Book 1: Echoes Of The Past

Chapter 28 - Business Meetings and Vacations

**Next Morning**

Ivy's alarm went off to signify that it was time to get up for work.

She rolled over and slapped off the alarm, before picking up her phone to check it. There was a message from Shannon.

'Just arrived back. I'm exhausted.
I hoped you slept well. Let me know when you go on lunch today and I'll give you a call. X'

She smiled, before hopping out of bed and into the shower.
************************************

Walking into work, Ivy was a bit anxious about what to expect that morning as she wasn't sure if anymore photos had been leaked of her with Jared, either when they had been out on their hike, or out having lunch afterwards.

The day was running smoothly, until someone from the office made a snide comment to her about thinking that she was too good to work for the company now because she was too busy hanging out with celebrities.

She walked back from the water cooler and ignored them, until she found some of the other women huddled around the photocopier whispering about something. They all looked away from one another at Ivy as she re-entered her office. Ivy knew they were talking about her, but ignored them, sitting back down at her desk.

Her internal phone rang and she saw it was Mr Thompson.

"Christ! Can't he leave me alone for one second." She sighed to herself, picking it up to answer.

"Ivy can I have a word with you about this upcoming business trip on Friday?"

"Um...yeah sure. I'll be there in a second."

"Great. Thanks, much appreciated." He hung up.

Ivy once more left her office and walked the length of the room to Mr Thompson's office. She could feel the eyes of every one of her co-workers; including Tom's, on her.

She knocked on Nick's door and heard him call out, "Come in!"

Pushing the door to his office open, Ivy walked in. She wasn't planning on staying around for long, so didn't instantly sit down.

Nick was just finishing up a phone call and held up a finger to Ivy telling her to just wait a minute for him to finish up.

Ivy walked over to the windows in the office and watched the traffic and people go by like ants in an anthill. It was going to be yet another beautifully warm day and Ivy would honestly much rather be outside than stuck in this stuffy office.

She jumped when suddenly she felt a hand on the small of her back and spun around, bumping straight into Nick. Raising her eyes upwards, she met his before quickly dipping hers down again.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you jump Ivy. I just wanted a quick chat about the upcoming business trip on Friday, and also about the offer I gave you of becoming my PA." He looked down at her softly.

"So I'm not fired after I bailed out of the office the other day? I'm so sorry about that Nick, it—"

"Better keep thing professional at work Ivy, so it's Mr Thompson."

"Oh. Sorry, it won't happen again Mr Thompson."

"It better not Ivy, because I won't be able to keep you if you pull that stunt again. I'm sorry, but it's only fair to the rest of my employees."

"I understand. I promise you it won't happen again."

"Good. Ivy why don't you take a seat so we can discuss details for the trip."

"Sure. OK." It looked as though she wasn't going to be leaving any time soon. Internally groaning she sat down on the chair that Nick had gestured to.

"Right. I'll give you this first." Nick came and walked around the desk, taking a seat in his black, leather Directors Chair and slid across a black paper folder to Ivy, who took it and opened it up.