Chapter 7

She ran down the corridor, out of Rupert's sight. She couldn't understand how his mere presence could make her drool. Lost in thought, she let out a long, deep sigh and then remembered her boss on the phone.

"Mr. Ashcombe! I'm so sorry, what can I do for you?"

"Finally you deign to speak to me! I don't have time to waste hanging on the phone."

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm no longer on duty. You could ignore the call and wait until tomorrow to find out what you need," she replied, trying not to sound rude.

"And here we go again with this "working hours" nonsense. Do you really know what it means to be a PERSONAL assistant?"

"Well, yes, but.."

"But fine, if I need you to open a box for me, you do it! And no arguments, got it?"

"Like water, sir."

"Okay. Tomorrow I need you to pick up my tuxedo and shoes before I arrive at the office. we've the the Wycliffe Foundation Ball."

"Of course, sir, I'll take care of it."

"You'd better," he warned her. "You can go back to whatever it's you're wasting your time on."

"Good night.."

And he hung up before she could say goodbye. Typical of the devilish boss he had. Sighing, he searched his contacts for the number of the exclusive Italian tailor shop where his boss ordered his expensive, elegant, custommade suits, tailored to fit that fat ass of his.

Flustered, she headed to the waiting room where Lavinia magically appeared. Her face contorted with anger, she approached her.

"Where were you?"

"Hugo, I needed the bathroom." She smiled, knowing perfectly well what happened.

"Liar! How can you not be ashamed of being such an opportunist?"

"Fuck it, don't play innocent, you're.." Lavinia accused her defensively, covering her son's ears. "Hot for that hunk of a man."

"No, no, it's someone else who's acting like a dog in heat." She blurts out, annoyed by the accusation.

"Hey! Children present," she replied in surprise.

"I'm not like that, don't ever compare me to those little friends of yours who spread their legs at the first opportunity."

"Okay, okay." She ignores his anger and looks back at his cell phone.

"None of this "okay, okay" nonsense, I'm very serious, this is the last time I'm going with you."

"Why can't you just accept his hints and go out with the little doctor?"

"I don't know him."

"And you're not going to meet him unless you go out with him, Eleanor."

"Lavinia... that's enough." She sighed wearily—. Pay for the damn consultation, I want to leave here... I'm tired.

"Please Ellie, I got fired," Lavinia insisted.

"Because she's stupid."

Annoyed by her friend Eleanor's insistence, she turned around and went to the receptionist to pay for her "friend's" doll's consultation herself.

"Good evening, I've the last hour with Dr. Carlisle."

"Of course, the doctor just called, he's ready to see you whenever you'd like."

"Great. How much do I owe you?" She sighed nervously.

"Honey, just come in," he winks conspiratorially.

"... thank you."

Flushed, she goes in search of Lavinia and her son and practically pushes them into the doctor's office. All she wanted was to go home, have dinner with her Aunt Bea, and get some sleep.

Lavinia knocked on the door and Rupert immediately appeared, smiling perfectly. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, then bent down to greet Hugo, who was engrossed in a game downloaded on his mother's phone. Then it was Eleanor's turn... mischievously, he took a step towards her and kissed her on the cheek, and right after, whispered in her ear...

"Don't run away, I want to talk to you when we're done here.."

"About what?" she asked, frightened.

"You're adorable."

He kisses her cheek again before stepping aside to let her into the office.

Adopting his professional demeanor, Rupert focused on Hugo, the little devilish doll, as Eleanor called him. He examined him, asked Lavinia questions, but his gaze kept drifting to Eleanor, even though she had decided to stay out of it, leaning against the window and giving them their space.

When the consultation finally ended and Lavinia took practically the entire supply of medical samples that Rupert had given her so she wouldn't have to buy them, Eleanor became alert; she just wanted to escape from that "conversation" that the sensual doctor mentioned upon entering.

"A million thanks for the medication, Dr. Carlisle, you didn't have to do it."

"Come on, it was nothing, just promise you won't forget the treatment." He winks at her.

"Of course not, come on Hugo, time to go home."

Hugo was still glued to his cell phone screen, so Lavinia picked him up and headed for the exit, deliberately leaving Eleanor behind.

Even in her corner, far from Rupert, Eleanor watched him close the door immediately after Lavinia left. Now all his attention was focused on her. With a seductive halfsmile on his face, he approached her, though this time he respected her personal space.

"I want to do it right, Ellie," he sighed calmly.

"What are you taking about?"

"You and I. The attraction between us is obvious," he states confidently. "You're... beautiful, and I just want to ask you out and let this remain something casual."

Her heart racing and her face flushed, she looked into his eyes, searching for any clue, anything to tell her he was just teasing her. But there was nothing but determination; he was so serious it was damnably attractive.

"Do you mean a date?"

"Yes, a date, beautiful."

"I think so.." She agreed, gathering her courage.

"Yes! What do you say if you give me your address and I'll pick you up in an hour?" he suggested enthusiastically.

"What? Right now? —She opened her eyes in fright; she needed time to mentally prepare herself to go out with him."

"I've been waiting a whole month for Lavinia to bring her son so I can see you."

He confessed sadly, but with such a captivating look that he managed to leave Eleanor speechless.

"I like you, let's take it to the next level," he suggested, delighted.

"I.." And nothing came out of his mouth.

"Tonight?" he insisted.

"I'm sorry... but I'd prefer it to be a Saturday or something like that.." she sighs. "I had a terrible day and I still have to go see my aunt and.."

"Relax," she smiles as she gently takes her hands. "Let's start with your number. We can talk during the week." She softly caresses Eleanor's hands with a slight movement of her thumbs.

"OK."

"Great! How about you give me a smile?" she asked tenderly.

"Wow... I feel like one of your patients.."

"If you were my patient right now, you'd be lying on the examination table ready to be examined," he provocatively suggests.

"Wow..., calm down, big bad wolf." She laughed nervously, but now calmer.

"I can't wait for the week to be over, Ellie."

"And I think you're dangerous." She looked him straight in the eyes.

"Dangerous?" She raised an eyebrow, seeking clarification.

"You're too attractive, my judgment gets a little clouded when you're very close."