Chapter 11
“Mrs. Re, are you sure this is the last of your belongings?”
Emily nodded to David who’d been sent over to help her with the move to Nicolas’s place. He’d been calling her that despite how she’d told him “Miss Pinault” or “Emily” was fine. It wasn’t like her surname had changed legally, but she just couldn’t convince the man.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
The timing of the move was perfect. With that package looming over Emily, the presence of more people felt like a blessing. Chelsea texted her constant check-ins. She only let up when Emily told her she’d be staying at a hotel for the time being.
The first name that came to both their minds was the old stalker’s, but he’d been out on parole for five months. They knew about his release on so-called good behavior. If he meant to hurt Emily, would he have waited until now?
She remembered her past co-star’s stalker who’d gone after her after getting out. No cooling-off period. Thankfully, nothing had happened before the police arrived.
Emily couldn’t help the late-night internet searches. She’d found case after case of the same pattern, stalkers reoffending within days or weeks of release, not months. The thought didn’t comfort her, but it did make her doubt he was the one behind this.
Still, Chelsea hired a private investigator to keep tabs on him. So far, there was nothing suspicious.
When she suggested telling their parents, Emily’s response was a firm no. She refused to lean on them. Besides, their parents had access to the same network of people for situations like this. It’d make no difference.
David broke her thoughts as he took the last suitcase and headed downstairs.
Emily trudged behind him, holding an oversized white teddy bear. It was a gift from Zariah when she got insomnia for the first time during her acting career. The stuffed animal helped to calm her nerves now as well.
The driver, a man she hadn’t met before, opened the rear door as David rounded to the passenger’s side. “Miss.”
“Thank you.”
She didn’t know if the ride to Nicolas’s place was far, so she filled the silence with small talk. “David, how long have you worked for Nicolas?”
“Six years, Mrs. Re.”
She flushed, her eyes glancing over to the driver. Was it okay for him to call her that in front of him?
“Michael won’t say a word.” David picked up her concern.
Emily cleared her throat.
Suddenly, she was overwhelmed with an urge to bombard him with questions. What this man must know about Nicolas should fill in the gaps of what she didn’t know already.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your boss like?”
David’s gaze met hers in the rearview mirror. There was hesitation, but he caved upon seeing her sparkly eyes. “Well…” he started off, “he’s one of the most accomplished men I know. Being CEO of a global media empire at barely thirty is no small feat.”
She nodded attentively as David’s fingers tapped his leg in thought.
“He’s also a bit of a workaholic,” he chuckled. “Even so, he’ll make a fine husband, Mrs. Re, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Her mouth flew open, face growing red. “I wasn’t—”
“It’s okay. I won’t tell him that you asked,” he reassured her with a wink.
She twiddled her thumbs, unsure of whether he was being honest.
Within the lush greenery on the outskirts of Long Island was a grand estate, stretching for at least two hundred acres.
As the car went along the path, Emily grew silent.
A few minutes later, they reached the main mansion.
Freshly cut lawns, iron gates, and stone walls surrounded it.
Staff moved and security cameras could be seen.
She’d expected a fancy high-rise apartment, not…this.
“Are you sure your boss isn’t secretly in the mafia?” Emily tossed out the old rumor she’d heard as a child. A part of her was still curious even though her parents had dispelled it.
“I’ll have you know my boss’s means of success are legitimate,” David said sternly.
She almost laughed at how quickly he came to his defense.
How cute.
Emily was escorted out of the car and guided through the front door by a housekeeper. David was preoccupied with unloading her luggage after he’d gestured for her to follow the woman.
Her eyes took in everything. From the gold and white interior to the familiar artworks on the walls. Before they could register, the sight of something else stole her attention.
Sitting in plain sight was none other than Nicolas. He was in a black suit and dress shoes. She wondered if he’d taken time out of his work day to welcome her.
He acknowledged her presence with dark eyes before glancing to David who hauled the suitcases in.
He got up. “Thank you, David. You may leave for the day.”
His assistant offered a courteous dip of the head, but he made sure to offer a sneaky thumbs-up in Emily’s direction.
She smiled at him.
So far, he’d been a sweetheart.
“Let me help you,” Nicolas offered, pleasantly surprising her. He didn’t wait for an answer and took the luggage set away from her.
“Um, thank you.”
Was he being…civil?
The last time she’d seen him he was growling at her for practically being stupid. It was a contrast to the gentleman in front of her.
“Come,” he beckoned. “I’ll show you where you’ll be staying from now on.”