FREED (The Mind Of Her Billionaire, #3) Read online

‘I have.’

  ‘Make sure it’s expensive, Amelia’s paying,’ Kira added.

  Amelia decided not to respond. It was Kira, just the way she knew her, and besides, she had more important things to deal with. The meal went as it usually did when the four of them got together. Gary always defending Amelia from Kira, and Tate, sitting quietly, only answering to questions when needed to. It seemed to work just fine, and at the end of the meal Kira was right about one thing. Amelia dealt with the bill without question or hesitation; it was what happened when one had deep pockets. It didn’t bother her in the slightest, she enjoyed spoiling her friends, and it made her feel good. She took it as a blessing in disguise. Not the way she would’ve wished, but she realised that life couldn’t be perfect, it was up to her to take it as it came.

  There was no excuse for Tate to drive her home. For one, she had a driver, and the second reason was because she wasn’t drunk. But it didn’t stop him from walking her to the car.

  ‘Is everything okay?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, fine.’

  ‘You sure? You’ve been very quiet.’

  ‘Everything’s okay, don’t worry about me. I just want to make sure you’re okay.’

  ‘I’m fine, and thank you for caring.’

  He opened the door for her to get into the back seat of the black Jaguar. Before getting inside she leaned forward and kissed him gently on the cheek. He smiled reluctantly, it wasn’t what he wanted, but he never seemed to get what he wanted.

  ‘It was good to see you,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah, you too, I’ll see you at work?’

  ‘Not in the next few weeks, I’ve so much to do and I prefer working from home, it’s easier. There are a lot of whispers when I go in, I can feel it.’

  ‘People are just jealous.’

  ‘Whether that’s true or not, it affects the way I work.’

  ‘I get it, I’ll call you.’

  ‘Okay, goodnight Tate.’ She slid into the car.

  ‘Yeah, goodnight.’ He shut the door behind her, and watched the car drive away.

  Chapter Four

  The next few weeks were as busy as usual. Mandy ran around organising things, making sure Amelia showed up where she needed to, and on time. Rebecca had started to come in one day a week to help get things ready. She had an allowance to spend on the things Amelia wanted for the baby. It felt great having a team of people around her, if she didn’t, things would’ve been very difficult indeed.

  She’d boldly made the decision to see Justin again over the weeks, even though it was challenging. The more time she spent with him, the more she got to understand him. One afternoon, as they sat in the usual office, Justin given the special privileges, she asked him about the upcoming charity event.

  ‘Do I really have to go to this event?’ she asked him.

  ‘You do, it’s all about appearances. We have to be seen as giving a crap about charities.’

  ‘Do you?’ She had to know.

  ‘No, I don’t, but I do what’s expected of me.’

  She shuddered a little.

  ‘I think it’s hard trying to care when you don’t.’

  ‘That’s why you’ll be a perfect attendee.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘Because you care.’

  She laughed. He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  ‘Thank you for coming here, for spending time with me.’

  ‘Do you really mean that?’

  ‘Yes, actually I do. Do I feel anything special about it? Not really, but I know in your presence I feel things I’ve never felt before.’

  She nodded, it was comforting to hear.

  ‘Make sure you buy a painting or make a big donation,’ he said.

  ‘Like how much?’

  ‘As big as you can, the bigger the better.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really.’

  She nodded.

  ‘Did Suzanne give you a nice choice of dresses?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes she did, I like the one I’ve chosen.’ She hoped it didn’t need adjusting.

  ‘That’s great, she’s really good at what she does.’

  Amelia nodded.

  ‘How do you feel about the upcoming trial?’ she asked.

  ‘Fine.’ There was no expression on his face.

  She raised her eyebrows.

  ‘I don’t think they have much of a case,’ he said.

  ‘Why do you think that?’

  ‘My lawyer says, they’re grasping at straws.’

  There was an important question in her head that she wanted to ask, but didn’t dare to. Not only was she afraid of the answer, the answer could make the case against him stronger. Perhaps after the whole ordeal, she would ask him.

  ‘I really enjoyed this,’ she said after she’d heard the knock on the door.

  ‘Me too, same time next week?’

  She nodded.

  ‘Knock them out, at the event.’ He winked.

  ‘I hope to.’

  She was directed out of the building and as always a car was waiting outside for her. While she was driven home, she thought about him, about the visits. The more she saw him, the more she felt for him. It was like learning to love him all over again, but this time in a different way. She went over things in her mind, things she wanted to discuss with Doctor Gallagher. The decision she was going to make after the baby was born, was a big step, but it was a step in the right direction.

  The car parked outside the house, the driver opened the door and she stepped out. Mandy was at the door the moment she came in. There was a list of messages as long as her arm that had to either be returned or dealt with.

  ‘What’s the most important one?’ she asked as she headed for her office, and Mandy paced slightly behind her.

  ‘Jessica wants to know if she can go ahead with the final designs of the new logo, a decision is needed within the next half an hour.’

  Amelia nodded. Mandy went through the other things that needed sorting. Some things, Amelia asked her to sort out, the others she took control of.

  ‘Before you go, I need to ask you something,’ said Amelia.

  ‘Yes, Miss Woods.’

  ‘I wouldn’t normally ask this, but I need you to clear your Saturday next week.’

  There was a hint of disappointment in her expression, but she tried to hide it.

  ‘Will that be a problem?’ she asked.

  ‘No, of course not, I understand that the job comes with occasional weekends. I was just a little disappointed, because I will have to cancel a date.’

  ‘Bring your date along.’ Amelia smiled.

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Bring the lucky man, I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.’

  ‘Urm... I don’t think he’d want to come.’

  ‘Oh nonsense, you don’t even know where you’re going yet.’

  Mandy stood nervously, she wasn’t sure she wanted to bring her date along. A first date with her boss in view, wasn’t a good idea.

  ‘I have this charity event I must attend, and I’ve decided I don’t want to go alone. So as my personal assistant, I’d like you to come along. I could’ve asked my friend Kira, but it’s the kind of event that would drive her nuts. She hates all the pretence, I on the other hand have to do it. And she won’t understand it.’

  Mandy smiled.

  ‘Give Susanne a ring, and have her choose an outfit for you. I hope your date has a tux lying around somewhere in his closet.’

  ‘Oh, I wouldn’t know.’ She laughed nervously.

  ‘Oh, he has, every man has at least one suit in his closet.’

  ‘I guess so.’

  ‘Great, it’s going to be fun.’ Amelia smiled. ‘Oh... and could you book me in to see Doctor Gallagher?’

  ‘Certainly.’

  ‘Tomorrow if possible, slot me in at about three or three thirty.’

  ‘You have that booked in as “sitting in on team call.” ’

  �
�Cancel that, I’ll let Jessica know I won’t be on it. She’s quite capable. I can’t do everything, I guess.’ Amelia had tried to be in on the team meetings and calls, but she had to accept that she was no longer the team manager, instead she was a board member, and had to start acting like it more.

  ‘Yes, Miss Woods.’

  ‘Thanks, Mandy, I’ll be working in here all afternoon, and I will be diverting all calls to your number. As usual only important calls allowed through.’

  Mandy nodded and waited just incase there was anything else, Amelia needed.

  ‘That’s all for now, thanks.’

  Mandy left the room. Amelia picked up the phone and gave Jessica a call. They chatted a moment like old friends. They’d worked very closely together in the office, and it was nice for her to speak to her the way they used to. But soon it was back to business, and Amelia was back to being her boss. Jessica sent through the images of the new logo while they spoke, and Amelia studied them a moment.

  ‘I think they’re good to go,’ said Amelia. ‘I really like it, I think this logo will do better than the old one.’

  ‘Yeah, I quite agree.’

  They spoke a while longer, Amelia sent her apologies in advance for the team call. After everything was wrapped up, Amelia buried herself in work. She responded to some of the messages, and did what she had to.

  At six o’clock, Mandy put her head round the office to let her know she was leaving for the day. By the time Amelia was done, it was seven o’clock. She stepped out of the office and felt the loneliness. It was easy during the day, when she had people around, but at night, there was the emptiness she felt deep within.

  The light flutter in her stomach, reminded her that she wasn’t alone. She smiled and made her way to the kitchen. Food had been prepared for her by the chef. She took her time to warm the food and sort it on her plate. She took herself to the massive living room and decided to watch some television. It was the first night in a long time that she’d actually sat down. A rare night indeed, a night she was going to enjoy while she could.

  Chapter Five

  ‘It’s nice to see you again Amelia,’ said Doctor Gallagher as he got comfortable in his chair. ‘How are things?’

  ‘Still pretty busy, but it beats not doing anything at all.’

  He nodded.

  ‘I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I’ve been seeing Justin regularly.’

  ‘That’s a good thing, I hope.’

  ‘I’d say it is. I mean, there is so much going through my mind, this is the one reason I came to see you.’

  The doctor listened. That was his job, to listen and sometimes allow people to figure out their own problems. Sometimes he had to give them a little help.

  ‘I’ve come to the conclusion that this life, my life, isn’t just about me.’

  He sat up and listened carefully.

  ‘The more time I spend with him, the clearer it becomes.’

  ‘What, what becomes clear?’

  ‘The world is like a painting. Well that’s how I see it. It takes many parts to get to the full picture.’

  He nodded.

  ‘I realise that we’re all connected and that Justin is as much my responsibility as I am his.’

  ‘You are beginning to understand. We spend most our lives disconnected to others, and yet we need to learn from each other. Your connection with Justin, is vital for your child. Whether or not he or she’s like Justin.’

  ‘I’m having a boy.’ She beamed touching her tummy.

  ‘That’s lovely. I’m happy for you.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘This would sound strange to everyone but you. I’m sure you’ll understand what I’m about to say.’

  He nodded.

  ‘I know that my body is disgusting to him. He tries his hardest not to focus on it.’

  ‘Amelia, you are truly special to him. Know this.’ He leaned forward. ‘You are the spark that keeps him sane, even though it’s hard for him. A man like Justin wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you, even in a room full of guards. People like Justin, aren’t afraid of the consequences of their actions. It doesn’t scare them. I’ve seen men bite ears off people, stab them in the full view of everyone. Or go on a shooting spree in broad daylight! They are not afraid of the consequences, nor are they sorry.’

  She nodded.

  ‘I agree, this is why I want to reward him.’

  Doctor Gallagher sat forward. It had just got interesting to him.

  ‘Reward him, how?’

  ‘I’ve decided that after the baby’s born, I’m going back on diet and I’m going to start running again.’

  He listened.

  ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to go down to a ridiculous size that just doesn’t suit my body, but I’ll do that for him.’

  ‘You’re learning,’ he said. ‘You get it.’

  ‘I do. It’s the craziest thing I’ll do for someone.’

  ‘And yet it will be the most fulfilling. The most fulfilling parts of our lives are those moments when we choose to serve others. It takes strength, not weakness to do that. Most people will see it as you giving in, being a doormat, but I see it as unconditional love.’

  Amelia knew exactly what he meant. It didn’t feel like she was giving up anything. She wanted to do this, not just for him, but for their son.

  ‘Rewarding him in a positive way rather than allowing him to reward himself in a negative way, is a step in the right direction. His reward will be that you’re thinner and your reward will be that you’ve controlled how to do that. This is so important, if, and I’m only saying if your child is the same as Justin...’

  She nodded. She knew that what she was stepping into wasn’t going to be easy. But having this child, was the most important thing of her life. She wanted to give the child more than Justin was ever given.

  ‘...it would be easier to teach him that sooner rather than later. You really can’t change adults, with the exception of Justin. Perhaps everyone has a person that shines a light on their darkness. I guess not everyone has found it yet.’

  Amelia couldn’t really believe that those words were coming out of her mouth. It hadn’t been an overnight decision. It was something she’d taken time to think about long and hard. It was something she would dedicate herself too.

  ‘He might never get out of jail,’ said Doctor Gallagher.

  ‘I know, I’m aware of that.’

  ‘That means that, even though you’ve done for him, you still must do for yourself. You’ll have to think about what’s good for you. You’ll change your mind from time to time, and that’s okay. You might even try to love someone new.’

  There was a moment, a moment when Tate flashed in her mind, but it was only a moment. She knew she would never love him the way he deserved to be loved. He’d given her so much of himself, but she was never able to give back as much. Her heart belonged to Justin.

  ‘I don’t think I can look that far. There’s so much in my life right now. The business, the baby... it’s a lot.’

  ‘Remember to take care of number one. That’s you my dear.’

  She nodded.

  ‘Or else you’ll be good for no one.’

  ‘I agree, I do, I guess I’ll have to take it one step at a time.’

  ‘That’s the best way.’

  They chatted for a while longer, by the time Amelia left she was certain about what she wanted to do. She also felt right about her decision, all she wanted was a nod of approval to go forward with it.

  ‘All the best, Amelia. I think you don’t need me as much.’

  She understood that too.

  ‘There comes a point in ones life when therapy becomes a crutch. What you need now is to walk, walk on your own.’

  ‘If –’

  ‘Let’s cross that bridge if and when we get there.’ He knew what she was going to say. ‘Don’t make plans made on assumptions. Lets be certain first.’

  She nodded, he was right. There w
as no point making plans about something that hadn’t happened yet. There was still time, for all she knew, her son could be normal.

  ‘Thank you for your help, seeing you has really put things into perspective.’

  ‘You will do just fine.’ He smiled.

  *****

  The driver dropped Amelia outside the event. People from all over England had attended. She had to double check the invite just to remind herself of the event. She was greeted by an usher, asked her name and then she was directed to her table. Mandy had called to let her know they were running a few minutes late, her date had finished work later than expected. Amelia couldn’t wait for them to arrive, all the people that had attended this event weren’t people she knew, the majority of them knew Justin.

  ‘Miss Woods,’ said a man with white hair.

  Amelia looked up at him. He introduced himself as one of Justin’s business associates. Amelia stood up and they began to chat briefly. There was one thing she was good at, and that was talking business. It seemed the moment this man began to speak to her, more people came round and introduced themselves. To some she handed business cards, it was good networking, she also received business cards from them.

  Fifteen minutes later Amelia gazed at the entrance astounded. Mandy walked in with her date looking a little sheepish.

  ‘Miss Woods,’ Mandy greeted her.

  ‘Mandy,’ said Amelia.

  ‘Amy,’ said Tate.

  ‘Tate.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘I didn’t know you two were seeing each other.’

  ‘It’s just a date,’ said Mandy.

  ‘You don’t have to explain it to me,’ she said as she took her seat. ‘I’m happy for you, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work.’ The last part was hardly necessary, but there was something in Amelia that niggled at her slightly. Tate was her friend, he belonged to her, as if he were some kind of possession. She couldn’t help but feel that way, even though she knew that she would never give him what he wanted.

  The lights dimmed and soon the event begun. It was a little different to the last one she’d attended with Justin, but had the same vibe and the same caliber of people. Champagne and wine arrived and Tate helped himself to a glass. Mandy, on the other hand felt a little self conscious drinking in front of her boss.