Chapter 13
London
London
I don’t open Vanessa’s late-night messages until the next morning. By then I’d already been fast asleep.
I'm still in bed as I read what she texted me: “I was completely wasted.
God, I can barely remember anything. Just that he was really polite and respectful, and brought me to my apartment and well, that was it.
He even tucked me in! And he left a bottle of water on the table—he even thought of painkillers!
I won't touch another drop. Promise. I'm just going to find a new man. A really sweet, great, kind and faithful guy who I can shower with my love. I'll never let an idiot like Dominic into my life again!”
Well, I certainly hope so.
I get ready for the day and leave early. Mornings are lovely when you're freshly showered and pumped full of coffee. It really wakes you up.
By the time I arrive at the office, I’m actually excited to start the day. Alexander will be busy, and Mr. Blackthorn has a long list he wants to work through, which means I can focus on planning the party in peace.
Twenty minutes later, Alexander strides in, heading straight for my desk and nods at me amiably.
"So? Did you eat your steak yesterday?"
"Yes and woke up with aching muscles. My neck’s so tense."
"You should book a massage. Convenient to have one right in the building."
"Every slot’s taken. It’ll ease up eventually. Consider it punishment for rarely working out—especially with a substitute trainer who encouraged me to hit harder." I shoot him a half-reproachful look before smiling.
Okay, I might actually have a good time with him as my boss.
"I do what I can," he says, then asks. "So—are you looking forward to tonight?"
Stephanie must have told him.
"Yes. We’re cooking something vegan and chatting a bit. I’m hoping to pry some of your dark secrets out of her." If he’s pumped Vanessa for information, I’ll try and get as much as possible from Stephanie.
"She knows pretty much everything. The question is what you’ll do with the info." Alexander watches me fascinated. It seems he feels challenged. Does he think this some kind of game?
"I’m sure opportunities will present themselves," I reply mysteriously, before turning to my computer. "I should get to work."
"So, should I fetch my own coffee?"
"I’ll bring it right away..."
This guy.
"Much obliged." He grins before retreating to his office, while I save the email. Shortly after I go get the esteemed gentleman his coffee.
The rest of the day goes by without a hitch. Alexander is even having lunch with his father, leaving me to enjoy my break alone. I really only see him and Mr. Blackthorn when refilling their coffee or ushering department heads to Alexander for their meetings.
I want to leave on time, so I head to Mr. Blackthorn’s office. Alexander is there too.
“Do you need anything else?” I ask my boss.
“No, feel free to go home, Miss Waverley. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Since I know him well, I linger.
“Oh, there is one more thing.”
Yep, that's what I thought.
“How’s the planning coming along?”
“Very well,” I assure him. “But that’s all you’ll get out of me. It’s meant to be a surprise.”
Day two, successfully completed, I’d say.
“Then have a pleasant evening, Miss Waverley,” he says, while Alexander just gives me a silent nod.
“You too. Both of you.”
I close the door behind me, however, I'm curious and linger a moment to listen. Normally, I’d never eavesdrop. But after yesterday with Alexander, today’s uneventfulness feels… unsettling. And Mr. Blackthorn’s office door is considerably thinner, and I can easily listen in on what they’re saying.
“Well? Are you satisfied with her?” my boss asks.
See? Knew it. Good thing I stayed.
“To be honest, yes. She does her job and doesn’t get on my nerves.”
Well, not exactly glowing praise, Alexander.
My boss laughs. “I can see it written all over your face. You like her. Admit it. You have my blessing.”
“Father!”
“You won’t find anyone better. Ask her out.”
Oh my goodness! My eyes widen my eyes and my breath catches for a moment.
“I just want to work with her. There’s enough to do. I’m taking over the company on Monday after all.”
“I’ll still be around for a few months—as advisor and board member. At least until Christmas. But I’ll be scaling back my hours significantly and will only come in on occasion. You can move into my office then.”
“I prefer the other one. You can keep this one, if for nostalgia’s sake.”
“Shall I introduce you to someone else, if Miss Waverley isn’t to your taste?”
“I’ll find someone myself.”
Okay. I should go. I slip away, careful not to let my heels click against the floor—that would be way too loud. I quickly take my cup and water glass in the kitchen, shut down my computer, and grab my things. I want to get home as early as possible so there's enough time to welcome Stephanie.
But as I drive home, I start thinking.
I’m not Alexander’s type?
After the boxing club last night, I could’ve sworn he was flirting a little. That’s my worst fear: I find him hot, but he doesn’t reciprocate the feeling. That could become a problem. I absolutely can’t develop a crush on him.
At home, I wipe down the kitchen surfaces one last time. The doorbell rings. I buzz Stephanie in and tell her to take the elevator through the intercom. Moments later, she’s at my door.
There she is: long blonde hair that’s slightly curly and perfectly made up. She has full lips and steel-blue eyes, as well as a perfect figure. Large breasts, a snatched waist with a blessed bubble butt. She's wearing a mini skirt and a dark blue blouse, high heels and also freshly manicured nails.
Wow, what a dream girl!
I admit I'm a little intimidated. So this is Alexander's childhood best friend. I swallow.
"Hey!" I beam at Stephanie and simply hug her. She smells wonderful—like flowers, and her hands rest gently like butterfly wings on my back. “Did you find your way here easily?”
I pull away from her and invite her in. She's only carrying a small handbag that hangs loosely over her shoulder.
“Yes, thank you. Your directions were perfect.” She seems a bit shy, but also curious and critical. It’s obvious she doesn’t trust me yet.
“Let me show you around first, then maybe we can cook something together? I bought some stuff. Vegan, of course.”
“I’d like that.”
I close the door behind her. “So this is my hallway. You can leave your shoes here—there’s a small storage closet.
” I keep walking while she slips off her heels.
“This is the living room—it’s small but nice.
” I’ve got a couch for two, a comfy reading chair, and a TV on the wall.
The kitchen is open, so I can run the coffee maker while standing in the hallway.
Between the hallway and the living room, a narrow corridor leads to my bedroom and the bathroom.
“The bathroom even has a window. The bedroom’s also pretty compact.
” Only a bed fits in there, but I’m glad I found an apartment with a separate bedroom at all.
“I thought you earned good money?” she asks, surprised. “I don’t mean to be rude, but can’t you afford something much bigger?”
“Yes, it’s only about 440 square feet, but it’s in a good part of town.
Right now I’m paying ￡2,200 in rent, utilities included.
That’s already quite a bit.” London has gotten incredibly expensive over the past few years.
“I’ve got about ￡5,300 left after taxes.
I save for hard times. The car is also costly.
Plus, I’ve got a few private insurance policies and well… ”
“I get it. I’ll kindly point out to Alexander that he should pay you a bit more. A PA should live appropriately.” She winks at me. “His PA should be living in style.” I don’t take it as criticism—just take the opportunity to smile back at her.
“I’ve got no objections to that.” We both laugh as I lead her back to the living room. “Tea?”
“I’d love some.”
“I bought the peppermint tea you like so much.” Even the brand she mentioned. It wasn’t easy to find, but I wanted to make a good impression. “And all the ingredients for a vegan lasagna.”
“Well then, let’s cook,” she suggests.
Perfect. That way we’ll both have something to do instead of just staring at each other while chatting. I hand her a flower-print apron while I take my pink one.
“You must have a lot of questions about me showing up at the church?”
“Yes, though Marc already told me quite a bit. Alex too. But I’d like to hear your version. Honestly, I’m still not fully convinced your friend wasn’t having an affair with Marc…”
“Actually, I can put your mind at ease about that. The idiot’s name is Dominic, and he got married on the same day.
I even found the wedding announcement.” It’s lying on the table.
“He’s forty-one and works as a banker here in London.
Nessa and he—well, that’s short for Vanessa—Um, they met only a few weeks ago.
I was really happy for her but only knew him from her stories.
She said he’s shy, didn’t have much time, and wanted to get to know her discreetly before meeting family or friends.
Honestly, I found that strange. After all, he works at a bank.
How can someone be shy in that profession? ”
I sigh and start taking the ingredients out of the fridge and my shopping basket.
“But she’d been single for so long and seemed happy, so I kept my mouth shut.
Well, until the drama started and she found out he was getting married.
Then I was furious immediately. How dare this jerk treat my best friend like that?
So, I said, ‘We’re going there now and crashing that wedding. ’”
I snort angrily and slam the vegan ground meat onto the counter, then wash my hands. Stephanie does the same.