Читать книгу Clouded Judgement - NICHOLA HARVEY - Страница 10

SUMMER HAD INDEED MADE its presence known. Along with the soaring temperatures, short light showers had sprinkled over the city, turning the air rancid and humid.

The decision to opt for a more casual appearance with a short-sleeved shirt and tan chinos was undoubtedly the right one, a choice pleasing Teddy immensely judging by her reaction. My staff too, gathering by their stares and hushed whispers amongst them. My outfit was an anomaly to them, I’m sure. Not surprising though. They were more accustomed to my usual attire of a well-tailored suit. So in light of that fact, I was sure to acknowledge their surprise with an equally bright smile and a cheerful hello whilst journeying towards the bank of elevators at the back of the building. My chuckle resonating as reached the lifts and pressed the inset button on the wall.

But as I waited and my gaze darted around the airy foyer of my building, I couldn’t help but marvel. I’d achieved what others thought impossible, and all within a year of completing my MBA too. Years of planning and due diligence had partially contributed to JPD’s success, but overall, if it weren’t for the part my loyal staff played in the day to day running, my company would fall apart. So whoever said owning a business was nothing more than a pipedream could kiss my arse. The same applied to the disbelievers who said expanding was an impossibility. Now look at me, I was the proud owner of two colossal sized towers, with the secondary building located in Sydney. And when inquisitive minds usually queried as to who owned them, I took momentous pride in telling them every square inch was mine. Incredulous looks typically followed. The design I had input, yes, but the construction was an accomplishment that belonged to my retiring architect James Newman.

Undeniably it was with great sadness we were losing him, but circumstances behind his reasoning were out of my control. His wife of forty years, Helena, an MS sufferer, was ailing rapidly and home was where his heart lay. As it stood, in recent months he’d spent more time there than the office simply because of Helena’s illness. And after she took a turn for the worse, begrudging the man for putting family first would have branded me a hypocrite. So, as opposed to making him hang on until his original offer of March, I granted him an early retirement which James readily, and gratefully accepted along with an extra financial contribution from me to assist him through such a challenging period. Allowing him to retire sooner meant bringing forward our plans to find a suitable replacement.

Never mind, a new and fresh mind was on the horizon, pleasing me greatly. But it seemed, nothing could dampen my buoyant mood: hence the smile ceasing to leave my face. Something my loyal assistant Thomas noticed as I stepped off the elevator car and strolled across the small foyer with my arm outstretched to grab the stack of messages waiting for me in the palm of his hand.

“Good morning, Mr Jaeger.”

I noted his mirroring expression. Perhaps something was in the water?

“Good morning, Thomas,” I cheerily replied, dropping the latest addition to my newest look at my feet: a green khaki messenger bag courtesy of Teddy. Compared to my stuffy briefcase, it was much more hip, giving me a younger appearance. I got the distinct impression my father and uncle were next on her hit list. “What’s my schedule for today?”

He passed me the open iPad over the counter. “You have one cancellation: a Mr Chandler, he rescheduled for tomorrow morning, indicating it was for personal reasons and passed on his apologies.”

“Thank you. I’m assuming you’ve organised the staff Christmas party invites?” I enquired speedily scanning the rest of the page.

“Done. Sent out last week with RSVP’s flying back to me already. Most are a yes, of course.”

Pleased, I smiled. “The Dome? Is it...”

“…Already booked,” Thomas proudly informed, pushing round, black brimmed spectacles back up the ridge of his crooked nose.

Impressed by his efficiency, I beamed. “Thomas, you are a gem! Without you, I’d be lost and tearing my hair out by now.”

“You are most welcome, sir.” Delighted by my compliment, he blushed, making me laugh. I was full of surprises today, I guess.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” I joyfully murmured picking up my messenger bag. Giving Thomas a satisfied smile, I strode into my office and closed the door, hanging my bag on the hook on the wall beside it.

Settled into my chair, I leaned back, trailing the pad of a finger across my bottom lip as I stared at the framed picture beside my computer. My favourite. A rare moment in time of Teddy and I merely minutes after we’d made love for only the second time. The two of us smiling up at the camera clasped in my hand, dishevelled and content, blissfully unaware of the imminent dramas that lay ahead.

I blew out a disheartened sigh and ran a hand through my hair. Move on Ari. Irrespective of the discussions spoken at length with Teddy over our future, why hadn’t I? A subject we discussed, more often than not now that a baby was on the way.

Seldomly had we addressed the topic of marriage of late, primarily due to Teddy’s feelings as it was beginning to feel taboo. Whenever either of us raised the issue, her doubt and uncertainty crept in. Then her insecurities surfaced, causing a disagreement between us. Mother was the main instigator of course, and I was confident that once we informed the family about the baby, the expectation for us to be married would undoubtedly rise, annoyingly so – an old-fashioned notion I consciously objected to. Having a long engagement wasn’t entirely out of the question either.

Thomas buzzed interrupting my thoughts. “Sir, Mr Bradford is here to see you.”

I chuckled tickled by both the hilarity in Thomas’ voice and the mere fact my wayward friend had for once adhered to my request. I pressed the button on the keypad. “Thank you, Thomas. Send him right on in please.”

Making for a pleasant change, my long-time friend, and lawyer quietly entered. “Hey boss man, how’s it hangin’?” Well, almost.

“Where it’s always been, between my legs,” I blandly retorted observing a chipper Asher’s long measured steps stride towards me. “What can I do you for?”

Sliding into the chair adjacent to my desk and leaning casually, he slung an arm over the low backrest. “Thanks to your wonderfully efficient PA organising the necessary arrangements, we’re all set to head to Perth for these interviews: business class of course.”

Not expecting anything less from Asher, I scoffed sardonically. “A suggestion you orchestrated, no doubt.”

“Naturally.”

Eyeing him suspiciously, I cocked a brow sharply. “I sense a hidden agenda.”

It was Asher’s turn to scoff. “You know me...” That I did.

With the feeling I’d unquestionably regret asking him later, I casually waved a hand, motioning for him to continue. “Enlighten me with your reasoning.”

Pleased, he smiled broadly. “Firstly, for the booze, and secondly, for those gorgeous, leggy airline hostesses in the hope they’ll consider joining the Mile-High Club with me.”

Laughter bubbled to the surface. “Mind always in the gutter, Ash. Now, can we get back to the matter at hand, please? As in the relevant details?”

“Righto.” My mouth twitched in suppressed amusement as his doleful gaze glanced down at the iPad balanced in his lap. “Um, Monday, next week; I’m assuming that suits you?”

I acknowledged with a curt nod. “That’s fine. I’m presuming we’ll be there for a few days, yes?”

“We arrive Monday afternoon, so I thought why not spend the remainder of the day relaxing, have dinner etcetera, then start Tuesday morning afresh? Space the interviews out until Wednesday afternoon and fly home Thursday morning, how does that sound?”

I voiced my approval. “Sounds good. So, where are we staying? Leaving the details with Teddy’s imperative.”

A ghost of a smile danced on Asher’s lips. “….Whittemore’s in Adelaide Terrace.”

His choice of accommodations hadn’t surprised me in the least either.

What initially began as a small boutique hotel in the upmarket district of South Kensington, London at the start of the century by his great-great-grandfather, Whittemore’s Hotels quickly gained quite the glowing reputation due to a first-rate service given to all their customers. Thus, becoming one of the fastest growing chains around the world. His wild and womanising great-great-grandson, Damon, managed the Perth branch alongside his quirky parents, Sebastian and Catherine. Besides his philandering appetite, you couldn’t fault him, though. A visionary, he continually looked to expand the family’s empire. His most recent acquisition of fifty-six hectares on Phillip Island for a cool four million was a prime example of that vision. He’d also taken it upon himself to acquire the services of my company to build the one hundred room resort with the contract drawn and signed already. But until Port Phillip Council approved the plans, we were at a standstill. I scribbled in my diary, making a note to call them later in the hope I’d find out what the hold up was.

“I’ll flick Damon a quick text to make him aware of our visit,” I stated happily. “I haven’t seen the old boy in ages, so a catch up is definitely in order.”

“Hence my reasoning behind us staying a few days.” I chuckled as Asher continued, “Damo’s quite the character, it’ll be good to let our hair down.”

My brows shot up. “Where he’s concerned, we’ll be doing a lot more than that, I can assure you.”

A dirty laugh escaped Asher’s quirking lips. “Demon Damon has always been a hoot to hang out with.”

I snorted derisively; Eve hadn’t called us the troublesome trio without reason.

“Is that all?” I queried purposely changing the subject. “I have a few more tasks that require my full attention before day’s end. Otherwise, Teddy shall kick my arse if I spend another late night at the office.”

Azure blue eyes twinkled at me as Asher shook his head. “I swear your brain’s visible man, ‘cause that thumbprint…has grown to a cavernous size.”

I threw the pen grasped between my fingers directly at his head. “Haven’t you got someone else to annoy?”

“Only the lovely lady at the coffee stand outside.” He grinned, ducking his head. “But she’s not free for another hour.”

∞