I Want Read Free Page A

maître de whisked them into a private
room at the back that was reserved for family and friends, but William had made
sure nobody would be intruding tonight. Several individual flower arrangements
decorated the room, and a small circular table, laid for two, with a bottle of
the restaurant's best champagne cooling in an ice bucket.
    “Are we celebrating something?” Elle
asked coyly, gesturing to the champagne, as she seated herself upon the chair
William had pulled out for her.
    William smiled innocently, as he sat
upon his own. “Maybe, if you agree to my proposal.”
    Elle wondered
what proposal he would have in mind. Even with the intensity, she felt in her
heart whenever he spoke or looked at her, her head remained reserved when it
came to overcoming any prejudice against him. “I guess that depends upon the
finer details,” she stated, avoiding William’s penetrative gaze, as her
intrigue and slight apprehension grow, looking down at the menu contemplating
what to order.
    “Did your agent
not tell you?” He queried.
    Elle relaxed
slightly, now that she understood what offer he had in mind. 
    “Oh, yes, she
did.”
    He reached for
her hand across the table. “Did the idea appeal to you?”
    “It did, and
I was flattered, but I do still have certain reservations about accepting.”
    “Please, tell
me what reservations you have, and I will try to ease those best I can.”
    “Well, I just
wonder if you would be so interested in me for the project, if you were not
also attempting to date me.”
    William spluttered
at this. “You think I am trying to buy your affections?” A shadow of something
unreadable crossed his expression.
     “That
is not exactly what I meant, but I am not sure we should incorporate business and
pleasure. The press would have a field day that you had only given me the job
because we were friends."
    “But your participation
in the campaign is simply as a one off. You are not going to be on the
permanent payroll of my company, whereas, I hope the pleasure side of our
friendship would last a lot longer than a one off! I think you would be foolish
to turn down such an opportunity, as it can only increase your exposure to
further work.”
    “Perhaps,” She knew it was a fantastic
opportunity, and could not truly afford to turn her nose up at it simply
because she had the occasional dinner with the head of the company. “Would you
at least agree to keep our dinners quiet whilst the promotion is going on?”
    “I am not indiscreet about who is in
my personal life anyway.” He felt affronted that Elle thought he would be openly
discussing their relationship with just anyone.
    “You seem to be wilfully misunderstanding
what I am saying, William.”
    “That was not my intention. I only
think the project would be beneficial to both of us – just hear me out about what
it entails before you make your final decision.”
    “Fine, I am listening.”
    William obliged her by running over
a choice of his ideas he would like to get her involved in. Elle had to admit
what he proposed could only be positive exposure for her career. She experienced
a twinge of guilt for letting her prejudice against him blur his honourable
intentions.
    Elle remained silent, as the door opening,
and their waiter making an appearance, interrupted them. 
    “Good evening,” He addressed them both.
“Would you like to order some drinks before I take your food orders?”
    William looked over at Elle. “Do you
want some wine?”
    “A red would be nice.” Elle said relieved
at the interruption.
    “We will have a bottle of 2001 Gaja
Barbaresco,” William requested without even needing to consult the wine list.
“Do you know what you want to eat?” He asked, turning back to Elle from the
waiter.
    “Steamed dumplings, followed by the
crispy shredded beef,” Elle responded directly to the waiter.
    “I will have the scallops, followed
by duck in black bean sauce, with chow mein and egg fried rice on the