by G E Griffin
“Wow. Your wife must have her hands full,” I said in awe. “I used to babysit my neighbours’ twin girls when I was a teenager, and they were definitely more than twice the work, especially as I could never tell them apart. And your wife has a four year old to look after too.”
“Joshua and Ezra are identical twins as well. Marcia, my wife, can usually tell the boys apart, but I confess I can't always. But they never fool my little girl, Freya, she always knows which one is which. Luckily my wife’s mother lives nearby, so she helps out a lot; she understands I can't afford to turn down any work I'm offered.”
“That’s lucky then. It must be so expensive bringing up three young children,” I sympathised. Part of me warmed to Liam for always asking for Greg as his driver. I thought it showed he had a kind heart, even if he covered it up as an efficient business arrangement. There was definitely hope for him. I resolved never to turn down an offer of a lift with Greg in future, determined instead to think of it as a worthwhile redistribution of a tiny part of Liam’s wealth.
Once we got to Butler’s Wharf, I was glad that Gregg knew his way around the complex, and was familiar with what codes to enter into which keypads and which cards to swipe to gain access first to the car park, and then into the building. Liam hadn't been kidding about the place having security. When I thought about some of the rundown houses I’d lived in previously, with rotten doors and windows that would’ve given way with one good shove, and dodgy landlords who never fixed anything, I was glad it wasn’t something I’d have to worry about here. And although I'd been annoyed that he hadn't told me, secretly I found the fact that Liam would be living nearby also quite reassuring.
“You must be getting soft, turning into a wuss,” I scolded myself, as I followed Greg when he turned left out of the lift on the third floor.
“It’s this one, apartment 12. You have your key?”
“Sure do.” I unlocked the door and let myself in, and then just stood there in stunned awe once I'd walked into the main living area.
“I think you’ll find everything you need to know in that folder on the table, but if there are any problems, just call Andrew, his number will be in there. He’s the Scottish guy who looks after all of Mr Starr’s properties,” Greg was explaining. “Shall I put your bags in the main bedroom?”
“Err…yes, that’d be good, thanks,” I stuttered.
The simple open plan apartment was totally gorgeous, no doubt about it. Maybe the décor was not exactly to my taste as it was all bland neutrals and whites, but I could live with that. The thing that first struck me as I walked in was the view of Tower Bridge through the large patio doors of the L shaped lounge diner, which I realised opened out onto a small terrace that had just enough room for a small table and two chairs.
Everywhere in the living area had wood strip flooring instead of carpets, and the lounge area had a modern white sofa and two chairs, with a small beech wood coffee table.
The dining area had a round beech wood table, and four high back beech wood chairs with white seat pads, which were so pristine they looked as if they had never actually had anyone’s backside sat on them.
Next to the dining area was the kitchen, all granite worktops and white cupboards and brushed stainless steel appliances, and I looked forward to exploring what was in the cupboards. All my old kitchen equipment was still back at the student house, and I was hoping Abbey was going to help me collect the rest of my things from there. We’d already arranged that she was coming over one evening to bring my things that she had been holding onto for me in the garden shed of her place.
“I’ll leave you to it then, shall I Miss Jones? You’ve got a video entry phone, so you know you don’t have to let anyone in that you’re not sure about?”
“I'm sure I’ll figure it out, Greg. And thank you so much for helping bring my things right up to the apartment.”
“It was no trouble at all. I’ll see myself out,” he smiled warmly as he left.
I continued my exploration. The bathroom was all white and chrome, with the usual loo and an efficient looking shower over the bath, all spotlessly clean of course. There was a large empty mirrored cabinet, just waiting for my things to fill it up.
I wandered into the main bedroom – this room had much cosier oatmeal coloured carpeting instead of wood block flooring. As in the other areas, the walls were plain white. There was a large double bed with pale blue striped bedding, and two white bedside cabinets either side. I smiled when I saw the huge built in wardrobe with sliding mirror doors, and all sorts of built in shelving and hanging rails - there would be more than enough space for my clothes. There were no curtains at the windows, just vertical blinds that could be adjusted to black out all the light, or be pushed right back to allow an unhindered view. I opened another door and found a small en-suite shower room with a loo and hand basin. For heaven’s sake, I had two bathrooms all to myself? Clever use of mirror tiles in the small en-suite meant it didn't feel claustrophobic at all.
Next I explored the second smaller bedroom. Again it had plain white walls, a double bed with cream bedding, just one bedside cabinet, and a smaller built in wardrobe. There was also a reasonable sized beech wood desk and chair with shelving above it, suggesting that this room could be used as a study. And on the desk sat what appeared to be a brand new, top of the range, MacBook Pro, just like the ones the Creative Team used at Starr Capital Ventures. I felt myself literally drooling over it, but it couldn’t really be intended for me – could it?
I wandered back into the living room, and quickly scanned through the information folder Greg had pointed out. It had all the details of how to adjust the heating/climate control system, how the various kitchen appliances worked, and the fact that there was a high speed wifi connection. But there was nothing specifically about the Mac. I went back to the bedroom where Greg had left my bags, and got out the iPhone Liam had given me. I plugged it in to start charging it up, and then after a little playing around, figured out how to send a text to Liam.
Expect you’re busy in a meeting. Just wanted to let you know I’m safely back in London. The apartment is totally amazing! Thanks for letting me stay here till I get something sorted.
Then I headed to the kitchen. A quick inspection revealed that the cupboards and fridge had been stocked with all the basics, so I didn't need to go out shopping for food supplies immediately, although I’d read in the information folder that there was a supermarket nearby – naturally it was an upmarket Waitrose rather than anything more basic. Just as I'd figured out the kettle and started making myself a cup of tea, the iPhone startled me as a I got a text message. Of course I knew it had to be Liam – no one else had the number yet.
Sign into Skype on the Mac.
“Short and sweet as ever,” I muttered as I made my way to the desk where it was located. “Yes sir, Mr. Starr, your wish is my command.”
I’d no sooner signed in than there was an incoming video call from Liam, so I answered it.
“Hi, Liam.” I suddenly felt rather shy and self conscious as the picture came into focus and I could suddenly see him, looking every inch the efficient businessman in a charcoal coloured suit, white shirt and a blue tie. I felt my heart literally swooning at the sight of him. How could he have this effect on me even from the other side of the Atlantic?
“Hello, Seraphina. Good to be able to finally communicate with you properly,” he smiled, as he leaned forward and adjusted the screen of his laptop. “Is everything okay with the apartment? I know it’s quite small, but do you think you’ll be able to settle in there alright?”
“Liam, it’s more than okay, and certainly not too small. This apartment is…well I don’t really know what to say. It’s amazing, and once I start working of course I’ll start paying rent for it…”
“You obviously haven’t read through all the finer details of your contract of employment properly yet, have you? Because if you had, you’d know that accommodation is included as part of your package,” he informed m
e.
“What? I can't possibly…that’s far too generous…”
“Please tell me you aren’t going spend the first chance we've had in days to talk arguing with me?” he interrupted, ignoring the slight time delay.
“No, okay, but there is something I need to ask you. Why didn't you tell me you lived here too, in the same complex? I felt stupid learning it from Greg,” I frowned at him.
“I didn't keep it from you; I just didn't think it was particularly relevant. And don’t frown like that; it spoils your beauty.”
“It would have been nice to know, that’s all. It just shows how little we know about each other, don’t you think?”
“Yes, but we’re going to be rectifying that soon, aren’t we? Don’t forget, our first date is on Friday evening,” he reminded me.
“Won’t you be jet lagged if you only get back Friday morning? Maybe you'd rather wait until Saturday,” I suggested.
“Seraphina, I take steps to ensure I don’t suffer from jet lag and as it is, I’m already strongly resisting the urge to come and see you the minute I get back, so I do not want to wait until Saturday. I don’t think you have any idea how much I'm missing you, how much I need to see you.” He was staring intensely at the screen.
“Really?” I smiled shyly at him. It seemed so strange to hear Liam talking like this to me.
“Yes, really. I suppose you’ve been far too occupied to give me any thought or miss me?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I’ve missed you too, and…”
We were interrupted by an American voice calling out.
“Mr. Starr? Are you ready to resume our meeting?”
Liam turned away and called back to the person off screen.
“I’ll just be two minutes, then I’ll be right with you.”
“Were you in a meeting when I texted you? You didn’t interrupt things just to Skype me, did you?” I asked, horrified.
“I said I had an important conference call to take, which was true,” he smiled back at me. “But I’d better get back I suppose. We’ll talk again soon, yes?”
“Sure…and…I’m really looking forward to our date on Friday,” I smiled at him. “Where were you thinking of going?”
“I have somewhere in mind for dinner, but I’ll keep it as a surprise. I think you’ll like it though. I really have to go, so bye for now, Seraphina.”
“Bye Liam.”
~*~
“Oh. My. God. Sera, this place is seriously cool,” Abbey exclaimed as I showed her round my new apartment. I’d given her the access codes to get into the underground car park, and then gone down to help her to carry my things up.
“I know. I feel kind of guilty, having this place all to myself, courtesy of Mr. Liam Starr,” I confessed. Secretly though, I already absolutely loved the place, and relished having it all to myself. I was also looking forward to exploring the local area.
“Guilty? Why on earth should you? If your new boyfriend is happy for you to have it, what’s wrong with that?”
“It’s still very early days, Abbey, so I'm not sure he is actually my boyfriend yet,” I argued.
“Of course he is. He goes chasing after you all the way to Ireland to persuade you to come back and give him a chance to work things out – I’d say that’s pretty much an indication that he very much wants to be your boyfriend, wouldn’t you?”
“I suppose so. Anyway, why did you tell Liam where I’d gone?” I asked her accusingly.
“I didn't tell him much, just that I’d dropped you at the airport to fly to Cork. The rest he figured out for himself,” she said, as she avoided my eye and took a sip of her coffee.
“No doubt with some help from you.”
“Well, I thought you two needed to talk. You have a terrible habit of shutting yourself off from things, Sera, so I just gave you two a little shove in the right direction. And see how well it’s working out.” She waved her hand at the apartment.
“That remains to be seen,” I muttered.
“So, what happened when Liam just turned up in Ireland out of the blue?”
“I nearly died of shock. My cousins’ brother-in-law nearly decked him. And then my Gran, Aunty and cousin practically had us married before he left,” I sighed, as I shook my head.
“Really? They approve of him?”
“Oh yeah, you could say that. Turns out Liam’s mother was from some Irish family that’s linked to ours, and they all believe there’s some special connection between us. I tell you, that lot over there are all totally barmy,” I said.
“You and Liam aren’t distant cousins or something, are you?” Abbey queried.
“Not as far as I know, but I suppose it’s possible.”
“But you were pleased to see him?” Abbey pressed me.
“Yes, I suppose I was, so thank you. But it’s all so awkward – with Jamie and everything, you know? I feel bad about how things were left between us…”
“I wouldn’t feel bad about him,” Abbey snorted. She’d managed to wheedle out of me most of the details about had happened the night of the Spring Ball, and had been pretty scathing in her opinion of Jamie’s behaviour.
“Why? Have you seen him? Was he there when you collected my things?” She’d insisted it would be easier for her to collect the rest of my things from the student house on her way over, and that there was no need for me to go with her. And now her reaction about Jamie was very similar to Liam’s.
“Yeah, he was there.”
“Was he okay? How did he seem?”
“Trust me, Sera, Jamie is just fine,” she huffed disapprovingly.
“What am I missing here? What’s going on?”
“I suppose you’ll find out sooner or later. Let’s just say he’s already moved on.” She pressed her lips together firmly and frowned.
“Moved on? Well, that’s good I suppose,” I said slowly, as I let this news sink in.
“Hmm. Look, you’ll hear all the gory details eventually, so maybe it’s best you hear them from me. I heard whispers, but I couldn’t be sure they were true, so I asked Toby, and when I pressed him, he filled me in. You know Adam’s girlfriend, Chloe?”
“The bitchy one. Yeah, I met her a couple of times, but we never exactly hit it off.” Adam was hardly ever in the student house because he was always over at Chloe’s.
“Well, it turns out her friend Poppy has always had a thing for Jamie, so Chloe told her that he’d be at the ball so she should go, even though she knew he was taking you, and gave her his mobile number. Apparently, some of his rugby mates had placed bets on whether you'd actually go through with things, and some had placed bets on Poppy having a better chance. So Poppy went along to the ball, she spent most of the evening giving Jamie the come on, sending him suggestive texts and making it perfectly plain she’d be up for anything he cared to suggest. So guess what? As soon as you walked out, Jamie texted her, and Poppy wasted no time moving in on him. They spent that night together, and have been busily shagging for England ever since. I know this is the case, because when I went round earlier, they were just coming out of his bedroom, barely decent.”
“Oh. So all this time I’ve been worried about upsetting him…after all the things he told me…but none of it was true. He managed to move on from me barely five minutes after I left without so much as a backward glance. I feel like such a fool, Abbey,” I whispered, as I sat with my head in my hands. I’d thought Jamie was a decent guy, but now?
“Don’t. It just goes to prove your instincts not to sleep with him were correct, doesn't it? He’s just a typical boy slut who thinks with his dick rather than his brain – his sort don’t have enough blood to use both organs at the same time.”
“But if I got it all so wrong about Jamie, how can I be sure about Liam? Perhaps I'm just going to make an even bigger mistake with the other brother, and this time I’ve got a hell of a lot more to lose.” I felt myself panicking.
“No, I don’t think Liam’s like Jamie at all. He’s a man
, not a boy, and I think he's got all that out of his system, and is ready for something more. Do you honestly think I'd be playing Fairy Godmother to the pair of you if I had any doubts about his true intentions? And anyway, the guy can't be a total arsehole because he wears Sevens,” Abbey pronounced with great confidence.
“Sevens?”
“His jeans. I noticed at the club he was wearing 7 For All Mankind jeans, which are a pretty decent classic image for a guy like him. Not my scene of course, but I can appreciate he has good taste, that’s all I'm saying. Expensive, but good.”
“Trust you to base your judgement of him on his fashion sense.”
“It’s not just that. Don’t forget, I've got a lot more experience in these matters than you,” Abbey pointed out.
“Well, that’s another thing. Experience. How the hell am I going to be able to keep up with Liam? And I’m really nervous about the first time we…you know, in case it really hurts. What was your first time like?”
“Me? Well, I couldn’t wait to try out sex, and then afterwards I wondered what on earth all the fuss was about, a real ‘is that it’ moment. I was only fourteen, and the boy in question – Ian Haynes - was only fifteen. Neither of us really had a clue what we were doing, and it was a real let down. Somehow I don’t think that’ll be the case with you and Liam. Of course it might hurt a little the first time, but not much because he’ll know how to make it good for you.”
“Yes, but…” It was awkward asking the next question, but I knew Abbey was really the only person I could ask.
“What? Ask away, because nothing you can say will shock me,” she winked.
“Well, Liam and I are such different sizes. He’s so much bigger than me. I saw the size of the thing in Jamie’s boxers when we nearly… and I can’t imagine his brother being any less well endowed. How the hell that can possibly fit into my lady bits is beyond me.” There, I’d managed to say it, although I was bright red by now of course.
“Oh Sera!” Abbey laughed. “Firstly, of course it’ll fit; you stretch, especially when the guy has spent enough time on foreplay to relax you. Don’t forget, your vajajay is designed to stretch enough to let a baby out.”