Page 109 of Endgame

‘Yes, Hugh,’ he says on cue and we both erupt with laughter.

‘So, the reason I called. This house Ariella wants.’

‘What house?’

‘Caleb. If she’s not telling you that she’s leaving in two weeks, not going back to her parents and is quietly looking for a home, she’s building a new life without you. Things are really bad. If you remember, that’s how my story ended. All you’re missing is a sticky note.’

‘Shit.’

‘Yes, shit. I’ve had a quick look. There’s a house in Richmond that fits her criteria perfectly but it’s not for rent, it’s for sale. Shall I buy it?’

‘Can I afford it? Without having to sell a major organ?’

‘It’ll mean a chunky mortgage, but yes.’

‘Buy it. Tell her she can stay for free. If she does that “I want to pay my own way” nonsense that she does, rent it to her. I’ve been returning all her rent since Jack moved in anyway so she won’t be squeezed in two places.’

‘Got you. On it. Ariella can be challenging, but please try to fix things with her if you can or you’ll regret it.’

I hang up, once again thankful that Jasper and I have somehow managed to forge a solid friendship from a relationship that saw us start as adversaries. Regardless of how I’m feeling, I hold on to his advice and commit to try. Then I hear her feet coming up the stairs. As soon as our eyes meet, I know she’s planning to turn round.

‘Please don’t leave,’ I beg as I open my arms. As soon as she steps in between them, I know we are going to be okay.

It takes a while to accept that I’m not going to be as present as I want to be for Ariella and the baby, so I spend the next few days plotting to be as involved as possible.

Ariella, since our chat, has been unusually subdued.

When the official line that she has decided to leave her role in the company to start a new chapter of her life was released, the farewell dinner, drinks and party proposals from her clients, business networks and industry associations came in thick and fast.

Lydia declined every single one at her request, but invited them all to one large drinks and casual dinner reception to say goodbye. Not only did Samir approve the budget immediately, he sent personal invitations out to everyone himself.

Trolls online didn’t disappoint. The predominant rumour was that Dominic was getting rid of her because she wouldn’t sleep with him. For once, they weren’t too far off the mark.

The team could not have planned a more fitting departure for her. The evening was short, from seven to nine. The food and drink was from the best Singapore had to offer, and she wasn’t required to speak. Samir gave a surprisingly hilarious and unexpectedly moving tribute, labelling her the quietest but most formidable battle he’d ever had to fight. Dominic said a few words, admitting that her leaving was a greater loss than any of us could imagine.

Ariella spent the entire evening having quiet conversations with everyone who wanted one, before slipping away without fanfare at half past eight. If she thought she was going to have a quiet night after that, she was mistaken. The guys turned up at our home after the party and we had our own celebration until the wee hours.

The next day, thinking things may have thawed, I request holiday days to fly out with her, but they are declined. Samir couldn’t look me in the eye when I challenged him on it. He knows it’s bullshit. So I do the next best thing.

‘Christopher,’ I say into my laptop screen.

‘Caleb. How can I help?’ He’s curt.

‘I’m about to ask you for some favours and I need you not to say no.’

‘I’m not sure you deserve any favours, Caleb. Dominic told me what you did. I’d have put up a fight for you if this wasn’t your second known incident.’

‘Did Dominic tell you he kicked out Aari’s housekeeper and held her hostage in his house?’

‘Well, not in those terms – he said he wanted to have a private conversation and there was a huge misunderstanding.’

‘There was no misunderstanding.’

‘Did he open the door when you pressed his bell?’

‘Yes, but?—’

‘It doesn’t sound like he was holding her hostage, Caleb.’

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