Chapter 95

HAYDEN

I walk around the apartment. It's big and grand and deathly quiet.

There are no sounds in this penthouse. No wind, no rain . . . no cows.

Nothing.

It's only eleven o'clock. It's like time has stood still. What am I supposed to do for the rest of the day? I've already done our washing and cleaned the apartment, not that I needed to. It was already spotless.

I pick up my phone, and my finger hovers over Christopher's name. Just a quick call?

No . . .

I need to let him work in peace. I can't call him every time I'm bored. I throw my phone onto the couch and go to the window and stare out over the city. It's pouring rain.

I was going to go for a walk or . . . to the shops to find a new dress for Friday night, but I don't fancy getting saturated, and I have no idea where an umbrella is.

There's no rush. I guess I can look around tomorrow, and I have the whole week to find a dress. How hard can it be?

I flop onto the couch and hold the remote to the television. Looks like it's a date with Netflix.

I flick through the movies. Now . . . what will I watch?

Wednesday

I walk through the shops on autopilot.

How do people actually like shopping? I would rather pull my teeth out than do this shit for fun.

My phone rings and I dig it out of my bag.

Miles Media

Ugh, Elouise.

I've spoken to Christopher's PA more than I've actually spoken to him this week. "Hi, Elouise," I answer.

"Hello, Hayden," she replies happily.

"What's happening?"

"Christopher asked me to call you."

Of course he did.

"Yes."

"He wanted me to let you know that he's got a Zoom meeting at six tonight, so he will be home late."

I roll my eyes. "Can you put me through to him, please?"

"He's in a board meeting now that will be running late into the afternoon. I can get him to call you between that and his Zoom, if you like?"

"No, that's fine." I exhale heavily. "Okay, thanks for letting me know."

"He also asked me to remind you that you have that meeting with Zoe this afternoon at two p. m."

"How could I forget?" I mutter dryly.

She laughs. "I don't envy you, that's for sure."

"Ugh, Elouise. How did I agree to this?"

"You'll love it. Zoe has been Christopher's personal shopper for many years; you're in safe hands. And don't forget you have that charity ball on Friday night."

Ugh . . . don't remind me.

"He's trying to help," she adds.

"Help me what? Go insane . . ."

"Buy up big, I say." She laughs. "Spend it all."

I chuckle. I do like Elouise. "Thank you."

"And Hayden . . ."

"Yes."

"Please call me if you need anything."

"I will." I smile. Christopher has Elouise on babysitting-Hayden duties. I swear the poor girl checks in with me twice a day.

"Have a good day."

"Bye."

I glance at my watch. An hour until I have to meet Zoe. I look around . . . I wonder where a bar is. I need wine for this shopping trip.

I sit in the bar along the window seat as I sip my wine. I've called my mom and Eddie, and I meet Zoe in half an hour.

I don't know what's going on with me, but time seems to have stopped in this city. I swear the days drag on forever.

"We've got her. There she is," I hear someone yell from out on the street. "Miss Whitmore."

Huh?

I glance up to see a flash, then another and another.

Almost blinding.

A large group of people clambers around as they take photos of me through the window. I duck and cover my face.

What the hell is going on?