Chapter 6

Christian

I shamelessly stand by the door and listen in on them. Standing in the living room with that photo had been too much for me. It was causing my stomach to turn with guilt and possibly shame. Listening to her call me a nice man to her tiny daughter, knowing it was a lie it made me think I was better off in the living room.

She comes out of the room with her back to me, peeking through the doorway before closing the door quietly. She abruptly turns to face me and let out a scream. Without thinking, I slap my hand over her mouth.

“Shh. You’re going to wake her up again.”

She stares at me with her wide chocolate-brown eyes. I wince as she looks so young and innocent. I never once thought of the impact my company will make to all these tenants.

I slowly drop my hand from her mouth.

“Why are you even here?” She whispers furiously at me before she squeezes past me and storms off towards the living room.

I run my hand through my hair as I follow her. Why I was here no longer matters. I’m not evicting a widowed woman with a small child.

When I get into the living room. She is facing the window with her back to me. I have never been uncertain in any decisions I make. Be it personal or business. Nor have I been lost for words before. A small sob escapes her and I see her quickly raise her hand up to her mouth. She sinks to the floor, putting her head on the floor. She still makes no noise, but I can see her body shake with the sobs she is trying to control.

I look back up at the picture. I don’t know what it is like to lose someone, but to be left with little or no support must be difficult. A sense of protectiveness settles inside my gut. I don’t hesitate. Walking across the room. Bending down, I pick her up and sit us down on the sofa. She tries to struggle out of my lap for a few moments. I tighten my arm around her waist before pushing her head into my chest. She doesn’t look like the healthy woman was in the picture.

She sags onto my chest before she continues to cry with her breath hitching every so often. I don’t know how long we sit there. But I am grateful to give her what little comfort I can. I wouldn’t want anyone to see me vulnerable. Fuck knows how long this woman has been juggling everything. When her tears finally stop, she doesn’t move. She wipes her face before giving up and using the neckline of her t-shirt to wipe her nose on.

I know whatever moment we had is over when her entire body stiffens.

“Can I get up? I need to wash my face.”

I reluctantly let go of her waist once I help her off my lap. She takes her warmth with her as she shoots out of the room like a bat out of hell.

I send Miles a message asking him to get me everything he can on Jasmine’s life. Pausing for a moment, I send him a second message to refer me to the best family court solicitor he knows.

His response is instant.

Are you okay? You said please. Send our secret word if you have been taken.

No messing about. I need this done as a priority. PLEASE.

There is no response, so I slip my phone back into my pocket.

Jasmine comes back into the room. Her eyes look slightly swollen. But she has a defensive look on her face again.

“I’m sorry about that.” She said.

Her eyes drop to my chest and she cringes. When I look down, I can see a damp patch on the lapel of my jacket.

“It’s okay. The suit doesn’t matter.”

She looks uncertain as she sits on the edge of the single seat again. I don’t miss that it’s the farthest one away from me.

“I am going to revisit the plans for this building. As soon as I have further information for you, I will be in touch. You will have a roof over your head regardless of the conclusion. I don’t want you to worry about this at all.”

“Is that for everyone in the building?”

I think of the twisted old woman across the landing and give her a small smile.

“Yes. It applies to everyone. I am sorry for your loss.” I point to the picture.

She tilts her head to the side slightly.

“Are you doing this out of pity?”

“No. I am doing this for purely selfish reasons.” I said with more realisation than honesty.

She frowns at me in confusion before she looks at me with suspicion.

“On that note. I will be in touch. Ignore the eviction notice.” I said as I stand up. “Lock the door behind me.”

Without waiting for her, I see myself out. I close the door quietly behind me. The last thing she needs is for her daughter to wake up again.

I wait for a few moments till I hear her lock the door and put the chain on.

The door across her opens again.

“I’m still watching you.” She snaps at me before slamming her door shut again.

I never stood a chance with these women. I shake my head and make my way to my car.

“Lunch is on you since you made me do actual work.” Miles said, as he looks over his menu.

“Don’t make excuses. You are the tightest bastard I know.”

“True. I am also going to order the most expensive dish on the menu.”

“If you have done everything I asked you to do, then go ahead.”

“I may need a Macallan to soothe my nerves after what I have uncovered.”

I roll my eyes at him. He can afford a whole crate of the shit. He knows how impatient I am and he is taking pleasure in needling me.

“If you don’t spit it out, I am going to scratch up your car collection.”

He frowns as he puts the menu down.

“Why are you so interested in this woman?”

I pause before answering.

“I can’t really explain it. There is something about her. It’s been like that since she first came into my office.”

He looks surprised for a moment before looking more thoughtful.

“You’re serious about her?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Because the poor girl has had a shitty life. I am just going to give you an overview, but I got an entire file on her past and present.”

The waiter comes to our table.

“Can I take your order?” He asks.

Miles immediately picks up his menu.

“Can I have the 24 karat gold wrapped tomahawk with all the sides? Do you have any Macallan?”

“No. Sorry sir. It’s just what’s on the drinks menu.”

I narrow my eyes at him. This asshole. When he needs a favour from me, I am going to fuck him up. I should have known what he was up to when he chose this restaurant for lunch.

“Just the most expensive bottle of red on your menu, please.”

“I will have the mustard rib-eye with all the sides.”

“You might want to order your own drink because the wine is all mine.”

I hand the menu to the waiter.

“Just some water. I’m not an alcoholic like my friend here.”

“Low blow, man. You know I have a stressful job.”

“Don’t talk shit. You get all your underlings to work all the cases. What do you do? One case a month?”

“I have to manage two offices, Christian.” He said with indignation.

“Sure, and I have to manage hundreds of properties all over the Europe.”

“It’s not my fault you can’t delegate some of your work to others offices. I don’t know how Carter still works with you. It’s all about work life balance.”

He picks his briefcase up and pulls out a plastic wallet.

“Everything is in here. Twenty-five years old, born and raised in London. She didn’t have a great start in life. Married at eighteen to her high school sweetheart. He died a little over four months ago. A head injury from work. She has had all her funds and probate request frozen because of his parents taking legal action against her. They are middle class they have some money behind them, which is why they are bullying her. She is nothing like they have portrayed her to be. Stanley was very thorough in his investigation.”

I take the file from him and put it on the table.

“The solicitor referral?”

“I’m happy to take this one on as a freebie.”

I raise my eyebrows at him.

“In exchange for?”

“This lunch. Nothing else.”

“Are you terminally ill?” I ask him seriously.

“Fuck you. I am not that bad.”

“You charged me fucking solicitor hours on a night out.”

“You asked me about property law on one of your projects.”

“One fucking question and you billed me for six hours.”

“You can afford it.”

“Asshole.”

I look down at the wallet. He must have done a deep dive because this is a lot of paperwork on just one person.

Looking at all the paperwork spread out across my desk. I pick up her school photo. Reese isn’t looking at the camera like Jasmine is. He only has eyes for her. Even though the picture is slightly grainy, she is beautiful. She has a wide open smile as she looks at the camera. My parents have been married for nearly forty years. Now retired, they still adore one another to the point it makes me feel sick at times. Especially when my dad tells me is getting laid more than me. I need to get her to meet my family. My brother is laid back and my sister would talk to anyone.

I pick up the phone to speak to my mother. She can give me some advice. I don’t want to fuck this up.