The Beast of Stornoway

Chapter 65: Amani

Amani smiled to herself as she walked back to her desk outside Van's office. It was so easy to fall into a routine with him. They spent three days a week commuting to Edinburgh to work at Blarcum Industries. Then the rest of the week was spent at the manor tending to the farm and cooing over their ever-growing Nova.

She sat her laptop on her desk and read the note from Van. He was out to lunch with Lady Fife and asked if she could get the guest list from Gemma for the trip to Andalucía. She sighed as she sat in her chair. Lady Fife's been hijacking him for lunch ever since she found out he was back to work at the company.

Of course, he had to go to lunch with her to play her little game. Amani couldn't understand why a woman would put herself through this kind of drama. Just for a last name. Lady Fife had to know Van didn't have any feelings for her. So why was she trying to force something between them?

Amani shook her head and dialed Gemma's number. Greed and lust could make people do some ridiculous things.

"This is Gemma," a cheerful voice sang.

"Hi Gemma, it's Amani. Do you have the guest list for the trip?"

There was a long silent pause of dead air. "Oh no, I don't have one. Lady Fife said there wasn't a need to put one together as she's only invited two or three couples."

Amani rolled her eyes at her blatant lie. "Okay, well, do you know which couples she invited?"

"You know what, I don't. I'm sure it'll be fine. Lord Blarcum is used to this."

"Mm, then why is he the one asking me to get the guest list? He doesn't like surprises, Gemma. I need to know who's coming."

She smirked and laughed at her request. "Lady Fife is well aware of Lord Blarcum's likes and dislikes. If she says there's no need for a guest list, then I don't make one."

Amani pursed her lips. "I will relay that information to him. Thank you for your time."

"Sure! I'll see you tomorrow. I can't wait for this trip!" she sang and ended the call.

Amani pinched the bridge of her nose. That trip was going to be a complete disaster. Lady Fife had something up her sleeve. She knew damn well Lady Fife hadn't invited a few couples. She wouldn't miss the chance to exploit their fake relationship.

Amani thought she'd feel jealous at the thought of Van spending his lunches with Lady Fife or knowing he was going on this trip with her. But she didn't. Well, she didn't feel as jealous as she thought she would. She still hated knowing Lady Fife had her hands all over him.

Amani felt more perturbed for him that he was doing this to himself. Van was always in such a bad mood after he had lunch with Lady Fife. It was like she drained the joy out of him. It had gotten to the point where Amani had to schedule a debriefing session with him.

He was against the suggestion at first, but Amani argued that he couldn't just hide away brooding in his office. Otherwise, what was the point of him being there? He might as well stay on the manor.

If Van was doing what she thought he was, pouting in his office wasn't going to change the way his employees or the shareholders felt about him. She hoped that was his plan and he wasn't trying to appease his mother. Amani shook her head. He couldn't be. He didn't want to marry Lady Fife, he said so himself.

"I need my session, Dr. Blake," Van said, tapping his finger on her desk.

Dr. Blake, she chuckled. That was another nickname he had for her now. As well as making comments that she was too smart not to be one.