Page 77 of Dr. CEO (The Doctors)

Vincent

Running at Crompton is a newfound passion. And in the heat of the summer, the only time to run is the mornings. I’ve settled into a routine of sorts where I get up with Kate when she leaves to go back to her place at around five. At that hour, the air is still cool and fresh, and I get the entire place to myself. No gardeners. No tourists. The flower gardens will close at the end of the summer season in two weeks, and they won’t reopen until they’re relocated to the edge of the hotel property.

But today is the last morning of my routine. Today I move out because demolition is starting and the foundations for the extensions are being dug. I’m staying over the pub for a few days before a property in the village becomes available. Molly arranged it all. I haven’t even seen the new place. I’m heading back to the house, spinning through ideas for where I’ll run tomorrow, when I see someone up ahead. As I get closer, I recognize Basil. He’s up early.

“Good morning, Basil.”

He stands from where he was kneeling on the ground and tips his hat at me. “I heard you wanted the jasmine from the front of the house removed. I thought I’d do it early so I don’t disturb people coming and going.”

“That’s very considerate of you, Basil.”

“Oops,” he says, spotting a stray leaf. He bends and scoops it from the gravel then straightens, closing his eyes. “The first yellow leaf. Autumn is on its way. It always starts here by the house,” he says. “You never need a calendar at Crompton, sir. You just need to pay attention to what the estate tells you.” He nods. “But you’ll find that out for yourself over the years.”

Instinctively, I start to say I won’t be here over the years. I stop myself because I don’t actually know when I’m leaving. We’ve had planning permission. We’ve appointed the main contractor. Michael is working together with the project manager and will be leading the workstream heads. Everything is running on rails.

I’m not needed here.

So what am I doing? Why am I staying?

Everything feels so comfortable.

Having my family nearby.

Kate.

It all feels good—too good.

I like it here. I’m getting attached. This is not what was meant to happen. I don’t get attached. To anything or anyone. Ever. That’s how my life is. That’s how I survive.

“I guess so,” I reply and then point my thumb at the house. “Gotta take a shower. Catch up with you later.”

I take the stairs with thoughts tunneling through my brain.

I’m busy. But I could be busy anywhere.

This is my investment, so I could pretend I’m here just to make sure everything goes smoothly. But I have investments all over the world.

Fact is, I like it here. I like being here with Kate. Waking up with her, having dinner with her, stealing kisses during the day when no one’s looking. Getting her naked at night.

My need for the next thing, the next project, the next challenge has cooled.

I’m getting attached.

To Crompton.

To my life here.

To Kate.

The realization turns my blood to ice and my heart claws to get out of my chest. I can’t do this. I can’t let myself worry about losing something or someone. I vowed to myself I would never let that happen again. Not again.

I get to the top of the stairs and pull out my phone. I make a call.

“It’s late,” Simon says.

I ignore him. “What’s happening about the Arizona thing?”

He sighs. “It might be happening. It might not. Things have stalled.”

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