Her family life was a little fucked up. After her parents’ divorce her mother had put Simone into public school so that she’d learn to stick up for herself. Simone didn’t regret her life. She’d grown up a fighter. Her father wanted nothing to do with his daughter or the mother who raised her. He was far more interested in making plenty of money and sleeping with numerous women.
Her lack of caring about him was why she didn’t know a great deal about him.
Malcolm followed her up the stairs.
“Your mother is concerned about you,” he said.
“Really, she could have called me. I’d be more than happy to talk to her.” This was the first visit her father had given her. “How did you know where I live?” she asked.
“Who do you think pays for this apartment?”
She was at the door to her room. Simone turned round to look at her father. “What?”
“I pay for your apartment, Simone. I pay for a great deal.”
“My mother said that allowance was from a family relative,” she said, feeling sick. Simone hated her father. She knew he was wealthy, but the last thing she wanted was to owe him for anything.
“You really think your mother could afford anything without me?” he said.
Her anger rose. She knew her anger came from him. “Don’t even think of talking trash about her, Malcolm. You may have used her, but she’s still my mom.”
She walked through her apartment going toward the kitchen. He made her so mad. The door to her apartment closed letting her know he’d joined her. She unbuckled her jacket then threw her shoes in a corner.
“You’re working for a marketing firm,” he said.
“So.” She turned to face the man she barely knew.
“I don’t like you working, Simone. You should be settled down with a man.”
She shook her head, annoyed with him for invading her life. “I’m twenty-five years old. You’ve never given a shit about me. Why are you caring now?”
“Because you’re still my daughter.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? I don’t know why you’re here, and to be honest, I don’t want to know. If you want me out of this apartment, let me know.” She moved toward the door wanting him out of her life.
“It is not safe for you, Simone,” he said.
“You gave up all right to me when you walked out on my mother for a tramp.”
She slammed the door feeling a tiny bit scared. Her father coming to call was not good. She sat down on the sofa, grabbing her phone. Simone dialled her mother’s number.
Helen answered on the third ring.
“Why is my father coming to my apartment?” Simone asked. Her anger was rising. It was too much. He’d not been in her life in so long that seeing him had put her on edge.
“Hello, Simone. How are you?”
“Mom, please, why is he calling after all this time?”
Her mother sighed over the line. “I don’t know, darling. No one ever knows what your father is thinking until he wants you to know.”
****
Callum woke up to the sunlight shining over him. He’d forgotten to draw the blind when going to bed. Groaning, he reached out for Simone only to find the bed empty. Opening his eyes, he stared around the room. There was no sign of her. Getting up from bed, he padded across the floor to grab a robe. There was no shower running. He walked through the connecting door to Cole’s room wondering if his friend had invited her for breakfast. Cole sat reading a paper.
“You’re finally awake?” Cole said.
“Obviously. Where is Simone?” he asked, taking a seat at the table.
“Simone is her name, huh. Your woman took the walk of shame early this morning. She looked rather happy as well. I’d say it was a job well done.”
“Good.” Callum said the right word, but he was a little pissed. Why hadn’t she stayed for breakfast?
“She didn’t beg you to stop or to slow down?” Cole asked.
“Nope.” She’d been a walking, talking dream. Her passions had matched his own. He’d never known a woman to give herself so completely.
“I heard you two going at it for most of the night. Don’t you ever get tired?”
“This is coming from a man who can do the exact same as me,” Callum said.
Cole chuckled, picking up a coffee cup.
“What is on the agenda for today?” Callum asked.
“I have some interesting news for you, my friend.” Cole took a bite out of a piece of toast. He sat waiting for his friend to give him the good news.
Callum watched him pick up a file then slide it across the table. He picked it up and opened the page. Simone’s picture was on the page at the top right hand corner.