Chapter 20

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Tentatively I return from the bathroom to our large balcony to sip my water for the third time. The ice cold liquid blissfully cools my burning throat. However, the beautiful morning view does little to ease my nausea.

"You feeling any better?" Daniel asks before planting a firm kiss on the top of my head.

Looking up at him, I raise the first smile of the day. "Yeah. I mean, I still feel nauseous, but I've finally stopped being sick. I've even managed a shower and to get dressed." My hand gestures to yet another loose, cream floaty dress.

"You look gorgeous... absolutely glowing, babe!" He sits next to me with a cup of tea. When I glance over at him, he's wearing the most adorable smile across his face.

"Now I know what Caroline meant... it really is just sweat!" I chuckle at her words.

The iPad on the table begins to ring. I look down and see a FaceTime call from Caroline. "Talk of the devil..." I prop the iPad up so we can both see her and answer the call.

"Hey!" I say with as much energy as I can muster.

My eyes open wide when I realise it's three in the morning at home. My jaw then falls ajar when Caroline, Sarah, Jeremy and Ben come into focus and are eagerly staring back at us. They are all grinning like Cheshire cats.

"Good morning, Mexico!" Jeremy chimes excitedly.

Daniel immediately appears on edge, he leans forward with a stern expression on his face. It feels like he's trying to silently communicate something.

"So... is there any news you would like to share with us?" Caroline practically shrieks.

I look at Daniel, perplexed by the whole bizarre situation. He suddenly looks like he could be sick too. "Not really! We ended up going to dinner with Harrison last night as he unexpectedly joined us on the beach." He keeps his jaw set in a firm line.

"Oh..." Sarah bites her lip. The others look around at each other awkwardly.

"Erm, that sounds nice for you both. Glad to see you all getting along after his little publicity stunt." Ben speaks evenly as though he is trying to change the subject.

I rub my eyes, unable to fathom why everyone is being so weird. A fresh wave of nausea washes over me, distracting me from my chain of thoughts. "Why are you calling at three in the morning? Everything OK at home?"

"Everything is fine. We've been out... just got in... so... erm... just... thought we'd see how you both were." Sarah stutters as her face turns pink.

"What's going on?" I glare from Daniel to my friends. Daniel shrugs, but I can see the nervousness in his eyes.

"We're having a little girl." Caroline blurts out and our other three friends look relieved that Caroline has decided to speak.

"Yeah... yeah! We are! We found out this evening, so wanted to let you know straight away." Jeremy cuts in.

Daniel finally smiles wholeheartedly, but I hear the whoosh of him exhale. "Amazing news guys."

"Awww, Caroline and Jeremy! That's wonderful news. I'm so glad you called." I feel my eyes fill with tears as I speak.

"We were going to wait until you got home in a couple of days... but, you know us... just...  couldn't wait to share the news!" She glances sideways towards Jeremy who smiles back encouragingly.

"I'm so happy for you both!" I put both my thumbs up to the screen.

"Right... we gotta go to bed! Good to chat... Daniel, speak to you later!" Jeremy says to end the call.

We say our goodbyes and switch off the iPad.

"Is it me, or was that really strange?" I say still confused.

"It's sweet that they were calling to tell us their news." Daniel says abruptly. He swiftly stands up. "Hadn't you better get to the meeting with Harrison and all the team?" He glances at his watch.

"Why are you being weird?" I narrow my eyes, but remain perfectly still.

"I'm not." He answers defensively.

"Whatever... I haven't got the energy for this." I grumble while making my way to the door. "I'm not sure what time I'll be back, so hope you have a nice day."

Daniel rushes to stand between me and the door. "Don't be in a mood! I hope you have a lovely day and the team love your storyboard."

My frosty expression melts and I reach up to kiss him. "Thank you, see you later."

*****

My day is spent trying to hide how tired and nauseous I feel, while keeping a room of ten people focused on the task at hand. Somehow I manage not to be sick on anyone as I present my ideas and storyboard. Win, win for everyone!

It's late afternoon when I finally look at the clock. I turn towards Harrison, completely shocked by the time.

Harrison follows my gaze and then bellows with laughter. "See... slave driver." He mumbles quietly for only me to hear.

"Thank you for today, everyone. I really feel like we've made some excellent progress." I say confidently as I stand up to face everyone. The room empties quickly and I sit back down, feeling the weight of the day engulf me.

"What a day!" Harrison says with a sigh. "You are very talented, Ms. Cooper."

"Thank you, so are you." I absorb the compliment as much as my embarrassment will allow me.

Glancing round at the corporate meeting room, now empty of people, I feel relaxed and comfortable in my own skin. "It's strange the places that make us feel most at ease!" I speak absentmindedly, not realising I've said the words out loud. "Sorry, just my mumblings!" I grin sheepishly.

"I get it, I really do!" He nods as he closes down his laptop.

"A business meeting is so much more straightforward than real life. I get to create an agenda... Everyone knows their roles, all working towards an end game. I just like how uncomplicated it is for me." I bite my lip, not sure if I'm making sense.

"You're preaching to the choir! I really struggle with personal relationships... find the constant second guessing exhausting. At least with my company, I know where I stand! A deal is a deal... no emotion... clear cut! My ex-wife on the other hand, well... let's just say... I'm not very good at trying to work out what people actually mean when they say something else! I'm a straightforward guy... if you tell me everything is fine, then everything is fine!" He shrugs while slowly shaking his head. "The corporate world is black and white..."

I nod in agreement. "It is... I feel like I'm not just Daniel Weston's girlfriend in a boardroom... people want to listen to me!"

"Fancy a tipple? Tequila?" He stands and marches over to his desk. The bottom draw slides open and Harrison pulls out a bottle of tequila and two glasses.

Quickly, I begin to pack away. "No, thank you! I better get back."

"Fair enough... I hope he realises how lucky he is to have you." Harrison's tone is melancholy as he downs a shot of tequila.

"I don't know about that." I deflect the most recent compliment. "I'll see you in the morning for our final day before I head back to London."

"The team are meeting for drinks a little later, it would be great if you both could join us. At least the team could see you outside of these walls before you disappear again."

"Yeah, that'd be nice. What time?" I ask as I reach the door, opening it softly.

"Eight?"

"See you later." I close the door behind me.

"Hey, gorgeous." Daniel's tone is lighthearted, but I jump out of my skin. He is sitting outside the meeting room waiting for me.

"Holy shit, Daniel." Covering my heart to try to slow the galloping rhythm, I hear him laughing.

He stands and kisses me forcefully. "You've been ages!"

"Sorry, but today has been really productive. Chris is going to find a couple of actors to join us in the campaign too."

"I'd happily do it for you." Daniel puts his arm around me.

I knew he would offer his services for the media campaign, so I repeat my rehearsed speech to soften the blow of my rejection. "Thank you, babe. But, I just want it to be a couple of unknown actors. You're such a well known face... I feel that you would overshadow what I want to achieve. You understand, right?"

He nods; but I watch as a flash of hurt ripples across his face.

"Plus, we're about to start our own family. I don't want the media using you in the campaign to mirror our personal life." Lifting my hand, I intertwine my fingers with his around my shoulder.

"I understand... makes perfect sense. Anyway, I have a romantic evening planned for us..."

Harrison opens the door to face us both. "I thought I heard voices! Hi, Daniel. Lizzie was amazing today, you'd be very proud."

"I am." Daniel interjects coldly.

"So, see you both at eight. Think of it as a celebration for your hard work, Lizzie." Harrison smiles widely before striding passed us and down the hallway.

"What celebration at eight?" Daniel's head turns to the side in annoyance, the frustration rolls of him in waves.

"Harrison thought it'd be nice for us to have a few drinks with the team before our last day tomorrow. Why, what had you got planned?"

Daniel shakes his head. "Nothing that can't wait."

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