I pull my panties to the side. “We do this.” I slide down onto him.
He looks up at me in awe. “I like that we’re doing this.”
I smile, the double meaning not lost. “Me, too.”
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
Hmm, what’s that?
“Hello,” Sebastian answers in a husky voice. He stands and walks over to the window and peers out onto the street below as he listens to whoever is on the phone. “Is he all right?”
He falls silent.
I rub my eyes as I watch him. Who’s he talking to?
“I’ll be on the first plane home.” He nods and turns. His eyes find mine. “See you soon.” He hangs up.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“They found Theodore.”
I smile. “Great.”
“He’s dead.”
26
April
I blink in surprise. “What?”
“He committed suicide. They found his body in a rental car in a forest in the north.”
My heart constricts. “Oh no. When?”
“It looks like a while ago. Probably as soon as he went missing.”
“God.” I sigh sadly.
“I have to go home.” He walks into the walk-in wardrobe and retrieves his suitcase.
“Of course.”
“You’re having a good time. Stay with the others. Fly home with them and I’ll meet you back in London.” He puts his suitcase up on the desk and begins to throw his things into it.”
“No, I’m coming with you.” I stand and retrieve my suitcase.
“It’s not necessary,” he mutters, completely distracted with his packing.” I can feel his stress levels skyrocketing by the second.
“Seb.” I hug him from behind. “I’m leaving with you.”
He turns and takes me into his arms. We stay silent for a while, just holding each other.
Suicide. Is there a worse death? So much sadness. So much pain.
“I’ll pack our things. You organize the flight,” I say with renewed purpose.
“Okay.” He kisses me. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I smile up at him. “Promise me that we can come back here.”
“I promise.” He pulls out of our hug and gets on his phone. “Hello, I need two seats on the first plane to London.” His eyes flick over to me. “Yes, chartered, if possible.”
He listens. “Three hours?”
I nod.
“Yes, okay, thank you.”
The plane lands on the runway. We’ve arrived in London.
I look over to Sebastian who has said two words the entire flight home. He’s staring straight ahead, leaning back against the headrest, lost in his own thoughts. There’s a deep sadness is within him. It’s circling around the both of us, taunting me of the happy weekend we’ve lost.
I wish I could say something worthy, something to make this all better, but there is nothing, so I stay silent.
Apparently, there are already whispers in the media. Bart has also called ahead to tell us the press is at the airport waiting for an update from their beloved Garcia. I guess they realize that if he’s coming home early, something big is going down.
Poor Theodore.
How the hell does Sebastian announce to the world that Theodore is now dead when he’s been assuring them that he was fine?
I drag my hand down my face. God, this is a fucking nightmare.
I feel guilty for leaving Bart alone in this when he needs me most. Maybe I’ll work behind the scenes for him this week.
The plane comes to a stop, and Sebastian stands and fusses around in the overhead. He retrieves his suit bag and goes to the bathroom to freshen up. When he returns, his thick, black hair is neat, his suit is crisp, and his beautiful face is grim.
He’s ready for business.
There are two versions of Mr. Garcia: the one the world knows. The hard ass, workaholic who has a secret penchant for high class hookers. Then there’s my Seb. The loving man who makes me feel like the most beautiful woman on Earth.
I hate that the world doesn’t get to see the real him, but I know that this is how he is.
Guarded.
I smile softly, hoping that he can feel my affection for him. He has the worst week coming up, and nobody can help him through it. He and he alone will face the press. It is his voice that everyone will turn to for guidance in such uncertain times.
The doors are opened, and the cabin crew and pilot shake Sebastian’s hand as they stand by the door.
“Thank you.” He nods.
I smile and follow him down the stairs, hanging back a little, unsure where I am supposed to be. Sebastian stops and turns back. He holds his hand out to me.
I frown at him. He wants to be seen together? He’s usually so private.
“Are you coming?” he asks, hand outstretched.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I take his hand, and my heart begins to hammer. This is it. The announcement of our relationship.
The doorman opens the door, and we walk into the airport.
Cameras flash. People run.
“Mr. Garcia, is it true that the Prime Minister is dead?” someone calls.
Sebastian exhales and pulls me along quickly.
“Is this your new wife, Mr. Garcia? Have you been on a honeymoon?”
Sebastian rolls his lips, unimpressed as we march along.
“What is your name, Miss?” Someone yells. “What does your ex-wife think of your new girlfriend?”
What?
Sebastian stops and turns back to the man who called it out. He glares at him. The man takes a step back, unsure of the consequences. Sebastian’s chest rises and falls, and I know it’s taking all his strength not to smack the man in the mouth. I give Sebastian’s hand a subtle tug, and he turns back to me. We start walking toward the exit to where our car is waiting.
“When are you having a press conference?” someone calls.
We walk out through the front doors, cameras still flashing. We arrive at the waiting black car.
God, this really is horrendous.
I drag my hand through my hair. What must I look like?
Sebastian opens the back door of the SUV, and I slide in. He closes the door behind me.
What?
I peer out of the tinted windows to see that he is doing, speaking with the photographers. His face is angry, and whatever he is saying, they are all taking notes.
He turns and gets into the car beside me. He slams the door.
“Drive!” he orders.
“Yes, sir.”
The car pulls out into the street.
I turn and look out the rear window to see the camera flashes disappearing into the distance.
I turn back to the face forward, my heart still hammering in my chest.
I glance over to see Sebastian’s elbow resting on the car door, his hand on his temple. He’s staring out at the passing traffic, miles away.
Poor Theodore.
Good morning babe.
Wishing you luck for today xoxo
A text bounce’s back from him.
Missed you this morning.
I didn’t want to wake you.
Call you later.
Love you
xo