she had to stop thinking of the possibilities and concentrate on the realities of getting everything done in one week.
Taking a deep breath, she forced her mind to concentrate on the specific things she’d need in order to be able to leave with Dimitri on the desired date.
Clothes! That was one area she’d need to change immediately. First things first though. She quickly searched through the government web sites to find out what she would need to do to get a work visa for Greece. Printing out that information, she then called a real estate agent and arranged to have her house rented out. Moving company was next. Dimitri had said she could use the corporate apartment in Athens but she would never put him out that much. She would find an apartment immediately so she wouldn’t need to rely on his generosity too much.
The next week was a blur of nervous excitement for Helen. She wrapped up issues within the office efficiently, reviewing contracts and adjusting the filing system so it made more sense to the person who would take over.
Each day during her lunch hour, she would shop. With the help of a personal shopper, she found flattering skirts, shirts, shoes with higher heels that flattered her long legs. She wore soft sweaters and delicate jewelry paired with long slacks or pretty skirts, some that flowed around her legs and some that hugged her hips. All were still professional looking but less boxy. Everything was feminine.
She visited one of the boutiques and had a facial and re-learned how to apply makeup. She didn’t want too much, knowing that the heat in Greece could be intense and she didn’t want a great deal of makeup to smother her. Just some powder, mascara and lipstick usually but she also purchased several colors of eye shadow, shades that would bring out the color of her eyes and coordinate with her prettier, more feminine clothes.
The day after her conversation with Dimitri, she wore one of her new outfits to the office. As soon as she stepped off the elevators, several of the men actually stopped their conversations to stare at her. Dimitri’s reaction was also encouraging. He had been reading a report when she’d walked into his office, notebook and pen in hand prepared to take instructions for the day. Initially, his eyes only glanced at her appearance, then went back to the report but within a second, they snapped right back to her pink, V neck sweater and shorter than normal skirt that hugged her slim hips. Her new heels were higher than normal but not so high that she stumbled when she walked. She smiled bravely at him, enjoying his stunned reaction.
When he didn’t say anything for a long moment, Helen’s self-esteem took a nose dive. “Do I look okay?” she’d asked, biting her lower lip in fear that she looked ridiculous.
His response was a broad smile and a green light lit up his eyes. “Definitely. That color of pink suits your blue eyes.”
His comments gave her courage and she became more confident with her wardrobe choices. There wasn’t anything that slowed down her efficiency and she wondered why she’d pushed her femininity so far away all these years.
“Are there any travel arrangements I should make for you?” she asked Dimitri two days before they were scheduled to leave. She usually didn’t make these kinds of arrangements since his PA in the Athens office took care of them. But since she was going to be that person, she wanted to make sure she was covering all the angles.
“No, Alessandra will be doing that from now on,” he explained, relaxing behind his desk, enjoying the view of her long, sexy legs which were revealed in her flirty, floaty, flowered skirt. Pulling his eyes away from her legs, he went on, “Besides, you’ve been working too hard lately. Why don’t I take you out to dinner tonight and we can go over the details of the trip.”
Helen’s eyes widened at the new female name. “Who is Alessandra?” she asked, trying to hide the jealousy that flared up into her eyes.
Dimitri watched with satisfaction as the female name caused the appropriate reaction. He like that about her, the fact that he could read her expressions so well. There was no subterfuge with Helen. It was all there, written on her face.
“Helen is my new secretary out in Athens.”
Helen gulped nervously. “I thought I would be taking over all those duties.” She heard her