Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
JAMES
I t’s now been three weeks since Ana left, and I’ve hated every second of it. We FaceTime, a lot and speak often long into the night. Seeing her on a small screen merely intensifies my need for her and I inevitably end the call asking when she will return. She always has an excuse and I note the troubled expression behind the sweet smile. She is suffering. I can see that thousands of miles away, but she won’t tell me why.
I’m thinking the worst. That her family disapproves of me and is preventing her from coming back. That distance has made the heart grow cooler, and she is trying to let me down gently.
I barely sleep worrying that I’ve already lost the only woman I’ve ever cared about. I can’t say love. I don’t know what that means.
Do I love Anastasia Romanov? I feel it in my heart, but my head is questioning it. We were together for such a short time and I’ve always been led to believe that love grows over time.
Time we may have run out of.
I’ve used my time wisely and torn the business apart. Making sure everything is explained, and any discrepancies reported to the correct authorities to deal with. I will not run this business any way other than above board and if it means we get fewer donations as a result of that, it will have to be the case.
Eric pokes his head around the door at six thirty. “We’re heading to the bar across the street. Will you be joining us?”
“Not tonight. There are some contracts to search through.”
“If you change your mind, we’re there until eight.”
Eric nods respectfully and leaves, and I smile to myself. I like him—a lot. He is a competent manager and the rest of the staff appear to adore him. He is also incredibly good at what he does and was the perfect replacement for David, who was not only lazy but a fool. He also fed other people’s ideas as his own and took the credit for work he never lifted a finger to create.
I am happy with my team, although we are short of an accountant. I am mindful of finding Harriet Buchanan a job and the office manager appears to be the perfect role for her. Angela, my assistant, has long doubled in the role along with Miss Prendergast from HR because being a charity, every cent is carefully counted and we don’t employ a huge staff. I have an idea for expansion which would multiply our offices across the country. It’s still an idea though, and I would like to discuss it with Ana first. She has a good brain for business and I want to consider her opinion.
As I work, I push her from my mind. It has to be that way or else nothing would get done. Ana is the last thing on my mind when I fall asleep and my first waking thought in the morning and I physically ache to hold her in my arms again.
The shadows deepen in the corners of the office and my eyes sting from the flicker of the computer screen
I remember Eric’s invitation from earlier and decide to catch them before they leave for the night. I could use a drink. It’s been a bitch of a week really and I’ll back here in the morning bright and early, so I may as well call it quits for the night.
I walk through the silent offices and take the elevator to the ground floor. Ernest, the security guard, is on duty tonight and I nod.
“Good evening.”
“Working late again, sir?”
He shakes his head in sympathy, and I shrug. “Business first, Ernest.”
“Not in my world.” He chuckles and I note the unfolded newspaper on the front desk.
I know he has a family and it must be hard working nights five days a week. I asked him about that once and he told me it kept him sane. He has six children, all under ten, and this is his alone time that he guards with his life.
I couldn’t relate. I’ve never had a family but if I do, you can bet your life I will enjoy spending time with them. I want to be a father. I want to be a good one and yet how would that work with Ana? She’s career focused and driven and lives half way across the world. I should let her go, move on and allow her to move on too, but I can’t. I will do anything to make this work and I’m even contemplating opening an office in Moscow. I’m the boss now. That could work.
I am deep in thought as I head into the bar and quickly check the tables to see if any of my staff still lingers. It’s eight thirty and they appear to have left for the night, so with a sigh, I decide on one for the road.
I push through the bodies, taking up floor space between me and the bar and as I approach, I check my phone for any calls from Ana.
The bartender says gruffly, “What will it be?”
“Whiskey, neat.”
“I’ll get that.”
A husky voice to my left causes me to raise my eyes and as I meet their reflection in the mirror behind the bar, a slow smile breaks out across my face.
“Bad day?” she asks, her voice husky and edged in the confidence the vodka martini in her hand gives you.
“Every day is a bad day.” I say coolly, and she grins.
“Then you should search for another job.”
“Who says it’s my job?”
“A woman then?”
“An important one.”
“She must be very special?”
“She is. You see, when she left, she kind of took my heart with her.”
“Ouch.” She winces and leans forward, her mouth dusting mine as she whispers, “I know a place we could go to search for your missing heart.”
“I’m listening.”
Her sexy accent stirs every emotion I possess as she whispers, “I believe you must wear a mask.”
My heart quickens and the seductive wink she drops in my direction causes me to reach out and run my hand around the back of her head and as I pull her close, I crush my lips to hers and leave her in no doubt how much I have god-damned missed her.
The sound of jeering and clapping goes on around us, but I am not interrupting this moment for anything. My woman is back where she belongs, in my arms and I swear to God, I will move mountains, so she never leaves my side again.