Read Online The Proposal by Lily Zante - Free Book Online Page B

proposals, finding ways of marketing
the services of Zimmerman Group better. She could easily spend all day in deep
discussions and meetings. She knew what was required of her and it didn't
require any emotional investment from her.
    But, as she smiled
vacantly at Mario next to her, and caught Sandra discreetly trying to stifle a
yawn and while Michael Zimmerman was talking, a part of her mind was
pre-occupied. A part of her mind was still upstairs with Ethan. Now that she
was not physically in the same room as him, she could retrace and re-observe
the events of this morning, knowing that she was safely sitting at breakfast,
away from Ethan. Ethan. The mere thought of his name bought back images of his
naked body sitting upright in her bed.
    "I totally
agree," she heard Sandra's sharp voice a notch louder than usual and then
as she looked up, she saw Sandra looking her way. "What do you think
Nadine? Is that something we can implement?"
    Sandra's sharp eyes cut
into her thoughts. Nadine had no idea what they had been discussing, let alone
know whether it was something that she could implement. She faced them blankly.
Now was a do or die situation. She felt the mouthful of porridge stuck in her
mouth, unable to push it down, as her mind quickly processed what her options
were.  Swallowing, she decided the honest approach would be best. She
would confess that she hadn't been following the conversation but just as she
opened her mouth, she felt a warm kiss on her cheek, coming from behind.
    "Hey honey, sorry to
interrupt but you forgot this upstairs." It was Ethan; he placed her cell
phone alongside her cutlery.  Unsure what to make of this but thankful
that he had given her the phone thus saving her from a potentially embarrassing
situation, Nadine was temporarily stunned and barely uttered her thanks.
    Seeing Ethan drop by
Michael Zimmerman piped up, "Good to see you Ethan." He seemed
genuinely pleased to see him. "Perhaps I'll join you in the gym
later," he said, eyeing Ethan’s gym clothes.
    "Definitely, looking
forward to it," Ethan answered back happily, "you were up working too
late last night honey, take it easy huh?" He pecked her on the cheek again
while she gave him a faint smile. He winked and strode off. It was as though a
mini hurricane had hit their table and left in a matter of seconds.
    None of this had gone
unnoticed by Sandra, who was still watching Nadine with the eyes of a hawk.
Something wasn't quite what it seemed here, she could sense, and she would make
it her business to find out what it was.
    "Now, where were
we?" asked Michael Zimmerman. Before Sandra could remind him of Nadine's
unanswered question, he glanced at Nadine and said jovially, "You need
to  loosen up Ms Stefano, working until the early hours of the morning
even after the Friday night  drinks!"
    He tucked into his
breakfast heartily.
     
    *         
*          *
     
    After breakfast they
adjourned for presentations given by each of the heads of marketing from
overseas. Nadine had delivered hers and she had practiced so many times that
she pulled it off effortlessly. She had to remind herself to be more focused
through the day and did not let her mind dwell on Ethan too much. But she hoped
he was getting on without any problems and she was actually quite looking
forward to seeing him again that evening.
    "If you see Ethan
around, please check to make sure he's okay," she had asked Melissa, who
was busy running around making sure there was enough tea, coffee, water and
muffins in each of the meeting rooms.
    "I'm worried he
doesn't really know anyone here," Nadine explained. Melissa was as good as
her word, going up to Ethan whenever she saw him which was only on a few
occasions.
    Ethan spent most of the
morning in the gym, then later he spent a few hours in the swimming pool. 
He was hoping to catch sight of Nadine during lunch and had showered and
dressed up in his casual jeans and t-shirt, scouring the hotel's