Shaking my head, I sighed. “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to his arrogance from college.”
“Ah, yes. You went to college together.”
I nodded as I slipped into the chair opposite him and blew my own tea over the rim of the cup. “Only for a while. He left after a year.”
“Left?” The way he tipped his head told me he knew more than a little about Jake’s expulsion but it wasn’t my story to tell.
“You’ll have to ask him about that I’m afraid. It’s not for me to say.”
He regarded me for a moment before his eyes softened and he blinked. “Well I’m sure Jake will appreciate your discretion.”
I shrugged. “Right. I read through the contract.” He nodded when I quickly changed the subject. “Everything looks good. I just have one problem.”
He leaned forward and picked up his mug, sighing appreciatively after his first mouthful. “Go on.”
“The accommodation. I currently share with my friend. We share the bills and I can’t just leave her high and dry. Would it be possible to hold back on moving in until she can find a replacement for me?”
“Leah Gent?”
“Oh, you know her?”
He reached for one of the flavoured croissants I’d picked up from the bakery en-route that morning. “No.”
“No?”
He shook his head. Suddenly he seemed to catch onto my confusion. A small, guilty smile touched his face. “I’m sure you’re aware after reading through the contract that this job requires complete loyalty, Isla. I make it my job to thoroughly check into each of my employees.”
My heart rate peaked for a moment and I stared wide-eyed at him. “You . . . what? How much do you . . . check?”
He cocked his head. “I’m sorry if that upsets you.”
“No, it’s not that it upsets me. It’s just, you know, as with everyone, some things are private.”
“Such as?”
I shrugged.
Sensing my caution, he ran his tongue over his teeth. “Well, if it helps put your mind at rest, I only check financial information, family, friends, that sort of thing. I don’t do a family tree, Isla, nor do I require references, hence why I do my own checks.” He closed his eyes for a second before he leaned across his desk and placed his hand over my own. “I . . . I also had to check your medical history.”
My stomach churned and I closed my eyes, my body as tense as a tightly coiled spring.
“That information is between you and me, Isla. No records are kept, only up here.” He tapped his temple and smiled at me softly. “It won’t be disclosed to anyone else.”
I nodded, smiling awkwardly. “Thank you.”
His expression darkened for a moment. “I don’t know the full story, honey, only what I gathered from the records but,” he shifted uncomfortably for a moment but kept his eyes trained on mine, “if you ever need to talk or whatever shit it is you women do, then I’m here.”
Although his gesture was sweet, and for some unknown reason I trusted him, my lips twitched at his awkward sentiment. “Whatever shit it is we women do?”
His lips jerked upright, his face lighting up into a grin. “Well, yeah, you know, coffee, cake and a whinge about your latest conquest as you paint your nails and do each other’s hair.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “So if I need you to paint my toenails and plait my hair, you would?” His eyes widened and his brows disappeared almost into his hairline, I laughed at him. “Relax, I’m teasing.”
He leaned back in his chair and blew out a breath, chuckling. Eventually he shook his head. “I think we’re going to get on great, Isla. Also, regarding your friend. She can join you in the cottage, there’s enough space.”
“Cottage?”
He nodded, opening his drawer to pluck out some papers and two sets of keys then slid them across to me. “Yeah. Unfortunately it’s situated at the south of the property and is quite a distance from the main section.”
“Oh, that’s not a problem. I’m quite a lone bird. I appreciate the quiet.”
He smiled. “Perfect. Don’t worry about the penalty at cancelling your lease early on your current tenancy if there is one, I will sort that. The sooner you can move in the better then you’re on hand for any eventuality. Is living here something Leah would be okay with? I’m not sure how far she has to travel to work or anything.”
“Oh, um, don’t worry, she’ll be fine.” Christ, she would love it.
“She’ll have free rein of all the amenities, as will you.” He took something else out of the drawer and my eyes widened on the platinum credit card he pushed towards me. “Please don’t feel offended but an appointment has been made for this afternoon for your hair to be cut and styled and a personal shopper at Grant’s is awaiting you for a wardrobe makeover.”
“What?”
He lowered his eyes. “I don’t mean to be rude, Isla. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with your hair or the way you dress, but you need to appreciate that you will be dealing with very influential people; celebrities, billionaires. You are representing Deviant. You need to look good. I apologise again.”
I smiled, waving off his apology. “I completely understand.” My wardrobe wasn’t exactly lavish. I had worked as a waitress and the only need for decent clothes was a couple of dresses I owned for nights out. I’d managed to swipe the black skirt and cream blouse I was wearing from Leah’s wardrobe. “But I do feel uncomfortable expecting you to pay. Sadly I don’t have the sort of money to pay for the makeover either, but if you could take a monthly amount from my wages . . .”
“Absolutely not!”
I narrowed my eyes and clenched my jaw. “Then I refuse to take the job. You have already given me so much, and with what you’re paying me I’ll be able to afford my own wardrobe soon. Just call it an advance on my wages and take a bit a month, it’s not like I’ll miss it out of the huge amount you’re paying me.”
“Isla . . .”
I held up a hand, halting him and holding his glare with my own.
He sighed and shook his head, finally backing down. “Fine, fine! Bloody stubborn woman.”
I grinned at him then stuck out my hand. “Then it will be a pleasure working for you, Mr Marshall.”
He ‘Pffted’ as he sealed our working relationship with a shake of my hand. “And none of the Mister shit. My name is Adam; I’d appreciate you using it.”
“Of course, sir.”
He glowered at me then shook his head and laughed when he realised I was mocking him. He growled playfully and slid his empty mug across the table as he snatched up another pastry with his other hand. “Come on, slave, make yourself useful and get the kettle back on.”
“Yes, master.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Actually, scrap the Adam. Master suits me.”
Rolling my eyes at his ego, I chuckled as I went to refresh our drinks. I already loved it at Deviant. Hopefully, if Jake stayed out of my way, things would run smoothly.
I was relieved Adam had suggested Leah move in with me. Both of us not having to pay rent would save her some much needed cash too, and to be honest, I hadn’t relished the idea of us going our separate ways. We had lived together since the start of our working lives ten years ago when I left college, and life wouldn’t be the same without my best friend. She was my support, my sanity, my sounding board and my soul sister. She understood me, and could read my mood as well as I could read hers. Plus, her familiar face in the middle of all this huge change in my life was much needed.
Life was definitely changing. Although the money, car, credit account, new wardrobe and cottage were exciting prospects, the thought of Jake Devine being my boss most definitely wasn’t.
I pushed that snippet of negative aside and concentrated on the positives. He was the sort of man who didn’t deserve any of my thoughts anyway. Yet, the way his expression had darkened when he had seen what my mother had done to me confused me. Why would he be concerned? Then a memory o
f when Dwaine had pushed me into the men’s toilets at college one time played in my head. Jake had stormed in after us and dragged Dwaine away, not one word leaving his mouth. It was a few days after that Jake had beaten the crap out of him and got kicked out.
I couldn’t understand why I only remembered that now. Shrugging, I put it down to Jake entering my life once more, my brain recognising him and jolting some memories.
“Have you gone to bloody Brazil for that coffee, snail?”
“Snail? How rude are you?”
He chuckled darkly and I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head when I realised how mischievous he was. This would be fun. “Oh, you have no idea, honey! Rude is my middle name.”
LEAH’S JAW FELL WHEN I walked back into the flat. Her eyes widened, her stunned gaze crawling over every inch of me. Benny, my driver for the day, slipped past me with the many bags of outfits I had chosen and propped them against the hallway wall.
“Bloody hell, Isla!”
She gawped at the bags when Benny brought in another load from the car. After three trips he dipped his head. “Thank you for a great day, Miss Cormack. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay, Benny. Coffee with two sugars.” He nodded and pointed a finger at me, a large grin on his face before he walked out.
“What the hell?” Leah asked.
I watched Benny through the side window as he climbed back into his big posh car that had been driving me all over for the day then turned to Leah and squealed, loudly. Her arms came round me when I launched for her in my excitement. “Oh God, Leah, you’re not gonna believe this.”
She pushed me back and lifted a few strands of my hair. “I love this.”
I’d had my dark brown hair lightened and cut into a style, although still long. Some highlights had been strategically placed to make it appear healthy and fuller, a glossy sheen created with some expensive products. My whole body had been waxed and buffed, much to my horror when the beautician woman had battled with me over some rather delicate places. My nails, fingers and toes had been fiddled with until they shone and could take someone’s eye out, and my feet had been eaten at by some horrible little fish but it had all been worth it when I’d had a full body massage by a man who, rather amusingly, seemed to have a solid lump in his crotch the whole way through.
“What’s going on? Did your boss give you an advance?”
I nodded, shoving some money into her hand. Adam had insisted that as well as the makeover I take an advance, as I would need some money for moving expenses.
She stared at the wad of cash in her hand then frowned at me.
“It’s for you. Treat yourself.”
“Isla, I can’t take this.”
“Of course you can. And . . .” I pulled out a set of keys. “ . . . Adam said you can move in with me.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I nodded excitedly, shoving the keys into her hand. “And he said you can use all the amenities free of charge. We move in tomorrow.”
She plonked herself onto the sofa and blew out a breath. Her face grew serious for a moment and she turned to look at me over the back of the sofa as I delved into the bags. “Isla.”
“Mmm.”
She hesitated and I looked up at her. “Are you sure there’s nothing dodgy going on? It all seems a little too good.”
I nodded. I hadn’t told her about the contract, and if I was honest with myself, the scary penalties for being disloyal or indiscreet worried the crap out of me, most of them were quite distressing, mainly monies due but then, quite strangely, they’d almost read as though Deviant owned me and would find a punishment fitting for the crime. I knew I wouldn’t have a problem with that side. I could keep secrets. Hell, I was an expert at it by now.
“I thought so too,” I told her. “But it’s all due to discretion. Adam says he needs you to sign a simple non-disclosure. But it’s only if you come across a famous person. You have to be secretive about what you see on the grounds. Other than that, it’s all legit.” I didn’t tell her it really wasn’t but she’d only worry. I knew after reading the contract that there were some dodgy things going on in Deviant, but as long as they didn’t involve me in any illegal shenanigans then it was nothing to do with me.
“And the cottage?” When I shook my head, not catching her drift, her eyes lit up. “What’s it like?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen it yet. But we’re moving tomorrow. The lease on this place has been sorted.”
“I don’t know what to say, Isla.” She shook her head slowly, her soft blonde curls bobbing around her face when all of the changes became a bit much for her.
“There’s nothing to say. Stop overthinking it, Leah. Maybe for a change our luck is finally on the up.”
She frowned then as if giving in to all her doubts she shrugged and smiled. “Okay, then let’s do it.”
She shot off the sofa when I pulled out the champagne I had been searching in the bags for and gave an excited little squeal, running into the kitchen to fetch some glasses. We both squealed again when I popped the cork and the bubbles cascaded over the edge. Leah held the glasses up for me to fill then lifted hers to mine. “To our future.”
“To a promising future,” I corrected.
She nodded then swilled it back, her eyes widening at the difference in flavour to the fizzy wine we usually bought when we celebrated anything. Laughing when the liquid ran down her chin, she toasted again. “And to finally getting the luxury you deserve, Isla.”
“We deserve,” I amended with a wink.
She clinked her glass again before diving in and refilling us. “Soon we’ll be having caviar with the bubbly stuff,” she joked but I grimaced.
“No way. It doesn’t matter how much money we have in the bank, there’s no way I’m eating fish waste.”
“It’s not waste, it’s a delicacy.”
“It’s a smelly pile of shit. No way.”
She shook her head but smiled. “Okay then, to champagne and MacDonald’s?”
I nodded firmly, agreeing with her awesome combination. “That’ll do. To champagne and Big Macs.”
“There’s only us!” She laughed but pulled me in for a hug when I sat on the sofa beside her.
“We make a great team,” I whispered. “Seriously, Leah. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. You know that, don’t you? I love you for how you pulled me through, for how you never gave up on me.”
She scowled at me. “If this is what champers does to you then I’m finishing the bottle. We don’t do this, Isla, you know that.”
“Well maybe we should.” My attention was set on the tiny bubbles popping out of my glass.
She turned slightly, her eyes full of sadness and pain. “Isla, you lost so much that night. You lost your mum. Fuck, you lost your mind. It needs to stay in the past where it belongs. Leave it there.”
I nodded, not sure whether I agreed with her. “Okay, I’m sorry.”
The trouble was, I was ready to talk about it yet no one else was. It ached inside me, the pain becoming almost unbearable. I wanted to face it, I wanted to step up and accept what had happened. But no one else did. Not my father, not Seb, not Leah, not my mother, even though I knew if she could finally get to talk about it then it would crack that barrier in her mind that was locking up her sanity.
“Stop it,” Leah grumbled when she saw the memories on my face. “We’re celebrating. Forget it and smile.”
I forced on the smile, as always, and lifted my glass to hers again. “To a happy future.”
“Hell yes!” she agreed, even if I didn’t agree with myself. I could feel it, a change coming. I just hoped fate had a decent one in store for me this time.
The doorbell rang late the next morning and I dropped the heavy box to the floor, grunting something rude to it and its weight. “I’ll get it,” I shouted to Leah who was in the back of the cupboard sorting through our old shit.
Benny grinned at me when I pulled o
pen the door. I smiled at him then peered at the four men in jeans and t-shirts standing on the path leading to the building. Noticing my puzzlement he leaned towards me. “The men that move, apparently.”
“Sorry?”
“I’m to tell you that these kind gentlemen will sort out your move and I am to take you and Miss Gent to lunch while they get on with it.”
I frowned at him, glancing at the men standing patiently waiting, one of them already lifting a garden pot and walking towards the van. “Oh,” I shouted to him. “That’s not mine. It belongs to Mr Franks on the second floor.”
He placed the pot back down where he got it from and glanced around the garden. “Is anything yours?”
“No, I could never see the point. It’s always getting lifted round here. I keep telling Mr Franks to nail it down or just not bother, but he never listens.”
“That’s because he’s deaf you dozy mare,” Leah informed me from over my shoulder.
“Is he?” I asked as I spun round to face her. She nodded slowly and closed her eyes in exasperation. “Oh, that explains a lot of things.”
“Bloody hell, Isla. Did you honestly not know?”
“No, didn’t have a clue. I just thought he was a bit rude. He would always just nod and smile when I spoke to him.”
“Give me strength,” she whispered, more to herself than me.
“Well, are you ready?” Benny asked as his eyes flitted from me to Leah and back again.
“Ready? For what?” Leah asked, noticing the men for the first time, a smile creeping across her lips as she raked over one of them with wide eyes. He was massive and covered in tattoos. He seemed familiar somehow, his messy blond hair giving me a sense of déjà vu. I peered at him, squinting and trying to get my memory banks to work but he seemed more interested in Leah, his dirty smile fixed on her and not even noticing me. Silence descended as they continued to picture each other naked.
“When you’ve finished mentally fucking our removal man,” I said loudly, making her glare at me and blush. “We’re off to lunch while these lovely men do the job we’ve been doing since 7am.”
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