Page 114 of The Rebel Billionaire

It’s impossible to miss the dismissal.

I seriously hope my family aren’t seen this way. Although if my brothers behaved this way, Leah, April, and Pen, all of whom come from humble beginnings, would have something to say about it.

“I just wanted to come and say goodnight,” I say.

“You’re leaving already?” Sophia asks.

“Alex has offered to drive me back into the city. He’s apparently taking Aubrey home.”

“Is he now…” Sophia says, her eyes drifting towards the door, where he’s standing, waiting.

“I better go,” I say. “Thank you for a wonderful day.”

Sophia steps forward and pulls me in for a hug.

“Will you join us for New Year?” she asks.

“I…”

“Think about it.”

“Please do,” Gabbi says.

Alex appears at my side, his energy barely contained. “Are you ready?”

Edoardo pulls me in for a hug. “Lovely to meet you,” he says. “Safe trip home.”

“Thank you again.”

Enzo appears at my side, pulling me into a hug.

“Next time I’m on your team,” he says. “It was lovely to finally meet you. Don’t let my brother be a big bad wolf.”

Alex growls, making him hug me even tighter.

“Put my PA down,” he hisses at his brother.

He does as he’s told, but shoots me a conspiratorial wink.

“See you soon, Brooke.”

“Bye, Enzo. Lovely meeting you.”

Gabbi is next. “I wish you weren’t going. You’ve kept me sane,” she says against my ear.

“I’ll hopefully catch you soon. When do you head back to Italy?”

“Straight after New Year,” she says, her face dropping. “I’ll message you.”

“Coming?” Alex says, his patience clearly running thin.

“Absolutely.”

We exit quickly before anyone else can stop us, although the urgency is more his than mine. Here I’m a nobody, just a lowly PA. I wonder if they’d act differently if they knew who I really am? Of course they would. The thought makes me queasy. A realisation hits. I don’t want them to know. I’m enjoying being Brooke. No one is expecting anything of me, asking the impossible. I’ve shed the chains I’ve borne all my life. I don’t have to worry about expectations. People are free to choose if they like me. People like Gabriella. She’s chosen me, not because I’m wealthy and we’re from the same social circles, but because I’m someone she wants to spend time with.

Aubrey is waiting in the hallway. Her coat is already on, her Hermès bag draped over her forearm.

She turns and walks towards the door as we approach.