Repeating History (History #1) (7 page)

“That good huh?” she winks at me.

“That good,” I nod. “But I can’t be kissing Andrew Contius at work.”

“Why?”

“It will just complicate everything... not to mention that he’s still the arsehole we went to school with.”

“How will it complicate everything?” she asks intrigued. I wait whilst the waitress puts down our drinks. I’m barely comfortable talking to one best friends about this, I don’t want a waitress hearing it too.

“Thank you...” I wait politely till she’s stepped away, “we work together. I don’t want to do that again.”

“After Stephen?” she asks.

“Yeah...”

“What happened between you?” I’d avoided that question with most of my friends. It’s not like they’d ever met him. That had been the perk of coming home to London when we broke up. It meant leaving all our mutual friends behind but I’d been able to leave all the Stephen and Cathy shit in Liverpool.

“He cheated.”

“Shit,” Anna’s eyes are wide in surprise, “Why didn’t you tell me?” I think she’s hurt. We used to talk about everything. But then I moved away and things changed. I changed. I learnt things, things that made me question who I was. Who I am...

“I just wanted to leave it all behind and start fresh.”

She nods her head but she’s still frowning, “so you couldn’t stay at your work because you worked together?”

“No. I couldn’t work there anymore because I might have assaulted my boss,” my voice is quiet, ashamed and definitely bitter.

“What? Clara, what are you talking about?”

I tell her the whole story. I tell her how I’d dragged Cathy out of my house by her hair and left her naked on the doorstep after breaking her nose with my fist. She’s laughing, much to my surprise. “That’s brilliant,” Anna tells me.

“It is?” I really think she might be insane because from what I remember getting arrested for assault was not fun.

“Of course it is. You have no reason to feel guilty. I’d probably have done the same thing.”

“Anyway she decided not to press charges because... well it was all pretty complicated...”

“Complicated?”

“She didn’t want to get in trouble with her boss,” I told her honestly, “basically I threatened to call HR on her.”

“I guess her behaviour was very unprofessional.”

“Well actually mum’s lawyer was the one to threaten Cathy.”

“I didn’t know you were in contact with your mother.”

“I’m not.” After a moment of silence I realise my answer isn’t enough, “dad still speaks to her occasionally.”

“Really?” she’s amazed. “Has she ever reached out?”

“Yes.”

“Have you met her?”

Her questions are overwhelming, “no.”

“She has a good lawyer though,” I concede.

“Has she a family? Do you have more siblings?”

“I don’t know.” I don’t want to know, more to the point. I have all the family I need.

“How do you not know? Haven’t you googled her?”

“No... I don’t know her name.”

“You don’t even know her name? How is that possible?”

“Dad has tried to tell me about her... but I don’t want to know.”

“But... you used to talk about her all the time. You said she was a queen from some exotic land... and she was going to come rescue you one day.” Her words sound whimsical and ridiculous to my ears.

“She never did though did she?” I reply. The truth is all I know about my mother is that she didn’t love me and my brothers enough to stay. I don’t want to know if she has other children because I don’t want to know that she loves them enough to stay. I’m comfortable believing that it wasn’t about us children. Perhaps it was dad’s career. I used to hate being a politician’s daughter so perhaps she hated being a politician’s wife. I’m comfortable not knowing.

“Where have you been?” Andrew Contius barges angrily into my office, “I’ve been looking for you for hours.”

“I took a long lunch,” I tell him calmly.

“You better make it up,” he demands.

“Already did this morning when I arrived an hour early,” I retort, my temper rising quickly.

“Right. Good.” He looks suddenly lost.

“What did you want Andrew?” I ask with a defiant note to my voice.

“I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier.”

“Nothing happened earlier... at least nothing that will be repeated. We work together that’s all. We’d do well to keep professional boundaries.”

He gapes at me, “that’s not going to happen.”

“That’s our only option.”

“I like you,” he tells me and I try to gage from his expression if he’s being honest with me, “doesn’t that count for anything?”

“Andrew, you’ve spent our whole acquaintance teasing and bullying me. Why do you think anything you say or do or even feel counts for anything what’s so ever? Let me be clear; it doesn’t. Not with me.”

“I’ve told you I’m sorry,” he rubs the back of his neck, “what more can I do to prove myself?”

“Leave me alone.”

He looks at me with an expression close to that of a puppy that’s been kicked. “If that’s really what you want,” he looks deep into my eyes as if looking for a denial that isn’t going to come.  “I thought you’d want to know, Aurora’s awake.”

I don’t doubt that Maya, Ashley and Katie probably think I’m a workaholic after the last few weeks. I’d ignored the gossip that was circulating. There was an office poll on how long it would take me and Andrew to get together. I had double my usual workload as I was looking after Andrew’s cases as well as my own. Landon and Aurora had returned to the U.K. but they were having a belated Christmas so we hadn’t seen Landon at the office at all. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Andrew was doing a great job covering for him. He’s also been leaving me alone. He hasn’t barged into my office at all since our first day back after Christmas and that was almost a week and a half ago. I’m almost disappointed, but that’s stupid. I do not miss his teasing. What I don’t like so much is the sad look he gets every time he looks at me. A ping from my laptop distracts me.

From: Anna (
[email protected]
)

To: Clara (
[email protected]
)

RE: DRINKS!!!!!!

Clara!

Going to the Kent Mockery tonight for drinks. Except this is not just drinks.

Dress up. We’re going dancing!!!!!!!

A x

Anna Louise

Occupational Therapist

Critical Thinking

Her excitement is entertaining and definitely contagious. I haven’t been dancing in ages. I quickly confirm a time and close my laptop. Maya walks in after knocking gently. She knocks all the time now. I think she’s scared she might walk in on me and her brother again, although everyone knows we’re not talking. I still can’t believe the office is placing bets on how long it will take us to get together. I’m tempted to place my own bet; NEVER just so I can beat them at their own game.“I’m heading out,” she smiles, “is there anything I can get you before I go?”

“No,” I grin, “I’m on my way out too. Do you need a lift anywhere?”

I know she usually gets a lift from her brother. “No. Andrew is waiting. Do you have plans for tonight?” she asks politely.

“Yeah,” I tell her, “going to the Kent Mockery.”

“Ah cool,” she laughs, “I love that place.”

“I know one of the owners,” I tell her.

“Cool... do you get in for free?”

I laugh along with her, “and a V.I.P. area if I want it.”

“Cool!” She’s so easily impressed.

CHAPTER six: Andrew

“So where is she going?” I ask as soon as she gets into my car.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

“I don’t care.”

“You aren’t going to make her cry again are you?” my caring little sister asks. She’s looking directly at me with a glare; probably challenging me to hurt Clara. Trust Delos to win my sister over so much that Maya’s actually threatening me. It’s not in the words she is using but it’s still there in her tone and it’s written all over her face.

Probably. “Not intentionally,” I tell her. I’m impatient. My fingers are drumming on the steering wheel. I can’t give her what she’s asked me for. I’ve barely slept all week. I’ve stayed almost all night strategising how to win her over in the most covert way possible. I need help. I need like a whole team of wing men. Either that of a therapist. I almost laugh at my own thoughts. I’m being ridiculous. Even a team of wing men won’t win her over. The chances of Clara ever forgiving me are slim to none and the chances of her letting me kiss her again are beyond impossible. Perhaps I’d be better off with the therapist.

“The Kent Mockery.”

“Thank you,” I smile genuinely at her; she really is an amazing little sister.

“I’d ask if I can come,” she laughs, “but my presence would give away the trap.”

She’s right. I need to make this look real. That army of wing men sounds like a good idea round about now. I run through my contact list in my head as I drive my sister home. I could ask Jacob to come out and perhaps James, I haven’t seen him in months. It would be good to catch up. Maybe I can even pry Landon away from Aurora for the night. As I pull the car into a parking space opposite her apartment building. She hasn’t let me inside yet and the outside of her building isn’t very promising. The dirty grey walls are covered in faint graffiti marks as if it’s recently been cleaned off. “Maya,” I sigh, “do you have a roommate?”

She’s picking up her bag off the floor next to her feet, “no.”

“You live here on your own?” It’s bizarre that I’ve never been in my sister’s apartment. A few weeks ago I hadn’t even known where she was living. Although she’s often asked Jacob to help pay her rent, she’s independent. It’s strange. We spend all our time worrying that she’s like our mum but in all the important things she is nothing like our mother.

“My boyfriend used to live with me,” she says quietly, “but we broke up.”

My temper spikes and I know that I’m frowning, “you had a boyfriend?” I need to start paying way more attention to my little sister’s life.

“Yeah.”

“What happened?”

“We broke up; no big story...” Her words are clipped and she’s looking out the window, avoiding my eye. Her fingers are gripping the door handle. She’s lying.

“This isn’t the best neighbourhood, Maya.” I run a hand through my hair, “how big is your apartment?”

“One bed.”

I frown, “so not enough room for a flatmate...”

“I’m fine on my own.”

“I’d rather you weren’t on your own,” I tell her.

“I’m not a kid.”

“No. You’re a single woman living alone in a dodgy part of the city.”

“It’s hardly dodgy just because it’s not Chelsea...” she argues back, “in fact, there’s more crime in the affluent areas of the city...”

“Point taken; I still would prefer you have a flatmate. Do you have any friends who you could share with?”

She sighs. I’m irritating her. “I can’t afford to move and I don’t have enough room for a flatmate.”

“What if I found you somewhere?” I ask her. “Could you find a roommate or two?”

“I guess I could talk to Lara and Zara,” she gives in, “I don’t know what good it will do.”

“Just try,” I plead.

“Fine,” she tells me as she opens the car door.

I call Landon as soon as Maya is out of the car. “Alright Andrew, what’s up?” Landon’s voice is light and humorous as if he’s just answered the phone after laughing at a joke. I think he’s been enjoying having time off work. I can’t really say I blame him. Landon doesn’t tend to take much time off.

“Everything’s great,” I tell him. It’s not quite accurate. Everything at work is great but things with Clara are far from perfect. “I just wanted to ask you for a favour.”

“Sure. Anything.” I know he’s sincere. He’s given me his company to look after. There’s perhaps only one thing he loves more and that’s Aurora.

“Can I pop round?” I sigh, “It will be easier to explain in person.”

“Sure. Let yourself up when you get here.”

“Thanks,” I do a u-turn in a quiet residential road before heading towards Landon’s apartment.

Barely ten minutes later, Landon is letting me into his apartment. He leads me into the sitting room where Aurora is reading a book. “How’s the shoulder Aurora?” I ask politely. I don’t really know Aurora. In fact, I think this might be the first time we’ve actually met but I’ve heard a lot about her. I’ve even betted on the outcome of her and Landon’s relationship with the rest of the office.

“Could be better,” she laughs melodically and there’s something slightly familiar about the sound, “thank you for looking after the company for Landon. He hasn’t let me out of his sight so work would have been a bit of a challenge.” I’m not sure if she’s really grateful or if Landon’s ever present bossiness is beginning to irritate her.

“Do you feel a bit suffocated?” I wink at her.

“Just a tad,” she tells me impishly, “I’m being very well looked after...”

“Would you like me to take him away for the evening?”

“Oh would you?” her eyes are alight with mischief.

Landon chimes in, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Aurora.” I turn to face Landon and although I can note he’s smiling, he also looks concerned.

“I’ll have a girls’ night... I can get Tallulah, Aileen and maybe even Grace to come round. We can watch movies in the home theatre upstairs and wear facemasks and eat junk food.” Her voice is so hopeful that I know Landon is going to give in to her. She’s his greatest weakness.

“What have you got in mind, Andrew?” he says with a sigh; giving in.

“A night out... there’s a girl...”

Aurora laughs, “There’s always a girl.”

“Is it Delos?” Landon takes me by surprise.

Oh shit. What if he’s heard the office gossip? “How did you know?” I ask him. I keep my composure. My face is void of expression; or at least that’s what I’m aiming for but in reality I probably just look like I’m trying not to laugh. My mother always used to tell me that she couldn’t take me seriously. She used to find it frustrating whenever she would try to tell me off because I’d give her a cheeky grin and she would work so hard to keep her face straight but she’d never succeed. Before she knew it we’d both be laughing.

“Something you both said in your interviews...” at my puzzled expression he elaborates, “When I hired you. You both gave the same story about wanting to get into advertising. You were her inspiration and she was yours.” His eyes are sparkling; trust Landon to find entertainment in my downfall because that’s what she is. She’s my downfall. I’m at a complete loss without her. Every time I see her I open my mouth to bark out some quick remark at her but have to slam it shut again. She’d just think I was laughing at her expense. After all that’s all I’ve ever done.

“Are you serious?” I’m completely flabbergasted.

“For real. So tell me, what’s the story with you and Delos?”

Aurora closes her book, her attention keenly focused on me, “this is more interesting than my book.”

“We went to school together. I liked her and like most boys that age I teased her... or bullied her depending on how you look at it. She’d tell you I bullied her but whatever I did, I hurt her and that’s really all that matters. Any way I kissed her the other day and now we aren’t talking at all. It’s complicated. She doesn’t think I’m serious and she’s convinced we can’t see each other without being unprofessional at work.”

“Well I can understand why she might think that,” Landon says to himself. “So what is the plan? How are you going to win sweet maiden’s heart?” he winks at Aurora.

“She’s going to be at the Kent Mockery tonight,” I tell him. I don’t want to admit that that is as far as my planning has taken me.

“So we’re going out on a boy’s night just so we can crash her night out?” he’s smirking. His eyes are on Aurora though, “good things always start at the Kent.”

I’m missing something. I don’t know what but it’s clearly personal so I choose to ignore it. “I want to come too,” Aurora almost whines.

“You know that could help,” I grin at her, “you’re pretty approachable.”

“Absolutely not,” Landon’s demeanour has changed. “Don’t encourage her or she’ll never rest.”

“Sorry.” I’m laughing gently. He’s very protective of Aurora but then again I think I would be if I was in his place, having almost lost the woman I love.

“Don’t apologise Andrew,” Aurora grins, “I’ve been resting for weeks. I won’t dance. I won’t drink. I’ll just sit and talk to this Delos woman. I’ll be your wing woman, Andrew!”

“You’re high on prescription medication right now,” Landon chuckles.

“That’s why I won’t drink,” she smiles at him, “can we pretend to be on an Mi5 mission with code words and everything?”

Landon is shaking his head, laughing at his fiancée’s words. “I guess we haven’t been out to celebrate our engagement yet. We haven’t told you, have we Andrew?”

“You’re engaged?” I smile at them both, “Congratulations.”

“It’s brilliant, isn’t it?” Aurora is smiling.

Landon gives her a gentle smile. It’s strange seeing that expression on his face. He’s usually so impersonal in his expressions. I knew he’d give in. I think he’d give Aurora anything she would ask him for. Aurora looks like she’s about to explode with excitement at the prospect of going out. “I’m going to go make some calls.” She’s on her feet and out the door faster than I would have thought possible considering her shoulder.

“She’s a firecracker,” I smile at Landon.

“She’s an angel,” is his response.

I nod. “So you are in?”

“I guess so,” he smirks, “I’ll invite a ton of people. It will give you an excuse to be there.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We still need to work out what you are going to say to win her over.”

Landon and Aurora have gone all out. We’re in the largest VIP area at The Kent Mockery. They’ve invited nearly everyone they know and so our part of the bar is heaving with bodies. I grin at Landon, “I think this might just work.” She’ll never know that the only reason all these people are here is for her.

“Of course it will,” Landon looks cool and in control whereas I’m sure I look like a wreck. I’d managed to talk my brother Jacob into coming. I’d told him all about Aurora’s Mi5 mission. I’d even told him it was all for the same girl he used to tease me about. That had been the icing on the cake. He was almost desperate to meet Clara.

“Have you invited Michael Vincent?”

Landon nods his head, “of course. Clara is out with Mike and her friends tonight. Mike and Sarah said that since they were already coming here tonight anyway they’d drop in on our little gathering.”

“Great.” I’m nodding my head as I remember the plan.

“I said to them that they should bring their friends with them since we have plenty of free booze to go around.”

“Good idea.” No one ever turns down the idea of free drinks.

“I know,” Landon smirks, “it will be easier to woo her if you have less competition.”

“Less competition?” I’m laughing now, “Our section of the bar is the busiest.”

Landon pats me on the back, “you can do it. It’s going to be fine. Aurora’s been stalking her on social media for hours. As soon as she arrives Aurora is going to make a beeline for her.”

“Won’t that be a bit weird?”

“That’s Aurora’s way.” Landon says with something akin to amusement, “she’ll make it look natural.”

“I’ll ask her if she dyes her hair that colour or if it’s natural,” Aurora pipes up as she comes to stand next to Landon. “I’ll say I’ve been thinking of dying my own hair but I haven’t found the right shade.”

“See...” Landon says pointedly.

Aurora almost squeals in delight a moment later when Clara walks into the bar. “Just wait,” Aurora is saying under her breath. She waits for Clara and her friends to enter the VIP area, “come on Landon. Let’s go say hi to our guests.” She winks at me.

I watch from one of the booths where I’m sat with Jacob while Aurora talks to Clara avidly. If nothing else happens tonight, Clara’s definitely made a new friend. “So that’s her?” Jacob asks.

“Yeah,” I don’t want to say more. I’m a bit wary. Even though we’ve both grown up and he no longer teases me about girls, Clara’s different. If he was going to tease me about anyone, it would be Clara.