FREED (The Mind Of Her Billionaire, #3) (3 page)

She pressed a few buttons on the phone while keeping him on hold.

‘Mandy,’ she said after the woman had picked up. Mandy sounded quite chirpy.

‘Could you remind me what’s in my diary for tomorrow.’

‘Yes, yes of course,’ she said catching her breath. ‘Urm...’ She scanned through the iPad. ‘Interviews for an Au pair at eleven and then you have your business meeting scheduled for two thirty. Later you have dinner with friends.’

‘Yes, urm, Gary’s birthday,’ she said. ‘Could you ring Jessica and ask her to chair the meeting instead. She knows what it’s about. I’ll be going to see Justin instead.’

‘Yes, will do.’

‘Thank you.’ She switched the line back to Justin. ‘Sorry about that, had to juggle a few things about.’

‘That’s okay, so what’s the verdict.’

‘I shall see you tomorrow at about two o’clock.’

‘That’s fantastic.’ He sounded genuinely pleased.

Amelia wondered if he’d feel the same way after he saw her. There was no telling what he would feel.  They spoke a little longer, and then it was time for her to ring off and get to the conference call. It had been a long day already, but as she rang in and joined the call, it was like the day had just begun.

****

‘L
et’s go in my car, you get to be normal again,’ said Tate.

‘Things are never going to be normal again for me,’ she said.

‘But they can be today, in this moment.’ He grinned as he opened the door to his car.

‘Fine,’ she said and wiggled into the passenger seat.

He walked round to the driver seat, gave her a wink then started the car.

‘You really didn’t have to do this, you know.’

‘I know, but I want to.’

There was a moments silence between them. Amelia’s mind was filled with the thoughts of the visit. There was a part to her that was looking forward to it, looking forward to seeing him, his lovely grey eyes and his gorgeous face. But there was the part of her that was dreading it. She had ballooned and she knew it was the one thing he despised.

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I overheard Mandy booking your diary for a visit to Justin.’

She bit back her lip, she wasn’t sure if she was irritated or bored of the same conversation. She looked at him a moment and wondered why he was so obsessed with the whole relationship. At some point, he’d have to let her go completely.

‘What do you want to know?’ She knew there was no fighting this, even if she wanted to, and besides, she wasn’t in the mood.

‘Why, I want to know why you’re going to see him?’

Amelia pushed her head back into the seat. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. It was never going to change with Tate.

‘Because I love him,’ she said.

He was quiet for a moment.

‘Take the motorway into Leeds, I’m going to the private Leeds hospital for my scan.’

He nodded, still unhappy with the answer she’d given him.

‘You have to understand that it’s complicated. I know you think I should never see him again, after what he put me through, but the fact of the matter remains, that I still like him.’

‘I’ll never understand that.’

‘You don’t have too, it’s not about you, it’s about me and this baby.’ She rubbed her tummy gently.

He bit back his lip and shook his head.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I totally appreciate your friendship and what you’ve done for me, but I can’t switch off my feelings for him. I struggle everyday with the anger and bitterness, and yet there is a side to me that understands.’

‘I don’t understand how you can love someone who’s a killer. He hurt you!’

‘That’s were you’re wrong.’

‘Wrong about what? The killer part or the love part?’

‘There are things you don’t know about Justin, that I do.’

‘I see, so the fact you know things about him, excuses him from the fact he put you through hell.’

‘Why are you here, why are you doing all this if what I do bothers you so much!’ It was beginning to get on her nerves and her raging hormones weren’t helping.

‘I’m sorry, I just can’t wrap my head around it. I mean, he’s an evil man.’

Amelia wasn’t getting through.

‘I have a car, I could’ve done this without the stress. I don’t need this.’ She took in deep breaths.

‘You’re right, I’m sorry.’ He bit back the words that were urging to come out.

It didn’t matter what he said, or how he put it to her, she wasn’t going to change her mind about Justin. The next thirty minutes were restrained. Amelia wished she’d had the driver take her instead. Defending her relationship to Tate was getting exhausting. The man had given her control of his assets, and she knew things about him, that no one, except Doctor Gallagher, knew. She wasn’t going to turn her back on him, even though it frightened her to death.

They arrived at the hospital with little said between them. He clicked off the seatbelt and turned to her.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said.

Amelia looked at him not sure whether or not to believe him. He’d been saying sorry more times than she’d cared to remember, and things still hadn’t changed.

‘Amy?’

‘You’ve been sorry a lot of times. It’s getting old.’

‘If you can find it in your heart to forgive him, surely you can forgive me.’ He tried to sound light about it.

‘I don’t...I don’t....you know what, I’ve got to get to my appointment.’ She opened the door.

He opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. Instead he stepped out of the car and followed her into the hospital. They were greeted by the friendly staff and quickly shown to the room where the ultra sound would take place.

‘Are you dad?’ asked the Sonographer.

‘No, just a close friend,’ he said.

They got as comfortable as they could, as soon as Amelia saw her baby on the screen all the anger disappeared. Everything that seemed to matter disappeared, and all that mattered was the little human growing inside of her.

‘Everything is looking good,’ said the woman kindly.

Amelia felt her heart flutter. She hoped that was a good thing all around. At least physically everything was looking good. She looked up at Tate and smiled. He smiled back and took her hand and gave it a gentle rub. She had to admit that she was grateful that he was with her, it would’ve been hard doing it all alone.

‘Would you like to find out the sex of the baby?’ she asked.

Amelia nodded, she wanted to know. At her first scan it had been too early to know, and she’d had a lot going on, but this one was more relaxed, and she was more in-tune with her body.

‘I would like that very much.’

The woman smiled as she pressed against her stomach. At times the pressure made Amelia feel as though she would wee at that very moment.

‘You’re having a boy,’ she said gently. ‘You’re having a baby boy.’

‘A boy!’ Her body covered with goose bumps. ‘I’m having a baby boy.’

Just knowing that fact made everything real.

‘Wow!’ Tate was speechless. The whole atmosphere wasn’t anything he’d ever experienced.

‘Have you thought about any names?’ The woman pressed on the machine and printed a picture for her to take home.

‘Yes, Gabriel, I’ve always wanted to name my child Gabriel, for a girl, Gabriella.’

‘Very nice.’

‘I’m hoping I’m going to have an angel.’ She was really hopeful about that, more than any of them realised.

‘I’m sure he will be. Children are products of their parents. How we raise them is important.’

Amelia nodded even though she begged to differ. On some level the woman was right, but what if that was taken out of the parents hands. What if the child was not like other children, then what?

‘Are there any questions?’ she asked.

The questions Amelia had were not the questions the woman could answer. Only time would be able to answer the questions she had. After she’d cleaned up and picked up her picture, she was ready to just have a relaxing evening to herself.

‘Thanks for taking me today,’ she said as he pulled up in front of the huge drive. ‘It was nice having you there.’

‘I’m glad you let me. And I’m really sorry about the whole Justin thing.’

‘It’s what we do.’ She laughed. ‘We’ll probably do it again sometime.’

‘I’ll try not too.’

‘Yeah, if only. I don’t believe you.’ She opened the door. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Yes, see you tomorrow.’

She bent down, her head still in the car and blew him a kiss.

A
melia took a deep breath as she gazed into the mirror. It had become a habit, watching herself grow each day. She gently rubbed her bump and smiled. Gabriel was her new joy, it was the reason she woke up every morning. Life was hectic, but knowing he was in her life, had made it much more bearable.

There was a light knock on the door.

‘Come in Mandy,’ she said.

‘The interviewees are here, Miss Woods.’

‘Thanks, Mandy, I’ll be down in a second.’

Mandy nodded, then slipped out. Amelia felt exhausted; she’d tossed and turned the whole night. The looming visit to Justin had robbed her of beauty sleep. All she could think about was him, about what she would say, about how he would react to the pregnancy, and about her body. But she had to focus on what was in the present and that was to interview potential Au pairs.

Ten minutes later Amelia was sat in her office interviewing some women for the job, and so far she didn’t like any of them. One was too strict, she came from a very old school background, one that made her shudder. She was surprised she was even allowed to be an Au pair, the woman believed in strict rules and doing everything by the book. In all honesty, Amelia wasn’t looking for a replacement parent, she was just looking for someone to step in when she wasn’t around.

Amelia was loosing hope of finding the perfect au pair that day until Rebecca walked in. The young woman with the curly brown hair and sweet smile took a seat opposite Amelia. She seemed a little nervous, but there was a good energy about her. Amelia could feel it, and before she’d even spoken to her, she knew that she was the woman for the job.

‘Hi.’ Amelia smiled.

‘Hello, Miss Woods.’

Amelia looked at the C.V. She was born Rebecca York, twenty six years old, single. She’d studied languages at Huddersfield University. She’d gone on to do childhood early years, with the intention of working in a school.

‘What made you choose to apply for this job?’

‘I saw it as an opportunity to work on a one on one basis with a child. I love children.’

Amelia nodded.

‘I’ve worked as an Au pair before, but only short term. The families usually had me in while their Au pair was on leave.’

‘I see.’

‘This is long term, is there a problem with that?’

‘No, absolutely not.’

‘You realise that I’m not due for another five months. But I would like you to help get the nursery ready. I will give you a list of things that I’d like and want, to get ready for the baby.’

The woman nodded enthusiastically.

‘I want to spend as much time as I can with my son.’ She felt goose bumps as she said the word son. ‘That means that at times you’ll be accompanying me to where I go.’

‘Yes, I understand.’ Rebecca smiled.

‘This is a live-in job.’

‘Yes, I understand that too.’

‘You’re entitled to twenty seven days annual leave and sick pay.’

‘That’s much more generous than I’ve worked for before.’ The woman beamed.

‘I like you,’ said Amelia, with a smile. ‘I think I’ll give you a try.’

‘Really?!’

‘Yes, really, and I hope we have a long good relationship. Mandy will show you around and later she’ll help with regards to things that I need for the baby.’

‘Yes, Miss Woods.’

Amelia stood up and proffered her hand. ‘Welcome.’ She shook Rebecca’s hand.

‘Thank you, you won’t be disappointed.’

‘I believe you.’

Mandy showed her out and then she was back in Amelia’s office at her request.

‘Let me just take this.’ Amelia took the paracetamol, she had a splitting headache.

‘Are you alright?’

‘I will be, just a horrible headache.’

Mandy nodded and waited for her instructions.

‘I’m going to do a bit of work before making my way to see Justin. Could you let Roy know I’ll have my lunch in here while I work.’

‘Yes, Miss Woods.’ Mandy began to make her way out.

‘Mandy,’ said Amelia. ‘Thank you.’

Mandy nodded. Amelia had become so good at delegating that it came as second nature. With so much money at her disposal, it would’ve been foolish to try and do things all by herself. She was grateful for Justin’s trust in her, but she was also just grateful for her friends. Friends she would be seeing that evening.

****

H
er heart pounded so hard, she felt faint. On the way to see Justin, Amelia had the opportunity to have a short discussion with Doctor Gallagher. He’d given her a few tips she could use, in the short time they had. She was to remember that Justin loved her, even if it seemed impossible. She had to remember that his mind worked differently and that not all parts to his brain worked like hers.

The driver opened the door and she stepped out. She then made her way into the building she dreaded so much. She avoided the x-ray scan, but her bag was put through the scanner. She was then directed to a different place than she had been before. The guard opened the door to what looked more like an office.

He nodded her in, but she was a little hesitant.

‘It’s alright, I’ve been given this room,’ he said as he stepped into her view.

He stopped in his tracts the moment he noticed her round belly. Amelia looked down, and tried to avoid his gaze. There was a strange feeling in the room. The guard shut the door behind him and she worried that being alone with Justin would be a risk.

‘It’s okay, there are cameras around, and the guard is just outside.’

She looked up and directly into his eyes, just as Doctor Gallagher had told her to. There was something about the eyes, the connection to the soul, the place where she could connect to him. He smiled lightly as his eyes landed on hers. He kept them on her so that he was not swayed to look at her body, even though he wanted to.