"Carla?"
"Hmm?"
"Not sure if you're aware, but I thought I'd bring it to your attention nonetheless..."
"What?"
"Your mobile's been vibrating non-stop..."
"I'm aware..."
Maria swiveled in her chair to face Carla, who was sat at her desk, hunched over a pile of paperwork and biting the end of the pen she had gripped between her fingers. "So," she smirked at her, "still not talking to either of them, then?"
"Nope."
"And you plan on keeping this up for a while?"
"Yep."
"And would the company be willing to pay for a pair of noise cancelling headphones then?"
Carla let out a chuckle, "Not a chance..."
"What about allergy medication, then?"
At this Carla looked up, scrunching her face in confusion, "allergy medication?" she repeated
"Yeah, for the hayfever all them flowers are triggering..." Maria smirked, gesturing to the dozens of bouquets that were scattered about the office.
"Pfft," Carla scoffed looking back down to her paperwork, "Since when do you get hayfever in March?!"
"Well I don't normally, but I reckon I will do if anymore of them come sprouting up..." Maria laughed before turning back to the computer.
"Don't quit your day job, love."
"I would never. Where would that leave you, for a start?"
"With a quieter P.A..."
"Awww you'd miss me, really," Maria turned her head towards the factory boss and fluttered her eyelashes coyly over her shoulder
"Maybe," Carla raised her gaze and smirked at Maria, "I'd never admit it out loud though..."
"You wouldn't have to, your eyes would give it away..." She laughed as the sample knickers Carla tossed in her direction landed squarely in her face, "alright, alright, I best make you a cup of coffee. I can see it's getting to that time of day when your caffeine levels start to drop..." she said as she rose from her chair
"You know me so well,"
"Yet another reason you'd miss me," Maria stated as she opened the door before winking at Carla
"Yeah, yeah,"
Maria chuckled as turned to exit the office before jumping back in shock, "Oh sorry Sean!" she said, "didn't see you there..."
"What with the botanical gardens growing in 'ere I'm not surprised..." Sean quipped. At Maria's laugh, he stepped fully into the office and gestured to Carla, who remained silent at his remark, with his head, "she still not talking to them, then?
"Nope."
"And it's been..."
"Three days..."
"Oh good. Just one more day of the week to go before we can all breath in some wonderful non-floral aromas..."
"How can we help you, Sean?" Carla interrupted as she began inputting numbers on her calculator
"Well, look Mrs. C, you know I love you, and I'm not being funny, but..." Sean paused as Carla raised her head from her paperwork, twisting her lips and raising her eyebrow at him
"...but?"
"But could you please just talk to the two of them, because honestly I don't know how many more of these" He pulled out yet another obscenely large bouquet of freesias from behind his back and thrust them towards Carla, "we can house in here, before we turn into a flippin' flower shop!"
She sighed as she accepted them off him and he smiled awkwardly at Maria, "judging by the size of that bouquet, and the fact that its freesias, again, I'm guessing these ones are from-"
"Frank," Carla and Maria answered at the same time
"Thought so," Sean acquiesced, rolling his eyes, "doesn't believe in mixing things up a bit does he, our Frank?" he chuckled
Carla smiled thinly at him, "Why don't you and the girls head off for lunch, Seany?"
"Boss, yes boss!" he saluted her and exited the office as Maria smirked
"You can go too and all, Maria." Carla said as she stood up from her desk, looking for a place to place the bouquet
"Are you sure?"
"Yep," came the response as Carla attempted to rearrange the other bouquets steadily on the cabinet behind her, swiftly catching one as it tumbled towards the ground, "as long as you promise to bring me a coffee and a sticky bun from Roy's on your way back." She grunted out as she heaved the newest batch of freesias on top of the others, before wiping her hands along her jeans and turning to face her P.A.
"I think I can manage that," Maria chuckled, grabbing her purse and digging through it, before pulling out the item she was looking for, "there, best leave that for you an' all," she said placing the item on the paperwork in front of Carla, "figured you might need little Liam's toy whistle..."
"And why is that, then?" Carla asked, perplexed as she picked up the bright, neon green whistle and twisted it around
"So that if all these flowers come down like an avalanche, you'll be able to signal to us so we know where to begin digging you out." With a final giggle she left the office, leaving a smirking Carla behind.
She muddled around with some more paperwork while the last of the factory workers exited the building. As she went to place the papers into one of the files on the desk, she couldn't help but smile at the whistle that remained on top of the pile. She raised the whistle to her lips and blew into it softly, surprised at how little pressure it took to make such a trilling sound.
'Hmm, might come in handy the next time I catch one them lot dozing off...' she thought with a smile before placing the whistle in the top desk drawer
"Now there's a beautiful sight," Frank's voice called out as he stepped into her office, "I've missed that smile this week."
"Hello, Frank," Carla exhaled, leaning her elbows on the desk in front of her, "to what do I owe this pleasure?"
Frank placed his hands in his pockets and shrugged slightly, "I see you've received my flowers," he asked pointedly, his eyes glancing about the office, "and then some..." he muttered, trying to contain the jealousy that coursed through him at the thought of who else was also sending her flowers.
"Hmm mmm," she responded simply with a piqued eyebrow
"Is your phone working?" he asked, brows furrowing
"As far as I'm aware,"
"So you have been getting my calls, then?" he gestured to her mobile on the desk
"I have."
"And you've been deliberately ignoring them?"
"My, my no flies on you is there Frank?" She replied as she leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other
Frank nodded; lowering his gaze to his shoes before coming back up to rest on her, "may I?" he pointed to the chair across from her and moved to sit down after she nodded. "Look," he began softly, "I know you're upset about what I did-"
"Upset, Frank?" she interrupted him, "No, I'm not upset. As I told you on the phone on Tuesday morning, I'm downright disgusted," she pushed herself up from her chair and put some more distance between them, folding her arms across her chest before spinning back to face him, "lying about me asking you out when I were 'drunk' in order to manipulate me into having dinner with you?"
"It wasn't like that-"
"I mean, how dare you? Who'd you think you are?" she shook her head at him, restraining herself from shouting at a client.
"Look, Carla if I could dig a hole and crawl into it, I would-"
"I've got a shovel you can borrow-" she sniped back
"Carla, look I'm sorry, alright? That's why I came here, to apologize and to explain, if you'll just give me the chance to," he pleaded, watching as she exhaled deeply before sitting back down.
"Go on then," she said.
"Look, this is embarrassing for me to admit, but I'm not always very smooth when it comes to asking women out," she scoffed at him, before folding her arms across her once more, "I mean, I'm very confident when needed, but with certain women I just clam up. Say all the wrong things..."
"And I'm one of them women, am I?"
"Yes," he looked into her eyes, marvelling for a moment in the way they darkened when she was angry, "You're stunning, and funny, and smart. You light up a room when you walk into it, and every man in the vicinity fights to be the only one in your orbit. I didn't a stand a chance that night at the mixer talking to you, all the others were flocking around you, I could barely get a word in edgewise."
"You could have tried," Carla responded,
"Carla I had no idea you were slipped something that night," he breathed out, lowering his voice to what he hoped was one that sounded genuine, "When you told me that on Tuesday, my heart just collapsed. I thought you just got a bit intoxicated, and I were jealous because it looked like Rory was all over you, and I left the mixer kicking myself for not having more guts to fight for your attention. Then I saw you the next night, Carla, and you looked so fabulous; and I admit it I was licking my wounds...and I wanted to embarrass you a bit as I was embarrassed the night prior, and before I could stop myself I just implied that you asked me out-"
"You see, but the difference Frank, is that you wanted to embarrass me the way you were, but I didn't do anything intentionally to embarrass you. I didn't go out of my way to try to make you feel low, Frank. But you did. You did that to me."
Frank nodded, "I'm not proud of what I did," he moved the chair closer to hers, reaching out his hand and placing it gently on her knee, "and I know it's not really an excuse, but male egos can be fragile things,"
"Hmm don't I know it," she scoffed
"Carla had I known what actually happened that night, I well, for one thing I never would have left! I would've stayed with you and taken you to the hospital myself," his eyes brimmed with tears, "I dread to think what could have happened to you that night..."
"Frank..." she whispered, her anger melting away, and feeling slightly guilty for the pain he was obviously experiencing
"No," he rose to his feet, turning his back to her as he sniffled, "no, I'm so sorry! And I'll understand if you'll never be able to forgive me..."
"Oh Frank, come on there's no need for things to get that dramatic," she said calmly
"No, Carla, what I did was unforgivable! I never should have taken advantage of you like that -"
"Look Frank, would you just, sit back down, please?" When he turned to face her, moving back towards the chair, she shook her head and tapped her fingers on the desk, "Look, what you did was sneaky and quite cruel actually; but I've done some pretty cruel things meself when I were jealous or embarrassed. It's not like what you did is unforgivable. I mean it's not like you were the one that slipped me that flamin' pill that started this whole mess in the first place..."
"No," he whispered as steadily as he could, "but it doesn't excuse what I did,"
"No, it doesn't," She eyed him for a moment, "but you owned up to it, and you've apologized, so I can't see why we can't move forwards as adults."
"Really?"
"Just don't take the mick again. I don't like it..." she said.
"I won't. I promise." he smiled at her, relieved when he saw her smile back, "now about tomorrow,"
"Frank..." she sighed
"No, please hear me out. I know you backed out of it on Tuesday, but it's still a wonderful opportunity to meet new clients, and you shouldn't skip it because of me. I have your ticket here," he took out a small envelope and placed it on the desk, "I understand that you would probably feel more comfortable coming on your own, instead of me picking you up, and that's fine if that's what you want. But I would still really like to make all this up to you tomorrow night at the charity event by introducing you to some business associates of mine, perhaps buying you a glass of champagne or two..."
He watched as she breathed deeply, her eyes dropping to the envelope on the desk.
"Look, don't answer now, just think about it. Cocktails are at 7:00 pm and dinner is at 8:00 pm. No hard feelings if you decide not to come, I'd understand entirely. But I would hate to be the reason that you miss out on acquiring new business that could keep this place afloat and your workers comfortable in their jobs for years to come..." He watched as she mulled it over, before reaching out and grasping her hand in his, raising it to his lips and kissing her fingers gently, "Just think it over," he whispered, rising from his seat and opening the office door, "Bye, Carla."
"Bye Frank." She responded back with a small smile, her eyes following as he left the building.
It had just gone 5:30 PM and Carla was sat alone in her office. All the workers had clocked off for the night and Maria had headed off to pick up Liam from nursery. She scrolled through her web browser, looking at different options for cocktail dresses to wear to this event the following evening.
She didn't like being guilted into going, but she knew Frank was right about the possibility of drumming up new business. She would have to take half the day off tomorrow to go into town and get a dress for the evening, as she was too exhausted to think about going now.
"You movin' and shakin' then?" Peter called from the office door and she jolted in shock, her hand coming up too her chest, before narrowing her eyes at his smirking face
"You know I really need to get a proper bell on that door..." she mumbled before turning off the computer monitor.
"So," Peter began as he stepped into the office, "I see you-"
"Got your flowers?" she interrupted him, standing up and shrugging on her coat, "yes, yes I did. It's beginning to look like a flamin' funeral parlour in 'ere."
"And uhhh your- "
"Let me save you some time, Pe'er," she stated, holding her hand up towards him, "yes my mobile's workin' fine, thank you. And yes, I have been ignoring you. And yes," she lowered her voice low as she came to stand directly in front of him, "you have deserved it."
She was about to step around him and head out of the office, but he reached across, blocking her exit, and smirking at her, "Move out of me way..."
"No," he grinned at her, his eyes scanning over her hungrily
She scoffed at him, "Oh, so what is the plan, Peter? You gonna hold me hostage in here? Tie me to the chair?" She watched as his smile dropped, and she leaned in close to him so her lips hovered above his ear, "well, been there done that love...got the scars to prove it an' all."
"Carla," he said in a low voice, wrapping his one arm around her waist and pulling her in closer to him as his other hand came up to cup her face, "don't..."
"Don't what, Peter?" she responded, feeling her voice shake apprehensively.
"Don't compare me to him..." he whispered
She exhaled deeply, feeling the tears prick her eyes, "I'm sorry," she mumbled, "I didn't mean it like that..."
"I know," he smiled at her, "You off home?" he asked as she pulled out of his embrace, "I can order us up some takeaway and we can maybe, clear the air..."
She breathed deeply, as much as she wanted to clear the air, she knew it would only lead to them falling into bed together; and as much as she wanted to ravish him right here, right now on her desk, she was still furious and humiliated over the events that occurred in the Rovers on Monday.
"Uhh, no actually I'm off to go shopping actually," she lied, hoping it would deter him, "I need a dress for tomorrow night..."
"You're still going to that charity event with him, then?" He couldn't stop the anger that bubbled beneath his skin, "After everything he did?"
"Peter," Carla closed her eyes briefly, breathing deeply before focusing on him again, "Frank and I have cleared the air today. At the end of the day, he didn't do anything physically to harm me, and I've done far worse things than lie that someone asked me out when they were vulnerable, alright? Now, I'm a grown woman who has a business to keep afloat, and people who rely on me for their livelihoods. So if that means, I need to get myself spruced up for an evening at a charity event with Frank Foster, then I will do that, and I do not need your permission, alright?"
"Fine," he responded, throwing his hands out to his sides and letting his palms slap against his thighs, "I'll respect your decision, but I still don't like the bloke,"
"Oh, stop the presses," she sighed with an eye roll
He smirked at her, before grabbing her purse out of her hand and opening the door, "well come on then,"
"What are you doing?" she asked reaching for her bag only to have him move it out of her grasp
"I'm driving you to the shops, and I'm going to buy you your dress."
Carla scoffed, "Oh come off it Peter! I were planning on scouring the designer stores,"
He looked down at his outfit, "So, what? You think I need to change first?"
She shook her head, "No I didn't mean that," she licked her lips subconsciously at his leather jacket, "I just meant that the dress might be expensive..." she lowered her voice feeling embarrassed that she was coming off as pretentious.
"Well, how about I be the judge of that?" He smiled at her, but could still see the apprehension on her face, "tell you what, let me put your mind at rest: You can buy the dress as long as you model them for me, and I'll buy you dinner afterwards, deal?"
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, and raised an eyebrow playfully, "So you actually want to go dress shopping, with me?"
"As long as you promise to do a little twirl..." he smirked as he stepped closer to her, "and as long as, you promise to try on some real skimpy ones..." he softly captured her lips with his own, stepping back as she licked her lips and smiled
"Fine, go on then," she gestured towards the door, that he re-held open for her, "but don't say I didn't warn you..." she winked as she walked out of the office, and he gave a chuckle as he followed her out.
This was going to be fun...