Chapter 4

I step off the escalator and into the baggage claim area. I brought three suitcases with me, trying my best to travel light. I figured I could buy whatever I didn’t bring with me once I got settled in.

It was busy, people anxiously waiting for their luggage, hoping the airline didn’t screw up and send their luggage halfway around to the other side of the world. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw all three of my suitcases coming down the carousel.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder and turned to see a man, mid-forties. His hair was cut very short, almost shaved, wearing a navy blue polo shirt and brown khakis. He stood in front of me, smiling, pleasant looking. He had a relaxed way about him that immediately put me at ease.

“Hello. Katherine Harris, I presume?” he asked. His accent is British, very polite and proper.

“Umm….yes,” I reply warily, uncertain of who this man is and what he wanted.

“My name is Antonio Berra,” he says, extending his hand. “Mr. Alex McCall sent me to collect you. Please, let me help you with your bags.” He bends down, picking up one of my bags.

I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t expecting to have transportation arranged. I was actually looking forward to a cab ride in one of those cute black London taxi cabs.

“Oh. Alex McCall sent you to pick me up?” I ask, frowning slightly. How did he know when I would be arriving? I thought.

“Yes.” Antonio replied. “The car is parked directly outside, Miss Harris. If you could follow me, please.” He began to walk towards the door, two of my bags slung over his shoulder, and pulling the other.

I followed Antonio towards a silver Mercedes sedan. He places my bag and the rest of my luggage in the trunk of the car and walks around to open the door for me.

“Thank you,” I said, sliding into the buttery soft leather seat, appreciating the luxuriousness of the vehicle. I wondered if Alex arranged airport transport for all of his new employees.

Not that I was complaining. It was a nice gesture. I just thought it was a little out of the ordinary. Maybe everything Heather told me about Alex was true. I pushed it out of my mind.

Antonio pulled away from the curb. “Your destination, ma’am?” he inquired, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

“Coddingham Court, please. In Battersea.”

The sedan glides smoothly along the highway. Looking out of the window, I settle in for the drive to my new flat. I could get used to this.

One hour later I arrive at my new flat. It’s even lovelier in person. A three story white-washed brick building with a deep blue awning at the entryway and a cozy fireplace in the lobby. In the center of the property there is a small but beautiful courtyard with a fountain, the scent of English roses drifting throughout. A black, wrought iron railing wraps around the entire property. I’ve leased the flat for six months, thinking that will give me enough time to decide if I need to find something else or remain here. The owner and manager of the property, Mary O’Donnell, who I met while checking in, seems like a kind, sweet lady. She told me she and her husband renovated the entire building a few years ago.

“There you are,” Mary said while handing me the key to the flat. “All set. Third floor, room number eight. And please let me know if you need anything, dear,” she says, smiling kindly.

I take the elevator up to the third floor, walk down the hallway, trying to find room number eight. It’s the last room at the end of the hallway. I open the door and walk into the flat. It’s exactly like the pictures online. It’s cute and charming, with pretty flower printed wallpaper. A chair with plaid covering sits in the corner. Walking through to the bathroom, I find an antique claw foot bathtub taking center stage. I stand in front of the windows overlooking the courtyard, the warm light filling the room, and can’t believe I’m here. I hug myself with excitement. I unpack my bags and then take a much needed shower.

Afterwards, I’m suddenly overtaken with tiredness. I can barely keep my eyes open. Jet lag has definitely caught up with me. I crawl into bed and fall into a deep sleep.

Alex stands in front of the window of his penthouse suite, overlooking the twinkling lights of the city. He brings the glass of whiskey to his lips, rolls the liquor over his tongue, swallows. He hears the padding of feet on the hardwood floor, the sound of the shower. He wished she would leave so he could sit and think in silence.

From behind him, a pair of arms slide around his waist. He smells her perfume. It makes him feel nauseas. “Why don’t you join me,” she murmurs, laying her head on his back, reaching up and stroking his chest.

Alex turns and gives her a tight smile, slowly pushing her arms down. She stood in front of him, naked. “You go ahead. I’ll be in my study, I’ve got work to do. I’ve left cab fare on the table. Thank you for a lovely evening, Linda.” He hoped she would leave without any further conversation.

“It’s Lesley.”

Linda, Lesley, it didn’t matter to him what the hell her name was. All he wanted her to do was leave. He hated this part. It was so easy to get them into his bed, hard to get them out. Alex went to his office study and closed the door.

Thirty minutes later he heard the sound of the woman gathering her things. He looked at the display of security camera monitors. Alex took great care with matters of security and had a state-of –the art home security system installed. Alex watched the brunette slide her feet into black five inch stiletto heels. She picked up the money for cab fare, called out “goodbye.” When she got an answer of silence in response, she shook her head, put on her coat, muttered “asshole,” under her breath. Alex watched her open the door, heard the sound of the door clicking shut behind her. He immediately pushed a button which locked the front door. Alex breathed a sigh of relief. He was always glad when they left.

He sat and thought about work. It’s what he always thought about. It was his passion. Alex had founded McCall Enterprises at age thirty-seven and in just five years he had built a worldwide luxury hotel empire. He worked all the time. And when he wasn’t working he was chasing women.

Work and women. Not a bad life, he thought.