Chapter 5

Nathalie showed up for work. Her eyes were sore; she could hardly keep them open. “Jesus! You look like you have been up all night!” Exclaimed her friend Letitia. “I feel like I have. Jet lag. Let’s get coffee.”

“That was two days ago. More like you have been up all hours on a school night!” Laughed Letitia. Nathalie just smiled sweetly. She knew better. “We better get to it Leti! Have you got everything ready for this presentation?” She asked the slim girl; with the largest brown eyes, she had ever seen. They reminded her of Cadbury’s Buttons.

“Sure have Nat. Let’s do it.” The design for the new eco-build was adventurous but everything, literally everything was hanging on this for her. She needed this partnership to be signed away; her plan had to come together. Nathalie had waited four years for this. There was no Plan B, this was it.

She checked herself out in the women; her hair was straightened to within an inch of its life. It hung like a mane, dark and glossy. She knew it would be an attraction; deftly she applied black eyeliner and undid the top bottom of her shirt. Nathalie gave herself one last check in the mirror, smoothed down her trousers and inhaled deeply. Her palms were sweating.

Her phone bleeped. Ready? XX

I think so! XX

You’ve got this. Remember you Need this deal…you Need to get close…make it happen. Don’t let yourself down. Think like him, be like him, and get the deal xx

Nathalie re-read the message, her heart was pounding, and it felt like it was going to come out of her mouth at any minute. I’ve got this, I’ve got this. She told herself.

“Jesus Nathalie, are you coming out of there today?” Letitia came storming into the ladies. “Sure. I am on my way. Has he arrived yet?”

“Of course. He is in the boardroom. Now hurry up.” Letitia turned on her heels and left Nathalie standing.

Jonathan glanced up as Letitia made her way into the boardroom. “Good morning. Lovely to meet with you again. How was the ride in this morning?” She asked. As far as she was concerned this was one Hot Man and he knew it. There was nothing off-putting by his arrogance and confidence. She could not for the life of her fathom out why Nathalie had such a dislike of him. She had not even met him!

“It wasn’t bad.” He replied. Letitia smiled so like Jonathan. After many calls and email exchanges and meetings previously, she had come to learn that he did not say anything unless it was totally required.

Nathalie inhaled deeply as she turned the door handle and strode purposefully into the room. Her piercing green eyes focused on the two people in front of her. Jonathan swallowed the coffee that threatened to escape from his lips, keeping his shock in check; he slowly placed the coffee cup on the saucer and kept his facial expression very neutral.

“Good morning. I’m Nathalie.” She reached out her hand and let him shake it. Inside she was trembling, how would she react to his touch. Would she give anything away? Don’t be ridiculous she chided herself. “I believe we have already met.” Jonathan said politely as he shook her hand. Letitia looked from one to the other. “Met?” She asked. As far as she knew, Nathalie had done none of the legwork with the approach to Jonathan. She furrowed her brow.

“That’s right. Yes, on the plane” Responded Nathalie remaining controlled and composed. “Right!” Said Letitia. “I’m the new project manager on the build for you Jonathan.” Nathalie offered simply.

Jonathan merely nodded; his world seemed to be getting stranger by the moment. “Let’s get started.” Said Nathalie as she placed her laptop on the large walnut table and began to start the presentation.

Jonathan listened intently as she spoke; not giving away that there was something about the woman that mildly disturbed him. He did not allow his mind to drift to Clare, but there was just something there. For God’s sake, he told himself, they are two entirely different women.

Nathalie stood up and made her way to the large screen. “Here you can see.” She began and then turned her back to the table and stood still before carrying on. He caught his breath; momentarily the image of the intruder running to the wall crossed his mind. Small, lithe. He had not considered it at the early hours of the morning, but it could have been a woman.

He wasn’t’ sure if it was the jet lag, the lack of sleep during the night or whatever the hell it was that managed to knock him out on the flight, but something was definitely playing tricks with his mind.

“Are you OK Jonathan?” Asked Nathalie now looking straight into his eyes, boring into them. “I’m fine thank you.”  She noticed his pale and stressed look; it was evident on his face. Inwardly she smiled, now she just needed the signature on the dotted line.

An hour later, the meeting was over. Boldly she approached him, “well do we have the deal?” She was not wasting time that had already been done. She was in for the kill.

“You’ve got the deal. Send the papers over, we’ll read through the contract and get it signed and back to you.” Jonathan stood up and nodded at them both.

“It will be an absolute pleasure to do business with you Jonathan.” Nathalie smiled and chalked up a one in her mind. Waiting until they were out of earshot from Letita, Nathalie moved closer into Jonathan. She could smell his fragrance, it was familiar. She dismissed it.

“Do you want to go out sometime for a drink?” She asked him. She saw a small smile on his face. His eyes gave nothing away. Jonathan studied her, his body told him to accept, his mind, however, he was keeping an ironclad grip on.

He was still whirling with the recent events in just forty-eight hours since leaving the States. Yet there was something about her that intrigued him. Against his better judgement, Jonathan found himself saying yes.

“Why not. Let me know when and where. I’ve got to go.” Nathalie exhaled; this was far better than she thought possible. He was as reserved as she had expected, a tough nut she told herself, but all nuts can be cracked.

Back in her office, she reached for her mobile and sent the message.

We have the contract and drinks are on! XX See you tonight

A few minutes later, the response came through. Fantastic, you are on track. See you later xx