Page 96 of A Temporary Forever

The evenings when I don’t perform can sometimes feel lonely, but I’m usually so tired I fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow.

And even when he’s not there, Caleb always sends me my favorite takeout or a bottle of wine. Or a gift. The man really has no spending brakes.

“I’m glad I have something to do,” Peter says as he pulls into the slow Manhattan traffic.

A pang of guilt swirls in my stomach. I’ve been complaining about being driven while I didn’t realize that Peter’s livelihood depends on it. Especially now when Caleb doesn’t use him as often as before.

“How long have you been working for Caleb?”

“Only a year, but I’ve known him for much longer.”

“How?” I perk up and lean forward. I don’t suppose Peter would betray Caleb’s trust and share much, but I don’t want to waste the opportunity to learn more about the man.

Peter flicks his gaze at me in the rearview mirror and then back to the road, shifting in his seat.

I guess I got excited too fast. I slide my butt back on the smooth leather and smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

Peter doesn’t acknowledge my apology, nor does he answer my question, which only piques my curiosity. But I don’t want to make him uncomfortable with my interrogation, so I pull my phone out to check my messages when he suddenly continues.

“Young Mr. van den Linden is a good man. He has a wild side to him, but neither he nor his brother are like their father.” His words are laced with contempt.

“You used to work for the senior.” It’s a statementas I read between the lines of what he said. “Did he fire you unjustly?”

“That’s not how he would see it.” Peter snorts. This is the first time he’s exhibited any emotions. The man is the epitome of stoicism.

“And Caleb found out and gave you an opportunity,” I conclude with certainty.

I’ve always thought it a rich boy's whim to be driven around, even though he doesn’t really need it in the city.

Especially since Caleb is a man who doesn’t mind taking an Uber. And he despises status because that’s the only thing his father values.

But employing a man who was probably abused by the older van den Linden and the power he loves to misuse, that’s a different story.

A story that spreads a warm feeling through me, leaving me oddly conflicted about everything Caleb.

“Yeah…” Peter looks like he wants to elaborate, but instead he studies me in the mirror while we wait on a red light. And then he decides, I think, that he can trust me. “One might think he does all the good deeds to spite his father. But every time I do the pharmacy pickups for their old housekeeper, she tells me stories from his childhood when he would fight for every bullied kid, bring home every stray pet, or help her behind his parents’ backs.”

As much as I would like to laugh at this, because the playboy I know doesn’t seem to bode well with the kind memories, I believe all of them.

But why does Peter… “You do pharmacy runs for their old housekeeper?”

“Only when Mr. van den Linden can’t.” Peter flinches. “I’m sorry, Mrs. van den Linden, I shouldn’t be talking about his personal business. My apologies.”

“I won’t tell on you, Peter, but I appreciate you sharing with me.”

It sheds more light on the man I married for a visa, crumbling my desperate efforts to keep my heart at arm’s length.

Cora added +212 658 7487 to this conversation

Saar

Who is that?

Cora

Lily. I hope you don’t mind.

“I’ll be right with you.” Cora hugs me when I enter the bistro.

---