Page 12 of Hayes

Staff morale was at an all-time low, the airline was limping along, with numerous cancellations every day, costing the company millions of dollars in revenue. The management team was given a choice, something they did not deserve.

They were offered the option of retiring with their dignity intact or being fired. They chose the former.”

Camelia pretended to consult her notes just to avoid looking at the hard, handsome face of the man who had been her entire life and seeing the contempt he was exhibiting.

“You always said you wanted to make a mark the way your dad did.” A smile touched her lips briefly as she looked at him. “You stepped into his shoes and filled the role admirably. How does it feel to be the CEO of one of the most successful airlines in the world?”

To her surprise, he remained silent, his eyes studying her face, his own expressionless.

“I need a drink. You?” Pushing from the desk, he strode over to the window facing the front of the building with the stunning view of the buildings that made up the rest of the uptown business district.

“No, I am fine. Thank you.”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

“No.”

She watched as he touched the button, and the cabinet with its mullioned glass swung forward. Selecting a bottle of scotch, he poured some into a glass and brought it back to his desk.

“Turn the recorder off," he ordered, taking back his seat.

“Pardon?”

“Unless you want what I have to say included in your notes, I suggest you turn it off.”

“I don’t have time–”

“Now!” he snapped, causing her to jump slightly.

Pressing the button, she did as she was told and waited for him to speak. “You are so calm, so composed. You sit there talking about things I confessed to you in the past when we were together, and it was nothing to you. I told you of my dream when I took over the company, and you are using it to gather information. Who the hell are you?”

Her spine stiffened and her chin lifted. “I am just doing my job," she told him stiffly.

“I confided in you, told you things I never told a single soul. You cheered me on, remember Camelia? We were in your bed, naked, and we talked for hours. You told me your dreams, and I told you mine. Afterward, we would hold each other and make love again. We could not stay away from each other.”

“We were teenagers, and it’s not healthy to live in the past," she whispered.

“I stood by your side while they lowered your parents in the dirt, and you clung to me and cried. I promised you that I would always be there for you.”

“I meant it at the time.”

“The very next day, you left.”

“I had to leave. My aunt–”

“You were carrying my baby!” he shouted. She surged to her feet in fright as he pushed back his chair and flung the glass into the fireplace. “You aborted my baby because you wanted nothing to do with me. You are a soulless bitch, and I never saw that in you. You fooled me with your sweet words and lush body and went away to kill my baby.”

“How dare you!” she whispered, tears brightening her eyes. “I just lost my parents—my dad killed my mom and then ended his own life. I was going through a lot, and when I reached London, I had a miscarriage that almost ended my life. I was in the hospital for a month—one month as the doctors fought to save my life.”

“You are lying.” He stopped just in front of her, not wanting to believe her.

“Ask my aunt. Call the hospital in London; I can give you the name of it and the doctors who operated on me. I think they are still there. With your money, I am sure you can get answers.” Her lips trembled, her bosom heaving. “I lost everything, and I wanted to die.”

“You had me.” He wanted to reach for her, to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he was raw and hurting. She had damaged him, and he was yet to recover.

“No. “She shook her head, suddenly feeling weary to the bone. She never spoke about the miscarriage, never recovered from losing her baby, one that she had clung to when it was all going to hell.

“You had me," he repeated. This time, he touched her. Clamping his hands on her upper arms, he forced her to look at him. “My God, Camelia, I would have moved heaven and earth to come after you, be there for you, and you shut me out.” He shook her. “Why?”

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