Page 29 of Behind Frenemy Lines

“Would you like one?” I said, offering him the plate.

“No,” said Arthur, after a moment. He glanced at Charles, then back at me, his brow furrowing. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Arthur straightened up. He said to Charles, “Let me get out of your way.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Charles

Was in andout of meetings the Monday Kriya was back in the office, so I didn’t see much of her at first. But a feeling crept up on me, that something was wrong.

Couldn’t say what it was. Kriya seemed different. Subdued.

Maybe annoyed with me about that ninety pounds? But she wasn’t acting annoyed. Seemed to like the cookies.

Didn’t know her well enough to ask if she was OK. When she came in the next day, I asked how she’d found Hong Kong, instead.

Kriya: “It was good. Busy. I didn’t make it to any of the places you recommended. The breakfast at the hotel was really good, though.”

Small talk ensued: “Where did you stay?” “Marriott, near Admiralty.” “Oh yes, you said. Were you there the whole two weeks?” “No, I went to Malaysia to visit my parents.”

Asked where she’d recommend eating out in Malaysia. Not that I’m planning a visit any time soon, though no reason not to: Ba’s creditors unlikely to be waiting for me at the airport. It had the effect I was aiming for, anyway, i.e., cheered Kriya up.

She was getting into a level of detail that was well over my head (“if it’s itik salai you want, there’s a place in Kajang that’sgood, but it’s a bit of a trek for a tourist”), when the new partner showed up at our door. Kriya’s boss, the one that looks like a greyhound with anxiety in a suit. Can never remember his name.

Partner: “Have you guys got a moment?”

He was addressing both me and Kriya. Surprised, I said: “Uh, yeah.”

Partner (James? Richard?) shut the door and took the chair in the gap between our desks, pushing it out so he was sat facing me and Kriya.

Partner: “I wanted to talk to both of you.”

I glanced at Kriya, but she didn’t meet my eyes. She was watching him, warily, like she was braced for him to do something alarming.

Puzzling. Thought they had a good relationship. Partner always coming by the office to chat with Kriya. She clearly runs the show for him.

Classic dynamic: Female associate does all the work; male partner gets all the credit. Makes Farah huff and puff. Never noticed it before she pointed it out, but once you see it, you can’t stop. Really is everywhere.

Having started, Partner didn’t seem to know how to go on. He looked around the office, as though searching for something to help him. Took a Post-it note off Kriya’s desk and started fidgeting with it, folding it into rectangles.

CG: “What did you want to talk about?”

Partner: “The fact is, I—well, what I wanted to talk about was—well, it’s—it’s about your relationship.”

Thought I must have misheard. Looked over at Kriya.

Kriya looked as baffled as I was. “What relationship?”

Partner: “I won’t beat around the bush. You told me you’re seeing someone. It’s fairly clear who it is.” Looked at me, before turning back to Kriya. “I don’t want to overstep. Obviously, what you do in your personal life is your business. But I’veworked with you for a long time, and I feel it’s my duty to raise it with you if you’re doing something that may have an impact on your career.”

Kriya gaping. So was I, but Partner wasn’t paying attention to me. (Whatwashe called? Nick? Chris?)

Partner: “You’ll have read the firm policy on relationships between colleagues. As you know, there’s no ban on it, but the policy does advise that you inform the group manager as soon as reasonably possible. I’ll leave that to your judgment, but—”

Kriya: “I am not in a relationship with Charles!”

Had started to wonder if I’d somehow fallen into an alternate universe where I’d summoned up the nerve to ask Kriya out. Relief to hear Kriya reassert reality, where we were not in fact dating.

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