It’s been three weeks since I walked out of Lucas penthouse, three excruciatingly long weeks. He texted he called, he sent me emails constantly for the first week. He even showed up on the front doorstep pounding away at the sad old door every night. Poor Chrissy dealt with him each time telling him to leave or she will involve the police and have him trespassed.
“I need to see her Chrissy.” He pleads through the door.
“Give her time and space Luca” She always told him.
“I can’t. I need to see her.” Pain is evident in his voice.
“And she needs you to back off if you can’t love her Luca. Look I’m sorry. I was rooting for you, but she is my sister and until she agrees to see you I think it's best you just leave.” You can hear the sadness in her voice.
“Just let her know... I will always be here when she is ready to see me.”
He left the same message for me every time he visited. The second week I barely heard from him and this week nothing. I spend most of my spare time I have working. Getting more involved in the Academy Charity Fundraisers they hold every Saturday. There was some positive news though. Ryder had been found safe and well. The police found them hiding out at Thomas's sisters' house, in Wellington. Turns out, Thomas had a warrant out for his arrest. Harbouring stolen goods was one of his specialties. That explains his sudden outburst about the journal. Ryder now resides with his Aunt who seems to adore him along with her four-year-old twin girls.
Every day just seems like I’m stuck in a loop and there’s no getting out or away from it. When I’m not working, I’m either thinking of Luca or third wheeling Chrissy and Conrad’s dates. Conrad officially moved into our house a few nights ago taking his Brotherly protectiveness to a whole new level. He had a few of his security and clubmates come over last night for a game of poker and a few beers. I walked into the kitchen to get a glass of wine in need of a break after working away at my laptop for three hours straight. One of the guys started chatting me up.
“Hey, cutie.” He said flirting.
“Not interested sorry.” I looked at him smiling friendly.
“Am I not rich enough for you?” He laughs
“The fuck... you on about?” I look at him pissed off.
“Aren’t you the latest piece of ass for the big hot shot Luca Venturi?” He takes a swig at his beer.
”No. I mean... I was, we had a thing and that was about it.” I tell him confused.
“What are you talking about anyway?” I ask.
“You’re playing the clueless card, I can do that.” He mocks me.
“NO! I don’t know what you’re on about. How do you know Luca? How did you know we were seeing each other at one point?” I glare at him.
“Luca Venturi is a big hotshot doctor. He has the biggest and best security team on his hands. It’s near in fucking possible to get into his security team.” He splutters.
“And what has that got to do with me?”
“He’s had a team of men watching you for the past couple of years. You’re Vanessa Lauren Maddison aren’t you?”
“Yes. You’re really starting to creep me the fuck out now.”
“Vanessa are you okay?” I look up to see Conrad standing in the kitchen looking at me intensely.
“I..uh... I don’t know.” I shudder.
“What the fuck did you say to her Mikal?” Conrad spits out as he walks closer to us.
“Fucking chill bro, I was only talking to the lady about Luca Venturi.” He says raising his hands.
“You need to leave.” Conrad takes him by the arm forcing him to the front door.
“NO! Wait, we haven’t finished our conversation.” I plead.
“What?” Conrad looks at me in disbelief.
“He spoke of Luca. About him having some kind of security watching me?”
“You fucking shitface!” Conrad yells at Mikal and slaps him on the head.
“What?” Mikal says innocently.
“I told you all not to say anything to Vanessa until I was completely certain that everything checked out.”
“Did you?” He says to Conrad sarcastically.
“Yeah, you fucking tosser! You were sitting at the table when I said it.”
“You know what? Now that you mention it I think I do remember. My bad man?” Mikal laughs.
“NO. Not you’re fucking bad. You’re still sore that you were rejected from his security team a year ago.” Conrad growls.
“He’s a prick. She can do way better than him.” I look at Mikal and Conrad shocked.
“You wanna come back to mine and party for a bit?” Mikal looks at me.
“Like fuck she will.” Chrissy steps in front of me staring daggers at Mikal.
“Her choice not yours. Unless you’re boning both of them then I’ll back off.” He looks at Conrad.
“You know, Bros before hoes right?” He snickers.
Conrad punches Mikal squarely in the face before shoving him out the door.
“Fucking Idiot!” Conrad yells through the closed door.
“What the fuck was he talking about Conrad?” I cry out.
“Babe, you need to tell her.” Chrissy places a hand on Conrad’s arm encouraging him.
“Fuck.” He runs both hands through his hair frustrated.
“Out! You all need to leave right fucking now.” Conrad yells out to everyone, causing them all to scurry.
After the last guy leaves and Conrad makes sure the door is securely locked we head into the living room and sit on the sofa.
“Well?” I look at both of them.