I dig out my cell. A text from my mom. It’s a picture of her and her new husband on the banks of the Thames, ringing in the New Year in a crowd of thousands. I send back a sentiment, hoping the cheery nature of it would make her think that everything is okay.
As I approach home, I note that there is a large blacked out SUV parked adjacent to my doorway. With my senses on high alert, I scoot a little more quickly, grabbing my keys.
“Miss Garrington?” I hit a light jog, grateful when I see someone exiting my building, meaning I can slide in without having to use my key. “Miss Garrington!” I just about make it when the person puts their hand on my shoulder. It’s the security officer from Matthew’s party. “Mr Stone would like to speak with you.”
“The one thing that I cannot get out my mind is the look in your eyes when you said I was better off.” Matthew Stone, despite the holiday and what should be a casually dressed day, is pacing before me in a suit. I had taken a good look around when I’d first arrived; it’s like the party never happened. The apartment is immaculately clean, even the giant Christmas tree was gone. “That’s what I can’t get out of my mind.” He’d said.
I keep my spine straight from my seat on the couch, watching him as he paces. He’s shed the jacket, rolled the white shirt to mid way up his arms and loosened the top button of his collar. I look back to where the security officer stands by a near wall.
“I can’t help you.” I offer, aching to get the hell out of here.
He faces me. “I’m not looking for help. I’m looking for answers.”
“I don’t have any.”
He laughs. It’s a dark, throaty sound that makes the hairs on my arms stand. “And because I knew you would say that, I did my own investigations.” He lifts a file from the breakfast counter, tossing it into my lap as he walks back towards me. I catch it, thumbing through it in abject horror.
“You...you investigated me...?”
“I confirmed it with Andrea, you really had no idea who you were working for...that and the look in your eyes means you don’t actually know what your dear old dad is up to.”
“I told you that already.”
He takes a seat opposite me. “You’re going to help me get it back.”
“You mean get even.”
Again, that dark laugh. “You catch on quick.”
“You need to when you’re a Garrington.”
Something unsaid passes between the men and I hear footsteps. I look back, realising that the security officer has left the space.
“Your money is gone.” I close the file, putting it to the table. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. I’m not even speaking to him!”
“I don’t care.” He crosses his leg, placing one ankle at his knee. His large watch catches the spectacular light coming through the floor to ceiling windows. “I want to make him feel like I feel.”
“And how the hell do you intend on doing that?”
“By making your life miserable.”
My heart suddenly starts to patter roughly against my chest. “You...you don’t have that power...”
“I just got your pal Reece kicked out of college, real shame he didn’t keep up the payments on his loans especially since he’s so close to finishing.”
I’m on my feet before I know it. “You...you didn’t...”
He climbs to full height. “He doesn’t even know it yet, one word that you will work for me...and I’ll revoke my request with the Dean.”
“Done. Done. Whatever you want! Just please, don’t do that to Reece!”
“So you agree, to working for me?” Matthew Stone approaches me, the dark look in his eyes intimidating and cold.
“Yes. Yes...I will work for you, however you want.”
“Good.” He climbs to full height. “You’re going to pretend to be my girlfriend.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” His eyes go very dark. “I want you to go home, pack up your belongings, and you’re going to move in here. With me. Today.”
When I call Reece on the pretence of wishing him a happy new year the minute I get home, he seems oblivious to any drama. “You’re okay?”
“I am.”
“God, I’m really sorry you got kicked off the job.” He yawns.
“It’s okay, just one of those things.”
“Yeah,” I hear him moving, presumably out of bed. “Andrea said there was too many staff to guests or something. But it didn’t matter anyway, the guy, the one hosting the party, he called it off about ten minutes after you left.”
“He did?” I put myself on the couch.
“Yeah, he came through like a hurricane and shut it down.” I hear him speak to someone. “I better go, I need to get my ass into study mode.”
Three bags later, with my room cleared and tidy, I struggle at the countertop where I’m trying to leave a note for Selina. But she beats me to it, spooking me when my cell rings.
“You’re never going to believe this!” I hold the phone as best as I can, wondering how I tell my friend what’s happened.
