AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you not have a father around?”
“Why?”
I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “Sorry, I’m messing this up. I was adopted. My mother died when I was young. I didn’t know my father.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Leonie’s expression softened.
“The thing is, and please don’t mention this to the guys yet, but a man claiming to be my father has written me a letter. He wants me to meet him. I don’t know what to do.” I knew I was taking a chance unburdening myself to a woman I barely knew, but I desperately needed to talk to someone independently of the guys, someone who might understand what I was feeling.
Leonie kept glancing at me as we walked. “I knew my father. He was a drug addict who beat my mother. She managed to earn the sympathy of a very rich man and left my dad. My father died of an overdose not long after. Not suicide, just a bad batch.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. It was the best thing he ever did. Not all parents are loving. Some are bastards.”
“So you think I should ignore the letter?”
“Oh no. I was just talking about my father because you asked. Your dad could be nice. Then again how do you know it’s genuinely him?”
“I don’t.”
“Well, aren’t you an ex-journalist? Find out.”
“I guess it couldn’t hurt to do some digging around. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
There was a minute of silence as we walked, caught up in our own thoughts.
“Have you settled back in okay? I know it’s early days.”
“I’ve been in touch with some of my old girlfriends and we’re arranging a night out. I’ve a second chance and I plan to make the most of it.” Leonie fixed her gaze on me. “And I don’t plan to leech off you forever more. As soon as I get back on my feet, I won’t be asking you to subsidize my living costs.”
I placed a hand on her arm. The heat from her skin zinged through my palm and I withdrew as carefully as I could. Everything was new and taking time to adjust to. “Please don’t take it as leeching. Accept it as what it is. Our apology to you. You shouldn’t have had to leave. I hope we can genuinely become friends.”
“I think we already are.” Leonie smiled at me. “Now I must get on as I’m working soon, but I’ll be in touch about that night out, if you’re interested in tagging along.”
“Thank you, Leonie. I’m not very good at making friends. It means a lot.”
We walked back to the hotel, where Smith greeted me, freshly showered and looking flushed. I licked my lips, I couldn’t help myself.
“You escaped. That wasn't the plan. You should have told me you were leaving."
"Well, as you can see I'm fine."
He sighed. "How did it go?”
“Good. She’s settling in well. How come you didn’t tell me she got offered the Manager’s position at the spa?”
“It was her news to tell. Not mine. So, now what are we doing
?”
“I suppose I should go back to the house seeing as the others are petrified I’m going to do something stupid.”
“They care, Serena. It’s because we all love you. You’ve got to learn to let us in. We’re not your past, we’re your future.”
“Said beautifully. Are you not your past, Smith?”
