Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,98

so damn beautiful with her soft pink lips curving up, her pale face contrasting with her dark hair and blue eyes… I look like a complete idiot though, despite Petra assuring me otherwise. All of a sudden, a phone call from a private number pops up on the screen. And since I’m pretty sure I know who’s calling, I answer it and put the phone against my ear. “Hi?”

“Matthew Bradford? Alexander Van Dieren.” Of course. Who else could it be? His voice is unmistakable. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, hey… Um, why are you always calling me from a private number?” I ask instead.

“It doesn’t matter why. It seems you’re going to meet Roy Van Gatt this evening?”

I raise my brows in surprise. “Oh, Petra told you?”

“She sent me a text, yes. Did she enjoy the restaurant?”

“Yeah, she loved it. Thanks for the tip and for getting us a table.”

“You’re most welcome. Did she answer your questions?”

“Yeah, she did.” And since I know he’s expecting me to delve a bit further, I tell him, “Despite everything you did, she’s still hoping you’ll come back. And to be honest, I’ve never met someone so in love.”

“I see,” he mutters. “Look, if Roy mentions he met you before, don’t deny it and don’t lie. Petra will see through it. If she asks you about it, just tell her you met him once in a restaurant and said hi.”

“Um, do you think Roy will mention we had a talk in the cigar lounge?” I ask, suddenly worried.

“I don’t think Roy will bring it up, no.” He sounds quite confident of himself. “But he might mention he’s seen your face before. Whatever questions he brings up, don’t lie, don’t shake, and stand your ground.”

“Alright, um, thanks for the tip.” And before he can hang up, I say, “By the way, um, Petra told me why you broke up with her.” I wait for him to comment, but when nothing comes from the other end, I add, “She said her mom has some dirt against you. Not that I’m surprised, but—”

“Good evening, Matthew.” And just like that, he hangs up.

Damn it! And since there’s no way to call him back, I slip my iPhone back inside my pocket, still a bit troubled by his behavior. Anyway, I’m perfectly aware he is using me to find out how Petra is coping with the breakup. But the closer I can get to her, the better for me.

“Here we are,” the driver announces, stopping in front of Petra’s building.

“Thanks.”

Leaving the car, I smile at the doorman as I walk in.

“Good evening, Mr. Bradford,” he greets, holding the door open for me. And I wonder how the heck he even knows my last name. Was it Petra who told him? I shake my head in amusement. After all, she’s the only one who addresses me like that.

As I get into the elevator, the mirror reminds me to remove my mask, and, after doing so, my lips curve into a grin as I check my teeth. They look good. I glance at my overall appearance and run a hand through my hair, but it won’t behave anyway.

Upon arriving in front of her door, I knock three times, and to my greatest surprise, it’s not Janine, but Ms. Van Gatt herself who welcomes me. Her eyes are gleaming like diamonds as she smiles and greets me with her sweetest voice. “Mr. Bradford,” she says, as per her ritual of greeting when it is only the two of us. I’ve always wondered why she enjoys calling me by my surname, but I guess it’s to tease me, as she knows I hate it.

“Hey,” I greet back. Then I wonder if I should kiss her cheek as my Pops suggested. But there is no need for guessing. Petra instantly leans over, and we exchange two cheek kisses. “You look really nice today.” Jeez, I sound so cheesy. Why did I even say that?

“You said the same thing yesterday,” she points out. But I manage to make her laugh, so it’s all good.

“Well, you look great every day, especially now that you have been eating again.”

“With someone like you monitoring my meals, it’s hard not to.”

“Matthew!” I look over Petra’s shoulder to where the male voice is coming from. And there he is, Roy Van Gatt. The same man I saw at the cigar lounge. “So good to finally meet you.” Roy shakes my hand a bit longer than the norm, but his warm expression