Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
I answered with a flat “Hello.”
“I’ll take you out for dinner tonight. Where do you want to go?” His voice was low and husky, like he was tired.
It reminded me that he’d only just left hospital, that the gunshot wound he’d taken for me was still healing.
The thought still filled me with gratitude.
But then, if what Daniel said was true-if Genevieve was behind it all, and Sebastian had gone to such lengths to set Catherine and lie to me-the feeling soured into something stuck and painful in my throat. up “I can’t tonight, I’m afraid. Naomi Fenty just called and asked me to join her for dinner and a bit of shopping. I’ve already said yes.” I kept my voice light and cheerful.
“Can you reschedule?”
“I’ve already promised her. Next time?” I forced a laugh.
“Fine. Alright. Just be careful,” he relented.
“Don’t worry. Right, I’d better go, I’ve got loads to do,” I said brightly.
He sounded faintly annoyed that I was rushing him off the phone.
“Are you that busy today?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Client problems. Talk later.” I hung up before he could ask more.
Once the call ended, I sighed heavily.
“How does he act like nothing’s wrong?”The rest of the afternoon was pure agony, each minute stretching longer than the last.
Finally, work finished. I quickly packed up and headed for The Galleria.
“Eleanor, over here!” Naomi waved at me from her booth.
“Sit. Let’s order first. What do you want to eat? You look like you need the fuel.” From my expression, she could tell something was seriously wrong.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Even if I had no appetite, I couldn’t let a pregnant woman go hungry.
After we’d ordered, I looked her over.
“How have you been?”
“Pretty good. I’m past the four-month mark now, so I’m eating and sleeping well. But look, I’ve already put on so much weight.”
“You still look slim to me. You should probably eat more. I’ve heard that if the mother is healthy, the baby will be too.”
“That’s what Ryan says too. He’s constantly trying to feed me more.” A sweet, happy smile touched her lips.
I envied that sweetness and happiness. I envied their loving marriage, and the fact they would soon have their own child.
“What about you and Sebastian? Any plans for a baby?” Naomi’s round, curious eyes fixed on me.
I shook my head.
“Let’s not talk about that.”
“What’s wrong? Have you two had a fight?”
“No. We don’t really fight; he always gives way to me.” I looked at her with a pained smile.
“The reason I asked to see you… I need a favour. But you have to promise me you won’t tell your husband.”
“What is it? You’re making me nervous. And I’d been meaning to ask, why come to me instead of the all- powerful Sebastian? Go on, tell me, what’s going on?” She was practically buzzing with anticipation.
“A little while ago, something happened at my studio. Someone sabotaged it. They hacked into my database and altered the job sheets, which messed up all the customer orders…” I explained the whole situation to her.
“Look, here’s all the evidence.”
“What? Sebastian did that? He covered for Genevieve and lied to you?” Naomi was incredulous.
I pressed my lips together, my smile bitter.
“Look at all this proof. If someone hadn’t shown this to me, I’d still believe Sebastian’s version.”Naomi studied the documents carefully.
“Hmm, it does seem… real. But wait, this transfer record… why is it from my husband? What the hell? Was Ryan involved in this too?” Her brow furrowed.
“Yes. That’s actually why I need your help.”
“So… what do you need me to do? Ask him about it?” Naomi looked at me seriously.
“I know it’s a huge favour to ask, but…”
“Say no more.” Naomi patted my hand.
“I’d do the same thing in your position.”I gave her a grateful smile.
“I don’t want Sebastian to find out about this.”Naomi seemed genuinely interested in helping. She even came up with a plan.
“I’ll show Ryan this statement and ask him why he transferred money to some woman named Catherine. I’ll ask if he’s keeping a mistress, if he’s done something to betray me. He’ll panic and want to explain himself. He’ll have to tell me the truth.”
She nodded as she spoke, looking very pleased with her own idea.
I was about to suggest the same thing.
“That would be perfect. I don’t know how to thank you. I know I shouldn’t be bothering you with all this, especially now you’re pregnant. But I really need to know if what I suspect is true. I don’t think I can let this go until I know for sure.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you. Leave it to me. And try not to overthink it. I’m sure Sebastian had his reasons.
She squeezed my hand reassuringly.
“Really, I can tell he cares about you deeply. I’ve heard Sebastian and Genevieve have known each other since they were kids. Maybe he just wanted to give her a second chance.”
“I really hope I’m wrong about this.” I didn’t know if I was trying to convince Naomi or myself.
“Tell you what, once I’ve found out the truth from Ryan, you should talk to Sebastian properly. Ask him why. I think marriages need trust to last. Just give him a chance to explain, alright?” Naomi patted my hand.
I nodded.
“Okay. Thank you. I’m so glad I have you.”
“What are friends for? Besides, that day at the party, if you hadn’t caught me, I might have lost the baby.” Her expression grew sombre.
“Every time I think about it, my heart still clenches. We were so lucky, thanks to you.”
“I really didn’t do that much. Besides, it was partially my fault.”
“Let’s not dwell on it. We’re friends. You can always come to me with anything, you know that? I’ll always help.” Naomi’s tone was completely sincere.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Come on, eat. You look like you need the calories more than I do,” she urged, pushing a plate towards me.
We ate and chatted. Naomi was in good spirits, but I couldn’t really share her mood. I felt heavy and subdued, my heart sitting like a stone in my chest.
That evening, I got a text from her.
Naomi: [I asked him. It’s true. Sebastian did get Ryan to transfer the money to that Catherine woman.]
She ended the message with an apologetic emoji.
But it wasn’t her fault.
I thanked her.
She sent another message: [Ryan told Sebastian. Sorry, I asked him not to, but he’s stubborn.]
My phone rang.
Elean, where are you?” Astiton sounded tense I’m at a friend’s place, She’s had some bad news and isn’t doing well, so I’m staying with her.” My voice was Bat and distant, stripped of any warmth.
“So you’re not coming home tonight?”No. 1 was going to call you, but you beat me to it. Don’t wait up. I’ll probably stay with her for a few days.” I didn’t want to go back yet. I couldn’t face him.
All this time, I’d believed Sebastian was too good to me. He wasn’t much of a talker, and he could seem cold on the outside, but his love felt fierce and real. It almost made me feel unworthy.
It wasn’t until we were stranded on that island that I finally understood my own heart, and started to believe that fairy tales could actually happen-that a prince really could choose a nobody like me.
But I never thought he would help Genevieve lie to me. I never imagined he’d find a scapegoat just to cover for her.
“You can stay one night. But I expect you home tomorrow,” he said, his tone gentle but leaving no room for argument.
“Alright.” I didn’t have the energy to argue.
“Take care of yourself.”
“I will. Bye.” My voice stayed empty.
“Why didn’t you just ask him? Ask him why he did it?” Yvaine asked after I hung up.
I hadn’t lied to Sebastian-I really was at a friend’s. But the one who wasn’t doing well wasn’t Yvaine. It was me.
I gave a weak smile.
“What’s the point? If he wanted to explain, he would have. If he really cared, he’d be worried now that I know. He’d try to explain himself. But he didn’t say anything.”
“But he’s always been so good to you.”
“I don’t know anymore. Maybe he’s found someone more worthy of his attention.” I sighed bitterly.
“Maybe I should just be grateful it lasted this long. A man like Sebastian… he was always out of my league.”Maybe I should have known better. Nobody’s perfect. Why did I ever think Sebastian could be?
“Well, if you’re convinced he’s betrayed you, you should divorce him,” Yvaine said.
“There are plenty of decent men out there. No point wasting your time on the wrong one.”As my best friend, Yvaine had always been team “break up”, not “make up”. She lived by that rule herself, changing boyfriends faster than most people change clothes. The second a new guy showed a flaw she didn’t like, she was done. No second chances.
A part of me had always admired how decisive she was, how easily she could walk away.
I thought I was like that too-at least, I had been with Daniel. I ended things cleanly and never looked back.