Page 8 of Buying Angel

“It’s been very quiet without you around, I have to admit. Would you like a drink?”

I got up from my seat and headed over to the drink cabinet, ready to get him a glass of his favorite whiskey before he stopped me in my tracks.

“I’ll just have a coffee, if you wouldn’t mind making me one.”

Who was this guy who had walked into the apartment? It certainly wasn’t the man who had left a couple of days ago. I stepped away from the drink cabinet and headed toward the kitchen.

“If that’s what you want, Vincent. Take a seat, and then I can fill you in with my news.”

I didn’t give him a chance to ask me what my news was before I walked out of the room. I made him a coffee just how I knew he liked it and walked back into the living room to find him sitting in his favorite chair, his tie removed and the top button of his shirt undone. I had to admit he looked shattered, and I was afraid to ask how his trip had gone. I knew that I had to ask, though, as he would expect it.

I placed his coffee down on the table, switched off the TV, and spoke. “So, how was your trip?”

He picked up his coffee and let out a big sigh. “Exhausting. But we got the new contract, which was all that mattered.”

I was surprised that this had indeed been a business trip and not just a reason for him to get laid. He’d probably done that as well, but as long as he was getting it elsewhere, he was leaving me alone. I watched as he took a sip of his coffee. He closed his eyes and a smile came over his face as he tasted it. I knew I always made a good coffee, and so did he, which was one reason why he would always ask me to make it.

“That’s a perfect coffee, and just what I needed. Thank you.”

Again I couldn’t believe the man who was sitting in front of me. He hardly ever said thank you to me for anything. This was the man I had fallen in love with. Sweet, caring, polite. This was not the man Vincent had become. If he carried on like this, he could probably have convinced me to stay…but only probably. I had to remember all the things he had done to me over the past five years, not this nice gentleman sitting in front of me. He placed his cup back down and then looked toward me.

“So, what’s your news?”

I had been so lost in my thoughts about him that I had completely forgotten about the news I had for him. I smiled before I spoke.

“Well, I received an email today about the ‘Night to Remember’ Auction.”

I could almost see the point where his ears pricked up like a dog being called by its owner. He moved forward in his seat toward me.

“What did it say?”

I took a slow breath, enjoying torturing him before I gave him my reply. I wouldn’t wait too long because I didn’t want to anger him, but for a few seconds, I was in full control of this relationship.

“I got a place at the next auction on Friday, May tenth.”

I watched as what I had just told him sank in. For a moment, he didn’t show any reaction, and then his face just completely lit up.

“Are you sure? You have a place? That’s brilliant news! The five hundred grand will certainly get me out of some shit.”

And there we go.

Back to the man I knew and hated. All he was worried about was the money. He couldn’t have cared less about what happened to me over the weekend, just what he could get out of it. Again, though, I had to keep up the pretense that I was doing this all for him.

“I can show you the email if you would like, but I have read it several times myself to check, and it definitely says I have been given a place at the auction.”

He literally jumped from his seat and flung his arms around me. “This is the best news I’ve had all day.”

Quickly realizing what he had done, he stepped away, sat back down, and picked up his coffee as if he hadn’t just hugged me. Deciding I would make life easier for him, I stood up from my chair.

“I have a few things to read through, and it’s getting a little late. Would you like me to get you anything else before I head to bed?”

He was looking down at his phone and messaging someone, as he spoke without even looking up at me. “No. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I walked out of the living room and into my bedroom. The first hurdle of escaping him was complete. All I had to do now was work out how I could stay away from him forever.

Chapter Four

HUDSON

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