The CEO's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 12

　　Roman was long gone when Eve made her way to the hot tub on the deck at the back of the house. The weather was perfect for being outdoors for a change. A long soak was what she needed to relieve her aching muscles, and there was no better place to do that than the backyard. The view was so green and untouched that it was hard to believe she was on the outskirts of London.

　　She used to sit here and pretend Roman had taken her to some romantic island for a weekend getaway, but holidays weren’t part of the contract. That was something someone did with a wife or girlfriend.

　　She put the tray with her bottle of wine, snacks and phone on the side and then slowly lowered herself into the bubbling water. It was still early, not even noon yet, so it was probably too early for the wine. And crisps and cookies weren’t proper breakfast foods. But who was watching?

　　She wondered what Roman was doing right now.

　　But it was none of her business. She was not going to dwell on her unrequited feelings and make herself more miserable when she had already planned to leave. She pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on pouring herself a glass of wine before picking up her phone. She knew she would need it after the conversation she was going to have. Her parents were the most important people in her life, and the past week had shown her that she deserved better than Roman. She deserved someone who would love her the way her dad loved her mum. Unconditionally.

　　She used to have many people to call, but now it was just her parents. When she got her new phone, she hadn’t bothered to save more than one or two numbers. It looked like friends were off her agenda for a little while, anyway.

　　Her mother picked up after a few rings.

　　“Hello, Evie.”

　　She didn’t sound like herself at all.

　　“I haven’t caught you at a bad time, have I?” she asked. “Are you going to work?”

　　Tessa Bright was a proud woman and would never sit on her ass while she was capable of working. It was a pity she had not inherited that pride, at least not when it came to Roman. A little bit of pride and self-respect would have made her turn that contract down before he had even finished making the offer.

　　“No, no. I took the day off.”

　　When had her mother ever had a day off without being forced? Her worry and anxiousness increased again. Roman must have been telling the truth.

　　“How’s dad?”

　　She desperately wanted to ask what was going on, but her mother always felt like she was burdening her if she shared her problems. Tessa suffered in silence, which was no good for anyone’s mental health.

　　“He’s had his breakfast and I settled him in the front room for his shows. It’s a good day today.”

　　The smile was evident in her mother’s voice. Her dad was her soft spot. Her mother had never complained that she’d had to take on the role of carer for both her and her dad soon after she had been born. It was pretty evident, the toll it had taken on her, but she did it all with a smile on her face. Tessa was her hero. There was nothing Roman could do to her that would stop her from buying this house for her parents so they could finally take a breather.

　　“Give him a kiss for me. I promise I’ll come and visit before the semester starts.”

　　She let her mother talk for a while, about the new neighbours upstairs, about the old lady in the block opposite who’d just had her birthday and invited them for cake. But she could tell the conversation was forced and lacking the usual warmth.

　　“Mum, what’s going on?” she asked finally. “I can help, you know I can.”

　　“I don’t want you to worry about us, Evie. We always land on our feet, no matter what,” her mother said.