Masquerade (12 page)

“What’s so funny?” he asked as they took the downward journey.

“Phoebe was joking around earlier and calling me Cinderella. Now you are. Believe me when I say I’m far from being hounded by ugly step sisters and needing a fairy godmother to rescue me.”

“We all need someone to rescue us at one time or another.”

They reached a late model Mercedes and she waited while Alex opened the door for her. The smell of a new car assaulted her senses. It was as if Alex was starting afresh with everything in his life. New job. New car. New house. New woman? It was then she realized she knew absolutely nothing about him and she wondered whether she was going to be the new woman.

“Starting over are you, Alex?”

He didn’t say anything as he concentrated on maneuvering out of the car park and then merging with the early evening traffic.

“Why do you ask?” he replied.

“Well, you’ve started a new job and you have a new car as well as a new apartment. It looks like you’re starting over.” She was transported back to the conversation in their office the first day he’d walked into the emergency department. “Is your divorce recent? Is that why everything is new?”

• • •

Alex gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. Her question couldn’t have been farther from the truth. But whenever someone asked about his divorce, regret pierced his soul. Oh, he wasn’t still yearning and in love with Amanda. He’d realized long ago that what he’d felt for Amanda wouldn’t have sustained a relationship anyway. The old adage worked well for them:
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
It was fortunate Amanda had seen the light and had had the strength to walk away before they totally hated each other. They should never have married.

“I’m sorry, Alex, I shouldn’t have asked. You don’t have to answer it.”

He unclenched his fingers. “No it’s fine, Sophie. My divorce was nearly ten years ago. But, to me it’s a black mark forever etched into my life. I don’t like to fail at anything I do. And I failed Amanda and my marriage.”

“Nobody likes to fail, Alex. You must have been young when you married.”

“You could say that,” he muttered. He didn’t want to talk about the one thing he hadn’t been able to make work. “So are you ready to face the new CEO?”

If she was surprised at his abrupt change of subject, she didn’t let on. He had to admire that about her. She pretty much went with the flow and respected the decisions others made. Sometimes she set her jaw and he could see she didn’t agree, but she never set out to deliberately argue with someone.

“Yes, I’m ready. I’m used to meeting new and different people.” She sent a smile his way that caused his blood to heat and head south. He shifted slightly in his seat. “I’ve acted as my father’s partner on so many occasions it really is second nature to me. Also, by meeting so many people it helps with the job. There is nothing like meeting so many different personalities in the emergency department.”

“How come you act as your father’s partner and not your mother?”

“My mum died five years ago, ever since then I’ve been dad’s companion. He prefers me to attend functions than his latest lover. They’re usually younger than me and he knows I won’t embarrass him. But I do miss her.”

Alex’s hand gripped hers. “I’m sorry, Sophie. You don’t have to say anymore.”

“No it’s fine, Alex, I’ve nothing but good memories of my mum and talking about her keeps those memories alive.”

“So your dad must be proud of your achievements with your career?” There was a moment of silence and Alex wondered if he’d asked one too many questions. He was about to say something to lighten the mood but she continued on.

“You’d think so, but he is still angry that I didn’t marry into the ‘right’ family and play the socialite housewife like my brothers’ wives.”

“You don’t like them?”

“No, I like them, they’re great girls, but what they want isn’t what I wanted. I can’t sit around and twitter about who wore what or who was seen with whom. I wanted a career where I make a difference.” Sophie gave a small sigh. “My mum would’ve been pleased, she had a career before marrying my dad. And dad, well he’s dad and I know deep down he is proud of me, in his own way.”

“I’m sure he is.” Alex replied softly.

“Besides, as I said, when I partner Dad I meet people like ‘Cruella de Vil’ which means I can deal with the types that come through the ER.”

He laughed at her comment. She was right; there were always different personalities entering the department. He’d seen her put out plenty of fires the past week. “You’re very good at your job — and I’m sure the new CEO will see that.”

“Well, whoever he is, he is bound to be a big improvement on the past one.”

Bitterness and something else he couldn’t quite place laced her tone. There was definitely some bad blood between Neil Buchanan and Sophie. Was it possible Neil was her ex-fiancee? Or maybe the ex-CEO thought Sophie was a socialite playing at being a nurse, like he had. Would she open up and let him in if he asked? He was just about to ask when she spoke.

“You know, you didn’t tell me why everything you own is new?”

It was her turn to change the subject — how could he badger her when he’d used the same tactic not that long ago?

“There’s no big secret or underlying reason why everything is new. It just turned out that way.” He paused as he indicated to enter the sweeping driveway of the casino complex. “I bought the apartment off the plan a while ago. But my father got ill so I stayed at the family home while he recuperated. I leased out the apartment in the interim. The lease came up and my father was well. So I moved in. Plus it was time to upgrade my car.”

• • •

Sophie digested all of this information as Alex handed over the keys to the valet parking attendant. Her door was opened by a white gloved man in tails and a top hat. She swiveled her legs around and before she stepped out, Alex was there holding out his hand for her. She hesitated momentarily before placing her hand in his. Electricity sizzled and zoomed through her blood. She felt alive.

He kept hold of her hand as they walked through the double glass doors of the complex. Sophie knew in her head she didn’t want to walk into the restaurant holding Alex’s hand. But part of her wished she had the strength to say,
Yes, Alex. Let’s start over and get to know each other.

As if reading her mind, Alex let go of her hand, letting his fingers trail softly down her palm. Gooseflesh broke out over her skin and she shivered slightly.

“Smile, Sophie.” Alex whispered the words at her and she looked at him in surprise.

Why was he telling her to smile?

Her question was answered very quickly. “Good evening, Sophie. Scavoni.” Neil’s smarmy voice washed over her and a wave of revulsion chased away the gooseflesh.

As always, when backed against the wall, her mother’s social training kicked in. “Good evening, Neil. What a not so pleasant surprise to see you here.”

Good manners be damned. He stood there with the woman she’d found him with in his office. There was no way she was going to be all sweetness and light around him.

“Don’t panic, Sophie, I’m not here for the welcome dinner. It’s pure co-incidence that Sabrina booked a table at Quintent tonight. She wanted to surprise me.”

Sophie had to stop herself from gagging at the way he grabbed Sabrina and thrust his tongue down her throat. When they were together, he was never big on public displays of affection. Seemed he’d changed his tune.

“Don’t let us stop you, Buchanan. But I’d suggest you control yourself a bit. You’re acting like a hormonal teenager.” Sophie looked at Alex in surprise. Clearly he was as unimpressed by Neil’s display as she was.

“Don’t be jealous, Scavoni. It must be hard having to work with a cold fish all day.”

She gasped loudly. Tears welled in her eyes. In all the time they had been together, Neil had never called her a “cold fish.” They hadn’t been intimate much in the last couple of months of their relationship. Now she was glad for it.

With a lightning fast movement, Alex had grabbed Neil by the lapels of his jacket. “It’s lucky we’re in a public place or otherwise you’d be lying flat on the ground.” He pushed Neil away like he was a piece of rubbish. “Don’t you ever,
ever
insult Sophie like that again. She’s got more class and style than you and your
date
could ever wish for. I suggest you dine elsewhere.”

With those parting words, Alex took her by the arm and led her down the hallway toward the restaurant. But she knew she couldn’t let Alex walk in with so much anger flooding his system.

“Stop, Alex.” He kept moving, so she pulled hard on his arm. “Alex. I said stop.”

Finally, her words penetrated his anger and he stopped. When she could see she had his full attention she spoke. “You can’t walk into that restaurant with steam coming out of your ears, and me running alongside of you. Calm down.”

She’d used her don’t-mess-with-me-I-know-best voice. The one she saved for patients who were being difficult.

“I’m not sure I can calm down.” Alex raked fingers through his hair, giving it a just-out-of-bed look. She reached out her hand to straighten it, but stopped herself. “What is the history between the two of you, Sophie? And don’t fob me off with a
nothing
, because I won’t believe you.”

She knew she couldn’t hide the truth any longer. Neil’s words still stung and she now knew why he’d sought pleasure from someone other than herself. Taking a deep breath, she told him her sordid little secret.

“He was my fiancé. I broke up with him just prior to Christmas. I walked in on him in an extremely compromising position with the woman he was with tonight.”

She recalled the moment she’d walked into Neil’s office. The feelings of betrayal, pain, and hurt all coalesced in her belly right then. She pushed them aside. She was over Neil and after tonight, she hated him with every fiber of her being.

Sophie looked up and saw the look on Alex’s face. He looked even fiercer than he had when he’d grabbed Neil just moments before. It was a look she hoped never to see aimed directly at her. “Don’t worry, Alex. I’m not carrying a torch for him. I detest the man and I’m extremely glad I walked in on him. If I hadn’t I’d have still been totally unaware that he didn’t love me at all. All he loved was being able to access the Franklyn millions.”

“It’s lucky he’s no longer working at the hospital. I don’t think I could stand working with him,” replied Alex.

Sophie was surprised at the vehemence behind Alex’s words. He’d only met Neil on a few occasions but his dislike of the man was so strong. It reached out to her own distaste of Neil and entwined around it, making an unbreakable bond between them.

She gave into her better judgment and ran a hand along Alex’s head, smoothing his ruffled hair. “Shall we go in?”

He nodded and she stepped back, out of his personal space. They didn’t talk as they walked the short distance to the restaurant. When they got there, they found they were the last to arrive and were seated together.

Sophie murmured her thanks as Alex held her chair for her and once she was seated, she greeted everyone else at the table. She had to stop from laughing out loud when she saw the director of surgery’s wife, Viola. As predicted, her dress left nothing to the imagination. It looked like Viola had garnered the attention of the new CEO and his wife, who was shooting needles in Viola’s direction. It was going to be a long night.

She shivered when she felt Alex’s breath on her shoulder as he leaned in and spoke quietly in her ear. “Looks like we are in for an entertaining evening.”

She turned to look at him, their shoulders brushing and gooseflesh broke out over her skin from the contact. “Maybe I would have been better off staying at home. I’m really not up for stilettos at dawn.”

Alex laughed huskily causing a few raised eyebrows from the guests around them. Sophie made a concerted effort to start a conversation with the man next to her. He was head of finance and she soon found herself tuning out his talk about budget cuts and needing extra funding. Seemed everyone took the opportunity to sound her out about getting another donation from the Franklyn’s. She really wanted to be accepted for herself and her nursing abilities — not her family’s millions.

Dinner passed quickly and the new CEO, once he managed to take his eyes off the surgeon’s wife, turned out to be a very pleasant and knowledgeable man. Sophie could see herself being able to approach him with any concerns she may have.

“Are you ready to leave?”

She jumped and turned to her left where the words came from.

She had made minimal conversation with Alex all evening but she had been aware of every move, every laugh, and every word he’d spoken. She may not have heard the words clearly but his tone reverberated down her spine.

How she wished things could have been different.

“Sophie, are you ready to go?” he asked again, clearly confused at her lack of response.

“Sure.” She glanced at her delicate gold watch and was surprised at how late it was. “Goodness, I didn’t know so much time had passed.”

Obviously, neither had anyone else at the table. Everyone was still in conversation and would probably be kicked out of the restaurant soon.

She stood and picked her handbag up from the chair. She walked to the head of the table, to the new CEO. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mark. I’m looking forward to working with you to ensure the nurses in the emergency department are treated fairly.”

He gave a polite laugh, clearly unsure on how to take her words. “It was my pleasure as well, Sophie and Alex. I’ll make sure I come down and have a chat with you both on Monday. To get the lay of the land and to see what your requirements may be.”

Sophie bade the other guests goodnight and waited while Alex did the same. If anyone thought it strange they left together, they didn’t let on — she only hoped she and Alex wouldn’t be the water cooler topic on Monday.

They made their way outside and Alex handed over his ticket to the parking attendant. The evening had cooled and Sophie wished she’d thought to bring along a shawl or something to put on. The day had been warm and she hadn’t given the possibility of the evening cooling a thought.