Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 160782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 804(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 804(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
4
Natasha
At five thirty I return to Joshua’s room to find it empty. His belongings, my fold up bed, everything.… gone.
Max and I are puzzled until a nurse approaches us. “Are you Natasha Stanton?” she asks.
I smile proudly. “Yes”
“Your husband has been moved upstairs to the private wing and asked me to let you know where he is.”
“Oh okay, thank you,” I reply.
“Take the lift up to level seven and then you will see a large set of grey doors with a security code on your right. Push the buzzer and you will be buzzed in,” she answers.
I smile again. “Ok thanks.” We ride the lift in silence. My mind is heavily weighed down by Margaret’s story. I can’t believe I actually feel sorry for her. Can you imagine what it must be like to hold a secret like that in for twenty-seven.… actually, no, she said she found out when he was sixteen, so eleven years. And it is such a bad secret.… my poor baby, he has no idea. God, this is such a mess. Have I done the right thing agreeing to keep this quiet? What if he finds out later that I knew all along and then leaves me for deceiving him? It’s entirely possible.
I’m just as bad as his mother.… but what choice do we have? It’s him we are protecting. What a fucking nightmare.
We arrive at the security doors and a janitor is cleaning the foyer near the double doors.
Max speaks first. “Natasha Stanton to see her husband.” I smile at the floor, that sounds really, really good.
The bored receptionist’s voice echoes through the speaker. “Yes, come in.” The doors open. We reach the
receptionist’s desk.
“I would like to see my husband. Which room is he in?”
“Of course, the last door on the right.” I smile at Max and we head down the corridor towards the last door on the right and it opens to a large private lounge area complete with television, cable and a kitchen.
I frown at Max. “This is random.” He smiles and nods.
There is a cleaner in there restocking the kitchen. “Hello,” I smile. She smiles. “Hello.”
I frown at her. “What are these large rooms? Where are the hospital rooms?”
“This is the private wing for celebrities who need more privacy from the press, and more room for their bodyguards and things.”
My eyes widen. “Oh,” I reply, shocked. Jeez.… this is so.… over the top Hollywood.
“Yes, most of the LA celebrities have been in here at one point or another for substance abuse issues.” My eyes drop to the floor. Yes, like my so-called husband.
“Hmm I see, where is my husband?” This gossipy bitch is starting to piss me off.
“The door to his room is around the corner next to the television.” I nod and head in that direction.
“Tash, I will just stay out here tonight, okay?” Max states.
I turn and frown at him.
“Max, that’s not necessary. Go home honey. I will be fine. Nobody can get in here. There is security. It’s safe here.”
Max narrows his eyes. “No, I will be staying. I’m good. I will watch the game on the screen.” My eyes flick to the gossipy kitchen girl who is now listening to our conversation. Buzz off, big ears.
“I will be out to see you soon,” I reply as he flops into the lounge chair. I walk into the room and my jaw drops. Bloody hell, this room looks like a luxury hotel suite. There is even a double bed. What in the world? Joshua walks out of the bath- room and throws me a swoon worthy smile.
“There’s my beautiful girl. I was starting to get worried. I thought that maybe you and my mother may have killed each other. I was going to send out a search party.” He bends and tenderly wipes the hair back from my face. I smile and put my arms around his neck and inhale his wonderful scent. I feel better just being in his vicinity…. I need to put this paternity shit out of my head.
He kisses me gently. “So.…” he steps back to scan my face.
He wants to know what was said between his mother and me.
Guilt fills my stomach … I can do this. “We are calling a truce, for your sake, Joshua. Only because we both love you.”
His eyes light up and he smiles warmly. “Thank you.… I really appreciate you doing this for me.” He bends and kisses my neck. “I will make it up to you, Presh. It will be well worth your while.” He grabs my behind and grinds me forward onto him.
My eyes close instinctively. “That’s great, big boy, but stop.
We are in a hospital. No fun for you until we get home,” I smirk.
He sits on the chair and pulls me onto his lap.
“I’m hungry for you,” he whispers darkly. I smile. God, me