Ok quick word before I start this:
Stop guessing what's going to happen! People keep getting it right!
I'm a Zoe fan (don't throw things at me). I think she's cool and she and Cal have great interactions. But don't worry; she won't be driving any wedges. At least I don't think she will anyway…
OXOXOXOXO
"I'm out of here." Gillian said as she and Cal exited the study, Cal pulling the doors closed as he did.
"What? No, you can't! You can't leave me here with financial stuff! And Zoe!" Gillian smirked at this, turning back to face him, smoothing the down the material over her hips as she did.
"What's it worth to me?" Cal smirked.
"Name it." Gillian pursed her lips.
"I don't know. Let me think about it for a while." He nodded and she moved to sit down in one of the chairs he kept opposite his desk. He sat down too, swinging his legs up onto the corner of the desk and opening a file to at least make it look like he and Gillian had been discussing something important.
OXOXOXOXO
A knock on the door caused them both to look up and around. Zoe stepped in, carrying her laptop bag and a wide grin.
"Well, isn't this cosy?" Gillian immediately felt uncomfortable and wished she had just scarpered when she had the chance. She smiled and said hello as Zoe planted herself in the seat next to her, a polite smile crossing her face. Cal regarded both women from a distance.
"You know I could do you for harassment yeah?" Cal said in a somewhat annoyed tone but Zoe simply smirked back.
"Well, it's amazing how things change. You used to like it." Gillian noticed Cal swallowing hard and she couldn't help but smirk. Maybe this visit from Zoe would turn out to be educational. Cal turned to Gillian.
"Remind me to fire Heidi when she gets back. And hire better security guards." Zoe stifled a laugh.
"Oh come on Cal. Anyone would think you weren't happy to see me. Especially considering I'm about to save you from financial ruin." Cal raised an eyebrow at her, the kind of look that said his patience was wearing thin and he wanted her to get to the point. Gillian had never seen Cal quite so indifferent to Zoe before. She had watched him in all of their previous encounters, pupils wide, desire practically glowing off of him. But today, nothing. She smirked.
"You're very quiet Gillian." Zoe said suddenly and Gillian noticed the look of suspicion on her face. She'd have to move quickly.
"I'm observing. And waiting to see why I need to be here."
"Well, let's get down to business then." Zoe started opening her laptop bag.
OXOXOXOXO
Twenty minutes later, all three people were perched on the visitor's side of the desk, Cal behind the two women looking over their shoulder at Zoe's laptop screen.
"Thing is, while your company offers a very specialised service, mine's much more accessible and self-sufficient. The figure you need, it's within my limits…" She trailed off as Gillian raised her hand to halt her momentarily.
"Let me get this straight, you're offering to buy back your share of the group?" She had to admit she was somewhat stunned. She had expected Zoe to come in with some stiff upper lip investor she knew who she had manipulated into buying shares. She hadn't expected her to waltz in looking to buy her section of the firm back. Cal glanced at Gillian, then Zoe.
"Yeah, she's right. I smell a rat," he said, wheeling his chair sideways next to Gillian so he could see his ex-wife's face. Zoe looked at them both, eyebrow slightly raised. Then she realised what was going on.
"Oh God, I'm facing the fire squad aren't I?"
"Right you are luv. Spill, what's you got so interested in buying back all of a sudden. What are you up to?" Cal leaned back in the chair, his arm hanging behind the chair, he could just reach the back of Gillian's where the gap gave him access to the small of her back. Gillian tensed momentarily but no one saw. Zoe shook her head.
"Talk about biting the hand that feeds. I'm trying to do you a favour Cal. When I was moving to Chicago, you helped me out of a sticky situation with Emily by buying me out and it was great. Now I have the resources to get you out a sticky situation and I want to do it, as a return for what you did for me." Cal watched her carefully, scrutinising her every move and every expression. He tilted his head sideways to watch her movements after she'd finished talking, the moves that would determine whether the whole thing had just been a good show.
"You know Zoe, I never thought I'd see the day but everything you've just said was true." He couldn't help but smile at her then and she returned it. Gillian became uncomfortable again.
"Well isn't that touching?" The voice came from the doorway and all three looked up. There, lingering in the doorway was Clara.