by Kate Frost
Freya looked sharply at him. It was the second time this evening she’d been questioned about her feelings for Aaron. ‘I er... I didn’t know...’
‘There are very few things on this island that I’m not aware of.’
Her heart sank and her cheeks flushed. ‘No, I don’t love him...’ This was absolutely the last thing she wanted to be talking to him about. It had been hard enough talking to Maryam about Aaron and Zander... She still felt like she was hiding something from him. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. ‘We did have some sort of relationship, a bit more than friends, but it had started to go wrong when I found out about his son...’
Zander’s face remained impassive, not giving anything away.
‘I shouldn’t have been so trusting.’
Zander shook his head. ‘It’s not your fault. I’m just sorry you fell for his lies.’
Freya fought back tears again. Such strong words were being directed at Aaron. How could she not have seen what he was really like before now? Yes, there had been warning signs when they’d visited his family home, and the day after their night of passion, and yet in those first few weeks on the island he’d been nothing but friendly and charming, someone she had warmed to and wanted to spend time with. By all accounts she still knew nothing about him.
Zander stepped closer and put his hand on her arm, his touch warm and comforting. ‘It’s not just you; he’s fooled a lot of people. And he almost got away with it...’ He stopped abruptly as if realising he shouldn’t say any more.
‘What is it?’
‘Nothing, really. Just don’t be too hard on yourself; you didn’t realise what he’s truly like because you’re too good a person, Freya.’
The lump in her throat threatened tears again; her emotions were all over the place, confusion and hurt and loneliness fighting together.
‘Well, isn’t this cosy.’
Aaron’s voice was filled with hatred.
Zander dropped his hand from Freya’s arm. She swung round.
Aaron was standing in the shadow of the trees, looking directly at Freya. ‘I thought you’d be here, but I’m disappointed to see you with him, though I shouldn’t be surprised.’
‘What is your problem? Why do you have so much hatred and distrust?’ Freya stepped forward, the burning pain in her chest returning with his words and attitude towards her. She shook her head. ‘I should never have believed anything you said.’
Aaron paced across the sand and got right up into Zander’s face. ‘You told her, did you? Showed her the “evidence”?’ He practically spat in Zander’s face.
‘I haven’t shown her anything.’
‘Shown me what?’ Freya asked.
Aaron ignored her and moved even closer to Zander. ‘It’s great for you though, isn’t it?’ He shoved his hand into Zander’s chest. ‘The perfect way to get rid of me and have your way yet again with someone I love.’
His words took Freya aback. This was news to her; she’d never got that sense from him. He liked her, definitely fancied her, but love?
‘Aaron, you don’t love me. If you did, you’d have told the truth from the beginning and you certainly wouldn’t have jeopardised my place on the island by burning down the bookshop.’
‘See, this is exactly it.’ He jabbed a finger at her. ‘You believe him over me.’
Zander stepped between them, shielding Freya from Aaron’s anger. ‘That’s because it’s the truth, Aaron,’ he said calmly. ‘However you try and spin this, the evidence doesn’t lie. I had no intention of telling anyone else about it, let alone Freya. I was hoping we could move on quietly without any drama, but you just can’t let it go, can you? Whatever you think and believe about me, that has nothing to do with Freya. Your actions have hurt her as much as they’ve hurt me. I gave you the chance to do the right thing three years ago and suggested you leave for the sake of Zahida and your son, but you stayed and she felt she couldn’t continue working here. There is no choice now. You will leave. There’s no place for you here any longer. You fight against that, then I’ll bring criminal damage charges against you. You’re lucky that you didn’t seriously injure anyone with your actions.’
Aaron’s nostrils flared and the veins on his biceps bulged; Zander stood his ground, the two of them practically nose to nose. Freya half expected him to challenge Zander, but he didn’t. His fists clenched and his jaw locked. She didn’t recognise the man she’d laughed and chatted with, the man she’d trusted and fallen enough for to let him in emotionally. How wrongly she’d read him.
‘There’s a seaplane to Malé leaving at eleven tomorrow,’ Zander said. ‘I expect you to be packed and on it.’
Aaron turned as if to go. He faltered and swung back, pushing his hands into Zander’s chest. ‘I did it because you have everything and I have nothing.’
Zander didn’t move. His eyes remained locked on Aaron. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. You had everything; the love of a kind and beautiful women, which you threw away because you thought she’d cheated on you because of who I am. You have a little boy who’s yours to love, if you allow yourself to. What I have are material things, and trust me, they don’t necessarily make for a happy or contented life, whatever you believe. And whatever you may think of me, it’s not too late to make amends with Zahida.’
The two men stared at each other. Freya could see the tears glistening in Aaron’s eyes. He’d finally admitted the truth, and it left her feeling hurt and empty.
Without another word or a backwards glance at Freya, Aaron stormed off through the trees towards the bookshop he’d destroyed.
Freya fought with her emotions as she watched him until he disappeared in the darkness.
‘I’m so sorry, Freya.’ Zander’s voice was quiet and comforting against the gentle sigh of the waves.
She realised she was shaking and her heart was pounding. She looked at Zander. ‘I know he’s just admitted it. But what evidence?’
He sighed and rubbed his hand across his forehead. ‘There’s a bird cam in the bird box on one of the trees behind the bookshop. I’d completely forgotten it was there until our head gardener watched the footage that had been recorded over the last week. It captured everything. That night Aaron went inside the bookshop first, we assume to start the fire in there, then there’s a clear shot of him lobbing some kind of flaming kindling on to the roof. Needless to say it caught light immediately and there was no stopping it. We could see Aaron about to leave the clearing when you arrived. The picture got distorted by smoke after that. I’m so very sorry. Even though I had my suspicions, I honestly didn’t think he was capable of something as reckless as this.’
‘You weren’t going to tell me about it?’
‘I wasn’t sure; I didn’t want to upset you. I’d spoken to Aaron about it this morning and I’d given him until tomorrow to explain himself and at which point I was going to fire him and let him leave quietly, like I said, no fuss, no drama.’
Freya nodded as she stared out at the ocean. While it was serene, she was filled with turmoil. She trusted Zander more and more as the weeks went on and she’d slowly begun to get to know and understand him better. He had a public persona, and his real self was hidden from most people. Aaron setting fire to the bookshop had allowed her to see Zander for who he really was, the same way she now knew the truth about Aaron.
‘I’m surprised you’ve remained so calm and you were going to let him stay until tomorrow.’
‘To be honest that was down to there being no seaplane here today, plus the last thing I want is for things to kick off. I have guests to think about. With Aaron gone, we’re going to need to rearrange the scuba dives that were scheduled. I don’t want any more fuss.’
‘Well, I’m glad I know the truth, even if I feel foolish for having trusted and believed him.’
‘He hid things well.’
‘I know.’ She nodded and breathed deeply. ‘Right, I’m going to head back.’
‘You shouldn’t, not yet, not with Aaron sti
ll there.’
‘Surely he’s not going to do anything now? I’m in the women’s block...’ Freya frowned and studied Zander. ‘What on earth do you think he’s capable of?’
‘I’ve seen a side to him that I’m certain you haven’t.’ He stared at his feet and shook his head. ‘I should have sent him packing years ago.’ He glanced up at her. ‘He set fire to the bookshop; he didn’t go and get help even when he knew you were there. I don’t trust him and neither should you. Come back with me, even for just an hour or two until he calms down. Just to be on the safe side.’
Freya bit her lip, tears welling, the emotion of the evening and the turmoil inside her overwhelming. ‘I’ve already been to your villa this evening.’
‘You have?’
‘I had an argument with Aaron earlier and I went to find you to get some answers. Maryam pretty much confirmed everything for me, made me see and understand the truth. I’ve been so stupid, so blinkered...’
‘Yes, by his lies.’
‘If I go back with you, it’ll just add weight to his belief that there’s something going on between us.’ Her face flushed again.
Zander smiled. ‘But there’s not and we know that, so there’s nothing to worry about. I don’t trust him and I don’t want you anywhere near him while he’s angry. He’ll be gone tomorrow and then we can all move on, put this sorry state of affairs behind us and start rebuilding, literally and emotionally.’
Chapter Thirty
Maryam gave them the warmest smile as they returned to the villa together.
‘Everything all right?’ she asked, greeting them on the deck.
‘We had a bit of a confrontation with Aaron,’ Zander said. ‘But it’s all okay now. Would you mind preparing some drinks and nibbles before you head off to bed.’
‘Of course.’ She patted Freya on the arm and retreated inside.
Freya had lost track of time. It felt an age since she’d left Aaron on the staff beach and she’d stormed off to the bookshop and then to Zander’s villa without even her mobile. And now she was back here again, the whole evening a complete revelation. At least she now knew the truth. And she hadn’t fallen in love with Aaron. He’d confused and infuriated her, although she’d fancied him.
They sat out on the deck, on a cushioned rattan sofa next to the pool. Freya watched the gentle waves roll on to the sand. ‘It’s so sad he’s giving up any kind of meaningful relationship with his son because of what he believes.’
Zander glanced sideways at Freya. ‘We know that, but he’s so blinkered by what he believes and hatred for me that he can’t see past it, even when the truth is staring him in the face. I mean, the kid looks like him. I’ve even offered to do a paternity test but he wouldn’t take me up on it. Deep down he knows the truth, but he’d rather hate me and resent everyone than move on and have a relationship with Zahida and his son.’
‘Maybe being away from here will be the best thing for everyone. It might give him a chance to reconcile things.’
‘I hope so too. I have no time for Aaron, but I feel for Zahida and her son. They didn’t deserve to be treated the way they have. I also feel guilty for allowing the situation to arise. If I’d known how much distress giving Zahida Maryam’s job for those six months would have caused, I would have given her the choice.’
Freya frowned. ‘But it’s not your fault. And you gave Zahida a great opportunity. Maryam said so. And you did it with the best intentions.’
Zander grunted. ‘Yeah, and my past caught up with me. I’ve changed since those days, and yet people still see a playboy millionaire and believe what they want to.’
‘What made you change? If you don’t mind me asking.’
‘No, I don’t mind.’
Maryam bustled on to the deck with a tray and placed it on the low table in front of them.
‘You’re an angel, Maryam, thank you,’ Zander said with a beaming smile.
‘I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy.’
‘Night, Maryam,’ they both said as she headed back inside.
‘I honestly couldn’t do without her. She keeps me grounded and sane. I’m lucky to have her.’
‘And what a feast!’
Freya’s mouth watered at the sight of half a dozen bowls filled with juicy prawns, mini savoury tarts and spiced mixed nuts.
Zander poured them each a glass of fresh lemonade and placed the bottle back in the cooler. They clinked glasses.
‘What made me change,’ he said, continuing their conversation. ‘Was losing someone I cared for. The one person who I knew looked out for me.’
Freya swallowed a mouthful of lemonade. A chill scuttled down her back as Zander’s words hit home.
‘I had quite a sheltered upbringing with books instead of TV and of course it was in a time before social media, the bane of my life. But I was independent and headstrong from a young age, probably because my whole childhood was spent travelling the world and moving from one place to another, never staying put for very long. So I rebelled by applying to go on a TV show, which I only knew about through a friend. To cut a long story short I was picked to be one of four in a boy band which of course turned into One Love.’ He clenched his glass tighter and gazed out at the ocean. ‘We had a manager who was ruthlessly determined to make us the biggest band in the world whatever it cost, and a recording label who were happy to make as much money off us as possible, and although I made plenty of money, we were fleeced by everyone. My parents didn’t understand my decision to take part in the TV show to begin with, let alone parade about on stage and in videos with half naked women draped over me. They didn’t disown me, but I didn’t see or even speak to them for a very long time. The only person who had my back was our security guard Paul. He was British and had a tough upbringing, and he could see what was happening around us. To us. There were drugs, alcohol, so much wrong with the way we were living. He saw how it was destroying us, me in particular. From being so sheltered, I’d gone to the other extreme. He looked out for me and there were many times he made sure I got safely back to my hotel room and didn’t choke on my own vomit.’ He glanced at Freya. ‘It really wasn’t pretty.’
‘What happened to him?’
Zander downed his drink and took a shuddery breath. ‘He died in a car crash after one of our gigs. I was in the car behind and saw everything. One of my bandmates was injured – that was all over the news – but Paul died at the scene. Barely a mention. The driver was four times over the limit – that kind of thing happened all the time but that night it caused a tragedy. It made me re-evaluate everything and even at a young age it made me see past the fame, the supposed glamour, the drugs, to the truth. I was lonely, being used and grieving for the one person who at the time truly meant anything to me.’
Freya reached out and took his hand. ‘I’m so sorry you had to go through that.’
‘I lived a crazy life, one I wouldn’t wish on anyone. That kind of fame and fortune messes with you big time, particularly if you’re young and surrounded by people willing to take advantage. And I was. We all were. We were so young and naive to different degrees. It’s just as well I got out when I did, or God knows what would have happened. I went solo, wrote my own songs, earned some serious money and wasn’t taken advantage of. I grew up quickly after Paul’s death. I also ended my solo career while I was riding high. I knew that kind of lifestyle and fame couldn’t be maintained, and I didn’t want it to be. I invested my money in property and made more, and reinvested. I worked out what I wanted in life and it was actually thinking back to my childhood and the times I’d been happiest that made me realise the direction I wanted to go in. The times we lived by the ocean, surrounded by nature and peace. That’s what I craved.’ He wafted his hand around them. ‘And yet my past has followed me here. I can’t shake off the image I created when I was a selfish young man riding high on fame. It’s cost me relationships; it’s caused distrust with people assuming I’ll do things and behave a certain way because of my past. You’ve
seen it first-hand.’
‘Which makes me wonder if I’m just really bad at reading people, that I don’t pick up on what’s going on inside. I misread you and I totally didn’t see Aaron for who he was.’
‘I don’t think it’s you who’s bad at reading people; Aaron’s good at fooling people, and the media have had a field day with me in the past, and given the chance, they still try to.’
Freya nodded, unconvinced. She gazed off into the distance, her eyes blurring. ‘It’s not just Aaron or you I’ve misread.’
‘Oh?’
‘My best friend committed suicide the day before her twenty-eighth birthday and I didn’t even have a clue she was unhappy. Or maybe I did but I chose not to see the signs. We were best friends since we were seven and I was older by two weeks.’
‘So she died just a couple of weeks after your birthday?’
A surge of emotion enveloped Freya. She could sense Zander watching and it was her turn to stare out at the dark ocean and try and contain her tears. But she couldn’t. After bottling up her grief for two years the tears erupted, all the hurt and sadness overwhelming her as she sobbed. Zander wrapped his arms around her. He held her to his chest and she cried against him, her tears dampening his T-shirt. She hadn’t been this open with anyone, not friends back home, not Drew here; she hadn’t even told Aaron about Amber. When she’d reacted this way with Owen, he’d frozen, unable to cope with her grief. She’d forced herself to be strong around Amber’s parents wanting to support them and she hadn’t even seen her own parents since she’d lost her best friend – a comforting hug from her mum and dad felt like an alien concept.
‘It’s good to let it all out.’ Zander’s breath was hot against her neck. ‘I bottled up my feelings about losing my sister for years.’ He pulled away from her enough to be able to look at her. ‘It’s why I like to be in control of things. It’s a way of self-preservation. I saw my parents have no control over my sister’s fate. She was only four when she got leukaemia. I was seven and her death had a massive impact; I’ve felt the need to control my own destiny ever since, as much as anyone can control it.’
