Betrayed(6)

“My being here has nothing to do with what you decide.”

“So you’re not trying to force the issue?”

Kat shook her head and her chestnut hair fell across her face. They became silent.

His involvement made this way too complicated. She brushed her hair back irately. His inquiring eyes had left her but he still didn’t speak and the silence made her clumsy. Eventually she said, “I suppose this is your idea of trying to make me grovel? It won’t work, you know. I never grovel.”

Rafael smiled. “Then I take it you wanted me to follow you for other reasons… perhaps more of my splendid company?”

“Your ego hasn’t diminished with the years.”

“But yours is definitely raised.”

“What do you mean by that?”

He thrust his hands deep into his pockets. “Fool that I am misunderstand the rules. I thought it was up to you to impress me. It seems you think it’s the other way round.”

“Perhaps the rules need changing.”

He tapped his toes on the pavement. “Perhaps they’re okay as they are. The guidelines of life are there for a purpose.”

He made it sound like an innuendo. He was referring to the past she just knew he was. She was brusque, “What are you getting at?”

He shrugged.

She said, “Look Rafael, what happened between us wasn’t your fault, but it wasn’t mine, either.”

“Ah! It was just one of those things, then.”

“I hope it’s not going to affect how we conduct business. We’re different people now, these are different times.”

They became silent again. Rafael was the first to speak; his voice, somehow changed. “You do realise that at the time, I thought we were desperate for each other. At one point I even thought I was in love… How corny does that sound?”

Katrina didn’t look at him. It wasn’t corny at all. It was why it had ended. He didn’t realise what a lucky escape he’d had. She wiped her mouth on the back of her hand. “You were wrong. I’m sorry for that, but I can’t help it.”

“Don’t worry. In the end it meant nothing.”

She glanced up sharply.

Rafael laughed. “It meant nothing. We were both too young. Youth can make you ridiculous don’t you think.”

His eyes were hooded. Kat felt intimidated, racked with guilt. She realised that if the time ever came to cross him he wouldn’t be a nice person. He probably made competitors very nervous.

She rose. “My legal-eagle is waiting. I came out here to find him. He must be around the corner. I’d better go.”

Rafael raised his brow. “I’ve just been talking to him on my cell-phone. He said he wouldn’t be seeing you until tomorrow. Maybe you’ve forgotten?”

Blood rushed to her cheeks.

He grinned at her embarrassment.

She said, “You shit!”

“I suppose I should apologise for not going with your little deception. You must have your reasons and I shouldn’t have brought it to your attention.”

“Sod off!”

Rafael’s lips curled attractively. “Perhaps I can offer to take you out for a meal tonight as an act of contrition.”

Kat felt a startled squeeze in her chest. “I hardly think so.”

“Well I think it’s a good idea.”

“A meal? I don’t think it’s a good idea at all.”

“I’m completely housetrained. I won’t show you up by using the wrong knife at the wrong time.”

She stared at him. “You never did.”

“But perhaps more to the point, it’ll give you an opportunity to explain more about what you do.”

“I thought I already had?”

“I want to understand what you’re doing with Italian Concept. If we find we’re satisfied, we can perhaps arrange for the next stage.”

Put like that, how could she refuse? The bastard knew how to stick the knife in and twist it as well.

Her instinct was to walk away, but Dad would be incensed if the deal broke down just because she couldn’t bring herself to be sociable. This was no time for silly undergraduate emotions. She had to keep Las Modas Ibéricas interested, and if that meant keeping Rafael interested then so be it. Behaving adolescently was not a choice. She stuck her chin out proudly. “I’ll come.”

He looked to his watch. “I’ll pick you up later for the meal.”

She shook her head. “I’ll take a taxi.”

“Nonsense. I’ll see you around nine.”

“You don’t know where I live.”

“If you think that’s a problem,” he threw her a blunt look, “You don’t know me.” He stood and brushed off his clothes. “See you later.”

Kat watched him go. Dread washed over her. She felt like an empty bag of skin; a nervous shaky idiot who hardly had the strength to move. What the hell had she let herself in for?

***

He picked her up a couple of minutes after nine and they turned toward Wetley Rocks, passed through Cheddleton, headed for Leek, didn’t enter the town centre, went down Compton, straight on through the traffic lights, up St Edwards Street.

“Where are we going?”

“Wait and see.” He turned left at the top, by the church, and headed toward Macclesfield.

The restaurant, when they got there, was Italian, had cosy lights, a low ceiling, tables arranged around the small dance floor, alcoves where diners could hide. Under a different circumstance, she supposed it could have made for an agreeable evening.

Rafael ordered the meals and they sat in a secluded corner of the small bar until the table was ready. He said, “I’m glad you decided to join me.”

“I wasn’t aware there was a choice.”

“I do so hate eating by myself, and when I’m on business there’s precious little left but eat, sleep and work.”

Katrina shrugged. “The necessities of life, you might find it’s difficult without them.” A waiter poured a glass of wine and she nodded her thanks.

“You did well this afternoon. I was impressed by your professionalism.”

Her tone was caustic. “Is that so?”

Rafael took a small handful of nuts from a bowl. “Your comments might be useful someday.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You did mention legal protection. I hope that won’t happen until money has changed hands.”

“Of course not. Would I do any other?”

The Maître d’ arrived to say their table was ready. He picked up their drinks and they rose and followed him. The restaurant was already busy, most tables filled. She looked at the other diners as they threaded their way to the table, at couples enjoying an evening out, celebrations, anniversaries, wondered for a moment how others might perceive them. Would they look like just any other couple taking pleasure in each other?

The Maître d’ pulled out her chair and she sat. He shook out a large embroidered blue-linen napkin and carefully spread it over her lap.

“Your dress,” Rafael leaned to her, “Very striking. You always did show impeccable taste.”

“Thank you.”

The Maître d’ spread a similar napkin over Rafael’s lap.

Kat had chosen the outfit deliberately, was conscious of the elegance of the simple lines, the cling of the material, the way it glided over her skin. The dress was long-sleeved, had a high-buttoned neck, and she wore nothing beneath. Bra-straps or panty-lines would have been ugly.

She said, “The dress is part of Italian Concept.”

Beyond the tables, a fat man played a piano and a handful of dancers moved around the floor. She watched them and deliberately avoided looking Rafael’s way; hoped he’d been impressed, hoped he wouldn’t be able to contain himself and would throw money their way.

“Is everything okay?” he said. “You seem a million miles away.”

“I’m sorry.” She turned to face him as if she’d forgotten that he was there. “I was watching the dancers. You were after entertainment but I’m afraid I’m rather boring.”

“Rubbish. I feel comfortable. I just want you to be the same.” He stretched his legs. “To be at ease with this deal we need to be at ease with you; you do realise, don’t you. We need to understand the real you. We don’t want to underwrite someone who might make a hash of our investment.”

“I thought it was about design and manufacture, the exclusive lines we create? Customer loyalty? Reputations?”

“Of course. But the trouble is if anything happens to you, the whole investment is kaput. I really need to get to know you.”

Get to know her? Kat had a moment of alarm. What did that entail?

He said, “We already realise that in essence, Finery & Frocks is all about you. And because of that, we need to understand what we’re letting ourselves in for. More important, we need to be sure you’re comfortable working with us.”