Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
Did that mean her place in his heart was far more important than I had ever imagined?
I changed into fresh clothes, found my new phone, and sent a text to Yvaine to give her the new number.
Her call came through almost instantly, asking if I was feeling any better.
I told her I was, that the fever had broken.
“Well, that’s a relief. I wanted to come over yesterday, but I was afraid that terrifying man of yours wouldn’t let me in.” Once she was satisfied on that front, her tone turned serious.
“So, have you really thought it through? You’re going to stay with him?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” I said.
Yvaine muttered something under her breath, no doubt another complaint about me not having a backbone.
The truth is, that’s just how I am. On the surface, I seem decisive, like I can get things done in a flash. But when it comes to matters of the heart, I’m all hesitation and second guesses.
It was the same back then with Daniel. I knew perfectly well that Catherine was the only one on his mind, but I still couldn’t bring myself to let go. We just kept torturing each other, trapped in that cycle, until his slap finally jolted me awake.
And now, what Genevieve has done to me, not just once but several times, has hurt far more than Daniel’s slap ever did.
So why can’t I just steel myself and leave Sebastian?
“Well, you keep thinking about it, then,” Yvaine said with a sigh.
“When you’ve made up your mind, let me know. I’ve got a list of golden bachelors ready to go. Every one of them has a six-pack, a net worth in the billions, and looks that absolutely pass muster.”I had to laugh.
“They’re not all your ex-boyfriends, are they?”
“Of course not,” she retorted.
“I told you, they’re bachelors.”
“Does that list include your brother, Emmett?”
“I’d love to add him to the mix, but you said you weren’t interested last time, remember?”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. I said I wasn’t good enough for him.”
“So, you ARE interested, then?” she pressed.
I was just about to answer when Sebastian came into the room.
“That’s not what I meant,” I said quickly.
“Gotta go now. Talk to you later.”I hung up.
“Who was that?” Sebastian asked.
“Yvaine.”
“I thought I heard Emmett’s name.”I stared at him.
“Were you eavesdropping?”
“No.” Sebastian looked at me.
“Why are you so defensive?”
“I get defensive when I get grilled about private phone calls.”
“I’m not grilling you.”
“Sure sounds like it.”
“Don’t give me that. If you’re going to make excuses, at least make them convincing. I know a thing or two about what’s going on between you two.”
“That’s between my husband and me. It’s none of your business. I don’t care what you think you know, I don’t want to hear it.” I fixed him with a cold stare.
“Are you going to tell me about Frank or not?”
“I know where he is. Or, was.” Daniel took out his phone and played a recording.
I recognised Clive Granger’s voice immediately. It was muffled, as if coming from behind a closed door.
Daniel explained, “I recorded this when the old man was in his study.”The recording continued. Clive was talking to someone, his voice rising in anger.
“…no! That’s not my problem… I can’t… it’s too much… don’t you dare!…”I frowned, concentrating, trying to piece it together.
Then the second man’s voice came through, and I froze completely.
Hearing Daniel tell me my father was alive was one thing. Hearing his voice, even just on a recording, was something else entirely.
Frank Vance’s voice was just as I remembered, though maybe a little raspier, like he’d taken up smoking. Unlike Clive’s shouting, he spoke in a calmer, more measured tone, but his lower volume made some words hard to catch.
I managed to pick out snippets: “…rely on you… nowhere else… old friends… I’ll have to do it, though I’d prefer we don’t come to that…
Clive shouted something angrily, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps, like he was pacing.
Then: “How much?”Frank said something I couldn’t make out.
The recording cut off abruptly.
I looked at Daniel.
He said, “I was standing outside the old man’s study. Prescott showed up, so I had to leave.”
“My father went to see your father,” I said aloud, trying to process what I’d just heard.
Daniel nodded.
“They were friends. Well, they used to be. They had a lot of business dealings together back in the day.”I remembered. The Vances and the Grangers had always been close. Daniel had spent so much time at our house as a kid; it was a big part of why he’d fallen for Catherine.
Daniel continued, “I suppose Frank was asking for help. He needed money.”I nodded. That much had been clear from the recording. It also sounded like Frank had some kind of leverage over Clive.
“Did your father end up giving him the money?” I asked.
“No idea,” Daniel said.
“But my guess would be no, because the old man skipped town the day after this conversation. Probably trying to dodge Frank.”Before he went to prison, my father had lived a very comfortable life. He had a taste for nice things: big houses, luxury goods. It made sense he’d need money now that he was out.
I wondered if he’d already tried contacting my mother, but I doubted she’d take him in. They were still husband and wife, and she’d always shared his appetite for the good life. Now that Frank was broke, would she even want him around?
Was that why he’d gone to Clive?
And now that Clive had also run off, who would Frank turn to next?
“You,” Daniel said, as if he’d read my mind.
“I’m worried Frank will come after you next.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said.
“I’ve changed my number, and he doesn’t know where I live.”He did know where Sebastian’s house was, though. He’d been there before.
But would Frank be bold enough, or stupid enough, to try and squeeze money out of Sebastian?
I wouldn’t bet on it.
He was always the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. If he thought there was someone he could push around for cash, it would be me, or Caroline, or Catherine,
Never Sebastian.
“I’ll find a technician to clean up the recording. We might be able to hear more,” Daniel said.
“I think I vaguely heard Frank mention an address. Could be where he’s staying, or at least it’s a clue.”It was a sensible idea.
“I can handle that. Can you send me a copy?”Daniel took his phone back and slipped it into his pocket.
“Not so fast.”I stared at him.
“What’s the catch?”Daniel smiled, a roguish grin I used to love.
“First, have a proper meal with me. Then… well, I’ll need a favour from you later. After that, I’ll tell you. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to get back together with me.” He picked up the menu and began to order.
When the food arrived, the table was covered with all my favourites. It left me with a complicated mix of feelings.
I didn’t understand it. Why was it only after we’d broken up that Daniel started showing a thoughtfulness he’d never once displayed when we were together?
It wasn’t that he hadn’t known what I liked back then; he just hadn’t cared.
He hurt me first, and now he was trying to make it up to me, going out of his way to be nice.
And Sebastian was the complete opposite. He’d first worn down my defences with his overbearing care and by forcefully inserting himself into my life. Just when I’d fallen in love with him, he’d started doing things that hurt me in ways I couldn’t comprehend.
It struck me that I didn’t understand men at all. I had no idea what went on in their heads.
Why did relationships have to be so messy, so utterly devoid of logic or reason?
Maybe being single might just be easier.
“Let’s eat,” Daniel said to me.
“Elean.”I looked up at the sound of Sebastian’s voice.
I hadn’t noticed him come in. He was standing beside our table, radiating a cold, palpable anger.
Seeing him didn’t surprise me. Ever since I’d proposed to him after we got back from that deserted island, he’d become incredibly clingy, always finding ways to stick by my side.
At least, that was the case until Genevieve showed up…
I felt no panic, no guilt. There was nothing between Daniel and me, so I had nothing to feel guilty about. I just looked at Sebastian calmly.
“What are you doing here?”