“Okay.” I shrug. “Sounds great! And thanks so much. I super appreciate your help on this. Have a good night.”
“Good night, dear.” She smiles and it seems genuine, then she softly closes the door.
Maybe I misread her and we just got off on the wrong foot. I’m glad to see she seems to be taking the talk Mr. Hayes had with her earlier to heart.
I head back to my room and run a warm bath and light a candle to settle in and read a few chapters of The Phantom of the Opera but every few sentences, my mind drifts back to the feeling of Mr. Hayes standing so close to my body, and that warm fluttery feeling settles in my belly.
6
GRAHAM
I take the rest of my bourbon in hand and trudge up the stairs toward my bedroom. It’s late, nearing midnight, and I’m the last one still up. The rest of the house is dark and silent.
I step onto the landing of the second floor, hesitating momentarily. I glance down the long hallway, swirling the remaining liquid in my tumbler.
My bedroom is on the third floor of the house. Originally, Meredith and I used the room that Margot is now living in. In fact, the other night when I stepped in there and startled her was the first time I’d been in there since Meredith died.
Against my better judgment, I take a right and walk down the hallway until I’m standing in front of Margot’s door. I have no idea what I’m doing. I take a sip of the liquor, bringing my free hand to rest on the doorframe. I lean my head forward till it’s resting against the door.
I don’t hear anything coming from inside the room which is good. If she were to open her door right now, she’d probably scream and think I was a fucking creep. In her imaginary defense, I am.
I wonder if she’s fast asleep. I also wonder what she sleeps in. Silk? A matching pajama set? Maybe just an oversized shirt and nothing else. I feel myself growing hard at the images my brain is conjuring. I let my hand fall from the doorframe to the handle before realizing what I’m doing and I step back like it burned me.
Anger surges through me. Anger at myself for wanting her so badly. Misguided anger at her for tempting me just by simply existing in my presence.
I don’t know what power this woman has over me or why it was such an all-consuming and instant infatuation with her. I know better. This is gross and unprofessional. She’s young and naïve; she trusts me not to invade her space and cross her boundaries.
I walk back down the hallway, making my way up to the third floor to my bedroom.
“I need a cold shower.”
The next morning I wake early to pack my overnight bags for my trip this morning. I double-check the time. My private plane departs in an hour. I grab my bags and head downstairs where my driver Phil is waiting to take them to the car.
“Good morning, sir.” Phil gives me a nod as he takes the bags.
I walk to the kitchen and grab an espresso, downing the shot and chasing it with a bottle of water.
“Good morning, Mr. Hayes!”
Margot’s chipper voice surprises me and I turn around to give her a nod before walking back toward the front door.
“Oh, sir, sorry to bother you, but I was wondering about something?”
I let out an exaggerated exhale as she follows behind me. I’m already running late and the last thing I need or want is a slew of questions.
“Yes?”
“Would it be okay for me to drive Eleanor in my own car? The reason I ask is because I saw there’s this really cool exhibit happening at the children’s museum and I thought she would absolutely love it.”
“Miss Silver.”
“Oh, and what about the zoo? I know some people are really against zoos and I wasn’t sure if that would scare her or if she’s allergic to—”
“Miss Silver.” I say the words loudly this time and she stops mid-sentence with a small jump. “I told you previously to consult Miss Perry on these matters. I’m late.”
The words come out harsher than I mean them, and I see her countenance fall.
“I’m sorry. That was harsh. Yes, you can drive her and take her to both of those places. That being said, please ask Miss Perry to give you the book that has all of the information you need regarding Eleanor. Read it thoroughly and double-check it before asking more questions.”
I step forward and reach for the door.
“Sir, are you going to call Eleanor while you’re away on business?”
I give her a questioning look.
“She’ll miss you. She already asks about you when you’re at the office all day. Just thought it might be nice for her to hear your voice while you’re gone.” She folds her hands together as they hang in front of her.
“Why don’t you let me worry about that.”
I open the door just as Phil steps up onto the porch. “Sir,” he says, motioning toward his watch.
“Aren’t you going to tell her goodbye?” I grip the door handle tightly, flashing Phil an apologetic smile before turning back and stepping inside. Margot smiles at me as I walk past her and take the stairs two at a time till I’m at Eleanor’s door.
I knock softly and open it to find her sitting on the floor with a pile of construction paper and markers.
“Eleanor, I’m leaving for a work trip. I’ll be gone for a few days.”
“I know, Daddy. Miss Margot told me.”
I crouch down to where she’s coloring and tilt her chin up to look at me. I study her big blue eyes as they dart back and forth. She looks so much like her mother.
“Give me a hug goodbye,” I say as I fall onto my knees and open my arms. She stands up and walks into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck as I hold her tightly against me. I close my eyes briefly as I savor the moment before planting a kiss on her forehead and standing back up.
“Be good for Miss Silver and Miss Perry, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Love you too, Daddy,” she says as she goes back to coloring.
I make my way back downstairs and think I’ve dodged a bullet when I don’t see Margot anywhere. I’m about to shut the door behind me when I feel resistance and hear her voice again. I can’t help but roll my eyes.
What is with this annoying woman?
“Oh, one more thing, sir.” She’s handing me a piece of paper with scribbles on it. “It’s a card from Eleanor. She drew it earlier this morning and wanted to make sure you took it with you so you wouldn’t forget her.”
I take the paper and nod at Margot.
“Have a safe trip.” She smiles.
I finally slide into the back seat of the car and make my way to the airfield.
“She’s something else, isn’t she.” Phil laughs, interrupting my thoughts as I stare at the picture Eleanor made me.
I shake my head. “She really is. A little annoying,” I mutter, and he laughs even harder.
“It’s nice having some young energy around the house. Earlier this morning she saw me outside and came over to make small talk. Asked me about fifteen questions about this car. Said she’d never heard of a Maybach before.”
“What was she doing out that early?”
“Out for a run I believe, sir.”
Silence falls between us as I imagine her running the grounds, her tempting little body wrapped in spandex.