Chapter 24. A chauffeuse

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She drives me back to the apartment and escorts me up to my room.
"Do you need anything else before I leave?" She asks.
"Oh, is that so? I slept on that tiny couch when you weren't feeling well and now you abandon me all alone cold like that? Would you please pour me a glass of scotch and help yourself with anything you would feel like drinking? I have a very strict rule about my driver not drinking, but today we can make an exception, considering how well you did on your first day."
"On my first day of what?"
"Of working for me as my driver."
She shook her head, looking surprised and confused.
"Look I know I said I wouldn't have you as my driver, but you amazed me today, not only with your indeed skilled driving, but also with your immediate and calm reaction to my injury. You spared me from having a surgery and saved me a lot of recovery time, not to mention the pain."
I see her blushing and I can't help but smile. How can someone be so cute?
"I now know I am lucky you came into my life, although I thought of the exact opposite at the beginning. Because of everything that happened, I got the chance to see things from another prospective and I am one of the people who believe that everything happens for a reason." I state.
"It's true what you said about me not sticking around for long. I will be using you for my healing process and when I am done, I will go." She admits, not smiling.
" I am ok with that and I want you to start working for me, only for as long as you want to."
"But I need to have my training first. I know I'm a good driver, but that's not enough for this position."
"Don't worry, I will guide you through. I don't want that weasel, driving me around anymore, or be anywhere near me. You should know, I don't take betrayal lightly and there is no forgiving after that."
She hands me a glass of water instead of what I asked and I frown like a child.
"Sorry, you can't mix alcohol with your medication." She explains.
"I should go. I am knackered."
"Take the limo and checkout from the hotel by tomorrow. The security guard will give you the keys and show you were the car is parked. Your apartment will be ready by then and you can move in."
"Where is the apartment?"
"On the first floor of this building. I also expect you to be here tomorrow by 9, to drive me to the office."
"But you need to take some recovery time off work."
"I can't. It's one of the disadvantages of being the boss."
She puts her hand on the door handle and looks back, smiling at me, telling me to get some rest and call her if I needed anything.
Hearing the door closing behind her I am left with a stupid grin caused from satisfaction to how things turned out even with a busted hand as I am so glad she agreed to this. I am relieved I found a way to keep her close, without me needing to pursue her all the time. I don't know what this is all about, but I am dying for my lips to meet with hers again and I know it's not going to be easy as now our relationship would be professional, but I will eventually figure it out, as long as I keep her close to me, I will find my way to her.

Her p.o.v.
What just happened? I am trying to take everything in and justify my actions, but I am doubting my better judgment, as I know I am playing with fire. Did I really want to be his driver? That would mean that I would be with him every single day and night. Not to mention that although I liked driving I find this job very demanding and tiring, the way his previous driver had described it.
I have to talk with him about my working hours and emphasize the fact that this wasn't something permanent. It would only be a transition from my life as a walking zombie, towards becoming a human with feelings again and I kind of chose his driver's position, because deep down I thought he would refuse me.
I had already made so much progress and I was feeling really proud of myself. It wasn't easy for me to leave everything behind and come to New York to restart my life. Maybe I should just accept whatever the universe throws at me and make the best of it. Besides, my life wasn't treating me in the best of ways, so I am hoping that fate will make it up to me eventually...somehow!
I doze off without having a shower and without even taking off what I was wearing. This day was exhausting enough and I was still feeling a bit down from the cold. I forget to set an alarm and wake up at 8.30! I panic and I hurriedly throw on a dress, brush my teeth, pick my hair up on a messy bun and run to the car. The traffic is unbelievable and it's already 9 o'clock. I arrive at his apartment at 9.10 and he gets in the car while talking on the phone. We arrive at the office and he gets out of the car, but he is still talking on the phone and hasn't even looked at me.
I see him making a u-turn, before I leave and he knocks on the window. I roll it down and he covers the speaker with his hand.
"Good morning. I forgot it was you. Pick me up in three and a half hours, we will go for lunch, to explain your schedule and everything you need to know." He winks at me and leaves.
And what am I supposed to do for three and a half hours? I should probably go to the hotel and checkout. I will put all my belongings in the trunk, to be ready to move in my new apartment right after work.
I am feeling a little excited for the first time after such a long time and I like how I am jumping into new things, without giving it much thought. The old me, wouldn't leave the house without having a plan and now here I am in New York working as a driver for a man I have feelings for. I smile at the thought and I have this feeling that things are going to get better for me, or is it only a wishful thought?
By the time I took all my things to the car, checked out and said my goodbyes to the hotel's doorman who I've grown to like so much, it's already 12 o'clock. I drive toward the office and I arrive 10 minutes early. I pick up the phone to call my mom, since I haven't spoken to her in days.
"Hi mom."
"Hi honey! I was worried sick about you. Please text me when you are available to talk because it's so hard for me, not hearing from you, knowing how fragile you are and that you were all alone in another country so far away from here."
"Mom please don't worry about me. You see how much progress I have made so far. Not only I found my voice back, but also, you will be the first to know about my first day at work today."
"Oh, that's wonderful sweetheart and I am happy for you, but don't tell me I mustn't worry about my little girl. I couldn't protect you in the past, but I won't let anything happen to you ever again." And she starts crying...again...like every single time! This is why I left England and my mother is a good reminder of most of the reasons that led me to my decision.
"Ok, please stop crying mom! You should be the one giving me courage and not the either way around."
"Claire, I have to tell you something."
"What? I don't have much time mom."
"John has moved in with me."
"What?" My eyes open wide and I honestly don't know how to react to this.
"Listen, I let you get back to your work and we can talk later."
"No! Let's talk now, you just threw a bomb on me and you think you can get away with it so easily?"
"What do you want to know? When you left, John came to comfort me. I was a wreck and he wouldn't leave me. Next thing you know he started bringing clothes and other staff to my house and it sort of just happened. It wasn't planned or anything."
"Mooooom... it's way to soon! You have only been dating John for three months and this only happened because you were sensitive and fragile from what had happened to me and needed comforting, not because you were hopelessly in love with him. Do you even know him well enough? Are you safe with him? I would expect that you would learn from my mistakes and not to trust a man so easily."
"Honey, please don't worry about me. I promise you I am fine."
"I have to go mom, Alexander is coming."
"Who is Alexander?"
"My boss."
"Ok, I love you. Please take care of yourself. I love that yesterday's picture you sent me. You've gained some weight and you look so much better! Keep eating!"
"Bye mom, I love you too."

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