Eve stopped the car at the barrier and rolled down the window. There were two intimidating security guards in the guardhouse that made her want to turn back instantly.
This was a mistake.
“Um, I’m here to see Mr. Ashfield,” she said to them.
She saw the look on the man’s face before he said, “Mr. Ashfield doesn’t accept visitors,” and then shut his window.
Did they get this all the time? Women trying to see Roman without an invitation? Though she had washed her hands of him, it still hurt to think about him moving on.
She could have called or messaged Roman to tell her she had arrived but maybe this was a sign. She wasn’t ready to see him yet.
The window opened again before she reversed, and the other security guard asked, “Evelyn Bright?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry about that. Drive in, please. Mr. Ashfield’s parking spots are at the back.”
The barrier lifted and she put her hands back on the steering wheel. She was shaking. It had been weeks since the last time she had seen him but she was no closer to getting over the pain he had caused. There had been no other stories about her online because apparently, her mother had been right. No one gave a shit about Roman Ashfield’s love life.
He had broken her trust again and again for his selfish reasons. And now she had to face him again when her heart was still in pieces.
“Ma’am?”
She pulled herself out of her thoughts and apologised to the guards before she drove into the underground parking lot.
She drove past several expensive cars as she headed to the back. If she hadn’t known what sort of people lived here before, she would have realised it by now. The value of all the cars combined was probably enough to buy a small country. She liked to think she was a good driver but she reduced her speed just in case. She would never afford to pay if she accidentally damaged anything.
Roman’s parking spot was no different. He had a whole section with different cars that she had to wonder why he needed so many, especially in London. Once she parked and switched the car off, she let out a breath to steady herself.
No matter what Roman said or how her body reacted to him, this was the last time she would ever see him. She wasn’t going to fall for any more of his lies. She would go in, hand over the keys, get her plates, and then find a place to drown her pain in a bottle.
It had been difficult lately, what with not correcting her parents about her relationship with Roman or that she had moved back to Birmingham. They were still expecting him for Christmas. But she was moving on, one day at a time. She had found herself a job in a different care home and on the outside, her life had returned to normal. She would fake it until she made it. Surely her chest wouldn’t feel like she had a big gaping hole in it for the rest of her life? One day she would wake up without puffy eyes, and she’d realise she had dodged a bullet. She was better off without Roman Ashfield.
After her little pep talk, she picked her bag and coat up off the passenger seat and double-checked that she hadn’t left anything in the car. She didn’t need another reason to contact him again.
There was an elevator near the parking spot, which opened the moment she pressed the button. Like it was eager to bring her face to face with him again. She pressed the button to the penthouse apartment as she had been instructed to do. When the elevator started moving, she felt the knots in her stomach tighten.
Maybe she should have asked to meet in a public place instead. Or at Ashfield Construction during the workday. Not at his apartment at night.
But it was too late to start regretting it because the doors opened and right in front of her stood the man she was in love with.
His hair was a little longer than the last time she had seen him, and his stubble was a beard now. There was no smile on his face when their gazes locked.
“Good evening, Evelyn.”
Just the way he used to say it when he came over on Friday nights. Her knees weakened as her body reacted instantly.
“Hi,” she answered.
She sounded breathless.
She cleared her throat and looked away from his probing gaze.
“Security called up to let me know you had arrived. Please come this way.”
Roman stood aside to let her walk out of the elevator, and that was when she noticed that he was wearing something other than a suit.
He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and somehow that made him look more dangerous.
“Through that door,” he directed.
She looked around and realised it was the only door. Did he have the whole floor to himself? She didn’t know what she had been expecting, maybe something decorated similar to the show home he had made her live in, so she was surprised when she walked in and found the decor more comfortable. Something she wouldn’t mind living in.
But she pulled herself away from those unproductive thoughts when Roman closed the door behind her. Her heart pounded when she caught a whiff of his cologne when he took her coat and bag and hung them up before he started walking further into the house.
“Drink?” Roman offered.
She followed his large frame and tried not to look at how well the jeans fit him. He led her into a reception room and offered her a seat.
“I shouldn’t. I can’t stay long.”
“You have other plans?” Roman asked as he poured himself one.
It was a casual question but she felt how loaded it was. Especially when his gaze trailed her body and she realised he had noticed her outfit. It was a short dress with knee-length boots. She would freeze if she wore that outside but it would be just right inside a club.
“Yes, actually,” she answered.
She had dressed up so she could go out but she hadn’t planned to meet anyone. If Roman wanted to assume that she was, then so be it. She’d just needed a night out to maybe lighten the load she had been carrying. Going out and meeting new people even when she didn’t feel like it was supposed to help with her depression.
Roman sat on the sofa across from her and sipped on his drink like he intended to sit and chat for a while. Panic welled in her chest. She didn’t want to talk to him. She wouldn’t know what were lies and what was the truth so she would probably still fall for everything again.
“I really can’t stay,” she said.
“Phillip is on his way over with your number plates. He won’t be long,” Roman said and he sipped his drink again.
How very convenient. How stupid did he think she was to fall for this again? He wanted to trap her here!
“I’m really sorry, Evelyn. For everything. I hope that you will find the right man for you who’ll give you all the happiness you deserve,” Roman said.
She frowned. That wasn’t what she had expected.
“I never deserved you,” Roman said.
It sounded like he was saying goodbye.
His phone rang, and he broke eye contact to answer it. And then when he finished speaking, he stood.
“Phillip is downstairs. You can let yourself out. Goodbye, Evelyn.”