“Are you alright?” Roman reached out a hand to her.
She shrugged him off then got up and crossed the room. She wanted to get as far away from him as she possibly could. She wanted him but he did not feel the same. That much was very clear.
Roman got up and finished tucking his shirt into his trousers. Then he looked over at her and sighed. “I’m sorry, Serena. That should never have happened. I think it’s time for me to go.”
Serena shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but inside her heart was crumbling like a sand castle in the rain.
Without another word Roman walked to the door and opened it. For just a moment he glanced back at her. Then he was gone.
When the door clicked shut behind him Serena went back to the sofa and collapsed in a dejected heap. What an awful way to end a beautiful day.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Going to work that Monday was one of the hardest things Serena ever had to do. How could she face the man who had made her feel so low? Ever since she had joined the company weeks before her life had been turned upside down. Where had her Van Buren swagger gone? She didn’t even feel like herself anymore.
She heaved a sigh as she switched on her computer and pulled out her chair. Thank God she had more than enough work to keep her busy and her mind off her awkward situation. She had the agency file to go through and several spreadsheets to prepare for a meeting with the budget manager. Now all she had to do was keep her nose to the grindstone and stay out of Roman Steele’s way.
It was almost lunchtime when Serena was interrupted by a low voice. It was Theresa.
What now? Had the woman come to summon her to Roman’s office? Would this be the dismissal she’d been working so hard to get? Instead of filling her with elation the thought made her heart slow with anguish. Her spirit fell at the thought of never seeing Roman again. She did not think she could bear it. Despite her distress Serena put on a brave face and gave Theresa a tight smile.
“I just stopped by to let you know that Mr. Steele left this morning for New York.”
“New York?” Serena stared up at her, stunned. He’d spent most of Saturday with her and he hadn’t mentioned a trip to New York. Was this something he’d come up with at the last minute to avoid her? “I see,” she said, her voice low and controlled. “Did he say when he would be back?”
“The meetings go until Thursday but he’ll probably be out all week,” Theresa said. “We might not see him till next week.” She laid a folder on Serena’s desk. “He asked me to make sure you got this. While he’s meeting with the Consumer Research Company he wanted you to get started on the work with the local focus groups. Apparently this project has a tight timeline.”
Serena nodded and opened the folder. It was thick, full of what looked like response sheets from hundreds of surveys. It would take her days to tabulate and analyze this information to create a meaningful report. Still, there was nothing like work to take your mind off your troubles. She didn’t even flinch when Theresa produced a second file.
“There’s this, too, but if you like I could hold on to it till you’re done with the first project.” The woman actually looked guilty.
“No, not at all. I prefer if you give me everything all at once.” She took the second file and gave Theresa a confident smile. “I guess I’d better get started.” Theresa took the hint and departed, leaving Serena staring at her sad and lonely computer screen. Or maybe it was she who was sad and lonely. She shook her head. Come on, Serena. Roman or no Roman you have a job to do. And no man was worth pining over. Certainly not one who felt he was too good for her.
Despite her troubles the week flew by for Serena. Work was a great salve for her wounds and the perfect source of distraction. Eventually she found she was beginning to enjoy what she was doing. She’d been consulting with the heads of various departments and working closely with the product development team. She was learning so much that she almost felt grateful to Roman for teaming up with her father to make her do the internship.
Almost. She was still a bit peeved at having been forced into it but even she had to admit that if she ever were to work in her father’s business this was just about the best preparation she could have had. Working with cross-functional teams was a true learning experience and one which opened her understanding of team dynamics and collaboration.
Before she knew where the week had gone, Friday came and she still had not completed project number two. Theresa told her that Roman had called every day to check on the progress of the assignment but he’d never spoken to her. Even though she was disappointed maybe that was a good thing. After all, what would she say to him? Or him to her? It would only create awkwardness on both sides. Besides, the next time she spoke to him she wanted to be able to say she’d completed all her projects.
That evening when everyone was calling TGIF to one another and packing to go Serena still sat at her desk plugging away. She was determined to finish the assignment before shutting down for the weekend. When Roman stepped in on Monday morning her finished reports would be sitting on his desk. What was more, they would exceed his expectations because she’d gone out of her way to commission professionally produced illustrations and charts. She’d even included a presentation on a new campaign idea she had, one that would take greater advantage of social media opportunities. That was the part that still needed fleshing out. It would take her a few more hours but she wasn’t complaining. It wasn’t like she was rushing home to family and friends. She was on her own now in many senses of the word.
Serena glanced at the clock. Six twenty-one in the evening. If she had any hope of leaving the place by nine she’d better get cracking.
*****
Roman relaxed into the plush leather seat of the limousine that was taking him from the airport back to his office. It was late, he knew, and everyone would have already left for home. After all, it was Friday. Which of his employees would give up their Friday night to work overtime? That would be a rare occurrence. In fact, he discouraged that sort of thing. For him, balance was important and the weekend was the time for relaxation, family and friends.