Happily Never After

Chapter 23

I sat in silence since the moment I got into the car. I have no idea how Carter knew that Daniel would approach me but I'm glad he did and sent Phillip to come and get me.

"Phillip," I start, watching the rearview mirror as his dark brown eyes look back at me.

"Yes, Miss. Hudson?" He briefly looks to the road and drops down a gear, causing the car to slow just a tad.

"How did Carter know where I was?"

"Mr. Romero told me that you were going to meet your friend and said that if you weren't at the new house by four, I was to go and check up on you."

I look away from the mirror and down to my clasped hands that were on my lap, gripping the Bentley car key tightly. "Did he now that my ex would be waiting for me?"

"Mr. Romero told his parents that he wanted you to be protected," he starts, looking back to the road and coming to a stop at the traffic light that beamed bright red in the darkening street. "I'm just following orders."

"He told you about his situation, didn't he?" I almost beg.

"Mr. Romero tells me the important things in his life. What is going on with his business, concerns me in every way." I nod before he continues, "I have worked for him since he became involved in the family business."

The traffic light turns to green and the car pulls away slowly, gradually picking up speed as we go down the street that got busier by the passing second.

"What did he say about-"

"Miss. Hudson, Mr. Romero cares very deeply for you and I can see why he does so. I am just doing what he asks of me."

I smile weakly. "Thank you, Phillip."

He nods slightly and we continue the rest of the drive in silence, the world passing by outside like a blur.

Before I knew it, the car slows to a temporary stop at a red and white barrier with a 'stop' sign in the middle of it that was controlled by a security guard. The security guard came out his small office and walks round to the drivers door. Phillip puts the window down and they both have a hushed exchange of words. I see the guard nod once before he walks back into his small office. A few seconds pass before the barrier lifts and the car picks up is speed to the limit of 20mph.

"Let me guess, 24/7 security guarded road?" I ask Phillip as we drive past brightly lit houses on either side of the road.

"Mr. Romero only wants the best money can by," Phillip explains simply.

Course he does. I watch each house as we pass: each different from the next even though they were all modern and newly built. Every house had it's own security fence and pedestrian gate even though the road we were now on, was heavily guarded. It didn't matter where I looked, everything was as bright like Christmas.

When the car reaches the house clearly marked with the name 'Romero' on the white stone wall, I knew straight away that this was the new house. Every window was lit up from the inside, across all three floors. Even all the lights outside were on.

Phillip slowed the car and came to a complete stop when my door was level with the metal pedestrian gate. When the engine of the car stopped, the gate slid open.

"Your new house, Miss. Hudson." Phillip informs as I gaze up at the house from inside the car.

"Seems like it," I manage to say, taking in the sight before me. I take my seatbelt off and get out the car as Phillip comes round to help me get out. "I've got it."