Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

I blow out a deflated breath and flop back on the bed.

Jeez, it’s like a bad Nicholas Sparks movie.

Janelle continues to clean around me.

“How did their mother die?” I ask.

“Car accident.”

“How was he after she died?”

“Who Mr. Masters?”

I nod.

“Quiet.”

I frown. “Is he always quiet?” She shrugs. “He is with me. He holds a very powerful position at work and I think it’s very taxing on him. When I first started, just after she died, I searched for Alina on Facebook. There were a lot of shots of the two of them out on the town together. She was beautiful.”

My eyebrows rise as I listen.

“But her page was shut down not long after.”

“Hmm.” All this information and I have no idea what to do with it. Janelle continues to clean, and I feel guilty for lounging here, just watching her work. “Do you want some help?” I ask. “Can I do anything?”

She smiles warmly. “No, dear, but why don’t you go and have a lie down. I’m sure you must still be jetlagged.”

“Yeah, I am. Dead tired, to be honest.” I hop up and make my way to the door, glancing back over my shoulder. “It was lovely meeting you.”

She smiles warmly. “You, too, dear. Sweet dreams.”

I make my way down to my room, set my alarm, and climb into bed. I pull my big, heavy quilt over me, and then I try to imagine I am home.

Julian

I walk into Rodger's bar at around 4:00 p.m. to meet with Sebastian and Spencer—something we all do at least once a week. We've been best friends since we were ten years old. I don't see them as much as I would like to, but they keep me sane when I need them.

“Hey, Jules.” Seb smiles.

“Hey. Where’s Spence?”

“At the bar.”

I glance over, falling onto a stool, and see Spencer deep in discussion with a woman at the bar.

“How’s your week been?” Seb asks.

“Yeah, pretty good. Yours?”

He curls his lip. “This new building is giving me a fucking headache.” He shrugs. “I’ll get it right eventually.”

Sebastian is an architect, specializing in the designs of skyscrapers. Spencer owns a steel company. They both do very well for themselves.

Spence arrives back at the table with our three beers in hand. "Hey, Masters, what's up?" He holds a beer out for me too as he sits down.

“Not much.” I sip my beer. “My new nanny started.”

“What’s she like?” Seb asks.