Millionaire's Society Mistress (18 page)

Craig nodding as he had watched her so carefully, taking in the myriad of emotions running through her beautiful face

“And what about me? When were you intending on telling me Craig?”

He had sighed, pulling himself taller seeing anger filing the woman before him

“What do you want me to say Fiona? I told you I was thinking about it. I haven’t made a decision yet … and it had nothing to do with you”

“Nothing…” incredulity had made her stare “So the fact that you are sleeping with me means nothing?”

“What is it you are expecting Fiona? It is not as if you and I would ever be more than we are now”

Recoiling in shock she had stared at him “And why is that?”

She had cried at him, her voice becoming slower, harder as the anger had bubbled deep within as she had fought to contain it, not prepared to let him see the hurt that filled every part of her. Scowling he had waved his arm dismissively

“Because marriage is like any other business deal Fiona. Both parties get what they want from it. I own your brother’s Company…I own him” his tone harder “and I own you too … you work for me”

Taking a deep breath she had rounded on him “So what you are saying is that I am good enough to sleep with when you want but not for anything more?”

She had given a small mirthless laugh. “Phew so glad we cleared that up” the sarcasm clear on her voice, Craig bristling.

“Stop being such a child Fiona. We both know how these things work”

Fiona had choked with hurt and anger not even able to speak. With a small groan he had moved closer taking both shoulders in his hands so that he could look down into her eyes.

“Fiona…if I marry Alanna, it doesn’t have to change anything between us. I can find you somewhere close-by, you have the business…nothing has to change”

With a shrivelling look she had shaken his arm from her stepping back quickly.

“How dare you look down on me! You don’t own me Craig…nobody owns me. I come from good decent people and live by some clear ethical rules. You on the other hand are scum, the very fact that you expect me to become your bit on the side is proof of that, and I will NOT be a part of this”

Dark anger had filled his face as he had once more seized her shoulders hauling her hard up against him

“Do not push me Fiona. Do you really think I am so blind that I don’t see the way you feel about me?”

Blinking she had tried to struggle free

“I see the look in your eyes…you’re in love with me and it tears you apart doesn’t it. Some blue blood high-class debutant falling for a self-made street rat…it must sicken you”

Stilling in his hold her eyes had been cold daggers of contempt

“You are wrong. How could I love somebody so emotionally crippled as you Craig. And do not make me the one to be looking down on the other here. You are marrying Alanna because you don’t see ME as good enough for you. YOU make me sick”

With a surprised and angry gasp he had quickly released her before stepping away, a more controlled expression settling on his handsome features. His hand had grabbed the paper from her hand, the document held so tightly in her shocked fingers that it had ripped, leaving part still clenched tightly in her hold.

“Well at least we understand each other” His tone low and angry before he had turned and moved from the room “I have a meeting…don’t wait up”

The words thrown at her as he had strode angrily from the house.

Hearing the front door slam closed all bravado had left her, as slowly she had sank down onto the floor, her heart breaking into a thousand pieces, tears streaming down her face as she had gasped for air crying long heart-rending sobs of pain.

Not even Donald’s betrayal of her had caused the heartache that was tearing through her. Craig had never made her any promises, and she had known that eventually he would get bored of her and end the affair, but his cold-hearted plans had cut through her like a sharp knife. Feeling so worthless she had tried hard to pull herself together, all her small hopes and dreams for the future dashed away by his cruel words. So he saw her as his mistress, not marriage material, just the woman he had bought and paid for, one more business deal more sobs wracking through her small frame.

For over an hour she had lain on the ground, curled up as she had tried to find the strength to stand, to get off the floor and move. Eventually there had been no more moisture as she had rolled over onto her knees, her hands shakily dashing away the remaining tears from her face. With every ounce of strength she pocessed she had pulled herself onto her feet, moving over to the large desk. Only then had she noticed the small shred of paper still clutched in her fingers and she had stuffed it into her pocket, before taking two sheets of paper she had started to write putting both in envelopes which she had sealed, one to Craig and the other to Scott.

With eyes that were cold and lifeless she had then moved up the stairs, pulling from the cupboard the large backpack she knew to be there, the one she had bought so many years ago when her dreams of exploring had been something to look forward to.

Pulling out only those clothes she felt she would need she had filled the backpack writing another note which she had left on the bed before calling a taxi. She had stopped at a bank, withdrawing over a thousand dollars, enough to keep her going for a few days she was sure, giving a small sad sigh at the high balance in her account. Once more remembering that to him he had owned her Fiona realising that she had certainly been well paid.

Dropping her at the train station, Fiona had looked at the board to find out which train was leaving next, not prepared to wait around for Craig to find her and talk her out of leaving, giving a small smile as she had moved towards the one for Canada. She had always wanted to go there. Raising her chin with determination and paying cash for the long trip she had given a shaky smile. So Fiona Campbell’s global walkabout would start in Canada she had said softly to herself as with ticket in hand she had boarded the train.

As the train had moved further and further from New York and Craig, cold icy hurt had filled her, the pain too much for her to bear pushed down where it would not have to be dealt with. Across from her a kindly woman had offered her a sandwich from the large Tupperware box she had pulled from an oversized bag. She had talked of her home four hours outside Toronto, her voice full of pride as she had described it. Hearing of Fiona’s walkabout plans she had offered her a place to stay, in exchange for working a week in the small holiday camp she and her sons ran, Fiona accepting with a thankful smile, shaking hands with the older woman who had introduced herself as Elizabeth Brown.

Craig had moved into his home, frowning at the lateness seeing the lights still on, not ready for another confrontation with Fiona. Sighing he had moved into the living room, surprised to find it empty. Moving from room to room he had once more returned to the main area only then spotting the two letters sitting on the desk.

With a coldness gripping his stomach he had seen one addressed to Scott and the other with his name on it. Quickly he had torn open the envelop pulling out the sheet of paper reading the contents

Craig

The one thing that even you cannot change about working for somebody is their ability to quit, so please accept my resignation.

I really hope that you find what you are looking for and that you and Alanna can make your merger work, however I am sure that you will understand that there are some business deals which are best not sullied with third parties.

Take care

Fiona

Groaning softly he had not even hesitated as he had picked up the letter for Scott and ripped it open, quickly scanning the sheet

Dearest Scott

I am so happy that you and Nat have worked things out. Give her and the kids a big kiss from me. I have enjoyed my time in America, but now it is time to go. Craig and I have agreed to go our separate ways and I wish him only the best. As I am already in America, and given that my world trips seem doomed if I start them from home, I have decided to set off from here. Don’t worry about me, I have plenty of money and will make sure that I stay safe. Not sure yet where I will be but will be in touch soon.

Love you

Fiona

Throwing the sheets on the table he had sworn loudly before pulling his phone from his pocket quickly dialing her number. Holding the phone from his ear he had heard the faint ringing coming from upstairs quickly moving up to the room they had shared. Cursing once more he had picked up the phone discarded on the bed beside another sheet of paper. Lifting it she had told him to donate the clothes left, Craig pulling open the wardrobe finding all the dresses he had bought her still dangling from their hangers.

With a small groan he had known that she truly had left marching purposefully downstairs once more.

As Fiona had collapsed into Craig’s arms the diner had erupted into noise and movement as everybody had rushed forward. Swinging her into his arms Craig had looked around for somewhere to lay her down, the concern so evident in his face.

“Over here”, Stuart’s voice had been heard over the rest as Craig had carried her towards him, holding her as though she were fragile china as he had moved towards the small couch in the back of the diner.

“I’ll take it from here” Stuart had said making to move before the stranger, surprised as the man had refused to budge, instead looking at the younger man with grim determination

“No”

Stuart pausing for a second before scowling

“Who the hell are you?”

He had demanded, suspicion on his voice as he had looked warily down at Alanna. He could tell money and power when he saw it, and the man before him had both in abundance. He had watched as the stranger had ignored his question, taking her hand in his, Stuart frowning as the stranger had brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it softly, seeing the panic in the man’s eyes

“Do you know her?” he had asked softly, Craig looking up, nodding softly his look quickly flicking back to the young woman so still and pale on the couch

“Yeah…I know her”

Stuart pulling out his radio as he had called for an ambulance.

At the hospital, Fiona had been rushed into one of the rooms, the doctor quickly coming out to talk to the two men who had remained outside, giving Stuart a small welcome smile and nod

“You will be glad to know Stuart that Alanna is going to be fine”

“Fiona”

The sharp voice had interrupted them as both eyes had turned to the stranger.

“Her name is Fiona Campbell”

Giving a small cough the doctor had continued, informing them that all her vital signs were fine, but they were going to allow her to come around on her own. Promising to let them know when she was awake.

As the doctor had once more moved away, Stuart had looked over at the stranger, his voice softer

“I’m sorry my name is Stuart…I’m a friend of Al…I mean Fiona”

Craig had fixed the younger man with cold eyes “Are you her boyfriend?” His tone low, eyes hard as the other man had started, his voice surprised

“No… just a friend”

Seeing as the stranger had seemed to slump back with relief, a smile coming to his face as he had extended his hand

“I’m sorry Stuart…it has been a long, long three months. My name is Craig…Craig Thompson”

Taking the hand he had grinned back “Nice to meet you”

Craig giving a small smile “Sorry…didn’t mean to jump at you…just when I saw you hugging her…”

Stuart had nodded back “I understand…don’t get me wrong…who wouldn’t be interested in a girl like her…but given the way we met…I guess we were always only just going to be friends”

Raising a quizzical eyebrow Craig had asked “Oh…and how was that?”

Stuart smiling softly “I was one of the officers who pulled her out of the burning car”

With a small sound, Craig had once more stood up, his eyes glistening as he had thought of her being there, nearly being killed in that car, looking over at Stuart with real feeling in his voice

“Thank you…thank you more than I can ever say”

Stuart looking embarrassed back as he had nodded “What is your relationship to Alanna? I mean Fiona…” a small chuckle leaving him “going to take a while to get used to that”

Craig giving a small smile before his features had become so sad

“She is…was my girlfriend…I messed up and she left. She must hate me”

Stuart had looked in surprise at the obvious pain on the man’s voice “Oh…I see”

Before frowning “She had complete memory loss Craig. She has not known who she was since she got here”

Craig had nodded “Yeah…I saw the press release for her” looking at the man with surprise “She didn’t remember anything?”

Shaking his head Stuart had looked back “Well…she did keep having dreams”

Craig looking back expectantly

“Dreams of a man, kind of fits your description, walking away from her…she seemed so sad about it…kind of hurt I thought”

Groaning softly Craig had looked at the ceiling, guilt once more filling him as silence had fallen between the two, Craig remembering the last three months.

After reading her letter he had been filled with such anger, determined to rid her from his thoughts. He had made her a good offer, not ending their relationship, knowing that Alanna would not have cared, knowing also that still having Fiona in his life would have been an important part of the marriage agreement. He had resealed the letter to Scott and sent it first-class the following day, determined to forget her, working longer and longer hours to forget her smile, the apartment seeming so empty and cold without her presence.

Scot’s phone call less than a week later however, had filled him with panic, her brother demanding to know what had happened as he had told him to ask her himself. Finding out that he had not heard from Fiona had been like a body blow to Craig, knowing that she would have definitely contact Scott, no matter where she was, panic filling both men.

He had hired a detective agency to find Fiona, her location and whereabouts to be their sole concern. With nothing really to go on, they had scoured the flights that had left that day finding no sign of the young woman. Only after two weeks had they discovered some footage of Fiona at the train station, more weeks passing as they had found out which train she had taken, made more difficult by the fact she had paid cash.