Thank you ever so much for your reviews.

Here we go.

Disclaimer: I still have not acquired these darling characters.

The last few days had been nothing short of hellish for Elsie. Charles had been kept away with various meetings with suppliers and merchants. He had also carried out two surprise inspections on underperforming hotels in the franchise. Elsie did not want to admit it but she had missed him. It seemed ludicrous to her that she would feel this strongly considering some days they only had time for a shared pot of tea when they both had a shared free moment but yet she still had the lingering feeling of longing that would not go away no matter how much she tried to deny it.

Things had not been helped by the fact that hotel had been crazy. There had been mix-ups with a group booking for rooms for a conference that was being held in the hotel. There really was nothing worse than dealing with disgruntled guests especially when they are in the right. One particularly brutish American had made it his business to shout her down. She had stood her ground but it had taken it out of her. Then of course, there had been a failure with the electrics just half an hour before the conference was meant to start. Elsie had really been through the ringer dealing with everything over these last few days.

She finally got the chance to retreat to her room in order to get ready for this cooperate dinner. She really was looking forward to spending the evening with Charles even if it was going to be surrounded by some gradually inebriated leeches from the business world. As much as she would like to be as sexy and confident as possible for what felt like a first date with Charles. In reality, she was not sure if he saw it as a date and even more importantly, she had learned that events like this it was always better to keep the cleavage under wraps and to forgo any sign of a slit in her dress because it just was not worth the leering stares and potential gropes that tended to ensue. She shudders at the memory of two years ago when she had been caught in a lift with a particularly drunk and amorous hotel manager from fife, a quick jerk of her knee had sent the message to him that he would not be getting anywhere with her.

She had a quick shower before laying her clothes out on the bed for the task of deciding what to go for this evening. She tried three different dresses on before settling on a simple black wrap dress that finished just above. She decided to team it with black tights just so she did not feel uncomfortable with the glances she was bound to get. She slipped into her sky high heels and surveyed herself in the mirror. Her simple make-up and jewellery made her feel like she looked smart enough for an event like this but did not look too over the top or as if she was trying too hard to impress. The shoes were sure to try her patience but then again she did have a pretty gifted masseuse at hand.

Silly woman, you do not even know if he will want to that again.

With that thought, a knock came at the door.

I was wondering when he was going to show up.

She answered the door to find a dejected looking Charles.

''Bad news, a fire in the kitchen has put an end to any chance of a dinner. ''

''Oh, I hope no one was hurt''

Of course she would think about others, he thought.

''Thankfully not but since the company has to hold this damned event, Robert just text me to tell me that it is going to be held here next weekend.''

''Sorry, what?''

''I know it is going to be difficult but we have to do it and I am sure we can get it together''

''Oh how would you even know?'' Elsie couldn't stop the stress that she had suppressed for the last few days, in the hope of this evening, from consuming her '' I mean while you got to swan off to tell people how they were doing things wrong I had to deal with so many things just going wrong'' she had began pacing and turned her back from him, '' and everyone was just yelling at me because, of course, it was all my fault'' the tears had started to flow now, '' and then this oaf of American called me every name under just because he was given the wrong key and you..' she faltered '' you weren't even here to help me''

It finished as a whispered admission but suddenly Elsie felt his strong but gentle arms turn her and hold her close.

'I'm sorry, I..I..I should have been here especially with such a big conference taking place. How about I order something up from the restaurant and we can have a meal here to make up for what we were meant to share''

Elsie reluctantly pulled away, wiping her eyes, and looked up at him.

''Sorry about being such a mess, I'm not sure I'm the kind of company I'd like tonight''

''Now that is where you are very wrong, so how about it then? Shall we order something very expensive and put it on the expenses as a business meeting even though I don't think either of us is up to talking shop''

So if it was not going to be a business meeting, this might be the most comfortable date I've had.

''Okay then, you order the works and I'll just go to the bathroom and freshen myself up.''

Elsie locked the door behind and stared at herself in the mirror.

God I look a state. Well he's the only man who has gotten to see me in every state imaginable and
I still don't know for certain if he wants me like I want him.

Elsie cleaned her face and decided that maybe the natural look might make for an interesting test of what he thinks. As she finally went to leave the bathroom, her heart fluttered.

This is it.

TBC

A bit of a cliffhanger I know but I promise not to leave you waiting too long for the next update.

I would love to read more of your thoughts so your reviews are very welcome.

Thank you for keeping with my little story.

:D