One Wild Night

Chapter 347 Game On

　　"You are welcome," Lucy said with a small smile as she watched him raise the cup to his nose and sniff it before taking a sip.

　　Somehow this made her remember what Jade had said about Harry offering to share a mug of chocolate with her. That had sounded flirty even to her... She still couldn't believe that a person as intelligent as Jade could have missed that.

　　Well, maybe it made sense that Jade had missed it. People generally seemed to have more insight on issues that are not directly connected to them. How else could she explain how she had not known that she was the one Tom was interested in yet had tried to play cupid and hook him up with Anita? Thinking about it alone made her sigh inwardly. She had been pretty dumb. 

　　"So, how did you feel about it? My suggestion, I mean," Harry said as he looked at her curiously. He still couldn't explain what it was about Lucy that he liked, but for some reason, he felt protective towards her. In a brotherly kind of way. 

　　Lucy shrugged, "I don't think it's a bad idea. I know you would not have suggested it if you hadn't thought it through. And neither would Tom have agreed to it if he didn't think it was our best shot. I trust both your judgments on this," Lucy said, and Harry nodded.

　　"Of course, you should. We are your bosses, after all," Harry said with a teasing smile, and Lucy smiled back.

　　"Yeah. There is that too," she agreed and then cleared her throat as she looked at Harry with serious eyes.

　　"Can I ask you a question?" She asked, and Harry gave her a nod, wondering what she wanted to know as he watched her.

　　"I probably shouldn't be asking this, but I couldn't bring myself to ask Tom..." Lucy started as she adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose, and Harry raised a brow.

　　"How far did things go between Tom and Anita?" She asked, and Harry's brows pulled together in a confused frown.

　　She shook her head, "No. I'm not talking about physical intimacy. I mean, you are his best friend, so you would know if he was really into her or something..."

　　"Lucy, believe me, I've seen Tom with a couple of women in the past, and he doesn't follow any woman around like a lovesick puppy the way he does with you. And I've never seen him put any lady before the company either. He not only put you before the company, but he also put you before himself by revealing his identity the way he did. Tom adores you," Harry said, and Lucy sighed.

　　"I get what you mean. And yes, I know he loves me. I don't doubt it. I'm only asking because I'm trying to understand why Anita and her family are so confident to believe she stands a chance with him if they get me out of the way. I've been thinking long and hard about it, but it just doesn't make sense. Maybe Tom was crazy about her and did similar stuff to get her attention, so maybe she believes she still stands a chance with him," Lucy explained, and Harry nodded in understanding.

　　"I think I get your point now. However, I don't think their craziness has anything to do with Tom being into her. Their plan is probably to get you out of the way and then find any means necessary to get Tom to be interested in her. That's how people like them work," Harry said, and Lucy shook her head. 

　　"But it still doesn't make any sense. Even if I get out of the picture today, there is no guarantee that Tom will look her way, so why waste so much time and resources on me when they can channel that energy directly into trying to get Tom?" She asked, and Harry raised a brow before sipping from his coffee.

　　"You won't mind if she approaches Tom?"

　　"Am I supposed to mind? I love Tom, but this issue is between them, not me. I wasn't there in the beginning when they had their thing, whatever it was, and I don't particularly appreciate how I've been dragged into it this way either. Maybe she needs closure. I kind of wish Tom would just take it up with her directly and tell her off once and for all so that she would stop before things get out of hand."

　　"You got involved in their 'thing' when you approached Anita and tried to set them up together. If you hadn't done that, she possibly wouldn't be trying so hard to get you out of the picture. It's personal for her because she knows you," Harry pointed out.

　　"And I wouldn't have gotten personally involved with her if Tom hadn't lied to..." Lucy let the rest of her words trail off in a sigh. She wasn't going to blame Tom for it. 

　　Yes, he had deceived her, but that was in the past now, and they were past that. This wasn't the time to pass blame. It was time to get solutions. She needed to keep reminding herself of this.

　　"Don't worry about it. We are handling it. Besides, maybe now that Tom has revealed his identity, she would approach him freely without pretense, and he would reject her once and for all," Harry said confidently, and Lucy nodded.

　　"I hope so," Lucy said, and Harry nodded as he watched her from the rim of his mug. 

　　"Well, I'm sure we will find out today since we will be leaving for I-Global airlines soon. I will keep an eye on them to make sure she doesn't force herself on him, don't worry," Harry said, flashing her a grin. 

　　"I'm sure you will," Lucy said as she eyed him with interest, "Your girlfriend must be one lucky girl," Lucy said, changing the subject even though she was aware that he didn't have a girlfriend.

　　"Girlfriend? Tom told you I have a girlfriend?" Harry asked in confusion.

　　"No, he didn't. I just assumed you have one. Don't you?" Lucy asked, and Harry looked at her for a second before shaking his head.

　　"I don't. You know, usually, when ladies ask me questions like this, they are often interested in me. I'm beginning to feel that maybe you want me instead of Tom, am I right?" Harry asked, blinking at her in a way that made her giggle.

　　I'm not, but I know someone who is, Lucy thought in amusement, "Maybe I am. Who knows? I just might be polygamous in nature and I never realized it till now," Lucy said, batting her lashes at him, and Harry chuckled.

　　"About the question I asked you last..." He paused when his phone started to ring, "Excuse me," Harry said politely as he took out his phone from his pocket and received the call.

　　"Yes?" Harry asked and listened for a moment before glancing at his wristwatch, "Oh, yes! I will be there. Thanks," Harry said and hung up the call.

　　"Sorry, I have to leave now. I need to take care of a couple of things before joining the HR team downstairs to interview the shortlisted candidates and pick out the most suitable for the position of Tom's assistant. Would you like to sit in for the interview?" He asked Lucy, who looked surprised.

　　"Today? So early? But we only just decided that he needed an assistant yesterday," Lucy pointed out.

　　Harry said nothing until he finished drinking the remaining coffee in his mug, "When it comes to business, we work fast. And there is a lot that needs to be done, so an assistant is needed. Next week is the company's anniversary, and I-Global airline will also be officially opened."

　　"Oh? I wasn't aware of that," Lucy said, wondering why she hadn't heard anything of the anniversary.

　　"That's because Tom was too busy chasing you to remember that, and I only just reminded him of it yesterday before the board meeting. I think he probably couldn't mention it to you because of all that happened yesterday," Harry explained.

　　"Oh, I think you're right," Lucy said, remembering all that had happened the previous day.

　　"So this anniversary, how is it done here? Is it a very big deal?" Lucy asked curiously. 

　　The only thing she knew about the anniversary was that they always gave them bonuses at that time of the year, but since it was her first time at the headquarters, she had no idea how it was celebrated here.

　　"Yeah. There are usually lots of activities during that week, ranging from sports competitions to award ceremonies and cocktail parties. Tom has never attended these functions in the past apart from the closed dinner parties with directors and shareholders, but this year he will be doing so," Harry said, and Lucy nodded. 

　　"The circular will be sent out today informing all staff of the coming events. Don't worry about it. I'm handling the preparation so that Tom can give you all his attention," Harry said as he stood to leave.

　　"When you eventually have a girlfriend, I will make sure Tom handles the business so you can have time to date too," Lucy promised, and Harry chuckled.

　　"So, do you want to sit in and get a chance to choose who becomes his assistant?" Harry asked, and Lucy shook her head. 

　　"Nah. We can't let our relationship get in the way of work. It will make everyone uncomfortable," Lucy said, and Harry looked at her for a moment as though he was contemplating something.

　　"You don't want to see the female that might be working closely with Tom?" Harry asked, and Lucy's ears perked up at that.

　　"Females?" She asked in alarm.

　　Harry chuckled, "For a moment there, you were acting too relaxed like you didn't care about Tom, so I wanted to ruffle your feathers a bit. Don't worry. Tom said they all have to be male, so I'm going to be there to pat them down myself if I have to, just to be sure we don't have any female CT. You can relax," he said with a wink, and Lucy glared at him as she relaxed.

　　"What do you mean, female CT anyway?"

　　Harry grinned, "CT stands for Crazy Tom. That is the term I've coined for anybody crazy enough to pretend to be what they're not to get somebody. So a female CT in this case is a female that might want to be disguised as a male to get close to him," Harry explained, and Lucy laughed softly.

　　"I see."

　　A knock sounded on the door, and Amy walked in once Lucy gave her the go-ahead. She looked slightly surprised when she saw Harry and clutched her bag tightly, "Good morning, Mr. Jonas, Director Perry," Amy greeted politely.

　　"You are late," Harry said sternly as he glanced at the wall clock.

　　"I...I am sorry," she said apologetically, and from the looks of her, Lucy could tell that she wasn't okay.

　　"She called to say she would be running late," Lucy said as she stood up, and Harry turned to look at her with disapproval.

　　"I don't like being lied to... Especially by people I consider my friends," he said, and Lucy looked at him apologetically.

　　"I'm sorry. Can you let it slide this once?" she asked, and Harry gave her a nod before walking away.

　　"I'm sorry," Amy said apologetically, feeling sorry that she had made Lucy look bad in front of Harry. 

　　Lucy waved it off dismissively, "Don't be. You don't look fine. What is wrong?" She asked, and Amy teared up, unsure she wanted to share her problem with her boss.

　　"I need the day off. I know it's impromptu, but please, can I go home? I don't feel well," Amy pleaded, making Lucy go around the desk to meet her. 

　　"What is the problem? Do you want to talk about it?" She asked as she offered Amy her handkerchief, but Amy shook her head.

　　"I'm not sure. I just want to be alone right now. So please, can I go home?" She asked, and Lucy gave her a nod.

　　"Sure. Just bring me all the documents you were supposed to submit today before you leave," Lucy said, and Amy gave her a nod.

　　"Thank you," Amy said before walking out of the office, leaving Lucy staring after her with concern.

　　Immediately Lucy remembered that she also had Lucas to be worried about, so she returned to her desk and picked up her phone as she tried to reach him again, but his line was still off, so she left him a text instead.

　　Once she was done, she fished inside her handbag and took out the card the ladies from the foundation had left the previous day, and she typed their number on her phone.

　　Lucy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, knowing that the moment she dialed their line and accepted their deal, there would be no going back. 

　　She would have to play this game with Anita until either of them gives up. Hopefully, she will not only be ahead of Anita in this game, she will beat her to it.

　　"Game on," Lucy said as she dialed the line.