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Chapter 13
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Revenge is Sweet Chapter 14
She spent the entire afternoon fretting over how she would reconnect with Michael and needed help to get much work done. It had to be done so gently that he didn't guess she had managed things. She might be able to innocently wait for him in the corridor outside of Henrick's office. The problem, however, was that she had yet to learn when he would go. She also dared only keep prancing the hall regularly all afternoon once the proper opportunity came. She could miss him. Then her thoughts turned to a novel she'd wanted to show Henrick. She might reach out to Henrick's assistant, Jennie, and have her give her a call when it appears that the meeting between Henrick and Michael has concluded. If she acted as though it were an emergency, she could reach him before he departed. When Henrick had company, they would always say their goodbyes awkwardly while he waited in the doorway. She had reached for the phone to dial Jennie when Henrick stormed into her office, bare teeth gnashing togethe
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 15
As the plane touched down in Aspen, Colorado, Estel couldn't help but feel a flurry of excitement, despite her worries about whether or not she was making the right decision. Since she had never been here before, the experience broadened her perspective on the world. Estel anxiously anticipated Michael's arrival and wondered if he would pick her up. The amount of luggage she had to bring for several months made her resentful, and she thought it was the least he could do to provide her with private transportation to his home. On the other hand, he had been annoyingly evasive about the details of this partnership up to that point. At Henrick's urging, she had rushed into subletting her apartment. Then, she had to keep the new tenants waiting for an entire week while she fidgeted in her office because Michael was slow to confirm the sublet. Just when she had been about to walk out on the whole venture, an envelope had appeared on her desk one afternoon containing a one-way ticket to Asp
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 16
Estel was unwilling to accept Michael's generosity at face value, so she sought an explanation. She asked, "On a whim, how many people live in your family?" "Just Dad, Mom, and me," Mandy clarified. "Dad takes care of the grounds and the cars." I help with Mom's cooking and cleaning when I'm home from school. Michael helped me get a scholarship and insisted my parents save the money we had built up in our old home's equity for their old age. We don't have to pay for food or lodging; our parents are employed. Estel blinked, scowling at her inability to fault Michael's conduct. She consoled herself by thinking he was probably a slave driver. Mandy apparently wasn't around enough to see it. She was obviously so infatuated with Michael that she would excuse him anything. Estel's interest in the landscape was renewed as they descended into the roaring Fork River. She caught glimpses of the clear water through the trees before it was fully revealed in all its beauty. She exclaimed to h
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 17
After a short nap, Estela warily left her room at around 7 o'clock. As she walked by the dining room, she could make out muffled conversations coming from what she thought to be the kitchen. But as she reached the living room, it was deserted, and she realized she had stopped breathing in preparation for meeting Michael face-to-face, so she took a long breath to fill her lungs. This won't do, she informed herself with a chiding grimness. She can't give off any vibes of nervousness with Michael right from the bat. She aimed to portray an image of confidence and competence. For her goals to materialize, Michael needed to have faith in her competence as a professional. She drew nearer to the fire, appreciating the coziness and closeness it brought. While browsing the mantel, she saw there were no writing-related memories displayed, which made her a little bit irritated. Nothing suggests that Michael was a famous author who felt compelled to advertise his status. Instead, there were beau
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 18
Estel gave a knowing glance and a tiny smile as she acknowledged the reality of that assertion. "No doubt," she murmured wryly. With an eyebrow raised, she said, "He isn't exactly happy about your change of subject matter." She asked, "What is the subject matter?" she inquired suspiciously. Michael's face went expressionless, but he looked at her intently as he said, "It's a psychological study of a woman," he stated quietly. "A woman who buries her potential out of misguided notions of what's really important in life." When Michael said, "You're going to do a study," Estel halted the frantic pacing she'd begun and gazed at him in utter disbelief. An in-depth analysis of a woman's psyche?" she said in disbelief, not realizing the insult in her tone. The hardness and determination in Michael's face brought back memories for Estel of the night he brought her home when he had been so different from the two other times she had seen him. She had almost forgotten how hard he could be and
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 19
The following two days were surprisingly more enjoyable for Estel than anticipated, primarily because Michael was nowhere to be seen. The morning following their argument in the study, she came out of her room to discover that he had mysteriously departed town. Even though Shayne had no idea where he had gone, she was unconcerned. "He does that sometimes," she added carelessly. "He's probably off doing research somewhere for the book or another one he has in mind. Since the two of you wouldn't start work for a couple of days, he decided to use the time profitably some other way. He has that look." "That look?" Estel questioned in puzzlement. Shayne chuckled nostalgically and referred to "his working look." "When Michael is in one of his working moods, he goes at it with total concentration. It's the same when he plays. Whatever he does, he does it wholeheartedly." Estel was uneasy by the news, but because she could find no rationale for her anxiety, she decided to put it out of her
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 20
She looked at Michael's dad and realized she felt the same way about him for different reasons. The man had the faraway, concerned countenance that indicated a typical absentminded professor. In fact, he made her think about... Estel almost tossed the image on the desk as her mind erupted. Her chest was heaving, and her eyes were wide with shock. She couldn't help but think about Peter when she saw Michael's dad. Peter is exposed to the egocentric, narrow-minded person he really is without her affection. Alarmed and surprised by the thoughts that had seized control of her, Estel wrapped her arms about herself to ward off the unexpected chill. She had no reason to feel that way about Peter. She appeared to be wondering urgently. Hadn't he been the most excellent thing that had happened to her? Didn't she spend her whole life admiring and loving this great, compassionate genius? Distracted, she left her desk and began to walk about the room. She couldn't get the sentence given her wh
Revenge is Sweet Chapter 21
Michael said nonchalantly, "I want your opinion of a scene I just recorded today," as he took his iPhone from his pocket. He then gave it to her. Then he said, "Turn it down low. I know what I've said, and I'll be able to hear enough to recall it. I'd rather see its effect on you to tell if I've got what I was striving for." He smiled languidly, his eyes warm with amusement and something Estel couldn't quite put her finger on. He hesitated, adding in silence, "Verbally," but it was clear what he meant: "Besides, the nature of the scene is such that you might rather not share it with me." Estel shrugged, surprised by his remarks but naïve of what was to come. Michael lay on the couch, one arm behind his head and the other resting on his thigh, while he watched her with half-closed eyes. Estel focused on the iPhone in her hands; she heard Michael dictating in a seductively quiet voice. It was the same tone he'd used when he made love to her, and it brought back memories. An Indian man
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