Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
LEAH
I call the girls as soon as I get home.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Nat says when I tell them I’ve accepted the apartment.
“I’m just glad you finally saw sense,” Stella says. “Even if you don’t stay and eventually look for somewhere else, it at least gets you away from Vince. But, just putting it out there, I think you’d be mad to move... just saying... but at least you can save some money with the low rent he’s offering you.”
I laugh. “I agree. Oh, my goodness, you should see the place. It’s beautiful. I’m still pinching myself.”
I doubted I could afford the rent at the start of Gabriel’s guided tour. I wondered if he forgot how much he pays me. When he handed me the piece of paper, my heart almost burst its way out of my chest. I wanted to bite his hand off, but I’ve never been one to take anyone for granted. I happily paid my fiancé more than Gabriel was asking, and I lived with him. Although the look on Gabriel’s face when I mentioned that. His eyes hardened, and his mouth pinched. He remained silent, but I could sense his disapproval.
The girls had been too. They’d not realised. When I told them, they asked how Vince could do that when he professed to love me. To me, it hadn’t been about that. I was happy to pay my way. But they couldn’t understand, not when he was bringing in a seven-figure salary and happy to brag about it. I didn’t tell them I also paid for all our food shopping.
My eyes are slowly opening where my ex-fiancé is concerned. Well, good luck to them both. I hope Yasmin enjoys picking up after him and having dinner ready on the table when he walks in. Then again, maybe she’s wiser than me.
I finish my conversation with the girls and make some dinner. My phone rings and I answer it automatically.
“Oh, so you haven’t lost your phone. I was wondering.” Vince’s sarcastic tone snaps me out of my good mood.
“No,” I reply. “But I only answer it to people I want to speak to, and stupidly, I didn’t check the caller ID before I accepted.”
“Since I’m using Yas’s phone, it wouldn’t have mattered.”
I smart at his smug tone.
“What do you want, Vince?” I say. Beginning to wonder what I ever saw in this guy.
“I want to check you got my messages?”
“Which one? You left me about twenty,” I add, letting him know how excessive he’s been.
“Well, if you’d just picked up your damn phone.” I can tell from his voice he’s getting snappy. And I don’t feel like dealing with this side of him anymore.
“Vince, your little bombshell devastated me. You understand that, right? I would have assumed you , of all people, would know how that piece of news would affect me. I thought you would have more respect for me, than telling me in the middle of a crowded bar that your girlfriend is pregnant. ”
“Well, Yas is very upset. The fact you asked if the baby was mine.”
My jaw drops. Has he not heard a word I’ve just said?
“She was upset? You know what, Vince, I’ll not waste my breath.”
I barely recognise the man I’ve been with for ten years. But then, did I ever know him?
He humphs down the phone. “Did you get the message about moving out in two weeks?”
“I did.” A smile forms on my lips. Thanks to Gabriel, I’m no longer carrying that weight on my shoulders.
Silence descends.
“I can make it longer if you need me to,” he says. “Maybe you can speak to Caleb Frazer and get his friend Tristan to turn a blind eye to Friday night’s events. Your bitch friends really went to town on me.”
Blood rushes to my cheeks, and a ringing starts in my ears. “If I get Caleb to talk to Tristan, then I can stay for another five weeks?” I question, wanting to confirm what he’s saying.
“Yes. Yas is really upset. Tristan’s bars are her favourite place. We’ve been given a lifetime ban from all of them.”
I fist pump the air, a grin spreading over my face. I suspect Caleb had something to do with that. I make a mental note to thank him.
“Sorry, Vince. No can do. I’ve found somewhere to live. I’m moving out at the weekend. The apartment is all yours... and Yas’s.”
“What? How? Where?”
He chokes out the words, and I laugh. He thought he had me at a disadvantage. This is where I’d love to throw my arms around Gabriel.
“You heard me. I’ve found somewhere to live,” I repeat more slowly this time, making sure he hears every word. “ Oh, and I’ll email you the cost of the furniture that’s mine. I expect full value otherwise, I’m coming back for it, with solicitors. I purchased it from my account, and like you, I have receipts.
“You don’t have to be nasty,” he says, his voice sulky.
“Oh, I’m not being nasty. I’m being practical. I just want what I’m owed.”
“I don’t recognise you,” he says.
“No, I don’t suppose you do, but when you mistreat a dog, you better watch out.” I pause before adding. “I’ll leave the key and pass with the concierge. Expect my email. Goodbye, Vince.”
“Wait-what am I supposed to tell Yas?”
“I really don’t care,” I say, disconnecting before he can say anything else.
I drop onto the sofa, unable to keep the grin from my face. The doormat who has put up with so much for the past ten years has finally realised what a mug she’s been. Friday night has helped to open my eyes. Yes, it hurts. I have amazing memories of our time together, memories I’m trying hard not to tarnish. But people change. I’m beginning to wonder if we’ve been drifting along in a bubble of convenience. As for Yas being upset. I can almost feel sorry for her, but then again, I don’t. She slept with Vince, knowing he was engaged to someone else. If she had any morals, she’d have told him to leave me first. As for announcing she’s pregnant in the bar...no. I have zero sympathy, she can suck it up.
I spend the next week packing my belongings and cataloguing the furniture. Over the years, I’ve been meticulous about keeping receipts and documents. Maybe subconsciously, I knew this day was coming. Should he dispute it, I send Vince the bill and photocopies of every receipt. Instead, he surprises me by paying me on the same day. Pocket change to him.
Saturday morning, Stella and Nat arrive early. I’ve packed up all my ornaments, photographs and soft furnishings. Choosing to ignore the fact my life at thirty-four fits neatly into eight boxes and two suitcases.
The apartment looks like a show home. The sides are empty. As things are packed away, I realise it is me who made this a home. All my trinkets and soft furnishings. It doesn’t even look the same. Well, Yasmin has a blank canvas with which to work.
I wheel my two suitcases out of the bedroom.
“So, you ready?” Nat asks, coming to stand next to me.
“I am,” I say, giving the apartment the once over.
Despite my better judgement, I’m leaving the place immaculate. I moved everything out and cleaned it meticulously. I don’t want Yasmin to say I was slovenly to anyone. I’ve too much pride for that.
“Let’s go,” Stella says, taking one of my bags. “The taxis are downstairs in the car park. Security just called to say they’ve let them in. We should be able to load up quickly and get you moved.”
I smile over at my friend and turn my back on the apartment. Time to move on. This is no longer my home. I don’t even recognise it. However, that may have something to do with my rearranging all the furniture last night.
We move all the boxes out and down into the taxis. I climb into the first taxi, stacked with boxes. Stella and Nat are getting the second with my clothes. Before I can close the door, Stella clasps my hand.
“You’ve got this,” she says, squeezing my fingers.
I pinch my lips together and incline my head before smiling. “I do. ”
One thing the past two months have shown me is that life without Vince is not what I thought it would be. The massive crater I feared when he first left doesn’t exist. All I feel is a sense of relief.
“See you on the other side,” she says, shutting the door and running back to the second taxi. The meters are ticking up, but I don’t really care. I savour the moment. Realising I’m not the broken wallflower Vince wants me to be, that I’m stronger than that and always have been. Something I forgot every time I let him take charge. Well, that will not happen again.
I, Leah Walker, am in charge of my destiny from this moment on.
The taxi journey is short. El Castillo is only around the corner, so the two taxi fares end up being less than I feared. We unload the boxes into the underground garage. I see Gabriel’s car parked to one side, along with many other beautiful cars. I really am moving into Millionaire Plaza.
“Wow, these are some serious motors,” Stella whispers.
“I know,” I say, hoisting the first box onto my hip and grabbing a case handle.
The security guard rushes over. “Ms Walker?” he asks.
“Er, yes,” I say. “Is there a problem? I’m moving in today.”
“I know Ms Walker,” he says, smiling warmly. “Mr Frazer informed us. The concierge is sending someone down with a trolley. Are these your belongings?”
He motions to the boxes and cases.
“They are,” I say, feeling a little embarrassed at my meagre possessions. No. I refuse to wallow. That time is past.
“Excellent,” he says, his smile bright and welcoming.
We stop at the rattling sound getting closer. “If you’ll let us, ma’am, we can bring everything up to your apartment.”
“If you insist,” Stella says, grinning as she links her arm with mine. “Let’s leave these lovely gentlemen to do the heavy lifting, and you can show us your new pad.”
I look at the guy in uniform. “Are you sure?”
He looks confused for a moment before his gaze softens. “Absolutely. You head upstairs. We’ll be right behind you.”
With that, he and the other guys begin loading the boxes and my cases into the cages.
“I take it that’s us done,” I say as we make our way to the elevator.
Gabriel gave me a lift pass and apartment keys the day before. The tenancy agreement was on my desk the day after I agreed to move in, which hadn’t surprised me. Gabriel is nothing if not organised. Both he and Caleb hold a vast property portfolio, so renting out one apartment is nothing new to him. He probably has each contract in duplicate.
I open the door and stand back as I let Stella and Nat enter before me.
“O.M.G,” Nat says, her mouth open. “This is... I’m not sure how to describe it. You lucky...” Nat doesn’t finish her words; instead, she throws her arms around me and buries her head in my shoulder. It’s then I realise she’s crying.
“Hey,” I say, pushing her away and staring at her. “What are the tears for?”
She sobs even harder. Stella steps up and puts her arms around us, her own voice husky. “I think Nat’s just saying, after all the crap you’ve been through lately, she’s happy you’ve finally had a turnaround in fortune.”
Nat nods and gives me a watery smile. I pull her in for one final hug, finding a lump forming in my throat. “I love you guys. Thank you for always being there for me.”
Stella steps back, and we link hands in a circle. We started it in college when one of us required support. “Always,” we say together, laughing .
“Now, where are those men? I’ve got some bubbles in a cool bag,” Stella says, wiping her eyes.
As if on cue, there’s a knock at the door. Opening it, the two guys from downstairs are standing with my belongings.
“Where would you like these, Ms Walker?” the first guy asks.
“If you just unload them here.” I point to the corner. “We can manage from there.”
They both unclip the cages and begin unpacking the boxes, stacking them where I’d indicated. When they’re done, I grab my purse, open it, and grab some notes. They smile. “Oh no, Ma’am. Mr Frazer has handled all of that. Welcome to El Castillo.”
With that, they leave.
Stella is busy opening a box with a large X on the side. I throw her a questioning glance.
“What? I needed to know which box contained the important stuff,” she says, pulling out a bottle of champagne stored in an ice bag.
Nat is already in the kitchen, opening the cupboards. “Ah ha,” she says, finding champagne glasses and putting three on the side.
“Isn’t it a little early?” I say, looking at my phone. It’s just gone ten in the morning.
“It’s after five in Australia,” Stella says, shrugging. “Besides, we’re celebrating.” She pours three glasses and holds hers up in a toast. “To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings.” My chest tightens as we clink glasses. It signifies a fresh start. Frightening yet exhilarating. If anything, the past week has shown me that. I shake myself out of my thoughts when I notice the girls staring at me, concern in their eyes.
“I’m fine,” I say .
“I hate those two words,” Nat says. “Usually, when someone says I’m fine , they’re anything but.”
I think back to Gabriel, saying the same thing. Maybe I need to change my go-to phrase. Grabbing her hand, I give it a squeeze. “I promise you I will be fine. I may only be halfway there. But that’s to be expected. I need to adapt. Ten years is a long time to be someone’s other half. I need to learn how to operate as myself again.”
Nat squeezes my hand in hers. “We need to arrange some more nights out. Rory’s working night shifts at the hospital, so I’m free.”
Stella grins at us both. “Get this girl back on the horse.”
“I think I’ll enjoy being single for a while,” I say.
The last thing I want is another relationship, even if?—
“Getting back on the horse doesn’t mean a relationship. You need to get out and have some fun.” Stella is much freer-spirited than either Nat or me. She was in a long-term relationship, but it turned nasty, and she’s never been able to trust the same way since. I worry about my friend, but also don’t want to find myself as cynical.
“Okay, okay.” I laugh as there’s another knock at the door. Did the guys forget something?
I open it, champagne glass in hand, before freezing.
Gabriel stands in the open doorway, dressed in faded jeans and a tight-fitting dark t-shirt. The material is stretched tight over his broad chest, revealing toned, muscled arms and abs. Wow. Who knew under his shirts, he was ripped.
Down girl. This is your boss you’re gawping at.
My heart stutters.
“Hi,” I say awkwardly as Gabriel looks over my shoulder, catching sight of Stella and Nat.
“Good morning,” he replies. “I just wanted to check you managed to move in okay.” His eyes move to the pile of boxes, and his lips twitch. “It looks like there have been no issues.”
His head tilts at the glass in my hand.
“No...er, no issues. The guys were great. Thank you,” I say before taking a breath. “Would you like to come in?”
“No, that’s fine. You’re busy. I just wanted to check that everything went smoothly.”
“Thank you. And thank you for arranging for the guys to help move my stuff upstairs. It saved us a number of journeys.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Come in.” It’s Stella who steps up, pulling me out of the way. “Hi, I’m Stella. One of Leah’s best friends and chief mover.” She holds out her hand to Gabriel, who stands for a moment, frozen. “This is a beautiful apartment,” Stella continues, completely oblivious to Gabriel’s awkwardness. I watch as he finally snaps himself out of it and takes her hand in his.
“Pleased to meet you, Stella.”
Stella grins. “This is Nat,” she says, motioning to Nat, who has remained quietly behind us. She gives a little wave as Gabriel nods his acknowledgment.
His phone rings, and he glances down at the screen. “I need to go,” he says. “You ladies enjoy yourselves. I’ll see you on Monday, Leah.”
Gabriel swipes to answer the call.
Does the man ever stop?
“Frazer,” he says before turning and heading back towards the elevator. “Can you hold for a moment?”
He stops and turns. “If you need anything, Leah, please call me. I’m only upstairs. Have a lovely day, Ladies.”
Before I can say anything, he returns his attention back to his phone and the voice on the other end .
I shut the door, not wanting to eavesdrop on his call and turn into the room where Stella is busy fanning herself.
“That is one seriously hot man! Did you see that chest... those arms...” She grins like a Cheshire cat. “He’s the quiet, moody type. I bet he’s a tiger in bed.” Stella lets out a growl, making me flinch and Nat giggle.
“Stop Stella. He’s my boss and younger than me. No, simply no!” I say, shaking my head rapidly. However, since that night, I’ve seen a different side to Gabriel. He’s not as distant and aloof as he likes people to think. He’s a good listener, and he cares. This apartment is a prime example of that.
“Tell me you’ve not looked at him and wondered what he looks like without any clothes,” Stella says, quirking an eyebrow in my direction, daring me.
“If it hasn’t escaped your notice, I’ve been in a relationship for the past ten years. A serious one.”
“Yes, but you haven’t had your eyes gouged out. You’re not blind! You’re a red-blooded woman.” Stella sighs, her expression dreamy. “I wish I worked with someone that hot. My days would fly by.” Stella sighs again.
She works for a marketing company and is surrounded by hot men. The problem is her ex also worked there until he was fired.
“Okay, I admit, Gabriel is good-looking. I’m not blind. However, he’s five years younger than me, he’s also my boss. I love my job.”
Stella and Nat exchange a glance.
“What?” I ask, starting to get a little annoyed with my friends.
“Nothing,” they both say together.
It’s my turn to huff. “Fine,” I say. “Are you ladies drinking, or are you going to help me get these boxes unpacked? ”
“Both,” they say together, holding up their glasses for a refill.
Stella moves to place the rest of the champagne in the fridge.
“Did you get a food order in already?” Stella asks, turning towards me and holding open the fridge door.
The fridge is fit to burst with a variety of fresh fruit and food. I know there’s only one person who would have done that.
“No, I was going to go later,” I say, hiding my shock.
Stella quirks her eyebrow, “Only a communications officer... right... you keep telling yourself that.”
The boxes are unpacked an hour later, and everything has a place. The empty boxes have been delivered to the recycle bins in the basement, and my clothes have taken up residence in a small portion of the enormous walk-in wardrobe. Photos and my collection of ornaments adorn the sides, while my throws and cushions add a splash of colour to the white sofa. When the girls leave mid-afternoon, I walk out onto the balcony, taking in the view.
When I turn back and stare through the window at my new home, a sense of calm descends.