Chapter 11 Aurora
Aurora
Stepping out of my studio flat, I check my bag one more time to make sure I have the essentials. Tube of crisps. Check. New treats for Freddie. Check.
I’m leaving early for my first day at Fairfax Guardian.
I want to walk Freddie before I go. There’s no way in the world Rafael Fairfax is getting between me and that adorable little silky hairball.
Cleaning for Freddie’s owners came with the added benefit that I get to walk him a few times a week too.
And I love it. I’d have my own pet if my place wasn’t so cramped.
Rafael’s comment about it not being fit for vermin to live in makes me pull my front door closed with extra force. He’s such a rude prick.
I take the stairs after seeing that, no surprise, the lift is out of order again. As I round the last corner of the staircase that leads into the grimy lobby, puffing catches my attention.
‘Mike?’
He stops his struggle towards the main doorway, turning to face me. His cheeks are flushed and his forehead shines with a layer of sweat.
‘You’re leaving?’ I ask, taking in the two suitcases he’s pulling, one in each hand, and the stuffed rucksack on his back.
He nods, trying to catch his breath. ‘I am.’
I stare at him, dumbstruck. He’s lived here for decades. A fact he announced proudly to me the day I moved in. He swore he was going to die here and sounded rather happy about the fact.
‘Why?’
He shakes his head and readjusts his grip on the suitcase handles.
I rush forward and hold the main door open for him.
He tries to smile, before it’s stolen by a cough.
‘Ask your boyfriend,’ he wheezes.
He shuffles off down the path, dragging his luggage to a waiting taxi.
My boyfriend?
Realisation stabs me in the gut, followed by a surge of white-hot anger.
‘Believe me, I will,’ I seethe, hitching my handbag up on my shoulder and marching towards the Tube station.
‘Good morning, AJ,’ I greet.
‘Aurora?’ He jumps up from his seat. ‘Welcome to your first day.’
‘Thank you,’ I say, mustering as much enthusiasm as I can, considering I spent Freddie’s walk, and then the entire journey here, picturing pushing Rafael Fairfax’s head against his desk and stapling him to it by his ear.
‘Take a seat. Gabriel’s going to—’
‘I actually wanted to thank Rafael for suggesting me for the position before I get started. His office is that one, right?’ I point at the closed door leading to what Dove told me is the largest corner office in the building.
‘Yes, but—’
‘I promise not to disturb him for long,’ I say, flashing AJ a smile.
I stride to the door and knock before he can stop me. The glass is opaque, so I can’t see inside, but I know the bastard is in there. Dove told me he’s at work by 7.30 a.m. every day. A total workaholic.
‘Come in,’ a deep baritone voice calls.
I open the door and step inside, closing it behind me. Then I take a deep breath, ready to unleash. ‘What do you—’
Bronze eyes spark beneath thick brows as he cuts me off with a raised palm. I stare back, clamping my mouth shut as another voice – a sharper one – stabs out from the speaker on the desk phone.
‘I’m glad things are okay. Not as well as they would be if we had the Wyndham account, of course, but—’
‘Everything’s fine, Dad. You don’t need to worry,’ Rafael says, his eyes fixed on mine as he gestures for me to take a seat in the chair opposite him at his desk.
Mr Fairfax senior grumbles something on the other end of the call about how he doesn’t believe him, then asks, ‘How are things with Harold’s daughter?’
A muscle in Rafael’s cheek clenches as he watches me slide into the seat, before he flicks his gaze away, cracking his knuckles.
‘Fine,’ he clips.
‘Are you bringing her home to meet your mother soon?’
‘Seraphina’s busy. She’s away at a conference,’ Rafael says.
‘When she gets back then. We’d like to meet her. Harold can’t stop talking about her and the things she’s been doing with her advertising company.’
Rafael grunts. ‘I have to go. My new social media consultant just arrived.’
‘All right, son. I’ll be in to visit the office as soon as your mother and I land.’
Rafael hangs up without answering him.
‘Seraphina’s definitely not married, before you start,’ he says, leaning back in his chair.
I swallow, hating that he knows me well enough to tell that it crossed my mind after catching him with Tanya.
But the way he says ‘definitely not married’ instantly conjures up an image of the two of them having sex.
I saw the way she looked at him in the restaurant when I was at dinner with Charlie.
There’s no mistaking the fact she was going to be climbing Rafael like a tree the moment they left.
I bet he whispers filth in your ear when he fucks you. Fucks you with that work-of-art dick he’s got in his trousers. I swallow, the back of my neck growing hot.
‘Your love life doesn’t concern me. But what does is what you did to Mike.’
‘Mike?’ He frowns, and I want to reach across his desk and shake him for having the audacity to look confused.
I fight to keep my voice from betraying just how angry I am. ‘I don’t know how you did it. But I know it was you.’
‘He’s my tenant. I can do what I want.’
‘Excuse me?’ I splutter.
He has the balls to check his watch and then sigh like he doesn’t have the desire or the time to listen to me. But the bastard needs someone to tell him what an arse wipe he is. New boss, or not.
‘Your tenant? You mean, you own my building?’
‘Technically it’s my building, not yours. But yes, as of today, I do.’
‘What?’ I stare at him, my head growing light and making me glad I’m sitting. ‘Why? Why would you . . . ? Did you buy it just so you could kick Mike out because you don’t like him?’
‘How could you tell I don’t like him?’ He snorts like I’m an idiot, and I stuff my hands underneath my thighs as my gaze moves to his stapler.
‘But no,’ he adds. ‘Contrary to how highly you place my interest in inconveniencing your neighbours based purely on my personal opinions of them, I didn’t purchase your building for any other reason than it’s a good investment.
The land will be worth millions if I get planning permission to knock those grotty flats down and replace them with luxury ones. ’
‘Wow. I knew you were a . . .’ The word ‘prick’ freezes on my tongue as he arches a brow at me.
I need to remember the reason I’m here. To find out what I can from Dominic Ainsworth.
I can’t let my father down. I inhale slowly, forcing my tone to soften.
‘I never expected you to . . . do this. He loves that place. It’s his home. ’
‘If you’re missing him that much then you can visit him at The Savoy.
He’ll be there until the soundproofing installation is completed.
’ Rafael’s eyes pinch a fraction at the corners as he studies my reaction.
I refuse to break his gaze, wanting him to look away first. It’s childish, but I want to win something with him.
‘What?’ I whisper.
‘Do you have it installed in your ears? I said—’
‘Why are you having that put in his place?’
He presses his lips together, his eyes burning into mine. ‘You’re my employee. I can’t have you showing up for work, running on air because your neighbour kept you awake with his unique choice of hobby.’
‘Oh.’
His attention drops to my mouth, and any glimmer of victory I could have at him looking away first is overshadowed by the sudden heat in the room.
He tilts his head in thought. ‘Or perhaps I won’t knock them down. I haven’t decided yet. I like to keep my options open.’
There’s a knock at the door, preventing me from throwing something at him.
‘Aurora? Good morning.’
I turn away fast to greet Gabriel.
‘Good morning,’ I reply, trying my best to get my flushed cheeks under control.
I hate that it’s day one and Rafael Fairfax is already getting to me.
‘Are you ready to be introduced to everyone?’ Gabriel asks.
‘I sure am.’ I give him a bright smile, climbing out of the seat, grateful to escape.
I make it to the door before Rafael’s deep, husky voice hits my back.
‘Aurora?’
I turn and meet his eyes.
‘How did you know it was me?’
I stall as he stares intently, waiting for my answer. ‘Mike, um . . . he told me to ask my boyfriend what was going on,’ I admit, my mouth going sour at the use of the word in reference to Rafael Fairfax.
His eyes burn with a darkness that makes me shiver.
‘I see. Well, don’t let me hold you up. I’m sure my brother has lots to show you.’