Bound by Their Love Page 16

  She slipped out her sunglasses from their case and put them on before walking down the stairs to the waiting black car. She noted her luggage was being placed in the trunk of the car and a uniformed driver stood by an open door.

  Greta nodded her thanks and slipped into the car. The moment she got her seatbelt on, her mobile rang.

  She pulled it out, smiling when she saw Jeff’s name flash up. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Greta, you’ve landed safely?’

  ‘Well, since I’m answering the phone, it’s a safe bet that I’ve landed.’

  She closed his eyes as he chuckled, the sound weaving down her spine. She wished he was sitting beside her and not hundreds of kilometres away.

  ‘I miss you, Angel. It’s lonely in my studio. I liked knowing you were sitting close by me.’

  Tears pricked behind her eyes. ‘I miss you too.’ She whispered. ‘I wish you were here.’

  ‘Soon, Angel. We’ll be back together soon.’

  ‘I know. I can’t wait.’

  A beeping sounded down the line. ‘Damn, I’ve got another call. I’ll call you later this afternoon, after your meeting with your dad. Take care of you and junior.’

  He hung up before she had a chance to say goodbye. A small smile played on her lips as she reviewed their conversation.

  His words comforted her. Knowing he missed her. Calling her the moment she’d landed told her he cared. Could she hope he even loved her?

  She took a deep breath and locked the memories of her time away. As much as she wanted to relive them over and over, she couldn’t. She had to prepare for her meeting. That was why she was headed back to her apartment instead of her office. To get everything she’d worked on together. She wanted to make sure there was nothing her father could question her about with this campaign.

  It had taken some smooth talking from her, Jeff and Luciano, but they’d been granted access to the mining site. Their access was conditional upon taking the required shots on a particular day the company specified. Fortunately for her, Luciano had been able to get a film crew and photographer organised in time. They got background shots and some of the mining equipment. They’d also decided to do the underwater filming of the oysters at the pearl farm. She pretty much had half the campaign completed. Now all that needed to be arranged were the photo shoots with the models and the jewellery, then organise the details of the unveiling of the collection.

  There was no way her father could say she couldn’t handle a big campaign, or that her innovative ideas were impossible to bring to life.

  Before she knew it, they were pulling up out the front of her building.

  The desire to surround herself with her familiar belongings was strong. While she’d loved spending time in Jeff’s house, it was his house. The apartment was all hers. If they decided they had a future and wanted to take their relationship to the next level, where would they live? Would Jeff expect her to give up her job? Not that she’d let that happen. She would work out a way to have both and hope Jeff agreed with her decision. They hadn’t really discussed anything beyond the pregnancy and her agreeing to let him know when her next doctor’s appointment was so that he could join her.

  All these thoughts crowded in on her as she rode the lift up to her home. She breathed a sigh of relief when the doors opened. She was still feeling a little apprehensive getting into the lift.

  Greta walked down the hallway reading an email from her contact at the mining site. It seemed management had been pleased with the footage she’d taken and wanted to know if she could come up with some ideas for them to use in possible future campaigns.

  She skipped a little in excitement. The possibility that she could snag two big accounts in two months was unbelievable. She’d had no idea that the mining company was even looking for a new agency.

  Greta quickly typed out a response saying she’d just arrived back into town but would work on it and get back to them within the week. If she pulled off this coup then there was no way her father could refuse her the position of vice president. No way could Graham ever compete with her now.

  As she unlocked her front door, Greta tried not to think about the complication winning this account could mean to her life and her career. Instinctively her hand went to her stomach. The baby wasn’t due for months. She had plenty of time to work out what she was going to do.

  Placing her bag on the hall table, she made her way to her bedroom so she could shower and change. As she entered her room, her eyes immediately went to the picture sitting on her bedside table. She walked over and picked it up.

  Would her baby look as perfect as Sheree’s Greta? What if there was something wrong? What would she do then? What would Jeff do?

  Her stomach churned and she threw the picture down on the bed and raced to the bathroom. She made it just in time. As she sat back on her haunches she breathed deeply, knowing her irrational fears set off her nausea.

  There was no reason to think anything was going to be wrong with her baby. But for the first time since she found out she was pregnant, the reality of the unknown pressed down on her.

  When Greta walked into her father’s office, she bit back the sharp curse wanting to explode from her lips.

  Seriously, couldn’t she have one meeting to do with this account without Graham sitting in on it? Why did her father still have to throw him in her face at every opportunity? It’s not like he’d invite her to any of his meetings with Graham.

  ‘Hi Dad.’ She walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He drove her crazy. But she loved him. Some days she even thought he loved her back. Now he was going to be a grandfather to her child. Maybe a grandchild would be the catalyst to improving their relationship. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Morning, dear. How was your trip? You look well rested.’

  Greta looked at her father, trying to work out if he was being sarcastic or serious. She’d tossed her cookies not that long ago. She was sure she was still deathly pale. ‘Thank you, Broome’s beautiful.’

  ‘Hmm, are you sure you didn’t just go on holiday? You didn’t exactly keep us up to date with what was happening,’ Graham chimed in smugly, as if she’d personally slighted him.

  Instead of fighting back with a snarky comment, Greta walked over to the coffee table and spread out some of her layouts. Set up her tablet so Dad and Graham could see the footage they’d filmed and some mock adverts she’d created.

  ‘I think once you’ve sat through what I’m about to show you, you’ll both,’ she paused and looked from her father to Graham, ‘see that I was definitely working and not having a holiday.’

  ‘I’ll reserve my judgment until I’ve seen everything you’ve got to show us.’

  Greta turned so Dad wouldn’t see her roll her eyes. Being around him always brought out her teenager tendencies. She decided to hit them with the mock advert showing both the diamond mine and the pearl farm.

  ‘I think you’ll be really pleased with this. Here is a mock-up of the ad for prime-time television spots. These adverts will be to let everyone know about Jeffrey’s new collection, coming soon to Regents Hotels.’

  Without waiting for a response, she pressed play. Greta stood back and watched. Trying to gauge their feelings from their facial expressions.

  Her father’s remained neutral, but at the slight raising of his eyebrows she knew he liked what he saw. Graham, on the other hand, his face hardened. What she saw there could only be described as jealousy. A feeling of triumph filled her.

  Yes, Dad, see. I can do this and I can do it bloody well. It was what she wanted to say, but refrained. She still had the print layouts to go through, but she had a feeling that her dad wasn’t going to have anything to argue about. Would he say he was proud of her?

  Twenty minutes later she sat down and waited, determined she wasn’t going ask her father what he thought. Hopeful that he’d turn around and tell her what an amazing job she’d done.

  ‘This is very impressive. You’ve done a good job. I’m s
ure once we actually shoot the models with the jewellery on and edit the footage to incorporate them, we will have a stunning campaign. Well done, Greta. Well done.’ Her father shifted his shirt cuff and looked at his watch. ‘I need to get to another meeting, but I think you’ve done a splendid job.’

  She took the praise and warmed inside. ‘Thanks Dad.’

  Just wait until she told him about the possible new account with the mining company. After she landed that account, he might actually have to say he was proud of her.

  Jeffrey looked up at the building and smiled. Greta had no idea he was arriving today. He’d decided after he’d spoken to her he was going to surprise her. The need to keep Greta close was an unfamiliar emotion. One he didn’t know how to deal with. All he knew was he couldn’t ignore it.

  He’d contacted the airline and managed to get on a flight that landed in Perth early in the evening. The fact he was able to get a seat at the last minute made him feel that his action, although impulsive, was the right one.

  As he approached the building, he saw a doorman and smiled in greeting. ‘Good evening, I’m here to see Ms Adamas. The only thing is,’ he leaned in and smiled conspiratorially at the man. ‘I don’t want to let her know it’s me who’s wanting to see her. I’m hoping to surprise her.’

  ‘I’m really sorry, sir. I’m unable to do that. I don’t know you. I can call her to let her know you’re here. That’s the best I can do.’

  Disappointment coursed through him, but he had to admire the man’s stance. It was good to know Greta lived in a safe, secure building.

  Jeffrey nodded at the doorman. ‘Fair enough, tell Ms Adamas that Jeffrey Courteux is here to see her.’

  The man looked at a clipboard before lifting the phone. He then looked back at Jeffrey without touching the phone. ‘Well sir, it looks like you’ll be able to surprise Ms Adamas after all. She must have already spoken to one of our staff and added you to her allowed visitors. Go on up, apartment 24F.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Jeffrey said as he picked up his bag.

  Anticipation at seeing Greta again had him all but running to the lift. He was acting like a teenager on his first date. He stopped and took a moment to get himself under control.

  This wasn’t him. He wasn’t the type of person who got excited about seeing a woman. Perhaps he shouldn’t be here. Perhaps he should’ve stayed in Broome. This was so far removed from his normal character he wasn’t sure what he was doing.

  ‘Is everything all right, Mr Courteux?’ The doorman called out to him.

  Jeffrey couldn’t very well turn around and leave. The doorman would be bound to mention something to Greta and then she’d wonder why he had been at her home but hadn’t gone up to see her.

  He turned around and looked at the other man. ‘Everything’s fine.’

  The doorman nodded but he didn’t look convinced. Jeffrey didn’t care what the man thought. He was here and he had to follow through.

  He convinced himself he was doing the right thing the whole lift ride up, and as he walked the short distance from the lift to Greta’s front door. Once he got there, he took a deep breath and knocked.

  ‘What do you need, She—?’ The words died on Greta’s lips when she saw him standing at the door.

  ‘Hi Angel.’

  ‘Jeff? What are you—? I don’t understand.’

  Jeffrey moved toward her, giving her no option but to take a couple of steps back to let him in. ‘I had to come down earlier than expected. Luc wanted to see me.’

  The words tripped off his tongue, even though they were the exact opposite of the real reason why he was there.

  ‘Plus,’ he continued, ‘I wanted to see how the meeting went with your father.’

  For a moment, disappointment flashed in her eyes. She walked over to him, putting her arms around him. ‘Thank you. It’s good to see you.’

  Jeffrey’s arms automatically closed around her and he sighed in contentment. He could try and tell himself this wasn’t the way he acted. In the past it was true. Now, well, now he could let himself admit that he loved Greta. He’d missed her from the moment she’d left that morning. He wanted a future with her and their baby. He wanted to build a life up in Broome where he could work on his designs and help Greta raise their son or daughter.

  A future beckoned him and he was willing to take the risk. Grasp it with both hands. Greta was completely different from Kelly. She wasn’t using him.

  Or was she? An insidious voice crept into his mind for the first time since he’d met Greta. Had she known who he was the first time they met at Fierro’s gift store?

  Jeffrey quickly pushed the thought away. The look of shock and fear on her face when she’d seen him at the meeting in Luc’s office squashed the thought. It was completely ridiculous to even consider she’d known who he was that first day they’d met.

  Even still, he had no idea what her feelings were for him. He knew she cared. But he also knew how important her career was. He would keep his feelings to himself. It would be safer that way. And he would cut short his trip.

  The official opening was still six weeks away. He could go back home after a couple of days here and then he’d come back closer to the opening.

  ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ she whispered against his chest.

  ‘Me too.’ He rubbed his hands up and down her back. Wanting nothing more than to take her up against the wall. He controlled the urge. He’d just arrived.

  ‘This is a really nice surprise,’ she pulled away a fraction and looked up at him. ‘But why are you here to see Luc? Is there something wrong?’

  Now he’d gotten himself into trouble with his little white lie. He could come clean and tell her the real reason he was there or he could continue with the lie.

  He couldn’t lie to Greta. That would be so wrong and she didn’t deserve to be lied to.

  Disentangling himself from her, he took her hand and led her over to her couch. He sat and pulled Greta onto his lap.

  ‘I lied earlier.’ Greta moved quickly off his lap to stand in front of him, before he had a chance to react.

  ‘What? What do you mean you lied?’

  He stood and rubbed his fingers down her cheek, happy when she didn’t pull away from his touch. ‘It’s not bad, Angel.’

  ‘A lie is a lie is a lie, Jeff.’

  ‘I don’t have a meeting with Luc. I wanted to surprise you.’ He leaned in and kissed her softly. ‘I missed you the moment you walked out the door. I told you that when I phoned. I walked around the house and wanted to be with you. I’m sorry for lying.’

  Jeffrey had no idea what to do when Greta burst into tears. ‘Greta? Angel? What’s wrong?’

  She shook her head and brought her hands up to cover her face. He’d never been comfortable around a woman crying. Kelly had done it often and he’d soon learned that it was a tool to manipulate the situation. He knew Greta’s tears were the real thing.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she hiccupped. He pulled her into his arms, holding her face against his chest.

  ‘I didn’t think it was that bad a lie. I thought you’d like hearing that I missed you.’

  ‘I do,’ she sniffed. ‘It’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me. Or even done for me. Thank you, Honey. Thank you for making me feel so special.’

  ‘You and our baby are special. More special than even the most beautiful diamond I’ve ever worked with. I want to tell everyone that I’m going to be a father.’

  Greta went to pull away from him, but he tightened his hold. ‘You promised you wouldn’t say anything, Jeff.’

  ‘I know, but I don’t think—’

  ‘That’s right, you don’t. Please Jeff, this is important to me. We can’t say anything to anyone about the baby. Not yet. And you promised. Please don’t let me down.’

  Her eyes glistened from the residue of her earlier tears. His heart swelled with love for her. He couldn’t let her down.

  ‘I promise not to say anything. Not unti
l you’re ready.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  As he pulled her back into his embrace Jeffrey knew, for Greta, he was willing to do anything. Including leaving the shadows behind.

  Chapter 22

  ‘So, Jeff,’ Luc drawled. ‘To what do we owe this unexpected lunch invitation?’

  Jeffrey shrugged, having known the minute he issued the invitation to Nick and Luc he’d be asked questions. ‘I was in town and thought we should catch up.’

  Nick sat back, folded his arms and looked at him. Jeffrey withstood the scrutiny, raising his eyebrow when the silence lengthened. ‘You going all girlie on us again, Jeff?’

  Jeffrey laughed at the reference to their past conversation. ‘Well, it worked for you, didn’t it? You and Pamela are together now, aren’t you?’

  ‘True. But seriously, Jeff, you’ve spent the last God knows how many years secreted away up in Broome and this is what,’ Nick looked over at Luc, ‘your second trip in as many weeks to Perth?’

  ‘The first trip wasn’t exactly by choice. Luc made me come.’

  ‘Seems I must have done you a favour,’ Luc said with a wry grin. ‘I’m assuming the reason for this trip is because of a certain advertising executive who just spent the last week and half with you?’

  He should’ve been prepared for the question. It wasn’t like he could hide anything from his two friends. He’d done a pretty good job at hiding away. Keeping the circumstances of his return after his accident quiet.

  The time had come to lay everything out on the table with his friends. ‘Yes. Greta is a major reason for me being here.’

  ‘I thought as much,’ Luc replied smugly. ‘I knew something was going on between you two at that first meeting. Nothing gets past me.’

  Nick rolled his eyes. ‘Do I need to call Jasmine to get your ego under control, Luciano?’

  At the mention of his wife’s name, Luc’s smile widened. Jeffrey didn’t think the threat was all that scary for Luc. He knew his next words were going to get the attention back on him. ‘I need to tell you both something. About what happened to me in Europe.’