Chapter 7 You're Late, Ms Gibson

• “I think we should put off the wedding.”
• Alice paused mid-stride and turned to stare at Sarah. “What?”
• Sarah shifted from her perch on the sofa and met her cousin's gaze.
• “I think we should put off the wedding,” she repeated in hushed tones, face scrunched in worry. “With your dad in the hospital and this thing with Nathan -”
• “No!” Alice's voice was firm as she crossed the room to the sofa where her cousin sat.
• She grasped Sarah's shoulders and gave her a firm shake, determination glinting in her eyes. “The wedding will go on as planned. If we put it off, you can be damned sure that bastard will think he has won and I'll be damned before I let that happen.”
• That was the last thing Alice wanted. For Nathan Lachlan to think that he had succeeded in throwing the family into a panic. Her jaw set as she recalled the scene at his office yesterday and once more her blood boiled at the memory of that arrogant bastard throwing those words at her. She let go of Sarah and returned to the French doors that led to the balcony and stared out through the pouring rain at the Chicago skyline.
• He was such a hypocrite! If he wanted Sarah, he should have fought for her all those years ago, rather than let his damned pride get in the way and then wait five years before carrying out some warped vendetta against her family.
• Her lips curled in derision at the thought. Nathan Lachlan was a coward, nothing more, more less.
• “Why target the hotel?” Sarah moved to stand beside Alice. “Your father had nothing to do with our break up, so why is Nathan doing this. I don't understand his motives for doing this, Alice, it's all so confusing.”
• “He is insane, that's why,” Alice replied. “A mad man who needs to be locked up in a padded cell and have the key thrown away. Men like him don't need a logical reason for doing the stupid things they do sometimes, it's just pure madness and misplaced testosterone driving him.”
• She resumed her pacing, her mind going through a million possibilities, searching for a solution to this irritating problem. One thing was certain though, she had to find a way to get those shares back even if it meant stooping to the same sleazy, underhanded level Nathan had used to acquire them in the first place.
• “I should go and talk to him,” Sarah said. “I could try and reason with him somehow. What do you think?”
• A memory of Nathan's insults rose up in Alice's mind and she shuddered. Heaven only knew what he would do to Sarah if she went to him. She wouldn't put it past him to humiliate her cousin in the same way he had attempted to humiliate her.
• “That's not a good idea, Sarah.” Alice replied, raking a hand through her disheveled hair, the limp brown locks flopping over her forehead in an untidy disarray.
• She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and cringed.
• Crap! Alice thought, wincing once more. She looked a mess in the worn, white dressing gown over equally well-worn pajamas and fluffy, pink flip flops. Face bare of any form of makeup, and hair flying every which way.
• She eyed Sarah's reflection and sighed. In glaring contrast, Sarah looked perfect in tan pants and a white silk blouse, blonde hair expertly cut in a sleek bob that framed her beautiful, oval face. Right now, that face was scowling at her in confusion. “Why?” Sarah asked, folding her arms across her chest, expression defiant. “I'm the one he wants to punish, so I should talk to him at least.”
• “Trust me, Sarah, that would be a very bad idea.” Alice turned from the mirror and faced her cousin. “You know how Nathan tried to blackmail me. What makes you think he'll go any easier on you?”
• Sarah bit her lip and turned away, shoulders tense. Finally she sighed.
• “I don't know.” she admitted in defeat. “But I have to do something, this is my fault after all.”
• Alice's phone beeped, cutting off her reply. She strode to the coffee table and picked up the phone, reading the text message.
• “Ah damn!” she swore, checking her watch. Nine forty five a.m.
• The message was from her father's secretary, reminding her of the emergency board meeting in fifteen minutes. Alice had completely forgotten about it, completely preoccupied by the crises with Nathan. As it were, she could barely squeeze in a shower and a few minutes to get dressed before heading down to the conference room.
• “What is it?” Sarah asked, watching Alice scramble about in panic.
• Alice paused on her way to the bathroom and shot Sarah a quick look. “I have to hustle or I'll be late for the board meeting.”
• Ten minutes later her hair a damp mess, she reached into her closet and grabbed the first outfit she could find.
• ****
• Nathan studied the faces of the people gathered around the conference table and smiled to himself at the discomfort and hostility clearly written on their faces.
• His gaze moved to the three empty seats at the opposite end of table and he checked his watch, his brows drawing together in a frown. Ten minutes past ten, and there was still no sign of the formidable Ms. Gibson.
• How ironic that the same woman who had raked him over hot coals for arriving late for dinner all those years ago was now the very same woman guilty of the same offense. He leaned back against his chair and wondered what excuse little Miss Snob would give for coming late.
• A lover, perhaps? An image of Alice, lying spreadeagled on his bed, that pale skin flushed with lust as she stared up at him in longing, came into his mind and he felt a stirring in his groin.
• Nathan shook his head to clear the image. Alice Gibson was not the sort of woman he took to his bed, for one thing, she was far too curvy for his tastes. He liked his women slim, elegant and well endowed, not full figured little snobs, with nothing better to do than break up relationships.
• The door to the conference room opened and the very object of his thoughts hurried inside, in a haze of pink. He raised an eyebrow at the tousled hair and ridiculously, bright pink dress she wore.
• His lips curled in amusement at seeing her so disheveled. No doubt, she had been busy with a lover, too busy.
• “I am so sorry,” Alice announced to no one in particular, completely flustered as she rounded the table without looking directly at anyone. She set the brown leather briefcase she carried on the table and shoved her bangs from her face, looking into the faces gathered around with an apologetic smile. Then she caught sight of him and stilled, mouth dropping open.
• “You!” She recovered from her shock quickly, shot to her feet and glared at him. “What the hell are you doing here? This is a private meeting for board members only. Get out!”