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“Fine,” I say through a chuckle.
I try to focus on the email I was about to send before her interruption, but she’s thrown my concentration off. Flicking my pen between my lips, I cross my legs and lean back, staring at the ceiling.
Eighteen months ago, I had a moment of weakness that led to a mistake. A big mistake. Me finding comfort in Clark’s arms. I’d avoided him like the plague for three years. Seen him around, of course, but felt overwhelmed by a sense of repulsion. Then eighteen months ago… God, I don’t know what came over me. It was the anniversary of my father’s suicide. I was at an industry dinner. I’d had too much to drink, more than I’d usually have. Clark had just been announced as CEO of Layton Oil. I don’t know if it was his power, my intoxication, or my need to be held by someone. Someone who I knew, in those intimate moments, could make me see and feel nothing but him.
I squirm in my seat and squeeze my thighs tightly together, remembering his touch. How he could liquefy me with one stroke, one look. How he could melt away the reality of my nightmares. I rub the base of my hand against my chest and close my eyes, wishing his face would disappear from my mind.
“Dayna, they’re ready for you in room three.” This time, Rachel’s voice is my saviour.
“THAT WENT WELL,” I tell Arthur when we’re back in my office. Arthur sits in the chair opposite my desk with a plate full of leftover coronation chicken sandwiches, his favourite. “I’m impressed with the figures. Brazil could prove very profitable for us.”
He munches delightedly through a triangle, dabbing his thumbs against the yellow sauce that has oozed through the bread and onto the corner of his mouth. If his wife, Evelyn, were here to see this, she’d be calling him a “messy old coot”. Not that she’d actually say it with malice. Evelyn is one of the nicest women in the world. She spends most of her time fussing over Arthur and Teddy. That hasn’t changed since we were kids.
Laughing, I hold up a tissue, which Arthur takes from me on a smile. “Indeed. Very profitable.”
“I feel like we’re stable again, Arthur. Really solid.”
“I sense there’s a ‘but’.” He tucks his used tissue up the sleeve of his blazer. Cringing, I lift my waste basket towards him.
“Well, I’ve been thinking that I’d like us to grow now.”
He concedes, tossing the soiled tissue into the bin. “We’ve only just stabilised.”
“I know. I just don’t want to get behind the curve. With our blending capabilities and our transport links through Canada and South America now, I just think we can be better. I think we’re strong enough to grow.”
“It’s a bad time, Dayna. Companies are struggling.”
“Yes, but not us. We need to make sure we have a base to keep moving forwards.”
He watches me intently as he takes another sauce-dribbling bite from his sandwich. “Well, I have heard about a new opportunity.”
I sit up straight and scrutinise the troubled look on his face. “What is it?”
“A new well. It’s currently government owned but the government has more lucrative opportunities to focus on and it’s looking to sell this one.”
“Where is it?”
He takes a breath that makes his chest rise noticeably. “The Persian Gulf.”
I swallow so hard I wonder whether the sound is only in my ears or loud enough for Arthur to hear. “Okay. I guess it’s not like I can avoid the Gulf forever. Which government is selling?”
“The Kingdom of Bahrain.”
“And what’s the scenario?”
“They’re putting out a tender to select bidders only.”
“Oh.” I rest back in my seat, deflated.
“SP is one of them.”
“Oh.” I’m struck by a combination of intrigue and fear. Five minutes ago business expansion was an idea. Now, it’s a stark, Persian Gulf reality. And as much as I want to expand, I don’t know if I can face the Gulf again. The memories it holds. The darkness. I push my shadows aside and ask, “When is the tender out?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh.” I blink three times in quick succession. Tomorrow? “Why are you telling me now?”
“Because it was — is — confidential. I’m not supposed to know. You’re not supposed to find out until invitations go out tomorrow, but I’m… acquainted with a man.”
