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| NOW OR NEVER by Janey “Chris have you seen my dark grey suit? It doesn’t appear to be here.” “Ah well that would be because it’s at the dry cleaners. I did tell you I was taking it in when you said that you didn’t need it for the photoshoot Sean.” “Blame James; he’s insisting I wear it.” “What’s wrong with the dark blue one? You have only just bought that and it hasn’t been worn.” “James says it has to be the dark grey one.” “‘James says’” Chris mimicked sarcastically. “You astound me, you really do. You’ll pick an argument with James about what sandwich to have but something like this, oh no, do you hell as like fight your corner. You can be so infuriating!” “Chris please…” SLAM. Sean was alone, having had enough, Chris had walked out. Nicky pokes his head around the door. “Problem?” “I’ve pissed Chris off.” “Nothing unusual in that Seanus,” Wire grinned. Sean glared at him but Nicky was right, he did have a habit of annoying Chris without meaning to. The harder he tried to be on his best behaviour so that he didn’t upset her, the more that he did. “Christine is mad about you.” “No she isn’t,” insisted Sean. “She humours me.” “Take your blindfold off,” Nicky sniggered, walking out of the door. “That’s why she gets so annoyed with you. Why she had fallen for such an irascible, awkward sod like you is beyond me.” Nicky giggled then left, leaving Sean to think. Chris had been his cleaner when he and Rhian divorced. During their various discussions Sean learned a great deal about her. She often had her niece Amy to stay with her at her home when Janice, Amy’s mother, was away with work. Until recently Janice had been a single mum working for a large corporation. Her position meant that she had to o to conferences, meetings and seminars. Chris adored Amy and had been only too happy to help take care of her. Amy was now four years old and had been used to staying with Chris since she was a tiny baby. Janice met a nice man two years ago, after six months they moved in together and he took care of Amy when Janice was away. Nowadays Amy stayed overnight occasionally and Chris missed having her around. Sean noticed the way Mathilda related to Chris; they soon became firm friends, Sean loving watching them playing. One day Tilly cried really hard when Chris has said goodbye because it was time for her to go home; Tilly wanted her to stay for tea, to give her a bath and to put her to bed. “I understand if you need to go home,” said Sean. “But it would be nice if you could stay for Tilly, she so adores you.” “I could stay but only if I’m not imposing.” From then on Chris would also help take care of Tilly when she stayed with Sean. Chris’ organisational and computer skills had also impressed Sean immensely. In no time at all she was doing lots of secretarial work for him, and helping him manage his diary. She was becoming invaluable. Sean often thought of her when he was alone. He missed having her around, she was never afraid to tell him what she thought. When she was around he found himself watching her every movement, smiling away, lost in a world of his own. Rhian had encouraged him to ask Chris out, having observed the very obviously chemistry between them. “I can’t Rhian. What if it all goes wrong? She’ll leave, I’ll be upset and without the best assistant that I’ve ever had. Then there’s Tilly; she’ll be devastated, she adores her.” “Nothing ventured nothing gained Sean. You could have it all with Chris, think about it.” With Rhian and Nicky’s words ringing in his ears, he went in search of Chris to talk with her. It was now or never. He found her in the office, sat at her desk in front of the computer screen, but staring ahead at nothing in particular. Quietly he closed the door behind him, then turned the lock to ensure they wouldn’t be disturbed. Chris startled on hearing the lock click, spinning round in the chair to see whom it was. “Sean, it’s you,” she said heavily. “I was going to ask to talk with you anyway. You’ve saved me a job.” Oh God. Now what did he do? Now or never sang a little voice in his head. “Normally I’d say ‘ladies first’ but I need to speak with you,” he stammered. “Please just listen to what I have to say. If it offends you, tell me, but please don’t quit working for me. No matter how awkward you may feel. We can work through it.” Chris was intrigued. “Ok.” Sean pulled up the chair from his own desk and scooted in front of her, resting his hands in his lap, nervously gazing into her beautiful brown eyes. “I think the world of you though I know that it doesn’t always look that way,” he tittered. “I get self conscious and tongue tied when you’re near me. Would it be at all possible for us to see each other in a non professional capacity?” Chris smiled and giggled: “Do you have to be so formal?” Sean sighed when he felt the softness of her hands on his. “I thought you barely noticed me,” Chris said. “Not as a woman anyway. You’ve always been appreciative of me as an employee.” “I didn’t want to lose you, you’re the best assistant that I’ve ever had,” Sean chuckled. “I wasn’t sure that you were interested.” “Oh Sean! I’ve liked you for so long that it’s been driving me mad. I couldn’t exactly proposition my boss though, could I now?” “Guess not,” he agreed, smiling warmly. “Is it ok for your boss to proposition you though?” “If his intentions are honourable.” “For now at least,” Sean blushed. “Good. Honourable only gets you so far in a relationship.” Sean nodded, dazzled by the warmth radiating from her smile and in her eyes. “Would I be being too forward if I kissed you?” “No,” beamed Chris. “How about taking me out for a nice meal tonight too, or am I being too forward?” “A meal would be lovely; just the two of us.” “Mmm, that’s what I thought and business discussion is banned.” “Too right. Tonight’s about us. Would I be being too forward if I asked you to stay the night?” Anxiously he waited for her reaction. “In a spare room if you’d feel more comfortable.” “I’ll stay the night on one condition,” she said, smiling as Sean raised his eyebrows quizzically, clearly wondering what she was alluding to. “That I stay with you.” He flashed a huge bright smile. “I’d love that. Thank you.” “Thank me in the morning,” she winked before kissing him. Nicky moved away from the door, grinning like an idiot. It was about time those two had done something about the love they were keeping hidden. He would tell James not to contact his cousin for a few days; the lovers needed time alone. The end. <<< Janey's stories |