Hermione sat down heavily at her desk and put her head in her hands. Why had she let Abigail get to her? She'd left with a flourish but she knew she'd acted childishly instead of rising above it. She wasn't in the least bit surprised when the door opened and Draco stepped in.

She held her hand up in surrender. "Before you start, I know I was out of order. That girl just has the ability to wind me up..."

Draco interrupted. "What exactly happened?"

"I'd rather not relive it."

"Hermione, my P.A. is in tears upstairs."

"Crocodile tears."

"What? What are you talking about?" Draco demanded.

"It's a Muggle saying - it means they're not real tears," Hermione explained, in an irritated voice.

"Well, they look real to me."

Hermione sighed resignedly. "Yeah, well they would, wouldn't they? She's a really good actress."

Draco shook his head. "I can't believe she's like you say. She's just such a good employee, always willing to work over, always trying to be helpful and capable..."

"Because she wants you!" Hermione pointed out impatiently. She then glared at him. "What I should have said is she wants you...again!"

Draco gave a deep sigh. "I can't fire her, Hermione. She's indispensible and she's done nothing wrong."

"Then our deal is off," Hermione picked up a quill and looked at the pile of parchment on her desk. "I need to get on with some work."

Draco leant over the desk. "The deal can't be off, Hermione."

"Well, it is."

"It can't be - this is my business, I need you to be with me when I entertain my customers at your hotel."

Hermione looked up at him. "I thought Abigail was the indispensible one? Get her to pose as your fake girlfriend, I'm sure she'd be more than willing."

"They've already met you, I can't do that."

Hermione glared at him. "Do you know what? I don't care! I don't care if it inconveniences you or if you look like you've been dumped. I thought we were friends but obviously I was wrong."

Draco glared back. "So, because we're friends, you now think you can demand that I fire my staff?! How would you feel if started telling you who to hire and fire?"

"Well I'd like to think I'd understand if one of them was behaving the way Abigail is!" Hermione snapped at him.

"I can't and won't fire her but I will speak to her about the way she is treating you, if you tell me what she said," Draco offered.

Hermione sighed. "Thanks," she said, resignedly.

"So the deal's back on?"

"No."

"Hermione!"

"She won't change, Draco," Hermione put her quill down. "She'll tell you she will but she won't."

"How about I make sure you two don't have anything to do with one another?" Draco suggested.

Hermione twisted her lips at him. "You know that's impossible and it isn't the point."

Draco leant over again. "So what is the point?" he said, his voice sounded frustrated.

"The point is that you're just happy to let her treat me like that as long as it doesn't mess up your business dealings," Hermione challenged him. Draco held her eyes for the longest moment.

"Okay - it is unacceptable if she is upsetting you like this. If you insist that I fire her, then I will but only after our event," Draco said. "And I need you to help me think of a legitimate reason because I can't just fire her because you and her don't get along." His face was set, his lips a line on his face. Hermione gulped, totally surprised by his sudden agreement.

Hermione held his gaze for a moment and then groaned, looking away. "No," she muttered. She hated Abigail - detested her in fact, but Draco was right. Demanding that she get fired when she hadn't done anything professionally wrong was just behaving as vindictively as Abigail.

"No?" Draco asked. "No, that isn't acceptable?"

"No," Hermione repeated. "You don't have to fire her." She saw relief wash over Draco's face. "Just keep her away from me, right?"

"I can't keep up with you!" Draco said, irritably.

"The feeling is mutual," Hermione grumbled.

"What exactly did she say to you?" Draco asked.

"She told me I was a slut for sleeping with you and that she'd still be around when I'm just a notch on your bedpost."

"She called you a slut?!" Draco sounded shocked.

"No - she didn't use the word but that's exactly what she meant."

"Why did she think you had slept with me?"

Hermione sighed again. "I don't know! Maybe the fact that I've obviously stayed all night?" Hermione paused for effect. "Oh and that I told her we were dating."

Draco raised both eyebrows. "You told her we were dating?"

"I thought that's what you wanted?"

"Well, it is but I didn't know that we were announcing it immediately."

Hermione huffed. "Whatever! Go and tell her I was lying because I'm totally besotted with you but you're not interested. I'll just go along with it."

Draco rolled his eyes. "For Merlin's sake, Hermione!"

"Just keep her out of my way or I won't be responsible for my actions."

"She'll be there at the customer evening."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Is that necessary?"

"She's organised it - I don't even know some of the arrangements."

"Fine!" Hermione returned to her work. She could see Draco hesitating for a moment before he turned and left the room.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''

"Where is the bitch?" Ginny asked as they entered the nightclub.

"Sshh!" Hermione hissed. "I think some of the customers are already here." She smiled at a man to her left who smiled back.

"I can't believe Draco is allowing her to be here."

Hermione took Ginny's arm. "Thanks for supporting me, Ginny but I need to try and forget about it or I'm likely to Avada Kadavra her." A young woman standing by the door looked over at them, a look of shock on her face, so Hermione pinned the false smile back on. "It's one of our cocktails," she improvised and she heard Ginny chuckle next to her.

They moved away quickly but Ginny was giggling. "Can you imagine her asking one of the barmen for an Avada Kadavra?" she asked. "Hilarious!"

Hermione couldn't help but join in her friends frivolity and she gave a small laugh. "I think the less I speak tonight, the better it will be!"

"I think that's always a good theory for you to work with," Draco's voice said from behind her and Hermione turned to face him, her eyebrows raised.

"Very funny, Malfoy."

"Darling," Draco said.

"What?"

"Don't you mean - very funny, darling?" he asked.

Hermione pulled a face. "Yeah, whatever you say, sweetheart!" Her voice was laced with sarcasm.

Draco raised one eyebrow. "I think you need a drink."

"I think I need twenty," Hermione said and Ginny chuckled.

"It's going to be an interesting evening," she said.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '

Hermione introduced the band as they came on stage and then walked back towards where Draco was standing with Stefan and Lynette, whom she had already been reintroduced to. Draco smiled at her as she approached and she managed to smile back.

"The more I see of this hotel, the better!" Stefan said. "I was telling Nicholas about it when I met him the other day - he often has clients he needs to find a decent hotel for. He's also very interested in your Grade A advertising package, Draco - he's getting a bad deal at the moment."

"Not another unhappy Blake customer?"

"Yes, I think so."

Hermione asked Lynette a few questions to engage her in conversation before wondering around the room again, making sure everyone was happy and that the staff were managing. It all appeared to be running smoothly. She immediately regretted this thought when she heard a voice behind her.

"Well, it would seem I'm still here, wouldn't it?"

Hermione took a deep steadying breath and turned to face Abigail who was standing behind her, holding a clipboard. She looked very different to normal, her hair piled high on her head, her face beautifully made up and she wore a low cut, tight fitting dress. Hermione wanted to think she looked awful but the truth was, she didn't. She looked amazing.

"I think it's best we avoid each other." Hermione went to turn away but Abigail grabbed her arm.

"I think it's best you step aside gracefully, while you still can."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "What the hell does that mean?"

Abigail blinked innocently. "Well, it would be better for you if you can leave Draco rather than the other way around."

"So that he can sweep you off your feet and sail off into the sunset with you?" Hermione shook her head. "You really think that's what is going to happen?"

"After tonight, yes I do."

"After tonight?"

"This!" Abigail waved her free arm around the room. "This is all down to me and if it goes as well, as I expect it to, I think Draco might finally realise just how much he needs me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Forgive me for pointing out the obvious but isn't this the nightclub in the hotel that I manage? And aren't the guests all staying in that very same hotel overnight?"

"Ladies," Draco's voice interrupted them and Hermione turned to face him. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, great." Hermione turned away. "I'm having the time of my life."

"Hermione..."

"The band have finished, I'm going to speak to them," Hermione walked away, before her bubbling anger overcame her. Never again would she be in the same room as that woman!

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''

The evening had gone well. Draco was at his most charming and the smile hadn't left his face, so Hermione guessed he was pleased with the results. She'd not enjoyed herself at all, in main due to Abigail. She'd felt her eyes on her several times but she'd just ignored her. At one point, Ginny and her seemed to be engaged in some sort of heated discussion but Blaise dragged Ginny away.

Hermione made sure that reception dealt with all the guests who were staying overnight before she returned to the nightclub. It was empty now, the lights were on and the staff were clearing away. The only people left were Draco, Blaise, Ginny and Abigail. Hermione took one last calming breath and walked over to them.

"Well, it think it went well," she said.

Draco grabbed her into a hug. "Well!? It was brilliant! Exactly what I wanted - better in fact."

Hermione couldn't help but grin at his exuberance. "I'm glad you're pleased." She knew Abigail was watching their exchange but she ignored her.

"We're off now - I've left the keys with Baz to lock up," Ginny said. Hermione said goodnight to her and Blaise and then turned back to Draco.

"Abigail just needs me for a few minutes," Draco said. "You don't have to wait. Thanks again."

Hermione stared at him. "I don't mind waiting."

"There's no need."

She raised one eyebrow. "I'd like to say goodnight properly," she said, her voice laced with meaning. She saw realisation dawn on Draco's face and he turned to Abigail.

"Let's meet in the morning instead," he said. Abigail's face froze over, her eyes narrowing.

"If you think that's best," she said.

"Yes - that will be fine," Draco nodded. "Thank you for all your hard work."

Abigail nodded briskly and then left without another word. Hermione waited until the door shut behind her before she sank into the nearest chair, feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion.

"I can never do that again!"

"Do what again?"

"Be in the same room as her."

She felt Draco take her hand and pull her back to standing. "Come on," he said. She looked at him questioningly. "Stay at the Penthouse tonight," he said.

"Oh, no...I don't think..."

"What's wrong with a girl staying at her boyfriends place?" Draco asked. "It's official now - we need to keep up the pretence."

Hermione looked at him but she hadn't the energy to argue.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

When she awoke the next morning, she found Draco out on the balcony. It was a bright, warm day and she stepped out to joined him.

"Good morning," she said.

"Good morning."

"I thought I was an early riser but you always seem to beat me."

"The early bird get's the worm...that's right isn't it?"

"Draco Malfoy is now quoting Muggle sayings to me?"

"Thanks for last night it went really well," Draco said. He was still gazing out over the city and Hermione looked at him, something about his tone making her apprehensive.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

Draco turned to look at her. "Nothing. What would you like for breakfast?"

"I'll have a nice slice of the truth, please," Hermione answered and she folded her arms across her chest. Draco stared at her and then sighed.

"I don't like that you know me this well," he said. "Something has happened at Silver in New York."

"What?"

"Well, the guy I have running it for me, Chris Tennant, has disappeared. He literally has a free range on everything over there - I leave it entirely to him. He hasn't turned in for a week, no-one can find him - the place is in turmoil."

"You have to go there?" Hermione asked. She already knew the answer and she didn't like it.

"Yeah - obviously I need to make sure we put someone else in place until we can sort it out but I'd also like to find out what's happened to him. I've known him for years, Hermione - he's an old friend as well as an employee."

"Then of course you should go - I can help with the charity thing if that's a problem," she nodded. She didn't want him to go, but she understood entirely that he had to. Still, something about Draco's tone didn't seem right. He couldn't be that bothered about having to leave for a while, could he? "What else?" she asked.

Draco sat down on one of the chairs and pulled her arm so that she sat down next to him. "I have to take Abigail with me." Hermione blinked rapidly, her heart pounding. No wonder he didn't want to tell her that! Draco spoke again. "I know you won't like it but I need her to sort out the office stuff while I help find Chris. No-one else can do it, Hermione. She knows how everything runs..." He stopped speaking and looked down at his hands and Hermione felt sorry for him.

"Okay," she said. It wasn't okay - it would never be okay but Draco really didn't need her creating a fuss. He looked over at her.

"Okay?" he repeated. "Is that it? You're not going to hex me?"

Hermione gave a small giggle. "Of course not."

"I thought you'd be screaming mad at me."

Hermione sighed. "Am I really that bad?"

"No, you're not bad at all." Draco turned back to look at her. "What did she say to you last night?"

"Don't worry about it - I handled it."

"Now I'd like a slice of truth, please," Draco said and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"She told me to step aside gracefully, while I still can."

She saw Draco's eyes widen. "What does that mean?"

"That was my reaction - she told me to get lost so that she can welcome you with open arms when you realise she's so amazing that you can no longer resist."

She saw Draco's lips twitch in amusement. "You should write romance novels - you have a lovely way of describing it."

"I think I'm the last person on earth who should write romance novels - unless it's what not to do!"

Draco laughed again. "You're funny."

"Funny amusing or funny strange?" Hermione asked.

"Both!"

She slapped his arm but smiled. "Go and sort out New York and I hope you find your friend."

"Thanks."

Hermione bit her lip, wanting to say something but feeling unsure about it. As she hesitated, Draco was staring at her and she glanced at him.

"Go on - spit it out," he instructed her.

"Now you know me too well!"

"I can tell you want to say something."

Hermione bit her lip again. "Well...I just wanted to say...I mean...I know you have to go and I even understand why you have to take her," she couldn't bring herself to say Abigail's name. "But...well...I know I have no right to ask you...but..." Hermione sighed and put her head in her hands. "This is too hard! Just forget I said anything!"

Draco gave a deep chuckle. "Well, actually, you haven't said anything yet...at least anything I can understand."

Hermione looked up at him. "I know this is all an act," she waved her hand between them. "I can't really ask you...but...well...I hate that she has to go with you and...I'd be upset...I can't bear to think about the two of you..."

She saw Draco's expression change and stopped speaking. She took a deep breath and blinked at him. Draco's eyes had softened and he was gazing at her in a way she hadn't seen before.

"Is my pretend girlfriend asking me to be a well behaved pretend boyfriend while I'm away from her?" he asked.

Hermione shrugged, embarrassed. "I don't know what I mean, really..."

Draco took both her hands in his and leant close, making a tingle run up her spine. "Why doesn't my real friend just ask me to stay her real friend while I'm away instead?"

Hermione met his gaze now because she knew he understood what she had meant and the way he'd twisted the situation around was so thoughtful, it made her feel quite emotional. "You're too good for someone like her..." Hermione was surprised by her own words.

Draco let go of her hand and lifted it to push a strand of hair from her face. Hermione watched him intently, unable to tear her eyes away. "Yeah, I am, I'm far too good for her. In fact I'm far too good for most women..." Draco said, quietly and they smiled gently at each other, enjoying his gentle humour. "But I should tell you that, unless there just happens to be some even more gorgeous, clever, sweet, caring , talented and exceptional New York hotel manager; then I'll be hurrying back to the one I've become strangely attached to right here."

Hermione felt tears forming and desperately tried to hold them back. Draco's words were so touching that she could easily have cried on the spot. She gave a sniff but couldn't actually reply. Draco leant forward, kissed her firmly on the forehead and then stood up and stretched.

"Scrambled egg on toast?" he asked, his manner and tone back to normal and Hermione just looked up at him and nodded whilst thinking how strange it was that being given such bad news could feel so good?

Hurray! A new chapter! I won't apologize again for the delay but I am glad to be posting again. Hope it was enjoyable. I will keep updating but maybe not quite as frequently as before until everything is sorted. Hope this fills a gap! Thanks for all your lovely messages and support. It made me feel much better. x