Chapter 14
“Finally you called me, you heartless thing.”
“Hello to you too, friend.”
“What happened, were you abducted? They must have sent you back because they couldn’t stand you.” I hear my friend laughing on the other end of the line.
“Hahaha, very funny. I’m working, I’ve told you that already.”
“Of course you did, but as far as I know, most jobs are Monday through Friday with weekends off.”
“You’re right, but some weekends I go to Grandma’s house—she’s more alone now.”
“I’ll go keep her company, don’t worry. But tell me, how’s it going working for the hottest judge in all of Europe?”
“He’s even better in person, honestly. But he’s just my boss.”
“And you still haven’t done anything to change that? Friend, I know you’re a virgin, but you’re no saint—you think I don’t know about your vibrators in your room?”
“Shut up, Arianna, of course I haven’t done anything. And stop going through my stuff. This is why I called you.”
“You’re in love and don’t know what to do—just give it up to him already, friend. How long are you going to keep saving it? I guarantee you won’t find anyone hotter than him, and he’s experienced too.”
“Arianna, I can’t have a serious conversation with you. You know I’ve never dated. I’m just confused, but for now I don’t want to give anything to anyone—just so you know, I’m still not ready.”
“Then tell me, what’s bothering you?”
“I don’t know. When I’m near him, I feel different, like we’ve known each other for years. It’s nice—a peaceful feeling.”
“Ahhhh, my friend is in love!” she shouts from the other end.
“I don’t think that’s it—we haven’t had any real contact.”
“You don’t need contact to fall in love, friend. The simple fact that you know and admire the person is enough. Physical contact, in this case, is beside the point. But tell me—what about the situation that brought you there?”
“That’s why I’m torturing myself, friend. I can’t fall in love with someone like him—it goes against everything my parents taught me.”
“But is he a bad person?”
“I’ve never seen him be mean to anyone, at least not when we’re together.”
“Then keep in mind that your father was an isolated case—especially since he lost his wife and almost lost his daughter. Just like you’re angry about what he did, that’s how he felt at the time.”
“I understand, friend, but what he’s doing is wrong. My father should have been out of there by now—so why is he still there? Something’s wrong, and I came here to find out what.”
“So basically, you don’t want to fall in love with the hottie because of this, but think about it—if you have him wrapped around your finger, it’ll be easier to get information out of him.”
“But I’ll get hurt later. When he finds out what I came here to do, do you really think he won’t throw me out?”
“That’s for sure. You could give him everything he wants, but from what everyone says about how ruthless he is, he’d never accept you and would never forgive you.”
“And I’m the one who’d suffer. No, I’d rather stay in my lane and just get what I came for.”
“Let’s go to the mall sometime—we need to meet up. A friend of mine is opening a new club, and we could go. We’ll be on break from college soon.”
“Okay, let’s set it up. Send me the date and time—I need to plan ahead.”
I hang up the phone and think about everything my friend said.
She’s right—I’m falling in love with Owen, but I can’t.
I shouldn’t. He’ll never forgive me once he finds out I lied, let alone that I’m planning to steal information.
But how am I going to pull that off? I still don’t know.
I already offered to help with some paperwork, but that didn’t seem to work out.
I leave my room and stop by Ellie’s room—she’s still sleeping. Summer has started, it’s already getting hot, and now we can enjoy the garden even more. I head down to the kitchen to make a fruit salad for when she wakes up.
“Hi, girls, how’s everything going? Need any help?”
“Always so helpful, this one. Everything’s under control.”
“Then I’ll make a fruit salad so Ellie has something to eat when she wakes up.”
“Yes, and it’s perfect in this heat. You could use the pool with her now, Amy.”
“I’ve thought about that. We bought some bikinis for her when we went to the mall, so I think we can use them now. But today I’m going to do some exercises with her—maybe tomorrow for the pool.”
I start slicing some fruit, and before I know it, the salad is ready. Mrs. Marta brings Ellie to me.
“Ah, my little one woke up and I didn’t even notice. Thank you so much, mama.”
“I was upstairs and stopped by to check on her. I saw she was awake, so I brought her with me.”
“Auntie Li made it for you. Do you want to eat now?”
“Yes, Ellie woke up hungry.”
We all smiled at the way she talks, always in third person. I’ve tried to teach her several times, but it doesn’t do much good. So I let her take her time. I set her in her chair and give her the fruit to eat.
“Amy, what are you doing this weekend?” Marcus asks.
“I invited her to dinner on Saturday, so she’s not available.”
We jump at the deep voice coming from the kitchen doorway. I wasn’t expecting Owen home so early—he probably has no cases at the courthouse today and things are under control at the office.
“Daddyyyy, come eat the salad Auntie Li made, it’s delicious.”
“Hmm, Daddy’s going to take a shower, get out of this suit, and then come down to eat.”
Then he walks out of the kitchen, leaving all of us stunned by his triumphant arrival.
“What was that?” I ask, more to myself than anyone.
“Haven’t you noticed yet that the boss has a thing for you? Only a fool wouldn’t see it, Amy.”
“Marcus, hush. We’re just going to dinner, nothing more.”
“Hmm, sure. Tell me later if that’s all it was.”
“Of course it is, and stop thinking about it. We’re just boss and employee—there’s nothing special about having dinner together. Besides, we go out together all the time.”
He smiles at me and leaves the kitchen with his hands raised in surrender. Owen is going to end up giving us away, and I don’t want them thinking badly of me here, the way they always do.