Page 77 of The Stranger

“Of course not. Is everything okay?”

Tears sting the back of my eyes as I nod my head. “They will be.”

I’ve survived worse.

I’ve never had to catch public transport to Spencer’s apartment before, so it didn’t surprise me when the first bus I got on was the wrong one. Thankfully, a very kind bus driver was able to point me in the right direction, so I eventually made it home.

There was no way I was going to ask Damien to bring me here. I will not give Spencer the opportunity to feed me another bunch of lies. I’m going to cut my losses and move on. I even plan on talking to the restaurant owner over the weekend to see if I can pick up some extra shifts. As much as I’ve enjoyed my time at Prescott Enterprises, I don’t think I can go back there.

I greet Derek, the doorman, as I pass, then nibble on my bottom lip as I wait for the elevator to reach the ground floor. It has been a struggle to hold back myemotions, but the moment I step into the carriage, I allow the first tear to fall.

I’m not expecting to find anyone in the apartment when I arrive on his floor, so I get a start when I find an older lady wiping over the kitchen counters when I enter the main living space. She looks just as shocked to see me.

“Delilah?” she asks.

“You know my name?”

“Yes,” she says, placing down the cloth in her hand and rounding the kitchen island. “Mr Prescott informed me you were his new house guest. I’m Sandra, his housekeeper.”

“Of course. I was wondering why I’d never seen you.” I knew she had been here because of the fresh towels that kept appearing in my bathroom or the clean sheets on my bed.

“I work during the day, so I don’t get in Mr Prescott’s way when he’s home. I was delighted when he told me you were staying here. In the five years I’ve been working for him, he’s never had a house guest before.”

That doesn’t surprise me. If he’s treated his friends in the past the way he’s treated me, it’s no wonder he doesn’t have any.

“I’m actually moving out today,” I tell her and feel the heat rise to my cheeks when my voice cracks.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I picked up your dry cleaning earlier … I’ve hung it in your wardrobe.”

“I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be, so I have to gather my things. It was lovely meeting you, Sandra, and thank you for all that you’ve done for me while I’ve been staying here.”

“It was my pleasure.”

I push back the tears as I rush towards my bedroom. Sandra seems nice, but I wonder if she knows once you look past his good looks and charismatic smile, that deep down, her boss is a snake in the grass.

I didn’t until today.

Chapter 26

Spencer

“Shay-lee,” I say the moment she answers my call. “It’s Spencer Prescott. Could you put me through to Marcy Green’s office, please? Her direct line.”

“Of course, Mr Prescott.”

There’s a method to my madness. If I get to speak with her directly, Delilah doesn’t have to know I’ve called.

“Marcy. It’s Spencer Prescott.”

“Mr Prescott, what can I do for you?”

“Question, what do you know about the drinks your workers go to on Friday nights?”

“Not much,” she replies. “What they do outside of office hours is none of my business.”