Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 198235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 991(@200wpm)___ 793(@250wpm)___ 661(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 198235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 991(@200wpm)___ 793(@250wpm)___ 661(@300wpm)
He laughs lightly. ‘It’s time we met, don’t you think?’
‘No, I don’t.’ I retort briskly. ‘I think we both know that our business relationship is over, Mr Van Der Haus.’
‘Why ever would that be?’
His question stops me in my tracks, but I soon gather myself. ‘You said it was very interesting that I’d been seeing Jesse for a month-ish.’ I’m not shying away from this.
‘Yes, except now you’re married to him and expecting his twins. I’m broken-hearted, Ava.’
I don’t gather myself so quickly this time. How the hell does he know? ‘Mr Van Der Haus,’ I’m sure to keep my voice down, scanning the office constantly. This isn’t the time or the place, but I’ve started now. I’m not finishing this conversation until I’ve said what needs to be said. I get up, beating away balloons, and pace into the conference room, shutting the door behind me. ‘Is this about Jesse and your wife?’ I know I hear a falter in his breathing, and it boosts my confidence. ‘Because I already know, so you’re wasting your time.’
‘Oh, Mr Ward’s been confessing?’
‘Your ex-wife turned up at Jesse’s home, Mikael. I’m sorry for what has happened, but I don’t see what this is going to achieve.’ I’m not sorry at all, but maybe, just maybe, I can make him see sense.
He laughs, and it prickles at my deep bronzed skin. ‘Ava, I couldn’t care less about my ex-wife. She’s a money grabbing whore. I care only for your wellbeing. Jesse Ward is not the right man for you.’
I flinch at his harsh referral to his wife and rest my backside on the edge of the conference table. ‘And you are?’ I stammer over the words, mentally scolding myself for showing any hesitance. He cares for my wellbeing?
‘Yes, I am.’ he says candidly. ‘I won’t entertain other women behind you back, Ava.’
I nearly drop my phone. He knows that, too?
‘Nevertheless,’ I’m desperately trying to find my stride again. ‘I think too much has happened for us to continue working together.’
‘Too much has happened?’ he asks. ‘And you know what he got up to when he left you?’
‘Yes,’ I grate, wondering how the hell he knows. I’ve managed to keep that issue quiet. ‘My relationship with Jesse has nothing to do with you, Mikael. I know what he did.’ It kills me to say it. ‘I’ll be speaking to Patrick and withdrawing from The Life Building project. You’re welcome to take my designs and have someone else see the contract through.’ I hang up before he can come back at me and exhale a relieved breath. I don’t know why I feel like a weight has been lifted, I’ve still got to tell Patrick, and listening to Mikael for the last few minutes has stirred more questions. I’m not sure whether I would put my life on it, but I don’t think he would go to the extremes of date rape and trying to ram me from the road, not if he wants to take me away from Jesse so I can be with him. What use am I dead? I laugh out loud in my own little private moment of comprehension. Someone tried to kill me. This is insane.
My phone dances in my hand and a quick glimpse at my screen tells me my day has only just begun. Dealing with Ruth Quinn at the moment, though, doesn’t seem like such a chore. ‘Hi, Ruth,’
‘Ava!’ She sounds surprised. ‘You never said that you were going away.’
‘Last minute, Ruth. Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, fine, but I’ve changed my mind on the cabinets for the kitchen. Can we meet to discuss?’
‘Of course,’ I only just supress my sigh. ‘I’ve got piles of paperwork to get through, so can we say tomorrow?’
‘Twelve?’ she counters, not demanding today which is a pleasant surprise.
‘I’ll see you then, Ruth.’ I hang up and make the best job of an unaffected face. It’s not hard, actually. I’m not at all affected by my last two telephone conversations. I feel empowered, like I’m taking charge to things rather than letting them take charge of me.
I land at my desk and spend the rest of my Tuesday clearing the build-up of paperwork.
* * *
Six o’clock comes around fast, and I’m the last the leave the office. Patrick didn’t return to work as planned, but called to assure me that he’d be in tomorrow. I’ll talk to him then, but I’m disappointed. I feel the compulsion to rid myself of this mind burden without delay.
I get straight into the big black Range Rover without a sigh, falter or complaint. ‘Hi, John.’
‘Girl,’ He pulls off into the traffic. ‘How was your day?’
‘Constructive. Yours?’
‘Magnificent.’ he rumbles.
I get the feeling he’s being cynical. ‘Where are we going?’ I slouch back in my chair, hoping he says Lusso, but I won’t hold my breath. Jesse would’ve collected me himself if we were going home.