CHAPTER FIFTY
It was Friday, and I was a million miles away when the doorbell sounded. I jumped up off the sofa. Could it be Aidan? The very thought of that impelled my heart to beat wildly. I headed to the door and stared through the peephole. Greta stood there, holding a box.
I opened the door. “Greta,” I said with wide-eyed surprise.
“Clarissa, I hope you don’t mind me arriving unannounced like this. Your father was worried. And so was I.”
After I let her in, Greta said, “Julian was concerned you wouldn’t have anything to eat, so I brought food.” She looked around the apartment, which was tidier than when Aidan had visited.
“I probably should’ve called,” I muttered, taking the box from her. “Thanks. It’s very generous of you, as always.”
In the box sat paper-wrapped burgers and two containers of juice. I placed it on the table. The aroma charged straight to my grumbling empty tummy. After having not eaten much lately, I was suddenly hungry.
“I haven’t had lunch, so I hope you don’t mind. I brought cheeseburgers,” Greta said with her signature tight smile.
“I’ll grab plates,” I replied, heading for the kitchen.
The cheeseburger went down really well. We munched away silently and sipped on our juices.
“Aidan mentioned that he visited you here,” Greta said, wiping her lips with a paper napkin.
I nodded.
“Aidan’s a complex man. He always has been. But one thing’s for sure, Clarissa: I’ve never seen him like this before. I’ve known him all his life. He didn’t have an easy beginning. Has he spoken of his mother?”
“Aidan told me that it wasn’t an easy upbringing. And that you cared for him.”
“That’s right. Patty was hooked, and still is, on pot and liquor. She was a groupie when younger. That’s how she got pregnant. She was with Grant only once.” She paused. “Grant, who was away touring most of the time, was worried about Aidan, so I stepped in. He moved in with me. It wasn’t easy because Patty would come and drag him back with her. That happened all the way up to his teens.”
“I see,” I said, sipping on my juice. Tears welled up as I visualized young Aidan, bedraggled and alone.
“Anyway…” Greta sighed. “Aidan made a few bad calls. He then joined the army and worked hard. He was the top of his grade, a major in the Special Forces within three years.” Greta had a sip of her drink. “The women, the choices weren’t always good. But Aidan’s never shied away from hard work. And he’s one of the most generous of souls—the work that Aidan does for all the charities, as you know. And then, when you came along, Aidan was besotted. I tried to stop him due to your working relationship. But I could see what a perfect pair you made. Or I should say, make.” Greta paused for a response, but I remained quiet. “I hope you can forgive him. Jessica was a mistake. And Amy threw herself at Aidan when he was vulnerable. I can confirm he’d broken up with Jessica. And…” She collected her breath. “I saw the DNA report. It was not his child. It was a horrible tragedy. But Jessica should never have been there. She’s out to get Aidan. If she can’t have him, then no-one else can. That’s her approach as I see it.”
Mulling over Greta’s explanation, I remained silent.
“Anyway, we were hoping you might come back. It’s your home now. We all want you to know that.” Greta nodded reassuringly. “Your father would’ve come with me today, but he had to visit an estate. They’re auctioning their entire hundred-year-old library. Aidan gave him an open checkbook. You can imagine your father’s delight.” She tilted her head and chuckled so infectiously I had to smile.
“I certainly can,” I replied, breaking my silence. “Dad’s in heaven. And he’s also the happiest I’ve seen him since mother…” I stopped myself short of saying it. “And it’s not just the books, Greta.”
She smiled shyly. “Please come back, Clarissa.” Greta touched my hand affectionately.
“The electric car has run out of charge,” I said almost to myself.
“Then, I’ll wait while you get ready. You can come with me. You can have the week off. In any case, the gala events have ceased.”
“I heard. I hope it’s not because of this.”
She shook her head. “No. Aidan has a new scheme for raising money. He was hoping to have you on board.” Greta drew a tight smile.
In my slow, hazy-minded way, I reflected on everything Greta had said. My heart and mind were at war. But this time, my heart had the winning edge. “Can you give me twenty minutes to pack a few things?”
Greta’s body slumped with relief. “I can give you whatever time you need.” She went to the box of goodies and removed a small carton. “It will give me time to eat this yummy cake. I bought one for you too, if you like.” Greta opened the lid and showed me a mud cake. My stomach leapt with joy. I definitely had room for that.
“Yum,” I said. “I’ll pop the kettle on.”
“Good thinking. I’ll make the coffee.” Greta followed me into the kitchen.
Having left Greta to it, I entered my bedroom and tied back my hair. I regarded the pile of clothes that had been grabbed in a hurry. I popped them back into my bag without bothering to fold them.
Fueled by adrenaline, my heart had taken charge and was on a mission. We didn’t want that stubborn mind of mine stepping in.
As I dangled the one-piece, my eyes wandered over to my dressing table at the red bikinis with tags still intact. Discarding the one-piece, I packed the tiny triangles into my bag.
****
On our way back to paradise, we drove along the picturesque highway. The deep-blue sea, a soulful reminder of bliss, caused my throat to thicken with emotion.
I turned to Greta. “Do you happen to know Aidan’s star-sign?”
“He’s a Scorpio. The same sign as his father and me, why?
Goosebumps and tingles rippled through me. My heart cartwheeled. “I just wondered.” I smiled brightly for the first time all week.
THE END OF BOOK ONE. To continue reading the complicated and beautiful love story of Aidan and Clarissa click on this link.
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