Seasons of Fate (3 page)

  
‘Do you live here? Wow that felt stupid to ask but it started the conversation which seemed to flow after that.

  
‘Yes and no, I have an apartment here but I usually fly between here and LA, for work.’ Ok I thought.

  
‘What do you do?’

  
‘I run several companies in different industries but I also dabble in the music business. I write, produce and a long time ago, I actually sang a little but now I like to stay out of sight.’ He laughed at his own words which lead me to another question

  
‘Why? Why don’t you sing anymore?’ he looked at me for a moment before answering, it was like he was deciding whether he should tell me or not but it seemed he decided I was worthy of his answer

  
‘When I started out, I was successful fairly quickly but I couldn’t get used to all the behind the scenes crap that went on, and how judgmental people can be so a little at a time I began to withdraw and made the decision to start my own business working on music behind the scenes. It gave me the opportunity to stay involved in this world but also have a private life which I craved the moment it was no longer my own. I hate being out there for everybody to gawk at, I only ever wanted to make music and inspire people with it. I lost my mojo for singing not long before I made the decision to leave the scene. I’ve stayed involved in the industry but I also run other successful businesses, the decision changed my life.’ He looked straight at me then and carried on ‘You see I very rarely leave the privacy of my homes, which is why I was so dazed yesterday. It was like fate, you being there at that very moment somebody decided to take the chance to get to me, I really felt like I was the luckiest person alive.’

   I just stared at him, what could I say to that? Did I believe in fate? No, because if fate existed why the fuck did it leave me in hell for so long before freeing me.

   ‘How did they know you’d be there?’

  
‘God only knows. The police are looking into it, and I have my security team checking my diary for any unauthorised access, wait and see I guess.’  I decided to change the subject, something lighter was required. I told Mason about Lyssa and John coming over to be with Lily and me, he asked how close we were so, I told him our story omitting the shit.

  
‘They are the only family I have, as close as siblings can be who aren’t actually related.’ He seemed happy with that explanation, although I’m not sure why he seemed put out when I spoke about John, weird, Johnny was a ray of light as bright as can be. He spent a lot of time trying to be anonymous even though he was destined to shine, being gay has been hard for him, he was brought up to think being gay was wrong so he has never openly admitted it to anybody he knows, apart from Lys and I, even though they’ve escaped their torturous lives, he still feels the need to hide himself. Lys is no better, she wants the whole happily ever after thing just like me but, was hurt to the point of not trusting anyone. What a damn shame. Perhaps being here may change things for all of us. Maybe I did believe in fate after all. We talked for a while about different things and before I knew it sleep took me.

Chapter 3

Summer

   The next day, I continued drifting in and out of sleep but was conscious of Mason watching me so woke often to see what he was doing. I caught him catching up with what looked like e mails on his laptop. He didn’t notice me so I took the time to really look at him. I had never really looked at a man before with such open eyes. I guess I never really wanted to although I adored reading about the amazing men in my books, who weren’t afraid to show love and passion toward the woman in their lives. I couldn’t really relate so assumed it didn’t exist. Don’t get me wrong I have a good understanding about sex, I mean my parents were at it every chance they had whether I was there or not, but that did not equate to love. I’m not sure they ever had love, just lust. I guess I’m tainted as my only experience with sex was forced so I can’t even imagine what making love is and what it may feel like but I do enjoy reading about the feelings behind it. Mason had me looking at things in a different light and I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t know him but for some unknown reason I felt safe being in this room with him, something I have never felt before. At that point I realised I had drifted and Mason was looking right at me, I smiled and felt a blush rise in my cheeks.

  
‘How are you feeling? He asked

  
‘I’m good thanks, I’ll be glad when I can get out of here’ he smiled again

  
‘Well I suppose me telling you that I’m taking you home tonight will make you really happy then?’ I stopped and stared

  
‘Really? I’m being released?’ 

  
‘Yes, I had hoped your friends would be here by now but as your expecting them any time I put your release off until this evening I hope you don’t mind’ Wow, beautiful and generous. Is this guy real?

  
‘No I don’t mind, thanks.’ I said out loud, what I really wanted to do at that moment was jump into his lap and kiss him, a really foreign feeling for me, what the hell was happening to me? Was I actually starting to trust somebody other than my friends? I suppose, I mean a practical stranger was caring for my daughter and a complete stranger was caring for me, very weird.

   We talked for a while and he told me more about his family, they all lived in New York, his parents were retired and he has a younger sister which he dotes on. It was nice to see a normal family for a change, I knew this conversation was leading somewhere dangerous so started to look for something different to talk about when a hard knock on my door interrupted us, Johnny flew through the doorway past Lys and ran straight toward me, Lys was right behind him. They hugged me til I couldn
’t breathe and then with tears in their eyes realised I wasn’t alone. Mason stood up and introduced himself. Once the pleasantries were over he turned to leave but I stopped him

  
‘Are you leaving? He turned toward me with a small smile on his face

  
‘No I was just going to let Clive know what’s happening and to let Lily know her Moms coming home’ I just stared back at him again amazed at his generosity

  
‘I won’t be long and then we can get the doctor to sign you out.’ With a nod he closed the door behind him and I was left with my friends, who stood frozen staring at the door, then at me.

  
‘What’s going on here then? Asked John

  
‘What?’ I asked ‘He’s being so nice to me and I don’t understand why. Am I just being too trusting, what do you think?’

  
’Don’t be silly sweetie, a nice guy has offered to help you out, you don’t understand it because you have never had that before. Trust is earned, let him earn it Summer, and in the meantime we are here to help.’

   Lys agreed and they began to pack away all my belongings so I could go home, to The Sanctuary.  After this talk with my friends I wondered how bad it would be to just say thanks to Mason and ask him to leave. I didn
’t think it would be a great idea to let him get further involved, especially with Lily, she would start to ask questions and maybe give too much away without realising it. I felt bad thinking like this but, Mason seemed like such a nice guy, to put him in that position wouldn’t be fair although I guess making the decision for him wouldn’t be fair either. Lys came back into my room to help me get dressed and decided to have a girl chat as she put it.

  
‘Hey hun, you know that not every guy is like that bastard don’t you? I mean I can see your brain turning, questioning everything and can only assume your thinking about Mason, and his motives. He seems like a really nice guy, you may want to give him the benefit of the doubt. He may actually want to be here, not because of some obligation.’

   
‘I know but he’s a complete stranger, who has been at my side since the attack and hasn’t asked me for anything. Then there’s the fact that I know nothing about him apart from some small details, like his family and his work, oh and he has a place here and in LA, I don’t even understand why this is bothering me so much. I could just tell him what my life has been about and that way he will just run for the hills himself.’ Lys looked at me with sad eyes

  
‘Hun, you’re so tainted by the family you came from and that arsehole they gave you to that you don’t feel like anybody could actually just like you for you. Mason seems like the sort of person that doesn’t come along often and you need to give him the option of running for the hills, maybe he’ll surprise you and just decide that you need more friends.’

   I hadn
’t even thought about it like that. I doubt it would be an issue regardless, I mean once I’m back with Lily, he can go back to his life and just forget this ever happened.

Mason came back into my room followed by John and the doctor, my release papers in hand which I signed and handed back with grateful thanks. Before we left, Mason warned us that the attack may have drawn some publicity but no information had been shared as yet so we went out together and before we could call a cab, Mason called his car which arrived the moment we left the building.

   ‘I thought it would be easier and more comfortable if we took my car.’

I looked up at him with a look that probably said
‘what the hell’ but just nodded and stepped into the car, he held his hand out to help me and when we touched I felt an amazing zing run through me, it made me shiver but not from cold. I didn’t understand the feeling or why it occurred but I wasn’t in a position to question it so I allowed him to help me then sat in my seat. The inside of his car was huge nothing like what I was used to but I did know what money looked like and this was it. The sooner I said my goodbyes the better, for both Mason and me.

   We arrived back at the hotel and Lily was bouncing up and down inside the lobby. Clive came to help me with my things and greeted Mason with a look that seemed to me like respect, I would need to ask him what he knew about Mason Stone. I lifted Lily into my arms the moment she ran to me, even though I was told not to by the doctor, he couldn’t understand the longing I felt to have my baby back with me as close as can be.

  
‘Mummy, are you ok?’

  
‘Yea baby I’m fine, I just need to take it easy for a few days so I’m afraid our shopping trip will need to wait’ she looked a little upset by this information but didn’t say anything, that’s when Lys jumped in

  
‘Hey what am I then? Auntie Lys can take you shopping tomorrow and afterward we can find the best ice cream shop with the biggest sundae, how does that sound?’

Lily
’s face beamed and she jumped from me to Lys who just looked giddy to have a new shopping partner. I gave my friend a grateful smile and then we went back to my room. John and Lys helped Lily get ready for bed and both decided it would be easier if they just slept in her room. By the time I had put my things away everybody was flat out and I was left with Mason. He decided to call it a night and said he would call around in the morning, so with a hug goodbye at the door, I watched him leave.

   I lay in bed for a while trying to sleep, but the days events went though my head on a slide show, and all I could see were beautiful blue eyes and an amazing smile. I didn
’t really know Mason Stone but he was on a loop and I wasn’t sure I could stop, or if I even wanted to, eventually I drifted and he was the last thing I remember.

   The next morning Lily was up early with Lys getting ready to go out. I asked John to go with the girls so I could take it easy but also so I knew Lily had more protection, silly I guess but who knows. As they were leaving Mason walked in, he offered them his car for the day, but they declined saying they wanted to take in the sights, so they left on their shopping trip and I was left alone with a very nervous looking Mason Stone.

  
‘Morning Mason, how are you? I said trying to keep things light.

  
‘I’m good thanks, I just thought I would drop by and see how your feeling. Did you sleep ok?’

  
‘I actually had a good nights sleep for a change.’ Laughing ‘I usually have trouble but I guess the pain meds knocked me out, would you like to stay and keep my company?’ I said, not even thinking before I spoke.

  
‘Well…. I thought you may want to just sleep today, plus I don’t want to outstay my welcome.’

  
‘It’s fine, really I would love the company.’ He smiled at my words which again made me feel oddly happy. We sat down on the sofa and I made myself comfy, Mason looked at me for the longest time before finally speaking.

  
‘Summer, can I ask you something? I wasn’t sure why but I knew this was going to be bad.

  
‘Yes, I suppose, I mean you answered my questions.’ I tried to lighten the mood but I don’t think it worked.

  
‘I just wondered why you put yourself in danger for a stranger when you have a small child to care for. It’s just…. difficult for me to understand, that’s all. I don’t know anybody who would do that, unless they needed to.’ I couldn’t even look him in the eye. He seemed to see right through me and I hadn’t said a word. Now I had little choice but to give him some explanation of why I had acted on instinct.