She was silent for a while and then she said quietly. “My mother needed some money.”
“Oh, Charlotte.”
“It’s okay. She’s all right now. Sometimes, it’s hard for her to manage on her measly pension, you know. If something breaks down, it’s the end of the world.”
“Listen, do you need some money?”
“Nah, I’ve already got another job.” She crinkled her nose. “It’s out in Wales though.”
“Wales!” I wailed.
“It’s only three hours by train.” She grinned.
“Right.”
“I’ll be taking care of a little boy. I spoke to his mother and I really hope I’m not exchanging one bitch for another, but I’ve got to give it a shot. I’m desperate.”
“Why can’t I give you some to tide you over first?”
“No, Davina. I can do this on my own. I can’t pull out the despair card yet. I’ll be proud of myself if I get through this on my own.”
“You’re crazy, you know.”
“I know,” she said. “Will you come visit me in Wales? I think I’m going to be living in some kind of castle.”
“Oh, you know, I’m scared of ghosts.”
She sucked in her breath. “You just said that to put me off, didn’t you?”
I began to laugh and she joined me too.
“If you played your cards right you could have your billionaire buy you a castle without ghos—”
“Stop freaking going there.”
She put her hands up in defeat. “I get it. You can’t stand to owe anyone and all that. Understood. But you do owe me for sticking by your side all these years, so get me Domino’s tonight.”
“You were the one who refused to leave me the hell alone. Why do you want pizza? What of all this food?”
“Are you going to cook? I’m freaking exhausted.”
“Fine,” I said.
“Order it now, so it gets home as soon as we arrive.”
“Yes ma’am.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket. However, just as I began to search for the number, a call from Margot came in.
“Davina?”
“Margot,” I answered, instantly concerned. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine, but Mr. Angelini just sent an order. He’ll be returning from Venice today, and wants you to accompany him to an event.”
For the first few seconds, I couldn’t think. “An event?”
“I wasn’t given the details. He’s sent over some outfits for you to choose from, and says you should be ready for seven.”
I took a deep breath. “All right, I’ll be back in an hour.” I ended the call.
Charlotte was leaning against the cart staring at me. “Why is your face like that?”
My heart was pounding in my chest. “Gabriel just requested I join him for an event tonight.”
She took a minute to think about it. “Isn’t this a good thing?”
“He left early yesterday and made no mention of this whatsoever.”
“Well… I really don’t know what to say. Maybe he really missed you.”
“He could have called me himself to speak to me. Since he left, he hasn’t even called to ask after Michele.”
“I am officially confused by the both of you,” she said. “Either way, attend the event with him.”
I opened my mouth to say something.
She held up her hand. “Don’t interrupt me. Attend the event and let’s see what comes out of it.”
“Why should I? It’s not part of my job description.”
“And fucking him is?” She sighed. “Whatever this event is it must be high profile, which means that he isn’t reluctant to have you seen with him. That’s amazing to me. He’s not some random business owner, he is a billionaire. Think, Davina. He could have called any woman and he didn’t.”
“Charlotte…”
“Give this a chance. Let’s figure out what he is up to. I still want that pizza though.”
I called up the Dominos and ordered their biggest pizza with extra toppings and a whole pile of sides for her.
Davina
Four exquisite dresses were laid out on my bed for me.
A hot pink, figure-hugging Versace with a plunging neckline, an Olive green loose and short Christian Dior, a stark white, structured Carolina Herrera number, and a two piece, Chanel champagne train skirt with a stark white lacy bodice.
I studied them, still confused about what exactly was going on. I heard movement behind me and turned to see Zelda walk in with Sandra. They laid four pairs of shoes at the foot of the bed before straightening up to meet my bewildered gaze.
I felt strangely guilty and ashamed.
Didn’t Gabriel know that by doing this he was exposing our relationship, or whatever we had to the world, especially my colleagues?
The look on Sandra’s face for instance was toxic. She’d been my friend and now she glared at me as if I were her enemy.
“You have an hour to turn yourself into a Princess,” Zelda said, with a warm smile.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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