Bombay Mixx

Bombay Mixx - Chapter One - Part Twenty Five

Chapter One – New Pastures?

(Part Twenty Five)

Getting back to my desk, I decided I would use the rest of the day to concentrate on the work Ann had set, so I continued with the heap of files she left on my desk and only looked up when I heard Brian shout goodbye. ‘Wow is it 5pm already?’ I thought as I saw people leaving the office.

As I packed my desk away and wishing Ann a pleasant evening, there were only a few people in the office and I looked up to see Angus sat in his office staring into space.

I hesitated before I knocked on the door. 

‘Hi Nita, you don’t need to knock,’ he pronounced

‘You looked thoughtful and I didn’t want to disturb you,’ I murmured before he signalled me to enter.

I sat on the sofa and surprisingly didn’t feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was because he was still sat behind his desk.

Angus seemed distracted and when I couldn’t bear the silence anymore I started, ‘I thought I should come and see you instead of replying to your email. I’m not sure what you want me to think about? I know your situation but you’re not separated and you’re still my boss, so regardless of any feelings it will not change the fact that nothing will ever happen between us.’ He glanced at me as though he was studying every piece of my body and examining my body language.

He sighed and looked away.

When he didn’t reply, I decided there was nothing more to say so I got up to leave.

‘Wait,’ he shouted. He got out of his chair and came towards me. I started to get nervous again so I backed away towards the door slowly. ‘I’m not going to try anything with you but instead of talking here do you fancy joining me for dinner? I don’t fancy cooking tonight. Carol and the kids are going to her mothers and I’ll be home alone and a frozen dinner for one doesn’t sound that appealing tonight,’ he asked. I looked into his eyes and saw the sorrow pouring out. I considered it for a minute then looked at him again, ‘ok but we’re just going as boss and employee,’ I concluded. He looked hurt and stepped away. ‘Can’t it be as friends?’ he asked quietly.

I felt his pain and nodded.

As we got into the car, we drove down to Knightsbridge into an Italian restaurant, tucked away down a side street where he’d obviously been many times before as they greeted him with, ‘Hello Mr. Maguire. Table for two?’ Angus nodded and we were escorted to a small secluded table in the corner of the restaurant. As Angus ordered the wine, I inspected the menu.

Beautiful risottos, fantastic looking seafood dishes and amazing sounding salads. I opted for the Mozzarella Al Forno (Buffalo mozzarella wrapped in cured ham (prosciutto) and baked, served warm with herbed olive oil) for the starter and Lobster linguine for the main course.

I thought the conversation would be very gloomy and based around the problems with his marriage but it was just the opposite.

Angus was very funny.

He joked about his thoughts on my night out with Sarah, his previous relationships and disastrous dates, his working relationship with Ann and his thoughts on others in the company.

After finishing our third bottle of wine, we decided not to get dessert. He paid the bill and we headed out of the restaurant. ‘So where now?’ he asked whilst trying to regain his balance on a lamp post. I laughed as I thought he was joking, ‘I’m being serious. Why don’t we hit Camden? Isn’t that near you?’ he asked whilst fixing his jacket. ‘Yeah it’s near me but we’ve got work tomorrow and after Wednesday I don’t want to give Ann any more ammunition’ I explained whilst trying to walk in a straight line.

Angus stood where he was and refused to continue until I agreed to go to a bar with him in Camden. ‘I will not move until you say yes Neets and I’m your boss not Ann so forget about tomorrow!’ This feeling off danger came over me and getting completely lost in the moment, I agreed.

With a wave of the hand, a taxi appeared in front of us and we were giggling all the way to Camden.