I'd first met her a few months ago. She was the reason I started planning the scholarship program. My business was sponsoring a talent show at a local public school, and I was forced to go to the show. I dreaded going for weeks, but that stopped the moment I heard Gerogina's angelic voice. She hit every note and impressed me with her talents at such a tender age. From the moment I saw her on stage, I saw that certain je ne sais quoi Amicia had as well. This girl was born for the stage—to perform and to be a star.
I'd inquired about Georgina after the concert, finding out she was currently living in a London orphanage and waiting to be adopted into a foster home. I took her out for ice cream and watched her with a smile on my face as she devoured the sundae I got her. She told me she'd never had a treat like that and my heart hurt for her. We never spoke about her life, but instead of my plans for the scholarship I'd created with her and Amicia in mind.
She was beyond excited, and I promised her the first spot. I stayed true to my promise, and two months later, she was granted scholarship to an expensive musical school she could never have gone to otherwise. Soon enough, other kids entered the scholarship program, too. There were dancers, singers, artists. I wanted to take care of them all, but Georgina always had a special place in my heart. It wasn't just her said life story that endeared her to me. The girl was intelligent, sweet and kind, and reminded me of a daughter Amicia and I could have had once upon a time, before I'd ruined things.
Often, I'd find myself fantasizing about a future in which Amicia, Georgina and I were together.
Soon enough, I decided to change that dream into a plan.
"Georgina, do you have another minute?" I wondered out loud, and she nodded, sitting back down. "I wanted to talk to you about something else, ah... a special woman in my life."
"Oh, Mr. Kline." She giggled. "Did you fall in love?"
"I..." My brows furrowed. I didn't want to answer her question and yet I found myself nodding, the image of the strict, powerful businessman I'd worked to build over the years shattering in front of this innocent girl. "I suppose I did, yes."
"She's one very lucky lady," Georgina smiled wide. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I wanted to organize something special for her," I said, leaning forward on my desk. "See, I haven't seen her in a long time. Almost a year."
"That is long," she said, cocking her head to the side. "Don't you love her? She must miss you very much."
I smiled softly. "I certainly hope she does. In either case, I'm trying to plan something special for this woman, and I would love it if you could help me organize it."
"What do you need help with?" she wondered out loud. "I don't think I can do much... I don't have any money."
I chuckled. "Money's not a problem, Georgina. But what I do need is your wonderful voice."
I explained the plan to her, and by the end of it, she was clapping her hands together with excitement. "Oh, what a wonderful idea, Mr. Kline. I'm sure your friend will absolutely love that. She will be sure to forgive you."
"Forgive me?" I knitted my brows together.
"Well, you never said she was angry, but I figured you did something wrong," she said, flushing. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kline."
"It's quite alright, Georgina," I muttered. "You're right. I did do something wrong. I let her go."
***
I returned to my penthouse that night with my head swimming with thoughts. I was thinking of Amicia even more than I usually did. It was all because of that encounter Kai had described to me. I resented myself for not being there to fucking strangle the man who'd dared put his hands on my Kitty. I would've killed him, of that, I was certain.
As I jumped in the shower and the hot water sprayed over my body, I closed my eyes and found my thoughts circling around her again.
Spending last December with her was one of my most treasured memories. Sometimes, I still couldn't quite believe she was gone. I'd wake up in the morning, still foolishly trying to find her body in the bed next to me. But Amicia was gone, and unless I proved to her I was a changed man, she would never take me back.
My hand found its way between my legs. My cock was hard at the memory of her soft limbs intertwined with mine. I groaned. I couldn't get her off my mind.
At first, I'd tried. I'd convinced myself she'd never take me back, not after what I'd done to her. But I soon realized I wouldn't be able to live without her. I needed her like I needed oxygen. She was an inescapable need and I was done running away from what I really, truly, deeply wanted. And that was Amicia Romano. She was the one for me.
I heard the faint buzzing of my phone outside. Not many people had my private number, so I knew this wasn't a good sign. With a groan, I turned off the water and dried my hair. I called the number back.
"Mr. Kline?"
"Speaking."
"You were listed as an emergency contact for Miss Georgina Skye."
"Yes?" My blood ran cold at the mention of her name. "Is she okay?"
"There's been... an incident," the cool voice informed me. "Can you come to the Home? I'm afraid Miss Georgina can't stay here tonight."
"Of course."
I rushed to get ready, pulling clothes on and waking up my driver. He took me to the home where Georgina lived, and I furrowed my brows as I walked into the headmistresses' office where Georgina sat red-faced, tears drying on her young face.
"What happened here?" I barked at the headmistress, Miss Shannon. "Why is she crying?"
"Georgina tried to avoid her punishment tonight," Miss Shannon informed me in a clipped voice. "She directly disobeyed orders."
"You hit me," Georgina spat out with an accusing glare.
"Shut up, girl."
"Don't talk to her like that," I cut in sharply. "Did you hit her?"
The woman's lips set into an even thinner, unattractive line. "I did what I had to do."
"You don't hit a child," I barked at her. "Come on Georgina, we're leaving."
The woman stood up as Georgina followed me out of the room. "Just so you know, Mr. Kline. She's not welcome here anymore. Good girl finding a foster home for an insolent girl like her."
"Good luck becoming a better human," I told her. "Doesn't take a genius to work out you need some help in that department."
Georgina gathered her things and followed me into the car silently clutching her battered suitcase of meager possessions. I vowed to make things better for her then and there, but for the time being, she'd have to spend the night in the penthouse.
"Are you okay?" I asked on the drive back, and she nodded, staring out of the window. "Where did that woman hit you?"
"On my arm," she muttered.
"Does it hurt?" She just shrugged. "You can stay with me tonight. Then we'll work on finding you a foster home as soon as possible. You have an aunt, right?"
"She has four other kids," Georgina admitted. "She probably doesn't want me around."
I thought of writing a woman a hefty check. Surely that would change her mind.
"Thank you for letting me stay with you," Georgina said in a small voice as we pulled up in front of the building. "I appreciate it, and you didn't have to."
"Of course I did," I cut in smoothly. "Now come on, let me show you to your room."
She stared in wonder at her surroundings as I took her up with the elevator. I gave her one of the kids guest rooms in the apartment, and she seemed delighted to be staying there, sending pangs of guilt through my mind. I wanted her to stay forever, but I could never be a foster parent. It would be too heartbreaking for me.
"I'll see you in the morning and we can talk about a more permanent solution," I told her, and she nodded, not meeting my eye. I lingered in the doorframe. "Are you hungry?"
She looked up, swallowing. "They didn't let me have dinner tonight because I misbehaved."
"Come on," I motioned for her to follow me, doing my best to ignore the rage I felt at how they'd treated her at that orphanage. "I'll make you my famous carbonara."
She giggled. "It's past midnight..."
"Doesn't matter, if you're hungry, you're hungry."
I led her into the kitchen and she sat on one of my bar stools while I made the food.
"You didn't decorate for Christmas," she said, glancing around the room.
"I was too sad," I admitted. "Christmas reminds me of... that woman I told you about."
She nodded, looking wiser than her eleven years. "Maybe you will have more Christmases with her."
"With your help, I just might." I presented her with a plate laden with pasta. "And voila. Bon appetit!"
She dug in with gusto, and I made a plate for myself too, digging into the meal. I liked having Georgina around. It made me feel less alone.
But I knew this wasn't a permanent solution. The girl deserved a real family, not a bachelor like me. I vowed to call her aunt the next day and figure out a place for her to stay. I owed that to her, at least.
Chapter 19
Amicia
The year was coming to an end. It had been almost a week since I'd left Grayson's apartment in tears. I'd waited until he fell asleep before sneaking out, leaving my gift for him under the Christmas tree we'd decorated together. Every day since then, I'd regretted my decision.
With a heavy sigh, I opened the doors to the theater. An all-too-familiar sight awaited me—dozens of girls vying for a single role, one that would likely slip through my fingers just as all the others had. But I was determined this time.
A year ago, Grayson Kline surprised me by keeping true to his promise. He paid for my time spent with him, and the money arrived in my bank account a few days after Christmas. At first, I wanted nothing to do with it. I marked it in my head as dirty money and refused to touch it.
For two months, the money remained untouched in my bank account. But after another failed audition and being close to thrown out of my newly rented apartment, I told myself I earned that money fair and square.
I used it to pay for a few months’ rent in advance and some dance classes, which I excelled in. The money stayed in my account and I only took out the bare minimum needed to pay for my dance instructor.
Soon enough, I had completed years’ worth of training in a few months’ time. My trainer was Igor, a man who’d danced with the Bolshoi ballet in his youth and was now determined to make me a star. I did everything he said, and he told me I had a good shot of getting this audition. I could only hope he was right.
The role was for a production of Swan's Lake. I was auditioning for the main part, and though the chances of me scoring the lead role were small, I was more ready than ever to impress the people in that theater with my skills. I'd spent all night preparing, watching video after video of the choreography for the role. I was ready.
Holding my head up high, I waited in the seating area until my name was called. The people running the audition luckily didn't look familiar this time, and the woman sitting in the middle seat behind a long conference table gave me an encouraging smile. I could do this.
"Whenever you're ready," a man with an exaggerated moustache told me, and I nodded, allowing myself to close my eyes and count to three before I nodded to the pianist. The notes carried me into a dance I'd rehearsed for. I was good, but I didn't know whether it would be enough. It hadn't been so far.
Still, I gave it my all, twisting and turning on the stage until the song turned to its crescendo. Right there, in the most frantic moment, I stumbled. I felt a collective gasp go through the judging committee as I fell to the floor. Tears of humiliation burned my eyes, but I forced myself to lift my head and smile as if nothing had happened. I kept dancing, and I gave it my all.
Once I was finished, I bowed for the committee with a bright smile on my face. They clapped loudly; their faces enthusiastic as they gave me some praise as well as constructive criticism on my performance.
"Can you wait for us, maybe an hour or two while we see the rest of the applicants?" the man with the moustache asked, and I was all too eager to nod in agreement. I'd never been asked to stay after an audition, and I took it as a sign of good things to come.
Back in the waiting area, I nervously folded my hands in my lap. The minutes ticked by painfully slowly, and even though I tried to force myself to think of the audition, there was only one thing—one man—on my mind. Grayson Kline.
I missed him, though I hated admitting it. But he was gone for good, and that had been my decision—to cut him out of my life after I'd found out what he'd had his business associate do to Margaret. I couldn't be with a man like that. A man who killed people.
Still, a part of me was eager to run back into his arms. I wanted him. I missed his heated touch, the way he'd kissed me, the way he fucked me and made love to me and made me feel whole for the first time in my life. But my own morality was getting in the way, a painful reminder that he was a bad man that had no business being in my life. I couldn't be with Grayson. I shouldn't forgive him for what he'd done.
So why was I still yearning for him? Why was every waking moment spent thinking about the man who'd changed the course of my life forever? Why had fate been so cruel to throw me in his lap when we both knew we could never be together?
I swallowed the lump in my throat just as someone called out my name.
"Amicia Romano?"
"Yes?" I stood up, wiping my eyes before following the coordinator into the main room. Nerves were getting the best of me, and to top it all off, my heart was breaking into pieces, knowing Grayson and I were well and truly over.
"Thank you for waiting, Miss Romano," the man with the moustache said kindly, pointing for me to stand before them. "We were impressed by your technique and eagerness to learn more. While we cannot offer you the lead role in the ballet this time, we would be honored if you played Odile in this production. You will only appear in one act, but it should be a good starting point for you, should you consider accepting our offer."
I was too gobsmacked to say anything. I just stared at them, making the man chuckle as he waited for my reply. Finally, my speech returned, and I stuttered, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, we're quite certain," he said with a friendly smile. "You've impressed us here tonight. Somehow, you managed to even make your fall look graceful."
I laughed, tears finally spilling down my cheeks as I thanked them one by one profusely. They gave me some further instructions for the production, and I left the room with a bright smile and a sunny outlook on my future. Still, the thought of Grayson prevailed in my mind. How happy could I truly be if I wasn't with the man I loved?
I shook my head to get the thought out. I couldn't think of that, couldn't allow my feelings clouding my judgement. I'd left him for good reason, and he'd paid for the time I'd spent with him, just like he'd promised he would. It was well and truly over.
It was past nine p.m. as I made my way home through the dark streets. There was a flickering light pole in the middle of the street, and just like a couple of days prior, soft little snowflakes drifted from the sky, slowly melting on my cheeks. I should have been happy, but instead I felt alone and broken. There was nobody to share the victory with.
Since my first and last botched date, I hadn’t gone out with anyone. Instead, I chose to focus on my dancing, improving my technique until nobody could deny it was perfect. And still, every night, I found myself thinking about Grayson. Wondering whether I’d made a mistake when I left, whether he missed me as much as I missed him. Whether he’d take me back.
Those moments ended in tears and long nights of fitful sleep. Fact of the matter was, Grayson had never reached out to me in the eleven months we’d spent apart. For him, we were done.
As I was making my way down the deserted street a couple of blocks down from the theater, the lights flickered on and off above me, and I looked up at them with a worried expression. How ominous.
I'd reached the end of the street when the lights flickered again, this time turning off completely. My breath caught in my throat as I heard move
ment behind me, adrenaline instantly taking over and preparing me for the intruder that touched my shoulder, prompting me to whip around in a defensive position.
"Don't touch me!" I snarled, ready to hit the intruder until my eyes zeroed in on the dark, tall figure before me. "What the..."
"Hello, Kitty."
Grayson's deep voice was like music to my ears, and I whimpered out loud when I heard him speak. The man instantly made me feel dizzy, his mere presence making my knees go weak.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, nervously looking over my shoulder. The streetlights were still out, the dark street illuminated by nothing but the moon. "How did you find me?"
"You should know by now I'll always keep an eye on you," Grayson told me, sending shivers down my spine.
"What do you w-want?" I managed.
"I'll get to that in a second." He gave me his winning smirk, making my stomach flutter with butterflies. "But first, Amicia, I need to know. Do you want me to leave you alone? Because if you do, if you really do, all you need is to say it right now, and I won't bother you again. Do you understand?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat, considering his question. But there had only ever been one answer.
"I don't want you to leave me alone," I admitted in a broken whisper.
"Good," Grayson grinned. He clicked his fingers together then, and suddenly, the street lit up again. My eyes opened in wonder as a group of carolers, kids in their pre-teens, arrived from around the corner, singing Holy Night.
"What is this?" I whispered, my eyes dancing between the man I loved and the group of children. One girl stood out, not older than eleven, with midnight black-blue hair and sparkling grey eyes.
"They're part of a charity I sponsor," Grayson explained. "I pay for each of their scholarships to a music school. There's others, too. Dancers. Performers. Actors."
"You never told me about this," I mumbled, looking up into his eyes and feeling the familiar rush of heat between my legs as our gazes locked.
Christmas Captive: A Holiday Romance Page 14
