Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. Just… no foam hearts. Got it.”Another stretch of silence passed.
Not uncomfortable, exactly.
Just a bit off-kilter.
Like we were circling each other in a room with too much space.
Before I realised it, the plates were cleared.
The car was already waiting outside.
We got in.
The second the gate came into view, I spotted someone standing by the entrance.
Tall frame, grey blazer, arms stiff at his sides, gut hanging over the belt.
I leaned forward, squinting.
Franklin.
I’d ignored all his calls this week.
He’d changed his number, rung every day, left voicemails, even sent a few half-arsed texts.
I’d blocked the new number.
Still, he’d found me.
I climbed out of the car.
“What the hell are you doing here?”He held up two gift boxes, one in each hand, like they were some kind of peace treaty.
I didn’t touch them.
He grinned.
“Thought I’d drop these off. Just wanted to talk.”I didn’t answer I knew he’d tried calling Nyx Collective first. Found out I hadn’t shown up in days.
No one had told him where my new studio was, which meant he’d tried the next best thing-LGH headquarters.
I could picture it: Franklin shouting at the girl behind reception, throwing the word “your boss’s father-in-law” around like it meant something, until security dragged him out.
Any reasonable person would’ve taken the hint. Walked away But Franklin wasn’t reasonable.
“What do you want?” I didn’t move to let hirs in “Eleanor.” He sounded hurt.
“Can’t I stop by without an agenda?
I stared at his face and felt my jaw tighten.
“Didn’t spend long enough at the station, did you? Couple more nights in holding and maybe you’d be too busy to stalk me.”To his credit, he didn’t flinch. That plastic smile sind right back or Even while I was in there, I kept thinking about you Weather’s taming, you know, flu’s going around. Just wanted to make sure you’re staying warna-
*Amazing what two nights in a cell can do. Twenty-three years of you pretending I didn’t exist, then suddenly you care if I’ve got a fever.”
He faltered, blinked again.
“I mean it. I do care.”
“Save it. I’m not in line mand. What do you want?
“I’m just here to see grov I crossed my arms.
“You’re here to kiss Sebastian’s arse. Don’t bother His smile cracked.
He glanced past me and spotted Sebastian stepping out of the car behind me.
His whole posture changed. He straightened, brushed invisible beoff his blazer, and shoved past me.
“Sebastian!” he called out, beaming “A fine evening, but? I just came by to say congratulations. Which are long overdue. Didn’t realise you and Eleanor were married if I’d known.
His grin stretched wider than it had with me, eyes crinkled, voice dripping with phoney warmth.
He showed the boxes forward,
Sebastian’s brows drew together.
Franklin didn’t notice. Or didn’t care.
“Eleanor’s always been a bit private,” he went on, louder.
“Not great with people, no close mates, and Daniel well, that didn’t work out. But now? She’s finally found her match. Warms my heart I know you’d treat her right.”I pressed closer to Sebastian and booked my arm through his ignore him. Let’s go inside.
We turned. Took maybe three steps before Franklin started scurring after us elle? 1 went to all this effort to find you. Can’t you spre teninutes? Just a cup of cutter. It’s windy out, don’t be said.”
I grabbed Abzon’s band and picked up the pace.
Then Franklin barked behind us: “I’m still your father. You can’t dodge me forever. Maybe one day I’ll visit your studio.”
Sebastian hesitated. His steps slowed.
I tugged Sebastian forward.
“Don’t let him get in your head. I don’t care if he shows up at the studio. I’ll just throw him out myself.”Franklin clocked Sebastian’s hesitation and pounced “You’re a public figure,” he said loudly.
“And Eleanor’s been getting a lot of buzz online. If people find out how you treat family it won’t look good.”Sebastian stopped, turned.
“Come in.”
“No!” I snapped, jabbing my fingers into his arm.
“He’s not setting foot in the house. The second you let him through the door, he’ll glue himself to the floor.”Sebastian patted my hand.
“I’ve got it under control. He’s not getting a thing.”
“Then why let him in?”
“I’ve got something in mind.”
“Care to share?”Franklin had covered the distance between us with a few quick bounds. He chuckled.
“Knew you’d understand, Sebastian. Knew you’d be reasonable.”He shoved past me and sprinted through the doorway before one of us changed our mind.
Once we were inside, I didn’t even bother sitting. I glared.
“Cut the crap. Why are you really here?”He gave the room a once-over-artwork, chandeliers, hand-carved trim.
His pupils expanded.
He masked it well, but I’d lived with him long enough to know what was running through his head-how much of this can I get?
He set down two gaudy red-and-gold gift boxes on the side table with a flourish.
“These bottles are from a centuries-old vineyard in France,” he announced.
“Aged just right. And these beans-hand-roasted, old family recipe. I thought you two might enjoy them.”Sebastian motioned to the low sofa by the wall.
“Sit there.”Franklin shuffled over and perched on the edge.
When Carmen came over to see if we needed coffee, Sebastian waved her away.
His attitude reassured me somewhat.
Still, I didn’t get what he was playing at.
Franklin cleared his throat.
“I just wanted to see Eleanor. We only just heard about the marriage. Your mother and I were completely in the dark. If we’d known, we’d have thrown a proper celebration. You didn’t have to keep it from us.”
“I didn’t keep it,” I shot back.
“I told Caroline. She laughed in my face.”
He chuckled awkwardly and rubbed his palms together.
“Well, your mother is… she’s stubborn. Never mind her. You should’ve come to the straight.”I snorted.
“I would’ve, if I could find you”That shut him up for half a second.
He opened his mouth, shut it again, tried to look hurt.
It didn’t take.
“I mean it, Elean, about what I said earlier. Let’s throw a wedding. big one. Book a whole ballroom, send out invitations, the works. You deserve a big day. I feel terrible we missed it. So, how about it? Don’t worry, I’ll cover everything.”I rolled my eyes.
“Forget the wedding. You can make up for it with a present. Cash is fine. How much are you offering?”His shoulders drooped.
“I wish I could give you everything,” he mumbled.
“But the company’s in a bad way. We’ve lost several contracts, cash flow’s tight. Honestly, I’m hanging on by a thread “Is that why you tried to pimp me out to that creep Maxwell?”
“No! Of course not! You are my daughter, I’d never do anything to hurt you. It was supposed to be a business meeting. I didn’t know Caroline had tricked you into coming with that fake audio until the police questioned her. She went behind my back. I already gave her a talking-to, told her not to pull this kind of stunt again…”While he talked, he kept sneaking hopeful glances at Sebastian.
I was tempted to stand in front of Sebastian to block his line of sight, but didn’t, because that felt too childish.
… with the way the economy is, you know how bad things can get. But I heard LGH’s logistics branch has a few contracts up for grabs. Sebastian, if you’d let me handle a couple, or maybe back one of our proposals… we could bounce back fast. Once we’re stable, I’ll shower you both with gifts. Whatever you want.”I opened my mouth, ready to rip into him, but Sebastian beat me to it.
*If it’s business, then we’ll discuss it in the study.”Franklin lit up.
“Of course. Yes, yes. Let’s go.”I tugged Sebastian’s sleeve and hissed, “Don’t. You can’t hand him a single deal.”He gave my hand a soft pat.
“Relax. I know what I’m doing.”The two of them headed upstairs.