His Lioness (Alan Rickman FF) ENGLISH VERSION

Chapter 43

In the late afternoon they finished their workday at the estate, after all they were going to London later.

Saskia had gone to her room to freshen up a bit, after all, she didn't want to fail completely visually in the face of Puznowski.

In the meantime she had finished and was still looking out of the window when there was a knock at the connecting door. "Come in!" called Sia loudly.

Lionel stepped through the door, looking good as ever as he walked slowly toward her holding something in his hand. "I have something for you," he spoke, pulling her with him in front of the large mirror on the wall.

Uncomfortably touched, Saskia looked into the reflection, which once again made her doubt why Lionel wanted anything from her at all. When he stepped behind her and looked at her through the mirror, however, the amorous feeling immediately rose in her again. She fervently hoped it wouldn't be too obvious that she had fallen in love with him.

Slowly he stroked her V-neck with his fingers. When she was about to ask Lionel what he was up to, he put a beautiful lion head necklace around her neck, locked it and kissed her neck.

Completely perplexed, she stroked the special pendant, which shone and glittered precious in the light. "Why?" was the only thing she could ask him.

"Why not?" asked Lionel back.

Brief silence fell over the two of them as Saskia turned and gave him a kiss. Immediately he wrapped her in his arms and deepened the kiss.

"Thank you," Sia whispered, a little out of breath after they broke away from each other. "But I don't see why you would give me something like that," she added.

"Because I would like to give you something nice to remind you of that time," Lionel answered while still holding her.

This sentence aroused queasy feelings in her, it sounded like he was already talking about the past. But she couldn't think any further, because it was already time to leave for London.

Again and again Saskia unobtrusively touched her neck. She still could not believe that he had given her such a huge gift just like that. This piece of jewelry was certainly expensive, as was everything that surrounded Lionel.

Faster than expected, they had arrived at the Shahbandar Media Group building and made their way to the executive floor.

Harry had instructed PJ to approach the lord and beguile him into buying the fake painting without much thought. The two were already sitting on a sofa, just waiting for Shahbandar to arrive.

Saskia first saw PJ sitting next to Harry with a skimpy outfit. Without meaning to, she rolled her eyes. Yes, Puznowski had a great figure, but did she have to dress so cheaply, like she was coming from a certain place? She immediately jumped up and went to greet Lionel.

Sassy watched the whole situation suspiciously. When she saw the look of Harry on her, it became too much for her. "What is it Harry? Do I have something on my face, or why are you looking at me like that?" she hissed at him.

"Nothing, I was just wondering what you were doing here anyway. After all, paintings aren't your specialty," he spoke innocently, enjoying the fact that he could provoke Saskia.

She gave him no answer and simply turned away. She walked quickly into the office, not wanting to hear the chatter anymore. Inside she was seething. She sorted through the chaos on her boss's glass desk to distract herself.

Shortly after Saskia entered, the other three followed. Her boss sat down with PJ on the black leather sofa. The two talked animatedly about the painting by Monet, as if Harry and Saskia no longer existed.

Still everything went to the satisfaction of Harry, although he had purely nothing to report.

"What hotel are you staying at?" asked Lionel PJ curiously, "I'd like to pick you up tomorrow night for dinner together."

Inwardly disappointed and angry, Saskia listened to the banter. Her boss had also promptly offered Puznowski the first-name address. It was probably his usual ploy with women. That thought alone stung her heart.

PJ began to stammer a bit, because the truth was she wasn't staying at a hotel at all. That's when Harry quickly jumped in to help, "She's staying at the Savoy."

"Befitting a future millionairess," Lionel buttered her up, "so it's fixed. Tomorrow night you'll be picked up for dinner. And besides, there's a polo club party at my estate the day after tomorrow. You can come there as well, and we can look at the picture right away."

Saskia looked up in surprise. She hadn't known about this party at all, and it seemed that Harry didn't either. He looked at least as perplexed as she did. She felt offended, after all she was his assistant and he didn't think this important event was worth telling her about? But maybe she was not invited at all, that would be a possibility, of course.

Deep in her thoughts, she only now noticed that Puznowski and Deane were saying goodbye. Apparently the meeting was over for today, but she didn't give a damn about that right now. Depressed, she now rose from the chair she had been sitting in.

Lionel had been watching Saskia from his position. Something had changed in her, she suddenly seemed so absent. "Let's go home, it's getting late," he addressed Sia. She just nodded and followed him downstairs and out into the open. But when he tried to take her hand, she pretended to look for something in her bag. She needed some distance right now.

Silently, they made their way into the mansion.

Saskia stepped out of the Rolls-Royce without waiting for her boss and quickly disappeared into the house alone. Quickly she went to her room and began to undress. Hectically, she detached Lionel's gift from her neck and placed it in the box provided for it.

She just wanted her peace, she would certainly not sleep with him tonight.

When she stepped out of the shower, Gem was already waiting on her bed, as if she had known that she was staying here today.