Conflict of Interest

Chapter 3

"No no no. Not now!!" Jackie felt the flat tyre on her car and could not think of anything worse that could happen to her. It was Friday afternoon and Jackie had left work early to head home and get ready for the awards dinner. Luke was picking her up at 6.30pm to be able to make the cocktail hour before the main event. This would allow them time to be able to network. It was now 3.30pm and Jackie had never changed a flat tyre before. 'How hard can it be?' She thought to herself. 'All I have to do is jack up the car, loosen the wheel nuts and change the tyre. I'm a modern, self-sufficient girl. I can handle this.' Brimming with confidence she got out of the car and headed for the boot.

Jackie had managed to get the car onto the jack and had lifted the menacing wheel off the ground. She was having trouble getting the wheel nuts off when a silver Audi pulled up behind her. Still yanking on the wrench, Jackie didn't notice the driver get out and stroll over to where she was bent over the wrench.

"Need any help?"

Jackies heart sank, the situation just got a whole lot worse. She didn't need to look up to know that Dom was standing behind her watching her pathetic attempt at loosening the bolts. "I think I'm okay." Jackie replied trying to sound confident.

"Based on the amount of grease you have on your face Jackie I think you could use an extra hand."

Dom knelt down beside her. He placed his hands around her waist and he could feel her jump slightly at his touch. After gently moving her away from the car, he lowered the wheel back onto the ground.

"It's easier if you loosen the nuts before lifting the car." He pulled on the wrench and the bolts easily turned. Looking up at Jackie he felt apprehensive as he continued to change the tyre. Jackie did not look impressed with him stopping to help her out. She had a determined look on her face but he could see that she really didn't know what she was doing. "Just a tip I have picked up from my early years at the race track."

After changing the tyre for her he walked over to the side of the road where she was leaning against a fence. He handed her a cloth that he pulled out of his pocket so she could wipe her face.

"Thanks," Jackie timidly took the cloth and started to clean the smudges off her forehead where she had wiped with the back of her dirty hand. "I could have done it myself you know."

"I don't doubt that," Dom chuckled. "But I'm not sure you actually have a spare 2 hours to work it out." Dom was fishing now to see if she had any plans for tonight.

"I actually do need to get going." Jackie looked at Dom with a surly look in her golden amber eyes. "Thanks for helping me out."

"The least I could do for my bank manager." Dom bowed his head slightly as if he was meeting the queen. "Nothing better than a damsel in distress to help you live out your super hero fantasies."

"I thought you were in Sydney?"Jackie replied flashing him a look that could kill. Jackie remembered that Dom wasn't going to be at the dinner tonight as his father had sent him away on business.

"I managed to get the deal wrapped up fairly quickly. I decided to come home early instead of spending the week-end alone." Dom was impressed that she remembered the conversation earlier on in the week "I won't hold you up any longer. You obviously have an important date tonight to be leaving work so early. I'm surprised Luke let you out of the office."

"I'm actually going to the business awards dinner tonight. I understand your father will be attending?"

"Yeah, he's been nominated for another award. I personally find those things boring as hell, But if I had known you were going to be there. . ."

"It was a last minute thing." Jackie felt a little rattled and wanted to get back in her car. She could feel her pulse start to quicken. Her head was telling her he was just playing with her and that what he was saying didn't actually mean anything. As she stood up from the fence on the side of the road, she stepped sideways to go around Dom as he was standing between her and the drivers doors to her car. He moved first as if to stand in front of her, but then turned to open the car door for her. No-one had ever done that for her before. "Thank you Dom." She said politely and lowered herself into the car. Dom then closed the door like a well trained chauffeur once her feet were under the steering wheel. He was watching her as she started her car and drove off. Jackie saw in her rearview mirror that it wasn't until she was back in the traffic that Dom returned to his car.

Dominick sat in his car with his hands resting on the steering wheel. 'What was this woman doing to me?' he thought as he shook his head. Jackie is an enigma. She was intelligent., maybe not when it comes to mechanics, but she knew her mind and didn't like being seen as incompetent. He liked her confidence. He had never felt so strongly towards a person after only 2 meetings but the way her amber eyes seemed to dance like the flames on a bonfire when she looked at him sent him into a frenzy. He wasn't sure how she actually felt about him. She was unlike the other women he had been around. He could always tell what they were thinking by the way they swooned and giggled like silly little school girls. Jackie was harder to read. It was like she had this brick wall between them and he was determined to make it tumble to the ground. Tonight he was adamant that he would find out what she was thinking when they were together. He had to find a way to get to that dinner. He had to see her again.