Chapter 1
Separation is to love what wind is to fire: it extinguishes the weak and fans the strong. — Roger de Bussy-Rabutin
/Elizabeth/
The drive home took about two hours since my dad prefers to live in our old family mansion. As a kid, I adored our house. I used to imagine I was a little princess living in a grand castle, waiting for a handsome prince to come and whisk me away. Yeah, right! He showed up, but didn’t whisk me anywhere! And he was no prince—just some random passerby! Oh, what a dreamer I was! The things you believe in as a child!
“We’ve arrived, Miss Jefferson,” Alfred said, snapping me back to reality.
“Oh, wonderful, Alfred. Thanks. Is Dad home already?” I was so eager to see him. It had been six months since his last visit to us. Even though we talk often on the phone and over Skype, I much prefer face-to-face conversations.
“Yes, Miss Jefferson, your father is home and has been waiting for you for a while. He was thrilled when Miss Elliot informed him of your arrival. I haven’t seen him this happy in ages!” Alfred replied, helping me out of the car.
Man, I’d almost forgotten these formalities. I feel like a princess again. In Italy, I didn’t have a car with a personal driver or household staff. Though Mom has a good job, she can’t afford luxuries like that. The money she got from the divorce is being saved for her future grandkids—a little nest egg for the next generation, as she puts it. How can that be, you might ask, since Miss Elliot—my mom—comes from very wealthy parents? Well, I’ll tell you: they’re rich, but she isn’t. My grandparents couldn’t forgive her for divorcing my dad. They felt she’d disgraced them, so they cut her out of their will and their lives. It’s ridiculous, of course, but it’s not my place to judge. People have their strange quirks. So, Mom earns her own living and does just fine in her beloved Italy with the man she loves.
“Miss Jefferson, shall I escort you, or do you still remember the way to your father’s study?” Alfred asked as I gazed dreamily at the old house. As usual, I’d zoned out and drifted off. I really need to stop doing that; I’ve been slipping out of reality way too often lately.
“I’ve got it, Alfred. Thanks so much. It was great seeing you again,” I replied, hurrying toward the house with quick steps.
Stepping inside, I felt a strange vibration. It had been so many years since I’d been here! Home, sweet home. This place used to mean everything to me, and I never thought I’d be able to leave. But I did! Turns out, life is a funny thing.
Walking further down the long hallway, I looked around with curiosity and smiled genuinely. Family photos hung on the walls—something that wasn’t there before. Dad must be feeling nostalgic. The pictures are beautiful, though. I even remember when some of them were taken.
Memories flashed through my mind like snapshots: the first photo was taken the day I lost my first tooth; in the next, I’m five years old, celebrating my birthday at the zoo; here, I’m starting my first day of school; and in this one, it’s my last birthday with both my parents. Ah, such sweet memories. But I’ve gotten distracted again. Darn it. I need to find Dad and talk. I’ve got so much to do!
Leaving the photos behind, I headed to Dad’s study. I opened the door, but he wasn’t there. Where could he be?
“Dad! Dad, are you here? I’m back!” I called out, but no one answered.
And then, out of nowhere, Dad jumped out from behind the door, shouting, “Gotcha!” Oh, my goodness!
“Dad, come on, I’m not a kid anymore. Stop it!” I snapped, pouting like I used to as a child. That always worked on him.
“Hey, Lizzie! I’m so happy to see you!” he said, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I missed you too! So much!”
“I missed you as well! How’s your mom?” he asked, as he always does, with a hint of longing in his voice. Does he regret the divorce? Who knows?
“She’s doing great. Happy. Work, home, the usual,” I said briefly, avoiding any mention of Mom’s new fiancé.
“That’s good to hear! And how’s my little guy?” Dad asked.
“He really didn’t want me to leave! But I promised to bring him a big toy car, and he calmed down,” I said. It was so hard to leave my son, even if he wasn’t alone. We’ve never been apart for this long. I’ll need to call him tonight.
“You’re not planning to leave him there with his grandma and the nannies, are you?” Dad asked, piercing me with his gaze. He’s always worried about anything concerning Joe and gets very protective about everything in his grandson’s life. Sometimes I think he loves him more than he loves me.
“Of course not. I already miss him. But I want to get settled with my new job first, figure out the housing situation, and then I’ll bring him over right away!” I replied, my thoughts instantly filling with images of my little boy. How I love my tiny piece of happiness. Becoming the mom of such a wonderful kid is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
“Good, Lizzie! I’m glad to hear that. I’d love to talk more, but I’ve got a meeting. Make yourself at home. If you need anything, just ask Alfred or Miss Mary.”
“Okay, thanks. Can we have dinner together tomorrow?”
“Yes, my dear! Tomorrow at Bristol’s. I’ll reserve us a table. See you later, sweetheart!”
“See you!” I replied to the empty room, sighing. Dad rushed off to his beloved work, and now I’m left here on my own. Ugh, some homecoming! Though, I still need to find an apartment and unpack. Oh, Dad won’t be thrilled that I’m not planning to live here. Well, we’ll figure it out somehow.
Chapter 2
Love is the greatest of all passions, for it can simultaneously seize the head, the heart, and the body. — Voltaire
/Andrew/
The moment I saw the brunette in the plane’s cabin, I felt an instant urge to get to know her. Those stunning amber eyes just drew me in! Oh, and those lips! That smile! So sweet and warm, so familiar. She’s like sunshine, warming and filling every day with light. I must be losing it. I haven’t felt anything like this in ages—not with strangers, and definitely not with my wife. I’ve never had feelings for her.
Right now, though, I feel like I’ve forgotten how to flirt! Not that I ever needed to before. Girls used to flock to me like moths to a flame. Or, more accurately, they flocked to my money and my family’s status. Man, I’m so sick of it. Even my wife married me for that. But I’ve got no regrets—it was a marriage of convenience, all by contract, clear and straightforward! No feelings involved. At that point in my life, emotions would’ve just gotten in the way.
But seeing this little beauty, something woke up inside me. I wanted to touch her, breathe in her scent, find out what her lips taste like. Instead, I acted like a schoolboy. Not used to being turned down by women, I panicked at the thought of her walking away and never seeing her again, never knowing who she is. I couldn’t let that happen. For some reason, it felt incredibly important to find out who she was.
I can’t figure out where this uncontrollable desire to see the stranger again comes from. Maybe I’m just exhausted? From work? From the divorce?
Or is this brunette just a plain old witch, and my feelings are the result of some spell? God, I’m losing my mind!
I spent nearly an hour sitting in my office, thinking only about the girl I met at the airport. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. What am I supposed to do? I need to find her! But how? Hmm… any ideas?
“Horatio, hey, come in. I’ve got something for you,” I said, hoping he could help. I have to find her, or I’ll drive myself crazy with guesses.
A knock at the door pulled me back to reality.
“Mr. Johnson, you called for me?” Horatio asked as he stepped into the office. As usual, he was dressed oddly. He should’ve been born in the Renaissance or something. Still, he’s a good and reliable employee, despite his eccentric, old-fashioned style.
“Have a seat, Horatio. I’ve got a job for you, but it needs to stay under wraps!”
“Even from your father?” he asked. I could tell he quickly figured out who’s really in charge around here. Smart guy.
“Yes, exactly. This has nothing to do with the company or my father.”
“Alright, Mr. Johnson, I’m listening.”
“Do you remember the girl we ran into at the airport?” I asked, watching my assistant’s reaction. He raised an eyebrow, trying to look surprised, though the question didn’t seem to faze him. He probably noticed my odd behavior back then. “I see you know who I’m talking about. Well, Horatio, I want to find her. Will you help me with this?”
“Forgive me, Andrew, it’s not really my place, but why do you need her right now? You’ve already got issues with your wife and this unplanned divorce. And your father isn’t happy either. Won’t this woman just be another problem?” Horatio asked. I completely understand his reasoning, and I’m not even mad about it. Still, I need to know who she is. We’ll deal with problems if and when they come up.
“Horatio, if anything, those will be my problems to handle. I’m a big boy; I can take care of myself. Just find her, please. Call the airline right away. Maybe they’ll be kind enough to give us the information we need.”
“Alright, Mr. Johnson, I’ll do what I can!”
“As soon as you find out anything, come straight to me!”
“Who are you, beautiful brunette? And how am I supposed to find you?” These thoughts wouldn’t leave me alone, not even for a moment.