Maid For You - A Cinderella Love Story (17 page)

The sheets are cold on her side.

My eyes fly open. Heaviness and realization settles around my chest as I scan the room.

No trace of her belongings is left.

She’s gone.

A
va

S
ilent tears fall
from my eyes and I hang my head in my hands. The driver is thankfully discreet and doesn’t say a word, except for offering me a box of tissues. I’d have to remember to give the concierge an even bigger tip for sending this particular one to collect me from Jax’s house at the crack of dawn.

God, what had I done?

My entire body is still on fire from the connection I’ve experienced with him, muscles aching in parts I never knew existed.

No other man in the last six years had ever made me feel like he did, invoked every part of me right down to my very soul.

My defenses, the steel walls I’ve erected around my heart, tremble as I battle with myself, trying to comprehend the tornado of emotions running through me.

No, no, no
. It wasn’t meant to happen like this. I try to reason with myself, reminding myself of the rules I choose to live by. We had agreed to one night only. For closure on our past, which has haunted me for the past six years.

Why did it feel like my heart was breaking all over again?

I dry my eyes as the car approaches the hotel. Slipping the driver a handful of cash, I duck my head with my walk of shame and speed my way across the lobby. Punching the elevator button, I’m grateful that the hotel is still relatively quiet at this time of morning and it arrives within seconds. Once the doors shut, I sink to the floor and hug my knees, my reflection in the doors showing a broken woman staring back.

I strip fast and stand under the shower, and the hot water soothes my muscles. Once I’m done, I don’t even bother to dry my hair and simply crawl into bed. I curl up into a ball, cradling the spare pillow against my chest.

The tears starts to flow again, even faster this time, wrecking my body with sobs until I’ve nothing left to give.

I’ve buried my pain for six years, but the wound is fresh and raw once again.

Eventually, physically and mentally exhausted, I find a little peace and drop off to sleep.

“
H
ey Sunshine
. Where’ve you been all morning?”

Lauren is standing at the door to my suite, looking like she’s just come from a meeting. She widens her eyes as she takes in my state.

“Oh my God, Ava. What the hell? Are you okay?”

She follows me into the room and kicks the door shut behind her. I’ve no idea of the time.

“Ava? Honey…what happened?”

She is full of concern as she brushes back my hair and tries to make eye contact.

I shake my head, staring at my feet. My vision blurs again and I finally look at her with a small smile on my face.

“Jax.” That’s all I say, as if it explains everything.

She gasps. “Did he hurt you? Because if he did, so help me God, I will get my ass over there this instant and punch his Henry Cavill lookalike face. In front of all his staff. And then, once I’m done with the warm up, I’ll-”

“Stop. He didn’t hurt me. Not like that.”

She looks perplexed. “Then help me understand. What happened? It’s after noon and I’ve been at a meeting all morning, assuming you were out and about too. It’s only because Carter called telling me he couldn’t get a hold of you that I panicked and came straight back here.”

I groan and walk over to the seating area and sink into the sofa.

“I’d turned my phone off earlier…”
Not wanting Jax to come after me.
“Sorry to worry you. Did he say it was urgent?”

She shrugs. “Didn’t sound like it, but he said to ask you to call him as soon as you can.”

I make a quick decision. “Are you free now or do you need to be someplace else?”

“The only place I’m staying is with my best friend who right now, frankly, looks like hell.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I drag myself up from the seat. “Give me a few, let me just get this call out of the way.”

“Sure, take your time. I’ll order brunch from room service.”

I stop and smile gratefully at her. “Perfect.”

I walk to my room and dig my phone out of my bag. Firing it up, the alerts come through. Three missed calls from Jax and two from my father. I hit the call button to Carter’s office and he picks up on the second ring.

“Hey Dad.”

“Ava, everything okay? I’ve been trying to get in touch for the past couple of hours.”

“Yeah, Lauren’s just told me…sorry about that, my phone died…”

“What, and you couldn’t charge it?”

“Yes…something like that.” I trail off, knowing how weak my excuse sounds, even to myself.

“You sure everything’s fine?”

“Yes, I’m sure. What’s going on?” I’m anxious to change the subject and to stop the grilling.

“Well, I was calling to tell you we’ve got news. Carlo has taken the deal. He’s going to settle today with the amount Jax proposed.”

“Wait, so Carlo’s back?”

“Yes, God knows where he went, but he’s obviously come to his senses. As our settlement offer is more than fair, he must have realized he’d be fighting a losing battle.”

“That’s wonderful. And more importantly, the campaign can be turned on once again. Have you checked stats? Any sales or audience participation decline in the past week?”

“I had a meeting with Fletcher Clothing this morning. Thankfully, their brand is really strong in the marketplace so it hasn’t made a negative impact.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. They’re a huge client of Carter McKenzie Communications, and it would have been detrimental to have this ongoing. “Awesome. So, do you need me to do anything?” I’m praying I won’t have to see Jax.

“No, we’re good, thanks. We’ve sent the agreement to Carlo’s lawyer and he’ll sign this afternoon.”

“I’m glad it’s been dealt with.”

“Me too, it was a headache I could have done without. But thanks to you and Jax, it got settled without drawing any attention from the press.”

I’m quiet for a moment. “I didn’t really do anything…it was all Jax.”

“No, you helped. So, what are your plans for the afternoon?”

“Lauren and I have to discuss our clients, see where we are. There’s the fundraiser event she wants us to attend tomorrow. After which, I plan to fly back to New York on Saturday.”

“Sounds good. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

We hang up and I blow out a big breath. I’m so relieved the case is settled.

More than anything, there’s no reason now for me to stick around in Miami.

I
head back
to the living room area and Lauren is reading a media pack. She looks up and raises an eyebrow.

“How did it go? Carter okay?”

I sink back into the sofa and adjust my nightgown. “Yes, all good. The case is settled – Carlo accepted Jax’s offer.”

“That’s great, right?”

I nod. “Yep. Now we can go back to New York…get the hell out of here.”

“Whoa. Back up. I’m actually enjoying my stay. And so were you…until last night. Now spill, Cortes.”

There’s a knock on the door and Lauren grits her teeth. “Saved by the bell.” She jumps up and the bellboy rolls the cart into the room. My stomach grumbles in anticipation from the smells wafting from under the silver lids.

“I ordered us omelets and fries. Thought you may want some comfort food.”

I pull off the lid and hand a plate to her. “Thank you, this is perfect.”

Once we’re situated with our plates, I tell Lauren about the club.

“So, what, Jax just turned up?”

“From what I’d seen and assumed, Gaby alerted him. For goodness sake, I was only dancing with this guy, Brent. It wasn’t like I was planning on taking him home or anything.”

She takes a bite of her omelet and her fork hovers over her lip as she chews. “That’s pretty hot though…turning up like that and acting all possessive and shit.”

I don’t respond, even though the way she says it makes me think the same thing.

“Anyway, we went back to his place…I thought….I thought that we could have one night for closure, you know?” I close my eyes and exhale. “What a dumb mistake.”

“Oh, hon. That’s why you’re so upset? I don’t know your entire history together, but there’s definitely something happening between the two of you.”

I take a sip of my orange juice. “Nothing’s happening.”

She shrugs and glances away. “O-kay then.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to snap…I’ll figure it out, Lauren. I just want to go back home. Did you manage to send the courier to the realtor?”

“Yup. All good. We secured the loft space, you’re gonna love it when you actually see it for real. Also…she called last night. She’s been tipped off about an apartment, which will be coming into the market next week. It’s perfect, located in SoHo…” She reaches for her phone. “Here, take a look at the photos.”

I take her phone and flick through them. It really is beautiful. “I love it…best thing is that we’re still going to be living close together. I assume you asked her to bid for you?”

She smiles and her eyes light up. “Yeah, I did. Can’t believe I’m finally getting my own place.”

I give her a sad smile. “I’m gonna miss you, hon. We’ve been through so much together.”

“And we’ve got so many more adventures in front of us. Trust me, it’s all good.” She glances at her phone again and then replaces it on the table. “So, we have this fundraiser to attend tomorrow – the big potential client. After that, I don’t have anything more scheduled so I’ll fly back with you.”

“Great, I’ll get onto it later and have our flights booked for first thing Saturday.”

W
e spend
the remainder of the day chilling by the pool. I’m grateful that Lauren doesn’t press me further about Jax. She knows me well and respects my need for space.

Later, after dinner, we go shopping in search of outfits for the fundraiser since it’s a black-tie event.

Jax doesn’t call me again and although I’m glad he isn’t pressuring me, a huge part of me is disappointed with the radio silence.

I fall asleep with one last thought - perhaps he’d gotten all the closure he needed last night.

A
va

“
A
va
, I’m so sorry I’m late.”

I look up from where I’m browsing on my phone and see my father approaching me. I’m sitting at the bar adjacent to the hotel lobby, a glass of sparkling water keeping me company while I wait.

I place my phone on the counter and slide off the stool as we embrace with a quick kiss on the cheek.

“It’s fine, what happened?” I glance at my watch. “Unfortunately I’ll have to be on my way soon.”

He removes his jacket, places it across the bar, and gestures with his hand. “The call just went on and on. Issue upon goddamn issue, and I was conscious that you need to be across town like twenty minutes ago.”

“It’s fine, Lauren went on ahead. This is more her thing anyway, but she’s convinced me to attend.”

He nods and pulls out a stool, signaling to the bartender for scotch on ice. “What time is your flight?”

“Eight in the morning. We’re both keen to get home quite early so that we have the day to catch up on everything.”

His scotch is placed in front of him and he lifts his tumbler. “To my beautiful, intelligent daughter.”

I smile and raise my glass. “To my father, who taught me everything I know.” I shoot him a wink. “And now, Carter McKenzie Communications better watch its back.”

He bellows out a laugh and shakes his head. “That’s my girl.”

We talk for another ten minutes or so and then I slip off the stool, making sure my long black dress isn’t caught on anything. “I gotta run, Dad.”

“It’s fine, thanks again for waiting. Take the car – it’s outside.”

“Are you sure? I can just get another driver.”

“No. Go, you’re late.”

I hug him tight and breathe in his cologne, which is so familiar and comforting.

“I’ll call you in a few days. It’s going to be pretty crazy with moving Lauren out too.”

“That’s fine. I’ll come up in a week or two to see how you guys are getting on.”

I narrow my eyes but my lips are curled up. “You mean you want to check up on us?”

“No.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Maybe? Can’t have my daughter getting into any mischief now that I can’t keep an eye on her.”

I slip my phone into my clutch. “Love you, Dad.”

“You too, kid. Now get your ass over to the St. Regis and win that client.”

T
he hotel is packed
with guests and I’m directed to the ballroom, where the event is taking place. I slip in the back and I’m shocked to see that the room is packed. I scan the crowd but can’t see Lauren among the sea of heads from my vantage point.

Pulling out my phone, I shoot her a quick text.

“I’m here…where are you?”

I wait for about thirty seconds before the phone vibrates with her reply.

“We’ve been given priority seats. Straight up the middle, third table back from the stage.”

Shit. I hang back and wait until the guy at the front concludes his talk about investments. After he’s done, the emcee announces a ten-minute intermission.
Perfect timing.
The room begins to buzz with voices and people stand from their seats to move around. I take that as my cue to weave my way through the tables until I’m near the front.

I spot Lauren craning her neck to the back of the room, and I come up against the other side of her and lean down into her ear.

“Surprise.”

She jumps in her seat and spins around at my grinning face.

She rolls her eyes and shifts in her seat. “Jeez. Lucky the entire room isn’t privy to my scream. What took you so damn long? You’re like an hour late.”

I reach over her for the bottle of white wine and pour myself a glass. “Carter’s meeting over-ran. He wanted to say goodbye to us but I told him you had to leave.” I take a sip, and the cool refreshing liquid hits the back of my throat. From our wine tasting days in Europe, I can detect the scent of peach and citrus, which leaves a lively taste in my mouth.

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Shame I missed him, but I’m sure he’ll be visiting soon, right?”

“Yep, in a week or two.”

I look around the room and lean in closer to her. “Fill me in, what’s been happening? Didn’t expect to see so many people here.”

“Okay, well, I’ve no idea who is on our table – they’re a bunch of stiffs anyway, but look over to your right.”

I do as she asks and move my head in that direction. “Who am I looking for?”

“See the guy with the blue necktie? He’s just dropped half a million in investments right here.”

I turn back around. “What is this? Has the fundraising already taken place?”

“No, it’s been a full hour of investor chat. He just happened to have a mention for his extreme generosity at the start of the event.”

I feel guilty for not reading my media pack properly. I’ve been so preoccupied with my own client base, not to mention being distracted by Jax, that this has slipped past me.

“Give me the cut down version. I know it’s a new charity, but what’s going on exactly?”

“You did read the pack, right?”

I shake my head and wince. “I’m sorry.”

Lauren glances at her watch. “Okay, five minutes. So, this is a charity for disadvantaged kids from around the world, primarily geared towards education for the poor. For the past hour, we’ve been hearing from the investors and where their money is being placed.” She gestures with her hands. “So far, they’ve already built two schools in New Delhi and Mumbai and they say they’re just getting started.” She glances at me for my reaction. “I’m telling you, Ava, this is huge. If for some reason we score and get to be part of their campaign, we’re moving straight to the big leagues.”

“I agree, it’s really impressive. I like the name too.”

“Totally.
The
Dreams Foundation.
It’s
very appropriate.”

T
he emcee walks back
onto the stage and the guests take their seats once again. He waits for the room to quiet down and then moves closer to the mic.

“Ladies and gentlemen, so far you have heard from some of the key investors from The Dreams Foundation, but now, we’d like to change the pace a little and introduce you to the key personnel behind this operation. Please put your hands together for the deputy chair trustee, Mrs. Alicia Campbell.”

I applaud along with everyone else and watch as a striking woman walks onto the stage. She looks to be in her early thirties with straight, shoulder-length blonde hair, and she walks with confidence and purpose.

I wrinkle my brow and lean into Lauren. “I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something vaguely familiar about her…”

Alicia addresses the crowd and introduces her background. After she discusses the aims of the charity, the lights are dimmed and the projector screens light up across the room.

Lauren and I look at each other with raised eyebrows when Alicia’s voice returns from the darkened stage.

“We’ve talked a lot about where our money is being invested. But here, on the screen in front of you, you will get to see the actual work we are carrying out abroad. In the first clip, we’ve recorded the making of our Dreams school in Mumbai.”

The screen comes alive and there is a five-minute documentary about the building, which is almost complete. In between the narration, there are pictures of street kids, waving and making silly faces at the camera. You can almost feel their excitement and happiness for a school being built solely for them.

A small lump forms in my throat.

Once the short documentary is over, she runs the second clip showing the beginning stages of the school in New Delhi. The room breaks out into applause once again and the projectors are switched off as the room lights up. The guests murmur approvingly among themselves.

Lauren catches my eye and I smile. “This is pretty special, huh? I’m feeling very moved.”

She smiles back and nods - I can see her eyes are shining too. We glance at the stage and Alicia is almost glowing with pride. She steps forward once the room settles down.

“I’m sure you will all agree that your investment is being very well cared for. But, we need more. More of these types of schools for the disadvantaged kids around the world. More of these Dreams schools to give these children a good start in life.” She takes a breath, pulls the mike out of the stand, and walks to the other end of the stage. “Education matters, and we will need a lot of resources to attract the right types of candidates to come and volunteer with us. And that’s why tonight counts. We need larger investments and so I urge you, ladies and gentlemen, to please dig deep and be generous when the fundraising starts later this evening.”

Her speech is so passionate that the crowd cheers in approval, including Lauren and I, and I’m glad I brought my checkbook with me.

She holds her hand up and slowly the noise comes to an end.

“As much as I’d like to take the credit for being the brainchild behind The Dreams Foundation, alas, I can’t. I’m guilty of being too preoccupied with my First World problems.” She shrugs and a ripple of laughter goes through the room. “I’d therefore like to take the opportunity to introduce you to someone incredibly special. Someone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this charity to fruition.”

The room is so silent you could hear a pin drop. I hold my breath along with everyone else.

“Ladies and gentleman, it gives me the greatest honor and pleasure to introduce your Chair of Trustees, who I’m also lucky enough to call my brother. Please put your hands together for Mr. Jax Prescott.”

The room breaks out into rapturous applause and as if in slow motion, I look around to see people pushing back their chairs to stand, to welcome him with a standing ovation. I catch Lauren’s eye and hers are bulging just as big as mine. My heart is thumping so hard that I think my ears are going to explode from the blood that’s rushing around my body at break-neck speed. I vaguely acknowledge Lauren gripping my arm, and I look down to see her almost pulling me up to my feet to join in with everyone. The noise in the room is deafening.

I crane my head over the others to see Jax walking onto the stage. He radiates power and authority as he crosses to where Alicia is standing, a huge grin on her face. My eyes travel down the length of his body and then back up again to his face. Wearing a custom-made navy suit and a crisp white shirt with an open collar, he looks like he belongs on a catwalk. His hair is pushed to the side, but I figure he must have run his hands through it a few times as it looks a little disheveled
. Sexy as sin.
A slow burn starts in the pit of my stomach and works its way up until it spreads across my face. Like a movie reel, my mind loops with images of our night together - tongues on every part of our body, skin on skin, twenty positions in a one-night stand.

Alicia pulls him into a hug and whispers something in his ear. Embracing for a few moments, he kisses her cheek and then as he reaches for the mic, he steps into the center of the stage and scans the room, as if looking for someone in the crowd. I can’t tear my eyes away from him. Even from here, I can see how blue and piercing his eyes are. He looks to his left and then again through the middle of the room.

Until his eyes land on me.

I feel like I’m going to pass out from the way he’s burning into me with such intensity. Our eyes stay locked, which feels like an eternity, until he finally looks away.

Motioning for everyone to sit down, a hush falls over the room and the air is thick with curiosity and anticipation.

Lauren leans into my ear. “Holy fuck.”