“I can’t allow anyone up without calling through first.”
“But I wanted to surprise him.” I pout my lips, not enough to look bratty but enough to make her feel bad.
She chews on the side of her cheek, unsure. “Where is Vinny now?”
“In the car.” I turn and look back through the foyer, trying to see if he is outside.
“I saw him pull up before,” she tells me. “If you didn’t have Vinny’s card I wouldn’t let you up.” She nods to the elevators, smiling. “Go.”
“Thank you so much!”
“If you get me fired.” She laughs, shaking her head
“Then we’ll blame Vinny.” I wink, rounding the desk and walking over to the elevators.
I stop to show my card to the guard, and he gives me a nod. I step inside and wait for the doors to close, and as the doors begin to slide shut, my brain decides to backtrack. My palms feel damp, and my legs don’t feel like my own.What am I doing?
The lift continues to rise for what feels like forever. It has me panicking that it could be broken, but once we hit the seventy-eighth floor, it slows, and the doors slide open. I pull back my shoulders and draw in a deep breath as I step out, knowing that if I stop to think about how I look or if I should even be here, then I will end up leaving.
The reception area is clinical with stark white minimalistic furniture. It’s how I imagined it to be, but it also isn’t. Maybe I am naive and sheltered, but this isn’t the norm. Mason has a lot of money.
I move my eyes from the small seating area, and oh, what would you know, females. Two women sit behind a tall multi-levelled desk. I can only make out their heads from here, but they seem to be engrossed in something in front of them, laughing loudly with one another.
I use the opportunity to quickly scan the area, sussing out where Mason’s office would be. I’m presuming it’s behind the glass wall at my left, and going with my gut, I stalk towards the door.
“Excuse me!” they shout.
I turn towards the reception desk, the two women now glaring at me. They’re both beautiful and immaculately dressed—it does not surprise me one bit.
“You’re not going in there.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t need an appointment, I will just be a minute.” I smile, trying to keep them on the side. I can see them both judging me with their catty stares.
“Mr Lowell is busy, and he doesn’t have any time in his schedule today. You will have to leave, or I will call security.” She raises a perfectly sculpted brow, looking down her nose at me.
I walk over and show her the card Vinny gave me, and as if they planned it, they turn to each other and laugh in unison.
“Hey, nice bracelet. I did okay with that one, huh? The other things not quite to your fancy, princess? I don’t get paid to run around London after you but don’t sweat it; Mason makes it well worth my while.” She lifts the phone to her ear. “Security.”
Hurt rips through me as the realisation of her words sink in.
This woman bought this?
Was she with him on Saturday?
Bile rises in my throat, but I force it down on a deep swallow, not allowing her to see my reaction. It’s what she wants.
“That won’t be necessary, Amber.” Elliot’s voice rings out behind me, barely registering past the whirling in my ears.
He puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side.
“It’s Alice,” she corrects.
“It’s irrelevant,” he states, sounding every bit the boss he dresses to be. “Add Miss Anderson to the list. She can come up here anytime she likes.”
They look at me dumbfounded, both of their eyes pinching in the corners as Alice starts tapping on her keyboard.
“You going in, Pixie?” Elliot says, directing me away from the desk. “Lowell didn’t mention you were coming.”
