Blackmailed By The Boss

She kept remembering other happy occasions when they had sat at this table with her father.

Steve was talking about his engineering business, but Charlotte was thinking that they had been sitting here when their father had announced he was getting married again.

‘I’ve met the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with,’ he had announced. It had been such an emotional and happy moment and they had all really wanted this marriage to work out for him.

Jordan had to be wrong about Ruth, he just had to be, she thought fiercely.

As if he could read her thoughts Jordan’s eyes locked with hers across the table. He seemed to be watching her very intently.

Suddenly she remembered the way he had questioned her about her father when they were out for dinner. Was that why he had asked her out in the first place? If so, it made what had happened later even more excruciatingly hard to think about without breaking into a cold sweat.

‘You’re very quiet, Charlie,’ Jennifer remarked suddenly.

‘Am I?’ Conscious of everyone’s eyes suddenly on her, Charlotte felt herself colouring guiltily. ‘Sorry, I was just relaxing.’

‘Charlotte’s been working far too hard,’ Jordan cut in. ‘You’re probably tired, aren’t you, Charlie.’

‘Probably.’ Charlotte glared at him; she could speak for herself.

Jennifer shook her head. ‘Honestly, sis, you’re just like Dad where that business is concerned. I know it’s very important to you, but you need to let up—take advantage of the fact you’ve got Jordan at the helm now and relax a bit.’

Charlotte studiously avoided Jordan’s eyes. ‘Yes, you’re right,’ she murmured.

Steve lifted the wine bottle and made to refill her glass. ‘Oh, I can’t have another drink, Steve, I’m driving.’ She hurriedly put her hand over the glass.

‘I’ll drive you home, Charlotte.’ Jordan’s voice was firm, making more like a command than an offer.

After a moment’s hesitation she lifted her hand. She needed to talk some more to Jordan about the situation anyway, so she might as well let him drop her home, she thought resignedly.

The light was fading outside and Jennifer lit the candles on the table.

‘Anyone want coffee?’ Steve asked, standing up.

‘Not for me, thanks.’ Jordan smiled. ‘But I’ll give you a hand to stack the dishwasher.’ He waved away Jennifer’s objections as he got to his feet. ‘It’s the least I can do after such a lovely meal.’

‘You OK?’ Jennifer asked Charlotte as soon as they were left alone.

‘Yes, fine.’ Charlotte smiled and then hastily got to her feet. She had to get away before her sister started probing further. Jennifer knew her too well not to realise something was wrong.