The Gamble (D'Arth Series Book 3) Read online

  "Thanks. Now I just have to win it. I'm crazy-busy at the moment, trying to get through all of it. It's a really involved bidding process. I will be presenting the first concepts to the client after Ad World.” Ad World was the big industry conference in Dusseldorf that happens once a year. It was when the industry got together, bragged about their achievements, checked out new technology and procedures, attended research presentations and drank themselves silly. It was usually an interesting few days.

  The thought of Marco entered her mind. She wondered how he was getting on with his pitch. The chances were high that she would see him in Dusseldorf. He'd become even more complicated as he was Gavin's friend as well as her competitor. She couldn't imagine him being more on the opposing side if he tried.

  She'd always forbid herself from admitting how attractive he was—it had felt disloyal to Gavin to even have those thoughts, but Gavin wasn't an issue anymore. It didn't change the fact that her and Marco's dealings had always been a bit contentious. She'd always gotten the feeling that Marco didn't approve of her. He was probably rapt that she and Gavin weren't together anymore. Alex's eyes narrowed. Just the idea of Marco seemed to get under her skin. Well, he’d got what he wanted—they weren't together anymore. This split left her a bit uncertain who her friends were, but Marco was definitely not one of them.

  Alex was travelling to Dusseldorf with a group of her colleagues and they met at the airport outside the British Airways lounge.

  "Have you been to Ad World before, Alex?" Peter asked when she joined the group, looking stylish but confidently casual as he always did.

  "I went last year.”

  "Good. Then you know what to expect.”

  "Utter chaos.”

  Lacey joined them and the tension between Peter and Lacey was obvious. Lacey was still very angry about their little fling not turning into more. And that was a lesson: don't mess around with people you work with—a lesson that Alex could learn from other people's experience. It made things complicated and it actually limited Lacey's career prospects as Peter naturally wanted her as far away from him as possible.

  When Mr. Casov arrived, they all went into the lounge where Alex checked her emails to see if there was anything from the client she needed to respond to.

  "Jamieson and Poole people are over there," Lacey said and Alex's head snapped up. Scanning the lounge in the direction Lacey had pointed, she saw Marco on the phone along one of the large windows looking out onto the runway. He looked good, being of the build that made a suit look good—or maybe he just invested in good suits.

  Immediately, Alex felt more uncomfortable. Why did he have to be here now? Knowing her luck, he was probably on their flight too. Scanning around again, she spotted Mr. Casov and Mr. Jamieson chatting at the bar like old friends. Apparently, they had worked together in the seventies.

  "Jamieson is married to Casov's ex," Peter said, leaning back and crossing his arms.

  "Incestuous little industry, isn't it?" Lacey said.

  "How we like it," Peter responded. Alex felt the tension between them like a physical emanation. Was tension ubiquitous, she wondered. Jamieson and Casov, Peter and Lacey—not to mention her and her ex's friend. No matter where she looked at the moment, she saw nothing but tension. Why couldn't people just calm down? Sneaking a look back at Marco, she saw him busy with his laptop, his ankle crossed over his knee, looking relaxed like he was going on vacation. She might actually hate him, she conceded.

  If he hadn't known she was there, he did when they got on the plane where the business class section filled with advertising people on their way to the event of the year. He was already seated when she made her way into the plane, pulling her little suitcase behind her. Looking up from a magazine, he saw her and gave her a slight nod as greeting. Luckily, she didn't have the atrocious luck of being seated next to him, but she was one row up on the other side of the plane.

  Alex was almost a little embarrassed when Peter helped her put her suitcase away in the overhead compartment as it made her feel weak and helpless—although she appreciated that Peter was being chivalrous. On the surface, he had so much going for him.

  Sitting down, she turned off her phone and dropped it in her bag. Sneaking a peak at Marco, she saw that he was reading the Economist. He was just so… —she didn't quite know the word for it. He just looked effortless. He was probably one of those guys for whom everything came easy. He waltzed in, took on an account and threw a pitch together. She, on the other hand, worked like a dog, and that was even before she actually got an account to work on.

  The flight wasn't long. She'd barely had time to sit down before it was time to get up again, and it felt like the wait to get out of the plane was longer than the flight itself. Marco stood behind her and she felt the hairs rise on her arms. They stood closer than they normally would and every part of her seemed to be aware of him.

  "Should be an interesting couple of days," he said. "Where are you staying?"

  "At the Hilton right next to the expo centre.”

  "What a coincidence; so am I.”

  "Not really. Most of the British advertising industry stays there.”

  "You've been to this thing before?"

  "Yes.” She hoped it sounded like she was almost bored with it, when the truth was that she'd only been once before and she'd spent most of that time gawking, almost giddy with excitement. She considered telling him that it was really important to get there early in the morning to register, but acknowledged that the little spiteful exaggeration might backfire.

  The line finally started moving and Alex sighed with relief as she was no longer being squeezed by a stout woman in a Chanel suit and Marco at her back.

  Throwing one last glance, she followed her own team to the taxi stand. Undoubtedly, it wasn't the last she’d seen of Marco this conference and she hated that fact that she seemed almost apprehensive about it. She needed to get a grip. He was just a guy—new to London and someone who should just be a passing acquaintance of her past. Perhaps a slightly unrealistic concept as she and Gavin still shared the same social group, which meant Marco did too.

  * * *

  Chapter 7 :

  * * *

  Dinner was a sedate affair after a hectic day. Alex's body was tired, but her mind was still buzzing with all the things she'd seen, heard and learnt. Everyone from her company was there, except Mr. Casov, who was apparently dining with a director of one of the American firms. Rumour has it that Casov was trying to set up a partnership with some firm in the US.

  They moved to the bar after dinner and ordered drinks. These conferences were so full on, no one went beyond the hotel/expo complex. One of the other UK-based firms was there and they slowly started to integrate, chatting with the competition. The whole hotel was booked out by advertising people and this was one of the only chances they had to socialise, which was surprisingly friendly as everyone was exhausted and overwhelmed by the day.

  It was nice just to sit after having spent the whole day on her feet, walking the vast halls of the expo. Alex chatted with Terence Toberman from Casual Works for a while. She'd met him before and he was animatedly talking about some analysis software he'd been exploring. Alex couldn't bring herself to get remotely interested in software right now. Balancing her drink on her knee, it left a circle of moisture on her structured grey dress.

  There was a rush of air and scent as someone else joined them, taking the spare seat between them. Alex knew it was Marco before looking—her nerves told her so, but then she was too exhausted to really care. There was something very lovely about being this tired. She had the whole night ahead of her. Tomorrow didn't start until nine-thirty, so there was plenty of time to sleep and relax.

  "Manic day," Marco said and introduced himself to Terence Toberman. Once done, he sat back and turned his attention to her. Alex felt his eyes on her. He had nice eyes—too nice, and unrelenting.

  "It was rather," Terence said, but Marco wasn't paying attention to him
anymore.

  A waitress came over with Marco's drink, putting it down on a paper coaster in front of him.

  "Not beer tonight?" Alex asked, taking in the tumbler of hard liquor. She'd never seen him drink anything other than beer and maybe the occasional shot. A neat whiskey, or whatever it was, was a bit more sophisticated. Obviously not something he did with his friends, who tended to go for bulk beer.

  "I think I need something stronger tonight—fortifying.”

  "Challenging day?"

  "I actually don't quite know how to describe today. I am blown away by the sheer magnitude of the thing.”

  "The whole world is here.”

  "I met a company from Mongolia," Terence interjected. "I wasn't aware they had advertising in Mongolia. Could you imagine working in Mongolia?"

  "No," Alex honestly said. Even at her best, she wasn't sure her mind could grasp that concept.

  Terence disappeared to the bathroom.

  "How are you?" Marco said.

  "Fine.”

  "You look good," he pointed out and Alex blushed slightly.

  "I hear Gavin is shacking up with some Aussie girl," she said after a pause.

  "So I understand.” He pursed his lips, drawing her attention to their fullness.

  Alex wasn't entirely sure how she felt about Gavin’s arrangement. On some level, she was hurt, but on another, she felt like she could hand over responsibility for him to some other girl. She didn't regret their breakup. It was probably overdue anyway. Gavin seemed to be stuck in the partying that was normal for recent graduates, but of late, she'd started to feel as if she was ready to move on—grow up a bit. She wasn't ready to settle down or anything, but maybe just broaden her horizons—explore the world beyond the mere beer tavern. That had been her life with Gavin. They went to the pub, met their friends and drank, and Gavin was perfectly happy with that set up. Alex wanted more. There were bars and restaurants, maybe even a museum. She could well imagine the horror on Gavin's face if she suggested they go to a museum. Time away from the pub was wasted time in Gavin's eyes.

  Marco took a deep swig of his drink, holding it in his fingertips. Looking him over, Alex suspected that Marco was going to be something to behold when he grew up a bit. "How's the account going?"

  "Good, but let's not talk shop," he said, smiling.

  "Or exes.”

  "Deal.”

  Alex still wasn't convinced that it was a good idea to talk to Marco at all. Something about him smelled like trouble.

  "Going on any trips lately?" he asked.

  "No, not just at the moment. I've been thinking of going to Lapland—do the winter wonderland thing. Then maybe more of the Med when spring comes. You?"

  "Going to Scotland next weekend.”

  "Rugby game?"

  He smiled. "You know me so well.”

  No, she didn't, but she knew Gavin and the only reason he would leave the pub was to go to a rugby game. What did she and Gavin really have in common, she wondered. It had been a month since they'd split up and she hadn't looked back. It had opened up the world for her and she had all these possibilities to pursue, if it wasn't for the fact that she was working like a dog at the moment, making her too busy to actually do much exploration. "Have a good trip," she said, not feeling at all envious.

  Finishing his drink, Marco waved the waitress over. "Would you like something?"

  "A vodka grapefruit.”

  "Bitter tastes," he pointed out.

  "That's me, bitter.”

  "You don't seem bitter.”

  Alex considered him for a moment. It was bad form exalting to her ex's friend how much happier she was now. Instead, she just shrugged.

  "The dumbest thing he ever did, letting you go.”

  "I know," she said jokingly. "Men are stupid.”

  "Not all of us.”

  "I don't know. I am yet to be convinced.” Okay, maybe she was a little bitter.

  Marco smiled, watching her again in the way that made her stomach bubble up. He asked her about her family and she told him about her upbringing on the North Shore. He was apparently the son of a single-parent school principal and had a sister who lived in Monaco, an older half-brother, too. Marco had gone to school with Gavin and they'd lived together at university for a year.

  Alex was starting to feel a bit tipsy now and her body relaxed even more. Marco was actually surprisingly easy to talk to. She'd had no idea. They talked about music and the concerts they'd seen, and the ones she'd plan to see but never got around to.

  "Why are you so nice to me?" she said after a while. "You hated my guts.” Her tongue was definitely loosening a bit along with her body, driven by the alcohol that warmed her veins and sedated her mind.

  "I never hated you. I might have been a bit jealous—maybe a little resentful.”

  "Resentful of me being there? Or jealous? Those are two very different things.”

  "I didn't say it was logical.”

  Alex leaned back and watched him. She didn't quite know what to make of him or what he was up to, talking to her. Maybe she was the person he knew best in the room and that fact made him seek out the only acquaintance he knew. He had only been with his firm for a couple of months—maybe he still felt like an outsider.

  Looking around the bar, she spotted Peter and Lacey on the other side of the bar, chatting intimately. Frowning, she watched them for a moment. Peter was leaning back on the bar, his ankles crossed and Lacey was talking, leaning in. She could tell Lacey was drunk from her movements, but Peter—his body language was open, like a flower calling to a hummingbird—only his nectar was poison. Lacey knew this. Alex recalled the tension between them when they'd met at the airport that morning, and now it was coming full circle. Lacey had been down this path before and she'd been burned by it. While Alex was surprisingly not bitter about Gavin, Lacey was about Peter, and now he was doing it again—leading her on.

  Alex watched as Lacey touched the front of his white shirt. Crap, Alex thought, Lacey was being suckered in by Peter again. He was only going to do the same thing. He wanted someone in his bed that night, and out of it in the morning. Damn him, Alex thought. He just used Lacey when he felt horny, and she was falling for it again.

  When Lacey withdrew to the bathroom, Alex excused herself and marched after her, crossing her arms and leaning on the sink as she waited for Lacey to emerge out of the bathroom stall. She looked flushed and animated in a way only alcohol and anticipation could do.

  "What are you doing, Lacey?" Alex asked when Lacey moved to the sink to wash her hands.

  "I know," she said and closed her eyes. "I just can't… "

  "You know what he's going to do.”

  "I know.”

  "You wouldn't do this if you weren't drunk.”

  "Wouldn't I?" she said, completely unconvinced. "I know what he is. I just can't, not, do this. Even for just one night. I want him so badly.”

  "Lacey," Alex said quietly and Lacey pulled something between a grimace and a smile, like she was on the verge of tears. "Just leave now. Go to your room and sleep.”

  Lacey shook her head almost imperceptibly. "I'm a big girl and you don't have to worry about me.”

  It was Alex's turn to not be convinced. Drying her hands, Lacey walked out of the bathroom. Lacey and Peter had played this game before and everyone knew how it was played. Groaning, Alex looked at her own reflection in the mirror. She felt for Lacey, being stuck in lust with some player who was never going to change—but for some reason, it was worth the pain of what came after. Alex wondered what it was like to want someone so much you would willingly suffer the consequences after.

  Returning to her seat, she sipped the drink that had appeared for her, watching over Marco's shoulder as Lacey reached up to kiss Peter and he just pulled her in like the snake he was. Alex knew Peter could be utterly mesmerising when he focused his attention on someone, but she wasn't susceptible to it the way Lacey was.

  The bar was thinning out somewhat an
d Peter and Lacey joined the stream of people retreating to their rooms either alone or with someone else.

  "You alright?" Marco asked, pulling her attention back to him.

  "Yeah," she said. "Just someone making a stupid decision.”

  "Really?" he said. "Are there such things on a night like this?"

  Alex was going to say yes, but there was something that drew Lacey back in again, something she obviously thought was worth it. Alex had never wanted someone like that and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

  "Have you seen any of Germany outside of this convention complex?" he asked.

  "No," she said. "Sadly, just the airport. I hear the Christmas markets are a must see.”

  "What are you going to do for Christmas?"

  Alex was stumped for a moment, wondering what she was going to do. Christmas was coming up and she'd only planned so far as to spend it with Gavin, and she would obviously have to make other plans now. "What about you? Are you going to spend it with your sister?"

  "No, she has to go to her boyfriend's family, but she is coming to London in the New Year.”

  "Shame. Christmas can be lonely in London.”

  He shrugged.

  "I really miss my dog," she admitted with a chuckle. She hadn't told anyone that, but it was true. "Other than my parents, it is what I miss most about New Zealand—maybe even more than my parents," she said laughing. She loved her parents, but they were hard work sometimes, while the family dog was just the best.

  "I suppose London isn't a great place for a dog.”

  "Not when you work every hour of the day and live in a flat with someone who is allergic to everything.”

  "Interesting choice of flatmate.”

  "Well, it keeps the flat clean.”

  "Are you a bit of a clean freak?"

  "I like things tidy.”

  "Do you line your shoes up?" His dark eyes sparkled teasingly.

  Alex pursed her lips, feeling like he was judging her, because it was true; she did. "Anyone who loves shoes likes to display them. And believe me, for what I pay for them, I should get complete enjoyment out of them.”