The Right Place: The Serendipity Duet - Book 1

by Alana Jade

  “What the fuck?” I scream, walking around and surveying the damage.

  I run back over to the new parking attendant and bang on the glass window of his office several times.

  “Did you see who did that to my car?” I yell.

  “What?” he calls back, coming out of his office, pulling his AirPods from his ears. It’s not only the fact that he’s listening to music while on duty that infuriates me, it’s also the way he’s speaking to me. Maybe it’s time to overhaul security again at the office.

  “My car? Parking space one. It’s had white painted tipped all over it. Surely, you saw something on the monitors?”

  I know exactly who it was, I am not stupid.

  But I have no idea where he got the paint from. Although, it quickly dawns on me that it’s possibly from the storeroom on this level as maintenance has been remarking the car spaces again.

  “No, sir, there’s nothing on the monitor. You can replay the footage if you want,” he tells me.

  After calling security upstairs and informing them of what’s happened, I then speak to Fernando who tells me Zac never got out on the ground floor. He tells me there’s a good chance he got out on level one and then took the stairs. Ivan or Igor, whatever his name is, confirms he saw a man come out of the stairwell door, but he didn’t know where he went.

  I’m furious and want to sack my entire security staff. This is unacceptable. But Ed always told me never to make rash decisions while angry.

  We quickly find my car isn’t the only car damaged in the parking garage, Basil’s is too. But luckily, there’s not as much paint dropped onto his.

  I make a call to John at home to ramp up security there too, so I can make sure that Georgia and I are safe tonight.

  By the time everything is arranged for the cars to be towed away for repairs, maintenance has been advised about the paint situation, I cancel my immediate plans to visit Mom as it’s almost time for me to head to the boardroom and fill in all of my department heads on what’s going on.

  I may need to change my speech slightly now that Zac’s so angry and inform my senior staff to be extra vigilant about security right now—here and at their homes.

  As I walk into the boardroom, I’m greeted by several staff members I haven’t seen since last year’s Christmas party, who obviously have no idea why they’re here or what’s going on. I grab a glass of water before taking my seat at the head of the table. Stretching my neck out, I rest my elbow on the desk and rub my temple. It’s times like this I wish I had a permanent elastic band around my wrist, to snap me out of my thoughts. I’m sure most CEOs would have a sneaky drink after a day like mine, but I’m trying my hardest not to think about it.

  “How you holding up, Adam?” Basil asks, placing his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezing.

  “What a fucked-up day,” I whisper.

  “You don’t say. But they’re only cars, and they’ll be fixed soon enough. Is Georgia not coming to the meeting?” he asks.

  In all honesty, I have no idea.

  I highly doubt she will after what happened earlier.

  We both need time to calm down and process everything.

  Zac’s got nothing on us, but I’m super angry we were fucking around at work in the first place. I made it clear to Georgia we were never to do that again, especially during working hours. I’m not angry at her, I’m angrier at the situation. We are both responsible for what happened. But I took it out on her when I know I shouldn’t have.

  “She may be busy.”

  “Don’t work that poor girl too hard, you slave driver. She’s a fantastic PA. Know a good thing when you have it.” Basil smiles before turning to a few other employees and greeting them.

  I’ve always admired Basil’s way of spinning things. Any bad situations are always, ‘Well, it could be worse.’ Even with his car damaged, he doesn’t seem fazed by it. He’s still his bright and bubbly self. Me, on the other hand, I’m not in a social mood.

  All I want to do right now is crawl back into bed and start this day over.

  I send a quick text to Georgia.

  Me: Will you be joining us for the meeting?

  Georgia: No.

  Me: I’d appreciate if you can join us.

  Georgia: I’m busy with your list.

  I put my cell back in my pocket and turn my attention to the meeting. The boardroom is full of my staff. Darius, Basil, Arnie, and an under-the-weather looking Max are sitting with me at the head of the large timber desk, and given so many people are in attendance, some are having to stand toward the back.

  “Thank you all for coming today. I won’t keep you long. I need to fill you all in on a recent turn of events.”

  I speak for roughly fifteen minutes, pausing now and then to answer questions. As much as I don’t give a rat’s ass about Zac right now, I still maintain a professional manner when it comes to other employees wanting to know what happened. Although my interpretation is a very vanilla version of events, I have done that on purpose because they don’t need to know all the details.

  The final piece of business is opening up the position of my second-in-charge. There’s no point in waiting, I may as well get the position filled as soon as I can.

  After closing the meeting, instead of hanging around and making small talk with my department heads, I head straight back to my office with the hope of speaking to Georgia. I need to suck up my pride and apologize.

  When I walk toward my office and Georgia’s desk, she’s nowhere to be found.

  I figure she’s possibly in the restroom, so I head into my office, tending to some emails. There are several resumes already sent through for consideration, which I print and place in a neat pile on my desk.

  I try Georgia’s desk phone several times to ask her to come into my office, so we can discuss how I’d like the resumes filed, but her phone rings out with each attempt. Getting up from my desk, I walk out of my office and go in search of Georgia. I even poke my head into the women’s bathroom and call out to see if she’s in there. I lightly bang my head on the wall next to the door several times.

  I have no idea where she is.

  So, I walk back to her desk to check what she’s up to.

  True to Georgia, everything’s been left neat and tidy, and her to-do list has small ticks next to each of her tasks.

  A small yellow Post-it Note is sitting on the edge of her computer screen.

  I’ve taken off early.

  Need to think.

  Her message is cold and blunt, completely unlike Georgia. I know she’s upset with me. Hell, I’m upset with us both too. I’ll let her think, cool down, and then when we’re both ready, we can talk.

  I walk back into the office, arranging to have Zac’s office cleared out on the way. Originally, I planned to sort some of the emails for Zac’s old position, but I can’t do it today. I am mentally exhausted. I decide calling it a day will be best. It’s barely mid-afternoon, but I’m hungry, and I can’t concentrate.

  After collecting my things, I throw my jacket over my arm before making sure to lock my office door. I don’t want anyone to tamper with the application forms for Zac’s job, especially Isabel.

  Quickly realizing I don’t have my car here, I arrange for my driver, Tony, to collect me, cursing Zac for doing such a juvenile thing to my car. It’s so inconvenient to have to use a driver. I’m hoping my car can be repaired quickly.

  Standing in front of the elevator, I initially think it’d best if I head home, but after thinking about it, I decide I’ll go and visit my mom as I planned earlier. She’s my go-to, well, besides Georgia.

  There are no set visiting hours at her nursing home, and residents are free to come and go as they please as long as they’re signed in and out. We’ve tried several times to bring Mom to my place. The first time, she got to the front door and had a panic attack. We’ve attempted twice since then, including bringing one of her favorite nurses along, but she didn’t even get in the car. She kept thin
king we were going to lock her away. There’s just no way of telling what kind of crazy idea is playing out in her mind, or what may have happened in her past that she thinks she’s reliving again.

  I’m already headed downstairs when I get a text from Tony saying he is less than five minutes away. I try to avoid eye contact with people on my way through the lobby. I don’t particularly have the patience for anyone’s ass-kissing this afternoon and want to sneak out of here as quietly as possible. Pushing through the door, I feel like I can breathe again. It’s cooler than normal today, so I throw on my jacket as I head outside and wait near the curb for my ride.

  My cell buzzes again. Tony’s had to do another lap of the block, and he’ll arrive in a minute.

  At this time of the day, it doesn’t take too long to get the Sunshine Village Nursing Home. So, I ask Tony to make a stop at a fast-food restaurant for something greasy to eat. I hate this stuff, but Georgia did say that sometimes greasy food can make you feel better. I don’t think it can fix guilt, though.

  After arriving at Mom’s nursing home, I arrange for Tony to collect me in an hour to take me back to the office. It’s so hard to judge how long I’ll be, which is why I always drive myself, but Tony said he will park the car and perhaps go for a walk in the gardens, and to text him when I want to leave. I guess I know how Georgia felt for the last few weeks having to wait for lifts.

  Walking inside the home, I feel as though a small load has been lifted from my shoulders. It’s as though nothing else matters in this world right now, and I’m here to concentrate on my mom, which is one reason why I turn my cell off before visiting her. I greet Marie on the front desk who tells me another story about her grandson who is the spitting image of me. Darlene is the other receptionist, who’s bitching in the corner to another staff member about a resident’s family member. She’s such a rude woman.

  As I walk to Mom’s room, I’m stopped by Freya, one of Mom’s nurses who’s always so energetic. I’m not in the mood for small talk today, but she’s dying to tell me today’s another great day for Mom, and she’s thoroughly enjoying the company of the woman who’s currently visiting her.

  I give her a puzzled look as I don’t know who she’s talking about.

  “She comes here twice a week. I try to leave them be when she visits, but I’ve heard them talking about old times. She seems like a lovely lady, though. Is she your aunt?” Freya asks.

  “I don’t have any aunts. Well, none that I know of.”

  A buzzer from down the hall goes off, and Freya apologizes to me before running in the opposite direction of Mom’s room.

  As my brain tries to work out who’s visiting Mom, I slowly walk the last few steps to her room and stick my head in the door.

  Mom’s sitting up in her bed, smiling and looking quite happy. Her faded blonde hair has been freshly washed and combed, and she even looks as though she’s wearing lip gloss.

  “Hi, Mom,” I call from the door.

  “Adam, my darling. You remember Lauren, don’t you?” she asks.

  I shake my head. Honestly, I have no idea who this woman is.

  She slowly turns around, and while her face reminds me of someone from long ago, I can’t place her.

  “Adam. Adam Cunningham,” I say, extending my arm to shake her hand.

  “I remember who you are, I’ve been following your successes. I’m Lauren Hamilton. My late husband and I were friends with your parents many years ago. They helped us greatly.”

  “In what way?” I ask.

  It’s not as if my parents had a lot of money or anything much to give them.

  Lauren’s cheek blush as she looks back toward Mom. “I washed and blow-dried your mom’s hair today,” she mumbles, before leaning forward and tucking a piece of hair behind Mom’s ear.

  “Thank you for taking the time out of your day to do that. Mom enjoys time in the salon.”

  “Lauren is also the mother to your half-brother,” Mom blurts out.

  My eyes bulge from my head.

  Half-brother.

  What the hell is Mom talking about?

  “Mom, I don’t have any siblings. You know that,” I calmly reply, now questioning how lucid Mom really is today.

  “Not in the technical sense, Adam.”

  “Mom, I don’t know what you mean. Lauren, what’s she talking about?” I ask the other woman in the room, who looks as though she’s collecting her things to leave.

  “Beverley, please… I think that’s enough,” Lauren says to Mom.

  “Lauren, he has a right to know… while I’m with it. Adam—”

  “No. He doesn’t need to know. It was a favor. A huge favor. Many years ago.”

  “What favor? For crying out loud, someone tell me what’s going on,” I plead.

  “Adam. You have a half-brother—”

  “Goodbye, Beverley.” Her voice is cold. Lauren storms out of the room and down the hall.

  I think about chasing her, but I’m curious to hear what Mom has to say. “Continue, Mom,” I urge.

  “Many years ago, almost twenty-five, I think, Lauren and her husband came to us for some help. They’d been trying for a child for over ten years, and nothing had happened. They assumed it was Gus’ issue. So, they asked us if your dad would donate some sperm.”

  “What?” I ask, not believing what I’m hearing. “Are you serious, Mom?”

  “When Lauren comes back with Gus, they’ll tell you what happened.”

  “But she said her husband…” I don’t bother finishing the sentence.

  “Can you tell your father I’d like my cup of tea before bedtime tonight?”

  This is the moment my mother’s lucid memories are starting to lapse, so there’s no point in going on with the conversation.

  I walk to Mom and sit on the side of her bed to give her a big hug. I love it when she’s back with us again, but once she starts asking for my dad, it breaks my heart that she may not remember who I am in a few minutes’ time. I switch the television and DVD player on for her. Mom loves to watch Friends, especially the episode when Rachel’s baby is born.

  “You’re such a good boy, Adam,” she says, kissing my head. “Can you go and get Daddy, please?”

  I nod and leave the room as tears brim my eyes.

  Dammit! Something else to add to what has been an extremely stressful day. I don’t think I can handle much more crap. I slide down the wall to the floor just outside of Mom’s room. I haven’t broken down like this in such a long time.

  Waiting for a few minutes trying to get my equilibrium back, I return to Mom’s room only to find her fast asleep on the bed. I walk to her bedside, switch off the television, then kiss her goodbye before grabbing my things and making my way outside. I’ll try to get more information out of her next time I see her, and perhaps I’ll try and contact Lauren between now and then.

  She may be the missing piece of the puzzle I need.

  Georgia

  This would have to have been the longest day in history. I’m still angry and not overly keen to speak to Adam right now, but figure I’ll lay low tonight, let myself calm down. If I’m still upset tomorrow, I’ll have to suck it up like a big girl and deal with him. One thing’s for sure, I’m not going to be a doormat. He won’t walk all over me ever again.

  Having had males think they can use and abuse me before, I’m now aware of it, and I’m determined not to be treated in such a way again. So, I’m taking some time to figure out what Adam’s outburst means, whether I’m willing to stick around to see if it was a once-off, or if it’s a side of his personality I haven’t met yet. Deep down, I hope it never happens again.

  I’ve spent the afternoon doing a little retail therapy. Deciding a shopping trip was needed, and buying new things always makes me feel somewhat better. However, I found myself looking at homewares and possible Christmas presents for Adam, instead of things to buy for myself.

  Once I had a decadent chocolate milkshake, I managed to put Adam out of my min
d and focused on what I came to the mall for. I bought some new shoes, a new dress for winter, and a gorgeous navy-blue woolen jacket with these cute silver buttons.

  I have to admit several times the thought did cross my mind if Adam would like what I’ve chosen, how I’d know he’d like me to wear the jacket with nothing underneath, but I had to shake it from my mind. While I’ve never said it to Adam’s face, I love him so much, I can’t picture living without him. But if he’s that fast to blame me for what happened, something he willingly sat down for, then this might be it for us. I can only hope I can make him see sense.

  It’s almost dark when I arrive home. The late afternoon sun pouring in through the window at the side of the house illuminates the guesthouse living room in a soft orange glow. After putting away the several items I did buy today, I make myself a cup of coffee, plug in my cell to charge, and settle on my couch, flicking on Netflix before I think about making dinner.

  The mere thought of cooking has me groaning, but I refuse to head to the main house tonight. Adam can stew on things a bit longer.

  Pressing the button on the remote control several times, I realize the television isn’t switching on. I groan. I can’t believe it’s not working—I’ve barely used the damn thing. I guess it’s always the way—the one time I want to use it, it’s busted. Before getting up to check the power switch, I walk to my Keurig to see why it’s taking so long.

  “Blah,” I grumble, realizing it hasn’t made my coffee yet. I press the button several times, but still nothing. Hmmm, there’s no power.

  I could easily walk across to make a coffee using Adam’s machine, but decide against it. I don’t want to risk running into him. I can live without caffeine for a short while. Opening my refrigerator for some juice, I notice the light isn’t on.

  “Shit! Everything’s out,” I say to myself.

  Goosebumps begin to pop up as a wave of fear washes over me.