Special Relationship Read Online Free PDF Page A

an Academy award. Her bag, she knew, was actually beside the sofa where they were sitting.
    She opened the door to the terrace and, on seeing him there, didn't have time to close it and return inside before Hensen, who was smoking a cigarette and looking at the view, turned round.
    "Alex, how are you doing?"
    Oh God, he'll be thinking I'm out here to boost my business or that I'm a money-chasing seductress, she thought.
    "Hi Nick, didn't expect you to be here, I was out here earlier and think I've left my bag."
    "Don't worry about it. It's not going to rain and I trust the guests won't steal it. Well most of them, anyway," he laughed. "Come here and we'll have a chat."
    Her stomach churned.
    "Really, I've drunk far too much today and I really must be getting home soon. If I can find my bag..."
    "Ten minutes."
    "Oh, I do need to go."
    "Ten minutes or I cancel your contract," he smiled.
    "Oh, go on then, can I just get some wine first?"
    She returned to the terrace a couple of minutes later. "Smoking is bad for you," she said.
    "So is drinking," he retorted, looking at her glass.
    "Oh no, that's unfair...I rarely drink at home...it's just that it's been such a good day. I've really enjoyed it, met some interesting people, and...well.. thanks for the invite."
    "You are welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And what was the highlight of your day?"
    "Oh, there were many. The countryside, the colours, the beauty of the horses, backing Manarola, meeting Tavis and Lord and Lady Ashton..." She nearly added "and you" but stopped herself just in time. She rephrased the words to sound more businesslike. "It's also been good to get to know the people who work for the company, Katherine and you."
    "I really enjoyed it too," he said, blowing some smoke into the night air. "And I'm glad that I got to see again the lady who stole my place in the lift."
    Damn, he is flirting again, she thought. "Sorry about that. If I'd have known I was taking the place of the head of a company that had just given me a contract I would have used the stairs."
    "Have you not heard, that you should be nice to people on the way up as you'll meet them again on the way down?" he replied.
    She grinned.
    Alex thought she could banter with the best, but in this company she realised she might have met her match.
    The two of them then talked about their love of both London and New York. He visited Alex's former home city once a month on business and looked puzzled to hear she hadn't been back since moving to London. Eventually, he seemed to accept her explanation, the pressure of trying to keep her business afloat.
    She was expecting another awkward question when they were joined on the terrace by a tall brunette, who seemed to have enjoyed the hospitality of the day's events even more than she had. Holding her glass high, and uneasy on her heels, she let out a high-pitched squeal as she approached them.
    "Nicky, darling, I wondered where you were hiding."
    "Hi Liv," he replied a little coldly.
    "I need a cigarette."
    Waiting for her to gain her bearings so she might manage to pull one from the packet, he introduced Olivia Hartley, who looked like a model, or at least she would have done had she not seemed the worse for alcohol.
    " Liv, this is Alex Anderson whose company will soon be working for the fund."
    Olivia was still struggling to remove a cigarette. Eventually he pulled one out and handed it to her.
    "Thanks Nicky, darling, and nice to meet you Alex.
    "Hope you two have been behaving yourselves."
    "Alex, Olivia was my PA before Katherine," said Nick.
    "I wasn't only your PA, Nicky, darling," Olivia said, looking accusingly at her former boss.
    "No, you did plenty of work in various areas of the company and you are missed," he replied with no hint of a smile. "Maybe you should ask Katherine to get you a car home."
    Alex felt uncomfortable. The last thing she expected in such surroundings was confrontation between Nick Hensen and a drunken former employee. "Listen,