The Boss That Loved Me

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Leah

"That's your car?" I asked.

"Yeah, why don't you like it?" he smiled back at me. Was he joking? It's the hottest of all cars! They went well together! I could say what it was but... I don't know but! I know it was black and had no roof and that was hot!

"No, I love it... I just thought that you would have Steve drive you. I didn't think you'd drive yourself... That's all" I said nervously not really knowing what I was getting at. To be honest I didn't know he could drive, he always had Steve his chauffeur drive me.

"I can sometimes do things for myself now and then Leah. Like being a normal person and I didn't think Steve wanted to spend his Saturday night driving me around" he laughed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude" I quickly apologised.

"Don't be silly Leah, you don't need to explain yourself to me. I knew what you meant, I was just joking." He said as we walked down the stairs of my apartment to his car. I was so excited to sit in it!

"Oh... well you know it's sometimes hard to tell with you". He laughed and opened the door for me, like a true gentleman. "Thank you" I smiled as I sat in his incredible white leather seats.

After driving in silence for a bit I tried to think of something to say.

"How far is the hotel that my parents are staying in?" I asked folding and unfolding my hands in my lap again and again.

"On the other side of London... so we'll be there in about twenty maybe thirty minutes" he looked at his expensive watch at the time before driving in and out of the London traffic. I just nodded and looked at the window trying to breathe.

Keep calm and relax. I tried to tell myself. Go to your happy place. Bathtub. Glass of red wine. And Michael Bolton. Relax. Relax. Relax. Nope its just not working. Being in Christian Howard's car has ruined my happy place.

My heart was beating louder than a drum and my breathing was coming out too fast. I looked down at my hands and I couldn't stop them from shaking.

Christian's soft voice made me look back up to him quickly. "Are you ok?"

Breathe.

"Yes" just breathe. "I'm...I'm fine" you are not having a panic attack, I told myself. This is all in your head. Just breathe.

"You don't look fine Leah. Your face has gone white and you're shaking" I could feel his breath on my face all the way over from where he sat.

"I'm ... just ... scared... I mean... I'm just a little nervous... That's all"

He moves over and took my hand in his. I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest and I stopped breathing completely.

"It's going to be ok Leah. I know you haven't seen your family in so long..."

"You do? Did Jess tell you that?" I asked.

"Jessica did say something about it but it was your grandfather that told me everything" he looked away. Like he was now worried about something.

"Grandfather... everything?" I managed to say.

"I'm working with Rupert on a project as well as your father. He told me the whole story. I know this it hard for you Leah. And I think you're being very brave and forgiving towards your family" he gave me that smile. That pitiful smile that I never thought Christian Howard could offer.

Oh god he really did know everything. And he believes my side above my families. Why?

I looked at his hand that was still holding on to mine and without thinking I took hold of his hand as well. It must have been the fact that I was hyperventilating that made me take such a bold step but with his hand already holding mine I felt... safe.