Twelve Days: The Beginning Part 10

"Yeah, I did," she said, "but I was hoping to catch Cole and he's not in his office. Apparently he's with Vaughn but he doesn't appear to live in his office anymore, I wondered if you had any idea what was going on?"

"Oh right, yeah" replied Stephen "Vaughn moved upstairs this morning something about more privacy you'll find him in one of the offices at the far end. Are you sure you want to go bursting in though?"

"What do you mean?" she asked "I only want to speak to Cole; Vaughn can think what he likes it's not as if it matters to him what I do."

"Ok, Elise you tell yourself whatever works." Stephen laughed and picked up the phone to make another call.

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Elise headed up the stairs to the Directors' floor. She had only ever been here once before, and as she climbed the stairs she had to fight the urge to run back down again, telling herself she was going to see Cole that was all.

Taking Stephen's advice, she headed to the offices at the far end of the floor and was unsurprised to find Vaughn's nameplate now adorning the room that they had shared their first kiss in on Friday. Figured. She didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted.

She opted for neither emotion and instead decided to focus on Cole and seeing him again. Hesitantly she knocked on the door as she was unable to see in, the blinds being drawn across all the windows. Momentarily, the command to 'enter' was issued and she pushed open the door, frowning at her nervousness and trying to quell the shake in her legs. This was utterly ridiculous!

Vaughn was seated at his desk and looked up as she entered, a guarded smile on his face when he realised it was her. Cole was sitting opposite him and swivelled around, his face lighting up when he set eyes on her. Although he looked a lot better, he still bore some of the scars from Friday and she wanted to go over and touch them and kiss them better for him.

"Miss Grayson what can we do for you?" the voice was its usual deeply s.e.xy rumble and she struggled to maintain her focus. Cole looked across at Vaughn questioningly as if wondering why he used the formal version of her name.

"I......I...." she stuttered For G.o.d's sake Elise, pull yourself together! She admonished. Taking a deep breath she tried again. "I wanted to see if Cole, I mean Mr Andrews, was free for lunch but I can see that he is busy I'm sorry to have troubled you." She started backing out of the door, mentally cursing herself for even putting herself in this position.

"Hey Elise wait," it was Cole, "I'm sure we can take a break for a while?" He looked enquiringly at Vaughn.

Vaughn paused and seemed to consider, his eyes raking over her appearance. Today she was wearing her light beige dress suit made of a warm wool mix which was both comfortable and flattering, especially at this time of year. The dress finished just above her knees and she was wearing her usual sheer tights along with beige heels. In respect of office wear she was more than properly dressed; however by the time Vaughn had finished his perusal of her, she had never felt more naked.

Vaughn finally lifted his eyes as if coming to a decision. "What an excellent idea," he said, "I could do with a break too. Why don't we all go down to that pizza place? They do a buffet lunch if I remember?"

Elise groaned inwardly great. How awkward was this going to be? Her self-professed protector, her ridiculously attractive nemesis and her, all in the same place at the same time. Great. This had the potential to be a very long hour.

On the short walk to the pizza restaurant, Elise found herself a couple of paces behind, walking on her own. The two men continued an in-depth conversation taking no notice of her at all and she began to wonder if this thing with Vaughn had all been a figment of her imagination. Whilst she knew that Cole would always be in her life, she decided to re-think Vaughn's position as he had made no effort whatsoever to secure time alone with her since Sunday morning and now he was blatantly ignoring her. All good in respect of her marriage but she couldn't believe how hurt she felt at being brushed aside by him and began to berate herself for believing everything that he had said to her. Perhaps Dale was right after all why would anyone else find her attractive?

Although it was lunchtime, the restaurant was surprisingly quiet and they were seated immediately at a table set for four. Elise hesitated as she pondered the seating arrangements and then decided to just sit down and let the men sort it out. Cole went to take the seat next to her but Vaughn got there first and sat down smoothly on her left leaving Cole to take the seat opposite her.

The waitress arrived to take their drinks order and once she had showed them the buffet and given them plates and cutlery, she left them to it.

"Christ, I'm ravenous," Cole said, "I can't believe we've been holed up in your office all morning, Granger."

Vaughn laughed and then turned to Elise.

"I see you found my new office then." He said with just a tiny hint of sarcasm, "Someone informed me that it had more privacy than the one downstairs plus it holds rather special memories for me. I hope it didn't inconvenience you too much to have to come upstairs."

Elise glared at him and said nothing, hoping that the blush she could feel creeping up her cheeks was not visible. Completely oblivious to their exchange, Cole excused himself to go and get some food, leaving the two of them alone. Realising that this was not good, Elise began to get up to follow Cole but Vaughn stopped her with a hand on her leg underneath the table. His fingers started to stroke distracting circles on the sensitive underside of her knee and she had to struggle to keep still.

"I've not stopped thinking about you, Elise" he whispered in her ear, "I know we parted on bad terms on Sunday and I was angry with you; angry that you were rubbis.h.i.+ng something that for me had been infinitely precious. But when I calmed down, I realised how difficult all this must be for you and reminded myself that you wouldn't have responded to me the way that you did if Sat.u.r.day night had meant nothing to you." he stopped, his voice getting deeper and s.e.xier still. "By the time I went to bed, I was rock hard with needing you and decided that I would have to move my office or I would never be able to walk around the building again - you really have no idea how much you turn me on."

He leaned back and away from her just as Cole returned to the table, a.s.suming a completely neutral expression that outwardly suggested they had been discussing nothing more than the weather.

Elise had still not managed to get her brain to function and instead was watching Cole hungrily digging into his food, wondering how on earth she was going to fake any kind of appet.i.te. Presently Vaughn left the table too and Elise managed to breathe again, somehow managing to get most of her shaking body under control. OK, focus Elise...you're here to talk to Cole.

"Cole," she said, addressing her best friend, "I'm sorry I've not been in touch over the last couple of days. I had to go and pick Dale up from hospital yesterday and it was just a bit mad trying to get everything organised. I really wanted to call and see how you were though especially after Sat.u.r.day night. I've been worried about you." She added softly "I really want to help you sort all this out; you do know that don't you?"

"Yes, of course I do sweet-cheeks" he grinned as she raised her eyebrows at his infuriating nickname for her.

"Look," he said, "I've got some thinking to do and lots to try to work through. I need you there to help me but I also need you healthy you need to take care of yourself. First and foremost. You know what I mean."

"I know, baby," she said, "believe me, I know. But since he's been out of hospital he's made a real effort and said that he's going to try to stop drinking. If he could just do that then maybe we'd have a chance to get back on track."

"That's bulls.h.i.+t, Elise, and you know it." said Cole angrily. "He's only been out of hospital one day - I'd hardly call that making an effort. There is no way in this world that he deserves you to be there to pick up the pieces or take the punches, any longer. You are done, Elise and you need to get out of there."

She hated when Cole got like this. He made sense - of course he did - but it was very different to be on the outside of a situation doling out advice than it was to be on the inside, trying to sort everything out. She just wished everyone would stop telling her what she needed to do and let her sort it out in her own way in her own time.

Cole hadn't finished though. "It's been five years, babe. That's five years too long for you to be putting up with his s.h.i.+t. You know I would step into the breach for you at any time but Jesus, that beating he gave me was savage. I am struggling to deal with the fact that he lets loose on you like that too."

Frustrated, Elise laid a pacifying hand on Cole's arm. "Please, baby," she pleaded, "please just let it go for now. I've got this, I promise you. I know what I'm doing."

Vaughn chose that exact moment to return to the table and glared at the contact she and Cole shared across the table. Well, tough s.h.i.+t, Vaughn Granger he's my best friend and I need him so you can just back right off.

As much as she would have loved to, she didn't actually say that. Instead she removed her hand and excused herself to go and fill her own plate leaving the charged macho atmosphere behind. b.l.o.o.d.y men!

After her tense conversations with both men the mood lightened considerably and Elise found herself able to eat more than she ever thought possible. Now and again, Elise noticed Cole glancing wistfully at Vaughn but she made no comment and brushed the thought away. That was something for Cole to sort out another day; she only hoped that he managed to come to terms with whatever life held for him so that he could go on to be happy and fulfilled.

When they had finished their meal, Vaughn went off to pay the bill. Both Cole and Elise stood, waiting for him to return. Left alone, she tried again to talk to him again - she really needed him to know that she was there for him one hundred percent, whenever, wherever.

"Baby," she said and sighed at his beauty as he turned his full attention to her "Please let me help you sort through things. I want to help you like you always help me. Let's try and spend some quality time together over the next few weeks. I'll think of something to get out for a while. Please it's really important to me."

Cole sighed and hugged her close to him, "Oh, Elise, you are the most precious person in the world to me but you have no room in your life for my issues. Sort yourself out first. Then we can talk about me. I'm not going anywhere and I'm not about to do anything stupid I promise you. I love you, babe."

"I love you too, baby." she said and buried her head into his neck, seeking warmth and comfort in his familiar fragrance.

A loud coughing sound came from behind her and she knew who she would see as soon as she turned.

"Sorry to break up the love-fest but I've paid the bill and we need to get back to the office." Vaughn said abruptly and began marching out of the door.

Cole and Elise followed, Cole wearing a slightly bemused expression as if he couldn't understand the sudden change in Vaughn's demeanour. Elise kept her head down and concentrated on getting back to the office in time for Stephen to go to lunch she had completely forgotten that he was waiting for her to get back and a quick look at her watch told her that she was already ten minutes late; No doubt he was spitting nails right now!

As they entered Reception, Elise turned to go back through the ground floor door to her desk but was stopped by Vaughn who put a light hand on her arm.

"Andrews," he said addressing Cole "would you mind if we re-convened in ten? I just need to go through something with Elise regarding the Swindon conference on Friday."

What Swindon conference on Friday?

"Yeah, no worries," said Cole, "I need to check my e-mails anyway." He headed off to his office leaving her and Vaughn alone in Reception with only the eagle eyes of Annabel for company.

"Miss Grayson," he addressed her formally again, no doubt in deference to Annabel's presence, "Could you spare me a couple of minutes in my office, please?"

Caught between a rock and hard place, Elise had no option but to accept and followed him out of reception and up the staircase to the first floor. This was now the third time she had climbed these stairs in as many days; if she carried on like this, she was fairly sure she would be able to do it with her eyes closed.

As they entered Vaughn's office, he immediately closed the door and ensured that the blinds were still drawn. He then locked his gaze onto hers, anger simmering in the depths of his beautiful eyes.

"What precisely is the nature of your relations.h.i.+p with Andrews?" he demanded. "I need you to tell me now."

"Who are you? My keeper?" she asked sarcastically. "What the h.e.l.l business is it of yours what my relations.h.i.+p with Cole is?"

"It is my business because I am your boss." He spat out, "Now just answer the G.o.dd.a.m.n question!"

He was getting angry but so was she. She and Cole had been friends for years, long before this man had even heard of Andrews & Andrews, and she was d.a.m.n sure she wasn't going to be dictated to by him. She had that at home; she didn't need it here as well.

"No!" she said angrily, "I will not answer the question it is none of your G.o.dd.a.m.ned business!"

"Be careful, Elise" he warned, "I am a patient man, but you are pus.h.i.+ng me to the limit. I need to know the nature of your relations.h.i.+p either you tell me now or I will haul Cole's a.s.s up here and serve him with a disciplinary for conducting an inappropriate workplace relations.h.i.+p!"

"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d..." she hissed, "an 'inappropriate workplace relations.h.i.+p'? What the h.e.l.l was that between us on Sat.u.r.day night then? Or did you get that sanctioned beforehand? Your twisted morals are way off base and not appreciated around here. I will not be dictated to at work, by you or anybody. And for your information, I do not respond to threats. I think you'll find five years of domestic abuse has taken care of that!"

And after pouring all of her pent up anger and frustration into that parting shot, she stormed out of his office and slammed the door hard.

Chapter Eighteen.

As predicted, Stephen was waiting for her to get back from lunch but he actually didn't seem particularly angry great that someone in her life wasn't for a change.

"Hey," he said as she approached her desk, "Celeste is looking for you."

Oh s.h.i.+t. She'd totally forgotten that she'd not spoken to Celeste since disappearing from the club on Sat.u.r.day night. Some friend she was.

"Thanks Stephen, I'll catch her later. I'm back from lunch now so you can go if you want to." she said and watched as he sauntered out of the office with a jaunty wave. He always seemed so carefree and she wondered what that must feel like.

Firing up her computer, she wasn't surprised to find an e-mail from Vaughn although she was surprised at the content of it.

Mon Dec 17th. 1.20pm Elise, Please find attached details for the conference in Swindon on Friday. As this is the last one before we close over the Christmas period, I would appreciate it if you could be on top of your game. I really want to secure one more client before the year is out.

Due to the location of this conference, I am offering all staff attending the chance to arrive on Thursday evening and stay in a hotel overnight at company expense of course.

You and I however, will be travelling to Swindon together on Thursday morning, returning late Friday evening.

Whilst I may not have any say in your personal life, I think you will find that I do rule your professional life and if I consider it necessary for you to accompany me, then I think you will find this well and truly covered by the terms of your contract.

Yours, as always, Vaughn.

Clicking open the attachment, she noted the details of the conference and saw that it was a large one; probably the largest that she had attended and, although a little scary, it was also tremendously exciting. It seemed that they would have a booth outside the entrance so would be able to chat to executives coming and going making it a prime spot. Vaughn had detailed the advertising information that they would be taking and had also indicated who would be attending. Usually there were four of them for each conference but due to the size of this one there would be six. Vaughn and herself plus Celeste; Tilly and Sam from one of the other teams who she had worked conferences with before and surprisingly, Vaughn had included Roger the new trainee she had spoken to earlier. It was unusual for a trainee to have such an opportunity and she could only a.s.sume that Cole had recommended him. She knew from first-hand experience that Cole was an excellent trainer and if he felt that someone deserved a chance then he would always push them forwards.

Despite the tone of Vaughn's e-mail, Elise found herself suddenly excited at the prospect of such a big challenge. The only problem she could foresee was persuading Dale to let her go previously the conferences had been local and had only taken up the usual working day; she wondered if now that Vaughn was on board, the company would be doing more of these larger venues which would make sense if they wanted to continue to grow.

Still considering how to broach the subject with Dale, she dialled Celeste's internal line and waited for her friend to answer.

"Celeste Brown."

"'Leste, it's me," said Elise, "How are you?"

"Elise!" she squealed, "Where the h.e.l.l have you been? I was worried sick about you after Sat.u.r.day. Olivia reckoned that she saw you leaving with Vaughn but I know that was just sour grapes. Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, much," Elise replied, hating the fact that she was lying to her friend yet again. Maybe as they would have a couple of days together at the conference, she could perhaps give her a potted version of the situation. She felt that she owed her friend that much at least.

"Great! Listen, have you heard about the conference on Friday? Isn't it exciting?!"

Elise smiled at the sheer enthusiasm in her friend's voice.

"Yes, I've just picked up the e-mail now. It should be really good. What are your travelling arrangements? I have to go down early on Thursday with Vaughn I think he wants me to help set up" she ad-libbed. She suspected it was nothing to do with setting up but now was not the time to go into that.

"Really?" her friend sounded disappointed, "That's a shame, I was hoping we could travel together you know, a real girly road trip!"

"Sorry," replied Elise "no can do my e-mail explicitly says that I have to travel first thing Thursday with Vaughn. Maybe we'll be able to do the return trip together?" she added hopefully, knowing full well that if Vaughn had anything to do with it she wouldn't be doing the return trip with anyone other than him.

"Yeah, maybe..." her friend sounded doubtful. "I'm not allowed to leave 'til after work on Thursday although they are letting us go at 4pm to allow a bit of extra time for travelling. Roger reckons it'll take about 3 hours to get there so should arrive in time for dinner."

Roger, eh? Interesting.

"Well that's great, then" replied Elise, "we'll be able to have a catch up in the bar after dinner should be a real laugh. Can't wait!"

"Me either! Listen I've got to go, the other phone's ringing and I'm on my own over here catch you later, hon!"

Celeste hung up and Elise found herself listening to the internal dialling tone. She replaced the receiver and sat pondering for a few moments; how on earth was she going to square this with Dale, particularly this close to Christmas?

Elise made sure she got home well before Dale and began to prepare some tea she also put the coffee pot on. Dale loved coffee but hated the stuff that came out of the machines in most offices.

Unlike her, Dale was at the top of his profession and it was rumoured that he would soon make partner in his firm. For his sake, Elise really hoped that he would and G.o.d knew the extra money would come in handy. Nothing had actually happened yet though so she just continued to cross her fingers and hope that one-day it would.

Secretly, she thought that if he really was completely at the top he might start believing in himself as a man again, and maybe all the rubbish would stop. A leap too far perhaps but, on the basis that this had all started when he had realised he would never father children, she had always put it down to him feeling less masculine than other men. Becoming a partner in a prestigious accountancy practice and being at the top of his game...Well, that was a pretty masculine statement and she really hoped that it would start the healing process.

When they had first received the devastating news about Dale's condition, they had been offered counselling and Elise had been keen to go. They were both raw from all the tests and the final diagnosis however she had felt that it could only be beneficial to get some perspective and expert advice. Dale - in true Dale fas.h.i.+on - had decreed that he would deal with it in his own way and so the decision was taken out of her hands and they never went to counselling. Considering how things had turned out in the ensuing months and years, she really regretted now that she hadn't pushed the issue with him more.

Releasing a sigh, Elise put the vegetables in the oven to roast. No good would come of going over old ground - she had to find a way to move forwards, whether that was with Dale or not.

Hearing his key in the door, Elise automatically tensed, wondering what kind of mood he would be in. Whilst she was fairly certain he wouldn't have had a drink - it was far too early - he could be moody enough without it and sometimes that was enough to send him over the edge. Not that he generally got physical with her without the alcohol though.

He entered the kitchen "Well... if it isn't my beautiful wife..." he drawled "Tied to the kitchen like she should be."

Great. He was in a sarky mood.

"Hey, babe." She turned to kiss him, trying hard not to be repulsed as she immediately smelled the alcohol on his breath. A myriad of thoughts ran through her head - he'd not managed to keep away from it for long. How come he had driven home? When had he had a drink? Was this a good thing or a bad thing in terms of asking him about the conference? She mentioned none of these things however, and instead opted for "Did you have a good day?"

"No, it was c.r.a.p." he said and automatically took the cup of coffee that she held out to him without so much as a thanks.

"I got roasted for being off sick again on Friday apparently, my sick record this year is 'below average' and I've been warned that if I don't make up the time, then there's no way I'll make partner this side of fifty! They can be such a.s.sholes sometimes."

Elise remained silent. Privately, she felt that Dale's bosses had every right to chew him out he had been off a lot over the last few months, all self inflicted, and she wasn't surprised that it was starting to interfere with his work.