If Fanfiction.net goes down one more time I'm going to seriously consider posting somewhere else. This is just getting to be too much. Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying this, I know I move things along slowly but I'm one of those people who relish suspense.
11 – New Acquaintances
As Dovidi walked down the stairs he was surprised to see that there was someone still working at nine in the evening on the third floor. Usually only he and an occasional VP were the only ones who worked this late. Walking to the office under which door a light still shone, he first noted that the name on the door was one he didn't recognize, then knocked softly. Inside he could hear a chair being pushed back and coming across the room before the door opened. "Yes?" Dovidi was surprised to see a young woman of maybe twenty five standing in the doorway, the title on the door had been division head of public relations. He had expected someone twice her age, and less then half as attractive. As her dark brown eyes studied him, recognition dawned in her eyes. "Mr. D'angitino, I'm afraid I didn't recognize you, please come in."
Onica moved aside and let Dovidi enter her office, uncomfortable under his stare and puzzling over why he was there. "You must forgive me Ms. Kohl, but when I saw the light shining under your door I realized that I hadn't even met this departments new head of Public relations." As Onica closed the door she felt his gaze once again studying her intently. "I hadn't realized that Mrs. Dovricie's replacement was so young." Onica felt almost relieved at this double explanation, after everything else she'd gone through she most definitely did not need another powerful man to complicate her life.
"Actually I didn't expect this position either, but apparently she thought I would be adequate and chose me for her replacement even though I'd only been here for a week and a half at the time." Dovidi had expected more information but when nothing else was said, he changed the subject.
"Well, I supposed she was right, though I must wonder what's keeping you here so late. Somehow I can't imagine a woman like you lacking plans, even on a Thursday night." Onica felt some slight guilt despite the fact that his tone was laced in arrogance. In truth she was here because she hadn't yet decided if she could face Erik, last night she had almost broken down, thinking he was a man who he didn't even resemble in the slightest, and he hadn't asked a single question when she didn't want to talk about it. She didn't know if he would bring it up, and that was what scared her. Dovidi sensed her hesitation, and while he didn't know its source he made some assumptions of his own. "Never mind, I'm sure her reason was a good one, however if you'd let me make a suggestion?" She nodded. "I think that you should face whatever it is that's on your mind. Sometimes fear makes us miss out on important things."
Onica held his gaze for a moment, at six feet five he towered over her by nearly a foot, his impossibly slim frame giving him the appearance of further height. In his light brown hair there were light blonde streaks, and something catlike in his green eyes. This man gave off the appearance of one who was slick and flippant, but his words held wisdom, creating a sense of paradox. She kept silent as she had for most of the conversation then smiled slightly and lowered her head as she uncrossed her arms, the turned and shut her laptop, placing it in her briefcase. Turning to the door she saw that Dovidi's hand already rested on the light, and after the door had been locked and they turned in different directions, Onica decided that she would head to the beach, hoping that she could catch Erik before he left.
Down the hall Dovidi made a mental note to find out as much as he could about this woman, her silent manor was simultaneously intriguing and unnerving, her beauty too drew him. Checking his watch he saw that if he didn't hurry he'd be late. Rushing down the stairs he told his driver to take him to the airport before getting into the car and starting immediately on that assignment, drawing her personal information from the company data banks and onto his laptop.
***
As Sarah picked up her overnight bag she wondered once again if this was the right decision, Irons had told her that she could change her mind at any time and leave, but if she knew him it wasn't likely that what he said was true. As they exited the airplane, she immediately picked up her cell phone dialing Gabriel's number and lagging behind the others. "Hey Gabriel? It's me, how's Snowflake?" Sarah purposely talked about Snowflake, providing herself with some cover against Irons prying ears. When at last it seemed that he was finished listening she brought up the reason for her call. "Ok, listen. How are your computer hacking skills… would you forget that I'm a cop for a second? … Ok good, here's what I need you to do…"
***
Sarah hung up her phone, suddenly feeling an intense gaze upon her, looking up she saw that Ian stood just out of hearing distance. Unwittingly she felt a chill run through her. He was as always an enigma, sometimes she thought he was a friend, and others just another one of Irons' pawns. Shaking the feeling off she held up her head, striding forward and fully ignoring him.
From a distance Ian had watched her, though her face tone posture had remained passive and her facial expression neutral the entire time they spoke, he knew that something was up. Now he just had to find out what. In his usual blink of an eye, Ian was besides her, "Lady Sarah, Mr. Irons has asked me to inform you that an acquaintance of his will be meeting us in the main lobby. Mr. Irons also requests that you wear this, as you will look more presentable in it. The changing room is the third door down the main hallway once we've gone through customs."
Without a word Sarah took the bag that Ian seemed to make appear out of this air. She'd played this game before; it was easier not to argue over whatever it was irons wanted her to wear with Ian, it didn't seem to do much good. She didn't want to wear it, doing so gave Irons just a little more control over her then she liked. Pausing in her tracks Sarah suddenly realized that in agreeing to help Irons, she had placed small things such as that right into his hands since she didn't bring any clothing besides that in her overnight bag, and didn't have enough money to much. Gritting her teeth she decided that she'd just have to bare it, after all there were far ways to retaliate, ways that he couldn't even begin to imagine.
***
Irons waited impatiently for Sarah leaning heavily on a cane as he did so, in his legs he felt a pain that was almost unbearable, unfortunately being seen in a wheelchair was even less to his liking. Tapping the cane impatiently he watched Ian out of the corner of his eye, then heard a soft his from that direction. Turing he to drew a sharp breath, unable to fight the de javu that suddenly enveloped him.
Sarah saw the reaction she generated as she walked out of the ladies room and wondered if something she wore was crooked. She had let her hair down, brushing it so that it framed her face. She wore black sandals and a modest black dress with a U shaped collar and thick straps that fell to her knees. Around her neck there was a string of small white pearls, something she'd found in the bag with the shoes and dress. Also in the bag had been a pair of elbow gloves that Sarah had almost laughed at. The outfit itself was both modest and elegant and Sarah had felt no true objection to it, when she'd looked in the mirror however she'd had the odd feeling as if she were someone else.
As she fell into step with Ian Sarah at last noticed that Irons was walking, lifting her eyebrows she studied his posture
