No sooner had she thought of the question than she saw him hurrying towards her, a thing slight fair man in a well- cut dark suit.

'Sorry', he said sliding into a seat next to her. 'Am I late or were you early?'

'I have only been here a moment's, she lied looking at him anxiously as she absorbed the air of weariness that he habitually wore. She had not seen him for about a forth night and she was struck by the way he was aging.

He was just forty five but looked alot older. There were lines round his mouth and eyes and his skin had a grey tinge.

The waiter brought her drink and looked at Bryan expectantly.

'My usual, Tom', David told him with a smile.

'Yes, Mr. Stanford', the waiter said beaming. Very pleased that such a man remembered his name.

David aye here frequently, he lived in a luxurious penthouse flat, a short walk away. This was the nearest local restaurant and he liked the place alot.

He had a married couple who ran his home. Mr. Stevenson was his chauffeur and handyman and looked after his clothes.

Mrs. Stevenson cleaned and cooked in the flat but David let them have three evenings a week free and came here to eat.

David turned from the retreating waiter to smile at Sharon.

'That is my favourite dress. You always look lovely in it', he said and Sharon flushed.

She had put on this particular dress because he had always told her that he liked it

Working for him meant a constant succession of important social gatherings for which she required a large and very expensive' wardrobe. She got a special allowance for clothes and David encouraged her to buy from good designers because as his personal assistant, Sharon was always representing the bank and Bryan felt that she should look expensive and elegant at all times.

It was the image he wished the bank to convey: moneyed, sophisticated and cool.

'Thank you, David. You look very elegant yourself tonight', she murmured.

'Why, thank you'. He did not sound convinced as he smiled at her ruefully. He must know that the suit no longer fitted perfectly which revealed how thin he was getting with each passing day.

David had never been a heavily built man but after his wife's death three years ago, he list weight as though his flesh was melting away.

His hair which had been a lovely pale gold, now had a sprinkling of silver hairs and a haunted look in his blue eyes as a result of the shock he got from his wife's death.

He had been driving and had emerged unscathed himself with a few minor bruises and cuts and a slight head injury. Deborah had been killed instantly.

David had never quite got over it. He blamed himself and was guilty because he had not died too.

If they had had children, it might have been easier for him to recover from the shock but he and his late wife had not got round to starting a family.

'Thank you, Tom', he told the waiter as he took his scotch and soda from him.

'I'm expecting another guest to join us - would you keep an eye open for him? His name is Bryan Ferdinand'.

'There was a gentleman who asked of you previously. He is still in the foyer making calls. I shall find out if he is Mr. Ferdinand sir'.

'Thanks, Tom' David said smiling at him again.

'Who is joining us?', Sharon asked disappointed because she had been looking forward to a dinner alone with him but not entirely surprised because David used social occasions to smooth business deals.

'A cousin of mine', he said with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Sharon was shocked as she said, 'You have never mentioned close relatives'.

David had expected her to be shocked by the news and was not disappointed

He had always told her things about himself and his background and Sharon had got the impression that he had no near family because none had visited him even when his wife was alive.

His friends were mainly colleagues or business acquitance, most of them married with family commitment s.

He had the habit of taking Sharon to any private gathering he was invited to.

They were not romantically involved but we're very good friends as well as close colleague.

David had told her that he was an afterthought to his parents who had been in their Kate forties when they had him.

He was an only child, well loved and indulged perhaps being raised by his old parents made him more serious with his business and tied to duty and work.

They had died when he was still a young man leaving him as the heir to the family merchant bank and an enormous fortune.

It was not until he left the university did he see much of the world outside banking.

He had attended a conference and met a beautiful French model half his age.

Deborah had been raven haired, tiny and exquisite.

David fell for her like a ton of bricks and married her a few weeks later, only to lose her within three years. A tragedy which had turned him into a shadow of his former self.

She liked David alot and felt protective towards him.

'Bryan is the only close relative I have', David said now smiling ruefully at Sharon. 'And I have only met him a couple of times, he lives in Switzerland.? And he is in the banking business, of course ' she said.

'It doesn't really follow that way but you are right. He works for the Swiss Bank at the moment but I intend to ask him tonight to join us'.

Sharon's eyes widened.

'I am leaving my shares in the bank to him There is nobody to leave them to. I am telling you this because I trust you. I have not even told him what I intend'.

Sharon felt cold suddenly. 'You ate talking as though.... good heavens. You are only Forty. You will marry again. No girl can refuse you with all your prospects. I know you miss Deborah and it isn't easy to get over things like that but you sound like you have given up on life and you mustn't. There is plenty of time for making wills'

'After working in the bank for years,I'd think that you knew better than that. It is never wise to put off making a will'

'Bryan should have had some shares in the bank long ago because his mother was my father's only sister, but he didn't due to a little misunderstandings in the family.

My grandparents were not happy with her choice of a husband.

They had wanted her to marry a rich merchant or hotelier not the humble doctor she brought he.

They refused to accept Andrew but he must have been a good man and a great doctor, father and husband because he obviously made Cynthia very happy and she never once came home crying in regret nor did she divorce him but they remained together till they both died in a boating accident some years ago.

Her father never forgave her for marrying Andrew because he left all his fortune to my father', David said.

'This must have made her very unhappy and must have led to a family feud'. Sharon observed.

'You are right. Though my parents exchanged Christmas cards with her, they never visited Switzerland and they never visited us either.

Sharon felt this was just childish of the grandparents but had to fine out something from David.

She felt that this Bryan must have known that since David hadn't remarried after the death of his wife and did not have any heir, he had a chance of persuading him to leaving him most of the money being a senior bank executive himself.

'Did you invite him to London or is he here on his own?'

'He called me a week ago to tell me that he would be in London for a banking conference and I invited him over to talk some things over. You really have a very suspicious mind, Sharon.

'Why? I didn't say anything!'

'You do not have to utter a word. I can read your thoughts as loudly as if you had spoken them out aloud'.

He looked into her eyes and they laughed merrily together.

At that very moment, someone strolled up to the table and David glanced round, exclaimed and stood up holding out his hands.

'There you are Bryan. I was wondering if you had forgotten about tonight'.

'I've been looking forward to this evening the whole week', a deep cool voice said.

Sharon was shocked to her bones to hear that voice. She could not mistake it. In fact given their history, she would recognize that voice anywhere. She did not need to look up to know who was standing by the table and who David was addressing as Bryan.

It was just her luck that of all the people in the world, she should pick this particular person to take an instant dislike to.

It had not occured to her that the man who had been stuck with her in the revolving door could be the same person she and Bryan were waiting for.

David introduced them.

'Bryan, I want you to meet my personal assistant for the last four years, Sharon Smith'.

Sharon numbly held out her hand.

Bryan took it, her little pale hands engulfed in his large powerful ones.

She risked a look at him and found his cold and mocking. She hoped hers was equally cold.

He said something polite and distant. She answered with equal remoteness. He released her hand.

'Sot down. Tell me what would you have? Their drinks here are wonderful.

'I'm sorry. I don't take spirits'. He looked at Sharon's glass.'I'd rather have mineral water'.

David called on Tom the waiter to get the drink and bring the menus as well.

'You told me you had business in London. It has to do with banking I suppose. Can we talk about it or change the topic?'

'It is confidential since I can't speak about it in detail but it will be out soon in the financial times and you can read about it then'.

'Alright then. How long are you planning on staying with us?' David asked.

'A week or two, then I plan on taking a vacation to somewhere I can relax before going back to work.

'You already have an amazing tan already. Sharon don't you think so?'

Sharon threw another brief glance in Bryan's direction and allowed her lids to droop indifferently over her eyes again.

'Amazing', she said offhandedly.

She felt Bryan looking at her closely, considering her rich auburn hair, the fine- boned face with the warm curved mouth and fierce green eyes,before running his gaze all over her body in arrogant appraisal.

Her flush deepened.

'Where do you go for a holiday?' he asked her. She shrugged, unwilling to give him an answer.

'Oh, Sharon does not like hot countries, her wonderful skin doesn't like too much sun but she and I had a terrific time in Sweden last summer, didn't we? And Switzerland was fun a couple of years ago'.

'Hmmm, I see', Bryan drawled.

He was making no attempt to hide what he was thinking. His gaze flicking from her to David and back again speculatively.

He suspected her of having an affair with David, she realised. He couldn't be serious! David was almost old enough to be her father!

David was still very goodlooking but he had no energy and alot of strains and aging traits. She was deeply fond of David and felt sorry for him but that was all.

She resented Bryan's speculative stare, the cynicism in his eyes.

'The head waiter came to their table and asked if they had ordered and David looked at them as he confessed that he was ready to order.

Sharon and Bryan nodded to indicate that they were ready to order as well.

They did and the waiter went to get their meals prepared and their table ready.

While they waited for the waiter to tell them that their table was ready, David and Bryan engaged in business discussions and Sharon felt that Bryan was intentionally pretending not to be as knowledgeable as Charles just to get more information from him.

She knew that if she tried to warn David, he wouldn't listen. There was no doubt about it. This Bryan guy was potentially lethal and Sharon suspected with a sinking feeling that he would run rings round David.

The waiter came back to inform them that their table was ready.

'Shall we go in?' David asked.

As they stood up to go in, David put a hand under her arm in a gallant gesture to which she submitted smiling at him affectionately. She liked his chivalrous, old fashioned ways.

Out to f the corner of her eyes, she saw Bryan watching her with Sardonic amusement. Her smile stiffened into anger. It was going to be an ordeal to sit through a meal with that man across the table.

She wished that she couldn't read his mind but it was as if his thoughts kept across the table at her or maybe he was allowing her or willing her to pickup what he was thinking. But why would he really? She thought allowing Bryan to steer her into the room.

She was seated between the two men but from then on, she practically ignored the other man and turned all her attention and body towards David, except of course when she had no option.

Bryan leaned back in his chair, a brooding presence dominating the circle they made, she, David and he with his broad shoulders and chest and hard face round the table.

It was towards the end of the meal that David finally asked Bryan the question, she knew he had been dying to ask.

'How would you feel about leaving your present job, Bryan and coming to work for us in a rather more senior position?'

If Bryan was surprised, he did not show it. There was a beat of time when he just stood there considering the idea and absorbing the possibilities.

'That is a very flattering offer but I will have to know precisely what you have in mind and of course I will have to think about it but in principle, I am interested.

David beamed. 'I hoped you would be.Youbwont regret the decision if you accepted, that I can promise you Bryan.

You could have a splendid future with us that is far exciting than your prospects. Ours is s a family bank and you are my only male relative'.

Sharon felt bad that David was staying the situation as clearly as that. She felt that he was betraying how weak his position was and knew that Bryan would take advantage of it.

She looked at him with cold hostile eyes but he was looking at David.

Sharon would have given anything to know what he was thinking but he gave no indication.

'I'l get Sharon to prepare a proposition for you, stating all the terms', he called for the bill. 'I think that your mother should have been provided for in her father's will. She should have had some shares in the bank.

Bryan nodded. 'She should'.

There was a ruthless set to his jaw, a spark of anger in his black eyes. If David thought that Bryan did not resent the way his mother was treated, he was sadly mistaken. Bryan resented it bitterly.

Sharon shivered afraid for David and hoping that he had not made a fatal mistake. Yet what threat could Bryan possibly present to him? David owned a majority of the shares in the bank. Bryan couldn't possibly hurt him.

David smiled at him apparently unaware of the dark feeling in the younger man.

'I want to make up for the past Bryan. I want you in the family business where you belong'.

Sharon wanted to scream at David, 'Haven't you got eyes? Can't you see what he's like under the good looks and formal good manners?

David may not be picking up her agitation but Bryan was as he threw one brief cold look her way. He looked into her eyes, then looked away, one dark brown curling sardonically.

Sharon flushed with anger. She knew what his lifted eyebrow had meant. She might oppose him but she wouldn't be a problem. He would deal with her.

Well if that was what he thought, then they would see about that.

David signed the bill and folded some notes as tip for the waiter. He stood up looking drained as he yawned.

I'm sorry, Sharon's, he said in an apologetic voice. I had planned on driving you home myself but I can barely stay on my feet. Will you be very cross if I put you into a taxi back to Chelsea?'

'Don't worry about it', she began but Bryan interrupted.

'I have my car parked outside. I shall drop her off'.

'I thought you said you were staying at the Savoy? There is no need driving out to Chelsea. I can easily get a taxi'. Sharon certainly didn't want her driving her home.

The very idea of being alone with the man sent shivers down her spine.

'It's still early. I could enjoy a drive along the river', he shrugged.

David beamed. ' I should have thought of it myself. That is a wonderful idea. Both of you can get to know each other better. Bryan, Sharon is indispensable to me, she can tell you anything you need to know about how the bank runs.

As he started walking towards his car across the road, Sharon saw his secret smile. She bristled. If she had not known how it was going to hurt David, she would have slapped his face.

Turning back, she walked David to his car, watching him anxiously.

'You look quite ill, David. You have been working too hard for far too long. I think that you need a long vacation. Why don't you take a few days off work and get away?'

'I will, soon', he said quietly and bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.'You are my guardian angel, don't think that I am not aware of it.

Now be nice to Bryan, I want him to join us. Sell the bank to him.

I have done some quiet research on him and he has quiet a record, he's pulled off some brilliant deals. Even if he wasn't family, I'd still want him but since he is family, I am determined to have him by hook or by crook'.

'Well in that case, I'll do what I can't, she promised as David got into his car.

She meant everything she said despite her private reservations about the man, she would definitely sell the bank to Bryan Ferdinand though she doubted that it would be necessary. No permission would be required to make him join them. He had always planned to do just that.

David nodded. 'I know I can always trust you. Goodnight Sharon, see you tomorrow.

He drove off and she turned back to find Bryan right behind her lounging against a long sleek- vintage black Rolls -Bentley. It was one of the loveliest cats she had ever seen. Her mouth watered at the sight of such a car. She loved old cars.

He opened the passenger door for her. 'Where am I to take you?' he asked.

'Do you know Chelsea?' she asked curtly having discovered that he had been to London a number of times.

'Vaguely', then he gave a description of where Chelsea was situated and Sharon confirmed it.

'I will guide you when we get to Millbank', she said as she slid into the car, instinctively stroking the cream leather seats.

'Is this yours or have you borrowed or hired it?' she asked as Bryan got in beside her.

His long hands holding the wheel, he turned back to give her a long cool look.

'It is mine. I just bought it'.

It must have cost a fortune. She wondered how much he earned a year to have been able to afford a toy like this. Well, she would find out soon when he and David began negotiations.

'You aren't married, Mr. Ferdinand?'

He shook his head, that Sardonic smile in evidence again.

'Have you ever been?'

'No, have you?' he asked.

'No', she answered tersely.

'You are a devoted secretary though', he drawled. 'Lucky David'.

He turned his head again, deliberately to star at Sharon and she let all her dislike and distrust of him show in her face.

'If you hurt David in any way, I'll kill you' she threatened him.

His brow shot up and he gave her that Sardonic smile, then took her breath away by what he said next.

'If he was going to marry you, he would have done that a long time ago, you know. You are wasting your time waiting for him which seems a pity, looking the way you do'. His dark eyes flicked down over her body and a wave of heat flowed through her.

Then he said softly. 'I am sure alot of men would help you forget about David. I might even volunteer myself'.

Sharon went dark red, her hands clenching, her teeth together but she refused to play his game by responding or defending herself.Explsining that he was wrong, information was power. David thought her that a long time ago. So she let him think that he had hit the truth.

Just gave him an icy stare and said in a tight voice, 'Take the next turn on your right, would you?'

He swung the car in the direction she had directed.

'No comment then? Bryan Ferdinand asked, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

'Stop here, please', was all that she said.

He braked and stopped the car then turned towards her but she was already getting out of the car.

She got out, slammed the door and bent over the window, he leaned over to wind it down for her so he could hear what she said.

Sharon looked into his gleaming dark eyes.

'Remember, if you hurt David, I'll make sure you pay for it', she said then tuned on her heel and walked away.

Bryan looked at her for a very long time without knowing what to make if her but he had to admit that she was a looker.

He had thought that she would take the bait. But she was shrewder than he thought.

It irked him that she should choose an older man like David over him. He would teach her to show him attitude

What arrogance!