He looks around as he thinks. “I don’t know. At first she would just turn up at his office all the time crying and shit and then when Ben stepped in and wouldn’t let her get access to Joshua she started sending him naked pictures of herself.”
I sit back in my chair uneasily. “Go on,” I reply in a monotone.
He sits forward and looks around to see if anyone can hear us. “You can’t tell anyone this shit.”
“Go on,” I snap.
“She started sending him movies of her masturbating and getting herself off.”
I screw up my face in horror.
“In some movies she was in his horse stables, naked on his horse saddles, with massive dildos and crazy sex toys.”
“She’s trying to tap into his kink,” I whisper to myself.
“Yep totally,” Adrian whispers.
“What the hell! That is unstable behaviour,” I whisper, mortified. My mind goes to him acting like a lunatic in the horse stables that day. I don’t blame him. He thinks if he gives her an inch she will take a mile. Why didn’t he just tell me this?
“He ended up getting a restraining order put on her,” he replies.
“Is she on any meds?” I ask.
Adrian shrugs. “Since we have got back from Australia there has been nothing. I think now that you’re here she realises it’s all over and he won’t tolerate her shit anymore.”
“God, we know some bizarre people don’t we?” I sigh.
“Yeah, I do feel a bit sorry for her.” He shrugs.
I frown. “How come?”
“Even though she was such a bitch to all of us, she really did love Joshua, and he has only ever loved you.”
My heart hurts for her. I know how it feels to go crazy over this man. There were times when I felt like I couldn’t breathe if I couldn’t have him.”God, Adrian, what a nightmare.” I sigh.
He shrugs. “She’s harmless.”
I nod. “Well that’s a good explanation of why he hates her.” I smile broadly. “Not what I expected but a very good reason.”
I pick up Adrian’s phone as I feel the alcohol start to pump through my blood.
“Let’s ring Nicholas.” I smirk.
“Let’s not.” Adrian smiles into his drink.
I scroll though his numbers until I get to the name and dial the number. Adrian doesn’t stop me so I’m thinking he secretly wants me to do this. It answers first ring.
“Hello, Adrian,” Nicholas answers hopefully and I put my hand on my heart and close my eyes in a happy gesture.
“Nicholas, it’s me Natasha,” I reply.
Adrian covers his face with his hands.
“Oh, hello, Natasha. Is everything alright?” he asks gently.
“Everything is great.” I smile as the waitress brings us more drinks. Holy shit, I need to stop, I’m feeling very tipsy. “I’m having dinner with my dear friend Adrian.” I reach over and grab his hand over the table and he takes it in his and picks it up and kisses the back of it. I smile broadly. “We thought we would ring and just say hello. So hello.” I giggle.
I can hear him smiling over the phone. “Hello,” he replies.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I’m just coming back from my run,” he replies. “It’s early morning here.”
“Are you in Australia?” I ask. “Not France?”
“No, Australia. I don’t go to my French house that much anymore,” he replies.
I hold my hand over the phone. “He’s in Australia,” I whisper to Adrian loudly and he nods and smiles. “Adrian and I are drinking margaritas.” I laugh.
“I can tell.” He replies cheekily.
“Would you like to speak to Adrian?” I ask.
“That would be nice,” he replies and once again I put my hand over my heart as if to swoon. “I will put him on.” I hand the phone to Adrian and he blows out a breath nervously.
“Hello Nicholas.” He listens for a moment and then smiles broadly. “Yes,” he replies. “Have you?” Nicholas just told him that he has been thinking of him, I just know it, and I start feeling very proud of myself. I’m the matchmaker master. I should charge for my services. I don’t want Adrian to feel self-conscious by me listening, so who can I ring? Mum. I pull out my phone and scroll through to the Ms and I dial the number.
It nearly rings out and then a familiar voice that isn’t Mum’s answers.
“Hello, Natasha,” the soft sad voice says.
I frown and then look at my screen. Margaret. Oh shit, I’ve rang Margaret by mistake.
I screw up my face. “Hello, Margaret.”
She stays silent.
“I thought I would just ring you and check on you,” I lie.
“Thank you, dear, I’m ok,” she replies quietly.
I frown and by the tone of her voice I can tell that she’s not, and I instantly feel uneasy.
“Where are you?” I ask.
She stays silent. “Does it matter?” she answers.
“Yes,” I answer and for the first time since this whole thing has come to life I find myself actually thinking of what this woman must be going through alone. “I’m in a hotel in LA,” she whispers.
I frown. “LA,” I repeat. Why would she be in LA? And then her words come into my head: This man is dangerous and my life will be in danger if this comes out.
More silence.