YOU REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Amanda Tannen glanced briefly at the door before quickly placing the thick folder back on Jesse's desk. She did not need to be so furtive. Jesse had been called into an urgent meeting and he had left in such a hurry, leaving all the paperwork on his desk. Amanda had wasted no time scanning and emailing copies to Marc.

After having their ears almost chewed off by Wilhelmina, the pair of them had upped their game. Marc had gone all CSI on Jesse's background and Amanda kicked up her flirting a gear. To her satisfaction, Jesse seemed to be responding. He was friendlier and started to notice things such as the tight top she was wearing and she was sure she caught him staring at her once or twice.

Men. They are so simple.

Amanda lined the folder neatly exactly how she found it. She walked round the table to where his chair was, checking everything was in order.

Yes. Everything's perfect.

She was an amazing spy. He wouldn't even noticed that the file had moved it. And...hmm, this is interesting... Jesse had not closed his drawer properly. Amanda slowly bend over, gently pulled the drawer open and quickly delved her hand inside, closing on a leather bound book. It was similar to a journal, with blank, unlined pages inside. Except there was a lot of things written inside in shorthand, in Jesse's handwriting.

Amanda frowned; not entirely certain whether this was useful. Some of the words and symbols did not make sense but Wilhelmina had been adamant that she wanted to know anything and everything. Amanda closed the journal and briskly walked out of Jesse's office. He was still in that meeting; there was still time to scan these through.

"Well...Hello."

She nearly dropped the book. Amanda hastily hid the book behind her back. A well-dressed Indian man was casually perched at the edge of her desk. He was dressed in jeans, tshirt and blazer, but they all looked expensive. A pair of pristine trainers was on his feet and when he raised his hand to scratch his chin nonchalantly, Amanda did not miss the gold Rolex on his wrist. He was staring at her, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement behind his hipster spectacles.

"Can I help you?" Amanda said in a saccharine voice. She edged to her desk, keeping the book behind her.

"I'm here to see Jesse."

"I'm sorry. Mr. Swanson is in a meeting. Did you have an appointment?"

"I don't need an appointment to see my homeboy." The stranger was smiling like a predator. "But I can see why Mr. Swanson does not want me here. He didn't tell me he had a beautiful assistant, Miss - "

He's smooth. He's very smooth.

"Tannen. Amanda Tannen." Amanda smiled coquettishly at the man. She moved to her seat and casually placed the book underneath some papers. This stranger wouldn't know anything. "I am not supposed to let anyone in without an appointment."

"It's fine," the man said confidently. "Jesse and I go way back."

Hmm. Way back eh?

Amanda tried looking a little officious before asking, "Would you like to wait in Mr. Swanson's office?"

The man was still smiling and shook his head. "I rather stay here and talk to you."

"Were you in college together?" Amanda flicked her hair and widened her eyes like it was the most innocuous question ever.

He chuckled a little before answering. "Yeah, we were. I was a few years his senior. But that was some time back. Jesse came to work for me afterwards in LA."