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Chapter 28 Milosh

28 MILOSH

‘So, Daphne,’ a stuffy-looking older woman drawls. ‘What are your plans now that you’ve finished school?’ My arm is slung around Daphne’s chair and as soon as the woman finishes her question I can feel Daphne tense in her seat as she plasters a polite smile on her face.

‘I’m going to study Midwifery, starting in October.’

‘Oh, how… noble.’ The woman has the audacity to look disgusted. ‘And what does your father think about this? Surely he thought you should take Business, no?’

I lift my arm slightly off the back of Daphne’s chair and lightly touch the back of her shoulder, moving my hand in small lazy strokes. I don’t think she realizes she leans back slightly, sinking into my touch as she braces herself to explain her choices to this random woman.

I want to jump in and tell her to mind her business but I decide against that. This is Daphne’s world, has been for all of her life, so she’s more than able to handle people like this.

‘He knows I’m not all that interested in business and thinks midwifery is a great fit for me, but, hey, I’m very young so I have plenty of time if I change my mind!’ She keeps her tone light and sweet, but I know she’s itching to make a sarcastic remark.

‘You don’t think it’s a little…’ the older woman trails off, probably looking for some politically correct words. ‘Beneath you?’ she finishes.

Daphne’s eyes narrow slightly. ‘How exactly is healthcare beneath me?’

‘Well, for starters your father is George Green,’ the woman says, like the statement is self-explanatory.

I know the Greens have money but I don’t think I grasped quite how much until I came here. Isabella, Camilla and Daphne are the only Greens in attendance at the moment and it seems everybody wants a piece of them. But not to actually talk to them and get to know them, more to talk at them about their parents. Daphne hasn’t gone one conversation without someone asking where her father is or how he and the business are doing.

‘I think midwifery is cool,’ chirps a handsome black guy who looks to be about my age, as he takes his seat between Daphne and the older woman, not before pressing a kiss to Daphne’s cheek. ‘Been a long time, Daph.’ He smiles as he places his drink down, holding out his hand to me. ‘Hi, I’m Jake.’

‘Milosh.’

As soon as Jake sits down I can feel Daphne relax, and I know I should be happy about that but I’m not. Why does she feel better now he’s showed up? Who the hell even is he?

‘Jacob, hello!’ The older lady beams. ‘How are you, dear?’

‘Well, I was great until I heard you disrespecting healthcare professionals,’ he says, apparently not caring how he sounds or who hears him.

‘Oh, well…’ The older woman gets flustered, turning a deep shade of red. ‘I wasn’t disrespecting them, I was just pointing out that Daphne is a Green. She shouldn’t be concerning herself with things like that. I mean, surely you understand?’

‘I hear what you’re saying,’ Jake replies diplomatically, ‘but I think you’re wrong. Just because Daphne comes from a certain family doesn’t mean she has to follow what they do. I just so happen to be following in my father’s footsteps because I like it. Not because I have to.’ He turns to Daphne. ‘Do whatever makes you happy, Daph. The rest will sort itself out.’

She smiles at him and looks relatively pleased when the older woman excuses herself to ‘freshen up’.

‘Thank you,’ Daphne breathes when she’s gone. ‘If I had to explain to one more person why I’m choosing midwifery over working with my father I would’ve been charged for murder.’

Jake laughs lightly. ‘Don’t worry, I get it.’

They continue to converse but I tune out.

I’ve only recently accepted that I have feelings for Daphne, and since then I’ve been whirling the idea around in my head seeing how it could work. But ever since I handed the keys to the valet this evening, that idea has been on pause. After seeing and hearing from Daphne about the kinds of money these people possess, it put everything into perspective. She fits into this world like a glove, as she rightfully should, accustomed to this kind of lifestyle. A lifestyle I can’t provide.

Yes, I know we’re young, but I wasn’t lying when I told Camilla I want to love her the way she deserves to be loved. She deserves to be showered with gifts, live in a big house and have everything her heart desires. But on a military salary I can’t do that.

Really, she belongs with someone like Jake. Handsome, smart, affluent. They even look perfect sitting next to each other. It’s easy to imagine them married with kids, a big house and a great life. But I don’t have to accept that.

I don’t have to be one of those guys who complain about their situation and don’t do anything about it. I can build a life for me and Daphne. A life she deserves, if she’s willing.

I’ll do whatever I need to do to make it work.

Then there’s the fact she’s not just anybody, she’s literally a job.

I’ve always remained professional, but from the moment I walked into the Greens’ house and sat next to her, I knew that was gonna be a problem. What will happen once I’ve finished the task force project? Will I be able to see her? The only reason I’m in this country is for a job, but as soon as it’s finished I move back to the States.

I hate thinking about this, but it needs to be done. I can’t run into a real relationship with her with no plan. But right now is not the time to have deep meaningful conversations with myself, so with an effort of will I tune back into the conversation between Jake and Daphne. I can think about all of this later.

‘You look beautiful, by the way,’ Jake states, his eyes respectfully skimming over her. ‘Milosh, you’re one lucky man and I think I’m gonna need your game card because you’re the first one to lock her down.’

‘Oh, please,’ Daphne scoffs. ‘You had your chance, you just blew it.’

‘That’s why I asked Milosh for his game card. He definitely did not blow it.’

All right. That’s enough of Jake for today.

‘I think it’s time for a dance,’ I state as I rise to my feet, holding out my hand to Daphne. The meal has long been served and eaten, and now people are either floating from table to table, catching up, or dancing to the slow song that the band is playing.

Daphne looks a little startled at my abruptness, but that quickly fades and she takes my hand, excusing herself to Jake.

She wraps her fingers around my forearm and we make our way into the crowd of couples wrapped up in each other.

‘Explain something to me,’ I say as I spin her into me, the jazz band transitioning into ‘That Old Feeling’ by Frank Sinatra. She drops her head to rest on my chest as we move together. Slow and rhythmic. ‘Why do you want to be a midwife?’

She doesn’t answer for a moment, letting the music float around us. ‘I want to help people, women especially.’ She melts further into me and just like that all my concerns about the future disappear as I hold her firmly against me, one hand on her back and the other wrapped around hers. ‘Birth is such a scary yet wonderful thing, and I want to be the person that helps families through it. I want every woman and baby that leaves my care to have a positive birth story. As calm and peaceful as possible, surrounded by a loving team.’

‘Well, I have no doubt you’ll be a fantastic midwife,’ I murmur into her hair. ‘You’re the most caring, loving person I’ve met, and I know you’ll give these mothers the best care they could possibly receive.’ She lifts her head off my chest, her mesmerizing chocolate eyes boring into mine.

‘You really think so?’

I let go of her hand and tuck a stray hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her neck for a split second before I look back into her eyes and nod. ‘I do.’

Bringing my hand back to hers we continue dancing, our bodies moving together in perfect harmony as I take the lead.

‘Milosh?’

‘Hmm?’

She tips her head up and I bring mine down so she can speak into my ear. ‘I really like pretending to be your girlfriend.’

The corners of my lips tip up slightly upon hearing her confession. I dip my head so now I’m the one with my mouth to her ear. ‘I like being your boyfriend too.’

I purposefully leave out the word ‘pretend’ to see how she reacts. She pulls away slightly, searching my eyes intently. Her gaze drops to my lips before she reaches up and places her hand on the nape of my neck, pulling me in slowly. Just as she tips her head up, her lips preparing to meet mine, a throat clears behind her.

I look up and she turns around, and we see a black man who resembles George staring at us. ‘Uncle Leo, hi!’ Daphne breathes, removing her hand from my neck and creating some distance.

‘Hi, Daph, sorry to interrupt.’ He makes a point of looking between us before continuing, ‘but, where is your father? I wanted to introduce him to someone but I couldn’t find him anywhere.’

‘Oh,’ Daphne says, taking my hand and making her way off the dance floor and to our table. ‘He said he would be here by ten because he had some work to do.’

‘You didn’t come with him?’

‘No, he told me and Milosh to go by ourselves and he’d join later.’

Leo looks at his watch before frowning. ‘It’s nearly eleven forty-five.’

‘Let me call him to see where he is,’ Daphne suggests, reaching over into her seat to fish for her phone.

‘So you’re the boyfriend?’ Leo directs the words at me.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘I thought she was with that Teddy kid.’

My jaw ticks. ‘No, sir.’

He watches me for another moment. ‘Well, all right then, as long as you make her happy.’ He turns to Daphne. ‘Daph, have you got through to him yet?’

She walks up to us shaking her head. ‘No, not yet. Sorry, Uncle Leo.’

‘That’s fine.’ He gives her a kiss on the head. ‘Let me know when you do.’ He walks off, leaving me and Daphne alone again, but the tension that was there before Leo arrived has vanished, replaced with worry.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘I tried calling my father four times and he hasn’t picked up. He normally picks up straight away.’ I pull my phone out and notice there’s a missed call from Josh, the Greens’ cook. Pressing call back I bring the phone to my ear but after a long ring it goes to voicemail. I try George twice and it goes to voicemail both times. I muster the calmest expression I can and look back to Daphne.

‘Get your bag and say goodbye to your cousins.’

‘Do you think something’s happened?’

‘I don’t know, but we’re gonna find out.’