Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“I’ll speak to Edward.” He sighs.
“Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I hear the rustling of papers, and I imagine him sitting at his large mahogany desk, ruling the world from New York. “When do you want to go?”
“I have to be there for Monday, so I will go on Saturday, if that’s okay.”
“And where will you be staying?”
“I booked the Four Seasons penthouse so that I’m the only room on the entire floor. Nobody will be able to get in without a key.” I smile to myself. “See, I really do listen to you.”
“Okay.” He inhales again, and I can imagine him leaning back in his chair. “Are you really all right, Charlotte?”
My eyes fill with tears, because I honestly don’t know if I am. “Missing Mum,” I confess in a whisper.
“Me, too, darling. Me, too.”
We stay silent on the line, both lost in our own grief.
I smile sadly. “Thanks, Dad. I love you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I love you, dear. Sleep well.”
After hanging up, I make my way to the kitchen and put the kettle on. That wasn’t a hard phone call, after all. However, the next one definitely will be, and if I know anything for certain, it’s that Edward will call me in approximately fifteen minutes and begin freaking out.
My phone begins to vibrate on the kitchen bench, the name Edward lighting up the screen. Five minutes—a new record time.
“Hello, Edward.”
“Charlotte, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to London.”
“Why?”
“I have to work.”
“Send someone else instead.”
“I can’t, I need to do this.”
“I’ll come home and go with you. I’ll only be a week.”
“Edward,” I sigh, exasperated. “I’m fine. I’ll be with Elizabeth.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better. Beth is out of control.”
I get a flashback of him from the other night, and I want to blurt out the question, Are you sleeping with Lara? Why is it a secret from me? but I hold my tongue.
“Where will you be staying?” he asks abruptly.
“The Four Seasons penthouse. The only room on the floor.”
“You’ve spoken to Anthony?”
“Yes, Anthony can come, and so can Wyatt.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s just for work, Edward, and I’ll have the guards with me the entire time.”
“I don’t like this.”
“I know you don’t, but you can’t stop me going. Dad said it was okay. I’m going to London for work, not Ibiza to party. Lighten up.”
“Hmm.” He groans.
I smile, because I know I’ve got him. “I love you.”
“Fine, but I’ll organise their rooms at the Four Seasons myself. And I’m calling Alexander to keep an eye on you.”
I smile. Alexander York is his best friend from school, and he just so happens to live in London. “Fine,” I reply.
“And if I hear of you in London running amuck, I’m coming straight home and dragging you back to Nottingham.”
I chuckle. “You’re so dramatic.”
He exhales heavily. “See ya, Lottie.”
I grin with victory. I can’t believe this plan is actually working out.
“Goodbye, Edward, I love you.”
“Yeah… I love you, too.” Then he hangs up. I stare at my reflection in the kitchen window and smile. How the hell did I just pull that off?
* * *
The convoy of cars pulls into the Four Seasons at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
I’m in Beth’s car, the black Mercedes with the two security guards inside it trailing silently behind us both.
I look over to Beth as she bounces in her seat. “My fucking God, can you believe you are doing this?”
“No.” I hold my stomach. “I feel sick. What if I get caught?”
She shrugs as she pulls the car to a stop. “Who cares? What’s the worst that could happen? Edward flips his lid, like he doesn’t do that once a fucking week anyway.”
I smile. It’s so refreshing having a friend who doesn’t give a damn.
Beth hands the keys to the parking attendant once we’re parked, and we get my bags out of the boot of the car. I’ve warned the boys that they’re to keep their distance. I don’t want anyone to know that they are with me or are my security team. I want to appear normal. I am normal… it’s just my life that isn’t.
I walk up to the reception in the foyer with Beth by my side.
“Hello, I’d like to check in, please,” I say timidly.
“Into the penthouse.” Beth smiles proudly.
The girl types on her keyboard, and then frowns and types something else in instead.
Oh God, don’t tell me they messed up the booking. This plan could all turn to hell before it has even started.
“Is your reservation for six weeks?” she asks with surprise.
“It is.” I slide my credit card across the reception counter.
She scowls at the screen. “Just a moment, please?” She calls someone and turns her back to me, thinking that I can’t hear her. “I have someone here for the penthouse for a six-week booking. Do you know anything about it?”