutes Iyana’s head jerked back. She looked like he’d just slapped her across the face. Then her brows fell. “I’m sorry,” she said, looking more angry than sorry. “I overstepped my bounds. I’m very sorry. It won’t happen again. Sir.” With that, she turned and marched out of his office, pulling the door closed with such strength it was just shy of a slam.
Rome sagged back in his chair, baffled. What the hell was that all about?
***
Next day when Rome arrived at the office he was not in a good mood. After what had happened the evening before he could guess what a grizzly bear Iyana was going to be. He was not looking forward to it.
But when he got to the office she was not there. He was almost ashamed to admit it but he was relieved. “Damn coward,” he muttered under his breath, chiding himself. It would almost be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. A man afraid of his own employee. Although, when that employee was Iyana Jackson, who could blame him?
Rome went straight into his office, locked himself away and buried himself in the ton of work that had piled up when he’d been away. He was so absorbed in his task that he didn’t surface until his cell phone rang and he glanced at the screen. Eleven twenty-nine and Arie was on the phone. Jeez. He’d been in office three hours already and the time had flown by like it was half an hour.
With an involuntary smile he swiped the screen to answer the call. “How’s my favorite girl?” he asked. “Hard at work?”
“Yeah,” she said with her usual tinkly laugh. “Lena’s got me under pressure, saying I’ve got to catch up on all the work I left behind when I went to Italy. I’ve been working hard all morning but now I’ve got a better idea.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“I’m going to play truant,” she said in a dramatic whisper, “and come and steal you away for lunch.”
He laughed. “Now that sounds like a great idea. I could take a break myself. And besides, I miss you.”
“Aaw, that’s so sweet. I miss you, too, Boo-Boo.”
That made Rome groan. “Please, not that god-awful name you gave me.”
“But it’s my special name for you, just because I love you.”
Rome stifled a second groan. There was little you could do about an embarrassing nickname when your woman told you she loved you.
“I’m coming over to rescue you,” she said. “I’m taking you to lunch. Be ready by twelve.”
At exactly one minute before twelve Rome walked out of his office in anticipation of Arie arriving at the executive suite. The receptionist had buzzed him to say that she'd arrived and he wanted to be there to receive her when she got to his floor.
He was surprised when he stepped out into the main office and met Iyana just coming out of her office. “I thought you hadn’t come in today,” he said.
“I did,” she replied, her answer curt and cool, then she turned as if heading in the same direction he was. “Carina said there’s someone coming up to see you.”
She marched off, not giving him a chance to respond, and then she was opening the door to usher Arie in, his fiancée’s first visit to his office since the day months before when he’d been so presumptuous as to offer her an entry level job.
As soon as Arie saw him she smiled but before she could say a word he stepped forward to take her hand. “Iyana,” he said, his voice even and matter-of-fact, “I’d like you to meet Arie Angelis, my fiancée.”
Iyana gave a start of surprise but then she caught herself and gave Arie a cool nod. “We’ve met before. A few months back.”
“Oh, you remember me,” Arie said, giving the other woman a surprised smile. “I’ve only been here once. I wouldn’t have thought you’d remember.”
“I remember,” Iyana said drily, looking like it was all she could do to not roll her eyes. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you,” Arie said, seeming oblivious to the chilliness of the reception. “I’m stealing your boss away for a couple of hours, if you don’t mind. I’m taking him to lunch.”
Iyana stared back at her for a couple of seconds longer than was polite and then she shrugged. “Enjoy your lunch. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a ton of work waiting for me.” With those words she shut down the conversation and turned and headed for her own office.
Arie’s eyebrows raised then she turned to Rome and gave him a quizzical look. “Not too friendly, is she?” she asked in a half-confused, half-peeved whisper. But then, as if nothing could dampen her mood, she brightened right away. “So are you hungry? I’m starving. Grab your handbag and let’s go.”
Rome laughed. Trust Arie to throw humor into any situation. Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm he escorted her out the door, determined to forget work and enjoy the next two hours with his wife-to-be.
It ended up that Rome spent far more than just two hours away from his office. After lunch he and Arie had gone for a drive and then they’d started talking and before they knew it the workday was coming to an end and they both ended up having to hurry back to office. That was how it was when you were with someone you loved. Time flew by fast and you didn’t even realize it.
Now, though, he had to get back to reality. He still had loads of work on his desk and he wanted to get through a good portion of it before he headed for home. He’d barreled through the front door of his office suite and was on his way to his private quarters when Iyana stepped out of her office.
“You’re back,” she said. Two simple words but they sounded like accusation.
“Yes, and I’m going to be here for a while,” he said, not pausing on his way to his office. “I’ve got a lot to finish up before the day is done.”