Irish Promises

Chapter Twenty-Two

Stasia 

The fact that it's Friday means that I made it through my first week and most importantly after I leave tonight I have two whole days of not being ordered around.

Nope, instead I can spend my whole weekend with my guys and maybe do a little bit of ordering them around instead which is without a doubt a better option.

As soon as I step into the office after my latest round of tasks I'm called into Zara's office where she and Elouise -another girl that works here- are both waiting for me.

"Elouise will be joining you for the tastings with the caterers today, you know two heads are better than one" Zara informs me and it takes everything in me to not actually scoff and roll my eyes at that.

Now she wants to send someone to work with me instead of just sticking it all on me and for the easiest part this week a fucking food tasting.

I'm sure anyone would look at me and be able to tell that I would have absolutely no trouble tasting food. Clearly it's a speciality of mine. It was literally the only thing that I've been looking forward to all week.

Food and peace for a few hours but no.

Instead of saying this though I agree to Elouise coming along and we both head out together, her offering to drive us.

Elouise is a nice enough girl, all the interactions I've had with her have been pleasant enough so I guess it's not the worst thing in the world to be doing this together.

As we get into her car she pulls her long curly hair up into a ponytail and sighs before she pulls off..

"Zara is such a bitch" she then says and that has my head snapping round to look at her, my mouth gaping open at her bluntness.

When I don't say anything because I'm still in shock she laughs, glancing at me briefly.

"Don't trust her, she's sneaky" she then says her expression turning serious.

"What do you mean?" I ask, genuinely intrigued.

"Like this" she replies, gesturing between us. "She wanted me to bring you to the tasting because the locations changed"

"What?" I gasp knowing full well that this has something to do with Irvin.

"Yes, she didn't know I overheard her conversation with that big russian guy but I did" she then goes on to say confirming my thoughts that this is indeed Irvin's doing.

"Why would you tell me this?" I ask, not trusting her at all.

"Like I said Zara is a bitch and that is something I definitely am not, and anyways I could have let you figure it out once we arrived but I thought you might appreciate the heads up" she says with a shrug and then adds "You know seeing as I have a feeling that russian guy is connected to you"

"How'd you figure that one out?" I reply sarcastically and she smiles.

"Hmmmm" she hums, tapping her chin. "Maybe the accent? Or no it's because he's very insistent on you being brought to him today"

"Where is it we're going?" I ask, pointing at her satnav realising I never saw the address she put in.

"Some place called the burrows" she replies with a shrug and again that has my mouth gaping.

"I take it you know where that is?" She asks and I scoff.

"Yeah I know it. I grew up there" I inform herand I see the little arch of her eyebrow that says she wants to ask more questions but thankfully she doesn't.

Instead we both sit quietly for the remainder of the journey. I'm not sure why she's so quiet, maybe it's because she can sense that I need time to think or maybe because she's a part of this whole ridiculous plan as well. I don't know.

But I don't trust her. I have no reason to.

Although in truth she had no reason to warn me about Zara and where we're going so I'm confused as hell if truth be told. 

A short drive later we're pulling up to the heavily guarded gates and I hear Elouise suck in a breath at seeing the armed guards.

"Aren't guns illegal here?" she hisses to me as if they'll be able to hear her through the window. 

"Last time I checked men like these don't particularly care about the law" I grumble as I roll down my window as one of the guards approaches.

"I take it you're expecting me" I say to him but he doesn't give me a response instead he just signals for the gate to be open and then for Elouise to drive ahead.

"Who the hell are you?" Elouise asks from next me clear hesitance in her tone as we make our way up the long driveway that leads to my old home.

Another gasp leaving her when she eyes the magnitude of the estate ahead of her. 

"And who the hell is he to you?" she then asks as Irvin appears at the entryway, looking as put together and calm as ever.

His sleeves rolled up showing off his strong forearms just as always and his hands in his pockets as if he's got all the time in the world. His lips tugging up the moment his eyes land on me.

"He's-      well it's complicated" I say to Elouise and hop out of the car before she can ask anymore questions.

When Elouise gets out Irvin is shaking his head and scowling at her. "You're not needed" he snaps at her his tone short and leaving very little room for argument but much to my surprise she attempts to anyway, making me like her just that little bit more.

"Erm but Zara said-" she begins her tone just as short but Irvin quickly cuts her off.

"I don't give a shit what Zara says this is my property now leave" he says and he nods to one of the many guards around us.

When I turn to look at Elouise she's already practically being shoved back into the car and for the first time I don't particularly feel safe in Irvin's company. This isn't lunch in a restaurant with just him and Bogdan.

Nope this is completely different. 

I don't know if he senses my hesitance as Elouise drives away but when he reaches my side his expression is a lot softer and he holds his hands up seemingly as a sign of peace.

"Don't look so scared Anastasia you know I would never harm you" he says his tone soft and reassuring but it doesn't ease me as I stare up at him. "Come, there's an array of food for us to test and from the looks of it you've made some great choices" he says with a smile, his compliment not going completely unmissed either.

"You need to stop doing this" I mumble, attempting to keep my voice level. "You can't keep tricking me into being around you, it's not fair" I then say.

"Would you have come otherwise?" he asks, arching his brow and taking a step towards me. Closing the little space between us and just like at the restaurant the other day I find myself sucking in a breath yet again.

"No" I admit taking a step back.

"Why?" he asks closing the space yet again. "Why do you feel such a need to avoid me, Anastasia?" he then asks.

My lips part to respond but no sound comes out, instead I just stare up at him as he stands right in front of me, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. 

His hand comes to my chin tilting my head up and I completely freeze. Stuck in place as he dips his head towards mine.

"Come on let's go inside" he whispers his breath skirting over me. Then he lets go of my chin and starts toward the house.