chapter 2
Edith entered the break room, banging the water kettle into the sink as she filled it and placed it on the stove with a firm CLANK. She grabbed a tea pot and flung loose tea leaves into it.
Holly entered and looked on at the commotion in silence.
"Edith, are you okay?" She asked softly. She was worried. She had worked in the company for almost a decade—before she'd even officially graduated college. She knew Mr. Li was as starchy and by-the-book as they came. He was known to have a particularly demanding wife and people sometimes joked in private that he was so uptight at work to compensate for the life he lived at home. Holly had never seen him so much as crack a smile, much less flirt with a woman! She realized in that unintentionally witnessed moment that perhaps Edith was not an ordinary woman.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Edith gritted her teeth as she sloshed milk into her tea. Holly clicked her tongue. She didn't think she'd ever get used to the Western way of putting milk into tea.
"I'm sorry about earlier. That wasn't your fault." Edith continued.
"It's okay. He was right. I should've waited for his answer before entering. I didn't mean to interrupt…well, I mean, you know, it's none of my business if…it's just, he's never done something like that with a woman that isn't…"
Holly stumbled stumbled over her words and trailed into silence.
"It's fine. He's stressed. I was just massaging his shoulders. Nothing to be concerned about." Edith said dismissively.
"But he was touching you!" Holly blurted.
Edith sighed. She really didn't want to discuss it. His hot and cold attitude had hurt and confused her enough. It obviously meant more to her than it did him.
"It was nothing, Holly. He didn't mean anything by it." Edith insisted.
"You don't understand Chinese culture, Edith. A man, especially a married man, would never touch another woman so intimately unless he thought of her as a mistress or prostitute." Holly explained.
Edith gasped in shock. "I'm not a prostitute!" She almost shouted.
"No, no, no! Of course not. I just mean that Mr. Li must view you in a romantic light for him to touch you like that. If you play your cards right you could have anything you want. Mr. Li is the wealthiest man in this province." Holly explained.
"I don't want anything from him. I'm not after his money. But…I am very attracted to him. Maybe I should find a different job. I'd be playing with fire to stay." She admitted.
Holly stared incredulously. What woman didn't want a wealthy man backing her?
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James stepped away from the break room and headed back to his office. He'd followed after Edith. For what, he wasn't sure. He either wanted to apologize for his abruptness or scold her for her disrespect but he'd stopped in his tracks and lost all rational thought when he overheard the women talking.
Edith…was attracted to him? His heart was racing with such knowledge. It took every once of self control to keep him out of the break room.
Oh sure, women who knew he was wealthy threw themselves at him over the years. But Edith had admitted her attraction to him and stated she didn't want him for his money in private conversation. She wasn't putting on an act for his benefit, so he felt her words sincere.
He went to his liquor cabinet to make something to settle his nerves.
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Edith took a last appraising look at herself in the mirror before heading out to the business dinner. She had a love of vintage clothing and had chosen an emerald green gown that made her look as though she'd stepped out of the 1920's. Her makeup and hair were perfection. Hopefully she'd impress the clients from the other company. She remembered Holly's words before. Men gave contracts to companies with beautiful secretaries at their business dinners.
When her taxi arrived at the prearranged location she gave a low whistle. Indeed Mr. Li had pulled out all the stops, reserving a banquet room in one of the finest restaurants that the city boasted.
She entered the room the hostess had brought her to and saw Mr. Li talking to some men of similar age and dress. Mr. Li momentarily stumbled on his words when his gaze settled on her presence, but quickly recovered.
"This is Edith Knowles, my translator, and de facto personal assistant." He announced to the men as she approached. She nodded politely in their direction but she did not miss the look of shock and pleasure that passed between the men of the rival business.
"Miss Knowles your beauty honors us. Pleased to make your acquaintance," the CEO, Mr. Yun said as his eyes rolled over her from head to toe in appreciation.
Edith knew her blonde hair and sparkling eyes as well as her curves hugged tightly in the emerald dress had caught his attention and she felt she could use it to her advantage to help her company.
So she smiled widely and took his arm, allowing him to lead her to the table as the others followed. James Li shot daggers in their direction but she ignored him. Wasn't part of her job to play the doting hostess in these settings?
As the meal progressed she made conversation with everyone from the rival company, laughing and adding to the conversation where appropriate.
Mr. Yun called for more wine at one point and toasted to her beauty. He downed the glass quickly and she followed suit. Mr. Li's frown would've frozen the tropics. She was confused. Wasn't she doing the right thing?
Suddenly she felt a hand on her knee. Her eyes widened. She knew it was Mr. Yun. She squirmed when he squeezed her knee and a gasp escaped her. Edith shifted away from Mr. Yun, Patting his hand gently as she removed it from her leg. But he held her hand and would not release it. In fact, he placed it in his inner thigh!
Alarm bells rang in her head. If it were Mr. Li she would've been far too excited but she didn't know this man and was not looking to end up in his bed.
"Excuse me! I need to visit the ladies room." She gasped and stood quickly to escape the situation.
"I can show you—" Mr. Yun began.
"No, I will!" Mr. Li rushed to his feet, grabbing her wrist before she could respond. He practically drug her out of the room.
He didn't stop. Down the hallway he continued, barging into the ladies room with her in tow. Several women at the mirrors gasped at seeing a male enter.
"Get out!" He commanded. They scurried outside and before she could free herself from his grasp he had her up against the wall.
"Just what in the hell are you doing in there, huh? Stop acting like a cheap whore!" He hissed in her face.
"What?!" She squealed in shock. "I'm trying to help you! You want the deal don't you?" She managed.
"You're offering yourself to that lecherous man on a silver platter for a business deal?!" He spat the words at her, raking a hand through his dark hair liberally sprinkled with greys.
"I—I didn't mean for him to come on to me! I was just being a friendly and gregarious hostess. Holly told me to be careful but that men at these dinners expect to see beautiful and charming women." Edith explained in her defense.
James Li looked positively ferocious. He was livid! He grabbed her under her chin, by her jaws and squeezed, leaning his face down to hers.
"Ignore what Holly said. I am your boss! You do as I say, and no one else! You follow my rules! And I'm telling you to stop flirting with Sam Yun this instant!" James growled in her face.
She was partially terrified but also she had to admit, he was turning her on. His control and domination of her stirred something inside her. His hands on her face gave her tingles below. She shivered.
"Y—yes sir." Her voice quivered as she whispered her reply.
He turned on his heel and stormed out of the ladies room. Edith followed more slowly. She sat down, feeling dejected.
Sam Yun raised his glass for another toast. Everyone, including Edith raised their glasses.
Suddenly, James Li stopped her from partaking.
"I'll be drinking for her. She's had enough." James announced.
Edith glared at him. Who was he to say when she'd had enough? She noticed Sam and the men from his company exchange looks. She wondered briefly what it was about.