Adrian
I sit still as I watch Joshua. He’s standing at the end of my desk going through the pile of mail in my in-tray.
“I’m finishing early and going away for a couple of days,” he remarks casually as he flicks through the letters.
“Where you going?” I ask.
“Willowvale.” He throws the letters onto my desk and they land with a thud.
“Why are you going on a Tuesday afternoon?” I frown.
“I have to see an estate agent. Apparently bitch face is trying to buy a property adjacent to Willowvale.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and inhales deeply.
I screw up my face. “Who? Amelie?”
He nods and walks over to the window with his hands in his suit pant pockets and stares out at the view.
I blow out a deep breath. “Fuck man, what next? Does Natasha know?”
He shakes his head.
I lean back in my chair as I think. “Why don’t you let me handle the real estate. You have enough shit on your plate at the moment.”
His eyes stare straight ahead deep in thought.
I run my hands through my hair. “I don’t think now is a good time for you to leave town.”
“Why?” he asks.
“I think you should sort this stuff out with your mother.”
“What’s the point?” he replies in a monotone. “It’s not going to change anything… my whole life has been a lie.”
“Joshua, stop it, you’re being melodramatic,” I snap. “Do you have any idea what I would give to have my mother back here on Earth?”
He turns and his eyes meet mine.
“Don’t take her for granted, Joshua. You will regret it one day.” I sigh.
“Cut her funds,” he says flatly.
“Payments?” I widen my eyes in shock. “Joshua, it’s a couple of million dollars a year. This will seriously hamper her lifestyle.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Actually I want her bank accounts traced. Let’s see how she spends my money.”
I shake my head. “Joshua, stop it. Why would you want to know that?”
“Just do it,” he snaps.
My phone beeps a text. Natasha.
Wardrobe emergency!!
The king has told me to pack for polo
What the hell does one wear to polo?
I don’t have a spotted brown dress
I smile broadly. She’s referring to Pretty Woman. Joshua’s love is slowly turning into the sister that I never had. I love this girl. I quickly shoot back a text.
Call you later
X
The buzzer sounds as I throw my phone back onto the desk. “Mr Murphy.”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Your eleven o’clock appointment is here,” Brittany replies.
I frown and open my diary screen on my monitor. I didn’t know I had an appointment this morning. “What’s the name?” I ask.
“Nicholas Anastas sir.”
My stomach drops, shit. I sit back in my chair and shake my head as my eyes flick to Joshua. He smirks.
I blow out a deep breath. “Send him in,” I reply flatly.
“I’m going,” Joshua smiles as he raises his eyebrows.
“Sit down. You’re not going anywhere,” I snap. “I’m marching him immediately.”
“Why don’t you take some of your own advice?” Joshua snaps.
“Like what?” I ask.
“About taking people for granted,” he replies.
A knock sounds at the door.
“Shut up, Stanton,” I murmur.
He smirks and walks over and opens the door”Here you are, sir,” Brittany smiles as she opens the door for Nicholas.
“Thank you, Brittany,” Joshua smiles, suddenly all perky. “Nicholas,” he says in a rowdy voice. “Great to see you.” He shakes his hand and holds his arm out in a welcoming gesture. “Come in, come in.”
Nicholas turns and his eyes meet mine, and there he stands, six foot two of Greek God perfection. The instant physical attraction I have to this man overwhelms me-it’s so damn inconvenient. He is wearing a navy three-piece suit, his dark wavy hair tucks behind his ear, and he is immaculate from head to toe.