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Nigel Summers Rebounds

By: Egmont0409



CHAPTER 1

The big restaurant was empty when Nigel Summers took a seat. A waitress hurried over and said, "Where're not open."

"That's okay. I'll sit here till you are ready to serve."

She hesitated. He said to give him a break; he'd been on his feet all day job-hunting.

The blonde with two rings on her ring finger returned to the table. "Have you tried Johns and Samuels, home garden supplies and garden systems installers and home garden renovators?"

"No."

She gave him the address and said to try them. Her sister was head of HR.

"What the garden center is large enough to have a human resources department?"

"Yes and it's more than a garden center. J & S as they market themselves have almost 240 people on the payroll. My sister's name is Mrs Wilks. Tell her I referred you. My name is Jenny Hopkins."

"Okay and thanks."

"I can see you look weary. I'll be back in a minute with a complimentary beer."

Next morning Nigel sat in front of Mrs Wilks, having asked for her personally.

"You don't look like a gardener with that fair and unlined complexion and neither do you look like someone who installs watering systems. Am I correct?"

"Indeed but as your receptionist probably told you I'm new in the city, looking for a job."

"Did you quit your last job or were you fired?"

"I quit because my finance-to-be, the boss's daughter, dropped me on her father's say-so. He paid me my dues and then a bonus of five thousand bucks to get out of town. I was pretty hacked off at with him and especially his daughter. I decided to leave town."

"I see. Well who are you likely to marry here if I place you somewhere?"

"Probably not you as it would be bigamy although I suppose I could wait for the divorce to come through."

Mrs Wilks laughed and said he displayed confidence, a bit of style and had humor.

"I have these references and my CV here. Why don't I go to the staff café for coffee while you call Mr Able my former boss and find out about me."

"You mean the guy who forced you to quit?"

"Yes."

"God you are over-confident."

Nigel laughed as said she'd find Mr Able a straight shooter. "It's just he has a bitch for a wife who has someone else lined up for their daughter."

In the café Nigel took his coffee and bagel to where a woman was seated at a table with a white linen tablecloth. The other tables had no coverings.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all. Are you new?"

Nigel said probably, he was waiting for Mrs Wilks to check him out with his previous employer who'd paid him $5000 to leave.

"God, you must have been a real asshole," she laughed, so Nigel told her the story.

As he related he watched a change in the woman, undecided what it could be. It was more than sympathy but that was as far as his mind could go while he concentrating with his recital. The woman said she was sorry for him but Nigel said sometimes those sort of things were meant to happen.

The woman sipped coffee and studied him and then asked, "Would you like to trial as my PA?"

"What and have those breasts handing over my ear while you study my work... how could I concentrate?"

"How dare you!"

She'd practically spat that out so Nigel knew he was in a hole. Who the hell was she? He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed the cheek facing her. Just as he'd hoped, she turned, soft-blushed and said almost in horror that she was sorry some of her spittle had reached him.

"Don't be sorry. I inadvertently riled you. I like my little jokes you know."

"No I didn't know," she said, switching to mildly contemptuous.

He said hopefully, "It pays to be ready to laugh otherwise we look sour as if we are ready to cry."

The woman was back to being soft although with a tinge of despair. "I have been crying rather a lot lately."

Looking sympathetic Nigel said, "Was it your mother or perhaps your cat?"

"What?" said the woman, groping for comprehension, her forehead furrowed and her face now looked pinched.

"Um the thing that's making you unhappy."

She managed to smile. "God for a male you know how to talk to a woman but in this instance are a little adrift." She bent forward and whispered, "On top of everything else my fucking husband is divorcing me."

Nigel leaned forward, their heads less than a foot apart. "Was he fucking someone else?"

"Yes," she said, straightening up. "Oh God why am I telling you this?"

"Could it be you were sitting alone desperate to find release, any level of release?"

She was attractive. Actually her tits didn't look outstanding but she had long eyelashes and her eyes, now searching him, were violet and hers was the baby's bottom type of skin.

Nigel waited instinctively knowing not to speak and wondered what she had meant saying 'On top of everything else'.

"I guess we ought to become better acquainted."

Nigel thought no way could she mean what he was thinking. Scoring the second night in the city without picking up a bar slut was too good to be true; she had to be meaning something less engaging.

"I'm Philippa Shields director of administration for the company."

"I'm Nigel, Nigel Summers. For a moment there I thought you meant you were going to let me sleep with you... er offer me hospitality, me being new to the city."

She appeared to x-ray him, looking only at his neck. "Beware Nigel I'm into fitness and lift weights and do believe I'm capable of knocking your head off for a trophy if you talk filthy to me like that again."

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. I wasn't to know you offend easily. It was meant as a slightly hopeful retort to help lighten your day."

"Could you sleep with me... er in my apartment without touching me?"

"No way. And I really mean that." 

"Hmmmm. I must make a diary note of that in case I ever become hard up."

"I've made a right fool of myself Philippa. I'll be off as you'll probably block my attempt to find a position through HR."

"Stay for ten minutes Nigel and tell me about yourself and your business qualifications and experience."

He left the café feeling rather bewildered because he'd found some of her questions and her responses to some of his answers rather incomprehensible. His confusion could perhaps be summed up by her final comment, "I feel you have been sent to me by Providence?" What on earth did that mean? If it were sex she wanted from him a big girl like here would know she'd only have to ask or even give him that certain look. Perhaps she was a cog short?

* * *

Mrs Wilks looked at Nigel, shaking her head in disbelief. "My sister called to ask if you had been in and I said yes. She asked me to find you something because you appeared to be a forthright and personable young man. And now our cold-hearted boss called to instruct me to sign you on without a trial as her PA. Did you take her into the bathroom?"

"Mrs Wilks, that is an improper question," Nigel said mockingly.

"And I still await the answer."

"No I didn't place a finger on her or issue threats. I think she found me forthright, verbally entertaining and a guy in need of a break. My track record impressed her and when she offered me the position I said yes but no trial. She laughed and said easily agreed to because it was likely the other women would conspire to make my life a misery to drive me from the office. She said they would find it intolerable having a male PA in their midst and even worst one who did not appear to be gay."

"Ohmigod."

"Isn't the situation of women being against non-gay men as a PA a breach of employment law and what's so fucking great about gay men?"

"Nigel, please calm down. You've come this far negotiating a rather rocky road with apparent incredible ease. Don't blow it on the home stretch. Have you any idea what a PA does?"

"Yes, a PA acts as the personal assistant to his/her boss doing everything the boss chooses not to do and supporting emotionally the boss if the boss is female."

"Ohmigod, let me write that down. It outshines the standard description published by the National Business Bureau in its handbook for HR managers and support personnel."

"It just came into my head as an answer. I can't see it being rocket science."

"Well for your information I regard your job description precise, pared to the essentials in amazing accuracy and simplicity."

That was the end of that because Nigel had no further comment. "How much longer am I expected to call you Mrs Wilks?"

"You may stop right now you clever young man. My name is Sarah. Welcome to J & S. I'll perform the induction myself because I rather think you carry too much horsepower for my young staff."

"Oh flattery will get you anything Sarah. What is it you want?"

Sarah blushed and said well that proved her point.

When the paperwork was completed and Sarah showed Nigel his office she said Mrs Shields was visiting her attorney and had suggested Nigel start at 9:00 next morning if that was suitable. 

"Yes, that's fine." 

She said, "Before you go let's get this over with. I'll throw you to the accounts department personnel. Their manager is away today."

"You're making me nervous."

"Good. It will also save me having to introduce you to everyone else. News of your arrival and how you fronted these women will be spread to every corner of our establishment within minutes."

They walked into a big, noisy room; the women talked while they worked. 

"Hi girls, may I interrupt you for a minute to make an important announcement. This dark-hair man with gorgeous green eyes has just joined the company. His name is Nigel Nixon Summers. He's twenty-seven, unattached and definitely not gay and begins work in the morning as Mrs Shields' PA.

Mouths hanging open, the dozen women appeared to be displaying their tonsil to Nigel.

"I'll leave you chatting to the girls Nigel. Be gentle with him girls."

"Are you sure you aren't gay?"

"If you're not gay are you demented and bent to be leaving a very capable woman jobless?"

"Are you good for a quickie during drinks on Friday evening?"

"Have you any idea what this company does?"

"What are your qualifications?"

"Have you been a PA previously?"

At last the flood of questions ceased and Nigel said he'd do his best to answer them in order.

He answered with whit and charm and for those few minutes at least he knew he had empathy with them. But they were women and he knew women were more territorial than men. It was unlikely he'd earn acceptance with just a few smart words delivered with an engaging smile over a period of just three minutes. 

Returning to the city center by cab, Nigel inspected the main shopping area and had a look at what was showing at the two large cinema duplexes. He then went to his hotel knowing he should be talking to a letting agent about apartments but felt like having a quick shower and then settling down for some drinks before dinner to think how fortunate it had been to have landed such a well-paying job so quickly. Okay, the working hours would be long and involved travel but at present he had no hobbies or girlfriends or pals to share his time with socially. Therefore grinding away at work would be okay.

He was frivolously thinking about grinding Mrs Shields when the receptionist he'd checked for messages, he expecting none, handed him one.

'I'm in the house bar. Pil.'

He raced to the bar hoping she wouldn't talk to him for hours about her ex as if he were deceased and about their life together including fucking in the woodshed. Yuk.

"Hi, I have a job and am ready to celebrate." He'd said that excitedly and went to kiss her cheek but she turned her head and they lip-kissed quiet firmly.

"Wow."

She smiled and said welcome to the team.

He said he was racing upstairs to shower and to change into something less formal than a suit. "Will you dine with me?"

She arched an eyebrow and said yes. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she smelt and he wanted to sleep with her but sense prevailed. Off he strode not looking back because she was sophisticated enough to expect he wouldn't do that. 

He showered thinking she appeared rather lean so her tits would be smallish but then small tits usually meant a small pussy didn't it? Oh yummy. Er wasn't he getting a little ahead of himself. Yeah. She probably required to be dated for twelve months before he was allowed to get a finger near it.

He cleared his filthy mind, brushed his teeth, dressed and raced to the elevators, returning to close and lock his door and then unlocking it went in to collect his used shirt and underwear from the floor and shove them into his travel bag.

Nigel sauntered up to Philippa who was sitting on a bar stool facing him. He allowed her to notice his unhurried look at her long leg crossed over a knee. His gaze traveled up the leg and he sighted a patch of white flesh above the black stocking top so hurriedly looked away. Walking right up to her he asked, "Would another kiss be in order?"

"Very much in order. Your kisses make mommy feel much better."

Mommy? Nigel had thought earlier in the day she was thirty-five but now wasn't so sure. She was talking as if she were forty-five. Did she have kids? God all this was so strange, a little like two people running on empty. The one thing they both had in common was they'd been dumped. He sighed, accepted he had it all wrong. She wasn't here for the sex; she was here to grab a sympathetic ear. Anyway what was the company rule about fucking your PA? She could be fired and he certainly would. 

Nigel frowned. He'd come to this city to get back some order to his life and to find a quiet, obedient girl his age who would enjoy being fucked two or three times a day and would not give him any trouble and encourage him to carve out a career to support her and X number of kids.

Instead he'd landed a women's job that would make him the laughing stock of people at work and socially who asked him what was his job in admin. And he'd introduce them to the woman he was fucking who was old enough to be his mother and was too old to have kids and all she wanted to do, day and night, was to talk about how unfair her ex-husband had been. 

"You have gone quiet," Philippa said. "Tired?"

"Well it has been an usual day, a little draining." He licked his lips.

"What?"

"I was wondering how old are you. I really know nothing about you."

"Are you lining me up to have sex with you?"

Horrified, Nigel knew he could survive this by saying something she thought was funny.

"I'm quite sure you're over eighteen. That means..."

"Yes, quite," and she smiled and said, "You can be quite funny as long as one doesn't attempt to interpret your attempt wit too intelligently."

Nigel wasn't sure if that was an impolite backhander so just smiled.

"I'm thirty-four and was married for two years and twenty-three days and there were no children. I think the creep is impotent. But he did worse that leaving me and leaving me childless."

Nigel was left wondering what could be worse for a women being left childless when for the second time the bartender said, "Yes sir?" Nigel ordered his Martini and looked at Philippa who drained her glass and said she'd have gin as her base not vodka as was his preference.

As the barman walked off Nigel said, "Does that difference between gin and vodka signify we're incompatible?"

Philippa inspected her nails on one hand and said, "No, over time one of us will change because that's how couples operate effectively as couples. Let's move to a corner table. It's time to talk."

Now for talking about the deconstruction of her marriage, poised over the ashes like buzzards, Nigel thought, following her and looking at her slightly swaying ass and experiencing a great desire to pat it possessively. 

Well after two more Martini's Philippa's narration ended and they went arm in arm to dinner, Nigel's head reeling. They dined making good choices and the conversation was soft and cheerful. After dinner Phillips kissed him and said goodnight.

"But I thought... Nigel said, looking up above his head, indicating the bedrooms.

"Nigel, please understand this," she said sweetly, hand touching his arm lightly. "You'll get go sex from me until I decide it's time to reward you or alternatively I lose self-control."

He thought the shock of that had dried up his dick anyway, so he said, "Understood" and escorted her to a waiting cab. They kissed on the lips, lightly.

* * *

In the bath, sipping brandy, Nigel thought about what Philippa had told him, how her father and husband had conspired to wrestle control of the company from her. 

It was basically a story of greed and revenge. 

Philippa's late mother Veronica Shields, who'd never married, inherited from her maternal grandmother, a Samuels, half of the stock in the Johns and Samuels enterprise. At that stage and since then the Johns' share of the business was held in a family trust. Philippa's illegitimate father Royce Johns had been terribly upset at Philippa's inheritance, believing he had a right to share in it because he'd lived with her mother as husband and wife for eighteen years. That relationship had shattered on the night of Philippa's high school graduation when the drunk Royce attempted to have sex with her. All the time Royce had been the only person believing he'd been entitled to a share in Philippa's grandmother's estate. Not even his attorneys agreed he had a case and were proven correct when the claim was thrown out of court.

For years the matter rested. Philippa gained a degree in marketing and then a Masters in Business Administration and eventually by consent of the board she replaced her father as president of the company, he being made vice-president and director of the administration. 

And then Raymond Samuels, a grandson of the co-founder of the company, entered the company. He had a degree in marketing and he persuaded Philippa to take his scheme to the board calling for the creation of a garden center franchising division, aimed at giving small families with entrepreneur aspirations to set up garden centers in small towns with the technical, financial and product supply support of the very long established empire of Johns and Samuels. 

Philippa was unaware that her father and Raymond were in cahoots to wrest control of the company, She also chaired the board and Raymond made better progress with her than expected and romance developed. Six months before the wedding the board accepted the establishment of a new division and the insurance company providing the substantial finance to have the new division up and fully running in very quick time demanded two seats on the board and a 15% holding in the company with the new stock issued to it at independent valuation.

Once the two insurance company representatives were on the board Royce launched a proposal for the reorganization of senior management, claiming that under Philippa's leadership the company's profitability was declining and morale of personnel was at an all-time low. Royce also proposed a new national division to market products throughout the country and to establish a national technical advisory service.

It was a straight fight between Philippa and Royce, with Raymond keeping right out of it as he explained it was politically expedient for him to display neutrality. The balance of power on the board had shifted following the appointment of the two outside directors should the directors sympathetic to the Samuels trust interests be joined by those directors. 

Philippa and Royce were asked to leave the meeting while the board discussed the matter further. They were called back in and the deputy chairman announced Royce had been elected as the new executive chairman and appointed the new president of the company. Philippa had been appointed to Royce's former position as director of administration. She accepted darkly and that left her with a seat on the board with her holding now diluted to 42.5% with the insurance company taking up its holding. She had taken a big hit, blamed herself and went ahead with the wedding. She didn't learn about Raymond's deception until he sneered it to her when announcing he would be seeking a divorce because he'd found a young widow with money.


Nigel Summers Rebounds



All that made sense to Nigel. It was a classic case of a determined incumbent plotting for power once he had the necessary support and then going for it. What didn't make sense was Philippa telling Nigel she'd seized the opportunity to recruit Nigel with his suitable background to overthrow Royce and regain her rightful control of the company.

Philippa had looked at him malevolently when he suggested what was right was whatever the board decided and when he suggested her best option was to sell out and leave town he was sure she'd come close to slapping him. Ah well, at least she had fire. She couldn't mount a counter-attack alone but he doubted he was the right man. Had the notice of divorce proceedings pushed her into a corner and she was now desperate?

In bed without his boss Nigel thought well at least she had dangled the prospect of sex over him, suggesting she thought of him favorably in that connection. Connection? He grinned. During the night he awoke and just as Philippa had wanted from him, he'd created an action plan. It depended on a couple of things related to the company.



CHAPTER 2

Nigel arrived at the offices at 8:30 and was taken around admin and introduced. He was glad he was spared the embarrassment of being asked was he gay, and thought well the messages radiated yesterday from the accounts department after his quite hilarious meeting with him had assisted his immersion.

A lean guy in a $500 suit came in an introduced himself, giving Nigel quite a shock.

"Hi, I'm the guy who's divorcing your boss. I'm Raymond. I heard she'd hired a male PA and came to look you over. My office is a quarter of a mile from here and so you won't see much of me unless admin has stuffed up our accounts or manipulated adversely our financial reporting."

Nigel had thought Philippa would have had her treacherous husband fired but then remembered she was no longer president and anyway Raymond was a company director, one of the Samuels Trust nominees.

"Hi Mr Samuels, I understand you run the technical and franchising division."

"You are well-briefed. Call me Raymond Nigel. Just watch your boss, she can be a vindictive bitch at times."

"Well Raymond, it would be bad news if she acted like that without good reason."

Raymond stared at Nigel and frowned, as if unable to quite work out what Nigel was saying. He left without further comment.

A pot-bellied older guy without a smiled greeted him.

"I'm your big boss."

"Good morning Mr Johns."

"You know me?"

"No Miss Shields briefed me on senior personnel."

"Your are aware that Mrs Raymond Samuels is my daughter?"

"Yes, Philippa told me that."

"And why her mother and I never married?"

"No sir." 

Well Philippa hadn't explained why but Nigel thought a lie would be in order. "I wasn't aware her mother and you weren't married."

"Her late mother. She died in a car crash when touring Egypt with two girlfriends. None of them survived."

"Oh I'm sorry. How long ago was that?"

"Fourteen years. Philippa was twenty but my family affairs needn't preoccupy your mind. Having a male PA is most unusual but providing your standard of work is up to the expectations you'll survive. Come to me with any personal problems. My daughter can become emotional and make false accusations."

Nigel thought oh very smooth Mr Samuels and thought well at least he'd indicated Philippa was indeed thirty-four. Nigel was aware some women tended to be flexible about their age. She was still of accepted child-bearing age although time was running out on her.

A smiley young woman came in and placed her handbag on the other desk. "Hi, I'm Jane your assistant. I do your word-processing and assist with calls, callers and emails and do the mail and coffee."

Nigel looked at the curvaceous and reasonably attractive brunette and decided to push boundaries. "Oh hi Jane, I'm Nigel. I wasn't told I had an assistant although had noticed the second desk and your personal effects. Look, you may be upset at being asked to work alongside a male PA. If you wish I can attempt to get you deployed elsewhere in admin."

"No it's fine. My last boss was a bitch. You look fine to me. May we continue to have flowers in the office?"

"Yes of course. Um I'm not gay Jane."

"Yes, the girl's in accounts agreed that you pulsate testosterone."

"What?"

"That's what their combined memo dispersed to all personal in junior management and below said about their perception of your sexuality."

"Ohmigod," he said cringing and Jane grinned and said, "Embarrassing isn't it?"

Philippa swept in right on 9:00. "Troops, into my room please."

There was no greeting, only a smile. Jane grabbed her notebook and a pen so Nigel armed himself similarly.

He closed the door as he followed Jane into the larger office.

"Lock it Nigel."

Well, was this Day 1 of the campaign to oust her father? It certainly appeared so.

They sat in front of the boss who fixed her eyes on Jane.

"Jane, how far can I trust you for absolute fidelity in keeping the affairs of this office absolutely confidential, even if you are placed under interrogation by my father?"

"You should feel confident of my loyalty Miss Shields."

"I may perhaps ask you to do things that you may think are disloyal to the company Jane so think carefully. I can easily have you assigned to another posting with no loss of entitlements but you will probably be bored ."

"I am with you all the way Miss Shields but what about him," she said, looking suspiciously at Nigel.

"Nigel is with me a hundred percent. We talked last night and I have no hesitation in deciding his loyalty."

"Are we about to attempt to have you reinstated at company president Miss Shields?"

"Yes, so who indicated that possibility to you?"

"No one. When you began speaking to me about absolute confidentiality I guessed that was your objective because in your position that's what I would have resolved to do."

"Nigel?"

"I have not spoken to Jane about your plans."

"Very well, I accept that and accept your promise of absolute fidelity Jane. If we win through you'll be promoted. Now Nigel, what do we do?"

"I had a plan, incorporation the only tactic I believe has any chance of succeeding beyond assassinations."

"Ignore him Jane; Nigel loves to over-embellish."

Nigel said he required comparative print-outs on the company's period of profitability since Royce took control and the similar length of time in the period prior to Philippa's demotion.

"Yes I can amass the information and print the graphs for you."

"Without anyone but we three knowing you are doing that?"

Philippa said absolutely.

Nigel said he also required an in-depth analysis on the creation of the franchising and technical and product support division and that information compared against forecasts and an analysis of reports on progress, or lack of it, as well as the loss of capital of that division, if any had occurred being regarded as irrecoverable, and predictions on likely progress based on an analysis of division reports on future expectations."

"God why do you want that? It will take days and days for me to compile that information without assistance."

"You have Jane and me to assist you."

"Well yes, and I cannot discount that support. But is this absolutely necessary?"

"Yes."

Philippa, tight-lipped, said, "Do you mind telling me why? I am after all your principal and this entire thing is about me."

Nigel turned to Jane. "Sweetie, although Philippa has indicated she trusts you implicitly this is something I should only discuss with Philippa because I have no idea how you'd hold up under tough interrogation if our foes sense something was up and roped you in. Do you understand?"

"Yes, you wish to operate on the need to know basis."

"Good girl, exactly."

He unlocked the door and Jane left, flicking a smile at him.

Nigel said to Philippa, "If the results you gather are very much in your favor you must go to the insurance company chiefs and call for voting support and you then call a meeting of the board for a vote of no confidence in your father's administration and seek to replace him."

"Oh god, a reversal of what happened to me by winning over outside voting strength."

"You may even win over some of the Samuels if you can prove the current grand plan is destined to make a loss-making dive. I've never yet met a person happy about losing capital and earnings."

"Nigel, my feeling is this is going to work."

"We'll check and double check your findings Philippa because the insurance company will check them for credibility and as sure as hell your foes will be looking to discredit you and your claims."

Later when Jane was explaining the office routine to Nigel she asked, "I think this is unlikely but is anything going on between Miss Shields and you?"

"Give it a break Jane, I only met her yesterday."

"In that case would you like to accompany me to a movie and then dinner tonight? My room mates intend having a big night at basketball and my boyfriend is out of town on a training course."

Nigel imagined his dick was screaming yes, yes. 

"Well if that's what you want Jane, going to a movie with a much older guy, then it's fine by me. If you have second thoughts just cancel... I won't mind. Er I hope."

She laughed and said Nigel was funny. "I'm twenty-two and have read your CV so there's not real problem about age."

* * *

Watching the movie about a young couple who'd witnessed a murder fleeing and struggling to keep ahead of the hoods pursing them, Jane leant against Nigel's shoulder and seconds later lifted with a wordless invitation for him to place an arm around her shoulder. He obliged and soon she placed that hand on to her left breast.

"Are you sure Jane?"

"Yes, but remember it's our dirty little secret."

That told Nigel Jane intended them to go all the way. He'd still not moved to seek permanent accommodation so after the movie took Jane to the hotel and they dined in the bistro restaurant because he knew that offered quicker service. They then went up to his room, groping one another in the elevator.

"I really like to fuck," Jane said, stripping off her top and jeans and wandering around looking at the suite.

"It's small but lovely."

Nigel was sure she didn't mean his dick that she'd been squeezing in the elevator.

She pulled off her bra and panties and climbed on to the sofa looking away from him, opening her legs.

"Come on big boy."

Nigel obliged, repeatedly.

* * *

The results of data collected by Philippa were exciting, er for Philippa and her two assistants.

"Christ, Raymond and Royce in signing off these reports to the board must have known they were fudged," Nigel said. "These instances are probably in breach of legislation covering the operation of companies, with the board and stockholders being fed false and manipulated information. The latest report indicates twenty-two investors have signed up franchises whereas only two have actually completed the process and the other twenty have signed an expression of interest that doesn't commit them to anything apart from confidentiality. This is scandalous."

"Well deal with less than honest people and this is what you get," Philippa said bitterly.

Nigel had been flicking through the financial graphs and data printouts. "Christ the heavy non-productive expenses in setting up the franchising operation have alone absorbed $2.8 million of the insurance's company's investment of $7.5 million and more has been spent on the technical support network that is not yet operational and that accounts for almost another $2 million with no revenue coming in and yet seven months ago when you were deposed both Royce and Raymond submitted, in writing, that a revenue-producing stream could be expected from both projects within two months of approval, and approval was given that very day. Oh boy, what we have here, once verified, is enough to sink a battleship."

"It looks good. We must spend the next two days verifying all this information and I'll make an appointment to see the chairman and president of the insurance company for Thursday if I can. You must accompany me Nigel to assist if I stumble on any point. And Jane thank you for all your work in copying files or sections of files with auto dating and scoring reports to the board to extract relevant information."

Jane had left and Nigel was packing up ready to leave that evening when Philippa came through and asked, "Would you like me to take you for a drink and a bite. You have done amazingly well for me Nigel."

When they were seated at the bar Philippa asked, "What have you done about permanent accommodation? Excuse me."

She took a call and said, "This is a grave disclosure implicating the executive chairman plus president and his vice-president Roland which explains why I'm seeking this meeting without them. I will be accompanied by my investigating PA a Mr Nigel Summers. Oh great, 9:00 on Friday morning. No an hour will be sufficient but I insist on strict confidentially at this stage. Bye."

Philippa sipped her Martini. "You heard that, first thing Friday morning. Now I assume you have been too busy to inspect alternative accommodation yet?"

"Correct. I'll start looking Saturday."

"Well after dinner let's start with an inspection of my apartment. I suggest you stay at the hotel in the meantime but if we win through with this exposé at an emergency board meeting next week I will place you in Raymond's position and have you elected as a director and invite you to move in with me. It will be up to you to make that division work and you'll be gifted stock in the company at a level appropriate to your success."

They talked on and it occurred to Nigel to ask himself where was the warmth in Philippa. He struggled to describe where his thinking was at over Philippa as although it had just surfaced he thought it had been bubbling with mixed uncertainty.

Selfish?

Perhaps she was selfish but only to a degree and not that consuming selfishness a few people who lived alone, usually in luxury, possessed. At that he thought of one of his grandmothers.

Single-minded?

Well she could become very focused but no, it wasn't that.

Loveless.

Nigel shuddered and he hoped he was wrong about that. He'd think about that.

After dinner they went to her apartment. In the cab she'd pulled his arm around him but leaving a gap between them for him to get a handful of breast. When he was holding a handful she whispered, "That's comforting."

Oh yeah, to whom? He turned to face her briefly but with a shock realized his smile was hollow. Oh shit, it was over before it had started wasn't it?

The apartment was not overly large and wasn't even hers, yet. She said it belonged to an aunt now in a nursing home who had promised to bequeath it to Philippa.

"I've thrown out the junk and built up the lovely things, matching styles," Philippa said, and asked if he wanted coffee. Not 'would you like coffee' or better still 'I'll fetch coffee' but rather 'Do you want coffee?' Nigel, now acting like an analyst, regarded the phrasing of the first two unspoken statements and the one actually stated as being significant different in potency. It warned him to watch Phillips closely in respect of their compatibility.

As she handed him coffee and drank a glass of warmed milk herself she looked around the room and said, "There is nothing I want changed here. You'd have no desire to change anything have you?"

"I wouldn't think so," Nigel shrugged, thinking he wasn't even sure he'd want to live there.

When he put down his empty coffee mug Philippa said brightly, "I'll call you a cab."

Nigel returned to the hotel looking sour, which was how he felt.

* * *

They entered the boardroom of the regional division of a national insurance company and were welcomed by the chairman and president. Philippa was seated at the table facing the chairman and president and Nigel was invited to sit beside her. An advisor sat on either side of the chairman and company president; presumably the advisers were attorneys.

The result was half of what Philippa and Nigel had expected. The insurance guys became quite alarmed at the revelations presented and apart from four points seeking clarification there was no further discussion because the company chairman requested an adjournment.

"We will withdraw for consultations with our national office. Lunch will be served here for you Miss Shields and Mr Summers. I suggest we resumed our meeting in ninety minutes."

The four men left the room and a women appeared and poured their requested drinks, said lunch would be served in twenty minutes and asked for their choice between salmon salad or hot chicken roast. Both visitors chose the roast.

After the women closed the double doors behind her, Philippa looking distraught., asked, "Oh god, where did I go wrong?"

"You didn't, you presented admirably," Nigel said. "There was no way we could predict their reaction. Remember I did warn insurance guys tend to act in discussions more like bureaucrats rather than businessmen. I suspect they are now on a conference call with head office discussing your disclosures and seeking instructions."

"Do you think so," Phillips said, gulping down her expensive wine and holding out her glass for Nigel to pour more.

"Steady on, you'll need to keep a cool head," he warned. "This isn't over."

"Would you like to stay in this city tonight, whatever the result, and have sex?"

"With you?"

"Yes," she said looking at him strangely. "I rather thought you were breaking your neck to fuck me?"

"Yes, yes of course," he said, aware his tone suggested lack of real enthusiasm.

She stared at him.

"What?"

"You have oodles of talent and yet are only a PA. Why is that?"

"A combination of circumstances and lack of opportunity."

"I see," she said but Nigel knew she didn't. Philippa had been brought up with her destiny already mapped out for her although the marriage to reunite the two families once again had failed to take off. Now she was again on the cusp of failure but he remained convinced the insurance company would do something.

* * *

The meeting resumed with the chairman speaking.

"We have conferred with our more senior counterparts at head office and this is our suggested plan of action. "You Miss Shields rally your support and call for an emergency meeting of the board. After making your disclosures you recommend the board keeps the lid on this and makes no legal allegations of collusion and possible corruption against your father Mr Royce Johns and Mr Raymond Samuels provided the following occurs." 

"Firstly you propose Mr Samuels, as instigator of the hugely under-performing new national division be asked to resign from the company or if he refuses be fired for gross mismanagement. He receives no golden handshake and if he fights this in court, so be it. You will of course Miss Shields have our two voting directors supporting you in all these actions."

"Once it is agreed that Mr Samuels goes you recommend he be replaced on the board by another representative of the Samuels trust."

"You then move that the board consider your immediate reinstatement as executive chairman and president of the company and your father be offered the vacant position as director of the national division because he possesses the experience to revive the initial failing attempts to establish that division effectively." 

"You are authorized to make it quite clear that this insurance company invested in your company to achieve greater balance in its consumer-related investment spread and if this action is taken the company requires and 2% additional issue of stock, taking 1% of your holding Miss Shields and 1% from the Samuels Trust for a total payment of $2.8 million which is a price a book value of stock less 20%. Further we require agreement that that new capital will be spent entirely on bolstering the viable development of the national division. We also require the position of operations manager of that division be a person approved by our insurance company." 




Nigel Summers Rebounds



"Finally we require our president here Mr Sharp replace one of our two representatives on the board. We are not seeking a third seat. So what do you think of that Miss Shields?"

"Well could I confer with my adviser in an ante-room?"

"Certainly Miss Shields. I'll have coffee brought into you."

.

Philippa stared at Nigel and hissed, "Well?"

"Please calm down. You are getting most of what you wanted."

"But my father remains in the company under these proposals and that bastard husband escapes possible criminal charges under business law."

"Well the job was too big for him wasn't it? Raymond is probably one of those theorists who sound good but collapse when pushed to make anything work. Until now I hadn't realized you didn't want your father to face censure for misreporting."

"Well he'd my father isn't he?"

"Yes but you are also in business with responsibilities to make it work legally. There is no way Raymond could be prosecuted without your father being implicated. Wake up Philippa."

"Oh god, what a mess."

"Think ahead. How does this unravel for you in the weeks and months ahead and do you think your father is capable of making the national division succeed? Remember if a large part of its operation is based on franchising, those people taking up a franchise are locked in."

"Franchise operations have been known to fail."

"Yes but what about the other side of the coin?"

"Usually the first to come up with the idea succeed, becoming real winners. Oh god, where is my vision?"

"You probably have it. Perhaps you were too focused on trying to extinguished your husband's business career."

"Don't your dare even think about that as being a possibility."

Nigel thought Philippa might not be a lady or lovely right through to the core but at least she had the toughness to run a large multi-facet company. The insurance company would have checked her out and found no reason to help place her back in charge.

* * *

Philippa and Nigel dined well and he was pleased she had a number of drinks because unlike many people she actually mellowed when hitting the bottle.

"I think those guys wondered what was wrong with me when I accepted Plan A in its entirety."

"Perhaps."

"Come on Nigel, what do you really think?"

"This may sound feeble to you being a rather hard-nosed bitch but I think they were relieved because there was no Plan B and because they had their best minds on this situation and had their investment in your company at heart."

"Oh really? And you think I'm cold."

"You're okay," said Nigel as he felt her shoeless leg, she was seated opposite him, run up between his legs to make a soft landing against his crotch. She then wriggled her toes."

"That was great venison," he croaked.

She just smiled and wriggled her toes even more.

* * *

"Shower please darling, Philippa said . "I'll have a very quick bath. Although I had one earlier I'd hate you to smell 'women's breath' on me.

The obedient Nigel had his shower and then had another shave in case she found problems with microscopic facial hair growth.

Philippa came out nude, pink and smelling of roses. She lay on the bed and raised her knees, opening them.

"Oh god, where is your condom? I don't want filthy semen on my beautiful skin."

Nigel felt like taking off for the hills but lacked the courage. 

"I don't use condoms. The few women I bed tend to like to swallow or have it dumped on their chest."

"Oh Nigel, spare me. You'll find condoms in my handbag. Choose the one with raised purple noodles in concentric circles."

Philippa eyed him as he approached, wearing the white sheath with purple rows of mini bumps. "Straight in. We don't what that stupid preparatory ritual. It does nothing for me. Oh god, I can't take all of that."

At that point Nigel rather lost it. He placed a hand over her throat and said, "Shut up and move you ass. He slammed into her. The lying bitch; he could only touch one side at the time.

"Oh, oh, be careful. You're hurting me." 

"Oh, oh, be careful. You're hurting me."

"Oh, oh, be careful. You're hurting me."

"Oh, oh, be careful. You're hurting me."

The monotonous monologue continued while he ground away, banging her. Finally he felt like coming so squeezed one of her flopping thin tits and rammed a forefinger up her ass.

"Ohmigod," she yelled, clearly climaxing. "I haven't come for some years. Get off me. Fetch towels and run a bath. I feel as if I've wet myself."

Nigel chose to sleep on the sofa.

They were very polite to one another next day including on the short flight and the drive to the office.

"Royce greeted them as they reached Philippa's office and asked where had they been."

"Out," Philippa snapped to the company president, pushed Nigel into her office and followed, slamming the door in Royce's face and locking it.



CHAPTER 3

Just as Philippa had wanted it, Royce found out about it three days later when he presided over an emergency meeting of the board called by Philippa with the notice of meeting signed by the mandatory requirement of a minimum of three other directors endorsing her call.

Royce's face turned ashen as Philippa, using the same Power Point presentation given to the insurance company executives and then launched her assault. At one stage Raymond groaned audibly, his hands covering his face.

There were few comments, the only notable one being Royce crying, "This is a mischievous frame-up by this conniving woman attempting to unseat me by fair means of foul."

There were no further comments and Royce, aware no eyes were meeting his, said, "Well that appears to end this pathetic piece of emergency business so I..."

One of the directors representing the insurance company's interests rose and said, "Mr Chairman, I move you vacate the chair for the next item of business, the chair being temporarily taken by the deputy chairman Miss Shields."

The other director nominated by the insurance company seconded the motion. Royce put the motion and appeared surprised when it passed with a comfortable majority.

Philippa took the chair and then put all the motions as proposed by the insurance company without offering any explanations and each one passed on a majority vote.

"This is an outrage," Raymond said.

The chairman said to her outgoing husband, "Following the resolution of the board just passed Mr Samuels you are no longer authorized to be in this room without the consent of the chairman while a meeting of the board is in session."

Raymond stood glaring at her.

Philippa picked up her phone. "Is it necessary for me to call security to remove you?"

Raymond angrily strode from the room yelling, "You assholes will hear from my attorneys."

Philippa then addressed the deposed chairman. "You have the best offer you are going to get Royce. You retain your seat on the board. Do you accept the offer of heading the international division with you present salary being cut back 15% and being downgraded in company vehicle?"

"I'll need to speak to my attorney."

"You do that. You have ten days to take the positions otherwise it will be filled by a new appointee."

Philippa then said, "Finally this last item is a matter than can only be voted on by directors representing the Samuels Trust and me being the last remaining Johns stockholder, Royce having earlier sold his stock to me. The Allied National Insurance Company is willing to purchase a further 2% holding in our company, with 1% being stock held by the trust and 1% held by me for approximately $2.8 million, that figure being at book value less 20%." 

Philippa continued, "I'm totally in favor of this deal as being in my best interest as this injection of capital is likely to eventually bring in profitability many times greater than that sum of initial investment, the dilution of the holdings of core stockholders notwithstanding. It is a condition of Allied National Insurance that its cash injection of approximately $2.8 million be totally invested in the development of our new national division to get it up and running quickly and effectively as our major profit center." 

"The only other condition is the operations general manager of the national division be approved by Allied National Insurance. I'm happy about that approval clause because in my talks with Allied National it means that company will utilize its recourses to ensure we have the person for the right fit to develop the franchising operation and the merchandising operation, leaving the development of the national technical advisory service on home gardening to be directly driven as part of the responsibilities of the director of that division."

Royce said, "With that capital injection it puts development of the national division back on even keel. I would be pleased to be confirmed as director of that division and with Raymond's wasteful ways not longer in the picture and greater attention to divisional accounting, planning and closer self-auditing I'm confident the board will be please to see that division forge ahead. As senior representative of the Samuels' trust may we adjoin this meeting for an hour to allow directors representing that trust to contact trustees for guidance on this proposal. Business is a gamble and sometimes even stockholders are asked to take a gamble and like Philippa I can't see how we can lose on this one despite diluting our holdings by 1%."

The meeting agreed to adjourn and forty-five minutes later resumed and Royce announced the Samuels' directors appointed by the trustees had instructed its directors to agree to selling 1% of its holdings to Allied National Insurance.

Philippa told the board, "In the meantime we still have our original funding for the development of the overseas division in place and it is actually significantly under-spent because of slow progress. It's up to you to crack the whip Royce and find a credible operations manager that the insurance company approves. I suggest you find a person with hands on business experience; it will be no good dealing with an administrator."

"Understood Philippa. I'll crack the whip and liaising with our directors representing Allied National I'll find such a person."

* * * 

Philippa briefed Nigel and Jane about the changes in positions and was congratulated. She said, "Jane it will be up to HR to sort out who my PA will be. If we shift Wendy out of that position there could be issues because even if she's placed sideways it would, in her mind, be a demotion."

"Not to worry Miss Shields, I'll stay here with Nigel."

"Well that creates issues. Nigel I haven't had time to tell you but I'm promoting you to director of admin."

"Won't that create issues?"

"Yes including allegations of favoritism and unfairness to longer serving admin managers who include the chief accountant but I'll deal with those. Even a fool could see you had the inside running."

"Well I'll accept but only if Jane comes with me."

"No, definitely not. There will be issues with Annette, big ones."

Jane said unselfishly. "Just go quietly Nigel. Don't put your promotion at risk."

"Ohmigod Jane, I wish I could think like you, not putting myself first," Philippa said.

"You have it to get to the top and fight to stay there Miss Shields. I wouldn't knock it."

Philippa smiled and asked not unkindly, "Have you fallen for our Mr Summers?"

"Don't answer Jane. That was an improper question from a senior executive. Philippa you have my position, either Jane comes with me or I stay here or you can fire me."

"Oh come on Nigel, this is not World War Three. No one is threatening to fire you. You have been extra-ordinary brilliant in my service. I couldn't have won that fight without you. I wouldn't have thought of taking my case to the insurance company to get its two directors onside before I went to our board. With Raymond already kneecapped it required only one vote from their side and I had the majority I needed but in fact three of their directors came onside."

"You were pretty persuasive Philippa. In fact you were damn good. But putting that aside it's time to pay your dues." 

She said, "Allow Jane to answer my question and I'll announce my decision."

"The ball's in your court Jane but I think it is inappropriate for you to answer such a question," Nigel said. "Think carefully."

"I believe I could fall for Nigel is he cares to become interest in me romantically."

"Ohmigod Jane you are..."

"Can it Philippa. I'm as surprise as you are at Jane's response. Just leave it, eh?"

"Very well my White Knight. I'll handle the issues in the reallocation of support staff with the help of Sarah in HR. I think my father's PA is a temp. If that's so we could put Wendy out with him and promote Jane who loves you and lo we have a complete fix. So Jane can transfer as PA to you, our new director of admin. So do you accept the offer of that position?"

Nigel said yes. "Apart from a few personality problems you'll be a good boss. The only other weakness I perceive is you lack vision and that's probably your father's problem. But if you allow me to set up a business planning group to meet once a month to support you then that deficiency will be substantially eliminated."

"My god Nigel, my professor at university said that very same thing. She said, 'Philippa you are leaving us well equipped for the business world even if it is your family company. The one thing I feel we haven't been able to instill in you is to upgrade your almost total lack of vision.' I could have strangled the bitch."

"Thank you for your confidence in me Miss Shields."

"That's okay Jane. You are very good at your job. I hope you look after our Mr Summers very well socially."

"I'm not sure he's very aware of my existence Miss Shields."

"Oh he will now Jane, believe me. You have bared your heart. Most men are suckers for that."

* * *

Jane told Nigel as they were finishing work for the evening, "I have a friend who's attempting to sub-leased her apartment, fully furnished and everything else there, for eight months while she and her husband travel across Russia and finishing up in Norway. "I know this is pushing it but would you like to sign up as co-tenants with me?"

"You mean live with you?"

"Yes."

"Well you are old enough to know what you're doing and it can be a strain living with someone at nights and working with them during the day."

"But plenty of people do it. If it were that bad no one would do it."

Nigel smiled. "Great answer Jane. Let's give it a couple of days..."

"No, why procrastinate. The set-up would be perfect for us. Let's go and see Rebecca and John her husband now. Bring your CV with you."

"Well, if you're sure." 

The apartment was modern and had a good view over part of Brampton Lake and was an easy walk to several of the city's better restaurants. Nigel was impressed.

The plump brunette Rebecca said boldly, "So you two are living together?"

"Yes," Jane hastened.

"No," contributed Nigel, almost simultaneously.

"Well which one is it?" John grinned.

"We've only had one bout of sex and that was weeks ago. We work together and Jane has developed the itch and I feel the need to attend to her itch on a regular basis. This apartment being available for several months seemed to be a deal waiting for us to seize with both hands."

Rebecca couldn't stop giggling. "God you two haven't even rehearsed your story have you. But what if it doesn't work out?"

"Yeah," John said. "Our whole approach is to gain apartment-minders who'll take care of our possessions and our beautiful pad and not be ready to vacate until the day we arrive back to reclaim it, but with some advance notice to quit of course."

"What's your vocation John?"

"I'm a high school music teacher."

"Well that's professional so you'll have understanding. "I'm head of admin where Jane works and she's my PA. She's loyal, competent and has dropped her unreliable boyfriend to have a spell with me. I said I was willing, being single and unattached, so we agreed to get a place together and then Jane came up with minding this place for you. I said yeah, why not."

"And that's the truth, the whole truth and he's so straight he makes it too embarrassing for me to lie," Jane said.

"To negate your unease about the possibly of us splitting early may I ask how much rent are you asking?"

John gave the figure and when Nigel laughed as said what for a day, John said no for each week. The rental was set to cover outgoings and just a wee bit of profit to encourage the renters to know they were being treated well and to return the favor."

"That's excellent thinking John. What I propose, subject to agreement between all four of us and you guys thinking Jane and I are the caliber of tenants you require is I'll pay you eight months rent at the signing of the agreement and there will be a clause saying the rent payment stands whether or not I remain in tenancy for the duration. Jane can pay me a share of the rent weekly, whatever amount she deems fair. If we split I go and she stays on rent free because it has already been paid."

"That is complicated," Rebecca said.

Jane said it was fine with her.

The other couple said they agreed with that. Nigel said providing Jane kept moving his ass he couldn't see their affair ending.

Rebecca's laughter came close to hysterics and even John had a good laugh.

THE END