I dedicate this chapter to Jason...I don't think he ever even knew the reason that I couldn't speak when he was around was because I was crazy about him….
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Unrequited.
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Ami was dreading the board meeting that afternoon and ate little at lunch, picking at her salad. She was tiny, and really didn't need to diet, but couldn't think of eating a heavy meal since her stomach was already churning.
She was embarrassed at the way she had acted in front of Zoy. He didn't have to know about her feelings, she should just be able to admire him from afar and speak to him normally up close, but she couldn't even manage the basics. 'I feel like a teenager in the throes of a crush.' She thought dispiritedly. If only it were that simple…her feelings for him went so much deeper.
She went back to her office, picked up her leather planner and expensive fine point pen that had been a gift from Darien when she had been promoted onto the board. He was a good friend, and although she hated that people thought he gave her perks on the job thanks to that very friendship, she treasured the time and attention he gave her. He was a wonderful mentor.
Ami entered the boardroom, the strong scent off coffee pervading the room. Important figureheads dressed in expensive business suits milled with balding and matriarchal doctors. Ami had been the youngest woman appointed to the board since the hospital had been founded. It was an honor she took quiet pride in.
She glanced around, automatically looking for the Zoy. As one of the founders of the board of trustee's he was duty bound to attend these meetings and it was a responsibility he took seriously.
He was sitting near the head of the table, next to Darien. The two men were deep in discussion, and she took her seat at the opposite end, far enough away so that she wouldn't be noticed, but close enough so that she could watch him unobserved.
If she could paint, like her father, she would have loved to do a portrait of the two. Fancifully, she wondered what she could call it. 'A study in Power and Beauty.' Perhaps. But no, she smiled; Darien would not appreciate being called beautiful. But really, she thought, it was definitely appropriate for Zoy.
The casual way he leaned back in his chair, fingers steeped together. Long lashes hiding his striking eyes, and when he smiled or laughed at something Darien said, the grin that slashed across his face was mesmerizing. To imaging tasting that mouth, to have it whisper naughty suggestions to her, or to feel those long slim fingers trailing down her bare stomach…!
Ami was blushing, she was sure of it. She had not been aware she possessed such a vivid and risqué imagination until she had first met Zoy.
The board meeting began, but uncharacteristically Ami's mind wandered. She found it hard to concentrate on the pretty speech one of the doctors was making for an upcoming event. Instead, she thought back to the first time she had encountered the man who now haunted her every waking moment.
It had been only a year ago, she had just turned 23, and was newly appointed to the board. Darien had pulled her to his side, introducing her around, mindful of his wife's advice to 'stay close to her'. Ami was not good with social situations, and she needed someone to take her cue from until she found her footing.
It had been at a luncheon held for the board, an informal event to thank everyone for their hard work. Ami had protested attending, as she hadn't done anything to be thanked for yet, but Darien had insisted it would be the perfect time to 'meet and greet' the normally stuffy crowd.
The luncheon was held outside, on the lush lawn with the sun shining. Fancy finger sandwiches and tea had been served, and the people mingled around, relaxed and happy. Ami had been frantic on what to wear, until Serena had come to the rescue, lending her a pretty printed skirt, but with a light summer jacket so that she still looked professional.
Darien had led her to a group of men standing around, chatting and laughing. A strange feeling had come over her, as if something monumental were about to happen. She laughed later to herself about her 'sixth sense' that day.
The trio of men stood listening politely as Darien introduced her to them. The first two had been unimportant to her, but the third had captured her attention immediately. The other two had seen their wives, and excused themselves to wander off, and Darien, Zoy and Ami stood in a loose circle. Darien had bragged on Ami, who simply stood blinking bemusedly up at Zoy.
He had smiled back, that wonderful, dashing smile. "You're awfully young to be on this board." He had said, but the way he said it, it seemed he was impressed. "And awfully pretty too." He added, the smile morphing into a grin.
"Careful Ami." Darien had said in some amusement. "He's a wolf in wolf's clothing this one."
"Isn't the saying 'sheep in wolves clothing?'" Zoy asked in his lighthearted way.
"Nobody could mistake you for a sheep." Darien had parried. At that moment, someone called him over, and he turned apologetically to Ami. "Wait here for a moment Ames, Mr. Johansen is leaving, and I just need to speak with him briefly."
Ami nodded her consent. After all, what else could she do?
He strolled off, and she was left in the presence of the sexiest man she had ever met. She desperately tried to think of small talk but nothing came to mind. And as she glanced up and their gazes held, she suddenly thought that perhaps it didn't matter. They stood facing one another, one wearing a shy smile, and one of genuine interest.
"You know, you really are pretty, and dressed so sweetly too." He began, and reached out a hand to lightly tough the ends of her hair. It was a teasing gesture that shot electricity down to her toes. "And it's such an honor to be appointed to the board. How about I take you out to celebrate?" He offered easily.
Ami couldn't believe it. Here she was, drowning in these new sensations of physical desire, heady attraction, and though her mind kept saying it wasn't possible, her heart kept telling her this was love. And the most unbelievable part of it was, he seemed to be interested as well. Was he feeling the same?
"I…I…" She was trying to get out the words 'I'd like that' when a tall, coppery haired woman approached them.
"There you are darling, I was beginning to wonder where you had wandered off to!" The woman said in a strong Boston accent.
Zoy turned, dazzling the newcomer with his bright smile. "Just standing here, pining for you of course." He chuckled. He slid out an arm, and the woman slipped into his loose embrace as though she belonged. Which apparently she did.
Ami pinned the smile on her face, even as her heart was breaking. He hadn't meant a word of it; he had just been making small talk. Or else he was so used to flirting, he wasn't even aware that he had been doing it. She desperately wanted to turn on her heels and leave. But it was a beautiful, sun shiny day with no room for drama.
"Come on darling, there's some people I want you to meet." The woman had insisted, her short bright rust colored locks showcasing long dangling earrings that swung wildly as she looked around the party. Clearly she had no interest in talking to Ami, who was of no social consequence.
"All right, all right." He grumbled, then turned to leave, the woman moving with him fluidly. Then he remembered his manners. "Oh, well it was a pleasure to meet you…Ms…"
He hadn't remembered her name. Had barely remembered she was there. Ami felt tears backing up on her lashing and was glad for the bright sun to blame her moist eyes on.
"It's Ami Minuzo. Dr. Minuzo." Darien had returned, and supplied from behind her. He was happy with the results of his little chat with Mr. Johansen and his voice reflected it.
'Everyone's happy, everyone's life is going on while I'm being crushed under the weight of this pain.' She thought wildly. Shouldn't there be dark clouds and lightening ripping up the sky when something like this happened? She wondered bleakly.
But no, instead birds chirped gaily in the background.
"That's right. Dr. Minuzo, it was a pleasure." Zoy said, and a faint grimace crossed his face, as though he were remembering his invitation. He shook her hand, his fingers lingering for a moment over her limp handshake, and he must have felt the fine tremor that had brushed across her skin. But before he could say more, he was being tugged away by the vivacious beauty.
With a shrug and a 'what can I do' grin he was gone, mingling, being the life of the party and generally just enjoying himself. Ami had left the party right after that, her mind playing every detail about him over and over in her mind. She had fought an exhausting mental battle with herself; mind over heart. In the end she had come to the conclusion that she was head over heels in love with the wealthy, handsome and unobtainable Zoycite Lovene.
When next they met, he had forgotten the incident entirely. He had to be re-introduced and he kept forgetting her name and had to be retold. Clearly she was no one of consequence to him. And he was everything to her.
Here she was a year later, still thinking of him, and of these useless, heart retching feelings for him. He had been polite to her at first, but when she had become dumbstruck in his presence, her feelings growing stronger with time, he had become disgusted with what he considered was her rude behavior towards him. And really, who could blame him for thinking that?
"Fabulous, so it's agreed then that Dr. Minuzo and Mr. Templeton will organize this years annual fund raiser event for underprivileged children with specialized healthcare needs." The woman who was speaking beamed at Ami, who was staring at her bemusedly. "Of course, you'll have to think of a better name for it."
Ami blinked. She had missed something. 'That's what you get for letting your mind wander' she told herself sourly.
Her eyes darted to the end of the long table, hoping for some help from her good friend Darien. The smile on his face said he knew she was less than thrilled, and was laughing at her predicament. 'Some friend.' She fumed but knew it was a waste of time to get miffed at him. It was her own darn fault.
Her eyes glanced over to Zoy, unable to stop herself from looking his way. His eyes met hers for a moment before his attention was pulled in another direction. But the look there pierced her heart. It was indifference, the hardest thing to bear from him.
The meeting dissipated, and the man she had been partnered with gravitated over to her.
"Dr. Minuzo." The man addressed her, his voice kind. "I'm looking forward to working with you on this. Let's do our best, shall we?"
Ami nodded and replied. "Of course Mr. Templeton, it's for the children after all." Her voice was sincere. She wasn't crazy about being on a committee, but it was for the best of causes.
"Please, if we're going to be working together, call me Greg." He asked, again with a gentle smile. He was a few years older than she, but still a lot younger than the majority of the board members. And he was one of the rare 'good guys.' Single, genuine, considerate and courteous. And if she hadn't been in love with Zoy she would have made the most of this opportunity to spend time with a real honest to goodness 'nice guy'.
But he had never made her heart race the way Zoy could, with just a glance.
The two chatted briefly, consulting each other on their schedules and trying to find time to meet.
They agreed on a date and time to get together and parted ways. Ami walked slowly around the table, her mind elsewhere as she drifted out of the boardroom and down the hall towards the elevators. She got on, her head bent over her notebook as she jotted down initial thoughts as to what they would need for the fundraiser.
It took her a moment to realize that the elevator car wasn't moving. She glanced up, and grimaced that she had forgotten to push a number for her floor. She did so now.
"Hold the elevator" Came a male voice, and her hand shot out to automatically hold it so that it repelled back open to allow the man to get in.
She blushed madly when she realized it was Zoy.
He hadn't apparently realized it was her either. "Oh, Dr. Minuzo." He said mildly as he stepped in to stand next to her.
She simply nodded her head in acknowledgement, it was the best she could do.
The door started to close when another male voice also called for someone to hold the elevator.
Ami reached out a hand, but was confused when she felt Zoy pull it back. She looked over at him wide eyed, but he was turning back to look at the man who had 'just missed the elevator', thanks to him. "Sorry" He said, insincerely. Greg Templeton's face disappeared from view as the doors slid shut.
Why had Zoy shut Greg out? She wondered. A thought rushed across her mind. 'Maybe he wants to be alone with you!' her brain screamed. But she crushed that thought almost as soon as she had it. She had to get a grip on reality. He was not governed by the same madness that she was.
"Sorry to deprive you of a chance to chat more with Mr. Templeton." Zoy said offhandedly. "But don't worry, now that the two of you are working together, you'll have plenty of time to land him."
Like she was interested in 'landing' anyone other than him, Ami thought to herself, her face betraying nothing.
Ami just shrugged, hoping he would take it as some kind of answer.
"What's the matter Dr. Minuzo, cant bring yourself to say two words to the despicable playboy of Mathers-Sheilds Hospital?" He asked scathingly.
He thought she didn't like him? That she looked down on him? Ami was wide eyed at the thought. But she couldn't look up at him; the proximity was too much at the moment, she was afraid she would give herself away. Instead she clutched her leather planner to her chest, willing the elevator to go faster.
"Funny how you don't seem to have any problems talking to Mr. Templeton, but you cant even bring yourself look at me." He continued, as though they were having a conversation, not carrying on one by himself.
Still she hardly moved, holding herself so still. 'Stuck up bitch', he thought angrily. She probably thought she was so much better than him. Her and her high morals could just take a flying leap for all he cared. Everybody was always judging him. He had more or less inherited the position on the board of trustee's and his position in the hospital, but that didn't mean he didn't work hard at his job, or take it seriously.
But he liked to have fun too, to live life to the fullest, with verve and vitality. It didn't bother him that his family was always saying he wasn't living up to the name and reputation they had built. At least he told himself it didn't bother him. But when his mother fussed that he needed to slow down, and settle down it did nothing more than cause familial strife.
This little snob probably thought the same thing. 'It's not appropriate for a man of your position to be sleeping around.' He could almost hear her saying the words out loud.
'She probably needs to get laid.' He thought nastily.
He had no idea how right he was.
The elevator finally stopped at her floor, and she got off, only to discover he was getting off behind her as well. She walked slowly, ever nerve ending aware of his presence next to her.
Of course for Zoy it was just a joke. Clearly he was making her uncomfortable, and some perverse part of him was enjoying it. She couldn't stand him, and probably couldn't get away fast enough.
Ami couldn't get away fast enough, but only because she was sure she would make a fool of herself in front of him any moment now.
She stopped in front of her office door. In the corner here secretary typed away, ignoring them both.
"Well Dr. Minuzo, it's been a pleasure, as always." He sneered.
She looked up at him wide eyed, unblinking. Still clutching her things to her chest, her shoulders hunched slightly, she seemed so young and suddenly fragile.
His brow furrowed as he studied her. Something was off but he couldn't put a finger on it. She didn't look angry or put out with him at the moment, just…something. Her eyes were magnified behind her glasses, and he would never know what possessed him to reach up and tug them off her nose.
He heard her give a soft gasp. 'What the hell was going on here', he wondered hazily.
But the next moment her secretary looked up, oblivious to the undercurrents and jumped up from her seat. "Oh, there you are Dr. Minuzo, a patient of yours has been calling non-stop, she asked that you call her as soon as you got out of your meeting."
Zoy laughed, and Ami prickled. She thought he was laughing at her, so she hastily snatched her glasses back and turned to duck into the sanctuary of her office. Little did she know Zoy had been amused with his own foolishness. Had he been coming on to the good doctor? She wasn't even his type. And it was probably a good thing her secretary had interrupted them, she had probably saved him from being slapped across the face.
He walked away from her office, but his mood was foul.
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TBC!!