From Loss To Love Box Set Read online

  “No, no, don’t worry about it. I rarely come in here anyway. I saw the light on.”

  “How come?”

  There was that dimple again. His eyes lingered on her luscious lips as she slowly chewed. He quickly moved his eyes to meet hers. “I never have the time. I mean, I’d love to just sit back and read every book ever written for the rest of my life, but—”

  “Work?” she asked in a whisper, and her eyes held a great deal of sympathy.

  “Well, don’t get me wrong. I’m not oblivious. I know I can afford it, but then...” He waved his hand before picking up another slice and sighing, “I haven’t yet found the person I can trust with my father’s life work.”

  “I can understand that. He worked so hard for this.”

  “Yeah.” His eyes wandered around the room, yearning for the books he was yet to read. “When we had Gerry, I truly thought I was gonna relax a little bit. And I did, until Lily got sick and...”

  There it was. The one thing he didn’t see a point in discussing.

  “So,” he said shaking his head, looking down as he leaned forward. “Don’t think I’m one of those dads who aren’t mindful of their child’s trauma... losing their mother.”

  “I don’t... think that.” Her voice shook a little, and he felt guilty for putting her in a corner.

  “She’s seen a couple of therapists. I’ve been told that, while she may be difficult now, things are bound to improve with proper care.”

  “Of course.” She paused, clearing her throat. “I need to confess something, though.”

  Honesty, at last.

  “You lied.” He knew what she was talking about.

  “What?”

  When he looked up at her, he could see the terror evident in her face.

  “You said you knew how to handle asthma when you didn’t. I saw that documentary on the ‘watched’ list, and I know you’ve been researching it. I felt comfortable, though, because William received first-class training.”

  She slowly shook her head, “I’m so—”

  “Sorry. Yes, I know.” He looked away, then back at her. “Look, Madeleine, I don’t appreciate being lied to. But I appreciate the effort and time you’ve invested in educating yourself.”

  He watched as all color drained from her face, and once again, he felt slightly bad for her.

  “I’m not a liar, Mr. Lorum.”

  “And I didn’t call you one. It was probably just an impulse.”

  She parted her lips, ready to say something. Her eyes conveyed that she was lost for words.

  “We can easily move past this if you promise to never lie to me again.” He let his face reflect how serious he was. “I leave my daughter in your hands all day. And unless you’re a parent, you’ll never understand how difficult it really is to trust anyone with the one person you love more than life itself.”

  Tilting her head, she stared at him, and it was as though her mind were somewhere else. He couldn’t read the expression on her face and it troubled him.

  “Does she know that?” she asked softly.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Geraldine. Does she know that you love her more than life itself?”

  The audacity! Who does she think she is?

  “Of course she knows!” Furrowing his eyebrows, he reacted like her question was utterly outrageous.

  Getting up from the chair, she straightened her back. He watched as she mindlessly licked the pizza grease off her fingers, while her face looked too serious for what she was doing.

  “I apologize. I feel like I’ve crossed a line here. You must understand that my only goal is what’s best for Gerry.” She squeezed her eyes shut, frantically shaking her head.

  She spoke really quickly, and he struggled to keep up with her.

  “It was wrong of me to question your bond.” She raised both hands in the air as a sign of peace. “I’m new, I’m learning.” She shook her head once more. “She’s a very intelligent child. I must’ve misread her.”

  Swiftly tossing the slice back into the box, he stood up to face her, placing one hand on her arm. “Will you calm down?”

  “What?” She sounded out of breath.

  “You are new here, and I know that this is not your typical family setting.”

  Blinking twice, she stared at him. It was as though her eyes got fixated on his jawline, and she was no longer paying attention.

  “Madeleine?”

  “Yes, Mr. Lorum.” Her eyes shot up to meet his.

  In an attempt to ease her anxiety, he pressed his hand on her arm a tad harder. “You live here, now. Call me Hank.”

  “But William also lives here.” Her voice was finally returning to its normal tone.

  “It’s too late for him,” he chuckled. “He’s called me that since the day I was born, although I tried.”

  “Okay.” She took a few steps towards the door. “Good night, Hank.”

  “Good night, Madeleine.”

  As she left the room, he went back to the couch, throwing his weight down. He picked up his slice of pizza and bit into it, staring at the book she left on the table.

  Looks like William will always be a great judge of character.

  She’s exactly what Gerry needs.

  But more importantly now... does Geraldine know how much I love her?

  Chapter 5

  Madeleine.

  Madeleine spent the next week bonding further with Gerry. Now that she knew what she was doing, it was easier to think of things to do together. Understanding her better with each day, she started to read her bits of poetry about the beauty of art.

  One day, as Gerry swam in the pool while Maddy sat out in the sun, Gerry came to the side of the pool, squinting as the sun hit her eye. “Maddy? What’s your favorite book?”

  Progress!

  “Hm,” she said, making a thinking face. “Y’know, that’s a really tough one, Ger. There’re so many!”

  “How many books are there?”

  “Oh, gosh. Millions?”

  “Woah!”

  “Would you like me to read you a part of one of my favorite books?”

  Gerry nodded enthusiastically. Maddy grabbed her Kindle and launched The Picture of Dorian Gray.

  “Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.” She recited the line softly with a smile.

  “So, if I paint a tree, it’s a picture of me?” Gerry furrowed her little brows, her eyes looking from one side to the other.

  “Your painting of the tree has a little bit of both. The way the tree looks, and the way you feel about it.”

  Gerry’s face conveyed deep thought, before she smiled and giggled, dipping her head into the water. “That’s so cool!” she screamed.

  “I know, right?”

  “What book is that?”

  “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

  “Is it for grown-ups?” She smoothed her wet hair with one hand.

  “You can read it when you’re thirteen.”

  She started visibly counting in her head.

  “Wow. I’ll forget by then. Will you remind me?”

  The question touched her heart.

  “You will be reminded,” she said, nodding.

  A few days later, Madeleine was reading out in the garden as she settled into this intimate habit with her Kindle. It was near midnight, and for some reason, she couldn’t sleep. As she heard the front door open, she turned to see who it was, and recognized Hank’s silhouette as it came into the garden light. He was wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants and another old tee with holes in it.

  “Can’t sleep?” he asked softly.

  She noticed he was also holding a book. “No, and I’d rather read than toss and turn.”

  “Wise.” He sat down in the chair next to her.

  “May I ask about the holes in all your home shirts?”

  He chuckled quietly and said, “Have you noticed they only get more and more comfortable this way?”<
br />
  “I have.” She let a big grin light up her face.

  If you weren’t my boss, I’d be making it even more comfortable right now.

  She cleared her throat to clear her mind, glancing at the book he was holding.

  “Damned?” She said, raising an eyebrow.

  “I needed a laugh. Chuck Palahniuk always cracks me up.” He paused. “Speaking of damnation... what was the conversation that led to Geraldine hearing the name ‘Dorian Gray’?”

  She giggled gently. “Oh, I read her a line from the book about art. How come?”

  “Well, she came to ask me where she would find paintings by Dorian Gray.”

  “Oh my gosh!”

  They both laughed, and it was followed by a moment of silence.

  “I like that you talk to her about things like that.”

  “I like that she humors me,” she said, smiling.

  Noticing how the light reflected from the surface of the pool onto his face, she reveled in the mystical waves it created on his heavenly features.

  “What?”

  “She’s really pretty...” She looked down and said, “Geraldine. She looks a lot like you.”

  Shit.

  As she heard him clear his throat, grateful for the dark that didn’t reveal the blush she felt burning through her skin.

  “Well, it’s getting a little chilly out here. I’ll read in my room. Good night, Maddy.”

  “G’night.” She pressed her lips into a thin line.

  Fuck! You’re officially harassing your boss, now. What the hell is wrong with you? You just made the most powerful tech man in the world uncomfortable.

  Unbelievable!

  Taking a deep breath and exhaling sharply, she lit up the Kindle and resumed reading, trying to forget all about that horrifying incident.

  For the week that followed, Madeleine did her best to avoid being alone with Hank at all costs. The last thing she wanted was for him to think that she was some gold-digger, or that she was a promiscuous woman willing to fuck the boss for fun. What troubled her the most, however, was the fact that she wasn’t any of those things. She really did like him.

  Well, this needs to stop.

  On Friday night, she knew that Hank was invited to a book launch party at a publisher’s house and was going to be late. After putting Gerry to bed, she took her Kindle and walked out into the garden. The full moon lit up the sky, washing out all the stars, painting everything with a dreamy silver glow.

  Just past one, Hank’s car approached, and she noticed that Brad, the chauffeur, was driving.

  “Hey, beautiful,” Hank strutted towards her, hanging a leather jacket with one finger hooked over his shoulder. He looked like James Dean with his hair brushed up to the side.

  Beautiful? Is he drunk?

  “Hey, handsome,” she said, making sure to add a touch of sarcasm. “Shooting a new music video?”

  Tossing the jacket on a chair as he approached, he threw his head back, dramatically clutching both hands over his heart.

  “You should’ve been there,” he said, smiling dreamily.

  “At Jenna’s party?” She smirked.

  “You—” He shook his head slowly, his eyes only half-open. “Would’ve laughed your ass off at all those idiots pretending to know their books.”

  “Ah.” Smiling, she examined him from head to toe as he swaggered towards the chair, slumping down on it.

  “Madeleine,” he whispered, then bit his lower lip for a moment, “have I ever told you—” He leaned forward, then back again to lean on the chair. “That dimple, just...”

  Scratching his head, he looked to the side where he spotted the jacket he’d tossed a minute ago. “I am hammered, aren’t I?” He muttered under his breath without looking at her.

  Standing up, he managed to keep his balance, although visibly struggling. Picking up the jacket, he strutted towards the stairs.

  “Don’t mind me.” Without looking back, he threw his arm up to wave, “but if I trip... pick me up, will ya?”

  She didn’t see him the day that followed, not even at breakfast. On Sunday, the afternoon sun was warm and inviting, and Maddy heard Hank brief Brad on the errands of the day. He was to first drive him to a gala at the Bullock residence, then take William for his routine check-up, and come back to pick him up at eight.

  She decided to join Geraldine at the pool while the men were gone, then maybe play a game or watch something.

  “I’m getting pruney! I’ll go take a shower,” Gerry shouted as she jumped out of the pool and ran inside, leaving puddles everywhere.

  “Wait up!” Quickly gliding her feet into flip flops, Maddy raced to follow her, trying to be careful not to slip.

  Getting into the house, she heard the girl’s laughter echo.

  “Gerry! You’re making a mess. Where are you?”

  She could hear her running around, her little feet splatting wet on the marble floors.

  “Geraldine! No running in the house!”

  Trying to follow the sound, she ran upstairs. “Gerry! Come out, come out, wherever you are!”

  As the sounds of laughter and running stopped, she tried to listen carefully. Suddenly catching what sounded like a wheeze, she darted towards the library where she thought the sound came from.

  The door was ajar, and when she pushed it open, she found Geraldine on the floor, gasping for breath.

  “Oh my God!”

  Swiftly picking her up, she took her to her room, away from the smell of books and dust. Sitting her down on a chair, she grabbed the inhaler and fixed it in place on her mouth.

  “C’mon, Gerry. C’mon, baby, breathe. Breathe!”

  As Geraldine struggled to inhale, it didn’t seem to work. Her flushed face was quickly growing paler.

  “Okay, c’mon.” Picking her up from under her arms, she carried her upright, putting the inhaler in her little hand and fixing it on her mouth. She raced down the stairs, out of the house, and towards the pool where she grabbed her keys, phone, and poolside cover up.

  Carefully placing Gerry in her car seat, she exhaled sharply.

  “Hang on, Ger!”

  Rushing to the nearest hospital, Maddy tried to call Gerry’s doctor twice to no avail. As she stopped at a red light, she tried to call Hank, who also didn’t reply. She launched the chat app and pressed ‘record’. As she tried her best to control her tone, her voice note simply said, “Gerry had an asthma attack. We’re on our way to the emergency room right now. Please meet us there.”

  Chapter 6

  Hank.

  After the doctors managed Geraldine’s asthma attack, she fell into a deep sleep. While they said it would be all right for her to go home, Hank found it best to stay overnight. He called William instructing him to have a specialized cleaning service thoroughly dust and disinfect every corner of the villa, including his treasured library.

  “I’m sorry, I would’ve locked the library if I knew,” Maddy said quietly.

  “It’s okay.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m just glad she’s fine now. I told her a thousand times not to go in there.”

  “Kids love forbidden fruit.” She smiled tenderly, sitting beside him on the couch.

  As he pressed his palms together, he felt her hand on his back. She patted him a couple of times as a way of comfort, and he felt a wave of gratitude wash over him, thankful for how she was handling the situation.

  “Thanks for acting quickly.”

  His phone started ringing in his pocket. Impatiently sighing, he pulled it out and silenced it. It was work, and the time was close to seven in the evening. When it stopped, he pressed a button to turn it off.

  I can’t deal with this right now.

  He was coming down from all the adrenaline that rushed through his veins earlier and remembered that Maddy must be hungry.

  “Wanna venture to the dreaded cafeteria?” His voice came out strained, his attempt to add humor to his demeanor failing miserably.

 
The look of compassion in her eyes made him feel both embarrassed and somehow... safe. No one sympathized with the rich, powerful businessman, but she treated him like a human being. For the first time in years, he didn’t feel completely alone. He felt seen for who he really was—a worried father and an utterly exhausted man.

  Points? The meter imploded.

  “I’ll go. You stay with her.” She stood up. “What are you in the mood for?”

  “Anything that’s been through fire,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t trust salads outside the house.”

  “Good call.” She smiled and walked towards the door. “Any no-no’s?”

  “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a picky eater. Just get me whatever you’re getting.”

  Ten minutes later, she returned with two grilled cheese sandwiches and a couple of diet sodas.

  “I found comfort food.” She cheerfully held them to him.

  “Ah!” He sat back, grinning. “You’re an angel!”

  She sat down beside him and proceeded to unwarp the sandwich, carefully removing the upper half of the paper. He silently watched her mindless, maternal moment as a flood of warmth surged through him. A faint smile curled the edge of his lips when she looked up and handed it to him.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  Their eyes locked for a moment, and for the first time, he noticed the yellow sunflower beams in her grey irises.

  Her cheeks turned red as she broke eye contact and started unwrapping her own sandwich. “You can attend to business, by the way. I’m staying anyway.”

  I know, Madeleine. But what if I want to spend the night with you?

  He shook his head. “I’m beat. I haven’t taken a day off in eons.”

  “Yet, you’re spending your first day off in a white hospital room with fluorescent lighting and cafeteria food.” Her grin was genuine, and her eyes were apologetic.

  “Believe it or not,” he took a bite, looking around at the room, “it’s nice being in a hospital room knowing that the patient will be okay. Last time, I wasn’t so lucky.”

  Thinking that she couldn’t possibly imagine the distress hospital rooms brought onto him, he was surprised when she nodded.

  “I know. Both my parents are nurses, so I actually know what you mean.”