The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) (22 page)

The opening of The Gilded Fox was a huge success. People had come in their droves to see the unveiling of the quaint little inn in the hub of Holdgate and looking around the main bar area, which housed both familiar and new faces - I feel a huge sense of pride for Elysium Interiors. Everything had come together, at the last minute of course, as these things always do. Andre, Seb’s foreman had been a gem, despite Colin’s obvious harassment of him. The finishing touches I usually spent hours procrastinating over, as I had for The Ashton launch, only took Colin and I half a day to work our magic. Carolyn was insistent that she wished to have some control over some of the accessories and I was happy to include her - she was the client after all. She had a good eye and all the materials were there for her to play with. It also gave me the chance to do last minute checks in the bar and lounge area, and nip home to change.
 

Now, looking around at the eclectic mix of guests in the lounge, from gentry to businessmen, neighbours, to younger trendy clientele, the buzz is positive and I feel happy for Carolyn Walters that her business will be a great success. Their voices carrying with statements of “It looks sooo much better!” and “I love all the tartan!”. Sipping my Prossecco I am quietly confident that my interior business will expand nicely from this contract.

“We did good, boss lady!”

“We most certainly did, Col. Thank you for all your hard work.” I clink glasses with Colin’s martini glass.

“All your vision, once again, babe but I was happy to pick up the slack - like I said before, you’re great at ideas but shite at seeing things through - no staying power!”

“Hey!”
 

I grin and bump shoulders with him.

“I do love this place though, Lu - it’s very cosy. Very pipe and slippers.”

“It’s fab isn’t it. Abs is thinking about here for my hen do.”

“Really?”

“What? You don’t think it would be a good idea?”

“I think its gorgeous but more for romantic meals by the fire, long walks, shacking up with your man and taking long baths in those amazing copper monstrosities you’ve had installed - it’s hardly the place to rave it up!”

I consider his words. “I know what you mean, but I honestly don’t want that. We get married six weeks today, during the busiest work season of the year for interiors!
I’m not bothered about a weekend in Ibiza, or strutting around Lords city centre in a veil and handcuffs and God knows what else. I just want my bezzies, to get pissed and stay over. Maybe go to the spa at The Ashton first? Simple. After the past few months, simple is bliss.”

I feel his arm drop around my waist and I’m cocooned with a cloud of Jean Paul goatie-beard as he called his fav aftershave. “Darling, it’s
your
Hen-Do, we’ll do whatever you want and what you’ve just suggested sounds boring but bloody marvellous if you’re happy - I struggle to do simple but we’ll work on that. Abs, Suzie and I will sort it. Do not fear Count Colin is here.”

“Good. Right, I better go mingle, have you seen Seb anywhere?”

“I saw him when he came in with you? Who would miss him? That man gets more divine everyday, you lucky bitch, but not since. Maybe he’s upstairs?”

I nod, waving at Carolyn as she catches my eye. “I’ll go find him. See you in a bit.”

I weave my way through the room, stopping en route to chat to guests, and the local newspaper. Carolyn Walters introduces me to a potential new client and I spent the next twenty minutes discussing his plans for the renovation of his new Holdgate restaurant. It turns out he has bought seven of them, in a chain from an Italian family and he now required contractors and an interior designer. I take his card and promise to contact him the following week but there is still no sign of Sebastian to promote Silcon’s services.

I am just about to head upstairs, towards the open guest rooms when I hear his voice, he is leaning against the wall, in the narrow hallway which leads towards the fireplace and he is with a woman. Her back is to me, dark hair falling over her shoulders and as I near, she turns, her eyes connecting with mine, the look in them one of pure guilt.

*******

“Bro - I think you have an admirer.” Na nods his head in the direction of the fireplace where a brunette chats with a group of people.

“I saw her earlier. I know her from somewhere but I can’t put my finger on it… do you know her?”

“Nope! Besides she’s not interested in me.”

I slide my eyes in her direction again but she seems focused on her conversation. “Stop exaggerating - she’s not even looking, and cheers for the help.”

“You better not let Lu catch her eyeing you like that, she’ll have her guts for garters.” Na chuckles to himself.

“Seriously, Na, where do I know her from?”

“I don’t know! Is she one of your many conquests?” his frown is one of disbelief, at her rather plain appearance.

“No! That’s not it but she’s definitely… familiar.”

“Go and ask her, quick before Lu sees her fluttering those lashes.”

“Shut the fuck up and grab me another pint from the bar - I’ll be over in in a minute.”

He laughs at my annoyance. “No probs bro - good luck with the mystery lady.”

I flick a glance towards Lu, seeing her busy promoting Elysium and smile, she was glowing, and looked stunning in gold stilettos and a nude coloured bandage effect dress that hugged every tantalising curve and showcased her killer legs. She was the most stunning woman in the room and I was finding it hard to concentrate on anything else. She was lit up like a candle, obviously talking about her creative passions.

I bite my lip in frustration, torn between continuing for another few hours and just striding towards my fiancee and throwing her over my shoulder to leave right now! Instead I recognise her duty to work, and head on over to the group of guests, all busy chatting amiably about the local community and how this year Holdgate’s committee were fundraising for new Christmas lights. The woman in question is listening intently but I choose to move in and introduce to myself anyway, despite the immensely boring topic of conversation. I feel some kind of connection with her and can’t quite figure out why - she confused me but I’m drawn to her in a way that disturbs me.
 

“Excuse me. Hi, Sebastian Silver.” I hold out my hand and she shakes it tentatively, turning to face me.

Her narrowed hazel eyes fly to mine. “H..Hello. Nice to meet you?”

“I saw you looking in my direction earlier - I just wondered, have we met before?”
 

Shaking her head she blushes, her straight mousey locks not moving over her shoulders. “I don’t think so.”

“Are you sure? You seem
very
familiar to me…”

“
Mr. Silver,
I think I would remember you if I had ever met you. You are rather…imposing.” Again she blushes and I sense a wall of defiance.

I try a different tactic, turning on the charm, hoping that perhaps those blushes that had warmed her complexion and put light into her eyes would maybe soften her steely composure. I need to at least get her name.
 
“Of course, I apologise for just springing this upon you. I certainly don’t mean to harass you or make you feel uncomfortable, Ms?”

“Walters - Dawn Walters.”

Dawn Walters? Nope still doesn’t ring a bell. Crap.
“Like I said I usually don’t forget a face, Dawn, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that?”

“Not really.”

Wow she was a tough nut to crack.
 

“Look, Mr. Silver, it’s not a problem - I just don’t think our paths would ever cross - do you? We are not the types to mix.We have nothing in common.”

I assess her expression, the hint of strength coming through under that blanket of meekness. The dark green wool A-line skirt, cream polo neck and long brown boots were testament to that. No make-up, no jewellery, nothing that made her appear feminine or flamboyant. Everything about her said ‘back off!’.

I’m about to leave the subject well alone at that when Lu arrives -
shit!
 

“Hello, Dawn, nice to see you again, how’s things?” the words fall from my lips casually and I watch Seb’s confused expression.

“Lucia, I’m fine. We were just… mmm…well…we…”
Wow caught doing something - what’s with all the stuttering?

“We were talking.” Seb interrupts, looking directly at me, his eyes willing me not to be concerned.

“I can see that,” I smile at them both calmly. “Is everything Ok?”

“Yes.” Seb answers for them both.

How odd?

“What do you think of the transformation Dawn?”

“It’s perfect - just what my mum wanted. I knew you’d be the right person for the job.”

Hmm this woman gets weirder by the second.

“I’m glad you think so - your mum and I worked well together. I haven’t seen you much since The Ashton launch.”
Since you told me to be careful who I spent time with.

“No.”

Seb and I lock eyes and I chew my lip, this woman was odd. “Right, well I for one am in need of a stiff drink, all this networking is thirsty business.”

“That’s my cue.” Seb nods and heads off in the direction of the bar.

“Everything Ok Dawn? I get the impression somethings awry?”

“No, everything fine, Lucia. I already warned you last time and you ignored me so I can’t help you anymore.”

“Sorry? Do you mean your strange message of being
careful who I spent time with?
I don’t even know who you meant? Did you mean Sebastian?”

“I’ve said too much.”

Her words instantly grate on me. I could count on my hand the amount of times I’d met this woman and maybe it was all the eerie goings on at present, the fact that I knew I was being followed, my accident, but all this cloak and dagger nonsense was getting ridiculous and entirely uncalled for.
 

“For fucks sake Dawn - I’d only just met you that night and you were handing out weird advice to me and now you’re repeating it? - if you have something to say, please say it. I’ve been through.” I stop and reach out for Seb’s hand, clasping it tightly. “We’ve, been through rather a lot lately and if its important I’d like to know. Perhaps you’re the nutter that’s causing me all this hassle?”

“Look ladies, let’s take things down a notch or two” Seb speaks and I glare in his direction, earning myself two held up palms of relinquished responsibility. I return my steely gaze to Dawn who is looking guiltier by the second.

“I’m sorry. I know you have had a terrible time. My mum told me all about your accident, Lucia and I am truly sorry. But I was not the cause of it.”

Watching her stricken face, I feel a wash of guilt. I knew she hadn’t been involved and it was unfair of me to call her out like that. “Thank you but if you can help me in anyway, please… ” I repeat. “I know you had nothing to do with my accident, it’s just I have been having some issues with an unwanted admirer and your message that night and again tonight, I guess I’m just getting paranoid."

I watch her battle with her decision, her bottom lip chewed to holy hell. Finally on a huge sigh, she nods. “I’m not happy with this, but I am prepared to say…look at the messages. All messages become, the one.”