Page 53 of Strictly Business

“I’m sorry it came to this,” I say. “Until the last few weeks, you were my best employee – and a good friend. Someone I could rely on.”

“I’m sorry too,” Ruth says with a miserable sniff.

“Cell phone,” I say and hold my hand out.

“Huh?” Ruth says. It seems to take her a minute to realize her cell phone is actually a company cell phone. A panicked expression crosses her face when she realizes the truth of that. “Can I hand it in when I come to collect my things? I won’t use it unless it’s an emergency, but I haven’t brought my other cell phone and the thought of travelling with no cell phone scares me.”

I watch her as she speaks, and she seems genuine. I think it would make me at the very least nervous to fly without being in contact with anyone too. I nod.

“I’m trusting you not to abuse the favor,” I say.

“I won’t. I promise. Thank you,” she says.

She walks away without another word, and I allow her that dignity. I watch until she is out of sight and then I turn to go back into the building, but I decide there are a couple of quick calls I need to make first, not least to the VP of the company to warn him about Ruth in case she turns up for work as normal.

I hurry back outside and make my first call. When the call is answered, I cross my fingers and begin to speak.

“Hi. I have a current booking under the name Smart Marketing Solutions. We have a room on the seventh floor and two adjoining rooms on the eighth floor. We’re meant to be checking out today, but I wondered if you had availability for the two adjoining rooms for an extra night?” I ask.

“Let me check that for you Sir,” the hotel receptionist replies.

I hear the clack, clack sound of her nails on the keyboard and then she speaks again.

“That’s just the two adjoining rooms? The other room is to be checked out today?” she says.

“Yes,” I agree.

More clacking and then she’s back again.

“Yes Sir, I have that availability,” she says. “Would you like me to book the rooms for you?”

“Yes please,” I say, a swirl of excitement rolling around my stomach as I answer her. I wait a few moments while her clacking fingers work their magic and then she’s talking to me again.

“OK, that’s all arranged Sir, and the additional charge has been added to your original payment method,” she says.

“Thank you,” I say, and end the call.

CHAPTER39

Wyatt

I’m hopeful that the extra night’s stay in the beautiful hotel in Rome will help Serena stop being mad at me a bit quicker. Next, I call the airline and book us two first class seats on a flight tomorrow and finally, I get around to calling the VP of my company. I explain what’s happened and tell him that if Ruth comes in without an appointment to collect her things, she is to be sent away. I say if he hears from her to arrange the collection or if not to leave it until I’m back. I tell him that we’re going to be here another night and then I end the call before he can ask why. It’s none of his business and I would be within my rights to say that but he’s not just an employee, he's a friend and I know he wouldn’t be asking to pry, he would just be making conversation, so I don’t want to have to be rude to him and he will know instantly if I lie or try to hide something from him.

My calls made, I know it’s time for me to go back inside and face the music with Serena. I think I can safely say this is the first time ever that I’m on my way to see Serena and I am not looking forward to it. I’m going to have to eat some mega humble pie.

If she was just an employee, I would give her a genuine apology and that would be it because under the circumstances, no one could say I jumped to a strange conclusion, but I feel like as someone Serena is in a relationship with, I should have been much quicker to give her the benefit of the doubt, despite what things looked like.

I go back to the conference room. Serena is still alone in there. I go and sit down beside her and pour myself some water.

“Has anyone been in with any questions?” I ask, deciding to start off on safe ground.

“No,” Serena says. “Did Ruth go easy?”

“Surprisingly, yes,” I say. “If you’re wondering why I was gone so long, I was making a few phone calls. I’ve changed our flights home and booked us an extra night at the hotel, just the two of us.”

For this first time since all of this kicked off, Serena smiles and I feel like it’s going to be ok between us after all.

“Is that your way of saying you’re sorry for not only doubting my word but for yelling at me too?” she asks.

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