White Chocolate Moments (21 page)

"How was it?" Jalaina asked the moment the two were home together that night.

"Oh, boy:' Arcineh said, dropping into a kitchen chair. "Everyone is wonderful except Patrice

"Well, can you avoid her?"

"She's in charge of all of us."

"How many?"

"Victoria is at the desk in the lobby. Mallory is what I am, only with more responsibilities, and I haven't figured out what Felicity is, but she's all over the place, fixing this and changing that. I even met some of the executive officers, including the owner."

"What was he like?'

"Younger than I expected and very good-looking."

Jalaina suddenly looked disgruntled.

"What's the matter?"

"He's good-looking, and you have to go looking like an old maid. There's no justice!'

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"It wouldn't matter. Patrice has claimed him, and you know how I feel about competition:'

Jalaina shrugged in her prosaic way and told her the pizza was almost out of the oven.

A week passed before Arcineh saw Gage again, this time waiting for the freight elevator on the first floor. Arcineh had had to take boxes downstairs, and she'd been told not to go through the downstairs lobby. She had her eyes on the numbers over the door when he came up.

Arcineh glanced and said, "Hello, Mr. Sefton."

"Gage is fine," he wasted no time in saying, working to remember her name. "Darcy, is it?"

"No, it's Arcie, no
D."

"Is it short for something?"

"Yes, it is:' Arcineh said, her mouth going silent and her eyes back to the numbers.

Gage stared at her profile. He was surprised but also a little amused that she didn't elaborate. Gage turned just enough to study her without being caught, finding her oddly curious but also familiar.

The elevator arrived, and Arcineh stood back.

"I can wait:' Arcineh said when he didn't move.

"There's no need:' Gage said, his hand going out.

Arcineh went in, pushed the number she needed and stood as far in the corner as she could manage.

"Have we met somewhere else?" Gage asked.

"I don't think so," Arcineh said, careful to look at him only as long as she had to. However, she did wonder if he'd ever been to Bryant or to some social gathering her grandfather had carted her off to. There hadn't been that many, and right now they were all a blur.

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Thankfully the doors opened onto the floor where she had to return the cart, and she had an excuse to leave.

"Goodbye Arcineh said, not trying to maintain eye contact or anything else. He really was too good-looking. She had to get away before she started to gawk.

February turned into March, and March faded into April. Arcineh found that the job was filled with a lot of grunt work and insignificant little tasks, but it was also different every day. And in the process, Arcineh was learning something about the sunglass trade. Rugby had several different lines--sport, bike, and ski among them--and then the new frames they came out with each year and sold for a pretty penny in the finest department stores all over the world.

And if rumor could be trusted, a new Italian line was being talked about. Arcineh had only overheard some of this and knew better than to ask, but the idea fascinated her. She would have enjoyed seeing pictures of what they had in mind.

The only fly in all of this was Patrice. Some days she was a little kind, but most days she was demanding and cold. If Gage was in the room, she watched the women like a hawk. Arcineh had no plans to do anything with Gage Sefton, but just knowing that Patrice suspected her made her look and act guilty.

For a time she feared she could lose her job, but then Patrice seemed to relax a little. Arcie had never so much as been in Gage's office, and then one day Patrice needed her to find backup documentation and had her work on a stack of files in his empty office.

Arcineh kept to the task at hand, not allowing herself to even glance around. And the office was worth a second look. Once again, she was reminded of Sam Bryant, who enjoyed open spaces. Gage's

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desk was huge, but so was his office, paneled in dark mahogany, with windows that had a stunning view of the lake.

Reading in files for specific wording, Arcineh worked steadily along on Gage's long sofa until close to the end of the day. With only 30 minutes left to closing, Gage and Patrice came into the room.

"Arcie," Patrice began, "we have a huge favor to ask of you. We have to have that file you're looking for tomorrow. Is there any way you could work late?"

"Sure," Arcineh agreed, mentally planning to call Jalaina. "Great:'

Arcineh watched the two of them go back to talking and even leave the room. Gage then came back on his own.

"Okay, do you have a car we have to see to?" he asked her. "A car?"

"Yes. Security won't want it left in the lot:'

"Are we going somewhere?" Arcineh asked.

"Oh:' He was momentarily nonplussed. "Didn't Patrice tell you? I have an apartment just a few blocks away that we use. We'll go there and work:'

Arcineh had never heard of such a thing, but she had no reason to say no, and not even a car to take care of. Less than 15 minutes later, she found herself in Gage's car. He navigated traffic, pulled into the underground parking of a posh apartment building, and took her to the penthouse. Again Arcineh wanted to look around, but Gage had put the files onto the coffee table, and Arcineh knew she was to go right back to work. She did, at the last minute, remember Jalaina.

"May I use your phone?"

"Of course Gage said, telling her where it was in the kitchen. "I'll just head out and find us some food. What do you like?" "Anything is fine:'

Arcineh made her call, not allowing Jalaina to ask too many questions, and then went back to the files. She read carefully, but she'd been reading all day, and her eyes were growing weary. It was good to have Gage return with food--huge burgers and fries, and

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chocolate shakes. He tucked into his like a man starving, and Arcineh read and ate at the same time. Not until Gage had finished his food did he speak.

"Are you sure we haven't met?"

"Yes:' Arcineh said as she glanced up just briefly and then went back to the paper.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-one:" Again just a glance and back to work.

"Are you from Chicago?"

Arcineh set the page down and looked at him. Gage saw the move and smiled.

"I'm interrupting:'

"Just a little:'

"But you work for me Gage said lightly, wanting to tease a smile from this woman, although he didn't know why.

"Be that as it may, I'll probably be the one who will have to explain to Patrice why I couldn't find the file. You won't be in trouble, but I will:'

"Good point:' Gage agreed, and Arcineh almost laughed. She stopped herself by picking up another file. From her periphery, she watched Gage reach for a file as well. They worked along for three hours like this but came up with nothing. They took another break at 8:30. Gage found some Oreos in the kitchen, and even some fresh milk. At close to 9:00, Gage changed chairs, taking a more comfortable position. He was asleep before 10:00. Arcineh was tired, very much so, but since she had no way to get anywhere, she continued to read.

She had no idea what time it was, but Gage was suddenly waking her.

"Arcie," he said softly. "Here, get up:'

Arcineh did as she was told, completely disoriented.

"Come this way" Gage was leading her down a hall. "Here he stopped at a door, reached around the corner, and put on the light. "Climb into bed and get some sleep:'

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"I'd better go:' a very disoriented Arcineh said.

"It's all right. No one will disturb you here:'

Arcineh felt his hand on her back, and then the door was being shut behind her. Arcineh's brain was so fuzzy she barely knew what to think, but that bed looked amazing. She had the presence of mind to lock the door. From there she undressed, climbed into bed in her underwear, and fell into a dead sleep.

The clock read 6:26 when Arcineh woke up. For a moment she couldn't believe she'd spent the night there, but only for a moment. Not caring if it would land her in trouble or not, Arcineh took a quick shower in the bathroom that adjoined the room and climbed back into her clothes. She hated not having a toothbrush and putting dirty clothes on a clean body, but on the chance she was headed back to the office for the day, she knew she had to be clean.

Momentarily forgetting her hair and glasses, Arcineh headed out to the living room and found all quiet. Sitting down on the sofa, she began to read again. It was going smoothly when Gage came in through the front door.

"I was being so quiet, and you're already up:' he said congenially, breakfast obviously in the bag in his hand. "How about some coffee?"

"Thank you:' Arcineh said, taking the offered cup and going back to her reading. Gage sat back in his place, but it took some time for Arcineh to realize he wasn't doing anything more than staring at her.

"Did you say there was breakfast?" Arcineh tried, suddenly realizing what a position she'd landed herself in.

"Yes!" Gage began to unpack the sack he'd brought in. He'd no more finished this when the phone rang.

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Working like a magician, Arcineh got her hair and glasses into place in record time. She was eating and reading when he came back, looking as she always did.

Gage said nothing else, and Arcineh didn't find him watching her again. An hour later, she located the documentation they were looking for.

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Chapter Fourteen

Arcineh didn't see much of Gage on a regular basis. He seemed very busy, and Arcineh wasn't even sure he came to the office each day. But as the time drew closer for the July meeting with Siena Designs, Arcineh became more interested in the business. She finished her lunch early one day and was sitting in the lobby reading a brochure on Rugby Shades. She hadn't realized that the name came from Gage's love of the sport. Arcineh was completely into the brochure when Gage sat down next to her.

"What do you think of the new line?" he asked.

"Are these just out?"

"Hitting the stores next week:'

"I think they're beautiful:'

"What's your favorite?"

Arcineh studied the frames and chose a classy pair that the old Arcineh could have afforded.

"We have similar taste Gage said, still wondering what it was about this woman, who quietly did her work and didn't bother anyone but who seemed needy to him. She was just short of mousy in her

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manner, and he knew she could look better with a different hairstyle. But even as she was, Gage found her interesting. He could also tell she was intelligent and wondered where she'd gone to school.

Arcineh had a few more questions about the glasses in the brochure, and Gage answered them, clearly excited about his work. It was then that she noticed him staring again. She knew that Patrice was somewhere around and didn't want her to gain the wrong idea.

"I think you're trying to place me again:' she said quietly, "but I really don't think we've met. I'm sure I would remember'

"Let me see you without your glasses again. What do you look like?"

"I think the same Arcineh said with a shrug, hoping she was convincing and knowing she could never take them off. She was not stuck on herself, but having Patrice know she was more attractive than she appeared would make for a miserable time in the workplace.

Arcineh suddenly looked at the clock.

"I've got to get back to work."

Gage nodded, not sure what he'd seen on her face and wishing she would meet his eyes more. Arcineh wasn't thinking about Gage. Patrice had come upon them, and she did not look happy at all.

"You have done nothing but sit all evening Jalaina charged Arcineh. "You didn't even go to dance."

"I can miss a night:' Arcineh said, knowing it was a weak excuse.

"What's going on?"

Arcineh told her about what happened with Gage and Patrice--a short version, but she got the point.

"Can you believe it?" Arcineh added. "I think he might be a little interested even when I'm not dressed up, and I can't get near the man:'

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"And you want to?"

Arcineh's eyes closed. "I have a crush on my boss. Is that the stupidest thing you've ever heard or what?"

"What if you saw him outside of the office?" Jalaina asked, wanting to find a way to help. "Maybe we could find out where he grocery shops and
run into
him:'

Arcineh laughed at her friend's wide eyes and exaggerated voice, but funny as she found it, she knew it was the last thing she would do. The crush would have to remain a secret because Gage Sefton was a closed door.

"What did you do to get on Patrice's wrong side?" Mallory asked five days later.

"I think she saw Gage talking to me and took it the wrong way:"

"Just ride it out:' that lady said sympathetically. "It happened to me when I first got here. It helped when I got a boyfriend and she saw that I had no designs on Gage'

"Thanks, Mallory:' Arcineh said and meant it.

Patrice had been nothing short of rude to Arcineh for the last several days. Arcineh thought she could take it but suddenly found herself comparing Patrice and Quinn. It crossed her mind to try and talk to Patrice, but that had never worked with Quinn and she wasn't willing to try.

She also needed this job. Will had finally popped the question, and Jalaina was to be married by the end of the year. Arcineh was thrilled for her friend, but it put a new weight on her that hadn't been there before. And it wasn't as easy as finding another roommate. Arcineh liked the one she had and had no desire to replace her.

Taking Mallory's advice, Arcineh began the process of
riding it out
and hoped she would survive.

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The big day had finally come. The conference room was ready, and Patrice was strung as tight as a bow. Arcineh was in trouble for everything, but she knew she wasn't making mistakes. She was only thankful she'd sat through some other meetings and knew just how Patrice wanted things done.

It took everything Arcineh had inside not to turn and talk to these five Italian men when they arrived in the large conference room. There was a translator--they had brought their own--and some had decent English skills, but Arcineh understood every word they said and naturally wanted to talk to them in Italian. She also knew it would be the very last thing she could do.

When the meeting finally got underway, Arcineh forced herself not to attend, but to keep an eye on Patrice and the physical needs of those present--pens, pads of paper, glasses, and water pitchers. And it hadn't turned out to be so painful. When Patrice had described this part of the job, Arcineh had not been thrilled, but she liked taking care of small details.

Arcineh was thinking about that when something registered in her mind. The translator had just gotten something wrong. Arcineh began to listen. At first she wondered if it was her not paying attention but soon knew better.

Moving as quietly as she could manage, Arcineh found a small scrap of paper and wrote a note to Patrice. She did not mince words. The note said,
Something is wrong.
Moving subtly, she folded it and put it in front of Patrice, who read it and then turned to frown at Arcineh. Arcineh kept her face impassive, but her brows rose when Patrice looked at her.

The meeting moved on. Arcineh had to go and collect something from Gage's office, but when she returned, she caught more talk of deceit. Arcineh began to watch the translator and knew in an instant

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that he was not comfortable with what he was doing. The man was sweating.

Feeling she had no choice, Arcineh wrote another note:
They are planning to cheat Rugby Shades.
Again she watched Patrice read the note, but this time that lady didn't even turn. For a time her back was stiff with rage, but she did not look in Arcineh's direction. Not until they took a break did Arcineh know how poorly she had failed.

"What do you think you're doing?" Patrice asked in the now- empty meeting room, her face looking as though she was going to have a stroke.

"Patrice, I'm sorry, but they are not telling the truth:"

"And how could you possibly know that?"

"Well, I--" Arcineh began, but Patrice cut her off.

"Do you have any idea how quickly I could have you fired? Gage does whatever I say, and you had better remember that:'

Arcineh stood helpless. Like being swept back into some cruel time warp, Arcineh looked at Patrice but saw Quinn's face. The words were different, but the intent was all the same.

"I'm sorry" was all Arcineh said, remembering Mallory's words about the money.

"See that you are," Patrice gritted out, turned, and stalked away.

The meetings went back into session, and Arcineh heard more subtle half-truths and lies, but she kept her mouth shut and sent no more notes. This was one battle she was not going to fight.

Things went from bad to worse in the weeks that followed. Patrice did everything in her power to make Arcineh miserable, and it worked. Arcineh dreaded work each day and tried to find times to study the job board when no one would be around to notice.

However, she never had a chance to apply for another position.

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The final straw came in the form of a four-year-old boy, whose mother had a meeting with Gage. Arcineh was flabbergasted that this woman would bring a child to a business meeting, and even more so when she was asked by Patrice to babysit the child in the conference room. Arcineh acquiesced, but only out of fear of losing her job.

Christopher was a handful from the first moment. He tried to get out the door repeatedly, and the longer Arcineh spurned his efforts, the more agitated he got. Her attempts to have him draw or look out the window were all rebuffed, and the first time he kicked her, Arcineh was so stunned she could barely move.

And that was just the beginning. Before Christopher's mother returned for him, Arcineh's face had been hit several times, her leg was bleeding, and she had two bite marks on her arm.

The child's mother thanked her in a distracted way, never really looking at her, and took her son away. Arcineh stood alone in the conference room for a long time and weighed her options.

The office was large enough that it was unusual for everyone to be in the same place at the same time. But when Arcineh came from the conference room, slipping into the break room to get her purse, everyone was in Patrice's office. Arcineh got her purse and began to walk past them.

"Arcie?" Mallory was the first to spot her face.

Arcineh did not so much as look at the other woman. She was out the door and halfway to the elevator when Gage caught up. "Arcie," he said, stopping her with a hand to her arm.

Arcineh paused only long enough to tell Gage not to touch her. The moment he let go, she went right back to walking. She was at the elevator in just seconds, the button pushed, when he stepped in front of her.

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"You can't leave. You're hurt"

"Get out of the way," Arcineh said, even though the elevator had not arrived.

"Please listen to me," Gage was saying when Arcineh began to step around him. He made the mistake of reaching for her arm again.

"Step off!" Arcineh spat at him, her voice low with rage.

Gage looked into dark, furious eyes and did just as she said. Keeping his hands to himself, he tried asking her to stay, but Arcineh wouldn't even look at him. Gage made a move to join her in the elevator, but the look she gave him was so hateful he stopped.

The rest of the office had come to the middle of the lobby to witness all of this, their eyes large with surprise and upset. Had she known it, it might have been a comfort to Arcineh to know that even Patrice was shaking, realizing this time she'd gone too far.

Gage watched Patrice hang up the phone again.

"Same thing the woman said. "That number has been disconnected, and there's no posted change

"Get me her address and directions to the place -Gage said, heading to his office to gather some things. "And keep working on the number. Call the phone company"

More than two hours later, Gage sat outside of Nicky Ciofani's house, having gotten lost twice. Gage climbed from his car and went to the front door. He had prepared so many things to say that he felt let down when no one was home. He knocked for 10 minutes and even sat for another 15 in his car, hoping she would show up.

Eventually Gage gave up and returned to the office, thinking there was nothing else he could do.

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Arcineh took a day to lick her wounds, but when work ended for Nicky the next evening, he arrived home to find Arcineh sitting in the living room, talking to Libby.

"Arcie!" he shouted with delight, coming to hug her, but he stopped short when he saw the bruises around her eye. All pleasure drained away, and Nicky's face became stern.

"What happened to you, baby girl?"

"It's a long story:'

"Who is he? I swear I'll kill him. I swear I will:'

"Nicky." His wife's voice finally got through. "It wasn't a man. Arcie knows better than that. Sit down and she'll tell you:'

Arcineh didn't start at the beginning but gave enough details to satisfy Jalaina's brother. "So the truth of the matter is, I'm out of a job, Nicky. Any chance you can use me?" she finished.

"As a matter of fact:' Nicky started, looking very pleased over what he was thinking. "I've got a special job starting after Labor Day. I could use your perfectionist little hands:'

Arcineh was pleased and even laughed at his description, but the date he'd named was a month away, which meant no paycheck for six weeks. She would not go back and get what Rugby owed her, no matter how bad things got. She settled her mind for a lean month to come, and when Libby invited her for dinner, she accepted.

"Do you want more salad?" Jalaina Schafer asked of Arcineh when she had her friend over for lunch. Will and Jalaina were back from their honeymoon and settled into a spacious apartment.