Page 33 of Frayed Bonds

“Thank you again, Ambrose,” she says and attempts to walk away.

I reach and grab her wrist gently. “How are you getting home?”

“Wow, you’re concerned for my well-being twice in one day? And it’s only my first day. Careful, or you might be obsessed with me by next week, Ambrose.”

I just might.

I scoff, glad to see the smartass I hired is back. I was beginning to worry.

“My cousin is here, so we’ll get a taxi home.”

I nod, accepting her answer and choosing to not worry more than I should. I let go of her wrist and let her go. I shut her door and watch until she is inside the hospital’s door where she turns to wave once again and I find myself returning it.

As I slide into my seat, her perfume clogs up my senses, and it’s all I can smell for a while.

That’s when I realise I’m truly and utterly fucked.

Chapter twelve

Valerie

“Wow, home early every day this week? Either Antonio is in love with you, or you're doing such a terrible job he’s trying to keep you out of the office,” Karyn says. We’re on the bus heading home after dropping my dad off for a check-up and his physiotherapy appointment.

“Antonio isn’t my boss, Ambrose is,” I say, my words trailing off towards the end of the sentence.

“Shut up!” She smacks my leg. “I've been thinking it was Antonio the entire time. I know he has a soft spot for you, so I assumed he was letting you off ‘cause he knew about your dad.”

“Firstly, he does not have a soft spot for me, and secondly, Ambrose has been working from home a lot, or he’s been leaving early for the day.”

“Does that mean he’s also the one responsible for the mysterious black car that’s been picking you up in the morning?”

“You little spy.” I smack her arm as revenge for the thigh hit. “I thought you were asleep, but yes, he is.”

“Oh. My. God. Is Ambrose Vitale picking you up eve-”

I smack my hand over her mouth. The volume of her voice, and his name earns us numerous stares from people on the bus.

“Karyn, the last thing I need right now is a scandal starting because of your big mouth.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I can't believe my cousin, my flesh and blood,” She clutches her chest dramatically, “has Ambrose Vitale running after her.”

“He is not running after me,” I say, whispering now, hoping it reduces how much anyone trying to listen in can hear. “It isn’t him, he has a driver come get me. He has more important things to do than to worry about me getting to and from work.”

“If he wasn't worried, you wouldn't have your driver,” she shrugs and faces the front.

Why is Ambrose being so helpful about me getting to and from work?

I wonder if Antonio told him why I needed the job. It isn’t some big secret, but I don't want anyone to take pity on me and just hand me money. I want to work for it, so I don't feel like I owe anyone when this is all over.

Ambrose's other actions don't scream pity though. If anything, it seems as if he can’t stand my presence. He barely leaves his office, and anything he needs from me, he asks for via email. From what his brothers have said he’s under a lot of pressure with some upcoming dinner and meeting they're all prepping for. So I've been putting it down to him being too busy.

Maybe Karyn is right. Maybe I am shit at my job. A small giggle escapes my lips, and I don't miss Karyn’s side eye in my direction. Even if I’m horrible right now, I’m getting paid to practically do nothing, so I won’t complain or bring it up.

Zoning back in, I realise where we are and press the stop button signalling I need to get off the bus.

“Where are you going?” Karyn asks, as a few other passengers and I get our things together to get off.

“I’m going to run to Giovanni's to grab something for dinner, any requests?” I ask, slipping into the aisle.

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