Conflict of Interest

Chapter 6

Dom couldn't sleep at all that night. As he walked down to the dining room for breakfast he could hear his father relaying the events of the previous night to his mother.

"And the way he was twirling that poor girl around the floor, Oh Dear, I'm surprised she didn't break her ankle in those shoes." Philip chuckled. "Oh Marjorie you would have been so proud. All that money on dance lesson was well spent."

"Good Morning dear," Marjorie greeted her son as he entered the room. "Are you alright? Did you have a bit too much to drink last night?"

"Hi Mum, No I just have a head ache." Dom replied as he sat at he dining table. He did look like a vagrant that had just spent the night sleeping on a park bench, and he felt that way too.

"Sit down dear and I'll get you some coffee and an asprin." Leaving the table, Marjorie gently stroked her sons' hair as she headed for the kitchen.

Dom's mother was a caring woman that would do anything for her children, and was always the first to notice when something wasn't quite right. She had taken care of herself throughout her younger years and was still able to turn heads in her early 50's. She was not as tall as her husband at only 5ft 8, but had a slender build with straight blonde locks, that was cut into a simple bob, framing her oval face. Philip had always told her that it was her emerald green eyes that cast a spell on him. After last night Dom now understood what he meant. Dom felt the same way about Jackie.

"So Dom I think I now know why you were so eager to attend the dinner last night." Philip was looking at his son over the top of the newspaper that he was reading. "Jackie seems like a very nice young lady."

"Yeah well you don't have to worry about it Dad. She's made it clear that she doesn't want to see me again." Dom was feeling very sorry for himself, sitting with his head resting on his hands.

"What? You mean to tell me that there is actually a female species out there that is immune to the Tyrell charms? No wonder you're looking so beaten up this morning. Probably best to leave that little mouse alone Tom Cat."

Dom lifted his head from the table. "Why Dad? You just said she's a nice girl."

"Yes, but not from your background is she son." Philip retorted. "She certainly seemed to handle herself well enough last night, But I don't think she would make it in our world."

"And what kind of world is that Dad? The privileged, higher than thou kind of world that only the elite are allowed to enter?"

"Oh Dom you seem to have been bitten quite badly, but I'm sure it will pass."

"Well I hope it passes soon." Dom knew that he wouldn't be able to change his fathers' mind.

Stubborn and tenacious are two traits that Dom inherited from his father. That same stubbornness and tenacity is what keeps Dom determined to find a way to convince Jackie that she needs him as much as he needs her. He was awake all night running every minute, every word of last night through his mind, trying to find something that would help him change Jackie's mind. He knew she felt the same way about him. He could see it in her eyes. The way she looked at him, the strong pull of the magnetism between them, he could tell that she wanted him too. But what was she afraid of? Surely she wouldn't lose her job if they started seeing each other. Luke had pulled strings for the Tyrell's before to keep them happy, but Dom didn't want to risk losing Jackie by talking to Luke just yet. He had a feeling Luke had plans for Jackie himself and he didn't want to get Jackie in trouble if what she said was true. And now his father seems less than happy with the prospect of his son dating a bank clerk.

Marjorie returned with the cure for all hang-overs. She placed the coffee on the table and handed Dom two asprin, which he swallowed without delay. She then placed a plate full of bacon and scrambled eggs in front of him. "Protein always worked for me when I had a head-ache," she said. "You seem troubled dear?"

"Just a bruised ego," Philip responded. "It turns out he was rejected last night."

"Oh Dear. I'm sure she is just playing hard to get for a change. You're not really used to women like that are you Dom. Never really had to fight for them have you?"

"No Mother." Dom didn't really know what else to say. What his mother said is true. Most of the girls he had met so far were in his opinion, airheads. He was getting tired of the giggly, pretending to be shy types that didn't seem to have a brain. He just wanted to meet someone that would treat him like any other normal Joe Bloggs. Maybe that's why he is so drawn towards Jackie? From that first meeting in her office she was treating him just like any other client. The extra zero's on his bank balance didn't seem to faze her at all.

Like Dom, Jackie hadn't slept at all on Friday night. She kept hearing Dom's voice repeating over and over 'you really do like me don't you?' and 'I just know that I have to see you again.' Every time she thought about his lips caressing her hand, she felt her body tremble. Whenever she tried to close her eyes all she saw were his iridescent blue eyes smiling at her, felt his breath against her neck when he swung her around the dance floor, and his muscles rippling under his shirt, lightly massaging her torso, as his arms helped direct her across the room.

Jackie had spent most of her week-end making sure that she didn't have a spare moment to think. There was the house work to be done. She decided that a good spring clean was needed, even though she had just done one 2 weeks ago. Having the music turned up and giving her vocal cords a work out drowned out the memory, at least until Nora Jones started singing. Quickly turning off the stereo Jackie then decided to go for a run. As she was pounding the pavement she couldn't help notice that all the guys seemed to have blonde hair today. Even grocery shopping had its reminders, the wine section had the Kim Crawford selections on sale, Jackie decided to buy the 'Fickle Mistress Pinot Noir' instead.

Monday morning couldn't come quick enough for Jackie. Getting back into the regular routine would help her clear her mind, help her forget. What was Luke going to say about the dinner? Was she certain that he didn't suspect anything? She couldn't truly be sure. Just as she was returning to her office after her tea break she heard an all too familiar voice. Her heart stopped, as she stopped dead in the middle of the main bank chamber. 'Not now, Not this morning.'