Breaking down to her had given me the strength to go through the last two months with my mind intact. But right now, I wasn’t’ ready to tell her about Luca. I didn’t have it right in my mind.
“Katie, can we talk in a couple of hours?”
Her tone was immediately wary. “Where the hell are you? He hasn’t released you yet, has he?”
I let out a heavy sigh. I didn’t want to have this conversation just yet.
“Katie, please. Can I call you back?”
“No, you cannot, Skye Morrison. I swear I will go to the police,” she yelled into the receiver. “Right this moment. And don’t you dare think that I’m kidding.”
“Oh, Katie!” I muttered. “Why are you so dramatic?”
“Dramatic? Me?” she screeched. “Are you even aware what kind of dangerous position you are in?”
I took a deep breath, but before I could say anything she launched into a tirade.
“I can’t stop you and don’t blame you for making risky decisions for your father’s sake,” she said. “But you promised not to keep me in the dark. That bastard is dangerous, Skye, and you promised to always let me know what’s going on. Did he extend the prison sentence again?”
“No,” I replied quietly. “I… uh… got into a different deal.”
She went silent for a few seconds. “What do you mean?" she breathed.
My voice was smaller than I wanted it to be, but I couldn’t help it. “With another man. Um… he is going to pay for everything, Katie. All of Dad’s medical bills. Until Dad is completely better.”
“Skye!”
“Please don’t make me feel worse than I already do.”
“Then why did you freaking agree to something like that again?”
Tears burned my eyes. I couldn’t speak. I knew everybody else thought I was a whore, but I couldn’t bear it if Katie began to think that too.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized in a creaky voice, and I knew she was trying to hold back from crying too. “I just… I want you safe and free again.”
“I want that for me too,” I mumbled. “But I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to have Dad made completely better. If I hadn’t taken this deal all those times with Salvatore it would have been for nothing. Do you understand me?”
“No, I can’t understand you, Skye. And if your dad knew he wouldn’t understand why you would agree to be the mistress of another slime ball either.”
“He’s not a slime ball…” I glanced at the crumpled sheaf of papers sitting on the bedside table. “And I have a signed legal contract this time. Thirty days and not a day more.”
“What about Salvatore then?” She had to spit his name out. She was that furious and disgusted by him.
“He agreed to walk away.”
“What?”
“The man who offered me this deal last night is Luca Messana.”
“No!” she exploded so loudly, I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “My God. You better be kidding me?”
“I’m not,” I said quietly.
I could hear a rustling sound. I guessed she was sitting down.
“God, I feel almost dizzy,” she said faintly. “How?”
“He saw me at the party and decided he wanted me.”
“Just like that?” she said in disbelief.
I sighed. “Just like that. When you are insanely rich, you can buy people for your amusement.”
“Are you okay?” she breathed.
“Of course, I am. I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You’d go to hell and back for your father without a single word of complaint.”
My smile was sad because she was absolutely right. “Things are a little better this time around though.”
“How so?”
I sighed and took a seat on the bed, my eyes fixed on a far-away spot outside the window.
“He’s…” I hesitated. All the words in my head seemed too simple and inadequate to describe his appearance, or the dark and magnetic power that extruded from his eyes, his face, his body. In the morning light he almost seemed unreal. Like a dream or a nightmare. Perhaps the shadows had played tricks on my mind and when I saw him in the starkness of daylight, he would look like an ordinary human being.
“He’s what?” Katie nudged impatiently.
But as if on cue, there was a knock on my door. My heart fluttered inside my rib cage at the sound, and I turned around to look at the door.
“I’ve gotta go. There’s someone at the door,” I whispered into the phone. “I’ll call you later.”
“Please keep me updated, Skye,” Katie said urgently. “I need to know that you’re fine at all times. And maybe send me an address?”
“Later babe,” I said and ended the call.
I pulled open the door and found a uniformed young maid standing politely outside. Her hazel eyes were friendly, and her chestnut brown hair combed away from her face, and secured with pins.
“Good morning, Miss,” she said with a small smile. “I’m Mary Jane. Breakfast is ready. Would you like to come down for some or I can bring a tray up for you?”
“First of all, can you please call me Skye from now on,” I said.
Her eyes widened, then she grinned. “For sure, I can do that.”
“Second, I’m not an invalid so no trays for me.”
Her grin got wider. “Then please come this way, Skye.”
Chapter 12
Skye
Breakfast was served in a massive orangery. It was at least three times the size of my apartment. The lofty glass roof allowed the winter sunlight to flood the room. It was full of plants, flowers, and vines creeping along the walls. Despite it being a winter wonderland outside, the heat emanating from the floors created a toasty atmosphere inside that glass hall.
Mary Jane led me to a long banqueting table, where there was an impressive, almost wasteful display of dishes on it. I had only seen this kind of spread offered by five-star hotels or in luxury cruise liners. Not that I had been in any, only photos in magazines. I stared at the assortment of pastries and bread, fruit, doomed dishes of cooked food standing on electric warmers, jams, honey, and different cereals in tall glass containers, but these, I only glanced at. What truly held my attention was the view from the glass walls.
“The Chef can also make an omelet or cook some eggs for you in any way you want if you prefer,” Mary Jane said softly next to me, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from the scenery. Beyond the glass was the panoramic view of the other side of the house. It was a picturesque, endless tapestry of rolling, meticulously cared for lawns and hedges. In the distance another massive fountain stood. It was simply too beautiful to put into words.
I pulled my attention back to Mary Jane. “I’m sorry,” I apologized. “But this place is just incredible. It’s so massive and so beautiful.”
“Yes, it is. The grounds stretch across 1065 acres, and the house was recently voted in House and Country magazine as the most beautiful home in Boston.”
“I’m not surprised,” I murmured.
“So… would you like some eggs?” she repeated, handing a plate to me.
I looked at the lavish selection again and actually felt overwhelmed by the available options. Who was going to eat all this food? The house seemed empty. Or was this perhaps just the way of life here?
“There’s so much food here. Is it always like this?” I asked, waving an arm.
She shook her head.
“You mean the Chef went to all this trouble for me?” I asked, shocked.
“Ah, it’s no trouble,” she replied. “We rarely have anyone stay anyway. Actually, we’ve only ever had one visitor stay the weekend.”
“I’m not much of a breakfast person so I won’t be able to eat even a fraction of all this food.”
She smiled, a warm friendly smile. “Don’t worry. There are many mouths to finish whatever you can’t eat. Plus, our Anton couldn’t help but go overboard. He thought the
boss was staying for breakfast, something he never does.”
“Oh,” I said as I picked up a slice of bread.
“Here, let me toast that for you,” Mary Jane offered. Using a pair of tongs, she took the slice off me and popped it on a rolling toaster. I watched the bread disappear into the machine and pondered whether to glean more information from her about Luca. I couldn’t see a reason not to.
“The boss doesn’t usually stay for breakfast?” I queried casually.
“Nah. To be honest, I’ve never seen him, and I’ve been working here for almost two years. Sometimes I even wonder if he is just a mirage. He comes in at the oddest hours and leaves just as inconspicuously. Madam Mitterand, the housekeeper, is the one who personally attends to him. Besides her no one else has any access to him apart from his many bodyguards, of course.”
“So you’ve never seen him?”
“Nope. Madam never allows any of us to attend to him.” She looked at me curiously. “Did you see him last night?”
I nodded.
“Really? Last night? So you’re—”
She stopped just in time, but we both knew what she had been about to say. All of the staff would eventually realize I was here to service their boss. My stomach clenched at the thought, but I squared my shoulders and straightened my spine. It didn’t matter what any of them thought. All that mattered was my father recovered. I’d take being labeled a whore a million times over than to have him unable to undergo his treatments because my pride was greater than my love.
“I’m sorry for badgering you,” she apologized.
“You’re not badgering me. I’m glad to have someone to talk to.” I knew she had meant no harm and I smiled.
She grabbed a small bowl. “Do you want some fruit? What about juice?”
“Um… sure,” I said.
My toast appeared perfectly golden brown as I reached for it. I grabbed a small jar of strawberry jam and a pat of butter that had fashioned into a flower and started walking towards the table.
I took my seat and began to eat.
Soon Mary Jane came over and placed the fruit bowl and a glass of orange juice on the table.
“It must take the gardeners hours to keep these plants so healthy looking,” I commented.
“This is nothing. Wait till you see the greenhouse. It’s so much bigger than this, and they grow all kinds of vegetables there. Even fruit.”
My heart jumped at the information. “There’s a greenhouse here?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “South of the estate. You have to cross the bridge over the lake to get to it.”
“The greenhouse,” I zeroed in. “Are there only food plants there? What about flowers?”
“Hmm.” She lifted her gaze to think. “I’m not really sure about that. The gardener is in charge of it, and I think he focuses more on growing vegetables than flowers. The boss prefers his food be home grown. Do you like flowers?”
“I love them,” I replied. “I’ve always wanted the chance to grow them, but it’s just never happened. Never had the space or the time.” I shrugged. “I live in a small apartment.”
Curiosity about my situation and how I had come to be in this house glittered in her eyes, but she knew better than to go there. “Well, the greenhouse is massive so I’m sure John, he’s the head gardener, won’t mind if you want to grow a few flowers there.”
“That would be wonderful,” I replied in a heartfelt tone, feeling a spark of excitement that I hadn’t felt in so long.
If I was able to get access to the greenhouse then perhaps I would be able to pass my time there, tending to some flowers. Nothing else would make me happier.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Mary Jane said and turned around to leave, but I quickly stopped her.
“Can I go after breakfast? To see the gardener?”
“Not today,” she replied. “I think Madam said you’re having a meeting with a stylist immediately after breakfast.”
“I am?” I asked.
“Yes, Madam said you came without luggage last night.”
“Oh, okay,” I said.
“Is there anything else you need?”
I shook my head.
“All right. If you need anything, just press that button,” she said pointing at a little device that looked like a computer mouse.
I nodded. “I will, thanks.”
“Great. Now, I guess I better go do some actual work. Catch you later, Skye.”
“Catch you later,” I echoed as she walked away.
I felt hollow after her departure, but I pushed the feeling aside, and focused on my surroundings. Everything was so clean and beautiful that I couldn’t help feeling a little envious at how little Luca seemed to appreciate his good fortune. I couldn’t even imagine owning all this amazing beauty and only coming here to sleep at night and disappear before anyone else awakened.
It occurred to me then even though there was so much wealth and luxury around, it all seemed empty and barren. The irony of life was staggering to me, and once again, Luca came into mind. I wondered why he chose to live this way. Without any real companionship, children, or warmth. His behavior deliberately discouraged anyone from getting close to him.
After I’d finished my breakfast, I decided to wander a bit around the house. After all I was supposed to be living here for a month. However just as I reached the doorway, I met the housekeeper coming in from the corridor.
“Please remain here,” she told me coldly. “Miss Anna Franklin will be arriving soon.”
Instinctively, I took a step back and she made as if to turn around and leave, but I stopped her.
“Madam Mitterand,” I called.
“Yes,” she replied with a frown.
“I just wanted to inform you that I have an appointment at five so I’ll be calling for an Uber.”
Her frown deepened. “I don’t have any instructions to let you leave the house.”
“Please, I have to go. I have to see my father. He is sick.” My voice broke at the last word because sick didn’t explain how poorly my father was.
She stood as still as a stone. At first, I thought she was completely unmoved by my plight, but then she asked, “Do you have to be at your appointment at five or do you have to leave the house at five?”
“I have to be there at five,” I said, my voice full of hope.
“I will ask Steven to wait for you at the entrance at four o’clock. Do not be late.”
“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
Madam was unsmiling. “He will take you to your destination. He will wait for you. And he will bring you back when you are done.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded formally then walked away.
Chapter 13
Skye
Miss Anna Franklin was a tall glass of sophistication and sunshine with her burnt auburn bob, sprinkling of freckles, and wonderfully manicured nails, painted in the palest rose. She had a bright smile for me the moment she appeared and I smiled back gratefully.
I couldn’t help but instantly appreciate her appearance. She had paired a tweed blazer, a heavy, eggplant colored coat slung casually across her shoulders, black trousers, and leather boots. She was carrying a massive dark red purse which exactly matched some of the thread in her tweed blazer.
I gulped down what was left of my orange juice and immediately rose to receive her.
“Skye,” she greeted. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I accepted the hand she held out. “Nice to meet you too.”
“I’m sorry I’m late. The traffic was murder. I swear I could have got here faster if I’d walked,” she declared dramatically.
She put her big red bag on the floor and took a seat next to me. At that moment, Madam appeared at the doorway, unsmiling and distant. “Can I get anybody anything to eat or drink?”
“God, no. I’m stuffed. I had a whole apple for breakfast,” Anna said seriously.
I suppressed a laugh and dec
ided then I really liked Anna Franklin. “I’m fine too,” I murmured and Madam retreated, her body stiff and disapproving.
“Well, she’s a whole bag of fun, isn’t she?” Anna commented as she opened her bag.
“She could have a heart of gold,” I said with a smile.
“If she did it would have melted by now with all that acid.”
I giggled.
“Right, let’s get down to business and see what we can do for you,” she said, pulling out a thick leather bound diary/planner.
She uncapped a slim pen, opened what looked like an assessment form and proceeded to ask me to describe my personal style.
I stared blankly at her. “Um, what do you mean?”
She shrugged prettily. “What kind of outfits are you most drawn to? How do you want to look?”
I was a little perplexed at the complication of it all. “I don’t necessarily need outfits. I just need a few basics to tide me over for the next few weeks.”
She paused. “I don’t know your circumstances, Skye, but let me put all my cards on the table so you know where I am coming from. I am the best stylist in Boston if not the whole world. People come from all over the world to use my services. They pay a shedload of money because I am really good at what I do. I can turn a frog into a prince. I was hired to make you look like a million dollars, and by the time I’m finished with you, you will look like a million dollars or my name is not Anna Franklin.”
“Okay.”
She smiled. “Good, we’ll begin with colors. What are your favorites?”
“Uh, black?”
Her smile widened. “Mine too. What about fabric?”
“Silk.” I didn’t own any items in silk, but I’d always loved the feel of it.
She noted it down. “Any others?”
“Actually, I will need underwear, thick socks, something to sleep in, and also walking shoes. All I have is what I am wearing,” I confessed.
I saw quick speculation flash across her eyes and was pretty sure that she had guessed exactly what was going on, but she nodded, and said, “No problem. We’ll get you a whole working wardrobe.” Then she pressed on with her questions. Thirty minutes later, she closed her dark red bag, waved a cheery wave, and hurried away. Her plan was to be back at one that afternoon with the first batch of clothes.
Beauty and the beast: A Modern Day Fairytale Billionaire Mafia Romance Page 5
