“Dinner’s just about ready,” I said, reading the message from my chef.
“Lucky you. Saved from another round of slaughter.” Elly approached me and offered her hand.
“Thanks. But I’ll just sit in my puddle of sweat and blood for a minute. Contemplate the decisions of my life that led to this defeat.” And with that, I sat down on the grass, my arms resting on the top of my knees, which were bent close to my chest.
“Suit yourself. I’m going to go get myself showered.” Elly shrugged, a twinkle in her eye.
I smiled. Seeing her walk back towards the house now, a spring in her step, was gratifying. A few short weeks ago she had been ready to give up the sport altogether; now, her confidence was through the roof. And she was beginning to open up, to talk and tease and laugh with me. Maybe this next year was going to be fun. Maybe I might enjoy having her around, rather than the moping silence I was used to living with on my grand stretch of land.
My wife, the tennis player. Has a good ring to it, doesn’t it?I thought.
But then I felt my whole body stiffen.This was not part of the deal. This fun and games. Your job is to create a front that is believable and not be distracting yourself from your work and routine in your private time.
Elly just walked through the sliding doors. I could imagine her softly climbing the wide stairs that led to her room. She might even be humming a tune like I’d heard her do earlier that day.
Keep your eyes on the prize, Sebastian. Elly is just a stepping stone to everything you’ve wanted all your life: your father’s business.
But it was so very hard to keep my eyes off of her.
CHAPTER26
ELLY
“Are you ever going to introduce me to your mysterious man, or am I going to have to keep imagining him until your wedding day?” My mother waved her finger at me.
Wedding day?I bit my lip.That’s probably a lot closer than you think, Mom.
I glanced at the calendar.
A little over a month to go. A lot closer than you think.
“Erm…well, he’s at work,” I said, trying to find a way to change the subject.
Mom had called me in the middle of lunch so for the first time, I was taking her call outside my “quarters.” It didn’t feel as private as behind my closed door. I kept checking over my shoulder that one of the staff hadn’t come in on some task or other.
So far, the kitchen had remained empty. Just how I liked it.
“Elly, are you staying in his house now? Is that the kitchen you’re in?” Mom pressed the phone closer to her right eye. I felt like she was peering at me as if under a microscope.
“Erm…yes. He has a spare room so that’s where I’m living. It made more sense than a hotel room. Plus, it’s a lot more…homier.”
I glanced around the kitchen. Almost a month into my stay, and it did feel much more familiar. Not likemine, or anything approaching it, but I could make my way through, find what I needed and sit in a more contemplative quiet rather than an awkward silence.
Maybe that’s what making a home away from home felt like. Making another place familiar.
The kitchen door suddenly opened and I almost fell out of my chair.
“Whoa, sorry Elly. I didn’t realize you were in here…”
It was Sebastian. He was wearing his workout gear, a dark T-shirt with cut-off sleeves and dark shorts, white socks, and white sneakers. He walked across the room, headed straight for the fridge. I knew this move; he was getting his protein smoothie to go.
Familiar. Both of our movements living together made each of our routines familiar. Or more like his. Mine was constantly changing with scheduled physiotherapy, training with the coach, training by myself, and every other afternoon playing (or more like defeating) Sebastian at tennis.
I began to say something when I suddenly realized I still had Mom on the phone. I blushed.What are the chances of her not seeing Sebastian in the frame? Shall I hang up now and call back later? Or should I pretend nothing happened?
At least lower the volume, Elly, and get out of there!
But it was too late. Mom had the eyes of a hawk.