Page 336 of Now and Forever

Chapter 123

Stella

“Welcome aboard. Who might you be and whose intimate room party should I escort you to?” A tall, tanned, emerald green-eyed man with careless sexiness and a potent dose of eight-pack abs glistened before me, curious to the newcomer. “Luca di Medici at your service,” he introduced himself.

Hold on. Did he just asking me if I was a prostitute? “I beg your pardon?” I questioned, aghast.

“Kosta is only allowing us a maximum of two personal guests. A man in love tends to forget how it is to party all weekend long.” Luca’s Italian accent made that swoony singsong tone which distracted me to no end. “Since you aren’t one of my women, I was asking if you’re Bertrand’s? Franco’s? Kensington’s? But I believe Callum’s booked.”

Booked?

“You mean Callum’s with his guests? Right now?” Uh, what the heck did I get myself into? I could’ve just stayed in London. I knew I should have, but… a big part of me wanted to see him. Now I wondered how much this careless action would cost me.

“He is and I believe most of the guests on board are going to dine in Monaco. They’re bound to leave soon,” Luca informed me as we descended the stairs of the helipad towards the second floor of the yacht.

Guess this was the right opportunity to tell him, since he was acting friendly and all…

“Well,” I said, pausing for effect. “Callum’s really not expecting me. I’m here as a part of Eleanor’s rescue mission to save her boss from being a pauper.”

Luca stopped as he reached the second floor while I halted a step behind him. He now looked suspicious, eyes a little more focused on me and too sharp for my liking. “Eleanor. Right, of course.” He cocked his head my way, eyes pinched to the sides as he looked doubtful at me. “And who might you be? I forgot to get your name.”

That made me swallow nervously since my throat suddenly felt parched. “I’m Stella,” I whispered, smiling nervously. “Stella von Berg.”

Luca’s emerald eyes grew like saucers. Lips formed into a big O before he nodded his head as if he understood everything. “You’re the child.”

What child?

Confused, I looked at him in question. “Sorry, I don’t follow—”

“Callum calls you that. So we all call you with that cute pet name.” He grinned at me, now comfortable that he knew who I was.

Somehow, the last thing I wanted to do was smile.

The child.

That alone explained a lot as to how he saw me.

In his eyes, I would always be one. Best I accepted that now. Well, I suppose I should be grateful since I wasn’t planning on doing anything with the man. After this little jaunt, I was homeward bound. Away from Callum and his tootsies.

I hadn’t even seen him, but knowing that he was somewhere in this massive yacht had already had an intense effect on me. I was tense, skittish and furious at the same time.

For the entire journey here, I had coached myself to remain calm and act as if he didn’t matter to me because, at the end of the day, I was the one poised to get hurt, not him.

“Let’s get you in the salon while I figure out how to squeeze you in.”

Right.

Luca barely delivered me to the salon before he disappeared, but after a couple of minutes, I heard the choppy-slashing sound of a helicopter from upstairs.

A crewmember immediately sought for my needs, giving me refreshments and snacks while I waited for Luca’s return.

It was then that there were sounds of choppers flying in and out a few times as I snacked on some mini sandwich wraps.

“I’m afraid I just missed him. I’ve been calling him, but his phone is shut off.” He frowned, texting and then trying to call him again.

“Aren’t you supposed to be with your dates?” I eyed him, wondering.

“Let’s just say I’m good for the weekend.” His wicked grin was instantly back in its place.

---