Numbered Account

Sylvia picked up the blue slips bearing Nick's extension and tossed them into the trash can behind her desk- where she had tossed all the other messages he'd left since Monday. She tried to tell herself that his promotion didn't feel like a slap in the face. That it was just another petty injustice she had to swallow. But she couldn't.

The phone rang. Sylvia craned her neck to see if her assistant was at his desk. The phone rang a second time. Obviously, he wasn't. She picked up on the third ring. "Schon."

"Good morning, Sylvia. It's Nick Neumann. Hi."

Sylvia closed her eyes. This was not what she needed right now. "Hello, Mr. Neumann."

"I thought we had settled on Nick."

She swiveled in her chair, hating herself for hiding in her "Miss Professional" routine. "Yes, Nick. How can I help you?"

"You can probably guess. I'm calling to apologize about the files. I should never have asked for your help. It was selfish of me. I was wrong."

"Apology accepted." She had hardly thought about the files since Saturday. It was his sudden promotion that merited punishment. "How are things with the Chairman?"

"Exciting. Busy. In fact, I'd love to talk to you about it. Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?"

Sylvia took a breath. She'd guessed he'd been calling to set up a date. Hearing his strong voice, she knew her anger was misdirected. She had no right to blame Nick. Still, she needed time to figure out how she felt about him. "I don't think so. In fact, I think it's better if we left this as it was."

"Oh? And how was it?"

"It wasn't," she replied testily. His insistence rankled her. "Do you understand now? Look, I really have quite a bit of work to do. I'll stop by when I have some free time. Let's leave it at that."

Sylvia hung up the phone before he could protest. Yet, even as her hand left the receiver, she began criticizing herself for being unspeakably rude- not an easy task given her own demanding standards. I apologize, Nick, she said silently, staring at the phone. Call me back. I'll say I didn't know what got into me. I'll tell you that yes, we had a wonderful time Saturday and that I am still trying to figure out that lovely kiss.

But the phone did not ring.

Sylvia spun her chair and stared into the wastepaper bin. She picked up one of the crumpled message slips, flattened it on her desk, and reread the number.

Nick unsettled her. He was handsome and confident. He had lovely eyes. Eyes whose unimpeded stare could be frightening one minute and heartbreaking the next. He had no family and she thanked God for that- wished she could be so lucky. Her father was a boorish man, a red-faced tyrant who had never given up trying to run his home as he ran the railway station at Sargans. When her mother died, Sylvia had taken the care of her younger brothers, Rolf and Eric, onto herself, preparing their breakfasts, cleaning their rooms, doing their laundry. Instead of being grateful, the boys had mimicked their father's behavior, ordering her around the house as if she were a maid and not their older sister.

Sylvia thought back on her dinner with Nick. "Independent" was how he'd described himself and she'd jumped on the word. Loved it. Because she was independent, too. Her life was her own. She could make of it what she wanted. She recalled the touch of his lips when they said good night, their cool pressure hiding the warmth close behind. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to imagine what would come next. His hand brushing her cheek, her body pushing hard against him. She would open her mouth and taste him. She felt a sharp stirring pass through her body, and its stark carnality woke her from her reverie.

Sylvia checked her watch. Seeing that it was already nine o'clock, she set to work updating a list of interviewing requirements for Swiss university graduates. It was a monotonous chore, and to relieve it she reminded herself of the goals that she had set herself earlier in the year.

First, in the spring she would travel to the States to supervise the bank's recruitment of American M.B.A.s. Second, by December 31, the finance department would boast the highest employee retention rate in the bank. The first goal was as good as accomplished. Wolfgang Kaiser had personally assigned her the task. She could thank Nick for that, at least partially, for it was his presence that had allowed her to shine in the Chairman's eyes. The second goal- seeing to it that her department kept its employees- would require her constant attention. The finance department was lagging behind commercial banking but was ahead of trading. If Nick stayed longer than the usual arrogant recruits Rudolf Ott hired, she would be very happy.

You want him to stay for more reasons than that, whispered a naughty voice.