One email that Raina had written caught her eye curiously.
It was to someone that Kelly was not familiar with, and the contents puzzled her. Raina was talking about the payments going through and that she would transfer his share to his account. She wrote about the need for secrecy and about an offshore account.
Kelly closed her eyes and visualized Raina. She thought of her friend’s character and the person that she was.
Her mind refused to accept that her friend would be involved in embezzling money from the company. There had to be another explanation. She picked up the phone to call Raina—there had to be another explanation, but as it rang, Roger walked in with that leering grin that made Kelly think of a hyena.
She replaced the receiver with a heavy sigh and it clanged against the cradle.
“Hello, my lovely.” Roger’s smile was oily.
Kelly cringed.
“Hello, Roger,” she said evenly, trying her best not to let on how much his presence upset her.
He shut the door behind himself and Kelly’s muscles tightened.
It had become a game to Roger. He came in every couple of days and had gone as far as grasping her hands with his. Every time he came into her office he got more daring and now she felt legitimately afraid for herself.
He walked across the office and rather than sit down as he usually did, he came around to her desk.
Kelly shot up out of her chair in fright.
“You know that you don’t have to play hard to get. I just want to get to know you a little better,” he said in a soothing voice as though he was speaking to a child.
Kelly thought fast. She could not afford to antagonize him, but damn him if he thought he would get rid of her too. The hairs at the back of her neck stood on end. She shivered despite her bravado. Roger took a step closer to her and placed his hands on her hips.
“Not as meaty as your friend are you?” he murmured. “Still, I like. You have all the parts necessary.”
“I like you too, Roger, but you’re moving too fast for me. I like a man who courts me, makes me feel special,” Kelly said. “I’m an old-fashioned kind of girl.” She was doing her best not to vomit in disgust as she spoke the words.
He took a step back and wore a surprised expression.
“So you like a little romance, is that it?”
“Well yes, doesn’t every girl?” Kelly flirted, arching herself forward.
“That’s a change, and yes I can do that,” he said, clearly pleased at the turn of events. “I’m glad to see that you’re smarter than your friend.”
“What do you mean?” Kelly asked innocently.
“Never mind about that. You. Me. We have a roller coaster to ride. How about dinner, I’ll pick you up?” Kelly thought of Roger in her house, knowing where she lived, and almost made a face.
“I’d rather meet you there,” she said demurely.
“Good girl, and I expect you to
dress up real nice.” He slapped her rump, and strode out the door.
Kelly slumped on her chair. How long could she hold him off for? And as for wearing something sexy … well, she seriously considered renting a nun’s outfit from her neighborhood costume emporium.
She glanced at the time. Three in the afternoon. Rather than call Raina, she decided to pop over to her friend’s house on her way from work.
She knocked at Raina’s door that evening. Raina shrieked when she saw Kelly and enveloped her in a huge hug.
Kelly stepped into the hallway and the living room and was struck once more by Raina’s taste. How the living room was just right, not overcrowded with furniture, and what was there had obviously been bought after a lot of consideration.
“Hi, Aunt Kelly!” the children chorused, in between mouthfuls.