It surprised her how little she needed these days. Materialistic things really didn’t make a person happy. Was she happy now? There were a couple of times she would’ve said no, but it wasn’t because of the things she’d given up but because she couldn’t find her way. The expectations she’d hoped for when arriving in Sydney hadn’t dropped in her lap like she’d expected.
It was pure luck she landed a job on a movie set even if it was only temporary. And those days working on a movie set, cut short because of her argument with Shaun, reinforced what she wanted and was determined to work damn hard for. If sleeping here for the next few months and working at a café would help get her there, then she was going to do everything she needed to achieve it on her own. Convincing her parents still weighed heavy on her shoulders. Why hadn’t they contacted her yet?
She’d been accepted into the makeup academy and once she sold the diamond encrusted pendant and necklace, the one her parents had given her for her twenty-first birthday, the one she’d gotten Ruth to express post to pay for the tuition, she was soon set to start.
The smell of coffee, eggs and bacon clung to her skin and clothes, and she took a quick shower. She had to be fast because the hot water only lasted two minutes. Towelling herself dry, she walked to her bed and saw a missed call on her phone. Hopefully, it was Ethan. God, she missed seeing him during the day. Was he calling to tell her he had a break and was on his way over?
It amazed her how quickly her feelings had grown for him. She’d fallen in love before—or so she’d believed, what if she made the same mistake? Although she couldn’t compare Ethan to a dirtbag like Oliver. What if his feelings weren’t growing at the same speed? If she handed him her heart and he couldn’t give his in return, what would that do? Seeinghow things godidn’t exactly reassure her. Her chest squeezed tight at the prospect of the relationship ending. Was it already too late? Had she stepped into the love zone? She took a deep breath. No, she could control how much she gave him. Her heart was safe. A little voice inside her said she was delusional so she shut the internal conversation down.
She opened the text. It was from her mother. About time! She’d left a voice message. Hesitating for a moment, temptation was strong to ignore it. What if she’d called refusing to consider Holly’s idea? She dialled the number to listen. Better to get it over with.
Her mother’s plummy voice informed her she and her father were in town and to meet them at 6pm that evening for dinner in the Pearl Dining Room in the Ainsworth Hotel at Circular Quay.
There was no,I hope you can make it, orwe’ll arrange another time if you have plans. She’d been summoned and so must attend.
Crap. She glanced at time: 4:45 p.m.
Holly scratched her fingers through her hair. With just one message, Holly’s hackles rose. Not once had her mother contacted her to see if she was okay or happy living in Sydney. The one time she did message was to demand she meet them.
She’d go to dinner, because she really needed to talk to them even though she knew it would be more of an interrogation than a happy reunion.
Flicking through the clothes in the wardrobe, the only thing she had suitable to wear for the Pearl Dining Room was a black cocktail dress, the only one she’d packed for Sydney. A just-in-case dress. Who knew when she’d need a cute outfit? Like tonight. She held it up in front of her and ran her fingers over the expensive fabric and immediately threw it on the bed. She couldn’t wear it. It wasn’t who she was anymore. Her parents needed to know it and accept her for who she’d become.
A knock sounded at the door. It must be Bonnie dropping off Holly’s new work shirts she’d embroidered with the café’s name. She opened the door and her smile dropped.
Oliver stood before her.
“What are you doing here?” Shock at seeing him at her door turned to confusion. “And how do you know where I live?”
Without an invitation, Oliver stepped over the threshold and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest. “It’s so good to see you,” he said.
She stood stiff as a board, not reciprocating the gesture. When the hug went on longer than necessary, she slid her hands between them and nudged him away.
Needing to put space between them, she took a few steps back. A small part of her always wondered how she’d feel seeing him again. She’d loved him for two years, would’ve married him and had his babies. She felt nothing.
For a moment, she took in the sight of him. Gone was the neatly cut golden hair. Now shaggy, dull locks sat in a mess around his ears. The gorgeous blue eyes she remembered were dim and had lost their sparkle. The clothes he wore were no longer Hugo Boss or Ralph Lauren, the brands he favoured, but cheap and ill-fitting. This was not the man she left nearly six months ago. Did he turn up to work looking like this? Surely her mother wouldn’t approve.
“How do you know where I live?” she demanded again.
“Ruth gave me your address because I needed to see you. You kept ignoring my texts and not answering my calls. I tried looking for you at all the Ainsworth Hotels.” He made a face. “The bastards wouldn’t give me any details.”
Concern crept up her spine. She glanced at the door relieved she’d left it open. She could make a quick getaway in case he’d turned into a stalking psychopath these past few months.
Like he’d read her mind he said, “Don’t worry. I haven’t been stalking you.” And laughed like he’d said something funny. “I tricked Ruth into telling me where you live. I just needed to see you.”
Why the hell would her sister tell him where she lived? She’d have some choice words to say to Ruth when she spoke to her next and wondered how he’d convinced her to give up that information. For now, she needed to focus on getting him the hell out of her apartment.
“Ok. You’ve seen me, so leave.” She pointed to the door.
He didn’t take the hint, dropped into a chair and looked up at her with a solemn expression on his face. “I made a huge mistake. You’re the best thing in my life and I… I…”
“Screwed another woman?” she provided.
He winced like he was in pain. Then nodded. “I’m sorry for hurting you. Hurtingus. I can see how stupid I acted. Can you please forgive me?”
Could she forgive him? Long past the point of caring anymore, she answered, “Yes. I forgive you.” Now hopefully he’d leave, and she’d never have to see him again.
His eyes lit up and for a beat, she saw some of the former sparkle piercing through the dim depths. He bounded from the chair and before she had the chance to move, clasped her hands between his cold clammy ones.
