Page 16 of The October Arrangement

“What the hell are you doing back in New York?” He shut my office door.

“I took care of everything I needed to in Los Angeles. There wasn’t a need for me to stay any longer.”

“I told you that you had to be there for three months!” he shouted.

“Relax, Dad.” I took off my suit coat and sat down behind my desk. “Everything is handled. We’re no longer behind schedule, and the penthouse buyers are happy and will not be canceling their contracts. In fact, while I was there, five more apartments sold.”

“Impressive. But I’m warning you, son.” He pointed at me. “If things go south because you left Los Angeles, there will be serious consequences for you.”

“Things aren’t going to go south. Have you talked to Daisy?” I asked curiously.

“A few weeks ago. Why?” he asked.

“I was just wondering how the wedding plans were coming along,” I lied. I really wanted to find out if she’d told him about letting Bella stay at my place.

“Call her and ask. But why do you care? You have relationship phobia, remember?”

“For me. Not anyone else,” I smirked.

“Did you meet anyone out in Los Angeles?”

“I met a lot of people.” I smiled.

“Yeah. I’m sure you did.” He shook his head. “I have a meeting to get to.”

Bella

I ran to the store and bought some groceries before I began editing the photos I took. I only bought what I could carry. Living in New York was totally different than Massachusetts.

I was startled when I stepped off the elevator and saw a woman dusting the foyer table. She jumped. I jumped. And one of the bags almost fell out of my hands.

“I’m so sorry. I’m Bella, and I’m staying here for the next month. You must be Simon’s housekeeper.”

“Let me help you.” She took one of the bags from me. “I’m Louise. It’s nice to meet you, Bella. Simon didn’t tell me he had a houseguest when he called this morning.”

“That’s because he’s afraid to admit to such a thing,” I smirked, setting the bags on the kitchen counter. “It’s a long story. The short version is that I’m in New York temporarily and needed a place to stay. I know his cousin, Daisy, from college, and she said I could stay here while Simon was away. Then he unexpectedly came back early, and a war broke out.”

“It looks like you won that war if he agreed to let you stay here for a month.” She smiled.

“As of last night, I was to be out first thing this morning. Then he strolled into the kitchen and handed me a list of rules I needed to follow if he allowed me to stay here.”

“Rules?” Her brows furrowed.

“You didn’t see them? He proudly displayed them on the refrigerator.” I pointed.

She walked over and read them. “Wow.”

“Right?” I laughed. “I think Mr. Montclair missed his calling in life. He should be a prison warden. Anyway, do you by any chance know which cabinet is mine?”

“What do you mean?” She frowned.

“He pointed to a cabinet somewhere over here and told me that’s the only spot I can keep my food since his is off-limits.”

“I’m assuming he meant this empty one.” She walked over and opened the cabinet door.

“Of course it’s the smallest cabinet in this monstrous kitchen.” I shook my head. “Is there any black electrical tape around here?”

“There might be in the laundry room. I’ll check,” she said.