Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
CALEB
S amuel leads April out of the hostel and towards my waiting car. I don’t like the sight of her in his arms, but she looks like she needs it and at the moment… it’s whatever she needs. I had no intention of inviting her to stay at my apartment when we arrived, but seeing her in ill-fitting clothes, her hair tangled, and her tear-stained cheeks seemed to have done something to me. A far cry from the woman who has been fighting me at every turn. The offer was automatic. I could lie to myself and say I’d have made the offer to anyone, but it’s not true. There’s something about April Wilson. She’s got under my skin. Something happened the first night we met and it hasn’t dissipated.
Mason holds open the door for Samuel and April before stepping forward and taking the bag from my hands.
“Sir?” he asks.
“Take us home,” I say to him as he stows April’s bag in the boot.
I think about the well-worn teddy bear she grabbed off the bed. It obviously survived the fire, something from her past that meant enough for her to save it, but what else did she lose last night?
The report Elijah sent me flashes through my brain. The findings shocked me. There will be hell to pay if she finds out I’ve investigated her. I’m going to have to tread very carefully.
We travel in silence, April’s head resting on Samuel’s shoulder, his arm wrapped around her. She’s closed her eyes, but I can tell from her breathing she’s awake.
When we finally pull into the parking garage under the apartments, Mason drives into my designated space. He opens the door and allows us out. April remains silent, and the way her shoulders slump suggests that the fight has almost drained out of her. I don’t like it.
“Come on,” I say, leading the way to the penthouse's exclusive elevator after grabbing her bag. “We can order some takeaway when we get upstairs.”
I hear Samuel whisper something to April, the frequency too low for me to make out the words, but his tone is soothing.
The elevator arrives, and I use my card to access my floor.
I glance over at April, but she averts her eyes.
“Here we are,” I say, allowing them both into my space. “The apartment covers two floors and has access to a private roof garden and pool.”
My heart begins to race as I put April’s bag down by the door and lead them into the main living area. This is my personal sanctuary, a space I have carved out for myself in the heart of this bustling city. Until today, only close friends and family have ventured inside.
“Holy shit,” Samuel exclaims.
I turn to find him standing with his hands on April's shoulders, both mesmerised, as they stare out of the glass wall ahead .
“I’ve never seen a view like it,” April mutters, making me smile.
“It’s the view that sold this place to me,” I tell her honestly. “There is nothing quite like it. Just wait until the sun goes down.”
Her eyes lock on mine, her expression one of surprise.
“This isn’t a Frazer Development?” she asks.
I shake my head. “I bought this place when I moved to the city seven years ago. Frazer Development was only just starting out. I fell in love with it, and there has been no reason for me to leave.”
I watch as she tries to calculate my age. “I was twenty-three when I bought this place,” I say. I don’t and never will apologise for my wealth and all it has afforded me. In the early days, it came from a trust fund. Still, with strategic investments, courtesy of my twin and Frazer Development’s successes, I have far exceeded even my wildest dreams. But then I work hard and play hard.
“What does everyone want to eat?” I say realising April must be starving.
I head into the kitchen and grab the menus I have stockpiled for when the boys come over. When I return, Samuel is sitting on the sofa, and April is still standing and staring out the window.
“Here,” I say, placing them on the coffee table. “Choose what you want, and I’ll get the food ordered. Most of these are local, so it shouldn’t take more than half an hour.”
April turns from the window. “I’m fine,” she says, her arms wrapped around her waist.
“When did you last eat?” I ask.
She remains quiet, lost in thought.
“Samuel, choose something for her,” I say. I’d do it myself, but I have no idea what she likes. The knowledge irks me .
Samuel tilts his head at April and shrugs, but I don’t miss his grin.
“Do you have a preference?” Samuel asks me.
“No, they’re all great restaurants. I’m happy to go with the consensus.”
April snaps back into the present and joins Samuel on the sofa as he begins to look through the menus. She opens the menu for the Chinese restaurant situated downstairs in this building.
“Chicken with Cashew,” she says after a moment.
“Samuel?” I ask.
“Sweet and sour chicken, please,” Samuel adds.
I pull up the app each resident has access to. It contains all the local businesses and restaurants, allowing those living here to easily support their local community and businesses. Pen, Elijah’s old uni friend, played a role in designing and developing it, and we have now incorporated it into every new development we open. As I live here, I got the building's management to have it installed. The local businesses and residents have loved it.
I send down their orders along with one of my own. I also order some crispy duck, spring rolls and a few vegetable side dishes and get an immediate confirmation.
“Twenty minutes,” I say.
An awkward silence descends.
“Let me show you to your room,” I say to April. “If you want to freshen up before the food arrives, you can.”
I walk towards the enormous staircase against the back wall. I turn to find April following. The dark circles under her eyes become more apparent.
I grab her bag and head upstairs.
I move down the hallway. The end is open, and a large glass wall allows light to flood the space. On either side are several doors, each leading to a suite. There are six in total. Over kill for a bachelor, but when the guys stay, it saves my sofa.
I make my way to the room that used to be Marcus’s. Since he got married, he never stays. He’s tormented mercilessly by the gang for being hen-pecked because he chooses to head home to his wife. Not that I blame him.
“Here you go,” I say, stepping to one side to allow April to enter the room. Samuel has followed her up.
“Wow, this place.” Samuel’s eyes take in the room.
“There is an en suite through here.” I open the door to the bathroom. “There are fresh towels in the wardrobe, along with a robe and slippers.”
“Robe and slippers?” April says, turning to me.
I shrug. “A perk of the Frazer Hotel Group. When the boys stay over, I don’t want their naked or boxer-covered asses walking around my apartment. They’re all clean, I promise.”
I watch as April bites the inside of her mouth. Whether to stop herself laughing or whether she just feels awkward, I don’t know.
“Anyway, I’ll leave you to it. Make yourself at home. I’ll see you downstairs.”
“This is only until I find somewhere,” April says as I make my way to leave.
I shrug. “There’s no rush. As you can see, the room is empty.”
I don’t wait for a reply. Instead, I turn around and walk away, leaving her and Samuel alone.