Page 153 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

Chapter 39

The knock on thehotel suite door prompts me to stand up as Rick goes over to check the peephole and open the door. Catalina’s arrival had already been announced when reception downstairs called just some minutes ago, and I instructed them to send her up.

Asher and I only arrived in New York this morning with Rick in tow and plan to stay just the night as we have a full schedule of recordings in LA this week.

After several series of discussions with the guys, especially reprimanding Haze, who’s already made plans to renovate Terra Sands to fit all of us without my consent, it was decided that we would be moving back to my place as soon as we’ve finished recording the album.

While I already made my decision even before our yacht adventure, I was still pissed off with Haze for going behind my back and starting discussions with building engineers about taking my home apart. Just for ego’s sake, I’ll let him grovel for a few more days until I ‘officially’ forgive him.

Starting this new chapter with the guys also means I will no longer need Catalina. Plus, I’m pretty upset with her lacing my teas over the years, which I still have not addressed her about it, and maybe I won’t either. I don’t see the need to start an argument with her about it since I’m already letting her go. The guys also were never keen on her, and I don’t think they would have been happy living under the same roof with a self-proclaimed witch who secretly laces people’s food and drinks with barbituates!

“Rick and I will step outside the suite,” Asher announces and leans over to leave a peck on my cheek as we both move to greet Catalina. “If you need anything, we’re only a step outside.”

I nod nervously and watch him make his way to the entrance. Other than Oliver Jones, I’ve never had to fire anyone before, so I’m not sure how it’s done. I’ve practiced this discussion in my head a million times on the flight, but now, as I see Catalina enter the suite, I’m unsure if anything I prepared is the correct way to do it.

She walks up and gives me a warm hug. I ask her if she wants anything to drink and she points at the small bottles of mineral water on the silver tray on the coffee table. I open one, pour it into a glass, and hand it to her.

We both sit on the couch, and I turn my body to face her.

“How have you been?” I ask, keeping whatever nervous vibes I have hidden.

“I’m good. Missing Terra Sands, of course. And you?” she eyes me closely. “But I’m guessing this visit isn’t a friendly call or to ask me to return, is it?”

Always cutting to the chase.

She’s always been direct with me and has had this no-frills approach to how she carries herself.

I look at the two manilla files on the table. One is for her, and the other was the report Haze had Rick conducted on Catalina’s legal history.

There isn’t anything for me to be super worried about. The woman has been living with me since I was 14 years old. Anything I need to know about her, I already do. But she never talks about her past, so while I knew she was a widow, she never disclosed that she became one ten days before she started employment with me.

Nor did she ever mention that her husband had been the victim of a fatal robbery on his way home from work. The robbery doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. We’re both from Brownsville, Brooklyn’s most notorious neighborhood with alarming crime rates, which puts Downtown LA’s crime rates to shame. But had I known this, I would have given Catalina time to mourn, not stick her on a plane to travel with me, touring across America and Europe as soon as she was hired.

“Catalina, you’ve been with me for over a decade. You’ve seen me through some of the best and worst moments of my life. You stuck by me through treacherous times, even when you knew you could have endangered yourself being associated with me. Wonderfulpeople don’t come along that often in my life, but you did, and I’m thankful for it.”

I pick up the manilla file closest to me.

“I want you to know how much I appreciate and love you. That’s why I did this.”

I hand it to her, and she takes it, confused, and opens it up.

“I don’t understand. What is this?” She asks, looking through all the documents.

“I bought you a house. It’s all yours. The deeds are in your name.”

“In Plainview?”

“Isn’t that where you told me you’re staying on Long Island with your sister?” I look at her, a little confused. “Of course, I don’t have her exact address, but the real estate agent said it’s a lovely area to live, and I thought you might want to retire near her.”

“Retire?” she looks at me shocked.

“Catalina, you’re only a few years away from official retirement age. Take it a little earlier and enjoy it with your loved ones.”

“And you?”

“I’ll return to Terra Sands after we finish the album.”

“With them?” she castes me a frown filled with disappointment.

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