Chapter Three

As Gemma and Nicky got out of the elevator, everyone in the office seemed to be on high alert. As they passed the receptionist, she looked almost as if something was going to jump at her. She was fiddling with something on her table, but Gemma could see her mind was elsewhere.

"You, ok?" Gemma asked the receptionist as she looked around.

"They say Mr Thornton should be here any second and they say he is a ruthless man. Oh Gemma, I am really not looking forward to meeting him. We have all worked so well together and I am so happy in my job. What is he doesn’t like me or wants another receptionist? I can’t lose my job! "

"Mr Thornton?" Nicky asked

"The new CEO. He isn't here yet, but Security said he's parked his car already, so he should be coming up the elevator at any moment now."

"Ah" Nicky replied and just shook her head.

"Take a deep breath and relax. No one is losing their jobs. Just be yourself, and you have absolutely nothing to worry about! You are the perfect receptionist, and I will fight for you, so please, breath and be good at what you do. And remember, he is still only a man" Gemma winked at the receptionist.

"Let's get to our offices before he comes in." Gemma said to Nicky who just smiled and shook her head again.

"Ok, good luck for today. Remember to give him your best smile ever!" Nicky waived at the receptionist as they walked away.

"What have you heard about the new CEO?" Nicky asked Gemma as they got to her office first.

"Not much, just that he's very strict and merciless when it comes to the job. He's a very wealthy man with no heart. His father owns a few other major oil companies all over the world and he gave a few to his son. This is the first company that he's taking over by himself. I think they said he's thirty-nine or so and already a billionaire."

Gemma opened her office door and put her laptop bag down.

"Well, we'll see for ourselves a bit later what this infamous Mr Thornton looks like. For all we know he has two heads! Oh, how bad could he be, as you said, he is still only a man." Nicky laughed as she pulled a face at Gemma who couldn't help but laugh with. Always leave it to spontaneous outspoken Nicky to see the funny side of things!

“A very wealthy man, with no heart. How bad could it be…? Nicky, we must work with this man. I have always loved my job and I love coming into the office! I don’t want things to change, and I certainly don’t want a boss breathing fire.”  

“Gemma, must I be the one telling you now to breath and relax? We haven’t even met the man yet, and you are already in overdrive! Tell that brain of yours to focus on the task ahead please. Like starting your emails, doing what needs to be done on a Monday morning. Hey, my friend, please don’t look so worried, it will give you wrinkles!” Nicky walked over to the window and the early sun raise threw little sparkles on the wall.

“Yes, but I will be the one working closely with him, having weekly meetings… I can handle difficult men; I just really don’t want a rude boss. I might somewhere say something that might be better left unsaid. You know I don’t always keep my mouth shut when I should.”

“And on that note my darling friend, I am leaving you. Let me get to my own office before the dragon breaths fire on me and I evaporate into thin air!” Nicky turned on her heal and through her hands dramatically in the air making little circle movements as she walked to the door. That made Gemma smile and she sat down, waiting for her laptop to start.

It was a Monday morning as usual and there were quite a few emails that Gemma had to work through. There were three new audits that they needed to get started on that week and she still needed to finalise some financial reports that the one MD of one of her clients had asked for last week. Gemma really loved her job. It had its challenges but nothing that she couldn't handle. Gemma knew that her experience was greatly appreciated in the company.

As Gemma started working though her emails, her phone rang, and it was Kyle.

"Hey, babes, you safely at work?"

"Yes, thanks. And thank you for this morning. You always make me feel better. And this morning felt so special having you there and part of Skye's big day."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, you know how special that baby girl is to me"

"I know, but I just wanted to thank you again, I know it really meant a lot to her"

"Has the new CEO arrived?"

"Nope, haven't seen or heard anything from him. But everyone in the office seems to be walking on eggshells. They seem to have forgotten that he's still only a man." Gemma smiled into the phone.

"Nicky asked if we're still on for our double date on Friday." Nicky asked as she opened the drawer to take out a file.

"Yes sure, would be nice to see her and James again. You just need to remember to ask Jacky to look after Skye." Kyle said with a smile in his voice.

"Yes, I'll message her now and arrange it so long." Gemma made a note on her desktop pad to message Jacky.

"Ok great. I must go, my next client has just arrived. Chat later, babes"

"Good luck, chat later" and Gemma hung up the phone.

Gemma received an email notification that there would be a finance meeting in the boardroom in half an hour. Gemma needed to have all the latest financial reports of the company ready and presentable for the new CEO.

Why a finance meeting first? Gemma thought to herself...  Surely, he should have a staff meeting first and introduce himself to everyone?

Gemma rushed to get all the files and reports ready. She went to make copies and put a few sets together just in case there were any more surprises that she needed to be prepared for. Gemma didn't like being caught off guard and she liked things in order, to have everything neatly in place and to run smoothly. That was one of the reasons why Gemma had been promoted to Finance Manager. She was always on time with her reporting and her clients were always happy. She still had her clients from her previous role as an accountant. So being Finance Manager of the company was a tall order, but Gemma always loved a challenge. The CEO that had resigned had always complimented her and she had already received a few performance bonuses in the past year. Gemma couldn't help but wonder if the new CEO would be making various changes to the structure of the business.

Gemma was finished just in time with all the sets of finances for the meeting. As she rushed to the boardroom in her high heels, she cursed herself for wearing such a tight dress today. She almost fell over her own two feet as she opened the boardroom door with all the sets of copies in her hands. She quickly recovered and softly excused herself for almost being late. She took her usual chair at the end of the table and just silently breathed and counted to ten. As she relaxed, she had a look around and greeted everyone silently with a nod. Gemma always struggled to be 'the strict Finance Manager'. She liked just being one of the staff, but she knew that the title didn't come without certain boundaries when it came to being too friendly with anyone. Keep things professional was always best. She got along with all the staff and everyone working under her knows she has an ‘open door policy’ Yes, there has been the odd occasion that she had to give someone a warning or a slap on the wrist, but they always respected her and her authority.

Gemma looked silently at Nicky seated next to her and gave her the copies to pass around. Mr Thornton had not yet arrived, and everyone talked amongst themselves of what they had done during the weekend. Gemma realised again that they were such a special group of people. Suddenly, the boardroom door opened, and it was as if the temperature dropped a few degrees. Everyone went silent and Gemma was sure she would be able to hear a needle drop.

Gemma looked up and froze when she saw him...

It was HIM...!

The sperm donor from five years ago...

As Grant stepped into the boardroom, he could feel everyone looking at him. There was a dead silence. He had been waiting so long for this, his own company without his dad being involved.

He walked with confidence to his chair at the head of the table and his attention was immediately drawn to the dark-haired beauty sitting at the other side of the table. She looked like she had just seen a ghost and that made him wonder if he had met her somewhere before. He frowned as he took a seat. Did they know each other from somewhere? He was pretty sure he would remember a face like that. He really hoped she wasn't like one of the many women who threw themselves at him. Sometimes he would take them up on their offers, have a one-night stand. But by the next morning he would've already forgotten their names... There was something about this woman that intrigued him. He had to really concentrate to get his thoughts under control and back to the meeting.

"Good day, everyone. As you all know, I am Grant Thornton, the new CEO of Fenns Incorporated. You might wonder why I called for a finance meeting first. Well, money is always at the top of the list. That's what makes the world go 'round. I need to know where we stand financially at this point in time.”

Grant liked to get straight down to business and patience had never been one of his strong points. No one made an attempt to start speaking…

"Would anyone like to start filling me in? I don't like to wait." Everyone could hear the growing irritation in his voice.

Gemma thought how his face had not changed at all in the last five years. His photo didn't do him justice though, and he was even more breathtakingly handsome in person. Those deep blue eyes more beautiful in real life than what she could ever have imagined. Gemma could see that he was very well built beneath that grey suit and wondered what he would look like without it. She had to stop her thoughts from wondering. What was wrong with her?? She could feel her face going red and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hmm, sorry." Gemma cleared her throat and stood up and straightened her skirt. She tried her very best not to look uncomfortable.

"Good day, Mr Thornton. I am Gemma Leroy, Finance Manager of Fenns Inc."

"Is something wrong, Mrs Leroy? You look like you've seen a ghost" Something about this woman was intriguing to Grant.

"Nothing's wrong" Gemma tried very hard to keep her voice from shaking.

"The floor is yours, Mrs Leroy. Impress me..." And Grant could not help but wonder what this woman's skin would feel like beneath his touch.

"Firstly, it's Miss Leroy. Secondly, I would like to start by welcoming you to the company."

"Thank you, Miss Leroy" And Grant put some emphasis on the Miss. He didn't understand why that made him feel better, knowing that she wasn't married...

"Now, can we get to the point please, the finances, Miss Leroy."

"I have made copies for every one of the latest financials. The company is doing very well and has shown solid growth on a month-to-month basis. Year to-date has increased with 46% in Revenue from year to-date from the previous financial year."

"Thank you. And the cash flow report. How is the cash flow looking?"

"We have a very strong cash flow, and we have a substantial amount in the Investment account."

"Sounds like you know what you're doing. I am sure you're the best one for the job. I would like to have a private meeting later with you to bring me up to speed on what is happening in the different departments."

"A, a private meeting?" Gemma could not help but stutter.

"Is there a problem, Miss Leroy?" Grant looked like he was enjoying seeing how uncomfortable she was becoming.

Everyone else around the table looked at Gemma and she could feel those deep blue eyes burning into her. Gemma could feel Nicky's suspicious look and all Gemma could do was keep her head up and keep her focus.

"No, no problem. Just let me know when you would like to have the meeting Mr Thornton."

"As soon as possible."

"I will check my schedule for the rest of the week and let you know." This was the first time Gemma asked herself why she was the Finance Manager... Why couldn't anyone else do the meetings with him. She knew she would have to work closely with him as that was what was required from her as the FM.  She thought about what Nicky had joked about in her office earlier. It would have been so much better if he maybe just had two heads! She could have dealt with that, but THIS…? HIM? She already started thinking how she would be his first call whenever finances came up. And finances came up ALL the time.

"Thank you all for coming, I'll send an email to all of you with a report and a schedule of what is to happen in the next few days. I would like to bring my own team of experts on board just to look things over."

His own team of experts?? Gemma could not help but think what that meant. They were all qualified people sitting around this table. But Gemma would not dream of asking him in front of everyone what he meant by that or what he would like them to 'look over'. But that will be a question for their meeting… Their private meeting…

As everyone stood up to leave the boardroom, Nicky looked at Gemma with big question marks and Gemma knew that her best friend would really like to know what had just happened. Gemma stood up, feeling that her palms were hot and sweaty as she rubbed her palms on her upper legs to straighten her skirt once again. The boardroom felt very hot suddenly and she needed to get out of there very quickly. She picked up her files and walked to the door. She could feel his eyes on her the whole time and wondered why he was staring at her. His eyes never left her for a second as she walked out.

Grant could not help but notice again how uncomfortable she had looked, and he wondered if she knew how sexy she looked in that suite. All professional and corporate. She had brains and looks, it was very rare in a woman to have both in his experience. He could see every curve and he liked what he saw. He couldn't keep his eyes off her as she left the boardroom and the way her hips swayed, all he wanted to do was pull her close and feel how she would react beneath his touch. There was something about this woman. And for the first time in a few years, Grant wanted to get to know a woman and not just for a one night... He wanted to see what was under every layer, and he did not just mean her clothes…  

Gemma knew as she walked to her office with Nicky very close on her heels, that she would need to stay as far away from the new CEO as she possibly could. She thought about Skye and how much she looked like him!! Her daughter, her precious daughter. Well, Gemma got her wish! When she picked him to be the sperm donor, she wanted her baby to have his features, well, her baby girl had them!

Skye... Gemma's needed to go and fetch her after school in an hour's time. The office had a crèche and aftercare facility which had been a life saver over the years, on more times than Gemma could remember. And it had always been a joy to be able to pop in and see her daughter during the day since she was a baby. It has made things easier for her and Skye. Having her close by.

And then it felt as if someone had just thrown a bucket of ice-cold water over her as reality struck her. What if he saw Skye?? If anyone saw the two of them in one room, there would be some questions asked! No one would be able to miss the resemblance between the two of them. Gemma did not want to think about that now... But she had to. Was this a sick joke that the universe was playing on her? Did she do something wrong?! Why is this happening?? Gemma could feel a headache coming on and started rubbing her temples as she put the files down on her desk.

"What just happened?!" Nicky asked, as she closed the door.

Gemma turned around and she had a very worried look on her face. She almost felt sick to her stomach.

"It’s HIM!" Gemma could not keep her voice from shaking a bit as she felt the colour drain from her face.

"It's who?" Nicky had no idea what or who Gemma was talking about as she looked at her best friend.

"It's the sperm donor from five years ago. It's Skye's 'biological father'..."