pills.' I grumble with my head practically in my oversized, leather shoulder bag. I run my fingers around the stitching of the lining to check for rips.
'Again?'
I look up at him and smile apologetically. I feel stupid, and I'm not relishing the thought of visiting Doctor Monroe again. I need to sort that today before I miss anymore.
'I'll see you later.' He lands me with a chaste kiss on my cheek and leaves me to carry on searching for rips in the lining of my bag. What a nightmare. Maybe I should just get the jab and save myself all of this embarrassment.
I freeze on the spot, my brow furrowing, my mind jumping the gun...I think.
No, he wouldn't. Why ever would he?
Chapter 9
As I walk into the foyer, I find Clive rubbing the cuff of his jacket on the marble desk, buffing it to a shine.
'Morning, Clive.'
'Good morning, Ava.' he says happily.
I return his cheeriness with an over-the-top smile. 'Clive, I don't suppose you could show me the CCTV footage from Sunday, could you?'
'No!' he blurts quickly, suddenly becoming busy and frantically typing on his keyboard.
I eye him suspiciously, but he won't look at me. I don't believe this. Jesse has beaten me to it. He knew I would ask Clive. 'Has Jesse spoken to you?'
'No.' He shakes his head and keeps his eyes down.
'Of course.' I sigh, turning and walking out of the foyer. The Lord is cute, and I'm suspicious.
'Oh, Ava!' I hear Clive coming after me. 'Maintenance rang. The door is on order, but it's coming from Italy so it may be a while.' He walks besides me.
'You should call Jesse and let him know.' I carry on walking, and he carries on flanking me.
'I did, Ava. Mr Ward advised me that I should consult with you on anything regarding the penthouse.'
I skid to a halt. He said what? 'I'm sorry.' I sound confused.
Clive looks nervous. 'Mr Ward, he....urh....he said you live here now and anything concerning the penthouse should be run past you.'
'Oh, he did, did he?' I grind. I shouldn't sound so menacing. It's not Clive's fault. 'Clive, do me a favour. Ring Mr Ward and tell him I don't live here.'
Clive looks like I've just told him that he has two heads. I'm fuming. He moves me in under the persuasion of a sense fuck followed by a reminder fuck, and then expects me to become Molly mop? No amount of sense or reminder fucking will work in his favour this time.
'Of course, Ava. I'll...urhhhh...do it now.'
'Good.' I snap, and carry on outside the building. I stand and rummage through my bag for my sunglasses and car keys, completely riled. How dare he? I huff and puff to myself until I find my glasses, and as I slip them on, Massive Attack's Angel creeps into my ears.
'Oh no!' I screech to myself. I'm even madder now. He knows how I feel about that track. I grab my phone and connect the call. 'Stop messing about with my phone!'
'No! Reminds me of you.' he yells. 'What do you mean, you don't fucking live there?'
'I'm not your fucking maid!' I shout back.
'Watch your fucking mouth!'
'Fuck off!' I yell. Oh, my language is blue!
'MOUTH!'
I stand outside Lusso raging mad. If he thinks I'm going to be playing the dutiful domestic lady, he's another thing coming. The cheek! I look up and spot John leaning against his Range Rover. His signature wrap around glasses are on, but I can see his arched brow above it. He's enjoying this.
'What's John doing here?' I snap.
'Have you calmed down yet?'
'Answer me!' I yell.
'Who the hell do you think you're talking to?'
'You! Are you listening? Why is John here?'
'He's going to take you to work.'
'I don't need a chauffeur, Jesse.' I've calmed my voice slightly. How undignified of me, shouting and swearing like a drunken football hooligan, and in front of the newest, most prestigious residential complex in London. I look up and see John grinning. It's new to me. I've never seen him display any humour.
'He was in the area. I thought it would be easier than you trying to park up.' Jesse has calmed his tone too.
'Well, at least tell me what's happening if it involves me.' I spit down the phone and hang up.
Controlling pig!
I make my way over to John and my phone starts singing again en-route. I'll be changing that ring tone. I flash my screen at John as I pass him, and he grins again.