Page 50 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
"Okay, I'm intrigued! In any case, I'm looking forward to experiencing such a trip with you."
"In the future, we'll be traveling a lot. I need to handle several negotiations with buyers. Asian cuisine especially is becoming more and more popular."
"If I decide to stay after the trial week," I remind him, which makes Gabriel smile gently.
"Right.If." He lifts his glass of water and toasts me. I do the same and take a sip. "Tomorrow I'll train you. Just be ready by nine so we can drive to the company."
"Okay. I can do that."
"I have another important appointment, but I'll handle that on my own. In the meantime, feel free to look around the house, try things out, eat, drink, borrow books from the library, check out the cinema room, or take a bath. Whatever you want."
Did he just saylibrary?
"When will you be back?"
"In about an hour. Maybe two. But the evening is all yours."
"Can I do anything else for you? Or prepare something for you tomorrow morning so you can sleep in?" As a personal assistant, I should really start right away and make things easier for him.
"Surprise me." Gabriel gets up and starts to clear the table, but I stop him.
"I’ll take care of it. You go to your appointment, and I'll explore the house, snoop around a little, and make sure I put together a plan for tomorrow morning, so you get something decent to eat.Monkfish and confections are probably beyond me, but I’m sure I can manage a few boiled eggs."
"Boiled eggs?" Gabriel grins.
"Rock-hard boiled eggs. Maybe even still a little raw. We'll see. Let's be surprised."
"Okay." Gabriel leaves the dishes where they are and says goodbye. "If anything comes up..."
"I’ll be fine."
"If my sister shows up, you have my number. Please call me right away if she brings Rosie, okay?"
"I will."
Gabriel leaves through a side entrance that connects to the garage—where no fewer than six cars are parked. He takes one of the sports cars and drives off. And here I am. Alone in a luxury mansion.
Gabriel’s luxury mansion.
Alone with myself. Alone with my thoughts.
Alone with a library. My book-loving heart leaps. Well then, I’ll have a look around, unpack my things afterward, take a bath, and later try to get some sleep.
Chapter 12
Gabriel
What a coincidence that I prepared this particular menu today. It's never wrong to make a good impression on someone. Especially when that someone is my new assistant. My new personal assistant, to be precise.
"Hey," I record in a voice message to Steven while driving to my mother's house. "Just wanted to let you know that Kim is at my place. She brought some luggage and is now alone in the mansion. I'm visiting my mother. If anything comes up, just call. Tomorrow morning I'll bring Kim to work to show her everything. Friday I'll fly to Rome as planned." I send the message and concentrate on the drive.
Whenever I set out to visit my mother, a leaden heaviness settles over my heart. I need these minutes in the car, alone with myself and my thoughts, before I can muster the strength to visit her.
When I open the gate via remote control, I drive onto the secured property. Only a small light burns on the ground floor, which I can clearly see from outside. The exterior lights switch on immediately as I approach. The groundskeepers have done an excellent job. Everything looks well-maintained and orderly. I briefly look around and then go to the front door, take out my key, and unlock it. In the hallway, the light automatically switches on, as I'm used to.
“It’s me. Gabriel. Today is Sunday. It’s already 10:17 PM. End of September. Outside it’s still warm during the day, but in the mornings, late evenings, and at night it gets really cold. The sky is clear though, so you can see the stars.” I smile faintly. “I wish you could see them.”
I swallow hard and take a deep breath.
