by Laura Burton
“Well, I like to go to art galleries,” Catherine began shyly. “I never buy anything. I wish I could go in and walk out with a portrait. But… you know…”
“What kind of portraits? Do you go somewhere in the city?” Edward asked. His voice sounded hopeful and the shadow behind his eyes told Catherine a dangerous idea was brewing.
“Yes,” she said hesitantly. “There’s a gorgeous one over on Stone Street.”
“I’ve never been to an art gallery,” Edward said as he scratched his chin. His brows furrowed as he looked at his cup in thought.
“What kind of art do you like?” he asked, his head bobbing up to meet her eye again.
“I love hyperrealism.”
“Hyper-what?”
Catherine laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as her shoulders relaxed.
“It’s hard to explain. I guess––”
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Edward asked, a little too quickly. Catherine shot him a careful look.
“Hey, you, slow down,” she said crossing her arms. “I don’t know anything about you.”
Edward’s face flushed with color.
“Alright. I’m thirty-years-old, I love cars––I fix them up for a living––I’m from England but my family moved out here while I was at board––” he closed his mouth and shot her a nervous glance. Then cleared his throat. “I mean, when I was abroad for a school exchange program.”
“Oh, where did you go?”
Edward’s forehead reddened and he hesitated.
“Here, actually. It’s erm, why my parents decided to move out to New York. I had such a great time and a job came up for my dad so…”
“What does your dad do?”
Catherine eyed him shrewdly. A little pool of sweat gathered above his upper lip, he wiped it away quickly and cleared his throat again.
“He’s um, well.” He shrugged. “I guess he’s in hotel management.”
“You’re lying to me,” Catherine said bluntly. His nostrils flared and eyes dilated. She knew the signs too well. Edward made to disagree, but Catherine raised her brows at him. He closed his mouth and hummed.
“This is a lot harder than I thought it would be,” he said frankly.
“What is?”
Edward puffed out the air from his cheeks and his shoulders slumped.
“Honestly, I can’t tell you much about myself. Not without lying and… I don’t want to lie to you.”
“Then why don’t you just tell me the truth?”
“I can’t.” Edward stood up and threw his cup into the trashcan with frustration. “I wish I could… but––”
“But what?”
Edward paced back and forth and scratched the back of his neck again.
“Don’t tell me you’re a hitman,” she said jokingly. Edward stopped walking, looked at her and burst into laughter.
“No, I’m not a hitman,” he said softly as he picked up his pace again.
“Has this got anything to do with the event tonight?” Catherine asked. Edward looked at her puzzled.
“What?”
“The climate change dinner. Come on, you don’t really think I’d buy your story, do you?”
Edward’s face paled and turned a tinge of green.
“I guess I’m not good at this.”
“Lying you mean?”
Edward tilted his head down and looked up through his dark lashes with a guilty grin.
“I’m sorry. I never realized I was a bad liar.”
Catherine crossed her arms and smirked at him, happy to have uncovered his façade.
“You’re not even a mechanic, are you?”
“Oh no, I am. That was the truth. I live and breathe cars.”
He gave her a sincere look.
“Alright. So, tell me, what is a mechanic doing going to a fancy charity event in downtown New York?”
“It’s for my friend Sam… you met him last night.” He lowered to the bench and looked imploringly in Catherine’s eyes, as if to offer a confession. “He didn’t want me to tell you. And he told me that if Anthony found out we were seeing each other…”
“Anthony? My cousin Anthony?” Catherine burst out with surprise.
Since when did Anthony care about my love life?
She shook the thought away and refocused on Edward’s beautiful blue eyes.
“We’re not seeing each other… we just met for brunch.”
She looked disappointedly at her cup of hot chocolate and her stomach grumbled.
“If you only knew where I would take you to eat if…” Edward stopped and sighed.
“You know what. Forget it. Let’s just go anyway.” He held out his hand and Catherine automatically took it. His touch was comfortable. Like putting on an old pair of jeans, molded perfectly to fit.
“Where are we going?” Catherine asked, her head spinning as he tugged at her hand and brought her to a stand. Edward had an energy about him that made her giddy. And there was a sense of mystery that piqued her interest. What was there to hide from her? Did he work for the government? Was he a spy? Or an undercover detective? Maybe a reporter trying to get in on the gossip at the climate change conference?
“We’re going to get brunch,” Edward said triumphantly as he led the way at top speed. He looked back, his hair rippling in the wind as they dashed across the grassy verge and back towards the city streets. Catherine clutched his hand for dear life and bit her lip with excitement. Whoever this guy was, he knew how to keep a lady on her toes.
Chapter Six
Unexpected Baggage
Great. You’ve blown your cover already.
Edward hurried through the streets with Catherine’s slightly clammy hand in his. He grinned. If there was one thing, he knew he was good at, it was thinking on his feet.
The two of them came to a small café with barely any customers in it. It was well-lit, with open spaces and small circular tables scattered around the edges of the room.
“Here you are,” Edward said as he pulled out a chair for Catherine to sit.
“You’re full of surprises,” she said as she took her seat. She perched on the edge and kept her back impossibly straight as she took in their surroundings.
Edward glanced at the glass counter to see an elderly man walk through the back door. His eyes lit up as they lingered on Edward.
“I’ll be right back,” he said to Catherine and jogged over to the man.
“Edward, it’s been a while… you want the usual?” the man said a little too loudly for Edward’s liking. He shot a furtive look back at Catherine who was gazing out of the window, lost in her thoughts.
“Can you pretend we don’t know each other Michael?” he muttered quietly, leaning into the old man. Michael’s furry white brows shot up briefly before a knowing smile crossed his wrinkled face. He tapped his nose.
“Gotcha.”
Edward ordered food and strolled back to the table with his shoulders squared. Catherine’s bright eyes followed him across the room and stayed on him as he lowered to his seat.
“This is fancy,” she remarked, unfolding the cotton napkin on the table and placing it on her lap.
Sam’s rules echoed in Edward’s head. The budget. He could easily blow his daily budget just on brunch in this café. A Cup of Tea was a highly priced British café that served English scones and jam. It was where people came to have a traditional British afternoon tea.
Michael reappeared with a silver cake stand and set it on the table. Miniature cakes and sandwiches sat like ornaments on the stand and Edward watched Catherine’s eyes bulge as she inspected them closely.
“These look so cute,” she said with a squeal. Edward grinned.
“Try the smoked salmon,” he said pointing to one of the sandwiches. Catherine obliged and chewed thoughtfully.
Then, she gave him the thumbs up with a moan. Edward sat back in his chair, slowly spreading clotted cream onto his scone as he watched Catherine devouring the tiny
cakes and appetisers on the stand.
“You were hungry,” he remarked, a broad grin taking over his face. Her eyes shot to him and she swallowed, her cheeks turning crimson.
“Starving,” she said simply as she dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
“So, it sounds like there’s a lot you can’t tell me… is there anything you can?” She looked at him with her defined brows raised.
Edward took a bite from his scone and chewed slowly to buy himself some time. Sam said he had to be authentic but not let on that he was rich. Edward hadn’t realized how difficult that was going to be. Coming from a wealthy family was part of who he was. He couldn’t talk about his many trips abroad, boarding school, his portfolio of cars. He couldn’t even talk about his work. He had even given his bodyguards time off. Mechanics don’t hire security, after all.
Edward hummed to himself. What made him Edward Marks?
“I really love classical music,” he said thoughtfully. Catherine’s eyes sparkled back at him as she gave him a nod of encouragement. “And I love to be challenged.”
“Oh?” Catherine’s eyelashes fluttered tantalizingly as she settled back in her chair, her teacup raised to her lips. “Now we’re talking. Would you say you’re competitive?”
“Would I?” Edward sat bolt upright as a surge of energy coursed through his veins. “I never lose anything.”
“Anything?” Catherine asked with a tilt of the head. She put her cup down and folded her arms across her chest. The delicate red blouse sat a little snug on her body, it made Edward’s mouth dry to look. His eyes flickered back up to her gorgeous face, her lips were pressed firmly together in a tight line and the soft waves of her hair rested on her cheeks. He wanted to take a hand and brush her hair to the side. Caress her smooth cheek with his thumb.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to set me a challenge?” he pointed at her briefly and picked up his drink.
“Well, you sound far too sure of yourself. I think you need a strong woman to put you in your place,” she teased.
“I’d like that very much,” Edward quipped back, flashing his teeth at her.
“Hmm.” Catherine looked down momentarily and bit her lip. “I’ll have to think about what to challenge you on.”
Edward was just about to make a suggestion when Catherine’s eyes darted outside the window and widened in horror. In a flash, she ducked and slid the chair back so fast it wobbled, almost tipping. Edward leaned over the table to see Catherine crouched and covering her head with her hands.
“What are you doing?” he asked as he looked out of the window. A crowd of pedestrians walked past the window without so much as a glance in their direction. If Edward hadn’t known any better, he would have guessed that there was a missile heading in their direction from Catherine’s reaction.
Her head popped up and she peeked out of the window, still crouching.
“He’s gone.” She sighed with relief while Edward stared at her incredulously.
“He? You’re not married, are you?”
Catherine shot him a look and gingerly returned to her seat.
“I told you, I just got out of a bad relationship…”
“Oh, him? Where is he? I’ll sort him out.” Edward flexed his muscles as he rolled his sleeves up and surveyed the crowd looking for the man who could possibly instil so much fear in this beautiful woman.
What a piece of––
“No!” Catherine said firmly. Edward snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her. She was chewing her lip now and her forehead became shiny. “I’m sorry Edward… this has been nice but… I have to go.” She rose to her feet and Edward scrambled out of his chair with his mouth open as Catherine shot out of the café and disappeared into the steady stream of people.
Just like that, she was gone, leaving Edward scratching his head and wondering what to do next.
“She ran out on your date? Eddie, that’s too perfect.” Sam chortled to himself as he surveyed his suit in the floor length mirrors of the gentleman’s dressing room. Edward and Sam had met at their favorite tailors to pick up their tuxedos for the climate change event.
Edward watched Sam pose in his black suit and straighten his blue satin tie with a smirk on his face.
“It was going so well up to that point,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Whoever this ex-boyfriend is, she’s pretty scared of him.”
“Do you think you’ll see her again?”
“She’s singing at the climate change event, isn’t she?”
“Right, I forgot about that.” Sam turned and nodded to the tailor. “It’s great, Henry. Thanks.”
Edward took his place in front of the mirrors in his tux and checked the fit. He rolled his shoulders back, raised his arms and dragged his thumbs between the waistband and his cotton shirt. Then he nodded with approval.
“Very nice.”
“How are you doing moneywise?” Sam asked as he reappeared from behind the curtain.
“Let’s just say I’m glad the food and drinks are inclusive tonight.” Edward gave him a guilty smile. The cost of afternoon tea had blown his budget out of the water.
“Don’t tell me you’ve already run out?”
“No, I’m good. I’ve got over $700 left.”
“You’re only on day two, Eddie! What have you spent it on?”
“I tried to be frugal,” Edward said with his hands raised. “Come on, this is Manhattan. Not the Bronx. Food and travel are costly.”
“So, apart from her abrupt exit, how do you think things are going with you two? You think you can still pull this off?” Sam asked simply, changing the subject. Edward knew he couldn’t argue. Just a simple cup of coffee was twice the price downtown.
Edward sighed as he pulled off his suit jacket and draped it over his arm.
“About that…” he began heavily. “She’s quick and never misses a beat.”
“So, she is related to Anthony, then.”
“Huh?” Edward stopped fiddling with his buttons and gave Sam a nonplussed look. Sam waved a hand and scoffed.
“That’s right, I forget you don’t know him as well as I do.” He strolled across the floor and stood less than a foot away from a mirror, patting his hair down. “He’s the best poker player that I know. He can always pick up on somebody’s tell.”
Edward groaned inwardly.
That’s not good.
“She called me out when I tried to lie about boarding school.”
“Why did you lie about that?”
“Because, she’ll know––”
“––that your parents are rich. Not you. Think about the boys we went to school with. How many of them are doing as well as you?” He looked pointedly at Edward. “Besides, you could tell her you got a scholarship.”
“Mate, it’s turning into a web of lies. And she knows. Apparently, that shrewdness you talked about runs in the family because she knew when I wasn’t telling the truth.”
Sam’s face turned gleeful.
“Fantastic. I’ve been enjoying your penthouse. It’ll be nice to make it a permanent place of residence.”
“Hold on, it’s not over yet. Don’t get comfortable.” Edward lowered his jacket on a plush upholstered chair and folded his arms. “There’s plenty of time yet. Maybe if I find out more about this ex-boyfriend…”
“No, stay out of that,” Sam said firmly. Edward looked up at him innocently, but Sam’s face remained stern. “You don’t need drama. Don’t forget who you are.”
“Exactly, no one is going to mess with––”
“So what? Now you want to win her heart by scaring off the abusive ex? I’m telling you mate, that’s not going to win a woman’s heart.”
Edward shrugged.
“Why not?” The image of Catherine cowering on the floor flashed across his mind’s eye and his blood boiled. Catherine had been so sure of herself, elegant, confident and outspoken. Whoever it was that made her recoil and not want to show her face deserved to face some pa
in.
“Trust me. Don’t do go all Edward on me.” Sam’s words cut into Edward like a knife in the back.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Sam walked across the room and squared up to Edward, leaning in as he gave him a severe look.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” he said.
The words might as well have been “Go ahead,” because the disapproval on Sam’s face paired with the order sounded an awful lot like a challenge. And Edward never walked away from a challenge. He nodded to Sam but grinned to himself as he turned away. Dangerous ideas were starting to form.
Chapter Seven
The Songbird and the Eagle
“Thank you for attending the annual climate change conference.”
Catherine peeked through the gap in the heavy curtains and squinted against the spotlights to look at the crowd. A stage overlooked a ballroom floor which was full of circular tables. There must have been a thousand guests seated and staring at the host of the event, Frederick Wallace, as he greeted them. Catherine eyed Frederick’s perfectly tailored suit as he gave his presentation. There was not a single crease on his pant legs except for a perfectly pressed line on the front. He spoke about biodegradable containers to reduce plastic waste and renewable energy, unveiling his plans to reduce carbon emissions. The event had been organized to attract wealthy business owners and celebrities to raise money for his cause. It was good PR for the rich and famous, and donating to a good cause was a stealthy way for business to get a tax break.
Catherine thought it was a clever set up. She had heard from Anthony that Frederick was a visionary man who had come from a long line of rich businessmen. He was said to be worth millions. Possibly billions. He was rumoured to own more land in the Amazon rainforest than anyone and he dedicated all of his time and energy to sharing one message: save the planet.
When Catherine’s agent said she landed this gig, she hesitated. Who was she to sing about saving the planet, when she did so little to help?
She looked out to catch a glimpse of Edward in the audience. But the lights were blinding and all she saw were shadowy outlines of people sitting at the tables. The orchestra started to play, and Frederick strolled past her with a beaming smile. A minty aroma washed over her as he walked by, and without another thought, she walked––as if on auto pilot––onto the stage to the sound of applause.
