Shades of Trust

When she stepped in the room, he looked up from the plans. He opened his arms and she threw herself into them, hugging him tightly. “How are you, Sis?”

  Filled with emotion, Sophia could only nod. He was her favorite sibling, her closest friend. Nothing seemed to unsettle him, but Sophia knew better. He had learned to disguise his emotions very well since their parents died. After Renata died, he donned a mask and only took it off occasionally, with Sophia.

  “Hey, everything okay?” He looked down at her, worried.

  “I miss you so much.” With one final hug, she let him go. “We don’t even talk on the phone anymore.”

  “Let me look at you.” Felipe assessed Sophia, his thumbs drying away her tears. “Hmm…much better!”

  “Told you so!” Valentina said from behind her.

  Yes, I look better on the outside. Sophia rolled her eyes and tried to turn the issue away from her. “Gabriela sends you kisses and hugs.”

  Felipe, as always, read her thoughts. “How have you been doing? The truth, please.”

  She shrugged and stepped away. “Better, I think. It helps to be away from Rio. Out of sight, out of mind, you know?”

  “Indeed.” The pain that shadowed his life flickered briefly on his face.

  “And you?” She cleared her throat. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine. Working a lot,” he said. “We’ve hired a law firm. The business is really becoming too big for just a small legal department.”

  She stared into his eyes and knew she wasn’t going to receive the answer she wanted. If another person was in the room, even one of their sisters or grandmother, he never spoke about his feelings. “That’s good,” she smiled at him. “I’m glad to hear it. So, do you think the house is a good bargain?” Sophia turned to the floor plans, excited. “How long will all the work take? What’s the estimate?”

  “My God, Sophia, slow down,” Valentina said. “I don’t know why you’re constantly in such a hurry. These things take time.”

  “Life is too short to waste time, my dear. One day you will learn that. You’re too young to understand.”

  “Too young? Sophia, I’m almost seventeen years old.”

  “An old woman,” Felipe teased.

  “Maybe I’m the one who’s too old.” Sophia sighed.

  “Hey! I only want to see smiles this weekend,” Felipe ordered.

  Stop whining, Sophia. She gave him a bright smile. “Aye, sir.”

  The Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva

  In a meeting room

  12:54 p.m.

  Sophia’s image haunted Ethan as he daydreamed. Mmm, her mouth is a delicious shade of red. Her hair falls sinfully over her breasts. I bet they would fill my hands…

  “Mr. Ashford, don’t you agree that this new turn of events in the Afghanistan War demands a postponement of three or four months to start our first payment? We know that your shipment will arrive on time. We don’t know if we will manufacture, contact, and distribute our products in the expected time, so you see, we need to delay our first payment,” the head of the Arab team at the end of the table put forth.

  “Oh, yes—”

  Leonard interrupted Ethan. “Excuse me, gentlemen, I need a moment with my client. Mr. Ashford, if you will just follow me into the adjoining room?”

  When he closed the door of the smaller room, Leonard hissed, “What’s gotten into you today? Goddamn it! I have been conducting this fucking meeting for at least two hours, all on my own. What’s your problem, Ashford?”

  “I’m sorry, Allenthorp. My mind was elsewhere,” Ethan grimaced.

  “You should be sorry. It’s the woman, isn’t it? Yes, she’s quite distracting.” A small frown crossed Leonard’s face. “We cannot afford distractions here. Now, you know how these guys are about to pledge honor and blah, blah, blah. How many months are you willing to give them?”

  “Give them ten days. Of course, they’ll bargain for more. I cannot give them more than one month. I’m sure they’ll be satisfied with that.”

  “I’m willing to bet your absentmindedness is going to extend the meeting for at least twenty-four hours.” He put his hand on the doorknob, but didn’t turn it. “Forget her for a few hours. I will not be held responsible for any new problem. Let’s get on with this.”

  On the Quai General Guisan

  1:37 p.m.

  Sophia shook Mr. Brenton’s hand outside the bank. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, sir.”

  “My pleasure, young lady. And please, if you meet Juliette,” he looked down a second, “don’t mention how and where we finished our transaction. She only knows about the first part of the payment you made in London. And we are signing the divorce tomorrow, so…”

  “Don’t worry. Take care, Mr. Brenton.”

  “You too, my dear. I wish you happiness in your new house.”

  Sophia stood there looking as the old man entered his car, snowflakes falling delicately on her gray felt hat. When the car turned the corner, Sophia turned to Felipe and exclaimed, “I did it!”

  “Congratulations. Now you had better take me to a restaurant. I’m starving.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve made reservations for us at l’Auberge du Lion d’Or and asked for a special Krug champagne.”

  “Mmm! Felipe, prepare yourself. Sophia has chosen well,” said Valentina from behind.

  Sophia turned and hugged her sister, too happy to care if she was making a scene.

  Later, as Sophia chatted away with her siblings in a restaurant with a view of Lake Geneva, she decided that it was time to stop hiding and starting living her life.

  Or build a new one.

  No one else could do that for her.

  Chapter 3

  Geneva International Airport

  Saturday, October 17, 2009

  6:00 p.m.

  “I don’t believe it. I don’t.” Sophia shook her head, baffled. “I received a message and a phone call from your company saying our flight had been changed to eight o’clock this evening due to the weather.”

  “Je suis desolée. Your flight has already departed.”

  “You’re sorry, my ass,” Sophia heard Valentina murmur in Portuguese from behind her.

  Sophia fished her iPhone from her bag and showed the attendant the message. “Then transfer me to another. Here is the message.”

  “You owe me a thousand pounds, Allenthorp.” Ethan watched the scene from a seat a few feet away.

  “No, I don’t. Our bet didn’t include you cheating and arranging to send fake messages from the airline company. Sometimes I don’t know how you can live with yourself, Ashford.”

  “I can see you’ve never read Machiavelli’s Dell’Arte della Guerra.” He frowned slightly, remembering the exact words. “He taught, ‘Though fraud in all other actions be odious, yet in matters of war it is laudable and glorious.’ And, ‘He who overcomes his enemies by stratagem is as much to be praised as he who overcomes them by force.’ Although she is not an enemy, I followed his instruction to the letter.”

  “If you hadn’t noticed, she’s not alone.” Leonard was clearly annoyed. “And if she discovers your plot?”

  “Another quote from Machiavelli for you, Allenthorp. ‘All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger, but calculating risk and acting decisively’.”

  “I just don’t agree with how Machiavelli’s beliefs are applied. Not always ‘the end justifies the means’.”

  “Bravo, Allenthorp. A true lawyer speaking. Don’t be a boring moralist now. We have a ride to offer.” He stood and walked up to Sophia.

  The attendant finished typing and looked at Sophia. “There are no more flights this evening, madam. I’m sorry, again.”

  “This isn’t happening.” Sophia shook her head.

  Felipe put a hand on Sophia’s shoulder. “Sis, it’s okay—”

  “It seems I have to rescue you again, darling.” A deep voice came from behind Sophia.

  Felipe, Valentina, and Sophia p
ivoted to find Ethan and Leonard at the corner of the counter.

  “Ethan!” She smiled at him. “What a coincidence! I thought you were going back yesterday.”

  “No. My meeting only concluded late this morning. And I convinced Allenthorp to join me for lunch at l’Auberge du Lion D’Or.”

  “Hmm. We went there on Thursday,” she nodded, absently. “Let me introduce you, these are Felipe and Valentina, my older brother and youngest sister.” She turned to Felipe and Valentina and her hand flicked in the air toward the men. “Leonard Allenthorp, the Duke of Galewick, and Mr. Ethan Ashford.”

  Leonard immediately interjected, “Oh, no, please. There’s no need for formality.” He stretched out his hand to Felipe. “Leonard Allenthorp. How do you do?”

  “A pleasure to meet you,” Felipe replied, shaking Leonard’s hand. “Mr. Ashford.”

  The men greeted Valentina.

  “So, Sophia, ready for another ride?” Ethan asked.

  “Another ride?” Felipe looked at her, surprised.

  “My flight was cancelled due to a snowstorm. Ethan gave me a ride here, saving my day. His plane already had permission to depart.”

  “You didn’t tell me,” Felipe said surprised.

  “It was—” she stopped herself quickly. “Ah…we had so many things to talk about that I forgot, my dear.”

  Leonard smiled, amused.

  You won’t forget about me so easily, Sophia. “May I offer my hospitality again? There is enough space for all of us.”

  “Sophia?” Felipe looked at her, waiting for instructions. A normally talkative Valentina quietly surveyed the conversation.

  “It’ll be a pleasure,” Ethan interjected, his voice low.

  Sophia looked at Ethan and he gave her such a bright smile that she decided to accept. “Yes, I think so. It seems that I’m in your debt again.”

  “Don’t worry, darling,” Ethan smiled wolfishly at her. I’ll collect in due time.

  London, The City, Fleet Street

  Leibowitz Oil Building

  Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  10:10 a.m.

  “But Sophia—” The intercom buzz interrupted Edward.

  Sophia pressed the speaker button. “Yes, Sarah?”

  “Mr. Ashford on line three.”

  Sophia faintly blushed as Edward gave her a knowing smile.

  Edward had started working for Leibowitz Oil as a trainee. His rise to the CEO position had taken eighteen years. He had been Sophia’s good friend since her marriage to Gabriel. And after Gabriel’s death, Sophia had relied on him more and more.

  “He said it was a private matter,” Sarah answered.

  Edward chuckled and Sophia rolled her eyes heavenward.

  “Answer it, Sophia,” Edward prompted.

  “Okay, Sarah. Put him through.” As she motioned to pick up the receiver, Edward made a signal for her to talk on the speakerphone.

  “Hello, Ethan.”

  “How are you, darling?”

  “Darling, huh?” Edward mocked in a whisper.

  Sophia made a funny face at him.

  “I’m very well. Thank you, Ethan. And you?”

  “I’m fine. I’m calling to collect my lunch. Are you free today?”

  “Ah…let me check my schedule.”

  “Accept, Sophia. You have nothing better to do at lunch,” Edward murmured.

  Sophia shook her head.

  “Sophia, I’m looking forward to seeing you again,” Ethan said huskily.

  Edward’s eyes twinkled and he whispered, “Come on, Sophia. Accept or I’ll go in your place. He seems quite interesting.”

  “Ah, I— Yes, I’m free, Ethan.”

  “Great. Where do you want to go?”

  “Le Gavroche,” Edward suggested immediately.

  “Are you crazy?” Sophia retorted. Too public.

  “Pardon?” Ethan said.

  “Ah, sorry. I was—I saw something in my e-mail,” she stuttered, and scowled at Edward. “Anywhere you choose is fine with me.”

  “Oh, no, darling. I would like you to suggest it.” He lowered his voice to a seductive tone. “I want to know your taste.”

  Edward put his hand on his mouth to muffle his laugh. “He’s hot. Go for it, Sophia. I guarantee he’ll like your taste.”

  “Ah…so, what about Le Gavroche?”

  “My darling, my mouth is already watering,” he answered, the sensual intonation stronger. “What time?”

  Already, Edward loved this crude man. Maybe it was exactly what Sophia needed to be swept off her feet.

  “Is one o’clock okay for you?”

  “Sure,” he sounded satisfied. “I’ll make reservations and pick you up at a quarter to one.”

  “There is no need—”

  “I insist. Until then.”

  “Edward Davidoff, you’re sooooo dead!” Sophia said after she hung up.

  He laughed. “Sophia, if you don’t want to go…”

  “Oh, you wicked man. Let’s finish with this contract before I forget you’re the best CEO in England and kill you.”

  12:40 p.m.

  Sophia walked through the hallway with a curious Edward in tow.

  “What’s his car?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I bet it’s a sports car.”

  “Probably a Mercedes. No, not a Mercedes. A Rolls-Royce with a driver.”

  “He may have a Rolls with a driver, but on your first date he’ll drive to impress, love,” he smiled cunningly at her. “I have to give you some lessons in male behavior, Sophia. You’re too naïve.”

  “Our first date?” she sputtered. I’m not ready for dates yet. “I’m only having lunch with him and Leonard Allenthorp, the lawyer.”

  “Are you sure he invited his friend?”

  “Why wouldn’t he?”

  “Do you want to bet?”

  “Oh, no, I don’t. You know I don’t gamble.”.

  “I won.” Edward elbowed Sophia when a dark-blue Porsche Carrera stopped in front of the building and Ethan stepped out of the car.

  “What?” Sophia inquired, as Edward turned her toward himself to look into her eyes.

  “Are you crazy? How could you have second thoughts about wanting to go out with that man? He is better looking than in the online images and newspaper photos.” Then he turned her to face the handsome man waiting outside the car. “Take a good look, my dear. Now, go. Enjoy your lunch. I’ll take care of Leibowitz Oil for you.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek, but before she could walk away, he stretched out his hand to grab hers. “Wait! Give me your rings.”

  She recoiled. “I’m going to be late.”

  “Ah-ah! The rings, please.” He wiggled his fingers at her. “Besides, he’s early. Don’t be too eager.”

  Sophia rolled her eyes at him. “Edward, I’m not too eager. I don’t see the point in making Ethan wait if I’m already here.”

  “The rings, please,” he insisted. “Anyway, he already knows you’re a widow. I’ll return them to you after lunch.”

  Sophia took off her engagement ring and wedding band and placed them in his palm. She looked at them longingly and whispered, “I feel naked without them.”

  “You’re not! You look astonishing in that dress.” He pushed her toward the door. “Enjoy your date, love.”

  “It’s not a date.”

  “If you say so…” he sneered and pushed her again.

  Ethan sucked in his breath when Sophia appeared on the sidewalk exactly on time. An open gray overcoat with white fur cuffs and collar exposed an elegant knee-length tweed, white-and-orange dress, and a black belt that hugged Sophia’s small waist. “Sophia, you look wonderful.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling.

  He opened the door and held out his hand to help her inside the car. “Allenthorp couldn’t come. He asked me to convey his apologies and he said that he’ll call you to collect his lunch.”

  “That was not our agreeme
nt,” Sophia muttered, entering the car.

  “He needs to be in court. His loss. But I’m sure he’s going to call you.” Ethan shrugged and closed the door.

  “Have you eaten at Le Gavroche recently?” he asked, starting the car.

  “No. But I have fond memories of the lunch I had there. Such spectacular food.”

  “Michel is a spectacular chef. I already informed him I’m having lunch with a special guest.” He smiled at her. “I’m happy you have accepted my invitation, Sophia.” I was not sure you would.

  He’s so sure of himself. She smiled back, without uttering a word.

  He turned on the radio, but before putting a CD in, probed, “Do you like opera?”

  “Sure. What is this one?”

  “A selection of Maria Callas.” He slid the CD in. “I just love her voice; so much emotion. She takes the role, transgresses and transforms it. She makes you feel all the drama, the love and ecstasy, the fear and the death.”

  The intense enthusiasm expressed in his voice and face baffled Sophia. “You really like her.”

  “I admire those who have no fear of demonstrating passion, to live life to the fullest.” He quickly surveyed her, his blue eyes electrifying. “I think you can.” And I’ll ignite your fire.

  All right. Two can play this game. She grinned mysteriously at him, turning toward him sideways on the seat, her dress rising to the middle of her thighs. She noticed when his breath hitched. Oh, yeah, Mr. Ashford. You asked for it.

  “What makes you say that, Ethan?” she asked in a deceivingly naïve voice.

  “Your eyes sparkle with passion when you talk about your pro bono work.” He clutched her hand gently, and looking right into her eyes, kissed it. “It is up to the man who holds your heart to ignite that fire inside you.”

  Sophia felt a thrill run down her spine. Oh. My. God. Now what?

  Their arrival at the restaurant saved her from having to respond.

  “Here we are.” He signaled to a doorman, who took a traffic cone from the street. Ethan maneuvered the car with an ease that belied the difficulty of fitting it into such a small parking place.

  “You’re lucky,” she said, stifling the mocking hue in her voice. “A parking place just in front of the restaurant.”