Tiffany and Ryan

By Susan Williams

From the moment Ryan walks into the office, Tiffany is mesmerised by him. He is not only handsome, but he carries himself well and radiates confidence; something she finds attractive in a man.

Sadly, he has a girlfriend, and Scarlet is the most attractive woman Tiffany has ever seen, and they seem to be made for each other; although Scarlet’s personality doesn’t seem to match her beauty.

However, over time, Tiffany learns that when it comes to women, Ryan has had a chequered past, and she wants to find out more about him; for no matter how hard she tries to remain aloof, she finds herself falling in love with him.

Tiffany’s love for Ryan is unconditional and as life goes on, it starts to wear her down, for she has no control over her feelings, and although she would normally have classed herself as being a strong woman, when it comes to Ryan, she is weak, and it starts to have a detrimental effect on her life.

Ryan finds himself falling in love with Tiffany but rather than give in to his feelings, he is determined to keep his guard up. Scarlet seems to be the perfect woman for him, but as time goes on, he finds himself doubting himself. However, he’s been in love with the wrong woman before and he is determined not to be taken advantage of again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Williams
• Release date: Oct 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005102067

Susan Williams

Hi, I live in Dorset, England and I was a Teaching Assistant. Due to Covid 19 I have decided to retire. Not sure what the future holds with regards to work, but for now, I'm concentrating on my writing and other hobbies.I am married and have two wonderful sons.I enjoy, reading, writing, playing darts, crafts, exploring coffee shops and mooching .

Book preview

Copyright@ Susan Williams

Smashwords Edition 2020

Tiffany and Ryan

Damn rain! Ryan muttered to himself as he put his black umbrella on the desk and threw his coat over the back of the chair. He slammed his wet shiny briefcase on top of the desk, opened it up and pulled out a sandwich; he hadn’t eaten that morning and his stomach was rumbling in expectation. Then he sat down and looked at Tiffany who was standing with her back up against the wall with a glazed expression on her face.

So! he said, stuffing a large piece of crust into his mouth. You must be the new trainee?

Tiffany nodded and wasn’t sure what to do next because he hadn’t said hello, or asked her to sit down, so she remained standing.

I’m supposed to be training you up is that right?

Before she could answer, Dan walked into the room.

Dan was the club’s manager. He had blue eyes, brown cropped hair and at only 5ft 4 inches he was slightly overweight. She guessed that he was probably around the same age as Ryan, but the extra weight made him look older.

Tiffany - this is Ryan, he’s come down from head office for a while, Dan said.

Ryan stood up, all 6ft of him and walked out from behind his desk. Tiffany was mesmerised by the way he looked and after a long uncomfortable silence she finally managed to say, Pleased to meet you, and held out her hand.

Ryan took her hand and shook it firmly. He held it for a few seconds longer than he should have as he looked her up and down. She had natural shoulder length wispy blonde hair and the bluest eyes he’d ever seen; he guessed she was probably a size 12 to 14. She was just his type and he found that he was drawn to her, especially when she smiled, as her whole face seemed to light up.

Tiffany didn’t like the way his eyes caressed her body and she coughed to get his attention. Slightly embarrassed, Ryan quickly released her hand and head down, he returned to his seat.

Ryan looked down at his desk and sighed. He’d acted in a totally unprofessional manner and was annoyed with himself. He was out of order and he knew it. He looked at Dan, hoping that he would take control of the situation and sensing his distress, Dan did just that, but not before shaking his head at Ryan and tutting loudly.

While Ryan’s here you can share my desk. You can have the left drawer and I’ll have the right. I’ll try and keep it tidy, but I can’t promise it will stay that way. If at any time we’re not around to supervise you just do what you’ve been doing for the last two years. Hopefully, we’ll have you trained up quickly, because you know nearly everything there is to know about running a Bingo Hall. That’s one of the reasons we chose you, Dan said quickly, almost without taking a breath.

Tiffany nodded and then looked over to Ryan who was leaning down looking for something in one of the drawers. Then when he found what he was looking for he looked up at Dan and said, I have a web conference in a few minutes Dan, would you take Tiffany downstairs and give her a tour of the place, then pop her back to the staffroom and give her the induction pack and DVD to look at?

Dan nodded, and Ryan smiled at him, grateful that his friend had come to his rescue.

"You’ve probably seen and done this all before, but it needs to be done, health and safety and all that,’ Ryan said to Tiffany as he leant down and switched the computer on.

Tiffany nodded. She was aware of procedures so today was going to be an easy day and she was glad of it.

Hi dad, Ryan said, as he put on the headphones.

How’s it going son? his father asked, happy to see his wayward son.

I’ve only been here for a couple of hours, but Dan seems to be coping. So, I don’t really understand why I’m here, Ryan grumbled.

Because we need to keep him on his toes, his dad replied, and then laughed.

Ryan knew it was more than that and he frowned at his father.

Oh alright - Your mother thinks it will be good for you. Apparently, she thinks you’ve been partying too much and need to sort yourself out. He needs to grow up, is what she said. Humour her will you. It’s only for a month or so and then you can come back home.

Ryan let out a throaty laugh and said, Alright, anything to keep mum off your back.

His father laughed then whispered, Bloody women.

Look son, the other clubs will be coming online soon, so I have to get going. You can give it a miss this week but make sure you come online next week.

Sure, catch you later, Ryan said, as he pushed the clutter off his desk and started searching for the other half of his sandwich.

After quickly devouring the much-needed sandwich, Ryan took his earphones off and shut down the computer. Then he lay back in his chair and drank what was left of his coffee. He still couldn’t understand why he had been sent down here. He knew that Dan needed time off after losing his wife, but he was more than capable of looking after the club on his own, and Ryan knew that Dan didn’t appreciate him being there either.

And what on earth was wrong with his mother; she had never complained about him before. But deep down he knew that his mother was punishing him for not committing to Scarlet. But marriage was a big thing and something not to be taken lightly and at 32, he wasn’t ready to commit himself… not just yet. His mother was so desperate to have grandchildren that it had clouded her judgment.

Ryan kept himself busy for most of the morning. Dan had got slightly behind with the paperwork, so he was only too happy to help. It couldn’t be easy for Dan, having to look after a baby on his own. The sooner he got Tiffany trained up the better, and then Dan would be able to go back to having his regular days off.

After telling Tiffany to take her lunch break and to report back in an hour, Dan walked upstairs to the office. His jaw dropped open slightly when he noticed that all the files were in order and groaned when he saw that Ryan had done most of the paperwork.

I would have got around to it Ryan, he grumbled.

Ryan was surprised by his attitude and said as kindly as he could, ‘I know that, but you can’t blame a guy for helping out, can you?"

I can’t afford to lose this job Ryan, what with me being the only breadwinner.

Look Dan, there is no way on earth you will ever lose this job, unless you do something totally out of character. I’m here until the new trainee is up and running - that’s all.

I know that, Dan said dejectedly, as he walked over and sat on top of Ryan’s desk.

Ryan looked up at him and smiled. Then he stood up and playfully punched him on the shoulder and said, Do you need to take some time off? Full pay of course.

That’s the last thing I need right now but thanks anyway. I’m coping fine. My mum is happy to have the baby. I need to work Ryan. I can’t bear to be in the house alone, not since Leslie…

I know, Ryan whispered.

He could see that Dan needed cheering up, so he said lightly, Hey! fancy a pub lunch?

Tiffany had been bored for most of the morning and she was relieved to have escaped from the Bingo Hall for a while. However, she was grateful that her first day hadn’t been too taxing but alarmed at her feelings for Ryan. She had only known him for an hour, yet she couldn’t wait to see him again. She thought she had felt a spark between them when he shook her hand, but she couldn’t be certain.

She loved the way he looked. He had short dark brown hair and brown eyes and she loved the fact that he was tall. In fact, he was tall, dark and handsome. The type of hero you only saw in the movies or read about in books. She had to admit that he had made quite an impression on her, but she knew, that she needed to get any thoughts of a romance completely out of her head. She’d had enough of men lately and was determined to concentrate on her career.

As it was such a nice day, Tiffany decided to take a walk along the sea front, and she now found herself sitting in a cosy little café tucking into a cheese and tomato sandwich and washing it down with a coke. When she’d finished, she glanced out of the window and was surprised to see Dan and Ryan walking past. Hastily, she put her head down and when she looked up, she was relieved to find they’d gone by.

She really didn’t need any distractions. She wasn’t going to allow herself to mix business with pleasure. She was going to work hard and make a career for herself. Never again would she allow herself to be influenced by a man.

She had spent the last three years being talked down to and humiliated by a man she thought she loved, and who she thought loved her, only to discover that he had been unfaithful for what seemed like forever. At 28, she was still young enough to make something of herself. Love was overrated. If being in love meant that you lost your own identity, then she could do without it.

When Tiffany got back to the club, she was pleased to find that Ryan and Dan were still out, and it stayed that way for the rest of the day. Thankfully, the staff at the Bingo Hall knew exactly what they had to do, and Tiffany just helped when needed.

Because Ryan had taken it upon himself to do all the outstanding paperwork, there wasn’t a lot for her to do in the office which was unusual. She had tried to help downstairs in the club, but it was a quiet night with barely enough for the regular staff to do, so she had spent most of the evening in the office trying to tidy Dan’s desk.

She was relieved when it was time to cash up and even more pleased when Jenny said that she would stay behind and help her lock up. It was a large building with a large storage facility upstairs, which meant that there were plenty of hiding places if somebody decided to bunk down for the night.

Jenny was her best friend and Tiffany knew, that if she’d gone for the position of Deputy Manageress, she would have got the job instead of her, because she was that good. But Jenny was a single mother on benefits and couldn’t afford to work full-time because she would be worse off.

But it wasn’t purely for monetary reasons that Jenny worked there. Jenny was desperately in love with Dan. She hadn’t told him of course, because he had been a happily married man, but now that his wife had died, Jenny hoped that one day he may see her in a different light.

Tiffany and Jenny toured the building and after reassuring themselves that all the punters had left, they locked up.

Don’t know where the hell those two are but I’ve a good mind to report them, Jenny said angrily, then added, I should have been home ages ago. My mum will be having a fit, she’s got to get up early for work tomorrow.

Your right, it is out of order. But don’t worry, I’ll give you a lift home.

After dropping Jenny off and giving Jenny’s mother a lift back to her house, Tiffany arrived home just after midnight and she was shattered. She was also extremely annoyed at Dan and Ryan and their unprofessional attitude towards work. So much so, that she was going to speak to them about it in the morning.

Unfortunately, Tiffany had riled herself up so much that she’d only managed a few hours’ sleep that night and when the alarm went off in the morning, Tiffany’s lack of sleep had made her grouchy and irritable.

Tiffany arrived at work half an hour early in the hope that she would be able to confront Ryan, but Dan and Ryan had yet to clock in. So, she switched on the electric, checked the serial numbers on the books and then placed a new batch under the counter ready for the morning session. She then went into the treasurer’s office and counted out the floats. She desperately needed to keep herself busy, the thought of facing Ryan and Dan was making her ill.

Luckily, the cleaners had just finished for the day and had decided to stop for a tea break, so to pass some time, Tiffany poured herself a coffee and joined them in the hall.

Boss isn’t here then? Emily said, as she slid her tired body onto the bench beside Tiffany.

Seems not, Tiffany said politely, although she wasn’t really interested in small talk, for she couldn’t concentrate. Her stomach was in knots and she was starting to sweat a little.

Are you alright Luv? Emily asked, as she heaved her large frame closer to her - ready to offer her advice and a shoulder to cry on.

Yes, thanks Emily, I’ve had a sleepless night that’s all. I just need to sit for a while.

Emily accepted her explanation gracefully for she often needed time out herself and understood Tiffany’s need to be alone. So, she moved away to give her some breathing space.

What’s this then eh! While the boss is away, the mice do play.

Tiffany looked up to see Ryan towering over her and she groaned. He had a nerve. It was alright for him to disappear all day but when she took time out, she was out of line.

Ryan could see that she thought he was serious, and a wry grin spread across his face as he said, I’m joking. Then he laughed a little to lighten the situation.

Well - some things are just not funny! Tiffany said angrily. She was shocked at how the words came out and instantly wished she could take them back, but the damage had already been done.

Ryan was slightly taken aback by her attitude but tried not to show it. He was tempted to confront her there and then, instead, he left the main bingo hall and went to the buffet to pour himself a coffee. Then he returned to where Tiffany was sitting, looked down at the group of women assembled and said, Thanks girls, have a great day and Tiffany, can I see you in the office in five minutes please. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us. Then he hastily turned away in case he said something he shouldn’t.

After Ryan had gone upstairs, Emily looked at Tiffany and whispered, Looks like you’re in trouble.

And don’t I know it, two days on the job and I’m getting fired already.

Rather you than me dear, Emily said cheerfully, and Tiffany stood up, walked over to the emergency exit and when the last cleaner had left the building, she locked the door.

Tiffany was half tempted to get her coat and leave with them. She knew that she shouldn’t have talked to Ryan like that in front of the staff. She had totally undermined his position and her behaviour had been unprofessional, but she hadn’t been able to help herself.

She decided to wait a while until Dan arrived. He understood and cared for her more than Ryan did and would be more forgiving. She waited for ten minutes or so, but when Dan still hadn’t arrived, she had no choice but to go up to the office.

She stood outside the office for a few minutes trying to pluck up the courage to knock on the door, but her nerves failed her, and just when she had decided to go back downstairs, Ryan opened the door.

Finally, Ryan said, as he pulled the door open.

Then he walked back to the safety of his desk and Tiffany sat at her desk, or rather, Dan’s desk.

Have you anything to say?

About what? Tiffany asked.

She knew very well what he was referring to, but she was just being argumentative.

Stop the attitude. You know full well what I’m talking about. Your behaviour in front of the staff.

Tiffany blushed and she felt a watery sensation hit the corner of her eye, but she bit back the tears. She was being told off and she felt miserable.

Look, I am sorry about that, but I feel I have just cause.

Ryan pulled his chair forward, folded his arms on top of his desk and stared at her. Tiffany squirmed beneath his gaze but remained resolute.

Just cause? he queried, and Tiffany thought she saw a faint glimpse of a smile on his lips.

Yesterday, you and Dan went out and didn’t come back leaving me and Jenny in charge for the night. We even had to lock up. It wasn’t fair on Jenny. She’s only part time and needed to get home to her daughter. It wasn’t professional.

Alright, take a breather, Ryan said sarcastically. She certainly knew how to rile him up.

Thing is, her mother was babysitting, and she had to get home. You and Dan need to know that your actions can affect others. You should have rung us.

You’re beginning to sound like my mother, Ryan said, exasperated beyond reason.

You have a mother? Tiffany said sarcastically, and in that instance, she knew she was out of a job.

Ryan looked at her and then started to laugh. Tiffany tried to keep a straight face but was unable to and she found herself laughing too. The laughter seemed to clear the air a little and it was Tiffany who spoke first.

I am sorry for the way I talked to you in front of the staff. I should have talked to you in private - I know that.

As long as you remember that in future things will work out just fine, Ryan said comfortingly. Just remember, whatever you have to say to me, say it in the office. We both acted unprofessionally today but we can learn from this experience and move on.

You’re not firing me then? Tiffany asked casually.

Not today, Ryan said, then he smiled at her and added, Dan’s not coming in today because his mother suffered a stroke yesterday. It was only a mild one but obviously he’s got childcare issues to sort out, as well as looking after his mother. I’ve given him some time off. And as you can imagine, phoning here yesterday wasn’t my main priority.

Tiffany was shocked and angry with Ryan. He had deliberately made her feel uncomfortable, while all the time having a perfectly reasonable explanation for not coming back to work yesterday. She glared at him and thought for a second that she could see a hint of pleasure on his face. She was just about to say something cutting when he said, Dan said that Jenny knows the business inside out, so I’m going to ask her to train you up. Not that you really need any training.

Tiffany bit her tongue, nodded, and walked out of the office.

As human beings went, Tiffany thought to herself, Ryan was the devil’s spawn. How dare he play with her emotions in that way. Making her feel guilty like that. How dare he! She was absolutely fuming - surely the job wasn’t worth all this bother.

What’s up? Jenny asked kindly.

That damn Ryan, that’s what. Did you know that Dan’s mother had a heart attack yesterday?

Yes, Dan rang me this morning and asked me to look out for you. I’m popping around to see him later to see if there’s anything I can do.

It’s just that… I can’t see myself keeping this job if I have to deal with that hateful man.

Then we better make sure you don’t have much to do with him while he’s here then. Don’t forget, he’ll be gone in a couple of weeks.

You’re right, Tiffany said, feeling slightly reassured.

And the best way of keeping out of his way, is to keep yourself busy and you can start now. The book seller just rang in, her kid is sick, and she can’t come in, and I’m afraid you’re the only one available.

Cheers Tiffany said, and she gave Jenny a quick hug before walking to the book counter.

Her first week hadn’t been as bad as she thought it was going to be. She and Ryan had met up for half an hour each morning to discuss the day’s agenda and then they had only met in passing during the day, which suited them both. Ryan - because he was feeling guilty for treating her so badly in the office, and Tiffany, because despite his behaviour towards her, she found him alarmingly attractive, which made it difficult for her to talk to him without blushing.

The second week also went by quickly and by Friday, Tiffany had managed to get to grips with her new job and was feeling more confident, and Ryan was so pleased with her progress, that he asked if she would be able to manage the club over the weekend, as he needed to go to London. Although she was a little worried, she agreed. Mainly because it would show the company that she was more than capable of doing the job.

Her first Saturday afternoon in charge went smoothly but the evening wasn’t so good. Three people rang in sick and there was no cover. So, she and Jenny and two other members of staff had to struggle on regardless. And to top it all, the bingo caller wasn’t feeling too good either and missed a few claims.

Fortunately, they were only small ones, but it ate into their budget. Tiffany had to let him go home in the end, he was costing them far too much money. Tiffany had to take over the calling for the second session, leaving Jenny to give out change on her own but somehow, they managed.

Then as if that wasn’t bad enough, the National online game went down, and three slot machines broke. Tiffany tried and succeeded in remaining calm all evening, she had to, but by the end of the night, she’d had to placate so many irate customers that she no longer had to force herself to smile, because one had become permanently etched on her face.

Being as they’d been rushed off their feet, she let Jenny go home early and she cashed up alone, and it was gone twelve before she finished. Then she had to lock up. Something she didn’t particularly relish doing on her own, but it had to be done, and despite her reservations, she found no one hiding in the storage area or anywhere else for that matter. She finally got home at 1.00am and at 1.05am precisely, she was asleep.

Miraculously, all the staff seemed to have gained a new bill of health on the Sunday and everybody turned up for the afternoon and evening shifts. So, Sunday, compared to Saturday was a dream. She had even found time to sit down for lunch and a cup of tea. However, leaving the bingo club was out of the question so she’d had to make do with eating some left-over chips from behind the buffet, which was better than going hungry - but only just.

Relieved that the weekend was finally over and having satisfied herself that all the customers were out of the building, Tiffany poured herself a Bacardi and Coke, put some money on top of the till and walked up to the office. She slipped off her shoes, lay her legs on the top of the desk, crossed her ankles and lay back in the chair. The drink went untouched as her eyelids involuntary closed. Then she was snoring loudly.

Suddenly, she woke with a start. She could hear somebody in the corridor and for a split second she was afraid. Then the door opened, and Ryan walked in.

Oh hi! he said, with that sickly-sweet smile of his. ‘You haven’t been here all night, have you?"

Tiffany looked at him a little bemused, what did he mean all night. She looked at her watch, it was ten to nine in the morning.

I must have fallen asleep, damn it, she muttered under her breath.

Thank god she’d locked up before coming up to the office, she could imagine the fuss that would have caused if Ryan had found the doors unlocked. She was going to have to be a bit more careful in future.

Well, now that you’re here, how did everything go?

Saturday was a nightmare, we lost a bit of money, but Sunday went ok.

Ryan unconsciously glanced at her legs as he sat behind his desk and Tiffany hastily pulled them on to the floor.

Good job you have the next two days off then, Ryan said cheerfully.

I forgot that, yes, I’m looking forward to them. I better be going, Tiffany said quickly. She was conscious of the fact that she hadn’t washed since yesterday morning and she felt a little grimy.

Coffee, Dan said as he entered the room.

He acknowledged Tiffany and then walked back out again.

You need this more than me, Ryan said, and he handed the coffee to Tiffany who took it gladly.

"Dan’s going through the many post its you left downstairs. He’s ringing the slots engineer as we speak.

OH! Tiffany said, and she started to sip her coffee. And as if he had guessed that she was hungry, Ryan opened his brief case and handed her a buttered croissant.

What about you? she asked.

Don’t worry about me, there’s plenty more where that came from.

Tiffany quickly ate the croissant and hurriedly finished her coffee. She needed to get away from work for a while. She didn’t mind working under pressure, but she knew herself well enough to know that she needed a good night’s sleep.

Thanks for the coffee and food, Tiffany said, as she threw the leftovers in the bin. It was good of you.

And thank you - for running the place so efficiently while I was gone he said, looking as though he meant every word of it.

By the time she’d walked home, Tiffany wasn’t tired, so she had a much-needed shower, dressed, put the washing in the machine, washed the dishes and then dusted her small flat, which took all of twenty minutes.

She loved her flat. It was her first home, and she was leasing it off her brother Ben for a nominal rent. Her brother had bought it as an investment, but the recession had put paid to any ideas he had of becoming a property tycoon.

Tiffany woke early the next day and she watched intently as the sunlight bounced of the silver star mobile she had put up on the ceiling and she smiled. Jenny had said that the whole flat looked like her daughter’s bedroom and that all she needed was a pink door and she would be living in a giant marshmallow. But that wasn’t fair, not all the flat was pink. The bathroom cupboards and the kitchen cupboards were light blue.

What was wrong with pink walls, lush pink carpets, pink wardrobes and pink fairy lights anyway. Hadn’t she heard… pink was the new black.

After a long day at work she needed to come back to her pink palace. It was her escape from the real world. One day, and probably sooner than she hoped, she would conform to what society expected of her and she would soon be living in a beige and brown house just like everyone else. But right now, her pink palace was her refuge and if Jenny didn’t like it, then she could always wear sunglasses when she came to visit.

Tiffany wasn’t used to having so much time on her hands and didn’t really know what to do with herself. So, she grabbed her handbag off the bed and decided to get the bus into town. She didn’t really want to take the car; it was the middle of July and the holiday makers were out in force in her hometown of Wilton. It would be jam packed with people trying to find somewhere to park and she couldn’t be bothered with all that.

Tiffany spent several hours in the shops and came away with an entire summer wardrobe, or at least it seemed that way. For some reason, she had bought three new dresses, three blouses,