Dears, here's the first chapter, beta readed by amazing Sondra (thank you very much!).
Hope you'll enjoy the story, all the feedback is highly appreciated!
1.
It was 2:30 in the morning and Logan was still in his office. He was sitting with his eyes closed, holding a glass of scotch. The room resonated with an annoying, buzzing sound for the past hour and a half. Logan kept ignoring it. That was Odette trying to find out where he was. She was hosting a dinner party today, or yesterday, in a matter of fact. She had invited some friends and a few big fish from the London high society. He really should have been there, but he couldn't make himself to leave the office. It was like his safe place, just work and him, without the whole family drama.
Odette really wasn't a domestic type of woman. Her father, Aimeri, owns a variety of hotels and restaurants in Europe and would like to expand to the US. Logan's father has known Aimeri for years; they met while Mitchum went for Europe trip during his college times.
The cell phone was buzzing again. Logan sighed, finished his scotch and opened his eyes. He quickly typed a message that he's on the way, locked the office and with another sigh left the building his father owned.
The streets of London were vibrating with music from night clubs, pubs and street artists. He walked past a really passionate couple making out right next to the really sick girl sitting on the curb. Logan forgot that it's a Friday night, otherwise he would call for a car. Walking past a dark side alley, he heard a irredeemable Australian accent. He frowned a bit and looked around, he didn't see anyone familiar. I must have been imagining things, he thought. It was late, he spent the whole day working and he felt a bit tipsy after three glasses of scotch he had before he left.
But then he heard it again: "Bloody oath! I really am a handsome, Australian lad, what gave me away?"
He quickly looked where it came from and recognized a tall figure leaning against the brick wall, wrapping a lock of some redhead's hair around his finger. Logan walked to the man and heard a bubbly giggle coming in an answer to the question.
"Wonders will never cease!" called Logan. The tall man spun around with big goofy smile on his face.
"Stuffed, I'll be! Who would say I'll meet a Huntzberger himself out, on this grouse Friday night!" dramatically exclaimed Finn. They both laughed and shared a pound hug.
"What on Earth are you doing here, mate?" asked Logan, still smiling.
Finn gave him a dismissive shrug: "Honestly, I have no idea. I remember the first few of shots I had in New York and then I woke up today in a hotel next to the lousy bridge the Brits are so proud of."
"Why am I not even surprised!" laughed Logan, "It's good to see you again anyway."
"Where are you heading to? Fancy a drink?" Finn winked to Logan.
"Nah, I have to take a rain check, I should have been home at 8 for dinner. I kind of got stuck in the office."
"So you're still included in that festy barter your kind father tailored especially for you?" frowned Finn.
"That's the plan," sighed Logan, "I have to run, I'll call you tomorrow, behave!"
"Can't promise anything," said Finn with a little bow and Logan walked away. Finn was standing still, with his head cocked to the right, lost in thoughts. The redhead coughed lightly and Finn spun around with a seducing smile on his face: "Where were we, beaut?"
Logan stepped into his apartment and dropped the keys to the silver bowl next to the doors. His right eye began to twitch when the high pitched voice echoed in the small entrance hall: "Where the hell have you been?! I've tried to call you the whole night! We had plans!"
"I'm sorry; I had to finish some crucial points of the project. We're in the last phase and we found some gaps which needed to be filled immediately. Sorry I didn't call, I've been on a conference call for most of the evening," Logan tried to substantiate.
"Right. Whatever," retorted Odette and hurried out of the entrance hall. His eye twitched again when he heard the doors slamming behind her. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was another long day. He walked straight to the living room and poured himself a drink. He fell onto the couch and took a deep sip. I'm not sure for how long I'll be able to go like this, he thought. He rested his head, closed his eyes and soon he was fast asleep.
Odette was so mad she couldn't even think straight. She completely lost it tonight.
She should have hosted a dinner party for up to fifteen people. All of them are quite big names in the London high society. It was the first party she was hosting since the moving in with Logan and it was very important for her to make a good impression. Brits are very posh and they hardly forgive any mistakes. She planned the party for weeks, the table settings, the menu, and the invitations. She worked her ass out for tonight.
And he didn't even bother to come home on time. Ha! He didn't even bother to be late; he just didn't come home at all that day. She was so embarrassed. Sitting there, all by herself with empty excuses that Logan would be coming in any minute. This faux pas will stick with her forever. God she was pissed off!
He just waltzed in, with a mask of boredom and wearing a rumpled shirt and a scotch odor.
She was just angry. Angry and so confused! She thought they have a good relationship. She thought they respected each other. She knew that he doesn't love her, she wasn't in love with him either; but she thought they have a deal. That she could lean on him. That he cares.
She didn't know what happened. He went to the States for a weekend and when he came back she knew something had happened. He stopped talking to her; he started to be late for appointments they made. He started to drink more, and stayed late in office.
She just couldn't get it. She sat on the bed and held her face. She was so tired with this charade already. She laid down, closed her eyes and soon she was fast asleep.