He is crazy. Sophia’s eyes widened even more when Ethan took out of the Valentino box a spectacular tawny long-sleeve lace dress, and wondrous cream lace high heels made by Philip Treacy, especially for the Italian designer.

He chuckled, “I knew you would like them.”

“How did you manage to get those, and in my size? I have been looking for them ever since I saw them in Vogue.” Sophia eyed the pair with longing. “They are jewels.”

“They will look great on your feet.” He kissed her lightly. “Give me your foot.” She rested her ankle in his hand and he put the shoe on her foot.

She caressed the shoe with reverence. “It’s… absolutely spectacular.” She turned her foot left and right, admiring the shoe as he kept taking things out of bags.

Fogal Pantyhose. From the finest transparent to opaque, shiny and matt, with lace or Swarovski crystals, various stockings and tights in all kinds of colors and touches.

“Now. The best part.” From a red bag without a logo, he removed a fragile looking lace and silk black baby doll and robe. And silk and tulle embroidered underwear: white-and-light pink; beige-and-brown; pink, green, and violet blue; plum-and-black; and silver. Luxurious and sexy lingerie from La Perla, Agent Provocateur, Kiss Me Deadly, and Made by Niki. He gave her a wicked smile. “I’m dying to peel these off you.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re gay!” She laughed out loud but the amount of push up and wireless bras with matching panties and thongs, bodies and garters he had bought took her aback. “The choices are perfect. You have built me a complete matching wardrobe. But these are too much-”

“No buts. Darling, you don’t know what women usually ask of me. The shops started to send me all their catalogs after they noticed I bought women’s clothes. My secretary is constantly receiving gifts because of her sudden shopping sprees.” He regarded her closely. “You’re the first one that I asked to stay with me and the first one who’s complaining I bought too much.”

Sophia froze and stared at him, openmouthed. Bastard! I should have imagined. I’m just one more in the parade. She stiffened. “So. You’re used to buying things for your women…” She let the annoyed hue in her voice linger.

He raised his eyebrow. “Jealous, baby?”

Jealous? Is he this insensitive? “Jealous?” she derided. If you think goods buy my affection, Ethan, you are so wrong. Clothes and jewelry given without affection and meaning have no value to me. “Jealous of what?” The scorn dripped from her lips. “I have high self-esteem. I don’t need these things.” She dismissed the costly goods with a flick of her elegant hand and rose from her place on the sofa, tugging her bathrobe tighter around her body. “I’m not for sale.” She turned to exit the sitting room. I want much more, Ethan. I want love, friendship and respect.

“Sophia!” He jumped from the sofa, the lingerie tumbling onto the floor, and ran after her, firmly placing his hands on her shoulders. “Hey! I’m not trying to buy you. Nor am I equating you to other women. It was just a slip of the tongue.”

She didn’t move or say a word. She stood stiffly in the middle of his bedroom, head held high.

“Come on, baby, they’re just things. Please, accept them.” He fitted his body to hers, his arms snugging her waist and his head dropping to kiss her shoulder. “I wasn’t even finished.”

She scoffed, “I think you are.”

“Darling, you are invaluable to me. These are just things money can buy. Please?”

She sighed. Maybe I have overreacted; don’t make a mountain out of a molehill, Sophia. “All right. Let me get dressed.” She shook her head at him, smiling. “What do you want me to wear, you crazy man?”

“Hmm. The Gucci look with the skinny jeans. And these.” He selected a matching lace and silk plum and black push-up bra and thong from Agent Provocateur. He put everything in the Gucci bag and handed it to her.


Sophia materialized from the bathroom, clad in her new clothes. They fit her perfectly. “Do you like?” She pivoted for him to see.

His stretched his hand beckoning her to sit beside him. “I love it.”

Sophia bit her lip and his eyes followed the movement. “Don’t.” His thumb caressed and pressed at the center of her mouth. “Drives me crazy,” he murmured.

Oh, God!

“Want more coffee?” As she nodded, he filled her cup and motioned to the table. “Eat. You can’t start your day with only a slice of bread.” Ethan silently watched her eat. “You confound me,” he said quietly.

“I do? Why?” she asked.

“I don’t know what to make of you, baby. Sometimes you seem like a teenage girl and other times, a well lived woman. You act like a very rich person; in the next moment, you don’t care for expensive things. You keep things in the dark, but then again you’re so forthcoming and honest when we talk.” He stared at her. The numerous emotions speeding over her face captivated him. “Who are you? What are you hiding, Sophia? What are you afraid of?”

She gave a nervous laugh and concentrated on her coffee. “It’s your imagination, Ethan. I’m just a private person.”

His hand cupped her face to lift it up. “I’m falling for you, Sophia,” he murmured, his azure eyes flashing.

His words startled her. “Don’t you think it’s too soon to say something like that?”

“You don’t believe in love at first sight?”

“Never happened to me.” She lifted a shoulder and finished her coffee. “Can you call me a taxi? It’s not necessary for you to take me home.”

“Baby, it’ll be my pleasure.” He motioned to the clothes strewn all over the sitting room. “What are you going to take with you?”

“Nothing. Leave the clothes here so when I need something I’ll have them. I’m just taking the lingerie to wash.”

He packed the Valentino dress and the Philip Treacy shoes; wrapped up the lingerie in a tissue and put them into a bag with some of the pantyhose. “Take these. Next time we go out I want to see you in the Valentino dress.”

“Where can I put these things?” she asked, standing up.

“Don’t worry. My housekeeper will arrange them in my dressing room,” he said and picked up the Hèrmes bag. “Here. Put your evening bag inside this.”

She shook her head at herself, baffled and feeling overwhelmed by all those gifts.

He handed her the sunglasses, gloves and the fur coat, arranging it on her shoulders. “Perfect,” he announced and kissed her. “Let’s go.”


Leibowitz Oil Building.

Monday, January 18th, 2010.

9 a.m.

Edward knocked on Sophia’s office door.

The click on the lock informed him Sophia had opened the door and he pushed it, entering the elegant room, she smiled, “Good morning.”

He closed the door behind him and stopped mid-stride, analyzing her fresh face and impossible huge smile. “You got laid,” he stated, pursing his lips.

Sophia blushed. “God, Edward! And they say the British are restrained and reserved.”

“Love, I’m just stating a fact. Nothing more,” he shrugged and sat in front of her. “You look absolutely radiant. Soooo, Mr. Gorgeous was a good partner in bed?”

“Stop this, Edward. You’re using your CEO powers over me to gossip about my sex life.” She flung her pen at him.

He caught in the air, laughing. “Sophia, Sophia. It’s you. You have the power.” He tossed her pen back to her. “You just don’t know how to use it.”

Sophia just shook her head at him. “We have a lot to discuss today.” She cocked her head to one side. “I just got the contract for the new engines,” she frowned. “I’d like you to analyze it with me.” She pulled out a brown envelope and tapped her pen on it. “Have you seen the project the students from the University of Strathclyde are developing?” As he nodded, she continued, “It’s absolutely fantastic. I’m sending a note to Williams from Tech to get a good look at it and report back to me. I think we should invest in them. Maybe we could enroll them in an internship or something. Think about it.” Sophia bit her lip and looked at her notes, underlining one of them. “I’m worried about the loan agreement. I studied the draft Mr. Wales sent. I didn’t like some of the clauses.” She stared at him. “And more, I don’t feel comfortable around him, Edward. There’s something that nags me. I want a meeting with the CEO.”

“Oh, please, Sophia, don’t start.” He thinned his lips. “Just because Wales drools over you?” She shook her head. “Instincts again?” She nodded. “It took me almost three months to get this loan as it is,” he sighed. “The rates are good. The City of London Bank is a well-known institution. What is the problem?”

“I think we can get a lower rate. And have you read the most recent draft?”

He shook his head. “Not yet.”

“I don’t agree with their penalty clauses and they’re asking for too many guaranties. I’m sorry but I’m vetoing it as it is, Edward,” she said, firmly.

“Heavens, Sophia!” He threw his hands in his blond hair, exasperated. “What are you vetoing?”

“Have you negotiated a hundred-and-fifty percent as guaranty?”

“No, of course not,” he balked, surprised.

“I think you should read the draft he has sent and ask for another meeting, urgently. I really don’t want to lose the bidding season for the subsalt oil in Brazil. It’s a potential gold mine of oil and gas reserves, you know. Gabriel was so excited by the discovery of the Tupi field. It is the perfect opportunity for Leibowitz Oil Brazil to forge a more extensive association with the government.”

“What do you propose?”