Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
“I’m tired,” I said.
“That’s alright. You sleep. I’ll take care of things,” he murmured, his low voice rough near my ear.
A moment later, his lips found mine.
I stiffened, my whole body going tense as I stared wide-eyed at his handsome, frustrating face.
I could feel his body responding, and his warm hands were already beginning to roam restlessly over me.
Damn it.
I was furious.
What did he think he was doing?
Did he feel guilty? Was this his way of making it up to me?
I pushed hard against his chest.
“It’s late. We should sleep.”
“It’s still early,” he countered, his eyes dark with wanting.
“I’m tired.” I turned away again.
Sebastian let out a slow breath. Then get some rest.”He held me closer and said softly near my car, “But remember-we’re husband and wife. It’s time we started a family.”
“I’m not ready for a child,” I said, my voice distant and cool.
He paused.
“Alright. We can wait. It’s your call.”Once more, he drew me against him.
I didn’t respond, just closed my eyes and lay still.
Neither of us mentioned what Genevieve had done.
The next morning, we ate breakfast in silence.
The air between us was stiff and heavy, so much so that even Carmen and Geoffrey could tell something was wrong.
When I got to the studio, I couldn’t focus. My mind kept drifting, and my chest felt tight.
I didn’t know what was wrong with me, why I felt so restless and distracted.
Was it because of Sebastian?
Is this what love does? Always leaving you uneasy, always afraid of losing something you’re not even sure you have.
My phone rang.
I thought it might be Sebastian, but it was Daniel.
“Him again?” I really didn’t want to answer, especially after the bad news his last call had brought.
But I wasn’t an ostrich. I couldn’t just bury my head in the sand.
I sighed and picked up.
“What?”
“Eleanor. I assume you’ve had time to think about Sebastian and Genevieve,” Daniel began, straight to the point.
“So? What’s it to you?”
“Have lunch with me. There’s something else you need to hear.” Of course. He was just the messenger, again.
“Whatever it is, tell me now.” I had no intention of seeing him.
“Oh, I think you’ll want to hear this in person.”He sounded smug, like he already knew I’d give in.
Damn him. As my ex-fianc?, Daniel still knew me too well. He knew I couldn’t just pretend some things weren’t happening.
By noon, we were once again sitting in the restaurant across the street.
When ordering, Daniel chose all my favourite dishes.
I looked at him coolly.
“You can talk now.”
“Eat something first.” He used the serving spoon to heap a generous portion of seafood linguine onto my plate.” Look at you, you’ve lost weight. I don’t get it. He’s hurt you this badly. Why are you still with him? Is it just to spite me? Even if it is, hasn’t it gone on long enough?” His frown was full of what looked like genuine concern.
“Daniel, I don’t have all day. If you’re not going to talk, I’m leaving.” I wasn’t in the mood for his games.
“You always were stubborn.” He sighed.
“Look, I know I wasn’t a good man. When I was with you, my heart was still with Catherine. I was cold to you. I admit all that. But it takes one to know one. And because I’ve been there, I understand what Sebastian’s doing. His behaviour over Genevieve speaks for itself. He’s hiding things from you for another woman’s sake. Whatever his reasons are, whatever excuses he might have, the fact is, he lied. He betrayed you. How is that any different from when I was seeing Catherine behind your back?”I wanted to argue, to yell that Sebastian wasn’t like him, that at least he’d never slapped me over a mug that belonged to Genevieve.
But even to my own ears, it sounded like a weak defence.
Daniel went on, “When you truly love someone, you don’t hold back. It should be all or nothing. Like… like how you were with me.”I looked away. Being reminded of how much I’d once loved-no, worshipped-Daniel was like revisiting my most embarrassing history. I didn’t want to think about it. It just reminded me what a fool I’d been.
“It took me a long time to realise that,” Daniel said softly.
“Eleanor, I truly regret what I did. Can’t we start over?”I frowned at him.
“Daniel, what’s the point of all this? You know I don’t love you anymore. So don’t bother trying to talk me into leaving Sebastian for you. If that’s all you wanted, you’ve wasted your time. I’m leaving.” I stood up to go.
“Your father,” Daniel blurted out.
I froze.
“What about my father?”
“He’s not dead.”I stared at him in disbelief.
“How is that possible? He died in prison. Sebastian told me himself.”
“And Sebastian wasn’t lying,” Daniel said.
“At least, not back then. But the prison made a mistake. The man they thought was Franklin Vance was someone else. There was a mix-up in the records when they rushed him to hospital.”I sank back into my chair.
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” Daniel admitted.
“All I know is, Franklin’s not in prison anymore. And he’s not dead.”
“How do you know this?”Daniel gave a bitter smile.
“You know my old man disowned me?”I nodded.
“He’s fawning over his bastard son Prescott now. Doesn’t give a damn about me. But at least my mum still cares whether I live or die. I went back to see her, and I overheard my father talking about Franklin in his study.”I leaned forward.
“What else did you hear?”Daniel shook his head.
“That’s all. The door was thick. I couldn’t make out every word. Didn’t know who he was talking to, maybe on the phone, maybe someone was with him. But I caught enough to know Franklin’s alive and out.”
“Where is he now?”
“No idea. I wanted to ask, but the old man wouldn’t even look at me.” He sneered.
“Then Prescott came upstairs and I had to leave.”My mind was reeling. My father was still alive? How could that be? How could the prison mess up that badly?
I was still trying to process it when Daniel added, “I thought you should know. Especially since you’re the reason he went down. I was worried he might come after you.”He was right, in a way. Well, partly. It was actually Sebastian who’d arranged Franklin’s arrest, but he’d only done it for me.
“I don’t think that’ll happen,” I said, though I wasn’t sure I believed it.
After all, growing up, Franklin had never paid me much attention. He’d always wanted a son, and when Caroline only gave him daughters, he’d rather dote on his nephew than look at me.
Still, I refused to believe he’d want to hurt me.
Daniel said something else, but I’d stopped listening.
I knew who I should call to check if this was true. If Franklin was really out, the first person he’d contact would be Caroline.
But I didn’t have her number anymore, and I had no idea where she was living now.
Besides, she hated my guts. She’d never tell me even if I asked.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear Daniel until he raised his voice.
“Eleanor?”
“What?” I looked up.
“You alright?”I’m fine.” I wasn’t.
I glanced at the food on my plate, but my appetite was gone. I asked for the bill and stood.
“Thanks for telling me. I have to go.”
“I understand.” This time, Daniel didn’t try to stop me.
I didn’t go back to the studio. My head was spinning, and I needed to walk, to think.
I wandered aimlessly down the street, turning at random, not stopping until I reached a park.
I sat on a bench facing the lake and watched the ducks gliding across the water.
My father was still alive?
I didn’t know what to feel.