as she raised a hand in
apology, “No... I have absolutely no desire for anything other than
being beside you at events you attend... None at all”
Carig sat in stunned shock. While the small
woman across from him was most certainly not his type, he did not
enjoy hearing as she made it very clear that even the thought of
anything else between them reduced her to hysterics, his hand
gripping the leather chair so hard his knuckles turned white.
“Then what the hell are you talking about?”,
his icy tone sloshed over her like a bucket of freezing water, the
laughter dying instantly as she once more became solemn, “I want to
attend events with you... Meet the right people and generally gain
access to your social group Mr Calle” Anger broiled deep within
Carig, fired by her blatant disinterest in him as a man, not sure
why when the idea was abhorrent to him he would have such a
reaction. “No. I find your offer unacceptable Miss Reid”, his eyes
flitting down her with no attempt to conceal the disgust in them,
“I have my reputation to consider and certainly have no desire to
drag around an ugly duckling like you as my ‘girlfriend’”
The moment the words were out he felt shame,
Carig not someone who took any pleasure in hurting others. It did
not help the way her large brown doe eyes filled with hurt and
pain, her heart-shaped lips struggling to keep the small tremor
from them before she shifted in her seat, trying hard to hide her
upset as she pulled open the small bag she clung to. From within
she extracted a letter before nervously unfolding it with fingers
which shook handing it over to him. “I thought you might not be
keen, and you should know Mr Calle, that I am determined. I will do
whatever it takes to get what I want... Even if that means fighting
dirty. I contacted Mr Lucian of the Barella Corporation and he was
most kind... and generous”
Carig took the letter from her, his eyes
scanning the words, lifting his shocked gaze back. “He is offering
you twice what I was... You know why he is doing this don’t you?”
Nodding, she sat stiffly once more, “I understand that Mr Lucian
would like to block your proposed plans... And yes, he is being
very generous” Carig’s thunderous voice made her flinch. “This
project will provide much-needed jobs in this area Joy... You know
this... YOU are putting the whole future of this area in
jeopardy... Why the hell would you do that?... These people are
your friends and neighbours”
Her eyes held his steadily. “You were right
when you said that I could not fight you... But he can... And he
will. You and I both know that he has the resources to hold this up
forever” Dropping her head, guilt shot through her. He was right.
She was playing with the future of the entire area. The future of
people she had grown up with, many already having turned on her.
Farming was no longer the industry it used to be in the English
countryside, most farmers struggling to compete with cheaper
imported produce. The development the Calle Corporation proposed
would see a huge golf course, five star hotel and resort bringing
hundreds of jobs to the area, and jump-starting the tourist
opportunities for the many pretty villages scattered around.
However, this was the only way... The only way to help Ricco, and
she was going to see it through, no matter what. Taking another
steadying breath she looked back up, a pleading light in her eyes.
“Please Mr Calle. This may seem crazy to you... But I have my
reasons. I have no interest in selling to Mr Lucian... As you can
see from my offer... None at all. I would much rather sell to
you... But I will sell to him if you force my hand. This will be
over in a few months, three at most... Then you will have your land
and will never have to see me again”
His eyes once more dropped to the letter,
anger at having been outmaneuvered filling him with cold rage. What
choice did he have? She had backed him right into a corner.
Dropping the
apology, “No... I have absolutely no desire for anything other than
being beside you at events you attend... None at all”
Carig sat in stunned shock. While the small
woman across from him was most certainly not his type, he did not
enjoy hearing as she made it very clear that even the thought of
anything else between them reduced her to hysterics, his hand
gripping the leather chair so hard his knuckles turned white.
“Then what the hell are you talking about?”,
his icy tone sloshed over her like a bucket of freezing water, the
laughter dying instantly as she once more became solemn, “I want to
attend events with you... Meet the right people and generally gain
access to your social group Mr Calle” Anger broiled deep within
Carig, fired by her blatant disinterest in him as a man, not sure
why when the idea was abhorrent to him he would have such a
reaction. “No. I find your offer unacceptable Miss Reid”, his eyes
flitting down her with no attempt to conceal the disgust in them,
“I have my reputation to consider and certainly have no desire to
drag around an ugly duckling like you as my ‘girlfriend’”
The moment the words were out he felt shame,
Carig not someone who took any pleasure in hurting others. It did
not help the way her large brown doe eyes filled with hurt and
pain, her heart-shaped lips struggling to keep the small tremor
from them before she shifted in her seat, trying hard to hide her
upset as she pulled open the small bag she clung to. From within
she extracted a letter before nervously unfolding it with fingers
which shook handing it over to him. “I thought you might not be
keen, and you should know Mr Calle, that I am determined. I will do
whatever it takes to get what I want... Even if that means fighting
dirty. I contacted Mr Lucian of the Barella Corporation and he was
most kind... and generous”
Carig took the letter from her, his eyes
scanning the words, lifting his shocked gaze back. “He is offering
you twice what I was... You know why he is doing this don’t you?”
Nodding, she sat stiffly once more, “I understand that Mr Lucian
would like to block your proposed plans... And yes, he is being
very generous” Carig’s thunderous voice made her flinch. “This
project will provide much-needed jobs in this area Joy... You know
this... YOU are putting the whole future of this area in
jeopardy... Why the hell would you do that?... These people are
your friends and neighbours”
Her eyes held his steadily. “You were right
when you said that I could not fight you... But he can... And he
will. You and I both know that he has the resources to hold this up
forever” Dropping her head, guilt shot through her. He was right.
She was playing with the future of the entire area. The future of
people she had grown up with, many already having turned on her.
Farming was no longer the industry it used to be in the English
countryside, most farmers struggling to compete with cheaper
imported produce. The development the Calle Corporation proposed
would see a huge golf course, five star hotel and resort bringing
hundreds of jobs to the area, and jump-starting the tourist
opportunities for the many pretty villages scattered around.
However, this was the only way... The only way to help Ricco, and
she was going to see it through, no matter what. Taking another
steadying breath she looked back up, a pleading light in her eyes.
“Please Mr Calle. This may seem crazy to you... But I have my
reasons. I have no interest in selling to Mr Lucian... As you can
see from my offer... None at all. I would much rather sell to
you... But I will sell to him if you force my hand. This will be
over in a few months, three at most... Then you will have your land
and will never have to see me again”
His eyes once more dropped to the letter,
anger at having been outmaneuvered filling him with cold rage. What
choice did he have? She had backed him right into a corner.
Dropping the
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