Page 98 of The Payback Plan
All warfare is based on deception.
THE ART OF WAR, SUN TZU
Just Desserts WhatsApp Group. 15.05EST.
Astrid
Bella, you’re panicking, aren’t you?
Sienna
Are you? Are you okay?
Paige
A little panic is understandable.
Bella bit her lip. She was very much tryingnotto panic, but as she let herself into her brand-new apartment with absolutelyhugefloor-to-ceiling windows that beckoned her towards them with a display of Central Park that most Americans would give their right arm for, it was safe to say that her current state was absolutely and undeniably one of panic.
What on earth had she got herself into?
Astrid
Are you in yet? What’s the flat like?
The serviced apartment was amazing. Bella was hardly a stranger to wealth, but this? She turned around in a circle, taking in the modern kitchen, laundry facilities and near futuristic amenities. The apartment had a voice-activated home assistant, and twenty-four-hour access to a concierge who had already let her know about a delivery waiting for her. Her family had country money,oldmoney. But this? This wascitymoney. Urban. Luxurious. Modern.
She placed her bag on the kitchen island and took in the minimalist design that defined elegance. A buttery soft caramel leather sofa set bracketed a fireplace, the surround a modern concrete strip against the clean white walls. A large cream sheepskin rug sat on hardwood flooring that warmed the grey tones of brushed chrome furnishings.
It should have looked cold and uninviting, but it was easy to imagine herself curled up on the sofa covered in a blanket, or bare toes curling in that sheepskin. In a daze she wandered towards the door off the living area and entered a bedroom that stopped her in her tracks.
Her phone buzzed from messages flying back and forth between the girls, but Bella barely noticed. At least half were from Astrid who was also in New York and trying to find time in a very busy schedule for them to meet up.
Here too, floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of Manhattan that was breathtaking. Winter’s dusk painted the sky in remarkable shades of pinks and early evening purples. A few stars were out already, peeking down on the snow-covered rectangle of Central Park stretched out in front of her.
Of course, the position comes with an apartment,Tejvir Nayak had informed her eagerly during their second interview over video conference. His willingness to hire her had surprised her, even though Paige – who had finessed Bella’s CV with something bordering on ruthlessness – had insisted that she would be a shoe-in for it.
Having applied for the job in between Christmas and New Year she’d not expected to hear anything until mid-January at the earliest, so it had been quite the surprise to find a reply waiting in her inbox the following morning.
‘He’s desperate,’ Astrid had announced gleefully.
‘I wonder why the previous person left,’ Sienna had asked.
‘Does it matter?’ Paige had intervened.
Not. One. Bit. Bella had decided.
Tej Nayak had been affable and laid back to a point that nearly caused Bella concern, but as the job was simply a means to an end it hardly mattered. In fact, Tej had been almost more excited about the apartment she would be staying in than the role of communications director she would be filling.
You’re gonna love it.And just wait until you try the shower,her new boss had said affably, while Bella wondered if that was entirely appropriate.It has everything you could need. And if it doesn’t? Then let me know, and we’ll get it for you.
Paige
Have you seen him yet?
Him. Her target. Chase Miller. The cheating scumbag who had betrayed his wifeandan unknowing Astrid. Bella wandered towards the incredible view, barely seeing the wintery magic of New York stretched out beneath her. And just like that, panic melted like ice beneath the salt of her fury.
It had been hard for her to be angry with Olly, which she knew was crazy. The girls’ outrage at his behaviour had soothed a wound she’d been hiding from the world. Hidden, because Bella Carmichael didn’t get angry. Didn’t cause a fuss, or make a scene.
