Page 10 of Wicked Proposal

“Hm,” her head cocks to the side. “Once or twice, I believe.”

My arms thread through hers and I hug her this time.

“I love you. Thank you for being here for me.” I declare. Fast friends, just like I always thought.

I release her and she stands tall, a bright smile pulling at her lips, “Always. Now…” she swiftly turns from me and puts my handbag in my hands. “Get out of here. I’ll hold the fort. Ring me when you’re on the way back, and I’ll make sure the wine is chilled.”

“You got it.” I attempt to smile at her, but I’m sure if I look in a mirror, it’s more of an anxious grimace.

I tug the chained strap of my Louis Vuitton bag onto my shoulder, taking in a deep breath. “Troy Parker can look out.” I say on an exhale.

“That’s my girl.”

I nod my head at her with a little more determination than I had ten minutes ago and spin around. With firm steps, I make my way out of the door.

As I leavethe gallery and cross the pavement, I take careful steps in my Jimmy Choo’s, uncurling my fingers from around my car keys and unlock my Ford Focus, which sits at the curb in my designated spot. Sliding inside, I press the button to start the engine and smoothly pull out into the morning traffic. My head is a mixture of positive and negative thoughts as I hit the motorway, but I can’t let those blind me. I need to concentrate on getting to the solicitors.

From the age of seventeen, when Troy Parker waltzed into my life, something stirred deep down inside of me. If I’m being totally honest, he’s never really left me. I need to rid Troy Parker from all my thoughts. I can’t walk in there being anything but confident because otherwise, he’ll pick up on it and use it to his advantage. Just seeing him in the hospital the night dad died, I could tell he was a different man from when I left, but then I’m a different woman. He won’t fool me so easily now.

The journey is quick. I park the car in the car park of the cemetery. I’ve decided to make a detour, it’s only five minutes from the lawyer’s office. I grab the bunch of flowers and my bag from the passenger seat, wanting to stop by and see Dad first. I lock up the car, crossing the car park onto the path where my dad's plot is. We had him cremated, so there’s not a big area to leave flowers but there is an urn.

Once I reach his grave I squat down and take out the small urn and place it on the ground while I dig out a small bottle of water from my handbag. Once it’s filled with water, I break the stems and place them in carefully, one by one. “Hey Dad. It’s weird, it’s only been a few weeks and I miss our dinners already.” I’m not sure I can say I miss him, seeing as we were just getting back to being a father and daughter again. But I do. “I wish we’d had more time. If only you’d told me, huh?”

It’s funny how you miss the simple things.

When all the flowers are in the urn, I put the cap back on the bottle and pick up all the broken stem ends, cupping them in my hand. I sigh, I know I can’t drag this out any longer, I have to get to the lawyer’s office. If Troy has any of my dad’s ways, he won’t be happy with me being late and I’m sure my dad will punish me in some way, if he’s looking down on me.

With my free hand I lift my fingers to my lips, kissing them lightly then blow it into the air. “Love you, Dad. See you soon.”

With a heavy sigh, I turn around and walk back down the path, throwing the stem off cuts into the bin as I pass by and unlock the car. I try not to think of what would unfold at the lawyer’s office but I’ll sure as hell give Troy a run for his money. I’m ready to face whatever is thrown at me.

* * *

My hands wringin my lap as Henry Chester, Dad’s lawyer, reads the legal part of my dad’s last will and testament while my knee bounces nervously. Troy and his constant side glances are starting to fucking annoy me.

“Right, let's get to the important part, shall we?” The lawyer says as his glasses sit on the end of his nose, and he looks down at the document in his hand.

“So, Mr Parker…” His eyebrows lift as he glances over the top of his specs, “We’ll do you first.”Why him?I blow out a very conservative sigh, I don’t want to show my frustration, but I’ve been here over an hour and I’m ready to leave. “So, you are left with the house, the cars in the garage, and also the business, Lancaster Incorporation of which you’re a partner, is now solely in your name and any other monies available.”

My teeth clamp together causing my breathing to quicken. I fight back my tears, balling my fists in my lap.

“Emily,” Troy sighs. My hand goes up in defence to stop him from saying anything else. I don’t need his sympathy. His eyes are fixed on me. I won’t lose it here.

“Are you sure that’s right? Everything has been left to me?” Troy asks. I mean, giving him more credit than he’s due, he does sound a little confused.

“Yes Mr Parker, everything. Everything but a trunk.” He addresses me next, “Ms Lancaster, you have a trunk that was your mothers I believe. It’s at your father’s house and you can pick it up there.”

“Thanks,” I reply in a snarky tone. “Do you mean the house I grew up in?” My voice thick with emotion as silent tears trickle down my cheeks. So much for not losing it.

“Yes.” Henry replies as I sniff back my tears and swallow past the huge lump that is lodged in my throat and stand. “Is that everything?” I ask pressing the side of my finger beneath my eye to catch any tears that may fall. Henry stands with me and holds out a box of tissues, offering them to me. I glance at him, then take one from the box, meekly thanking him.

The lawyer's eyes are full of pity as they meet mine before scanning the rest of the document. “You know what?” I stop him going any further. “Forget it. I don't want to know. I’ve been pulled away from work for this so anything you need to add to my mediocre list of inheritance, send it in a letter.”

Snatching my handbag from the chair, I tug it roughly onto my shoulder and close the short distance to the door.

“Emily, wait.” Troy calls after me, but I’m not stopping for anyone. Least of all him. I carry on walking right through the office and past the secretary at the front desk, keeping my head down all the way until I step outside. Well, until I feel his hand on me. Whirling around like I’m ready to attack, I come face to face with Troy. “Take your hand off me.”

“We need to talk about this?” I expect his face to be cold, laced with the lack of emotion he's always shown, but there is something else in his eyes. Whatever it is, I’m not letting up.

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