Page 73 of Tangled Roses
I am conflicted, excited and heartbroken all at the same time and I’m on emotion overload right now.
We took Arman’s helicopter to The Hamptons, and I was unaware he owned one. I’ve never been in one before and it did the trick of lifting my mood, causing me to forget my misery for a while.
I loved it.
I loved that we sailed above the traffic and ate up the distance to The Hamptons in no time. We made the journey in forty-five minutes, and I swear this is my preferred way to travel now.
When we landed and made our way to the house, I was in awe of it. It rose majestically out of the ground as if it owned the right to be there. Much like its owners really, because Adele and Charles are the power couple of the moment and act accordingly.
“Darling.” Adele heads toward us with a glowing smile on her face and a disturbing glint in her eye.
I wouldn’t mind, but it is directed at me and I long to grasp Arman’s hand for comfort, but he has already withdrawn from me. I realize it’s because he is anxious. I share it too, but right now, heading into a place dressed in imposter syndrome, I wish I had his reassurance to cling onto.
“I’m so glad you could make it.”
She air kisses Arman three times on his cheek as her husband watches with a cool smile. He doesn’t even acknowledge me because to him I am the hired help, which makes me wonder why Adele is so intent on my company.
She turns her attention to me and her husband commands Arman’s attention and I’m surprised when she links her arm in mine and says softly, “Please, indulge me. Allow me to show you around my home.”
I am propelled away before I can even catch Arman’s eye and, as she blocks him from view, I hear Charles say with amusement. “Let the women play. We have much to discuss.”
I stumble after Adele as she points out various items that she believes are of interest to me, and as we round the corner, she says abruptly, “There. Mission accomplished.”
She drops my arm and says coolly, “Forgive the theatrics, my dear, but we don’t have long.”
“Excuse me?”
I’m distinctly uncomfortable as she propels us through a patio door into a pretty office that she must use for herself.
“Darling.” She closes the door and nods toward a chair set by a glass desk.
“Please, take a seat. I have something very important to tell you.”
I do as she says because I am intrigued by the well - intrigue and as she takes her seat, she slides a photograph toward me.
“Do you know this woman?”
I swallow hard because she is showing me a recent photograph of Marsha and I shrug.
“No. I don’t.”
Her eyes narrow and I face her defiantly because I’m not lying. I don’t know my mother at all because she has never given me the opportunity.
It obviously takes Adele aback a little because she appears confused.
“So, you’ve never met her.”
“She visited Mr. Romanov’s office a few days ago. I met her then, but I wouldn’t say I know her personally.”
Something about Adele raises my guard and her eyes narrow as she peers at me a little closer.
“Tell me about yourself, Ellie.”
I shrug. “There isn’t much to tell and I don’t want to appear rude, Mrs. Kenricky, but I fail to see why you are interested.”
A brief smile plays across her lips, and she cocks her head to one side and studies me for a second.
Then she leans back and says confidently, “I must have been mistaken. I thought you were the daughter of an acquaintance of mine.”