'Chess is, above all, a fight' - Emanuel Lasker
Serena had avoided Hanssen for most of the week, annoyed by her own reaction to him. She was used to being the one in control and the fact that Hanssen now knew he had stirred something in her made her almost angry. She couldn't deny that there was a form of attraction between them. Maybe it was just the thrill of doing something forbidden or the idea of playing a dangerous game with someone equally manipulative. Either way, she would need to up her game.
"Ms Campbell," Harry Tressler interrupted her thoughts. He was wearing casual clothes and was obviously ready to go home. His coat was draped over his arm. "Any chance I can get you to come out for a drink with me tonight?"
"I can never turn a drink down," Serena smiled sweetly.
"My kind of girl," Harry said with a sparkly twinkle in his eye.
"Give me a few minutes to finish up here and I'll meet you in the canteen," she said, turning away before he could answer her. Harry was a sweet boy; a little pretentious, but he had a caring soul. It was a pity he was being used as a pawn, but it was for the greater good of the hospital. Or at least she kept telling herself that every time she felt a tinge of guilt. And Hanssen had done nothing to discourage her. He no doubt felt she would crash and burn.
Serena finished up on AAU and headed down to the canteen, freezing in her tracks when she noticed Hanssen speaking to Harry who was looking at him with an ominously delighted look on his face. She proceeded towards them, raising an eyebrow as she reached them.
"Thank you, Mr Hanssen, that's incredible," Harry was saying.
"What's so incredible?" Serena asked curiously as both men turned to look at her.
"Mr Hanssen has offered to let me work on Keller for a while under his supervision," Harry's eyes were wide with excitement.
"How magnanimous of him," Serena smiled, her eyes betraying her attempt to hide her disapproval.
"This is amazing," Harry turned back to Hanssen. "Thank you, Mr Hanssen. I won't let you down."
"I'm sure you won't," Hanssen nodded. "Ms Campbell has had nothing but praise for you so far."
Serena smirked.
"Were you heading home?" Hanssen asked, already knowing the answer.
"Ms Campbell and I were just on our way for a drink at Albie's," Harry answered. "You're more than welcome to join us."
"No, thank you. I have work to do."
"Actually, Harry, why don't you go ahead?" Serena noticed nurse Mary-Claire Carter lock eyes on him from the doorway. "I need to have a word with Mr Hanssen."
"I'll save you a drink," Harry smiled, turning and heading straight to Mary-Claire who locked her arm into his.
"I certainly hope I didn't interfere with your plans tonight," Hanssen turned to her, looking smug.
"Nice move," Serena drawled, leaning into him. "It won't work."
"I have no idea what you mean," he answered as he glanced around the canteen to see if anyone was watching them, acutely aware of Serena's proximity to him.
"Don't play coy. It doesn't suit you."
"I happen to believe that Mr Tressler is wasted on AAU."
"Oh please," she spat. "Don't think for one second that I don't know what you're doing. Didn't you say that no good could come from using him?"
"And who says that that's what my intention is?"
Serena stared at him for a second, her eyes blazing with anger. "Are you sure you want to play this game with me?" She hissed.
"Feeling a little competitive, are we?" Hanssen stared back at her. "I accept this little . . . challenge."
Serena stepped back, taking in a deep breath.
"Do enjoy the rest of your evening," Hanssen smirked, brushing passed her. Their brief contact felt like an electrical current surging through both of them.
Serena watched as he disappeared into the lift, giving one last glance in her direction. She could have sworn he looked excited about the idea of riling her. She realized that her free hand had formed a fist by her side. She had always known that Hanssen was a cunning man, but this surpassed even what she had come to know of him. He was willingly trying to beat her at using Harry Tressler to become more favourable with the members of the board. If the Chief Executive favoured one more than the other, he would go out of his way to lend his support to them and ensure that their ideas were heard and respected by the rest of the board. It meant a stable place on the board. It meant power. And that was one thing they both craved.
Hanssen had been supervising Harry for a week. The young man seemed to show initiative and respect. Both qualities Hanssen admired in an F1. He was a smart young man and well liked by his peers - especially the women. Hanssen had kept him busy and had made it clear to him that he would not tolerate tardiness or showing up for work with a hangover. As a result, Harry had steered clear of Albie's and had tried to get an early night most of the time. This also meant he would not have time for any out of work meetings with Ms Campbell.
Hanssen had been certain that Serena had given up. He realized that he had become complacent and over confident when he noticed Harry step out of the staff locker room, wiping lipstick off of his lips. He seemed nervous and was looking around to make sure no one had seen him as he headed back to the ward.
Hanssen waited for Harry to disappear around the corner before making his way to the locker room. Taking a deep breath, he knocked and pushed the door open, expecting to see Serena looking like a cat that had got the cream.
Instead, Mary-Claire bolted behind her locker door, holding her shirt in front of her. "I'm in here," she called out, her face flushed.
"I do apologize. I was looking for Mr Tressler," Hanssen mumbled, turning to look in the opposite direction as he stepped back out into the hallway, closing the door firmly behind him. He felt embarrassed, but also disappointed. Had Serena truly given up that easily? She wasn't the type to throw in the towel.
He was wondering why she had become so quiet when he noticed her standing near the nurses' station, speaking to Harry who was hanging onto her every word.
"Perhaps I'll demonstrate it," Serena smiled. "If you're good."
"I've been a good boy all week," Harry answered.
"Demonstrate what exactly?" Hanssen asked warily.
"Ms Campbell's offered to show me how she uses the 3D stack machine to repair ulcers," Harry said, excitedly.
"Has she now?" Hanssen seemed unimpressed.
"That's if you don't need him to change bed pans, dressings or . . . hold your hand," Serena smiled mischievously.
She's back, Hanssen thought. "I think we have everything under control here," he said, attempting to hide the slightest hint of disapproval.
"Then I guess I'll be holding your hand," Harry chuckled to Serena.
"Anytime," Serena grinned, glancing at Hanssen.
Serena had managed to get Harry down to AAU almost immediately, showing him how to use the 3D stack machine and even allowing him to have a go. They had been in theater for the good part of an hour.
"That was possibly the most amazing moment in my whole life," Harry beamed, following Serena through the AAU ward into her office like an overly excited little puppy.
"I'm glad to have been part of it," she smiled as she dropped some folders onto her desk and closed the door behind Harry. "Maybe we can do it again soon."
"That would be great," Harry said animatedly.
Serena narrowed her eyes as she observed him. He was so excited about something she had done over a hundred times. It was oddly entertaining to see.
"Thank you," Harry took a step towards her. The adrenaline was still clearly in his system from what he felt was a life altering experience.
"You're welcome," she purred, resting against the desk as the man descended on her, knowing that all her work on him had paid off. He rested his hand at the back of her neck and pulled her in to a gentle kiss which became harder and more urgent as he pushed his body up against her. She allowed him to continue, feeling exhilarated and flattered at the same time as his hand moved down her neck.
She let out a moan as his lips moved down her face and the left side of her throat. She could sense his arousal and had to suppress a smirk as she felt him harden against her as he slowly began to rock her against the edge of her desk.
A knock at the door interrupted them and Serena took a deep breath before speaking. "What is it?"
"Ms Campbell," Chantelle Lane called through the closed door. "Mr Sims has a few questions over his procedure."
"I'll be right there," Serena called, watching as Harry wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He had a look of hunger in his eyes, but she wasn't quite willing to go that far just yet. She had already won.
"Well," she breathed. "That was some thank you."
"I'm sorry," Harry said sheepishly. "I shouldn't have . . ."
"Don't be ridiculous. We're only human," she answered as she smoothed her hair down. "Mammals, you could even say."
"That's an interesting perspective," Harry smiled.
"Sex and adrenaline go hand in hand," she smirked, giving him a wink. "I once read a journal on it."
"You must let me have a read of it," Harry grinned, still looking embarrassed by his actions.
"Let's get back to work, shall we?" She opened the door. "Oh, and Harry, let's just put it all down to a new experience," she raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, actually, would it be okay if I stayed here for a little while . . . until there's a little subsiding . . ." he motioned towards his groin.
Serena glanced down at the rather large bulge and chuckled, nodding in agreement and closing the door behind her. Her thoughts flew to Hanssen, wondering how he would react to the news.
'There is no remorse like a remorse of chess. It is a curse upon man. There is no happiness in chess' - H.G. Wells
