Chapter 74 Tommy’s suggestion

Diana

The city sprawled beneath me, lights beginning to twinkle as afternoon faded toward evening. From this height, everything looked so ordered, so peaceful. No one would guess the chaos swirling inside this luxurious apartment—or inside my head.

A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts.

"Ms. Peters?" Tommy's voice called. "I've brought your things."

I pulled myself away from the window and crossed the apartment. When I opened the door, Tommy stood there with my overnight bag and a paper shopping bag.

"Thank you," I said, taking them from him. "Any updates on the surveillance situation?"

"Mr. Wilson is still investigating," Tommy replied. "He'll brief you personally once he has more information."

I nodded, noticing Tommy seemed to be studying my face. "Is there something else?"

Tommy hesitated. "Permission to speak frankly, Ms. Peters?"

The formal request surprised me. "Of course."

"You look like you could use a friend right now," he said simply. "Or at least someone to talk to who isn't directly involved in all this."

I blinked at him, not expecting this personal observation from Bernard's usually professional driver. "Are you offering to be that person?"

"If it would help," he said with a small shrug. "I've worked for the Morris family for years, but I'm not family myself. Sometimes an outside perspective can be valuable."

I considered his offer. Tommy had always been kind, and he wasn't wrong—I desperately needed someone to talk to who wasn't Bernard or Gregory.

"Do you have time for a cup of coffee?" I asked impulsively.

A hint of a smile crossed his face. "My pleasure, Ms. Peters."

"Diana," I corrected him. "If we're going to talk as friends, you should use my first name."

Tommy nodded. "Diana, then."

I led him into the kitchen area, grateful for something normal to do. "I'm guessing you know your way around this place?"

"Better than my own apartment," Tommy admitted. "I've driven quite a few guests here over the years."

As I started the coffee maker, I couldn't help asking, "What kind of guests usually stay here?"

"Business associates mostly. Occasionally family members from out of town." Tommy leaned against the counter, his posture relaxing slightly. "Bernard—Mr. Jones—values privacy but also understands the importance of hospitality."

"He's certainly good at the hospitality part," I said, gesturing around the immaculate space. "Though I'm still struggling with his definition of 'privacy' given his habit of watching people without their knowledge."

Tommy accepted the coffee mug I handed him. "I understand why that bothers you."

"But?" I prompted, hearing the unspoken continuation.

"But having seen what he's faced trying to find you, I can understand his caution too."

I took a sip of my coffee, studying Tommy over the rim of the mug. "Tell me more about that. About Bernard's finding."

Tommy seemed to consider how much to share. "I've only been with him for five years, so I wasn't there from the beginning. But I've never seen anyone so methodical, so determined about anything. Finding you became something close to obsession for him."

"Why?" I asked. "Why would finding his adopted sister's long-lost daughter matter so much? Why not hire investigators like a normal person?"

"He did, initially," Tommy said. "But they failed. Everyone failed. Until Bernard decided to take matters into his own hands."

I moved to the living area, sinking onto one of the plush sofas. Tommy followed, sitting across from me.

"So he's been looking for me for ten years?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around it.

"Since he joined the Morris family business," Tommy confirmed. "Gregory made it a condition of his position—continuing the search for you was part of Bernard's responsibilities from day one."

"That seems... intense," I said, frowning. "Putting that kind of pressure on an adopted son."

Tommy shrugged. "The Morris family operates differently than most. Results matter above all else."

"And Bernard delivered results," I murmured, thinking of the detailed file I'd read.

"When Bernard commits to something, he doesn't stop until he succeeds," Tommy said. "It's what makes him effective in business, and it's what made him successful in finding you when everyone else failed."

I stared into my coffee cup, processing this information. "But once he found me, why all the secrecy? Why not just approach me directly?"

"That I can't answer with certainty," Tommy admitted. "But I suspect he wanted to ensure you were... receptive before revealing something so life-changing."

"By getting me to fall for him?" I asked sharply. "That part still makes no sense, Tommy. He knew who I was to him."

Tommy's expression turned thoughtful. "I've driven Bernard to countless meetings, events, dinners. I've observed him in many situations with many people. He's always controlled, In fact, he was not indulge in lust."

"And?" I prompted when he paused.

"And I've never seen him respond to anyone the way he responds to you," Tommy finished. "Not professionally, not personally. You're the exception to his rules."

I felt my cheeks warm at this observation. "That doesn't make it right."

"No," Tommy agreed. "But it might explain why he allowed something to develop that went against his usually impeccable control."

I set my coffee cup down, suddenly exhausted by the weight of everything. "I don't know what to do, Tommy. Everything I thought I knew about myself, about my life, has been turned upside down."

"If I may offer a suggestion?" Tommy asked.

I nodded, grateful for any insight.