Find Me Alastar(6)

She nods nervously. He turns back to me and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you, Emerson.”

I smile. “Likewise. Please look after my friend,” I reply as my eyes flick to Brielle. She looks so scared, I think she might run over water to get back to Australia any minute now.

He walks off, wheeling her baggage behind him, and she turns to cuddle me.

“This is shit,” she whispers.

I smile into her hair as she grips me tight. “It will be fine. He’s probably really nice.”

“He doesn’t look nice,” she murmurs as she pulls out of my grip.

“Yeah, I agree. He looks like a tool,” Mark adds as his eyes follow Julian across the airport.

My eyes flick to Mark in annoyance. He is not a part of this conversation and I’m trying to sweeten the deal here. Shut up! Is he not aware that I have been in a plane for twenty-four hours and have jetlag with a bad case of don’t bloody mess with me?

“Mark, look after my friend, please.” Brielle smiles.

He smiles and rubs his chest like a stupid gorilla. “Oh, I intend to.”

I frown and he winks cheekily at me. Hmm. My disturbed eyes meet Brielle’s and this time it’s her who is smirking at my situation. We both look across the airport and see Julian Masters looking back impatiently for Brielle.

“I better go.” She frowns.

I nod. “I will get my phone sorted and then call you tomorrow. You have my apartment details if you need me beforehand.”

“I will probably turn up in an hour. Tell your room mates I’m coming in case I need a key,” she whispers.

“Go,” I mouth. She nods and tentatively walks over to her new boss, and they continue off into the distance together, soon disappearing from my sight. My eyes fall back to Mark and then over to the luggage carousel. “There it is, that one.” I point to my suitcase as I go to retrieve it.

“Stand back and let a man do his job,” Mark announces.

I feel the womens’ lib hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. “I can lift a suitcase,” I mutter with a frown. Damn, this jetlag is making me bitchy.

He laughs heartily. “That’s why you have me. I’m going to look after you for this entire trip.”

I fake a smile. Oh, great. Lucky me.



* * *



“Its on the third floor,” Mark tells me as he unlocks the bottom front door of my new apartment block. The building is old and smells musty.

I feel the apprehension swirl in my stomach.

We walk up the flights of stairs in silence until we get to number fourteen and he unlocks the door, holding it open for me. I peer in like a curious child.

“It’s a nice apartment.” He smiles.

“Yes.” I nod, still unsure as we walk in together. “Thank you for organizing everything.”

“And your room is through here.” He opens the door and I smile. Oh… my bedroom is nice. It has a large bay window with a window seat. It’s airy, big, and painted white. The bed is Queen size and the headboard is cast iron in a mint green kind of color. There is also a desk, a large wardrobe, and a full-length mirror on the far wall. I look around and for the first time since leaving home, I feel excited. Mark throws my suitcase onto my bed. “The others wont be home until after six. They’re all working.”

“Okay.”

“And I have taken tomorrow off work so I can show you around London.”

Oh, he’s being so nice. I smile broadly. “Thank you. That would be lovely.”

“Would you like me to make you a cup of tea or something?” he asks.

I nod. “Yes please.”

He disappears into the kitchen.

I walk over to the window and pull the sheer curtains back and look out onto the street below. There’s old houses and apartment blocks and terraces down the street. I smile proudly to myself because I did it. I did this. I’m in London and this is really happening.

Mark reappears with my tea. “Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?”

Hmm. I am as tired as hell. I frown. “Do you mind if we take a rain check? I’m exhausted and would really just like to sleep.” I sip my tea as I watch his face.

“Of course.” He fakes a smile. “I will pick you up about nine in the morning and we can explore London?” he offers hopefully.

I smile in relief. “Sounds great, and thank you for being so great today.”

He stands and his eyes search mine. Oh no. He’s coming in for a kiss. He leans in and I quickly peck him on the lips. “S-see you tomorrow,” I stammer.

He pulls back and I see disappointment cross his face. “Goodbye then.” Flustered, he leaves in a rush.

“Goodbye.” I smile, but as I watch him disappear down the stairs, my heart drops and I feel bad.

This is not what I had imagined and I have absolutely zero physical attraction to Mark.

Shit.





Chapter 2





“Knock, knock.”

I pry open my groggy eyes, slowly waking to the sound of a strange voice. I sit up in a rush. Shit, where am I? My eyes dart around frantically as I struggle to gather my bearings. The door opens slightly.

“Hello?” A girl smiles through the crack. “Are you okay?”