Not The One

Thank you! Im 5ft6 :)

Friend: don't be

“John! I am so very sorry for being late! Met an old acquaintance and simply had to stop to chat.” Helen hugged him whilst chattering away. She did feel bad for being late but it the aftershock of what just happened rippled through her body still.

John pulled her into a tight bearhug. “Dont be silly! Helen, meet Abdul. Abdul, meet Helen.” He released her from his embrace and turned to his left to introduce middle eastern looking gentleman.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Helen. Heard so much about you.” Abdul extended his hand.

“Oh my! I trust John only disclosed good things about me and omitted the unsavoury ones!” Helen laughed shaking his hand. “Pleasure to meet you too, I heard absolutely nothing about you though!” She innocently flirted.

“Well, I partly own the oil company, head office in the UK and I am in need of HRB partner. Ive been told you might fit the bill?” He raised his eyebrows. Helen blushed but continued to maintain eye contact. She knew Abdul wasn’t flirting with her but there was just something she could not put the finger on.

“Guys, shall we talk business inside the restaurant?” John interrupted.

“Of course! Please, I reserved a table at my one of the favourite places in Mayfair. “ Abdul motion them to start walking.

————

“John, I cant explain but I dont think I should accept the offer” she barely whispered so nobody could hear her in the office. Her assistant looked at her over the desk.

“Why, Helen? Is salary too low? I can talk to him if that is what is bothering you? I know you love your shoes, I can just tell him he will have to throw in a pair of new season BCBGs?” John laughed at the other end of the line.

Helen inhaled deeply. “No... see I feel.. I just, not sure. Honestly, I am not sure. Even Giuseppe Z’s might not change my mind.” Her inner voice was screaming at her to decline the offer but the damn brain was saying otherwise. The money were enough to pay for two mortgages and it was a big organisation that could potentially be an even bigger stepping stone for her to open her own consulting practice.

“Is it because of their alluded shady dealings? All major companies have skeletons in their closets. You could help them to clear at least few? Just take the role. It will elevate you into a different league, Helen. Dont miss this chance.” John passionately promoted the job offer. She certainly did not want to miss the opportunity and she should not be caring who thought what. It was her life and she needed to take charge of it.

“You are right, John. It is one in a lifetime opportunity and I should not let anything and anyone stop it.” Helen exhaled.

“Good girl. Now respond to him” John urged her. Helen blushed, pleasant yet confusing emotion washed over her. She was no longer used to be ‘good girl’.

“Alright alright Mr Bossy pants!” Helen laughed. John was never the one to boss people around. He could at times be tetchy and particular but never domineeringly bossy .

“Yes, look who’s talking! I will remember this jibe, Helen... i sure will” John lightheartedly threatened her.

“I have to go, John. It was a pleasure” She said loudly, making her assistant pay her another glance. “Bye!”

“Elle, can you please block first half of the day in my calendar tomorrow?” She requested.

“Anything exciting happening?” Her assistant enquired sheepishly. Helen’s eyes narrowed.

“Nothing in particular. Thanks.” Helen clipped back. She opened her personal emails, took a deep breath and started composing her acceptance message to Abdul.

——————

[you should come to our offices to meet the team and sign your contract] read Abduls message.

Helen was feeling stupidly nervous and jittery. It was an exciting opportunity but also ever so nerve wracking. She obviously knew that nothing should affect her or dictate her life choices but she just couldn’t help it!

She looked at the building across the street. The revolving doors truly represented feeling in her stomach. Her heart started to beat furiously. She could feel it thumping in her throat and she could swear vomited a little into her mouth. Stop stop stop ... *Mayfair and your life isn’t his property. You are allowed to be here just as much as the devil does.* Helen chanted to herself.

She was suppose to be meeting Abdul and the team ten minutes ago but she simply couldn’t cross the street and enter the building. She even thought of running away and declining the generous job offer. *I cant do this.. fuck* her heart rate dropped. *Yes, you can. Just think of what you could achieve? On that particular thought she straightened her back and crossed the road deciding to make success of anything that will be thrown her way!

Shaky legs in four inch stilettos carried her towards security desk and then an elevator. Building was painfully familiar.

“Hold the door! please!” Male voice made her jolt. French accent?

“Uh... sure” she responded startled. With trembling fingers she reached towards “open” button, mindlessly pressed it several times.

“Thank you!” young and rather handsome man stepped into an elevator and filled the space with his wide suited frame. Helen quietly appraised him. “Which floor?” He asked politely, positioning on to her left.

“Second floor, please.” she said shyly glancing at him and then back at her feet.

“Let me guess - interview or a life changing meeting?” The young frenchman enquired. He reached over her to press the second floor button. Whiff of Dior Sauvage caressed her nostrils.

“Most likely the latter...” Helen smiled at him.

“Well, then there is no need to look like you are about to be guillotined” he chuckled. Helen laughed out loud in return.

“Good advise!” She winked at him.

“Not an advise, just a suggestion. If I advised you, I would expect you to follow my advise and to be honest you look like a challenger” he raised his right eyebrow at her.

She blushed furiously unable to find a coherent comeback. “Oh dear! It depends..” Helen rolled her eyes, pretending to be completely outraged by his assumption.

“On what, may I ask?” He pressed playfully. The lift stopped to a halt and pinged announcing the damned second floor.

Helen winked at him while stepping through the elevator door. “Well...now you will never know..” the doors closed before he could answer back.

Helen smirked to herself. The unexpected encounter parted the dark clouds a little and lifted her mood. Power of flirting she thought to herself.

She looked around. The reception was still behind the glass door. *Nothing has changed* she thought to herself.

Helen smoothed lapels of her coat and walked towards the reception.

Brunette receptionist raised her head from the computer screen and greeted Helen with a rather fake looking smile. “Good morning. How can I help?”. She was absolutely stunning, her light grey green eyes perfectly complemented her long brown hair and pink lips.

“I am here to see Abdul.” Helen offered, leaning towards the counter, lightly tapping her dainty fingers on to the surface. It felt cool, cold and somewhat impersonal.

“Please sign in here. Can I also take your name ?” Receptionist pointed to the book on her left.

“Helen Hewitt. I am actually a little late” Helen muttered scribbling her name onto an elegant piece of paper.

“Not to worry, I am sure he will not mind. I hope you dont mind me saying but have we met? You seem somewhat familiar” Helen directed her attention to the receptionist. Her heart skipped a beat. Again. And again.

“Umm, not quite sure... I have been here once or twice, maybe thats it?” Helen offered. Whilst she wasn’t sure whether she had met this particular girl, it was really odd for someone to remember her after such a long time.

“Maybe, but its ...” the door swished again startling both of them. Familiar Bvlgari scent filled the reception area.

Helen attempted to swallow massive lump stuck in her throat.

“Hello Mr. Johnson, how are you this fine morning? Would you like your *regular*?” the receptionist directed all her attention to the man standing behind Helen. This girl sounded completely and utterly infatuated with the man. *I bet he fucked her* Helen suddenly thought to herself. It was ever so tempting to turn around to see the object of the receptionists affection but she didn’t want to interrupt their *regular* morning chat. Instead, Helen decided to swiftly move towards the sofa in a seating area. Her back was still turned to them and so Helen was hopeful that somehow she will be able to avoid the encounter by shuffling away.

“Good morning Zoe, thank you but not today. Not feeling like having it at the moment. Any calls I should be aware of?” He responded in a clipped voice which sounded like a command to Helen. Pig.

“As a matter of fact no, however I am here if you need me. Anything. Just let me know” girl shamelessly flirted with him. Helen sat on the sofa, her feet crossed at the ankles, hands folded neatly on her lap. For a brief second, she imagined how Zoe was leaning towards Mr Johnson, exposing her small but perky breasts through a little cleavage that extra unbuttoned button allowed. She imagined how he appraised her quietly, focusing on Zoes lips, then her breasts, making girls nipples harden under his stare.

“Thats very kind, Zoe. I will keep that in mind. Did Abduls new caprice arrived yet?” His question halted Helens fantasy making her swear under the breath. *Fuuuck. Thats it. Show time..* Helen mumbled to herself.

“Yes, Ms Hewitt is here.” The receptionist must have pointed at Helen as she suddenly heard him moving towards her. Helen continued to maintain stillness, focusing her gaze onto a magazine laid on the coffee table. Something about oil prices? Riveting.

The steps got closer and when they finally stopped, her heart did too.

“Ms Hewitt, what a plea...” he stopped mid sentence, his breath hitching a little. Helen gather all the strength she had and looked up at him. He was dressed in an impeccable three-piece navy blue suit and matching tie. His beautiful eyes met hers and for a split second, she was reminded how utterly gorgeous and captivating he was.

“Good morning. But did you mean to say “the caprice”?” She had no choice but to attempt to control the situation otherwise she would have ended up running away.

His jaw clenched ever so tightly and Helen could now see big vein pulsating hard on the side of his forehead. She could swear, if receptionist was not present he would have probably dragged her out of the building by her hair.

What an image that was!

Helen’s heart nearly fell out of her chest, but she decided not to get up. This way she felt she had more power now over the towering devil.

“What do you think you are doing now?” He spat out through the clenched teeth. Just loud enough for Helen to hear but not the receptionist.

“Mr. Johnson, it has been over two years since we were acquainted. I believe it should be a very good time for you to get over it.” Helen maintained her poise. He stared at her giving her that familiar unpleased look he used to give her from time to time when she misbehaved.

“What sort of a sick game are you playing? Why are you stalking me?” He narrowed his eyes at her.

“I am moving on with my life and career. You think too highly of yourself. Your existence didn’t even pass my thoughts when considering my career options.” Helen rolled her eyes.

His full lips pressed into an angry flat line. “You can get up and go, you will not work here” he threatened. Even with vein threatening to to burst on his forehead, his was face still impossibly perfect and flawless.

“I am afraid this is not up to you, Mr Johnson. I would suggest leaving me alone and getting some work done. ” The rebel was awakened inside of her. How dare he think he could dictate what she should be doing!

Helen continued to maintain the eye contact although this seemed to have aggravated the situation to the point of no return. His strong, masculine hand suddenly gripped her upper arm.

“I would suggest to leave. NOW” his grip was awfully painful making Helen grimace.

“I would suggest you let me go” she raised her voice.

As on cue the main office door opened and Abdul appeared.

“Helen! Tom! I see you guys already met.” He subtly observed the hand/arm situation but made no comment about it. “Do you know each other?”

“No, not quite. I was just about to show Mrs Hewitt the way into the office.” Tom responded slowly unclenching his fingers. Abdul didn’t look convinced, but he smiled.

It hurt but somehow the situation made Helen aroused in a convoluted kind of way.

“Its Miss actually.” Helen offered both of them a fake smile. Toms fingers have now fully released her arm but for some reason she missed his touch. ‘What a strange girl you are..’

“Well, that is even more wonderful! No husband to dictate schedule. Boyfriend perhaps?” Abdul sweetly smiled.

“Nothing wrong with a bit of discipline from a man.” Helen winked at Abdul. It was outrageous flirting but situation required it. “I must disappoint again, no boyfriend.”

“Our Head of global might just be what you need!” Abdul returned her wink and motioned her towards the main office. “Come, lets show you around the main office. Your workstation is not set up yet so you may need to share.”

Helen tried to avert her gaze from Tom bit she just couldn’t do it. “I have never had a problem with sharing...au contraire.“ He looked like to had managed to contain his anger, but her remark slightly put him off balance again.

His lips briefly curved up into a smile, but he didn’t let it remain. “We all have our faults, Miss Hewitt. ” Tom sarcastically offered.

“Stones and glass houses, Mr Johnson, ” she rolled her eyes disapprovingly at him. His comment somehow upset Helen.

Tom adjusted his tie. “Abdul, Miss Hewitt, I must bid you a pleasant day, I am only in to collect legal contract paperwork. Will be working from home office today,” Toms announcement was disappointing, Helen hoped for more sparring. His presence, even hatred filled, soothed her. It was an odd one - bag of emotions and none of them pleasant enough to make her feel at ease. The matter of fact was that she was in the deep end. She was not about to drown so she had to learn to suck it up and not allow the situation affect her too too much. ‘Easier said than done!’

“Fair enough,” Abdul agreed. “We shall see you tomorrow at the morning meeting. I will position Helen in your office until further notice,” Abdul cleared his throat observing both of them. Helen shrank a little. She certainly did not want to impose on Thomas personal space. Plus from her memory, his office was a rather small space.

“Sure, albeit no issues from my side. Excuse me.” Tom offered smoothly overtaking them and walking towards what looked like a cackle of PAs.

“Helen? Shall we start the tour?” Abdul offered.