54 The Opera

Amy was frustrated. She insisted she'd find another job, but Calvin Zhou insisted she'd still work for him. She didn't want to work for him! She wanted to be his girlfriend! She could find work anywhere but she wasn't sure she'd meet someone like him again. But he wasn't listening. He kept insisting that she was wrong about him; that he wasn't as good a man as she thought. But she knew better.

He'd allowed her to ride in his personal car to work and he escorted her on his arm inside. People were staring left and right. She groaned inwardly. This was why she knew this was a bad idea to work here.

Finally she sat before him in his office while he explained in detail what he needed from her as a personal assistant.

"Look, would you just, would you just listen to me?!" Amy couldn't take it anymore. She hated to be patronized.

Calvin stopped speaking and looked at her in shock.

"I don't want to be your employee. I want to be your girlfriend!" She shouted.

Calvin's eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up.

"Amy, you're a sweet girl. But I just got divorced from a woman I was married to for twenty-five years. I'm not looking for a long term relationship right now. I just met you yesterday. It's way too soon for me to think about that." Calvin explained.

Amy took a deep breath and gathered her dignity. "I understand," she said in a voice that was much too bright. "But as I already mentioned, I can't work for you now. I wear my feelings on my sleeves. I can't pretend to be detached and professional. That isn't who I am and I'm not willing to be that person. So, I wish you well and I hope you find the right person for the job, but that person isn't me. It was nice meeting you, and thank you again for your help. I'll be going now." Amy said as she stood to leave.

She turned on her heel and walked out gracefully without looking back. Calvin sat in stunned silence for awhile. He had a feeling he was going to regret this day for a long time.

————————

"That color is amazing on you!" Gordon praised Charlotte sincerely as she tried on an evening gown in a dusty rose color.

"Will it be alright for the opera?" Charlotte asked.

"Mmmm, you'll be the most beautiful woman in the room." Gordon told her. They were going to the London Opera House that evening and needed appropriate clothing.

After leaving the formal wear fashion house, Gordon took Charlotte to the art museum. She was enthralled. She loved art, whether it was a tranquil landscape scene, a delicate watercolor, or bold abstract painting, she enjoyed it.

They hurried back to the hotel to dress and then had dinner in a renowned restaurant. Finally, they were on their way to the opera house.

Charlotte had never been to the opera. She was looking forward to the experience. It seemed when she and Gordon first met, she had introduced him to her world. Now he was introducing her to his.

She thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the opera. When it was time for intermission she went out with Gordon to stretch her legs.

Suddenly a woman's voice called out, "Gordon! Gordon Zhou!"

Gordon turned in confusion. They saw a woman rushing to them. Charlotte thought she was ethereal. She was tall and slender, with hair so blonde it reminded her of moonlight. Her blue crystal eyes sparkled as she stared adoringly into Gordon's eyes. She grabbed his arm, not noticing his immediate look of discomfort.

"Oh Gordon, I didn't think I'd ever see you again!" Her lilting voice exclaimed possessively.

Gordon pulled his arm from her. Charlotte stepped forward and claimed his other arm, shooting fire toward the woman who seemed like a sensuous fairy.

"Sweetheart, who is this?" She asked softly.

"Love, this is Penelope Winslow. Her father owns a fashion house here in London that sells our jewelry. Penelope, this is my wife, Charlotte." Gordon explained.

"Call me Penny!" She breathed, staring at Gordon as though she'd never seen a man before.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Winslow." Charlotte ignored her reference to calling her Penny. "Have you had dinner yet? Your eyes seem to be hungry." Charlotte's words dripping in sweet sarcasm.

Penny's face turned black as she glared at Charlotte.

"Gordon, I didn't realize you'd gotten married. Your little wife is adorable." Penny said, her tone disdainful.

"Indeed She is adorable. And graceful, talented, beautiful, and loving. She is my one and only." Gordon praised his wife.

For one thing he wanted to assure Charlotte that he didn't regard this woman at all. He also wanted Penny to take a hint that he wasn't interested in what she was offering.

Penny didn't take hints.

"How long are you in London? We have dinner together!" She gushed, talking to Gordon.

"We're here until the end of the week. You'll need to coordinate with my wife about dinner plans. This trip is for her since we didn't have a honeymoon when we first got married.

"I see. Well, I'll get in touch with her before you leave." She spoke to Gordon.

"Since Gordon has declared this trip our honeymoon, I think I prefer our meals to be just the two of us. I'm sure you understand." Charlotte's words carried a clear meaning of, "you'd better understand!"

Penny smiled stiffly.