Chapter 135

Lucky

“Papa,” I say as I head towards the salon. Breakfast was a full on affair ranging from pancakes, waffles, eggs, smoked salmon and avocado. I feel absolutely full and cannot wait until I get back from gown shopping with my mother to hit the gym.

“Lucky,” he says gruffly. Honestly, I wish he would drop the gruff act it doesn’t suit him. When I was a young girl, my father was always playing around with me. He would take me out and about even to the park.  A private park naturally with guards around. He’d pretend he was a horse that is until I was six and he bought me my very own pony. He’d always pull silly faces when momma wasn’t looking and horse ass around. My father was a fun dad, despite all the dealings of his business. Growing up I never knew how dangerous our lives really were.

“Can I have a minute please? I want to ask some questions.”

He stands from the sofa, “oh, dear that can only mean one thing. Trouble.” Nonetheless, he comes towards me and places a kiss on my cheek. His eyes I notice are tired with creases on the skin around them. He still looks handsome even though he is now aging. As a younger man, he was devilishly handsome not like Nico’s arresting looks, but he was good looking. It’s easy to see why my mother fell for him.

“Come let’s use Nico’s office,” he tells me. Nico left half an hour ago kissing me passionately in private before grabbing his suitcase and laptop bag and leaving his mansion. I’m not sure if it was my imagination or if he really had extra guards with him today. The not knowing what the hell is going on is irritating to say the least.

“I think we can go outside into the gardens under the gazebo. I will have the housemaid bring us out a pot of coffee.”

“Very well.” He goes towards the double, ornate doors at the back of the property from the salon as I head off in search of the housemaid. She appears as if from nowhere.

“Heidi, you crept up on me.”

“Sorry, Lucky.” I’m pleased that she is finally getting used to calling me by my name and not anything else. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Not at all, it’s just how do you all know when we need something? It kind of freaks me out.”

Heidi gives a small laugh; her eyes shine brightly. She really is a very pretty thing. I am relieved she has a good job in Nico’s household and has not been taken, drugged and put into a brothel somewhere like so many other young women and girls.

“I don’t know, we just do. What can I do for you?”

Her apron over her grey formal dress looks starched, as do the cuffs of her dress and the collar. I notice she wears sensible, flat black shoes with a small buckle.

“Coffee. Could my father and I have a pot of coffee on the patio please? We will be at the gazebo.”

“Absolutely. And do you want any Danish pastries with that?”

I pat my flat stomach. “I think we’d love to but it’s a hard pass. My father has to watch his cholesterol; his heart isn’t what it once was and I have to keep my figure trim for my gown.” Which reminds me, mother and I are supposed to be going gown shopping. But I do need to have a word with my father first.

If Nico isn’t going to divulge any information, then surely my father will. After all, I do have my father wrapped around my little finger. A true daddy’s girl.

Heidi nods and lets me know she will bring it out shortly. My mother floats down the stairs looking extremely elegant in ecru slacks to her ankles, a navy roll neck sweater and a matching cardigan thrown casually over her shoulders. She is wearing pearls around her neck and tear drop earrings to match the necklace. Her hair is coiffured and swept into a French pleat.

“Are you ready?” she asks as she takes the final step down.

“I will be in about half an hour. I have to talk to daddy about something.”

Mom raises her eyebrows, then narrows her eyes. “About what? I hope not Nico’s business, Lucky. You need to stay out of it and out of trouble. Don’t you think you’ve had enough excitement lately to last you a lifetime?”

I sigh and go to her and place a kiss on both cheeks, rubbing my hands up and down her arms. “Mom, you worry too much. I just have a few questions about stuff.”

“Mm, I don’t like it, Lucky. Why can’t you simply get married and give me grandchildren?” She smiles; it lights up her face.

“I will, Mom. Honestly, give me some breathing space before the children come along.”

“I can’t help it sweetheart. I’m desperate for grandchildren. Lots of grandchildren.”

I squeeze her arm and walk her into the salon. “Here, wait for me and I’ll be quick with Dad and then we can go. The driver is ready and the boutique is expecting us in any case.”

“Darling, I think I’ll go and take a walk around the rose garden and then have a nice cup of mint tea. Will that give you long enough to stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong?”

“Mom, don’t be so funny,” I say with a huge grin on my face. She knows there is no stopping her daughter.

Now, to make a start on grilling my father.