by T L Osborn
“Merry Christmas, little sister,” he says as he hands me over a box. “It’s from both Jake and me.”
“Did you two get your gifts?” I ask.
“Yeah, what the hell do you think we’re drinking right now?”
I tear open the box, and inside I find a beautiful watch, $300, and a voucher to go get a pamper session at My Day Spa in Upper Hutt City.
“We know you really wanted to go there to have a massage and get your nails done. We’ve paid enough that you can take Steph along too, have some girl time.”
“You two only want me out of the house so you can watch your damn sports.”
“Damn, she’s onto us, bro,” Toby chuckles.
“Thank you, guys. This is great.”
This Christmas has definitely got to be the best by far.
Simon
James, Toby, Jake, and I are standing around the pool table in my library, playing a game of pool.
“So when can we start packing the rest of her shit and bring it here?” Toby asks cheekily, and I know he’s asking when Aria is officially moving in.
“I’m going to have her move in with me, but perhaps not until the new year, when we’re settled back at work. But she’ll probably just stay here until then anyway. She’s here now every night.”
“I was joking, man,” Toby says.
“I’m not. I want her here every day.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little fast, Simon? You only met us like a month ago and have known Aria since July. Shouldn’t you wait like a year at least? You know, have your first dating anniversary?” Jake prompts.
“Nah, bro, if it feels right, just do it. What’s going to be the harm?” James inserts.
“I need to talk to Charlotte about Aria moving in first. You know, see how she feels. If she’s not ready, then it won’t happen,” I say, taking my turn at hitting the ball.
“Twenty bucks says you’ll be living with her before the new year,” James bets.
“I’m not making a bet with you,” I argue.
“Come on, bro. It’s all in fun,” James says.
“He’s already living with her. So you’ve won already,” Jake chimes in as he lines up his shot.
“That’s why I said I wasn’t making a bet with him. He always has a card to play. That’s why he’s a damn good CFO; he’s like a bloodhound when it comes to money. He’s also damn good at poker. I lose every time.”
“Yeah, we’ll get Daddy, and he can come read a book too,” I hear Aria say, and I turn my head to see her bringing Charlotte in already dressed in the new Belle nightdress I got her for Christmas.
“Daddy, will you read to me too?” she asks.
“Sure, I’ll be back, boys. Duty calls,” I tell them as I exit the room with my daughter. We go up to her room, read a few books, and before we know it, Charlotte is asleep.
“She’s so cute, isn’t she?” Aria prompts as we creep out of her room. I grab her by her waist and haul her to me for a kiss, wrapping my arms around her as she slides her hands up my chest. I deepen the kiss as I pull her off Charlotte’s wall for fear of waking the sleeping child and push her onto our bedroom door.
“Simon, we have guests,” she says, pushing me back to lean against the door.
“Fuck the guests. No one will come looking,” I promise as I try to kiss her again.
“Babe, I’m not really in the mood to be caught having sex by your mother again,” she hisses.
Damn, she has a point.
“Once I’ve kicked this lot out, your sexy fucking ass is mine.”
“Where do you want me?” she asks.
“Simon says in front of the mirror, wearing the present lying beneath your pillow and only that. Because tonight, my love, you’re coming on my tongue. I’m tired of getting close, and you come around my fingers or cock. So I want you in front of the mirror, playing with yourself when I walk in, because I want you nice and wet for me. You don’t stop until I tell you to. I want you to get off while I watch you do it. Your eyes will be on me in the mirror while I’m watching you come.”
She shivers just a little in my arms.
“You’re already horny, aren’t you, my love? Already wet for me.” I slide my hand up between her legs, the skirt she’s wearing no barrier for my hand. She groans. “Honey, shhh.” I slide my hand beneath her panties, rubbing her clit before sliding a finger inside her sweet pussy. I move it in and out, before making it two fingers. She rocks and grinds against me while she comes apart. “Come for me,” I demand, as she rolls her head onto my shoulder, biting me lightly to stifle her moan of complete and utter pleasure, and I let her ride out her orgasm.
“I love you. Please tell me you’re going to do everything you just told me about,” she begs.
“Everything and more,” I say. “Thank you for being a ray of sunshine in my dark world.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
James
What the fuck?
Nah, this can’t be right. I gotta check this again.
Fuck, it is right.
I can’t believe this. I cannot believe this.
It’s not her. It’s not her. It can’t be her.
Fuck, Simon’s going to be fucking furious.
I have to ring him right now!
Chapter Twenty-Four
Simon
I’m sitting in my office, reading the weekly report and sipping coffee, when the phone on my desk rings. I glance down to see James is calling me.
“Dude, you can walk to my office. Why are you calling me?” I ask as I answer the phone.
“I was checking you were in your office before I waste my time walking all the way there. We have a problem,” James replies.
“What’s the problem?”
“We’ll discuss shortly.” A click tells me he’s hung up. It’s unusual he wants to talk face-to-face rather than over the phone A few moments later, my door opens, and James walks inside wearing a sombre look.
“What’s the problem? You can’t get your dick up or something?” I chuckle.
“It’s a little more serious than that, I’m afraid. You know the funds we have to cover redundancies, etcetera. It’s gone.”
“What do you mean gone?”
“I mean every cent is gone. The account is empty.”
“What the fuck?” I shout, leaping out of my seat. “How the fuck did this happen?”
“Someone used your authentication and access codes,” James replies, staring at me like a possum caught in headlights.
“Who?” I demand.
Pain washes over James’ face. “Everything points to Aria.”
I stumble, catching myself on my desk. “I don’t believe it.”
I don’t.
“Neither do I, but her login was used. Someone used your credentials to authorise the payment.”
“They what!” I’m outraged. Who the fuck would do this.
“Calm down, bro. We’ll sort this out. It’s a lot of money to be taken and it’s not a one-time thing. I just don’t know how far back this goes.”
“Then find out, I want dates, times, and where the money is going.”
“You want a thorough investigation?” he asks.
“Please.”
“What are you going to do about Aria?” he asks.
“I’ll handle that.”
“Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
“I said I’ll handle it,” I say through gritted teeth. He opens my door and exits, as I lean on my desk. How to handle it, I’m not sure. My gut and heart are telling me it’s not her, but my brain is saying to follow the evidence that’s right in front of me.
I’d told Aria I don’t want to be disturbed this afternoon, but I need to get out of here. I decide to take the rest of my work home. I have a few hours before Charlotte arrives and I can get some time away from her, work and the building to think about what I might do and what the strategy is. I don’t want to believe Aria would do this. And yet, I can’t
help but wonder.
James arrives in my office just after 6:00 pm. “The money has been taken since before Christmas, almost two months now and I can’t find anything other than it’s Aria who’s doing it,” he tells me.
I was afraid of this.
“I suppose I’ll have to suspend her pending a more thorough investigation,” I reply.
“That’s a bit harsh don’t you think?”
“It has to be done, it’s protocol, I’d do the same if it was your name on that piece of paper.”
“True.”
“She’s to be suspended on full pay and privileges. I also want you to hire a forensic accountant, work with them to figure out who is behind this,” I instruct.
“I’ll make the changes and get right on hiring someone.” He exits my office. I lean back in my chair. Now, to suspend Aria but first I need to talk to her brothers.
Aria
“Hey,” I say as I walk the final steps into Simon’s office. He’s hunched over his desk reading something as he has been all day. He’s spent most of today hidden away in here working or so he says.
He glances up. “Hi.”
“What do you think?” I say twirling around to show him my outfit.
“You look great.”
That’s it, that’s all he has to say? Disappointment rushes over me; usually he’d say something about the lingerie I’m wearing and whether or not he’d get to see it. “What’s wrong?” I ask him.
“Nothing, honey, I’m just very busy,” he says.
“You’ve been distant with me all day and even now you’re not looking at me. Have I done something wrong?”
He shakes his head, “No, baby, you haven’t it’s just work.” He looks up at me and I’m still not totally convinced. “Come here.” I walk over to him and he slides his hands onto my hips. “Climb on, baby.” I sit on him so I’m straddling him. I lean down on his shoulder and he nuzzles me. “I’m sorry, honey,” he says placing a light kiss on my lips.
“It’s okay.”
“Actually, I did want to ask you something. Do you know if Toby is working tonight?”
“I’m unsure, he doesn’t usually work a Saturday night, but anything could happen during the day. I’d text him first. Why?”
“Since you’re going out with the girls I thought I’d invite them around for a poker game with myself and James.”
“They’d like that,” I say.
“I think my sister might be here. Go and enjoy your night I’ll see you when you get home,” he says. I lean down giving him another kiss this time making sure it’s not a quick one.
“I hope you win at poker,” I tell him as I climb off him and walk out of his office. As I exit the office Charlotte is waiting by the door with her pyjamas on and clutching her soft toy Penguin.
“Where you going Ari?” she asks.
“I’m going out for the night with Aunty Mel and my friend Steph.”
“Can I come?” she asks.
“Sorry sweetie but you have to stay here with Daddy.” She pouts at me pulling at my heartstrings. “How about I talk with Aunty Mel and Steph and we can organise a girly day. We can paint our nails and watch movies and we can even convince daddy we’ll paint his nails,” I tell her.
“Don’t even think about it,” he barks from inside his office.
“I’ll organise it with them tonight. How does that sound?” I ask her.
She nods at me before throwing herself at me. “I’ll miss you.”
“Me too.”
“Princess, time for bed,” I hear Simon say. I hear his heavy footsteps climbing the stairs to our room. I give her one last tight hug before she follows him. I walk towards the front door trying to ignore the pit of unease that has formed within my stomach. Does he really want my brothers over for poker or something else? Has his issue just really been work today? I’m not convinced something else is wrong.
I exit the front door to be greeted by a limo.
“Hurry up woman, you’re wasting valuable drinking time,” Mel says opening the door. I glance up to the balcony outside our room and see Simon pacing talking on the phone. As he turns around our eyes lock and I blow him a kiss which he pretends to catch. Maybe I’m overthinking everything, maybe I’m wrong and he is just stressed at work.
I climb into the limo and am handed a glass of bubbles by Steph, I take a sip slowly, though I can’t ignore how I feel.
Mel climbs in behind me, closes the door and the car pulls away. “You were hesitant that everything’s okay between you two?” she asks nodding towards the house.
“Yeah, we’re fine,” I lie.
“Ari, I’m not convinced, tell us what’s going on,” Steph says.
“Simon asked about Toby’s work schedule, which is weird because he never has before. He told me he’s going to invite my brothers over for poker tonight, but I’m not convinced. All day he’s been distant and distracted, not as affectionate as he normally is. Even this morning he was out of bed before me, no morning cuddles or kisses just nothing. I’m worried.”
“You’re overthinking this. He loves you and he won’t leave you. My brother has always been distracted easily, especially by work. It can suck him in until he has no idea what day he’s on or what the time is. He loves you Ari and he’s not going to leave you.”
My brows furrow as I stare into my glass. “I don’t know Mel. This isn’t like him.”
“Wait, did you say he wants to see Toby and Jacob without you around, over a game of poker and probably a few whiskeys?” Steph asks. I nod at her. “Sweetie, he’s proposing to you and asking them for their permission.”
I scoff. She’s crazy. “You’re dreaming, Steph, there’s no way he’s going to propose. We aren’t even living together.”
“You’ve stayed every night here for the last few months, only going home when you need a new book to read, and even then it’s hardly ever since you have the Kindle,” Steph says.
“Not my point. He’s not going to propose.”
Mel and Steph exchange a glance, “I say let’s toast to the future Mrs Simon Billington and we’ll just enjoy tonight. No more talk of Simon or men in general.”
“Done,” I say perhaps too eagerly. I clink my glass with theirs. Tonight I’ll entertain the idea that maybe he might be proposing though, I don’t want to get my hopes up. My gut is telling me there’s something going on and it’s not something he’s willing to discuss with me.
Simon
Leaning on the rail of my balcony, I watch the car pull out of the driveway with it taking Aria away for what I’m hoping will be a fun night. I was a dick with her today though, I’d hoped she hadn’t noticed my attitude. I was wrong. My girl knows me better than I thought. I was my idea to have Mel come over tonight with Steph and take Aria out. I needed enough time tonight to talk with Toby and Jacob to explain the situation without being interrupted by Aria. I take a deep breath reminding myself that everything I’m doing is for us. To keep us together. I hate hiding things from her but the less she knows the better. Though I know I’m going to devastate her when I suspend her on Monday at work.
I turn making my way inside to get Charlotte ready and tucked up in bed. I’ve asked Linda to come watch her for the next few hours for me. Charlotte has chosen Cinderella for me to read and it makes a nice change.
“I miss Ari,” she whispers as I close the book and tuck her in.
“You’ll see her in the morning, princess. Goodnight.” I kiss her forehead and walk from her room. I’m greeted by Linda coming from the garage as I exit my office.
“Thanks for this, Linda, I appreciate it on such short notice,” I tell her.
“No worries, Simon. Just go do what you need to and take your time.” She smiles at me. She probably thinks I’m going to ask Toby and Jacob for Aria’s hand in marriage. One day I want to if this goes as I plan.
I grab the keys to my Audi and make my way to Aria’s really hoping Toby is home and willing to listen to me. Parking up
her driveway feels strange because I’m not coming to see her. I pick up the file from the seat beside me, climb out of the car and walk towards the front door. I knock and wait only a few moments before the front door is opened.
“Hey mate, I wasn’t expecting you, but I am expecting a pizza delivery.” Toby chuckles.
“Nope, no pizza here,” I reply.
“What can I do for you, all alone, and without my sister?” he asks his eyes narrowing slightly.
“She’s great just out with the girl’s tonight. I do have something I wish to discuss with you,” I say.
“Sounds serious,” he says.
“It involves Aria,” I reply.
“Best you come in then.” He steps aside and allows me to enter.
“Oh and if Aria asks, poker was fun and I won,” I tell him.
He nods. “I’ll take that as this conversation never happened.” I step inside not knowing what the next few hours will hold. I’m on dangerous turf and I don’t know if I’m going to sink or swim. I only hope Toby agrees with my plan and listens to me.
When I leave Toby’s I’m surprised at how well it went. Driving down the road I feel a sense of relief, I’m doing the right thing. I pull into our place, park my car and let Linda leave straight away. I get ready for bed and rest back on the bed reading a report until I hear the sounds of Aria walking through the house. She walks upstairs and crawls onto the bed.
“How was your night?” I ask her.
“Your sister is a bad influence and I’m pretty sure I had one cocktail too many,” she says.
“Come on love, let’s go to bed,” I tell her as I help her up and towards the bathroom.
“Are we going to have drunk sex?” she giggles.
“You won’t stay awake long enough for me to get to the sex, sweetheart,” I say as I help her dress in night clothing and brush her teeth. After helping her into bed I snuggle her close to me.
