I Kissed A Playboy (13 page)

‘Then if you’ve finished wasting my day with your tales of puppy love and shattered dreams by your big bad dad, I’ll get on with my day.’

He opened the door for his son to walk out, but Brian slammed it shut.

‘We haven’t even spoken, Dad.’

‘Of course we have.’

‘No we haven’t. You’ve talked at me. Put me down. I don’t expect you to ask how I am.’

‘I don’t need to. I open the tabloids to glean that information.’

‘I do think courtesy would dictate you perhaps ask why I came to visit you at the office.’

His father sighed and slumped on his seat.

‘I didn’t realize what a sensitive soul you were.’

Brian was inclined to tell him it was because he’d never asked, but knew it would only start an argument. Deflated, Brian pushed on with what he had initially thought was a wonderful idea. His father’s opinion of him was so low, it seemed pointless even trying. Given their conversation, his father was bound to dismiss it.

‘Does Porterhouse Media have anything to do in relation to Corporate Responsibility?’

For once, his father was at a loss for words at the question. It boosted Brian’s esteem. Regaining control of the meeting, Porterhouse Senior assessed his son.

‘We do the environmentally friendly stuff, recycle, solar panels on the roof, energy saving bulbs, bike schemes, car pooling—all in the name of reducing our carbon footprint. Our HR policy promotes equal opportunities. We make adjustments for anyone disabled or otherwise that require it for health reasons.’

‘That’s great, Dad, but I’m talking specifically of our company’s responsibilities; what we contribute performance-wise to the society we operate in, the citizens we employ and also the people we interact with in terms of our media service. We affect many people in many ways. What is Porterhouse Media’s corporate conscience exactly? Going through the motions to portray an environmentally friendly company as well as adhering to compulsory employment law?’

‘Has she put you up to this?’

His father’s voice was hostile.

‘Who?’

‘Cinderella.’

‘No, Dad. I’ve seen things. I’ve learnt things. We make an excessive profit, share it out in the family and that’s it. What do we give back?’

His father was silent. Brian continued authoritatively.

‘You say my “role in the family” is important because I keep the Porterhouses in the public eye. Can’t I do the same role in a constructive way? Instead of associating the family with wealth and power, why not have us associated with positively supporting our community?’

‘This is how you invent a job in the company, is it boy?’

The term ‘boy’ was derogatory.

‘No, Dad. I don’t care who does the job. I thought it might be something we could discuss. I thought it might benefit us as well as people less fortunate. I never said I was the best person to execute the concept, but from the look on your face, I’m the first person to broach it.’

‘This girl is putting ideas in your head. I’m glad you’ve embraced your charitable duties this week son, but while you can fool the girl, you can’t fool me.’

‘Her name is Faith.’

‘It doesn’t matter what her name is when within a week or two she’ll be yesterday’s news. You’ve got your head in the clouds. Dreamy and unrealistic. I’d be happy for you to prove me wrong, but let’s meet for lunch in six weeks and we’ll talk about this ‘Corporate Responsibility’ see if you’re as interested then. Make an appointment with my PA on your way out.’

Brian knew the conversation and meeting were terminated. His father stared at his computer, not even getting up to say goodbye or let Brian out. Humiliated, he stepped out of the office. The PA’s expression was one of pity.

‘Anything I can do?.’

‘Can you book a meeting with my Dad in six weeks from today? If he’s free.’

The PA knew his father had access to his own diary and felt it cruel to spite his child by making him book his father’s time with a stranger. Unimpressed with her employer, she hastily and efficiently found a space unlikely to clash with any forthcoming meetings or lunches. Sympathetic, to be certain Brian’s appointment couldn’t be evaded, she blocked any entries or modifications to her boss’ diary on that day.

‘I can’t think why your father didn’t do this, he has his own diary,’ she smiled. ‘It must be on the blink. Although between you and me he’s not particularly competent with the electronic diary,’ she said in a stage whisper.

Brian thought her sweet, glossing over his father’s casual snubbing him. Even though he knew she was fully versed with what had happened in the office, he was grateful for the kindness she extended. Printing off a card with the details, she handed it to him.

‘Thanks,’ said Brian. ‘And you have a nice day.’

That a stranger would be considerate with no ulterior motive diminished the effects of his father’s behavior.

He knew where his next stop was.

Chapter Fifteen

Faith was surprised when the doorbell rang, more so when Brian was standing there with flowers and chocolates.

‘Is this twee?’ he asked.

‘It’s old-fashioned, but it’s an acceptable first step if you’re here to make up.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, hugging her close and breathing in the scent of her strawberry shampoo. ‘I wasn’t listening to you at all this morning. I was missing you and all wrapped up in my own fantasies of what I wanted, I didn’t stop to think to realize for a happily ever after, both people have to want the same things.’

Faith’s fresh stream of tears dampened his shirt.

‘Are you guys gonna take that upstairs?’ yelled Gabe from the office.

Brian’s face was relieved as Gabriel’s outburst stopped her bawling. He suspected it had been a calculated move on Gabe’s part.

‘You are totally insensitive at times,’ she shouted, as she took Brian to her flat.

On the bed, Brian let her cry her torn heart out.

‘Brian, I love you. I feel like if I gave you a child with that disorder you might hate us for ruining your life. Hating me I could maybe cope with, but if you hated a child we conceived in love...’

‘Faith, let me ask you something. Sensible head on now. Do you resent Gabe?’

‘No.’

‘Did you resent your Dad?’

‘No, he meant the world to me.’

‘What makes you think I’d feel any different? Any child we have conceived in love, I will always love and be in love with because he or she would be part of you. I know you’re twenty-three and a baby is a frightening prospect. Hanging up on you this morning. Ranting and raving at you with a ‘me, me, me’ approach was unforgivable on my part. If we love each other, we’ve plenty of time for the pieces to come together as and when.’

‘Do you want children Brian?’

‘I do, but only with you.’

‘What if I feel having a child isn’t right?’

‘Do you want children Faith?’

Her sensible head left and the sobbing started. In between her sniffing and whimpering he heard her utter the words ‘I do’.

‘Then we’ll have children. Naturally conceiving a child isn’t the only option available to those people wanting to parent. Surrogates, fostering, adoption. If we want kids and you’re worried about this genetic condition it doesn’t automatically mean we can’t build our own family.’

‘You’d like a family.’

‘I want a family with you. I want to be a part of your family. You and Gabe may be a tiny family unit, but you’re already growing with Sasha and your new niece or nephew. Why can’t you and I be part of that? There’s no pressure. We’ll go at our own pace. What’s right for you is right for me.’

‘Our pace is lightning fast. A week ago I hadn’t even met you.’

‘I know. I want it to continue going well. Shall I take you to the pharmacy? Put your mind at rest? We can plan for a baby at a suitable period in our lives.’

‘No. If you’ve not changed your mind, I think we’ll let fate decide,’ said Faith stretching on the bed like a cat.

‘Women. You’re all alien to me. I’ll never get you, Faith Spires.’

‘Would you want to?’

‘Sometimes, but I guess that’s part of the game.’

They cuddled and kissed on the bed, talking of future plans until Gabe called upstairs.

Walking down as a couple of naughty kids in trouble, neither could face Gabriel.

‘Faith your expert customer service skills are required to deal with a troublesome client.’

‘I’ll shoot off,’ said Brian hoping to go unnoticed.

‘Call me,’ shouted Gabe, as Brian sprinted out the door.

Having dealt with the complicated client, the afternoon sped along smoothly and effectively; a relief to Gabriel who found the love-struck duo hard going of late. Faith’s cell phone rang. She positively glowed when Brian’s name flashed on the screen.

‘Hello Mr. Porterhouse.’

‘Ms. Spires.’

‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’

‘Don’t forget it’s deadline day. We’re to complete the interview. Photo-shoot’s wrapped. It should be significantly less stressful.

‘The photo-shoot was the easy part,’ she reminded him.

‘I know. My Dad was telling me off saying I should prime you for the interview.’

‘I didn’t know you’d spoken to your father.’

‘I saw him earlier today, before visiting you.’

‘You didn’t mention it.’

‘It was no biggie.’

Faith was perturbed Brian hadn’t raised it, given his feelings within his family.

‘Do you think we should practice? Your Dad’s is an expert in his field.’

‘He prints interviews, he rarely partakes,’ scoffed Brian. You’ll be fine. Like I said, remember Paris and speak from your heart. I’ll email the new list of questions. Susie thought to raise the profile of the hospital we could focus on what I’d learnt from winning your bid and the impact it’s had.’

‘Sounds great. I’ll meet you at seven.’

‘As always.’

Arriving at the hospital that evening, Faith was snapped by photographers. The number was by no means comparable to the scene at the nightclub but their presence was unexpected.

Walking through the main reception, feeling instantly safer in familiar surroundings with hospital security, she was greeted by Susie.

‘Sorry,’ apologized Susie straight away.

Faith waited for the explanation.

‘The piece is coming out tomorrow. Since Tuesday people have been digging round on the auction. Discovered he forked out more than quarter of a million bucks hoping to date you. Fortunately because Brian whisked you away early on Wednesday, when the photographers arrived you two had already left. They figured it was a dead end and didn’t bother returning.’

‘You invited the photographers here?’ asked Faith.

‘You have to understand it’s how they make their money. By tomorrow a shot of you and Brian together could be worth a decent sum. After your no show on Wednesday, they couldn’t afford a second chance of no snaps on Thursday. They’d have frequented popular reliable haunts, particularly as Thursday’s a busy night. Anyway, with the glossy out tomorrow, I had to generate interest in love’s young dream. I took the liberty of leaking a few of the Parisian photo’s from Brian’s phone online.’

‘How would people obtain them or know where to look for them?’

‘I’m in PR, Faith. My job is networking and contacts. I know the right bloggers and tweeters to circulate the images to magic tittle-tattle as well as when. Knowing he’s romanced you in Paris, and aware another magazine has the big scoop, the papers and tabloids are out in full force to get what they can from the two of you to compete for sales tomorrow.’

‘Did Brian give you the photos?’

‘Of course not. We had a meeting after he saw you today. I had him assisting a struggling delivery man and used the opportunity to download them from his phone.’

‘Does he know?’

‘Absolutely. He’s furious with me, but he’ll recover. We always patch it up.’

‘Public Relations sounds—’

‘Sleazy, underhanded? To an extent it is, but generally speaking while our occupation isn’t always honorable our intentions to provide for our clients is. Are you cross with me, Faith?’

Susie’s voice faltered. Faith sensed Susie sought her approval. She was intent on nurturing both her and Brian through the love affair that appeared to be playing out in the public eye.

Faith shook her head.

‘No. A heads-up might’ve been nice. They always capture me when I’m at my dowdiest and frumpiest,’ she said in her friendliest tone.

‘Wait till that photo-shoot comes out tomorrow. I’ve agreed the pictures and you are breathtakingly picturesque. Together you’ll be the golden couple everyone will be keen to know all about.’

‘As long as I don’t ruin the interview.’

‘I didn’t like to mention it.’

‘Don’t Susie. I’m going to keep quiet and do what Brian says. Don’t rush my answers and say what I feel; not what I think they want to hear.’

‘Clever girl.’

Faith joined Brian in the Muscular Dystrophy ward, he spent half his time socializing and interacting with patients, and the other half bad-mouthing Susie. The nervous energy built between them.

‘I can’t believe it’s 9pm,’ whined Faith.

‘I can’t believe Susie leaked those pictures and advised the paparazzi where we’d be.’

‘Brian she thought she was helping. Her heart was in the right place.’

‘No. Her business head was. If she’d been acting with her heart she’d have talked it through with me. We could’ve discussed it and made a combined decision. Instead she did whatever she could to bring the paps in, sidelining our feelings. After Tuesday I don’t want you having to deal with that, especially when it’s organized by someone who’s supposed to be on our team. As a beginner you need to be briefed when this attention is directed at us.’

‘Calm down, Brian. You’re getting yourself into an unnecessary state. I wasn’t that phased by the photographers this time. If it works and attracts attention, where’s the harm?’

‘I don’t think it’s right. It’s distasteful,’ he scowled, as they entered the interview room.

‘Feeling better Ms. Spires?’ asked the interviewer cattily.

‘Much better thank you for asking,’ replied Faith ignoring the fake interest in her health.

‘Shall we continue?’

‘Yes, but no rushing. As you know Faith hasn’t been well,’ reminded Susie.

‘I’m sure the trip to Paris improved her health.’

Brian took offense at the jibe; even though it was true. Remembering Paris put Faith in the right frame of mind to tackle the interview.

‘Where we left off, then. Faith, what’s the biggest attraction Brian holds for you?’ asked the interviewer, repeating the question that unraveled Faith only days earlier.

‘The values, morals and ethics he holds dear and inspires in others, certainly in me. His ability to tackle challenges he may not even want to do. He could buy himself out of any situation, but he chooses not to. It would’ve been easy for him to leave the check at the auction and not bother turning up at all this week, but he kept his word and delivered above and beyond what was asked of him. What woman wouldn’t find honor, commitment and reliability appealing?’

‘So money, good-looks and lifestyle hold no attraction?’

Breathing in, Faith prepared herself for combat to battle her own foolish, ignorant comments on Brian the journalist would no doubt have relished throwing in her face.

‘Some women would find them attractive. For me falling in love with Brian had nothing to do with that. It had to do with scratching the service of the boy to reveal the man. People love a villain. The tabloids have chosen to use Brian’s chivalrous behavior against him. By never responding to the published anger of scorned women, he’s deemed a love rat.