“It’s Vivian.”
My heart lurches because I hope to God there isn’t any trouble between them. Ever since Vivian came into my father’s life, the world has been a much brighter place.
Sienna’s mother was a bitch and used my father like an ATM. He was besotted by her and indulged her with everything she wanted, even turning a blind eye to her many affairs, just desperate to have her in his life. She was the proverbial gold digger, and their daughter is shaping up to be much the same. When she ran off with a movie producer who could offer her the Hollywood lifestyle she craved, I remember breathing a big sigh of relief and for a period I stepped into her shoes as the hostess and lady of the house. Then he met Vivian, and I was happy to step aside. Unlike his previous wife, she isn’t interested in fame, money and being seen in the right places. All that matters to her is family life and making it amazing for us all, and if she has done something to burst the bubble, I am more fearful of that than anything.
“What’s the problem with Vivian?”
He looks so troubled I wonder if she’s ill. That can only explain the despairing glint in his eyes.
He shakes his head. “She has a visitor, and it may alter things around here.”
“A visitor?”
“Yes, a man showed up at the gatehouse and asked to see her.”
He exhales slowly. “Emilio ran a check on the guy, and it appears he’s got connections I’m not happy about.”
“Is Vivian in trouble? Danger even?”
I hold my breath and he merely shrugs, which is not the answer I was looking for.
“I’m not sure.”
Now I’m really nervous and he turns and smiles and if he thinks that will reassure me, he’s wrong.
“Maybe I should go and see for myself. I just wanted to tell you about the meeting and warn you that things may be a little different around here for a while.”
“OK.”
I watch him leave with the sense of a storm approaching. My father looked weary, as if he was resigned to something that he could do nothing about. As I glance out of the window, I wonder about the current visitor. Who is he and why is something telling me everything is about to change?