Lavinia was standing outside of the office building waiting for the courier. He had an important package for her boss and she wanted it to be given to her directly. It was a mild afternoon. As she waited, Teresa, whom she couldn’t stand walked up with her boss, Franco, one of the company’s directors in tow. They were returning from one of their lunches. He was a gorgeous man and Lavinia couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him. Their eyes met over Teresa’s head.
“Waiting for someone?” he asked.
“Yes, the courier.”
“Aren’t you cold?” Teresa demanded, eyeing her critically.
“No, I’m not,” Lavinia replied shortly. Why should it matter to her that she wasn’t wearing her coat?
“I hope you don’t have to wait long,” Franco said. The expression on his face made her mouth go dry.
She smiled. “I hope not too.”
He held the door open and his gaze lingered on Lavinia before he followed Teresa into the building.
Lavinia couldn’t shake the feeling that he was attracted to her too but what about Teresa? Just then, the courier came and after signing for the package, she went up to the office. She went straight to her boss, Mitch’s office and handed him the package. Then, she went into the kitchenette to fix herself a cup of Herbal tea. She was just about to return to her desk when Teresa walked in, her expression thunderous.
“I saw the way you were looking at Franco a few minutes ago when you were standing outside.”
“I don’t know what you think you saw.”
“Forget it, Lavinia. You aren’t his type.”
Lavinia’s mouth tightened. “And I suppose you are.”
Teresa flicked her glossy black hair over her shoulder with a well manicured hand. “Yes.”
“Why, is it because you look like those half-starved bundles of twigs who call themselves fashion models?”
Teresa’s eyes flashed at her. “There’s no need to get nasty because Franco prefers his women to be slim instead of being heavyset.
Lavinia bristled. “For your information, I’m curvy NOT heavyset.”
“You’re still not his type so you need to stop throwing yourself at him.”
“Girl, you’re out of your mind. I have NEVER thrown myself at Franco.”
“Whenever he leaves his office, you’re always there trying to get his attention.”
“I don’t have to try to get any man’s attention. And for your information, he’s the one who strikes up a conversation every time I see him. Maybe you should be telling him to stay away from me. Excuse me. I’ve got work to do.” She turned and sauntered away before Teresa could say anything.
Lavinia went back to her cubicle and sat down at her desk, fuming. If she weren’t a God fearing woman, she would have accidentally on purpose spilled her tea on Teresa’s Dolce & Gabbana blouse. What Franco saw in her, she had no clue. Granted she was stunning and smart but she was vain and impossible to get along with. None of the women in the department liked her.
Her phone rang and her heart leapt when she recognized the extension on the display. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the receiver. “Yes, Franco.”
“I know that you’re probably busy but can you spare a few minutes?”
“Sure. I’ll be right there.”
After she hung up, she stood, smoothed her dress and her hair before she headed to his office. She had the pleasure of walking past Teresa’s desk and straight to Franco’s door which was slightly ajar. She smiled when she saw the other woman’s miffed expression as she closed the door behind her.
Franco was sitting behind his desk. He had removed his jacket. The white shirt he wore accentuated his swarthy complexion. When she walked over to him, she saw the way his eyes traveled slowly and deliberately over her and she tried to ignore her body’s response. She stood in front of his desk, looking down at him. “You wanted to see me?”
He leaned back in this chair, placed his hand over his chin. Did he have any idea of how delectable he looked at that moment? “Have dinner with me tonight.”
After she recovered from her surprise, she replied rather breathlessly, “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t make it a habit of going out with another woman’s man.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Teresa.”
“What about us?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I know that you and she are in a relationship.”
“Yes, a business relationship.”
“But I’ve seen the two of you go out for lunch several times.”
“Those were all business lunches with other clients. There has never been anything personal or romantic between Teresa and me.”
“Maybe you should make that clear to her.”
“I will. Now, will you have dinner with me?”
“Sure.”
He grinned making her heart flutter. “Good. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
She reached for the one of the sticky pads on his desk and she wrote her address and number before tearing the sheet off and handing it to him. When he reached over took it from her, he deliberately let his fingers touch hers. Her eyes flew up to his face and what she saw there made her heart skip a beat. “I–I’d better go,” she stammered.
“What’s the hurry?” he asked as he got up from the desk and walked around to where she stood.
“I-I have letters to type, photocopying, filing and–” She was nervous now. This was the first time she had ever been alone with him.
He touched her face, making her breath quicken. “Eres una mujer muy hermosa.”
It was the first time she had heard him speak Spanish and it sounded very sensual. “What-what did you say?”
He moved closer. “I said that you’re a very beautiful woman.”
“Thank you.” She wondered what Teresa say about that. “I didn’t think I was your type.”
“You’re exactly my type. You’re beautiful, sexy and highly intelligent.”
“I thought Teresa was more your type.”
“Teresa is a very attractive woman but she doesn’t do anything for me. You, on the other hand, drive me crazy…” He reached out, caught her by the waist and pulled her against him, making her gasp. His smoldering eyes raked her upturned face before his mouth found hers. Her eyes fell shut as his lips moved passionately on hers and her arms wound themselves about his neck. She couldn’t believe that she was standing there in his office kissing him.
The knock on the door jolted them and they broke apart. He leaned against the desk, breathing heavily and she frantically straightened her clothes and ran her trembling hand over her hair. After he managed to compose himself, Franco called out, “Yes?”
The door opened and Teresa walked in. She stopped half way, her gaze shifting from one to the other. “The Board meeting is about to start in ten minutes,” she said.
Franco reached for his jacket and pulled it on. “Thanks, Teresa. I will head over now.”
Teresa lingered for a few minutes and then she left, leaving the door ajar. Lavinia turned to face him. “I really should get back to my desk.”
“I’ll see you later,” he said before he leaned over and kissed her on the side of her neck, making her tremble. When he drew back to look down at her, his face was flushed. He walked past her and out of the office.
She leaned against the desk for a few minutes, her mind whirling, trying to catch her breath and then, she left. As soon as she sat down at her desk, Teresa was standing over her, livid. “What were you doing in Franco’s office?” she demanded.
Lavinia raised her head and looked her calmly in the face and said, “That’s between Franco and me. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do.”
Teresa flounced away. When Franco returned from the meeting, he called her into his office. Since that day, there weren’t any more confrontations between Lavinia and her–not if she wanted to keep her job. And Franco signed her up for the Getting Along in the Workplace course. After their dinner date that night, Lavinia and he officially began dating.
Notes to Women 