The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(213)

''I would, but it won't be here for a few weeks,'' she quipped. They both laughed. There was a silence as they looked at each other. It was one of those settling looks that leaves the participants at ease with each other. ''Where did you read we are hosting the Hope Diamond?''

''It was in the New York Times. They wrote a fascinating story about the life of the diamond, who'd owned it and where it had traveled to. It's been worn by some of the most beautiful women in the world. It would look really good on you.''

He's looking at my breasts, she thought. Get some jewelry in front of him to look at. ''Alright, lets get down to business. How about a matching necklace and earrings?'' When he nodded, Tyra called security and got them to fetch the set that Tyra herself admired more than anything in the store.

''So, tell me about yourself, Tyra?'' he said. She could tell it was genuine interest, not just conversation filler.

''There isn't much to know really,'' she said.

''That can't be true. I'm sorry if this embarrasses you, but you are very attractive. A woman like you must have a lot of stories to tell. I bet you get hit on everyday.''

I do, she thought. In the subway, on the street, in restaurants, almost everywhere. ''No, not really.''

''You're kidding me. In that case, the male population of New York must be blind.''

''Alright, I lied. I do get comments all the time. I can't go anywhere without someone looking at me in an inappropriate manner or whistling at me.''''And do you like it when a man whistles at you?'' he asked in a lower tone of voice.

This isn't the kind of conversation you should be having with a client; she told herself. Not able to help herself, she continued. ''Sometimes. It depends on who's whistling. If it's a group of guys on a building site, I don't mind because I know it's just a bit of fun. If it's a guy on the street next to me, it's too close, and I feel threatened.''

''And if I whistled at you now? How would that make you feel?''

Don't answer that, he's flirting with you. ''I'd like it,'' she said as her eyes rolled away in embarrassment.

''Let's see.'' He looked around to make sure the door was still closed and made a wolf whistle. ''There. Did you enjoy that?''

She was ashamed to say she did. It had been months since she'd had any real attention from a man. Just before her parents had died, she had talked with Natalie about it. Natalie told her it was because she was so beautiful and most men felt intimidated by her. She remembered telling Natalie she was mad.

“It was nice. Flirty.'' she an answered.

''Flirty? That's an interesting word.'' He was about to say more, but security arrived with the jewelry.

''There, what do you think?'' she asked when the magnificent pieces were lying on the table in front of him.''

''Why are you so sad?'' he said, ignoring what was in front of him. He noticed her eyes look into his and then down to the jewelry. The speed with which she did it, implied she wanted him to concentrate on what was in front of him, not on her. ''Why?'' he insisted.

''My mom and dad died in a horrific car crash a few weeks ago.''

''Jesus, I'm sorry. That's awful. How are you coping?''

She admired him. Most people would have changed the subject, but he didn't. ''Not very well.''

''I'm not surprised. Can you talk about it?'' Tyra had once read a book about body language and the way he was sitting said to her that he was interested in her well-being and not after a cheap disaster story.

''I don't know if I can talk about it. To be honest, I haven't really tried too much. I've mentioned things to Natalie, my best friend, and to Mr. Samuels, but really talk to someone about it, no. I haven't done that.''

''What happened?'' He asked directly.

''Well, in the first instance it was my fault.''

''Were you driving?'' he asked logically.

''No, my father was driving. It's a long story.'' She suddenly felt tired and alone. She realized she didn't want to talk about it.

''Tell me. I want to help you. How do you expect to get better if you never tell anyone about it?''

She was sick of feeling the way she did, and she desperately wanted to feel like she had before the accident, but she was afraid to let go. She was holding onto the pain because she felt she should be punished for what she did.

She decided she would try and open up. ''I moved to New York from a small town just outside the city seven months ago. I applied for and got this job. I was so happy. I got a tiny apartment in Queens and decorated it just how I liked it. Pink everywhere.'' She rolled her eyes to the ceiling in a display of irony. It should have been black, she mused. ''Mum was forty-two when she had me. They had tried for twenty years to have a baby, and it finally happened.'' Dima reached into his pocket and pulled out a clean tissue. She dried her eyes and cleared her throat. No, I'm going to tell him, she told the voice of doubt in her head ''They were so happy with me. They weren't rich, but they worked hard to give me a good childhood. I wanted for nothing, and I felt their love, every single day. How many people can say that?''