Chapter thirty-one #2
“I’ll take it back.” I slowly removed the paper and ribbon from his gift only to find a box similar to the one Russell had given me, but this time, the word Omega decorated the lid.
“You don’t need two designer watches.” This time, Connor leaned back and ran a hand through his hair.
When I opened this box, a gold watch encrusted with a ring of diamonds around the face sat on heavy blue velvet.
I audibly gasped, then took the item from its resting place before wrapping it around my free wrist.
I sat in the middle of the two men I love with all my heart, wearing the dazzling jewelry gifted to me, stunned into silence.
Gloria chose this moment to skip across and ask if we wanted any more drinks. Her focus landed on the empty boxes and then my wrists. Her jaw dropped as her eyes popped from her head.
“Oh my fucking God,” she stammered. “You have over fifty thousand pounds on your wrists.”
I glanced up at her, taken aback by both her knowledge and audacity to point out the value.
“Which one gave you the gold one?” She flicked a finger between the boys but didn’t actually acknowledge them.
I gaped at her, mute. “Well, whichever one it was, fuck him first as a thank you. He spent a good ten thousand more.”
With that revelation, she spun on her heel and skipped back to her station the way she came.
The tension at the table reappeared with force, but before anyone could make any further comment, our time together was interrupted again. Violet rushed into the café with Harrison hot on her heels this time. She stopped at my chair, bent down, and grabbed me into a bear hug.
“Happy birthday!” she squealed. “Let’s go!” My enthusiastic friend took my hands and started pulling me to my feet. “Come on, Sam. There’s wine to drink and music to dance to.”
“It’s only half past two in the afternoon,” I told her with a giggle.
“I’m a mother. I still want to be in bed by eleven, so let’s make the most of the day.”
I shook my head but rose to stand. Harrison stood behind her and opened his hands in defeat.
When his wife wants something to happen, it usually does.
Russell and Connor joined us as I collected the boxes from the table.
“Oh, nice watch,” Violet cooed. “Wait, two nice watches.”
“Yes, both Russell and Connor gave me a watch.”
My two men moved beside me, one on each arm, as their little sister glared at them.
She crossed her arms over her chest, and her left foot started to tap furiously on the floor, the silver sandal she was wearing clinking off the tiles.
Harrison walked to her side and wrapped his arm around her waist before whispering in her ear.
She shrugged him off, and he held his hands up before raising his eyebrows in our direction.
“Russ,” she said sternly. “Did you know Connor bought Sam a watch?”
“Yes,” he replied petulantly. “It’s none of your business, Violet. Stay out of it.” She took two steps forward and prodded at his chest with a slim finger.
“You’re a dickhead,” she told him.
“That seems to be the general opinion.”
“Well, it’s the right one. Come on, Sam,” she said with a sigh, then took my hand, pulling me from her brothers’ arms. “We’re going.” She led me across the café and out onto the street with Harrison following behind and not so much as a backward glance.
***
“Wow!” I said as Harrison pulled up in front of the huge sandstone mansion. “This is incredible.”
“It really is something, isn’t it,” Violet gushed. “Harry and I love coming here, don’t we?” Harrison climbed out of the driver’s seat and opened our doors as we stepped out onto the perfectly white gravel. He took his wife in his arms and kissed her softly.
“I love going anywhere with you, Vi,” he said.
“How many rooms does it have?” I asked, my eyes roaming over the array of windows and doors.
To get here, we drove through a mile of immaculate gardens, where every flower and bush looked exactly like they did in old movies set in English manor houses. I half expected Lords and Ladies dressed in Georgian attire to be wandering around the paths.
“There are no rooms, only suites,” Violet corrected me, and I rolled my eyes at her husband, who smiled.
Even though my friend has pretty much always had access to a lot of money, even when her life was complicated, her husband knew true poverty in his childhood.
It makes him more realistic regarding life, something Violet will hopefully never have the pain of experiencing.
A man dressed in a grey suit with a long jacket and wearing a cap appeared from nowhere and began emptying our bags from the car.
Violet grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs toward where it was signposted reception.
An older woman in a fitted black dress stepped out from behind a table and walked across holding out her hand.
“Mrs. Waite,” she said. “We are delighted to have you back at The Estate.” She took my friend's hand and then mine to shake warmly. “Let me show you both to your suites. Do follow me.”
“Thank you, Katrina,” Violet gushed as if the woman was a lifelong friend.
We both followed behind her as she led us through magnificent rooms decorated with exquisite furniture and artwork before climbing a staircase to the upper floor.
We stopped outside two doors marked “The Shakespeare Suite” and “The Keats Suite.”
“Our best suites, Mrs. Waite. Please decide between yourself and Mrs. Chase who would prefer which room,” Katrina said, and I balked, then scowled at my friend. Fuck sake, here she goes again, marrying me off to one of her brothers against my will. If she weren’t so loveable, I would wring her neck.
Katrina turned to me and beamed. “Congratulations on your recent marriage, Mrs. Chase. We will be sure to make your stay exceedingly special.” With that, she turned and walked off.
Violet pushed open the Shakespeare door first, and I followed her inside. The suite extended for what seemed like room after room. There was a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and relaxing area, all decorated in elegant cream and gold.
“Why did you tell her I was married?” I hissed, and my friend smiled.
“We might get some treats. Places like this love to keep their customers happy.”
“Is this not a treat enough?” I opened my arms wide, and she giggled.
“Relax, Sam. Enjoy the rest from keeping my brothers from killing each other.”
“Who did you tell her I was married to?” I asked, suddenly realizing the added complication of the fake information.
“I didn’t specify. Maybe if someone asks you, whoever you pick may be your answer to who you want to spend the rest of your life with.”
I stare at her, stunned by the flippant comment.
“Anyway, I’m going to unpack. Your bag is over there.”
She gestures to my overnight bag, which is magically already sitting on the bed.
“I’ll meet you in the bar in twenty minutes.”
I stood in the most luxurious hotel room I’d ever been in and watched her leave with the truth in her words stabbing at my heart. Soon, I will need to choose between them, and I don’t know how.
Unable to help myself, I take photos of the view from my window and of the room, then send them off to Bryan.
Guess where I am.
Since everything happened at the hospital, I’ve been sending him the odd message so he knows he still has my support.
Russell and Connor would be furious if they knew, but he’s my friend and I know he wouldn’t be part of the criminal ongoings within the department.
His reply comes instantly, a simple thumbs up.
Since then, any conversation has felt one-sided.
I am here if you need me. Much love my friend.
I type back, and he replies again, this time with a heart. I smile to myself.
Things will get better.
They need to. Because Sam, I’m not sure my family can cope with much more.