Betrayed(11)

A wave of relief washed over Kat. It hit her, how close she might be to presenting her outfits onto the international scene. Italian Concept might never be in her name, but she’d make damn sure everyone would know she was responsible.

Making loads of money had never been the main issue. For her, it was something else, nothing that could be deposited in a bank, nothing that could be lavishly flaunted; it was something that fed her soul. She was proud of what she did. When others endorsed what she did, it was the finest fix she could think of.

Kat could hardly contain her tumbling emotions. Fulfilment, that’s what her creations gave her. It made up for what went wrong. When it came together it was good. It wasn’t over yet, but now she felt a mile high. She said, “Wow, it’s suddenly quite nerve racking.”

“I’m not surprised. It feels that way for me, too.”

A surge of complex feelings swept through her. Success was almost on the doorstep. All the waiting, all the nail-biting, the knocking on doors, all of these might soon be over.

The thrill of it made her highly aroused. She realised that in this mood, she would probably spend the night with him.

“I guess from the look on your face that you’re quite pleased.”

“It’s… good.” Kat lifted her face. Her body secretly moistened at the thought of what might come. She smiled as she conjured up the memory of his naked body lying against hers; the secret taste of him; the feel of his skin; it was easy, she’d practised several times over the last few days.

He bent his head, swiftly touched her forehead with his lips then stood back. That was all. Kat felt a stab of disappointment.

He said, “And now I must go and say my goodbyes. I really have stayed longer than intended. There’s a pile of work to catch up, but I’ll be in touch. And please don’t let other people’s judgement of me get in the way.”

“Of course not.”

“We don’t want anything sabotaging this. There’ll be a lot of hard work ahead if we decide to go ahead. You do realise don’t you? You are prepared for it?”

Kat folded her hands. She resented the fact that he was walking away while she felt like making love, but it was for the best. This was how it should be. Becoming entangled would be stupid. He’d done her a favour by not bedding her. She would soon be back in control. She must never again be vulnerable. She was sexually excited, but no one would know.

She lifted her chin “I know that it’s still early days. I know you could easily take another route, but there are things we need to clear up. Dad will probably have lawyers sorting legal jargon, but if you do go ahead, procedures will need establishing, things legal beavers won’t even think of. I shall want it including in the final substantiation, with signatures from both parties to verify it. Italian Concept is my baby, don’t ever forget it. No one takes the credit, except me.”

***

Kat waited for the delegation. She generally said that good clothes helped instil confidence. She wasn’t so sure now; she needed a pile of poise and there wasn’t a crumb to be found.

She fidgeted. Would it be good enough? Friends had helped put the presentation together, with a little cajoling from Fran. Someone’s boyfriend had brought along disco equipment and lasers, another had put the electric installation together, but would it be professional enough? Francine said it was, but it seemed hairy.

A light touch on her arm startled her. Rafael said softly, “Sorry to make you jump. The receptionist sent me up. Papá and the others will be along in a moment.”

“No problem. I’ll show you where we are.” She led him to the presentation room.

Rafael followed, watching her, eyes full expression. Kat saw it before he blanked it out. It would make no difference. She might fancy him like hell, but there was no way he was going to know. Not now. That flash of madness was gone.

Rafael spotted a video link. “All mod-cons, I see.” He picked up an agenda and nodded vaguely, apparently absorbed in the detail.

Her father arrived with Rafael’s papá and the other delegates and brought them to her. She took their hands. “Señor Saval, los señores, buenos días. I hope the flight hasn’t left you tired. I find long journeys exhausting. They make me grouchy, and I have to admit, I’d prefer you not to be.”

“Señorita, you drive away all thoughts of tiredness.”

“Thank you, Señor Saval. You’re too kind.”

A catering company had been hired for the afternoon, and a girl came and uncovered a table of canapés; then took orders for drinks.

Once the snacks were finished and the delegates comfortable settled, James Julian Bligh made his way to the podium at the corner of the room. The lamps dimmed, a spotlight centred on him, and he began a formal run-down of the business assets and liabilities. Using overheads, he explained the company. Projected sales were put onto clever graphics, profits were explained, and the corporate plan justified. Finally, it was time for Katrina to take the podium.

As she talked, fashion models displayed the garments across a centre-stage. They showed off the best of next season’s outfits. Kat explained manufacturing costs, a little about the methods, and about forward sales and the range of outlets that placed sales on them.

She paused dramatically and waited for silence, then said, “Los señores, I’d like to talk to you about our new line. We call the range, Italian Concept.”

The music surged. Francine strutted onto the floor in her inimitable way, her presence bringing immediate animation to the show. The dress embraced the cambers of her body exquisitely.

Some team began to whisper. Rafael watched intently, his expression difficult to read. Kat smiled inwardly. She knew they were more impressed than they expected.

As Kat talked on, a display of lasers began to imperceptibly emphasise her words. Another swaggering model appeared in an erotically fluid dress, and drifted around the room. They crossed each other’s paths like patches of haze, two sirens clad in vapour, taunting the assembly.

At the rear of the room a flourish of silk-curtains slowly spiralled. More models tumbled out to show off the seductive creations, mingled among the Las Modas Ibéricas team; chattered, twirled. Pyrotechnics flashed and banged, smoke curled around, music played, lasers zipped wildly.

Kat knew the show was gaudy, but the ostentation was deliberate. It contrasted the elite elegance of her designs. She didn’t need telling the creations were stunning. She knew from their faces they were all hooked. Francine and her sirens had done their job.

At the end of the show, Rafael’s papá beamed at Kat and walked to her with both hands held out. “Señorita, I am staggered. The dresses are quite stunning! I’ve never seen anything cling like them. Incredible. You’ve imprinted them on my mind forever.”

Kat smiled broadly and took his hands. Now that it was nearly over, her knees were shaky. She was running on adrenalin and it was nearly gone. She said, “I’m glad you liked the show.”

He said, “Rafael must show you around our organization in Spain to see what you think.”

Kat was on last dregs. It wasn’t what she wanted out of life but it would do for now. Nondisclosure forms would have to be drafted before they could go much further. Hundreds of tiny things would have to be reinvestigated; a lot of hurried work lay ahead, but it was nearly in the bag. She nodded wearily, “I think we can do that.”





Chapter 4



Rafael changed gear. “We should arrive soon. It must seem forever when it’s new to you. I know every corner, so it’s not too bad for me, in particular when I’m driving.”

Kat said, “It’s no problem. I’m enjoying the scenery.”

She found it difficult to believe they were searching for ways of clinching a deal worth so much money. They’d been thrown together a lot lately, involving an endless amount of work; and more to come. Her father increasingly left decisions to her. In general she worked in sync with Rafael and they made a good team, but sometimes when she looked up, she found Rafael studying her.

She wondered what would have happened, had things been different all those years ago. Would they have stayed together if she hadn’t finished it? Things hadn’t been different though, and she was older and hopefully wiser. Rafael wasn’t a student any longer, and was powerful. Dad was praying he would become their saviour.

They drove over a small rise and a valley opened out before them. Rafael said, “So how does this part of the world grab you? Most people are surprised when they see it.”

“You’re right. It’s beautiful. I was wondering if my mother came from somewhere like this. She was Spanish, you know.”

“I didn’t realise. Where did she come from?”

“I’ve no idea. I hardly remember her.” Kat stifled a yawn. “Gosh, early mornings and long journeys wear me out. I need a shower to freshen up.”