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I turn to see what they are looking at and come face to chest with an expensive suit. I nearly stumble back but the man in the suit reaches and grabs my upper arm to steady me. Looking up, I gasp at what I see. It’s like looking at Lance twenty years from now. The same face, with the exquisitely arched cupid’s bow and long noble nose. His hair is the same golden colour but peppered with white at the temples. The only real difference I can decipher is his eyes; they are darker and cold, so very cold. One look and I feel a chill, alarm bells ringing in my head and my fight or flight response tells me to haul arse out of this man’s grasp.
“Sorry,” I mumble, stepping out of his personal space.
His lips stretch into an unnerving and unnatural smile. “Not a problem, my dear.” This has to be Lance’s father. The resemblance is too significant for it not to be, but the pleasantness he tries to inject into his voice and smile is artificial, like social Botox. Nothing like the first time I met Lance, where his warmth and charm had me feeling safe and comfortable instantly.
“What are you doing here?” Lance’s voice sounds different. Detached. I think briefly that he’s talking to me even though I have already explained that I was looking for my boss. But the man answers before I could say anything.
“As you seem incapable of completing a simple task, I’ve come to ensure that you stay on track.” His false smile is gone now as he glares at Lance, his voice dripping in contempt. I wince. God, I don’t exactly like Lance at the moment, but I wouldn’t wish that tone on anyone.
“I told you I’ve got this.”
“Still, I’m here now.” Mr Preston Senior looks back at me with another terrifying smile. “And who are you?”
All the instincts that I have tell me no to give this guy my name. “No one,” I whisper.
“Now, I am certain that’s not true.”
“You can leave now,” Lance speaks up again, but this time, I’m certain he’s talking to me. Without a second glance, I leave the crowded hallway and sprint, as much as my heels will let me, back down the hall.
At the top of the stairs, I meet Arash coming up. “Elle,” he smiles wide but his face drops when he looks at me. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine,” I stammer. “I was just looking for you. I wanted to ask a favour.”
Seeming to know that his office is in use, he reaches the top of the stairs and leans against the wall opposite me. “What’s up?”
“I don’t want to be a pain and if it’s really inconvenient then just tell me to fuck off…”
“Elle, just spit it out.”
“If you’re planning on more meetings with Lance Preston, would it be possible to do them when I’m not working?”
His brows rise at that.
“Like I said, I’m not trying to be a pain. It’s just, Lance and I…well…there’s some bad blood there and I find it…difficult seeing him. I don’t want it to affect my performances.”
He looks confused before something akin to realisation flashes across his face. “Elle, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise.”
“Why would you?”
“You know, if he goes through with the purchase, he’ll be your boss?”
That makes me smile. “Not everyone’s like you, boss. Most nightclub owners are not so hands on, I’m sure he would hire a general manager and I’d only have to see him occasionally.”
He nods thoughtfully. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem, to be honest. I’m pretty sure he’s backing out.” His broken expression has me feeling guilty for my selfishness.
“Can I ask, whydoyou want to sell so badly? You love it here.”
It’s his turn to smile now. “I do. I love this club so much, it was always my dream to own a prestigious club in the capital, and to make a successful business of it. And I’ve done that.”
“So why leave?” I push.
“Because it’s my wife’s dream to travel the world, experience everything she can, to paint all the sceneries she finds, to taste delicacies from every continent, and meet new people from across the globe. She’s supported me through mine, now it’s my turn to return the favour.”
I smile up at him, loving him in this moment.
“I love the club, Elle. But I love my wife more.”
“Why not hire a management team?” I know Arash has the money to travel the world without selling the club.
