Sexting My Ex’s Dad (Forbidden Silver Foxes)

43. Stella

43

STELLA

I reluctantly open my eyes, feeling Elio’s warmth still lingering on the sheets beside me. My face, immediately, breaks out into a smile. It’s hard to believe that in just one night I’d gone from thinking I never wanted to see him again to being his girlfriend.

I rise from the bed, not wanting to disturb him, and decide to surprise him by making breakfast. As I slip into one of his crisp white shirts, I can’t help but inhale deeply, allowing his scent to envelop me. I can’t get this stupid smile off my face.

I tiptoe down the hallway, doing my best to navigate the unfamiliar layout of his mansion. The kitchen is just as lavish as the rest of the space, with gleaming stainless steel appliances and marble countertops that seem to stretch for miles.

And there’s already a woman cooking breakfast.

“Good morning, Miss March,” she greets with a very soft-spoken voice. “I’m Nina Greene, Mr. Lombardi’s maid.” Her dark hair, with streaks of gray, is pulled back into a neat bun, and she sports a genuine smile that instantly puts me at ease. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were someone’s grandma. At least I don’t have to worry about her making a play for my boyfriend.

Boyfriend. I don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of saying that.

“Good morning, Nina,” I reply, trying to hide my disappointment. I’d been looking forward to doing something special for Elio, but it seems that Nina has beaten me to the punch. “I didn’t know Elio had a maid.”

“Mr. Lombardi mentioned you might be joining us this morning,” she explains, expertly flipping a golden pancake onto a plate. When did he tell her? Last night? Had he known, before I came, that he planned on making me his girlfriend? How did he know I’d agree? Because he knows me. “I hope you don’t mind that I’ve started breakfast.”

“Of course not,” I assure her, even if the words aren’t fully true. “Would you like any help?” I offer, hoping to at least have a hand in the process.

“Thank you, but I think I’ve got it under control,” Nina replies kindly. “Please, make yourself comfortable. Breakfast will be ready shortly.”

“Alright,” I concede.

It shouldn’t surprise me that Elio has a maid. He’s a billionaire – why would he do any housework if he didn’t have to?

I tilt my head curiously. “How long have you been employed by Elio?”

“Nearly ten years now,” Nina answers, expertly cracking an egg into a pan. “I used to work for his parents, so I got to see him grow up. When they passed away, he offered me a live-in job here.”

“Both of his parents are dead?” I ask.

She nods sadly. “They died in a car accident. It was tragic, a hit and run too.” Then she frowns, as if she’s afraid that she’s revealed too much.

I remember Owen telling me something about that in one of the few times that he’d actually opened up about his family.

“What was he like back then? He must have been devastated.”

Nina’s expression softens, her eyes taking on a distant look. “If he was, he didn’t show it much, at least not around me. He isn’t the type to wear his emotions on his sleeve.”

I nod. She’s right. It takes a lot of effort to make him open up, but when he does…I hang on to every word he says.

My phone rings from my pocket. “Excuse me, Nina,” I say, offering her an apologetic smile as I fish out the device. “I should take this.”

“Of course, Miss March,” she replies, her attention returning to the sizzling pan before her.

I step away from the kitchen, swiping my thumb across the screen to answer the call. “Hello?” I ask, pressing the phone to my ear as I step further into the living room.

“Stella March?” The voice on the other end is unfamiliar.

“Speaking,” I reply. “Who is this?”

“Hi Ms. March, this is Carol, the financial manager from Leo’s care facility,” she explains, and I can’t help but frown. Why would they be calling me?

“Is everything okay with Leo?” I ask, concern lacing my words. My stomach churns at the thought of something happening to my gentle brother. “I paid a month in advance, so it can’t be about his account.”

“Leo’s fine, don’t worry, and we did receive your advance,” Carol assures me quickly. “We just had a Kendall March come in this morning, wanting to withdraw the advance payment that had been paid on your brother’s tab. We processed the request, but I wanted to ask how you’d like the receipt.

My heart drops like a stone, crashing violently against the walls of my chest. “What? Kendall’s my mother! Don’t let her take a cent!” I scream, desperation clawing at my throat.

“I’m sorry, Stella,”Carol says, remorse heavy in her tone. “She was an authorized user on Leo’s account, and she’s already left with the money.”

Disbelief washes over me, followed swiftly by anger and despair. All of that hard work… gone because of my mother. I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms, as I struggle to hold back tears. How could she do this to Leo? She acted like she didn’t even care about him.

But what more did I expect from an alcoholic crack addict?

“Thank you for letting me know,” I manage to choke out before hanging up, my whole body trembling with rage. I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths, trying to gather myself.

This is the last time I’m going to let that woman ruin things.

“Stella?” Elio’s voice startles me, his arms wrapping around me from behind. I hadn’t even heard him come downstairs. He tries to plant a tender kiss on my neck, but I stiffen and pull away, too angry. “What’s wrong?”

“Sorry, Elio,” I apologize, my words coming out more rushed than I mean for them to. “I... I have to go.”

He furrows his brow, confusion etched onto his handsome face. “What happened?”

I swallow back the lump in my throat before explaining, “It’s my brother’s care facility. My mother took the money I paid upfront for his care. I don’t know what she took the money for, but I need to get it back.”

It’s only after the words leave my mouth that I realize I might have said too much. That isn’t exactly the kind of information you should unload onto your new boyfriend. He’ll think my family is crazy – which they are, but that isn’t something he needs to know yet.

“I’m sorry, I…”

But Elio cuts me off. His eyes darken with concern, and he reaches for my hand, his grip strong and comforting. “Let me come with you.”

“What? No, you don’t have to??—“

“Stella,” he cuts me off again, his gaze firm but gentle. “This is what boyfriends are for.” The word ‘boyfriend’ sends a wave of warmth coursing through me, surprising me.

My hand grips Elio’s arm. “You don’t understand, this could get ugly.”

“I didn’t sign on just for the easy times,” he kisses the top of my head. “We can take my helicopter. It’ll be faster.”

He has a helicopter? Why does that surprise me? He’s my billionaire bully afterall.