Chapter VI

Lowri’s POV

What a turn of events!  I’m a hundred percent certain it’s him…Marc, the guy who was struggling with his drink at Cosmo’s nightclub last Saturday.  But judging from his confused look when I greeted him, he doesn’t remember anything, or me, at all!

It’s too late now. I made a split second decision not to remind him of who I was, just because I really really don’t want to embarrass the CEO of the company I work for and ruin this meeting by making it awkward between us.  It feels dishonest though!  Uuugh, so much for my good deed!

He’ so polished and gentlemanly today.  Not that he was particularly otherwise when we first met, it’s just that the vulnerability then is completely gone now.  He now came across as a man in control of every situation.  I just can’t believe it!  I’ve read all of his CEO reports, followed all of his board meeting decisions.  I hate to admit it but he's breathtakingly good looking; clean lines everywhere; jawline, frame....those  icy blue eyes feel like they're looking into my soul.  His hair isn't quite black, but darker than brown and is styled short but with enough length on the top to be styled  back with product.

We start talking about sales in general, and the latest products coming out.  I’m surprised to find that he’s genuinely interested in the drugs the company makes and how they work to benefit the end user.  I expected him to be more focussed on profit – but then, perhaps it’s a front as I imagine he has to have meetings like this all the time, and wants to give the impression that we’re a caring corporation.

We go from the office to a car that’s waiting outside, and again I’m in for a surprise when he gets into the driver’s seat.  I fully expected that he would be the chauffer driven type.  I hate to admit it, but the level of comfort in his overpriced leather heated seat sportscar was exquisite.  I spent as little as I could when buying my little citycar so that it didn’t impact too much on my savings schedule.  I hate to see the stark difference that money makes.

“The restaurant we’re going to is a bit rustic, but the food is exceptional, and there’s always plenty of it” he says

“Oh that sounds heavenly, I’m starving” I say.

He smiles.

The drive is short, and we walk for only two minutes from the car to a small restaurant.  The exterior of the small building exudes glowing lights (even though its only lunchtime) and has a warm rustic feel to it.  It all looks very high quality but humble at the same time.  Not what I expected at all.  In my mind, when anticipating this lunch before today, I prepped myself to tollerate snooty waiters, pressed white table cloths, and pretending to like the wine samples they always make you try before pouring a glass of wine.  This was…..homely!  The smells of garlic, herbs, spices, were just wonderful.  A tanned man with curly hair and dressed in a black t-shirt and chinos greeted us…

“Marc, good to see you” the tanned man says

They embraced as good friends would

“Tony, how are you?” Marc says.

“Good my friend, good.  Who have we got here?” this Tony asks

“Hiya, I’m Lowri, Marc’s my boss” I say.

“Good to meet you Lowri.  Come both, sit, I’ll bring you some wine.  It’ll be red for you Marc yeah?”

“Yeah, my usual please Tony” Marc says

“And you Lowri?” Tony asks me.

“Oh I’d love a glass of red too thanks”

They both look surprised.  Then Tony leaves us with the menus as he disappears to get the wine.

“Was it something I said?” I ask "he looked surprised that I wanted red wine, as did you...uh, Sir...I mean, Marc"

“No, no, it’s just a private wine joke” he laughs “it’s utterly childish, I wouldn’t want your opinion of me damaged by explaining the joke”

“Oh well, now you have to say!  Me and my friends have a rule that we can’t say that we have a story and then say at the same time that we can’t impart the story, it’s just cruel!”

He seems to struggle, as if he was deciding whether I was someone who would take offence when told a dirty joke or a blonde joke.  I don’t.  I was raised by farmers, I’ve heard far worse.

“Ok, well, it’s not particularly funny…”he pauses.  “ I’ll tell you what, I’ll tell you our private joke after we’ve ordered the food.”

“Ok, deal” I say.  I’m intrigued.

 “Are you having a starter?  I’m going to give it a miss just because I plan on having a large main, but please go ahead” Marc says.

“No I think I’ll save myself for dessert”.

Tony comes back with two glasses and a bottle of red and pours us two glasses.

“It’s good, I promise” he says.

“I believe you.  I’m just relieved I don’t have to do the awkward sampling act”

They both laugh heartily.  This is nice, and so relaxed for middle of the day lunch with the boss!

“Do we know what we’re having?”

“Everything sounds lush.  What’s good here?” I ask them both.

“Well my friend here always goes for the steak, but the fish is fresh, and the salads are good too”

“Oooh I’d love a steak too, is the rib-eye good?”

Tony looks at me with a bemused look on his face, and sly eyes Marcus before saying

“It’s to die for.  What would you like with it?”

“I see you do dauphinoise potatoes, I’d love some please”

The bemused look is still there.

“The usual for me please Tony” Marc says.  He too has a knowing smile.  What is up with these guys?

“So, boss, the private joke?” I ask Marc daringly.

“Ugh I’d hoped you’d forget.  Well…I’ve been coming here for years.  I have quite an appetite, and a lot of the classy establishments I find just don’t do that well when it comes to portions.  Over the years….I’ve had the odd dinner date, or had to take another lady executive out to lunch…that type of thing you know?”

“Uh-huh, I think I know” I tease.

“Tony’s become a good friend, and well uh, he made an observation a few years ago, that well, umm…none of my lady friends ever drink anything other than white wine or sparkling water, he supposes as not to stain their pearly whites, and they never eat anything with more than a handful of calories…like the salads”  He looks up to check my face.

“and for a while….we would wager on the issue….but I seemed to always lose…so we no longer wager on it……so you see, when you ordered red wine, steak and potatoes dauphinoise, which  by the way, are out of this world decadent,….well, it somewhat broke the trend, particularly as you’re not particularly….ummm…”

“fat?” I interrupted.

“No, well, um, yes, if I'm honest” 

“Pahahaha…oh dear, you’ve been keeping some miserable company over the years then?” I say

He smiles whilst exhaling as if relieved.

“I was starting to wonder whether I’d been foolish in telling you this story, but you’ve got a sense of humour, thank god, or I was starting to worry that I’d find myself in the employment tribunal for inappropriate comments to an employee”.

“Haaah, my parents are farmers, so I was not raised to take offence….or to live off fresh air” I smile.

We chat and eat and enjoy the wine.  Then Tony comes over.

“How was it?”

“Oh my god it was amazing.  I couldn’t stop myself finishing all the potatoes, and the steak was cooked just as I ordered, thank you so much.”

“I’m glad, it really pleases me when good company enjoys my food.”  He keeps his eyes down as he collects our plates and asks “any desserts?”

“I’ve told her about our private joke Tony”  Marcus says

“You didn’t?!  Do you hate us Lowri?”

“Pahaha….a little bit….nah I’m just kidding.  Well I was fancying the sticky toffee pudding but now I’m worried that I’m feeding some stereoptype for you guys to start betting on again!”

They both laugh.

“The sticky toffee is a good choice.  Anything for you my friend?” Tony asked Marc.

“You know I can’t resist the chocolate fondant”.

“Coming up.”said Tony.