Page 28 of His Curvy Castaway Obsession - A Man Who Knows What He Wants

But Michael’s not going to let that happen, I can see that too.

“I’d like to meet your dad, Zoe,” he says thoughtfully, “I think he and I have something to square up, right before he helps me do a little housekeeping of my own, if he’s up for it.”

I’m not sure what he means, but I feel a spasm of fear at the thought of my dad coming face to face with the head of Parker Global, the very institution that ruined him, in his mind.

I gulp down one fear and take a shaky breath in as I feel the next one rising.

My boss, Ranka.

Even without Michael, before anything else happened, I’d already decided to quit waitressing. I’m sick of doing what feels bad all the time, life’s about living and I intend to start living, doing only what feels good from now on.

As if reading my mind again, Michael hands me my cell and a cable jacked into the console, so I can recharge it.

“Call whoever you have to, Zoe. But I’d like to keep you for the rest of today though, if that’s alright.”

I smile nervously, really feeling I need to see my dad. A phone call about what’s happened won’t cut it, not with him

Especially not with… oh god… what am I going to do?

Wishing I’d maybe stayed in my snuggly robe, I imagine I could have got Michael to drop me off on the roof of my apartment building, that way I can just pull the shutters down, go back to bed and hopefully wake up with him next to me, without anything else I have to deal with.

But Michael’s still holding my hand, giving me an intense look as I wind myself up internally with a whole bunch of what if’s.

“It’ll be alright, Zoe. I know it will. Call your dad and see if he’s home. I’d like to stop by there as soon as we can, and don’t worry about your boss. I can take care of that one if you don’t want to make the call.”

I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders at that, but the panic’s rising now about Michael meeting my dad.

“Maybe we can see dad some other time?” I suggest. But Michael’s face is set, he’s determined.

“I have something I need to ask him anyway, hey? Remember when I said to trust me?” He asks and I nod without having to think.

“I trust you,” I tell him, and he leans in to kiss me, bumping our mouthpiece microphones as he does.

“Then call your dad, he’ll be worried. I have some calls to make too.”

I start to see a side of Michael that’s the same for him seeing me as a waitress, I guess. He’s sliding into business mode, calling people, fielding questions, giving orders.

He’s nice about it though, but definitely has an aura of confidence, of conviction about him that I can tell everyone who works for him respects.

When he asks people to do stuff, they agree, they really want to help him. It’s totally different to what I’m used to seeing in my world, where people talk down at you, barking orders and giving you next to nothing in return.

With Michael, everyone’s got his back, that’s the feeling I get.

I’ve got his front though… remember that people. His front belongs to me now.

The sea becomes the city below us again, and from the private cabin on board I look down, thinking about so many things, wondering if it’s all so simple. If everything really will work out just fine.

After procrastinating as long as I can, and getting a few suggestive glances from Michael, I call my dad.

And just like I knew it, he’s worried sick. Ranka called, telling him I never checked back in from a job on the boat. Dad being dad put two and two together once he saw the news, but can’t believe it.

Doesn’t want to believe it.

“Just tell me you’re safe honey. That’s all that matters… and come home, please. Come home for good. I don’t like this, you being out there in the world… especially working for those assholes. I know you need money honey, but seriously… Parker Global? What were you thinking?”

On and on he goes. It’s like a broken record with him as soon as the ‘P’ word comes up, he’s off and I have to make excuses to get off the phone. I’ve let him know I’m safe, but I feel different about things now, about everything. My life’s changed overnight and even though some might say I only have a billionaire on my arm to back that claim up, I do feel different. I’m a woman now, and Michael’s my man.

“Zoe? Please. Can you stop worrying… you’re making my head ache,” Michal smiles at me as he packs away his laptop, checking his watch.

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