Another chapter! ffnet seems to be acting up at the moment and chapter 7 hasn't been showing up but I'm going to post this now anyway whilst my laptop is behaving (been having trouble with my wifi connection) and hopefully it'll be showing by morning. Slight change of direction in the story... hope you all still like it!
The rest of the day had gone smoothly and all through dinner Hanssen was aware of the beady eyes of his colleagues watching every little gesture that passed between himself and Serena. He had managed to get rid of his former school colleagues but evidently not in time. Whatever the others had heard they were clearly suspicious and waiting for even the slightest hint of impropriety between himself and Serena. It was not, therefore, wise for him to even be considering the possibility of going to Serena's room later. And yet, that was all he had been able to think of throughout dinner.
It was ridiculous really and he chided himself on his lack of self-discipline but despite the risk he fully intended to continue with his plan of meeting with Serena. He couldn't explain why he felt so drawn to her. He had slept little last night as he went over and over in his head the events of the night. He had metaphorically kicked himself for his stupid blunder. Although he had enjoyed getting to know more about Serena during their talk last night he could not deny that knowing he could have been in bed with her instead of sitting on an uncomfortable chair across from her had made his stomach churn.
This admission to himself that he wanted to sleep with Serena had startled him when it arrived at dawn that morning. Like every aspect of his life, Henrik had maintained a ruthless self-control when it came to his libido. Sex had never been a priority and in recent years he had been entirely celibate. In truth, since Maja, he had abstained from physical relations aside from a few brief and meaningless affairs with women with whom he had little emotional attachment. He had reasoned therefore as he showered that morning, still shocked at this idea that he desired a physical relationship with his colleague, that it was simply a physical thing. He did not trust Serena Campbell. He did not have any emotional attachment to her. He felt certain this was mutual. Perhaps then, there was no harm in indulging himself just this once.
Hanssen had excused himself from the table not long after dinner had finished saying that he had work to catch up on before returning to Holby in the morning. Serena, along with the others, had said a polite goodnight and he could not read from her expression if she recalled their arrangement and intended to stick to it or not.
He had tried her room an hour later and received no reply. He had taken the stairs back to his floor for fear of bumping into any of the others in the lift. He laughed at himself as he reached his room. He was being foolish. This was the kind of behaviour he would expect from Michael Spence.
'Get control of yourself Henrik.' He muttered to himself.
His phone beeped.
MY ROOM IN 5.
A text from Serena.
'I'm not very good at this.' Hanssen said hoarsely.
Serena looked at him with a smirk. 'At talking?'
Hanssen was standing in the middle of her hotel room looking like a nervous schoolboy.
'Well…' Hanssen suddenly realised he had no idea how to go about this.
Serena knew talking was the last thing on the Swede's mind but she quite enjoyed watching him squirm. He took a few steps closer to her.
'I thought… perhaps we could uh,' he lifted his arms as if he might reach for her but then dropped them again, 'Perhaps we could rewind a little. Go back to… the beginning of last night.'
Serena raised an eyebrow. 'Why Mr Hanssen, what are you getting at?'
Hanssen was starting to think he had misjudged things again when Serena broke into a smile, stepped over to him and pulled on his tie until his face was level with hers.
'You know, you're almost cute when you're bumbling.' With that she kissed him and they stumbled towards the bed.
At dawn Henrik compared the situation he was now in to the one he had been in the previous morning. He felt calm and relaxed. He wondered when the feeling of regret would set in.
He felt Serena stir and turned his head to look at her. She looked the epitome of her name: serene. She opened one sleepy eye and then the other and smiled.
'You've not run off then.' She mumbled dozily.
'Why would I do that?' he asked gently.
She shrugged slightly, straightening her posture a little as she became more alert. Suddenly she giggled.
'What?' Henrik asked apprehensively.
'Nothing.' She shook her head but bit her lip to hold back her laughter.
'It's not nothing. You can't lie in bed with someone after…,' he was annoyed to feel himself blushing and unable to say the words, 'start giggling and then say 'nothing'" he told her sternly.
She grinned. 'It's childish.' She said.
'Serena!'
She bit her lip again for a moment. 'I just suddenly realised that…' she almost laughed again. 'I've seen Mr Hanssen naked!'
Hanssen gave her a bemused look.
'I told you it was childish.' She said her eyes glistening mischievously.
'Well I've seen Serena Campbell naked.' He whispered conspiratorially.
'And shall be rushing off for counselling to deal with the trauma!' Serena added.
'Far from it.' Henrik said, turning onto his side to face her. 'It was a sight that proved more beneficial than any counselling.' He noticed Serena blushed at this and averted her gaze, fidgeting with the bed clothes.
'What happens now?' she asked. She caught the look of momentary alarm that flickered across his face and added: 'I'm not asking for a detailed projection of where you see this relationship progressing – relax! I mean, this is hardly going to become a regular thing is it?'
'Unlikely.' Henrik confirmed gently. He wondered if he was being insensitive.
'But things aren't going to be awkward I hope? I don't want to have to start avoiding you.' She added. 'Not any more than I already do anyway.' She gave him a bold look and he smiled.
'I think we can be mature about this. I don't see why it needs to affect our working relationship.' He hoped his words would prove true.
Serena suddenly looked uncertain. 'In the interests of full disclosure so we can continue to deal with this maturely, I think you should be aware that…' she paused and looked at him seriously. 'There is a possibility that during future consultations and meetings, when you're being infuriatingly stubborn, I might resort to picturing you naked to prevent myself from throttling you.'
Henrik laughed out loud. 'That surely must be seen as a benefit to our working relationship - anything that reduces tension and workplace violence.' He grinned.
'Perhaps we should recommend it as a strategy to HR!' Serena said brightly.
'How about we pilot it on a trial basis between ourselves first?' he suggested.
'That might be wise.' Serena agreed. They both laughed and Serena checked the time.
'We'll need to get up soon.' She sighed.
'Do you think it would look suspicious of were both to pull a sickie?' he asked.
'Well, there is some time yet… if you had something in mind?' Serena asked, snuggling closer to him.
'Seeing as we've agreed this won't be happening again,' Henrik stroked her face with his index finger. 'Perhaps we could…' he struggled to phrase it politely.
'Do it once more before we get back to reality?'
'Yes, exactly.' Henrik nodded and leaned towards her.
The drive back to Holby City had felt excruciatingly long with Michael once again travelling with them. He had been relentless in his attempts to catch them out, however Hanssen and Serena were no strangers to politely evading questions and gave nothing away. By the time they reached Holby Michael was beginning to doubt what Jac and Jonny thought they had seen.
Neither Jac nor Mo were on duty that day and so headed home as soon as they arrived at Holby. Everyone elses' first stop was to grab a coffee, except for Jonny. He had been listening to Malick's warnings since yesterday about what Hanssen and Ms Campbell would do to him if they found out he had been talking about them. On the drive home Malick had launched into his theory that Serena Campbell had some kind of sixth sense or mind control abilities – and he had only been half joking. Jonny wanted to stay as far away from the CEO and Ms Campbell as much as he could.
Michael seemed to be in a rush to get his coffee and get to AAU as fast as he could, Serena noted. Michael was not someone she normally saw rushing to do anything. Next in front of her in the queue was Malick who was on his phone.
'Chanters! The Malick is in the building!' she heard him say and smiled, realising he was talking to Chantelle. 'Are you in the mood for a hot chocolate?'
Serena smiled. Malick treated Chantelle like a little sister.
'My pleasure Channers. And what about the Grifmeister?' Malick continued. 'Ok. See you in five.'
Malick placed his order. 'You're spoiling them.' Serena told him with a smile.
'Ah what harm now and again?' Malick shrugged. 'Michael beat me to treating Ric though.'
'What?' Serena asked.
'Channers said Michael just brought Ric a coffee.' Malick explained. 'Wonder what that's about?'
I wonder indeed, Serena thought. When Serena approached to place her order she noticed Hanssen who was behind her in line was talking on his phone and so ordered a coffee for him. He nodded his appreciation and stepped aside to finish his call.
Serena paid for the coffees and waited for Henrik to hang up. She wondered again why Michael was buying Ric coffee and why he had been in such a rush to do so. He was up to something.
'Thank you Ms Campbell.' Henrik's voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up at him and noted that despite the formal tone of voice he was smiling.
'You're welcome Mr Hanssen.'
They turned to make their way towards the lift when a blonde woman appeared before them and Henrik came to a sudden, startled halt.
'Henrik.' The woman smiled.
Serena glanced curiously from the woman to Henrik.
'I was wondering if I could speak with you.' The woman asked. Henrik made no immediate reply, his phone began to ring and he looked at it in his hand, clearly tempted to take the call and avoid the current situation.
The woman gave him an annoyed look and smiled awkwardly at Serena. 'I hope I am not interrupting anything.' She added. Henrik still hadn't spoken and the situation was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
'Serena Campbell.' Serena reached out to shake the woman's hand. 'Assistant Director of Surgery here at Holby.' She wasn't sure why she had done that, this was clearly not a hospital matter but someone needed to say something.
'Maja Johansson.' The woman shook her hand. 'Old flame.' She glanced daringly at Hanssen.
Serena's eyebrows popped up in surprise. She had not expected that.
'Well… I'll leave you to it.' She smiled and swiftly walked towards the lift.
Hanssen looked sharply at Maja. 'That was unnecessary.' He said.
'It speaks!' Maja mocked. 'Then perhaps you should have done the introductions yourself.'
'Why are you here?' he asked gruffly.
Maja sighed.