Forget Me Never (9 page)

              Hurrying to the bed I rooted around to find my phone, by the time I found it, the ringing had stopped, I missed a call from Alec. I pressed the screen to dial his number and waited for him to answer.

              “Hello,” he said smiling, I could tell it in his voice.

              “Hello,” I replied. “Thank you for the flowers.”

              “What flowers?”

              “The flowers you sent me.” I began to panic; I mean
A R
could have been anyone really.

              “Oh, so someone else is sending my girlfriend flowers, are they?” I frowned, “Of course they’re from me, you are very welcome.” He chuckled.

              “I am glad you owned up, because it was going to be embarrassing trying to track down that other guy?” I grinned.

              “Is that right?”

              “Yes, Adam Roberts,” I jested, “amazing guy, really sexy bum.”

              “Do I not have the sexiest bum you have ever seen?” he asked.

              “You did… right up until I met Adam.” I retorted playfully.

              “Oh, ha, ha Miss Matthews.” He giggled.

              “You think I am joking,” I grinned. He didn’t respond, the line went quiet, but I could hear him breathing. “Okay, so you can wind me up, but I can’t do the same?” I demanded.

              “Sorry, but you have no idea how much the thought of you meeting someone else upsets me.” He admitted.

              “Well, you have nothing to worry there, it’s more like I should be worrying about losing you.”

              “Why would you think that?” he asked.

              “Well, look at you, you are gorgeous, charming, sexy, all of the above and I have nothing to offer you… Any woman would fall at your feet.”

              “Grace, I am in love with you. No other woman has ever made me feel the way I feel when I am with you and I would not risk losing that for anything, okay?”

              “Okay,” I muttered, his words rang in my ears. He seemed too good to be true at times, but I didn’t care, he made me feel wanted and who wouldn’t want that?

              “All I want and need for you is you. Never forget that.”

I smiled, “I won’t.” I promised.

“So, have you called your boss yet?”

              “Bugger,” I frowned, “no, I’ll call her now.”

              “Good, because I have found a hotel right on the strip.”

              “She might say no,” I sighed.

              “Does she know what you have been through?”

              “Yes, I had to take a couple of days off work off when he uh… well, yes.” I grimaced at the memories.

              “She’ll understand, Grace. She’s a romantic.”

              “I can only ask,” I nodded.

              “I need to get back to my meeting. I’ll see you in a couple of hours, I am taking you out tonight, so I hope you haven’t got any plans.”

              “I do now,” I smiled. “I’ll see you later then.”

              “Yes you will. Before I go, please wear that knock out dress from the other night, it makes your boobs look amazing.”

              “Only my boobs?”

“Well, it makes all of you look amazing, but to be honest, I could barely tear my eyes away from your boobs.” He admitted.

“In that case I will. Now, go back to work you slacker.”

“Charming,” he chuckled. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too.” I grinned twiddling my hair in my fingers.

              “Until later, my love.”

                 “Until then.” I ended the call and flopped back on the bed, sighing loudly. Being this in love with someone felt amazing, exhilarating and extremely exciting, but also petrifying at the same time, what the hell was wrong with me?

I could have quite easily drifted off to sleep, but I made myself sit up. I wanted to pamper myself, I wanted to prepare and ensure that everything would be perfect for Alec. After a long soak in the bath, I straightened my hair and put on my new coral underwear. Gazing at myself in the mirror, it looked incredible with my tan. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone else. Until I met Alec, I never considered myself to be attractive, so hearing him say that I was beautiful was something I had rarely heard before.

              Kevin never complimented me, he was always too busy admiring himself or brushing his hair, he even checked his own reflection in my sunglasses in the summer and never left his house without a hairbrush in his pocket. The monster I had created by telling him how good looking he was and getting jealous when he flirted with other girls, who rarely told me he loved me and when we had sex, it was as if I wasn’t even there half the time, he would never know how he almost destroyed me. But I had known him since I was seventeen and I was comfortable with him. He was my first and only lover, so I was unaware that girls got enjoyment out of sex until I spoke with Saff about it, I honestly thought that sex was all acting. I didn’t know any different and assumed this was how relationships were meant to be.

              Tearing my mind away from Kevin, I decided to let go of all of the pain he had caused because it had consumed me for so long. I had Alec now and I was going to make damn sure I didn’t take it for granted that he’d always be there. For that moment though, I was determined to enjoy every minute, no matter how long it lasted, I would always have LA.

Seven

Alec had called to say he would knock for me at seven. I dressed in the blue dress he had said he liked so much and sprayed on my new perfume. I had spent a few minutes almost begging Kim to allow me another week,

              “Alright,” she said sourly, “what’s his name?”

              “Alec Richards.” I answered.

              “Alec Richards, formally of Armitage and Gould Holdings, now the Managing Director of A.K. Richards’ Investments?”

              “I um, well he said he sets up international companies.”

              “Yes, that’s him, he is a self-made millionaire by all accounts.” She muttered, my mouth dropped open, it explained so much. “Okay, Grace, seeing as you have never even had a day off sick, I’ll honour another week. Sounds like you have landed yourself a real Prince Charming, I really hope it all works out for you.”

              “Thank you, Kim.” I smiled slightly, “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

              “Okay, just don’t forget about us while you are jet setting around America.”

              “Of course not.” I insisted and ended the call.

So, Alec was millionaire, I suppose it made perfect sense and it certainly explained a lot regarding why he didn’t drive himself and such. It didn’t change a thing though, I thought it would intimidate me, but it didn’t because although he was rich, he never acted that way and as long as that didn’t change, then I was not going to worry about it. I didn’t need his money, I worked hard for all I had and I would continue to do so.     

He arrived at seven as he promised, wearing a pair of light grey trousers and a dark blue shirt, he smiled warmly as I opened the door,

              “You look sensational,” he said and pecked my cheek. “Is everything alright?”

              “Yes,” I nodded, “I spoke with Kim and she has agreed to allow me another week of leave.”

              “That is fantastic news.” He grinned. “Are you ready, we have a table booked for seven-thirty?” 

              “I will just get my bag.” I said and hurried into the bedroom. I took a couple of composing breaths and returned to him.

              “Are you sure you are alright; you seem a tad on edge?”

              “I am fine, Alec, honestly.” I insisted.

              “Okay,” he smiled slightly and held out his elbow, “Shall we?”

              “We shall,” I smiled and linked my arm with his.

Daniel drove us into Beverly Hills and stopped at a prestigious looking restaurant, he opened the door for us to get out and smiled as I used his hand to exit the car. Alec took my hand in his and led me into the restaurant, the place was packed, LA’s finest seemed to be there dining on expensive food and champagne.

              The staff all seemed to know Alec and chatted as they led us to our table and took our drink orders.

              “Grace, tell me what’s on your mind.” He pressed.

              “I keep thinking I am going to wake up and you, this, this is all just a dream. I’ll be back in my flat and it’s raining outside. My heart will be hurting and news that came through the night before of him with his new girlfriend has crippled me again. I hate going on about him, Alec, but it all feels so raw still and then you, you are perfect and I can’t believe you love me. How can this be real?”

              He reached his hand across the table, knocking his silver wear out of the way, taking my quivering hand in his he smiled, the candle flame flickering in his brown eyes,

              “Does that feel real to you?” he asked.

              I nodded, “Yes.”

              “Why do you think this isn’t real?”

              “Because you are everything I have ever wanted in a man and things like this don’t usually happen to me.” I replied.

              “Me neither,” he muttered. “Grace, my beautiful, Grace, this is what I like the most about you. You are so natural and so real, there are no hidden secrets. I ask you a question and you answer me honestly, but I am a little concerned tonight, it’s as if your mind is elsewhere and it scares me.”

              “Why?”

              “I keep pinching myself too, not believing that I am lucky enough to have found you and not knowing what would I do if I lost you.”

              “Okay, so tell me something about you, not your sister or her children, I want to know about you, Alec.”

              “Uh, I am twenty-eight on the fifth of July, I don’t actually have a middle name, the ‘K’ initial I use is from my dad’s first name, Kieran.  I love the colour red, I listen to all kinds of music, but Coldplay are my most favourite band. I also enjoy a good film at the cinema now and again. As you know, I don’t drink too much anymore and my best friend, Lance Helier has been at my side most of my life. My first real girlfriend was called Sofia, she was an Italian law student at Oxford and two years older than me, she was also my first lover and taught me everything I needed to know. I love chocolate, all kinds, and Quavers crisps and I hate fish and popcorn. I am not really into sports at all but I do have a gym in my house and train as much as I can, but because I want to and not because I am obsessed or anything like that.” He smiled, “Your turn.”

              “Um, my birthday is June the thirtieth and I’ll be twenty-seven, my middle name is Louise which I hate. I like the colour blue, all shades and I also enjoy movies especially Rom Coms. I love music and sunsets because I am a hopeless romantic. I adore cheesecake, all kinds and can’t hold alcohol at all. I have always been known as Grace the lightweight since I can remember. My best friend is Saffron and we have been friends since school.” He smiled looking slightly amused, “What?”

              “Our birthdays are five days apart.”

              “So it is,” I smiled. “Well, we’ll have to do something together then.”

              “It’s a date,” he winked his eye.

Our drinks arrived and we ordered the chicken for dinner. The evening flew by and I decided not to worry about his wealth, it was nothing to do with me and if and when he chose to tell me I would tell him it didn’t matter, if he was penniless and homeless, I would still love him. He ordered a slice of the black cherry, baked cheesecake for dessert and two spoons. We shared this amazingly soft and creamy cheesecake with a zing in its tail as the bite of the sour cherries burst in our mouths.

As we left with the lingering taste of an incredible meal in my mouth he took my hand and smiled,

              “Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Alec.”

              “You are most welcome.” He replied. “My meeting today was with a new partner for a company I assisted in setting up, but I have known him for years. He is having a party on his yacht tonight, I said we’d drop by, is that all right with you?”

              “Of course.” I replied as Daniel climbed out of the car and opened the door for us.

He drove us across the city to the marina and stopped on the docks along said a huge white and black Sunseeker Yacht. As Daniel opened the door, I could hear loud music, glasses clinking together and laughter.

              Alec took my hand and led me up the gang plank. You wouldn’t have known we were on a boat on the sea as it barely moved at first. A waiter offered us pink champagne as we walked towards the party. We each took a glass and were greeted by a woman dressed in a white, tight fitting dress with long blonde hair and bright red lipstick.

              “Alec,” she beamed and pecked his cheek, leaver a smear of red on it, “so glad you could make it.”

              “I promised Warren we would,” he smiled and let my hand go. “Elisa White, this is my girlfriend, Grace Matthews.”

              “Wow, so you are the talk of the team,” she smiled slipping her small, cold hand into mine. “It is nice to meet you, Grace.”

              “And you,” I mustered, my throat had almost closed as I replayed her words in my head.
Talk of the team?

              “I’ll find Warren for you, help yourself to the food, we have over catered again,” she added as she walked away. I sipped the bitter champagne and pursed my lips, the talk of the team. Great!

              “It’s just the lads having a laugh at my expense.” Alec explained.

              “So, what are they saying?”

              “Nothing that matters.” He shrugged and drained his glass.

              “If it doesn’t matter, why won’t you tell me?” I frowned.

              “They think it’s just a fling and that as soon as I get home, you won’t want to know me.”

              “That doesn’t make sense,” I remarked. “I think they are probably calling me desperate or a gold digger or something.”

              He scoffed, “I know desperation when I see it and you are not desperate at all and trust me, Grace, if I suspected that you were a gold digger, then I wouldn’t have even given you the time of day. I have known plenty of them and you are nothing like them, you are a million times better than any girl I have ever met.”

              I should have smiled at his compliment, but I was getting angry. “What are they really saying?” I pressed.

              “They think it’s too soon to call you my girlfriend, they think I could be playing with fire and will get my fingers burned.”

              “They are right though, Alec, this is all happening way too fast.” I walked to the railing surrounding the boat, the cool sea breeze blew through my hair and tickled my skin.

              “Are you saying you want to slow down?” he asked, he sounded upset.

              “Kevin really hurt me, Alec, I mean, he all but destroyed me and shredded my heart. I don’t think it would withstand that sort of pain again.”

              “So, this morning was what?” he demanded.

              “Amazing and I am in love with you, that hasn’t changed, but I don’t want this to be rushed, we have time, we don’t have to run before we can walk.” I reasoned.

              “Alec, mate, glad you could make it.” A tall man with blonde hair and a golden tan smiled as we both spun around. “And you must be Grace.”

              “Yes,” I smiled. “Nice to meet you, Warren?”

              “That’s it, Warren Fitzgerald. I can see why Alec is so happy with you,” he grinned, he flashed his blue eyes at Alec. “You haven’t got a drink, Alec, what would you like?”

              “Anything,” he grumbled.

              “What about you, Grace?” I lifted my barely touched glass, “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

              Alec sighed loudly, “Are you going to act like a spoiled, little boy all night?” I asked.

              “I thought we were on the same page, that finally I had found someone to care about me as much as I care about them. Obviously, I was wrong.” He grumbled.

              “We are on the same page, it is just that I am reading every single word and taking it all in, where as you are speed reading and skimming through it. I don’t want you to wake up in a few months and realize we made a mistake.” I explained.

              “I have never fallen for anyone this fast before in my life. I trusted you enough to tell you how I felt this morning and this is how you repay me…” he snarled.

              “If you remember rightly, I said it too and I am in love with you, Alec,” I insisted.

              “But?”

              “But nothing, okay? I am just thinking about what others will think when we get home.” I heaved a breath and pain began to build inside, he was upset and it hurt to see him like this. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry, okay?” I rubbed his arm and he nodded his head.

              Warren returned and handed him a glass, “This stuff is twenty years old, it’ll put hairs on your chest.” He added. Alec lifted the glass to his lips and nocked the drink back in one go. I sipped my bubbly and rolled my eyes. I had succeeded in upsetting him and making a man who hardly drank anything, knock back a shot of strong, malted whiskey like it was water.

Warren talked about the boat and about Elisa, how they met and how she was the daughter of some huge business man in London I had never heard of. Alec talked about work and avoided looking at me which was fine, I suppose I had upset him and deserved his angst. He obviously cared a lot about me or it wouldn’t have upset him so much. What worried me though was that everyone would be like his friends, call us a whirlwind and generally whirlwinds didn’t last.

              Why couldn’t I just be like everyone else? Why couldn’t I let it all go and just enjoy the ride? He was an amazing man, he made me smile again and he had woken my poor, battered and bruised heart, so why the hell couldn’t I just lighten up and go with the flow?

I drifted away from them and found a seat that overlooked the dark blue ocean. The star studded sky above held a white, full moon that reflected in a perfect circle on the water, it was only then that I felt the boat swaying slightly.