Lydia's Return After Fleeing

Chapter 1

Ten years after Lydia Wells left her hometown shortly after graduating from university with a double degree, she returned to Bridgeton after resigning as deputy director of finance from a large vehicle dealership.

She had five days of leisure before taking up her new job as director of business development at Strategic Management Investments that closely rivalled in business size Harvey's Financial Services, where she had worked for a brief time after graduating.

Lydia had recently learned that her former sexual molester was now managing-director designate of Harvey's.

Lydia planned to find a husband, build a team around her that was heavily committed to business expansion and to achieve her secret desire to roll Brendon Harvey from his position at Harvey's.

Within hours arriving at her family home, where she would live until finding her own residence, she drew her father Frank Wells aside and said, "Dad, do you have guys in your law firm and could be interested in dating me?

"I guess most of the married guys who dream about having a fling could meet your requirement."

"Dad you fool, I mean single guys."

"I knew that. Well, top of the list is probably Ryan Hawkes."

"Would you like him as a son-in-law?"

"Hell, yes and your mother thinks he's adorable. He's rising in status within the firm."

"Great, I need a personal lawyer," Lydia said. "I'll contact him Please say nothing to him about this until I've signed on, that's if he'll have me as a client.

Lydia called Ryan's PA and arranged an appointment to see Mr Hawkes as a potential new client. The PA said she would need a surname, but Lydia said just book her in as Lydia in the meantime.

"Mr Hawkes may not accept the booking unless there is a surname."

"Very well, and here's hoping I'll get to see him."

Lydia arrived from reception a couple of minutes before that appointed time and said, "Hi, I'm Lydia."

"I'm Jennifer," said the wide-eyed PA with a gasp. "I... I'll tell Mr Hawkes you are here."

Jennifer partly closed the office door behind her. Lydia smiled, hearing her say, "The mysterious Lydia has arrived. S-she's stunning."

"Stunning? I don't think so. Wheel her in."

"Mr Hawkes will see you now, Lydia."

Lydia said thanks, entered the office, closed the door, and leaned against it.

She smiled beautifully and said, "Good morning."

"Christ," was the unexpected response.

"I don't think so," she laughed, showing great enamel. "Will you take me on as a new client?"

He said he believe so, subject to securing more information.

Ryan came around his desk pointing to a chair, and he sat on the other chair that he'd moved to face her.

"Excuse me for my utter surprise. Beautiful women are rare around here."

"Don't be deceived by expensive make-up and a tight bra, Mr Hawkes. Would my mother qualify as a past beauty?"

"Who is your mother?"

"The wife of the managing partner of this law practice, Jocelyne Wells."

"Omigod, you are Lydia Wells," Ryan said. "The boss, your father, has a photo of you and Joss on his desk taken when you were in your late teens. You both are pictured looking gorgeous."

"Yes, that photograph was taken by dad when I was soon to turn eighteen and he'd arrived home to learn I would be finishing high school top of my class. I'm surprised that you informally call my mother Joss."

"That comes from social familiarity. I serve on the Franklin Squash Club's executive committee of which your mother is long-time chairperson and on the city council's community arts and culture advisory board where she is the immediate past chairperson. She and my mother are friends, and we think she's gorgeous."

"She is, and not having my tough streak and outspokenness."

"Ah yes, you were the squash club's women's championship from fifteen until you left for university and open championship at the age of seventeen, defeating your mother for the title. I've been lucky enough to secure the open championship title and retain it since arriving here five years ago. I take it you are returning here to live?"

"Yes, it's a beautiful and largely laid-back city, a great place to bring up children."

"Ah, you have children?"

"No, I have to attract suitors before that happens."

"Good luck with that mission. Are you joining this firm?"

"No, I start my new job in a few days as director of business development at Strategic Management Investments, Lydia said. "My double degree is in finance and business management."

"Then I may see you often as I have frequent involvement with SIM."

"Meaning, and without breaching commercial confidentiality, you are indicating that this firm acts sometimes as their external legal consultants."

"Correct and welcome aboard as my newest and a most delightful client. Will we meet at squash?" he said standing.

She rose to her feet and thought that in heels she was six-one, a tad shorter than he.

Smiling, she added, "It's ten years since I last played squash. Please allow me time to practice with mum to sharpen my act a bit before we meet on the court."

"Agreed, we have drinks here on Friday nights with a few clients invited. Please join us here on Friday night from 5.30."

"Lovely, and thanks."

"On you way out, please get the new client package from Jennifer and when writing your name for submission, please add your surname."

"Thanks, I did not supply it initially as I did not wish to have you feel you were beholden to this firm's managing partner."

"Who obviously would have recommended me?"

Lydia laughed and said Ryan's name was mentioned when he was asked to recommend who she should approach, and she looked up those lawyers on the firm's website.

* * *

On Thursday, Lydia was inducted into management at director of business development at Strategic Management Investments (SIM).

She had already met several members of senior management when attending final interviews for the positing she was seeking, including the managing director, Bruce Talboys.

She'd noted with interest that Bruce appeared within retirement age.

After work on Friday, Lydia went home to shower and change and arrived at Henry-Wells and Associates at Law for drinks at 6.10 in her new work car with only delivery kms on the speedo.

Ryan had been watching for her arrival and strode over as soon as Lydia arrived at the doorway with a receptionist. Ryan stayed at Lydia's side, introducing her to staff and guests as a returnee to her hometown after 10 years away. She was the daughter of Frank and Jocelyne Wells and she had just started with SIM as director of business development. Her father and mother were in one of the groups that Lydia was introduced to, and Bruce Talboys was in another.

Bruce said quietly to Lydia that he wasn't aware that Frank and Jocelyne were her parents. She laughed and said she usually refrained from name-dropping and Bruce found that amusing. He introduced wife Michelle to Lydia who said: "Already I'm finding you socially impressive."

"Thanks, Michelle. That custom-made dress suits you marvellously," and for a moment thought the matronly wife of the chief executive of her new company was about to hug her.

Later, when telling Ryan that she was ready to join the exodus of some guests, he said he'd leave with her and invited her to have early dinner with him at a restaurant.

"What brought that invitation on?"

He said he was beginning to regard her as more than a client and it appeared opportune to ask for a dinner date.

"Yes, that would be lovely, and I admire your boldness."

Ryan said smiling, pulling out his phone to book a table for two in ten minutes, "Thanks for saying that. I wondered about your reaction, thinking at best you might regard the invitation as rather premature in our relationship."

Lydia asked could she ask a couple of very personal question and he said proceed.

"Are you dating anyone at present?"

"Not specifically. The young woman who still lived at home that I'd been dating for seven months left recently with her family for the United States where her father had been appointed to a senior position with a division of the United Nations on a 5-year contract with provision for extensions.

"Oh, that must have been upsetting for you?"

"Mandy was excited about the move and that made me excited for her. She has no plan to return to this country."

They walked along in silence until Ryan asked, "And what was the second question?"

She whispered that Ryan need not answer to answer the following question should it embarrass him. "Do you titillate women by sucking down low?"

Ryan almost stumbled in shock.

"Tjut-tut oung woman,you scarcely know me?"

They walked along in silence until he cleared his throat and said, "Yes or to be clearer, very possibly I may perform such an act if you were the targeted recipient, and the activity was consensual in appropriate circumstances."

"Spoken thoughtfully like a lawyer and splendidly delivered calmly, Ryan. I'd told you a couple of days ago that I have a tough streak in me and can be vocally outrageous. It wasn't considered appropriate at the time to further warned that I also have a filthy mouth at rare times when my mind is sexually focused, err in appropriate circumstances."

"Lydia, be very careful that any such outbursts are controlled thoughtfully otherwise misstep could land you in big trouble and even open a box of worms."

"What do you mean by that can of worms comment?"

"I am now speaking to you in confidence as your lawyer, Lydia. I search our files for any reference to you and found your father negotiated a settlement of $15,000 from a local company that you worked for a few days immediately after your graduation after you alleged that you were sexually molested by your department manager, Brendon Harvey. You were outraged, claiming that you absolutely gave the alleged offender no encourage to physically interfere with you, claiming strongly it was an unprovoked attack."

"You were seeking $30,000 in compensation and the notes on your file shows that your father, who was representing you, had advised you that there were no witnesses to the alleged attack and that if the case went to Court the decision could be for a compensation payment above or below that offer of $15,000, or the judge could dismissed the case after consideration of the defendant's consistent claim that his advances were encouraged, and there being no witnesses to the incident and the lack of medical evidence that indicated signs that you had been roughly attacked."

Lydia sighed and said, "Ryan, in your opinion, was my father was right that I should take the $15,000 and leave the city for a while?"

"Clearly, yes and I believe that your claim to the Court seeking punitive damages would have been dismissed."

"Damn, that's now a double whammy in my mind."

"Indeed, and many things in law are not absolute and depend on judgements that in some instances are on a knife edge and can go either way."

Ryan and Lydia parked their vehicles on the street near Charlie's Steakhouse and had a wonderful time chatting, sipping wine, and eating perfectly cooked steak with trimmings.

They left and outside the restaurant, Ryan said, "Is this where I kiss you goodnight?"

"Yes, and I've enjoyed my evening with you," Lydia said, and they hugged tightly and kissed with oomph.

"Goodnight, Ryan. Goodness, do I like you. I'm aware that it's ill-advisable for a lawyer to date a client as such an association could result in a breach of the lawyer's fiduciary duty and he or she could be professionally disciplined."

"Indeed, and I'll explain the situation in more detail at our next outing, if there is to be one," he said. "This is despite you having some knowledge of the pitfalls facing a lawyer dating a client. If we both are aware of the pitfalls, we should experience no problems."

"And then the way is clear for us to have sex?"

"Omigod, that outspoken comment was delivered with ease," he grinned. "Yes, in effect we will have the green light. My hope is to find you physically attractive should our association continue as you are naturally sexy in person."

"My submission, Mr Lawyer is that you will be practically smothered by my sexiness as sex is my temple."

"Wow, your personality is unlike most finance consultants I've ever met. Goodnight, Miss Hot-Hot Wells."

She walked off to her car parked behind Ryan's and he stood looking at her butt, thinking what a great butt. And then, for a moment, it seemed if the moonlight over Sydney froze except for Lydia delivering a flurry of short wiggles of her rear, for his eyes only.

Smart woman, he thought, expecting him to be standing watching her as she hadn't looked back. As she neared her car he patted above the increasing bulge in his pants, and she turned and must have seen that manly reaction. She just smiled and waved.

He blew her a kiss, wondering how long it would take before she was blowing him.

God, he was crude, he grinned happily. Never had a female made such a significant impact on him in such a brief time. That might be an omen.

Chapter 2

Passing his parent's home on the way to his apartment overlooking Westbrook River, Ryan stopped, deciding to give his mother a news update.

Marie Hawkes answered the doorbell, hugged him and said, "Good timing darling, your father and I were enjoying a brandy nightcap. Come and join us."

Douglas handed Ryan a drink and as he sipped, Marie said, "What's the latest in you finding a replacement for Mandy?"

"That's why I've called in after dining early this evening with an incredible female, Mum, I believe she's the one, someone who interests my more than any other female I've dated."

"That sounds more like infatuation," Douglas said.

"At least it's positive news. Give the boy a chance to explain the situation," Marie said.

Ryan said: "Lydia is..."

"Her name earns my first tick," interjected his mother.

"She's full of life, a clear thinker, relates well to people, is sexy, looks great, is my latest client and has just began working for Strategic Investments Manager as their No. 3 executive as director of business development."

"Then she's older than you," Marie said, eyeing her 34-year-old son.

"Lydia turned thirty-two months ago, thereby probably becoming the youngest senior exec that SIM has ever employed."

"You're moving rather fast in securing a dating replacement," said his father. "Where does she come from?"

"From this city. She was born and raised here."

"Then do we know her parents?"

"Yes, dad."

His mother called emotionally, "Stop stalling, you idiot. We need to know."

"Frank and Jocelyn Wells, and Lydia is their daughter."

His parents sat gaping at Ryan until Marie purred, "We've seen her. Eight or ten years ago, you father and I were at her school graduation, Douglas, as vice-Chancellor of Sydney Marine Science University, was the guest speaker on 'The Value of a Degree in Today's Job Market.' We watched Lydia being declared school dux for that year, also receiving two or three other awards, if I remember correctly."

"Ah that girl," Douglas said, casting his mind back. "Darling, you don't have to worry whether or not she is pretty or has retained her slim figure. Consider how youthful her parents look today."

"That fills me with optimism."

"Better still mom, should I check to find if she can come to my place for lunch tomorrow as you two and grandma will be there."

"Yes, invite her. That will indicate whether she is keen on you and anxious to meet the parents."

Ryan pulled out his phone and his mother said, "Stop, it's gone 10 o'clock, an ungodly hour to call anyone."

"Mum, Lydia is thirty-two, not fifty-two or even ninety-two. The night is young for younger adults."

"Hi, Lydia. I'm at my parent's place. I've told them about meeting you and mum is anxious to meet you, I guess to see if you measure up to my girlfriend who emigrated to the States several weeks ago. My parents and my grandmother had ready accepted an invitation to have lunch at my apartment tomorrow. I'd like you to meet them. So, what about lunch with us tomorrow?"

"You can? Great, I'll pick you up outside your family home at 12.15 if that's okay with you."

"Fine. I enjoyed my time with you this evening,"

"Thanks, bye."

Marie said he hadn't sounded as if he was infatuated with Lydia.

"Give us time, mum. She said she enjoyed having my hand down the inside of her briefs."

"Ryan!"

"Sorry, mum. Just lying to rev up your motor."

"You won't get anywhere with me being so disgusting Ryan Hawkes, and you know it."

"I enjoyed seeing you rev up your mother, Ryan. I was under the impression she's stopped enjoying a touch of smut."

"I have no problem with smutty humour incorporating a good twist, and wrapped in intelligence, guys. It's humour more appropriate for male bar talk that I dislike."

"How's your time as floral art club president going, mum?"

"Very well thanks, Ryan. I'm pleased that you are... oh, a diversion."

The guys chortled, making Marie smile.

Lydia phoned her mum from the visitor's upstairs suite of the family home. Jocelyne said, "I'm surprised that Ryan brought you to the partners' Friday night drinks and chat function. It's supposed to restricted to senior staff, prime business associates, wives and partners."

"I am a bit of an initiator, but actually Ryan invited me unexpectedly. I hadn't even thought of pushing for an invitation. Anyway, I expect to be living with him soon rather than later."

"That's known as living in sin."

"Only to a decreasing number of sticky-beaks. Most others with any interest probably regard it as an inevitable step in a romantic relationship."

"Yes dear, but you two haven't had time to form a relationship."

"It may have been mutual attraction at first sight, mum. At least it was for me. And at the restaurant tonight, I noticed that my boobs had attracted his interest and our conversations may have convinced him I possess a good brain."

"Darling, he may not be right for you."

"Ah, from watching us at drinks, did you sense that a relationship is forming between Ryan and me?"

"The answer to that is yes, definitely. I saw the way you two looked at one another,"

"Mum, give me a straight answer to about it before answering this question: What was your first impression when you saw him enter the room with me last night?"

"I thought a smart choice darling, but he may be quite a handful for you in personal management because he has rather a square jaw."

"Mum, sorry. I have an incoming call. It's Ryan. I'll call you back."

Mother and daughter were re connected within two minutes.

Jocelyne said that call was short.

"Yes, he's with his parents and his mother said her mother was anxious to meet me. They were already going for lunch at his apartment tomorrow, and he asked if I wished to join them. "Oops, I just remembered I'm booked for quash with you tomorrow at 12.30. I'll call him back and..."

"No darling, meet Ryan's family over a leisurely lunch. I'll find a replacement for you at squash and book us in for tomorrow at 12.30 or thereabouts as that's a peak time on for Sunday bookings, I'm anxious to merge you into the squash community as it will be a base for you to establish friendships, perhaps including with some of your old friends."

"Thanks, mum."

"I should go, your father will be waiting for his pound of flesh."

"What, waiting at this late hour?"

"Darling, sex is one of your father's highly regarded activities. I get hit on for it at midnight or perhaps 3 am and regularly at dawn, usually to my satisfaction."

"Omigod, my mother is talking to me freely about marital sex. and that suggests she is deviously preparing for me to chat to her intimately from the time Ryan and I begin moving into a sexual relationship and then about subsequent hot times that he and I enjoy should a full romance develop. Very clever, mum. Obviously, I have inherited your genes that activate deviousness and maintain a healthy appetite for real and simulated sex."