The Only Way is Up

Part Eight

Sitting opposite he sipped at his drink watching her, waiting for her to speak, but she had no idea where to start.

Long moments passed before she finally said, "I feel like I'm being duped, that everyone knows something that I don't."

He shook his head, "it isn't like that, I promise. I am waiting on some things to happen, I've got money that will be released...and some business options. But until then, I'm in limbo. Mike is helping me out, so I'm doing favours back..."

"In limbo?"

She stared at him and laughed, "my mother was from Brighton, she taught us English."

"But you're Russian?"

He nodded, "from Moscow. My mother met my father when she worked for the British Embassy. She was fluent in six languages, but spoke English with all the colloquialisms and slang that you would expect from someone who spent every day there."

"In limbo..." he sighed, "that sounded like my mother's life."

Nicole grimaced, "she's not around any more?"

He shook his head, "she died when I was fifteen."

He looked sad, that it still affected him, "I'm sorry."

Shrugging he reached for his drink and took a long sip, "I just want you to feel happy. We're making progress...at the gym. I don't want you to stop."

"Because then you'll owe Mike again."

Shaking his head he leaned forward, "not really. It's not like that. You work hard, I want you to get where you want to be."

That made her blush, so she smiled, "that would be a beach in the Seychelles without worrying about family, friends or work."

He grinned at that, "I'll carry your bags for that."

"How old are you?" The words came out in a blurt before she had time to think about it. "Old enough!" He leaned back in his seat and smiled at her, but he must have sensed her discomfort as he added, "twenty four."

Nicole couldn't control the blush that swept over her, almost twelve years younger than her. It should be illegal to have any thoughts about him, and she hadn't until Kim had suggested it. Now she felt unclean.

"Wow."

Maxim could feel her closing down, the little progress they'd made dissolving in an instant. Ager was a number, why couldn't everyone see that? People doubted his ability to manage money, to be involved in deals, to be an equal across the board. He wasn't sure why his age was an issue here, unless it was because she didn't feel happy giving in to someone younger than her. But whatever the reason, it was bullshit.

"I have lived on my own since I was fifteen, and overseas since I was sixteen. Don't think that I'm a child."

She nodded, "I know you're not. But I'm tired. I need to go home."

Draining his mug he stood, "me too. Come on, I'll find us a taxi."

"You don't live near me," she protested at the thought of him travelling with her.

He shrugged at that, "the very least I will assess the driver you have."

"So tell me ALL about your evening Miss Stark!"

Nicole remained as she was face down in the pillows, her lips squeezed to the side to allow her to speak, "my head hurts. Champagne is BAD."

Kim giggled, "I can't even remember. Look it's Sunday, shopping and brunch? We can tube to Camden, we haven't done it for ages, you remember that little Brazilian barbeque stall?"