I will admit. I am enjoying this.
Click here for Chapter One
CHAPTER TWO
Cassie felt herself growing anxious.
The limo crawled up Bay Street and
soon stopped in front of a massive steel and glass office building, one that
Cassie had walked past many times.
"I thought we were going to
your condo?" she said to Finnegan who was texting rapidly on his
BlackBerry.
"Change of plans," he
said. "Irwin will take you. I have to deal with a rather urgent matter at
the office. I will join you at the condo in about an hour."
Irwin? Who's Irwin? Cassie gave
Finnegan a puzzled stare. He laughed.
"Sorry, Irwin is the driver. He
manages my condo. He'll let you in and help you establish a wardrobe."
"What do you mean, help me
establish a wardrobe?" Cassie asked. "Do you have a Burberry boutique
in your home?"
Cassie was bewildered by the
situation and questioned if she should bolt the second she got the chance.
"You're about a size 6,
right?" Finnegan asked. "Maybe an 8?"
Maybe an 8?! The hell?
"I'm a 6. Thank you very much.
That's the second time you've insulted me today." Cassie huffed.
"I am of the opinion that
you're actually too thin for your height. You could stand to add a few more
pounds to your frame," Finnegan said.
Cassie pursed her lips. She was not
too thin. She was perfectly fine. Kevin never seemed to mind her weight.
She told herself to dismiss
Finnegan's comments. Surely he was trying to get under her skin. She chose not
to respond.
"Anyhow, Miss Winter, I really
must head upstairs. Please text me if you have concerns once you arrive at the
condo. My numbers are on that card I gave you earlier." Finnegan slid over
to the door and tapped on the window. Irwin opened the door.
Finnegan flashed a smile.
"See that Irwin stops by your
former employer so you can collect any personal items you have there. You don't
need to go in, Irwin will contact the Human Resources department and make
arrangements. Just give Irwin a phone number to call." Finnegan exited the
limo and the car door was softly closed behind him.
The limo moved back into traffic.
Suddenly a voice spoke.
"Miss Winter?
Cassie looked around.
"The intercom, Miss Winter. Do
you hear me?" said the voice.
"Y-yes," said Cassie.
"It's Irwin, ma'am. Mr. O'Leary
doesn't really have clothes for you at his home," said Irwin.
Cassie frowned at the air.
"I'm to take you to your former
employer. What is the number?" Irwin asked.
Cassie gave him the info and Irwin
pulled the limo over. Cassie suspected he was making the call to HR.
"It's arranged, Miss
Winter," Irwin said over the speaker. "After we collect your things, we
will travel to Hyatt-Terra, an upscale boutique, where Mr. O'Leary's personal
shopper will meet us."
Cassie nodded. Then realizing he
couldn't see her, she told him okay.
"Please make yourself
comfortable, Miss Winter. I will open the car door for you when we
arrive."
Cassie looked at her BlackBerry. She
decided to text Kevin.
Having the strangest morning ... got
a new job. Will tell you all about it later.
She slipped the phone into her
pocket and watched the traffic outside.
When they pulled up in front of her
former office, Irwin let her out and told her to wait while he parked the limo
on a side street.
Irwin accompanied her to the 11th
floor where the receptionist, Renee, glanced up at her as she came through the
glass doors.
"You're late," she
whispered. "And you didn't phone." Renee hissed.
Cassie shrugged. "I've got
another job. I've come to collect my things."
Renee looked surprised.
"Can you call Abby? My
associate, Irwin, already phoned her to tell her I was leaving." Abby was
the head of H.R. Cassie got along well with her.
"Do you think it's ok if I go
to my desk?" she asked Renee.
"i don't see why not. I'll tell
Abby to meet you there.
Cassie motioned to Irwin who
followed her down the hall to a common area filled with cubicles. Cassie
stopped at hers and realized she would need a box.
"Wait here", she said to
Irwin and left for the mail room.
In her head, she made a mental list
of the people she would email later to bid good-bye. Luckily the mail room was
empty and Cassie grabbed a banker's box and headed back to her desk.
Abby, who was chatting with Irwin, gave
Cassie a frown.
"Typically, and
ethically," Abby said, "We do like two weeks' notice."
Cassie grimaced.
"Mr. O'Leary will compensate
you for the short notice," said Irwin. "In fact, I can arrange for a
temp to be here by this afternoon."
Abby waved her hand at him.
"That's not necessary but thank you."
"If you don't mind, I will stay
here while Cassie collects her things - just a formality," said Abby.
Irwin nodded.
Cassie felt her cheeks grow hot.
What a way to burn a bridge, she thought.
Cramming everything into a box and
handing Irwin four pairs of shoes to carry, Cassie led the way to the reception
desk. She handed in her security card and bid both Abby and Renee farewell.
In the elevator, Irwin juggled Cassie's
shoes and his cellphone. Cassie put the box down and took her shoes from him.
'Sorry," she said.
Irwin gave a curt nod.
'Sir," he said, after someone
answered. "The first task is done. I will be heading up to Yorkville now.
Shall I return Miss Winter to you by 1'o'clock?"
Excuse me? Cassie stared at Irwin
open-mouthed.
Return me?
The hell?
Irwin ended the conversation and put
his phone back inside his jacket pocket.
"Irwin," Cassie said, her
heart racing and her nerves on edge, "I don't get returned to
anyone. Is that clear? If I want to come back at 4, I come back at 4. In
fact," Cassie said, as she angrily stacked her shoes on the banker's box
and lifted it up against her chest. "I'm done here. I will be taking the
subway back to Union and will be going home. Tell Mr. O'Leary I am tired of
being insulted at his expense."
The doors of the elevator popped
open at the ground floor and Cassie raced out. She speed-walked to the
escalator and ran down it.
Irwin was close behind.
He managed to get in front of her
before she descended the steps into the subway.
"Miss Winter," said Irwin,
"I don't think that's a very wise decision. Mr. O'Leary is expecting you
and may I remind you that you no longer have employment. I would reconsider.
Come with me to the limo. Don't jump to conclusions. Mr. O'Leary has his issues
but he is a fair man and fair employer."
Cassie chewed her lip.
"Fine," she said.
"But I'm not happy with any of this."
Cassie followed Irwin back to the
lobby and out onto Yonge Street. They walked in silence to the limo which Irwin
had parked on Victoria Street.
He opened the door for her and took
her belongings to store in the trunk.
Cassie sank into the leather. Off to
Hyatt-Terra, I guess, she muttered to herself. She pulled out her BlackBerry.
She had two texts from Kevin and one missed phone call - also from Kevin.
She decided to call him.
Kevin answered on the first ring.
"What's going on?" He
asked.
"I have a new job. I met this
guy on the train. We started talking and he hired me to be his assistant. I
took the job." Cassie said.
"You met a guy on the train and
got a new job. What guy?" Kevin asked.
"Finnegan O'Leary." Cassie
replied.
"Do I know him?" Kevin
asked.
"Google him. Don't worry. I
know what I'm doing," Cassie said.
"How much?" Kevin asked.
Cassie hesitated.
"How much is he paying
you?" Kevin asked.
"More than Black and
Moore," Cassie finally said.
"So how much?" Kevin asked.
"An executive's salary since
I'm the executive assistant to the CEO. It's a lot, Kevin, but if I tell you
how much, you'll freak out and I already feel like a prostitute. In fact, I'm
off to have a Pretty Woman moment at some high-end Yorkville boutique.
Kevin was silent.
"Hello?"
"Cassie, we should discuss
these things. You can't just accept a job from a stranger on a GO train. Where
are you now?' Kevin asked.
"I'm in Mr. O'Leary's limo.
He's arranged for me to meet with a personal shopper. There are issues with my
wardrobe. I have to look a little more upscale."
"Upscale," Kevin said with
an incredulous tone in his voice. "There is nothing, I repeat, nothing
wrong with the way you dress."
'"And I agree with you,"
Cassie replied, but unfortunately, I don't have a designer wardrobe that is
expected with the caliber of company I will be keeping.
"This is such horseshit,"
Kevin said. "Who's paying for it?"
"He is," answered Cassie.
"Designer clothing isn't cheap,
Cass. What kind of boss just drops thousands of dollars on a new employee, one
he met on a train ride, without knowing if you're even going to work out? Then
what? Doesn't any of this sound really bizarre to you?"
Cassie closed her eyes. You have no
idea, she thought.
"Kevin, let's discuss it later.
I want to see how this plays out. I admit it's sudden and odd, but it's also
extremely intriguing," she said, trying to sound as positive as possible.
"I don't like it," Kevin
said. "But I have to go. I got a call from Jim who booked me in as a
session musician in Mississauga. Sounds like a good gig. I'll probably stay at
his place tonight, so don't wait up for me but we do need to talk.
Tomorrow." Kevin said.
"Okay," Cassie said.
"Agreed. Have a good time."
"Bye." Kevin said and hung
up.
Cassie pressed the end of call
button and tried to ignore that he didn't tell her he loved her. It had been a
while since he'd expressed any words of endearment. Cassie pushed these bad
thoughts out of her mind.
At Hyatt-Terra, she and Irwin were
greeted by Barbara Palmer, a tall and lithe blonde with tiny ankles and a wide
smile. She shook Cassie's hand.
"Mr. O'Leary texted me that
you'll also need shoes and accessories so we'll make sure we add those to your
wardrobe," Barbara said. She motioned for Cassie to follow her.
Irwin spoke. "Miss Winter. I
have some errands to run but you are in good hands. Just do as Miss Palmer
instructs and I will pick you up when you're done."
Irwin turned and left.
Barbara began to walk towards the
back of the boutique and Cassie followed.
"I'll need to get your
measurements and then I will bring you clothes to try on," Barbara said
over her shoulder. "But first, let's sit and discuss what you like and
what you don't like when it comes to clothes for the office." Barbara led
the way to a round room with white club chairs.
Three hours later, Cassie had a
wardrobe worth more than what some people made in a year complete with shoes, lingerie,
accessories and make-up. She was dressed in a Chanel pant suit with Louboutin
heels and a Marc Jacobs handbag that cost $1500. Fifteen hundred dollars! For a
purse! And she owned it. At least she thought she owned it. She needed to ask
Finnegan about what happens if she doesn't work out. Kevin was right. This was a
lot of spending for a probationary employee.
Irwin loaded everything into the
limo.
"Tell Finn I really enjoyed
this exercise," Barbara said to Cassie. "Much better than the last
time. I can see why he likes you." Barbara winked.
Last time? Cassie wanted Barbara to
elaborate but Irwin already had his hand against the small of Cassie's back and
was pushing her towards the car.
"Miss Winter," Irwin said.
"Mr. O'Leary doesn't like to be kept waiting. He's meeting you for lunch
at Canoe".
Canoe!? Cassie grew excited. She was
a foodie at heart and Canoe was a restaurant she always wanted to try.
Oh wow, she thought.
Cassie climbed into the limo.
She really needed to fill in her
best friend, Emma, about her morning. She suspected Emma would be as skeptical
as Kevin, but dammit, she was going to Canoe!
This was more exciting than the
shopping. The first hour was fine. But Cassie easily became overwhelmed by the
process and by how over the top the experience was. It wasn't her. She was
completely out of her comfort zone. But Canoe she could do.
She texted Emma.
Guess where I'm going for
lunch!!!???
Emma immediately replied.
Hey girl, tried calling you at work
but I kept getting bumped to general voicemail. You may want to get that
checked. I also sent you an email but it bounced back.
Cassie typed.
I quit my job.
Cassie's BlackBerry rang. The
display showed Emma's number. Cassie answered.
"You did what?" Emma
shouted.
"Calm down. I have another job.
In fact, I just finished buying a whole new wardrobe for my job at
Hyatt-Terra."
"What? Hyatt-Terra? Isn't that
in Yorkville? Cass, you can't afford that! What's going on?" Emma asked.
"And now I'm off to lunch, with
my boss, at Canoe," Cassie giggled. It was all so bizarre but incredibly
cool. She really should try to enjoy the experience.
"I'm sorry. Did you blow this
guy on the train ride in?" Emma asked.
Cassie laughed. "Um, no. I fell
asleep. My BlackBerry fell on the floor and this man, now my boss, who was
sitting across from me, picked it up, woke me up and handed it to me. We
started talking... Em, you should see him. He's so hot." Cassie snapped
her fingers.
"I bet you know him."
"What's his name?" Emma asked.
"Finnegan O'Leary," Cassie
said.
"Finnegan O'Leary?!" Emma
parroted. "As in hotshot CEO of Matrix Ventures and a former CEO of Gavin
Moore?"
Emma worked as the head of a prime brokerage firm, specializing in world markets. She was well acquainted with the world of finance and investments.
"What the hell was Finnegan
O'Leary doing on a GO train?" She asked.
"He lost his assistant. She
quit. Got married or something... Said he has a place in Solina and I guess he
took a bus or cab to the Oshawa GO Station. He doesn't drive apparently."
Cassie replied.
"I'm not surprised to learn he doesn't
drive considering what happened years ago," Emma said. "You meet him
on the train and he just ups and offers a job?"
"I know. Crazy, right? And I
took it. But wait, what happened years ago? He told me he didn't want to
discuss with me why he doesn't drive," Cassie said.
"I was told when he was about
12 or so, his family was on their way back from a weekend in Niagara Falls when
a drunk driver driving the wrong way on the QEW slammed into their car. His
mother, father, sister and baby brother were all killed. Finnegan was allegedly
thrown from the car. He was found in the ditch. He barely survived. He's
probably forever scarred. Really sad, actually. Taken in by his grandmother's
sister. She was a Douglass. Old money. The family owned several department
stores that were eventually bought out. He inherited his parents' money when he
turned 21. His dad owned several import operations and they were very well to
do. But I hear he's a control-freak. Demanding. Mean. Controlling. You really
should have called me. I could have filled you in before you took the
job." Emma said.
Cassie took in what Emma had told
her. Poor Finnegan. What a horrible hand to have been dealt with! She pictured
him as a young boy. Not even in his teens with no family and being raised by a
great-aunt. She imagined he was shipped off to boarding schools. How awful.
Cassie reflected on her own childhood. Her parents owned a bakery. They lived
in an apartment above the business and though they weren't rich, not by
Douglass standards, her parents still sent her and her sister to camps, took
European vacations, Disneyworld and later in their teens, indulged in cruises.
She hadn't been hard-done by.
"Hey? You there?" Emma
asked. Cassie broke out of her reverie.
"Sorry. I was just digesting
what you told me. Wow. Now I have to act like I don't know. I'm terrible at
keeping secrets. You know that!" Cassie said.
"You and I really need to talk
further. Look, enjoy your lunch. Text me later and maybe we can hook up if the
Overlord allows it." Emma said.
"Overlord? Who? Kevin? He
doesn't care ..." Cassie was interrupted by Emma.
"Not Kevin. O'Leary. By the
way, did you tell Kevin?" asked Emma.
"Yeah, he wasn't too happy to hear
about this sudden turn of events," Cassie replied. "But we'll talk
more later. I'm at the restaurant now."
"Try the salmon. I hear it's
delicious. Text me, ok," Emma said.
"I will. Have a good rest of
the day," Cassie said.
Cassie put her phone away and bolted
from the limo. She was so excited. Irwin didn't seem pleased. Stuff it, Irwin,
Cassie thought. I can open my own damn door.
She followed him up to the
restaurant where they were directed to Finnegan's table where he was chatting
into his phone. He smiled when he saw her and quickly ended the call.
"Well, Miss Winter, don't you
clean up real nice?" he said as he stood and pulled out her chair.
Oh my, thought Cassie. He looked as
hot as ever and his charm was intoxicating. He had changed into a different
suit, one that was navy in colour and more tightly tailored. Cassie sneaked a
glance at his crotch. Oh lord, she thought. Don't ...
She couldn't help herself. Finnegan
didn't try to hide what God had given him. If anything, the pants he had on
only accentuated his toned ass and his fruit basket in front. A fruit basket
containing a rather large banana. Cassie giggled. It had to be the champagne
Barbara kept topping up during the latter half of her shopping trip. She was
feeling extremely giggly and turned on. He was so freaking hot!
"What's so funny?" asked
Finnegan as he sat back down. Cassie giggled.
"Your fruit basket,"
Cassie said, holding her hand over her mouth. Finnegan couldn't help but smile.
Despite the smile, he looked puzzled.
"You're very cute when you do that.
Please stop. Let's try to be professional, shall we?" Finnegan asked as he
slid his napkin into his lap. Cassie grinned stupidly.
She would totally peel that banana.
She snickered to herself. How much of that banana could she fit in her mouth. A
lot. I bet he'd like it to.
She continued to grin stupidly.
Finnegan frowned.
Boy, does he ever need to loosen up.
Cassie wondered what he was like in bed.
"Cassie, look at the menu...
please. Focus. We only have an hour. I'm having the lamb, you?"
Cassie picked up her menu. "I
was told to try the salmon."
"Good choice," said
Finnegan. My great aunt loves the salmon here".
Cassie raised an eyebrow. Finnegan discreetly
signaled the waiter.
"Speaking of aunts," she
said. "I believe I promised to regal
you with tales about my Aunt Cassandra."
The waiter arrived and they gave
their orders. Cassie took a sip of her
water.
"Miss Winter, as much as I would love to hear about mean, nasty Aunt Cassandra, and I promise you will get to tell me all about her, I'm afraid there are more pressing matters to contend with during lunch."
Cassie sat up straighter. Her vision
blurred. How much champagne did she drink? She tried to focus on Finnegan. She
stared at his lips. He was saying something about non-disclosure agreements,
contracts and security.
He had beautiful lips. They were
full and probably awesome to bite. Cassie crossed her legs.
"Cassie, what's wrong? You're
blushing," Finnegan said. "Are you all right?"
Cassie nodded. She was drunk. She
needed food or else she was going to do something or say something she'd
regret.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
Finnegan touched her hand.
"Are you sure? Wait ... did
Miss Palmer give you champagne?" Finnegan asked.
Cassie nodded.
Finnegan's face darkened. "How
much champagne did you drink?"
Cassie held out her hands wide.
"A lot. It was really yummy. But not as yummy as you!" Cassie
giggled. "I can lick you like a lollipop," she said as she stroked Finnegan's fingers.
"Cassie, enough. Our food should
be here soon. You need to eat. I have a very strict no alcohol during business
hours rule. I expect you to follow it." Finnegan said. He withdrew his
hand from Cassie's and reached for his BlackBerry. He began typing.
"What are you doing?"
asked Cassie. "Please don't say anything to Miss Skinny Ankles. She had
nothing to do with it. Besides, she liked me. She said I was a great exercise.
Better than the last ... " Cassie trailed off as her food arrived. The
salmon looked and smelled delicious. She took a bite.
"I'm not engaging Miss Palmer,
however, I will be speaking with her about her opinions," Finnegan said.
"Oh my god," Cassie said
as she chewed. 'This is delicious. It's better than sex. It's an orgasm in a
dish."
Finnegan laughed out loud.
"Okay. Sure. Perhaps we should tell the chef you feel that way?"
Cassie laughed. "Um, no. I
think not, but the compliments of it being really yummy should be
expressed."
"Yummy?" Finnegan asked.
"Really, reallty yummy."
Cassie pointed her fork in the air. "I wanted to be a chef. My parents own
a bakery and my mom is a trained pastry chef and although I love croissants and
cannoli as much as the next person, I love food more. I love pairing spices to
meat and exploring different textures. In fact, it's very much like sex.
Creating a dish is like making love."
Finnegan smiled. "And you
believe you're a good chef?"
"I'm a great chef," Cassie
exclaimed. "In and out of the kitchen."
Finnegan cocked an eyebrow.
"Prove it," Finnegan said.
Cassie noticed he hadn't eaten a bite of his lamb. He was focused intently on
her. Her face flushed.
"Prove what?" She murmured
staring him straight in the eye.
"That you make love like how
you cook. Of course, you could be a terrible cook and an equally terrible lay
but I'm open to a taste test."
Cassie choked on her food. Oh dear.
She wasn't good at flirting. She cursed the champagne. She grabbed her water
and took a large gulp. Coughing, she excused herself to the washroom.
He didn't just say what he did. Did
he? A taste test?
Cassie continued to cough.
Holy hell...
(To be continued... )
