Chapter Seven
Will knocked on the door as he looked at Martin and Martin waved with his hand for Will to come in the office. Will closed the door as he walked to the desk and sat down on the chair in front of the desk.
"You wanted to see me?" Will asked.
"Yes," Martin said as he sat back in the chair and pressed his hands together. "You do remember Frederick Wingate, don't you?"
"Yes, I do," Will said as he shifted in the chair and crossed his legs.
"Well, he contacted me and is interested in using our firm."
"That's great!"
"The trouble is the only free agent at the moment to make the deal is you."
"Oh," Will sighed and Martin gave him a serious look.
"Will, we need this account."
"I know that," Will said with a nod. "How did he react when you told him?"
"He almost hung up the phone."
"Oh," Will sighed, half closing his eyes.
"I was able to convince him you were the best person for the job, but he said you only get one chance or the deal is off the table."
"I see."
"I need your word that nothing will interfere with this deal."
"I promise you things will run smoothly."
"Good. Now Wingate will be coming over for dinner at your flat on Friday…," Martin said and Will's eyes widened as his mouth fell opened a little bit. "Is that a problem?"
"No," Will said with a shake of his head then stood up. He walked to the door then opened the door, turned and looked at Martin. "It's fine."
"He'll be there at eight," Martin said and Will nodded, leaving the office.
Will sat at his desk as he sat back in the chair and frowned. His mind drifted back to the year before while he half closed his eyes and pressed the palms of his hands together.
"What the bloody hell are you doing?!" Will shouted as Alicia spun around to look at him, nearly fell and laughed. She smelt of gin as she placed her arms around his neck and looked deeply into his eyes.
"We were just talking," she said then looked at Vanessa Wingate. Will saw how angry Vanessa looked when Frederick Wingate and Martin came closer and Will pushed away from Alicia. "Hey!"
"What is going on here?!" Frederick demanded.
"This… This "person" just insulted me!" Vanessa said, near tears.
"All I said was you could use to lose some weight," Alicia said then laughed. "I mean, please, that dress looks like it's about to burst from trying to hold in that stomach of yours!"
"Alicia!" Will growled and Wingate glared at him.
"You know this woman, Traynor?!" Frederick asked.
"Yes, Sir. I am afraid she is my girlfriend."
"I see," he said then turned to look at Martin. "Fire him."
"Uh….," Martin said.
"I demand his resignation right now!"
"Oh, don't be such a wimp," Alicia said as she looked at Martin and Will felt his stomach dropping. "Tell the old goat where to go."
"Shut up!" Will shouted loud enough for people to look at them and he snorted air through his nose.
"Don't you dare yell at me!"
"You just got me fired!"
"I did not!"
"Wait," Martin said as he held his hands up and they looked at him. "I suggest we shelve this conversation until we all calm down. I'm sure we can come to some sort of solution."
"Fine, but it better be a good one!" Frederick growled then led his wife away and Martin looked at Will. He had never seen Martin so disappointed as he walked away and Will looked at Alicia. She was about to say something then decided against it from the look in his eyes and Will sighed.
Will shook the memory from his mind as he placed his head in his hands and tried hard not to be sick. Sighing, he ran his fingers over his scalp then looked up and silently prayed for a miracle.
"Clark!?" Will called out as Louisa came out of the kitchen and Will placed the helmet down on the table near the door.
"Yes?" Louisa asked and he walked to her.
"We need to talk," Will said and she saw the seriousness in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"We're having guests for dinner on Friday."
"Oh," she said with a sigh. "I thought I did something wrong."
"No, you haven't done anything wrong."
"Then why are you being so serious?"
"It has to do with the client I'm going to be entertaining."
"Who is it?"
"His name is Frederick Wingate. My firm has been trying to get his account for years. My boss wants me to try and get him to sign, but it's going to be tough."
"Why?"
"He doesn't like me."
"He doesn't like you?"
"Yes," Will said with a sigh. "You see, last year, my firm was invited to this cocktail party and Wingate was there. I was about to approach him to strike the deal when his wife, Vanessa, loudly started fighting with Alicia."
"Oh no."
"Alicia had been drinking for most of the night and told her she needed to lose weight."
"Didn't she know who she was talking to!?"
"No," he said with a shake of his head. "When Wingate found out, he demanded my resignation."
"You were going to be sacked because of Alicia?!"
"Yes, and the only reason I still have a job was Wingate agreeing to Alicia and I publicly apologizing to his wife at the next cocktail party. It took me pinching her lower back before Alicia would say she was sorry."
Louisa sighed while anger bubbled inside her and Will ran his fingers through his hair.
"Does he know you broke up with her?" Louisa asked.
"Martin or Wingate?"
"Either one."
"No."
"Then I don't see a problem."
"I just told you we're having guests in three days and you don't see it as a problem!?"
"Well, if I am to be honest, my stomach is doing flips. I need to plan a menu, clean the flat, make sure the silverware, dishes, table cloth, napkins and glasses are spotless and see if you need a suit or tux cleaned."
"I'll help you," Will said and her eyes widened.
"You will?"
"Yes," he said with a nod and she smiled. "Just one more thing. You are going to have to buy a maid's uniform."
"Ok," she said while Will watched her walk back into the kitchen then he went into the bedroom and closed the door behind him.
"Whoa!" Louisa said as Will finished tying the bow tie then turned to look at her. She silently admitted liking how he looked in a black tuxedo and he moved around in the circle with his arms out slightly. Will looked at her gray maid's outfit with a white collar, cuffs and hem around the skirt. She had a crisp white apron around her waist, but his eyes went wide when he saw the black tights with white and gray polka dots and the white and black trainers on her feet.
"Uh…" he said.
"What's wrong?" Louisa asked as she looked down then looked at Will.
"As much as I like your colorful outfits, the tights and mismatched trainers aren't going to work."
He saw the hurt in her eyes as his heart sank and she nodded, walking away. He followed her out of the room when she closed the door to her bedroom and he leaned against the wall.
"Clark, I'm sorry," he said and lowered his head. The bedroom door opened as she came out wearing naked hose and white trainers and lifted his chin up with her thumb.
"I'm not made out of glass," she said with a smile and he softly laughed.
"I'm still sorry," he said with a small shrug.
"And I forgive you."
The sound of someone knocking on the door startled them as Louisa walked to the door, opened the door and looked at Frederick and Vanessa Wingate.
Frederick Wingate was a tall man with a lean build, salt and pepper black hair and had deep brown eyes. He wore gray tuxedo, a white shirt, a dark gray tie, a black leather belt, gray socks and high polished black leather shoes. He looked at Louisa when he handed her his dark gray coat and she made a little curtsy.
Vanessa Wingate was a tall woman with green eyes and her blonde hair was curly. She was dressed in a blue dress with the skirt ending just below her knees and matching shoes She handed Louisa her coat as Louisa curtsied and they walked in the room.
"Hello, Traynor," Frederick said with a nod.
"Hello, Sir," Will said then looked at Vanessa. "Good evening, Mrs. Wingate."
"Good evening," Vanessa said while Louisa hung the coats up on the pegs near the door and they looked at her.
"May I introduce my maid, Louisa Clark?" Will asked and they nodded at her.
Louisa walked in the kitchen while Will led the Wingates to the couch then walked to the bar. He knew what both Frederick and Vanessa liked to drink as he poured the drinks into the glasses and Louisa came out with a silver tray with some hors d'oeuvres. He watched as she smiled at Frederick and Vanessa and they nodded to her. He brought the drinks to them as he handed them the glasses and sat down on the couch across from them.
"Where is…? What was her name again? Frederick asked and Will noticed how uncomfortable Vanessa looked.
"Oh, you mean Alicia?" Will asked, taking a sip of the scotch in his glass. "I am afraid we are no longer together."
"Ah," Frederick said with a nod and sipped on the whiskey in his glass. Vanessa placed her glass on the coaster on the coffee table when she got up and Will watched her go into the kitchen. His stomach became a tight knot as he sighed and sipped on the scotch.
Louisa placed the roast on the cutting board when she noticed Vanessa watching her and felt her stomach sink.
"That smells amazing!" Vanessa said with a smile and Louisa smiled back.
"Thank you. I thought a roast would be a good idea," Louisa said, picking up the carving knife. "Is it alright if we have pan roasted potatoes with the roast?"
"Oh yes! Those are Frederick's favorite!"
"We're also having asparagus with hollandaise sauce and I made some rolls."
"Are you sure you didn't call our cook!? Those are his favorites as well," Vanessa said.
"No, I just guessed," Louisa said and Vanessa softly laughed. "Though I wasn't sure what to have for dessert."
"Nothing for me, Dear. I am on a diet."
"You're on a diet?! Why!? You look amazing!"
"You're too kind," Vanessa said then walked closer. "Do you need a hand with that?"
"No, I'm fine," Louisa said as she shyly smiled and Vanessa nodded then went back into the living room.
The rest of the evening went smoothly as Will and Frederick talked business and Vanessa gave Louisa a little hug as they left. Will looked at Louisa after closing the door when he blinked and lightly shook his head.
"Do you think it went ok?" Louisa asked.
"I… I think so," Will said then pressed his lips together as his eyebrows arched up.
"Then I better start cleaning up."
"I'll help you," he said as they went into the kitchen and she was a little surprised when he slid his arm around her shoulders.
Will knocked on the door as he opened the door and Martin waved for him to come in. Will silently closed the door when he walked to the chair and Martin pointed for him to sit down. Martin ended the call when he placed the receiver on the cradle and looked at Will.
"I guess you're wondering why I asked to see you," Martin said and Will felt his stomach churning.
"Does it have to do with the Wingate account?" Will asked.
"Yes, it does," Martin said and Will swallowed the lump in his throat. "I just need to ask this. What did you do? Lock Alicia in the bedroom?"
"What!?" Will asked, a little confused then smiled. "Oh, no, we broke up."
"When did that happen?"
"It was while I was in the hospital."
"Ah, well, Wingate was rather impressed with you."
"He was?!"
"Yes, he couldn't stop talking about how impressed he was with you and wants you to be in charge of his accounts," Martin said and Will felt his heart slamming in his chest. He wondered if he was dreaming as he blinked and shook his head a few times.
"Are you serious?!"
"Yes," Martin said while sliding the files toward him and Will took the top file in his hands. He opened the file as he looked at the paperwork and smiled. "Well done!"
"Thank you," Will said as he got up, picked up the files, walked to the door and left the office. He walked down the hallway when he came to his office and went inside. Cally looked at him when he walked by her and went into the inner office. She noticed the look on his face when he went inside and sighed then jumped when he cheered. She walked to the door when she saw him dancing then turned to look at her. "I did it! I got the Wingate account!"
"Whoa!" she said as he walked closer, laughed and hugged her. She patted his back as he moved back and she saw the joy in his eyes. She lightly tapped her fingers against his chest then left the room and closed the door. Will walked to the desk when he sat down and opened the top file. He read the information when he took the Blackberry out of his pocket and looked at the photo of him and Louisa. He lightly moved his finger over the screen then opened the text window and started typing.
Clark, I did it! I got the account!
He waited for few minutes when the soft ping came from the Blackberry and he looked at the screen.
That's great!
Will smiled when he thought of something and typed on the keyboard.
I saw Wingate's wife go into the kitchen. What did she want?
I guess she wanted to see what was for dinner. She told me I made all his favorites.
You did?
Yeah, then I told her I wasn't sure what to have for dessert and she told me not to bother because she was on a diet. I told her she didn't need to go on a diet because she looked amazing.
Will felt his stomach sink as he re-read what she had sent and swallowed hard.
You what?!
I told her she didn't need to be on a diet when she said she didn't want any dessert because she looked amazing.
Will looked at the screen for a few seconds and blinked. He knew one way to get on Wingate's good side was to make friends with his wife and Louisa had done just that.
"She helped me get the account and she didn't even know it," he thought and smiled.
Will?
I'm still here.
Did I do something wrong?
He could picture her biting her nails as he leaned back in the chair and placed his feet on top of the desk.
No, you didn't do anything wrong. In fact, you helped me.
I did?!
Yes. You see, one way to get on Wingate's good side is to make friends with his wife. She is one of the biggest stockholder in his companies.
Oh.
Clark, would you like to come out to dinner and celebrate? I'll make the reservations.
He looked at the screen when the small ping came from the Blackberry and he looked at the screen.
Sure.
See you when I get home.
He ended the call when he placed the Blackberry back in his pocket, picked up the file and started to read the report. He then realized he might have just asked Louisa on a date and frowned.
"No, she wouldn't see it that way," he said and looked at the report.
"Oh boy," Louisa said as she looked at the screen and leaned against the counter. She was happy about Will getting the account, but had he just asked her out? "No, that's not what he did."
She walked out of the kitchen as she headed for her bedroom and closed the door after going inside. She went to lie down on the bed when she sighed and looked at the ceiling.
"He didn't' ask me out," she said as she placed her hands behind her head and frowned. "He just wants to celebrate getting the account. There is no way he is even interested in me!"
She picked up the phone when she re-read the text and her eyebrows arched down into a point.
"But what if he is?"
She looked at the screen as the photo of Patrick smiling at her and she sighed. She opened the text application when she pushed the button and pressed her lips into a thin line.
Treena, I need to tell you something.
She waited until the soft pinging sound came from the phone and looked at the screen.
What's wrong?
I think my boss just asked me out on a date.
He did?!
I said I think he did. See, he had to entertain an important client last night and he got the account.
And he asked you out to celebrate?
Yeah.
That's not a date.
I know, but what if he thinks it is a date?
Doesn't he have a girlfriend?
Not anymore. They broke up.
Does he know about Patrick?
Yes.
Then there's nothing to worry about. He knows you are off limits.
I'm over reacting?
Yes, you are over reacting.
Then what should I do? He said he was going to make reservations, but he didn't tell me where.
Just dress in casual clothes, but not too casual.
I did buy a new sundress.
Wear that and some nice sandals.
Should I wear nude hose or bare legs?
It's up to you. Just remember to wear panties.
Louisa laughed then covered her mouth with her and shook her head.
I can't believe you sent that!
Made you laugh, right?
Yeah.
Lou, it's going to be fine.
Thanks.
Anytime.
Louisa turned the phone off when she placed the phone on the night table then got off the bed and went to get ready for dinner.
"Clark?" Will said when he came in and closed the door. He looked around when Louisa came out of her bedroom and was wearing a light blue sundress and white leather sandals and her hair was floating around her shoulders. He admitted she looked adorable as she smiled and he placed the helmet on the table near the door. "You look amazing."
"Thank you," she said with a curtsy.
"Give me a few minutes to change and we'll go."
"So, this is ok?"
"Perfect," he said with a nod and headed into his bedroom. He came out wearing a white shirt, a cream color jumper, jeans and trainers and she smiled.
"You look perfect, too," she said and he walked to her.
"Just so you know. This isn't a date."
"I know," she said. "We're just two friends going out to celebrate you getting the account."
"Yes, that's exactly what we're doing," he said as he held his hand out and she took it. They headed for the door when they left and he closed the door behind them.
