Romance: One Fine Holiday by Amy McAdams Read Free Book Online Page A

know where he lives?”
    “Up on the hill,” the bartender points east.
    “On that hill?  But that’s where the mansion is?”
    “Yes. That’s right.  He owns mansion.”
    “Really?  He owns the mansion?  Are you sure he doesn’t just live there?”
    “Nope.  He owns it alright.”
    Cheeky.
    Clarke told me that he knew the owners of the large property that we snuck onto last night.  He didn’t tell me that he owns it.
    I race up the hill and instead of jumping through the fence, I run up the large and wide driveway.  The entrance to the place is huge.  It is a very regal island mansion - standing strong in the tropical air.
    Racing with joy up the steps to the large door, I knock on it loudly.
    “May I help you?” an older lady answers the door.
    “Hi, I’m Ella.  Is Clarke here?” I ask. 
    “I’m sorry, dear,” the older lady says to me, “But he has left for a while.”
    “Left?”
    “Yes dear.”
    “Where has he gone?”
    “Back to America.”
    “America?  What does he do there?”
    “He is the CEO of a wealthy family business,” she says, “But that is all I know.”
    Wow.
    Clarke is not the island man that I thought he was.  He told me he was here to escape the city.  He said that the island is what is important.
    He lied to me.
    “So he’s not here?” I ask again in hope.
    “No dear,” the lady shakes her head.
    “Oh,” I feel dejected.
    I had my chance and I let it slip past.  I turn to walk back down the driveway, my head slumping in disappointment.
    But as I walk down the steps, the lady calls out to me,
    “Wait.”
    I turn and walk back up to her, “Yes?”
    “Are you Ella?”
    “Yes…” I response surprised.
    “He left this for you,” she hands me a single red rose.
    “A rose?”
    “Yes.  He said that if you come here, I am to hand you this rose.”
    Wow.
    My heart skips a beat.
    He remembered.
    “When was he coming back?”
    “Not for a long time, dear.  I’m just the maid here but he said that he won’t be back for a while.”
    I provide the lady a smile, then leave the mansion with a rose in my hand.
     
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 14
     
     

 
     
     
     
    I cry into the arms of Mel once I arrive back at the resort.  Kate asks about the rose but I avoid all questions.  I am much too embarrassed.
    The walk back to the resort provided time to think about what just happened.
    How could I have been so foolish?
    Clarke would have a rose ready for every girl that comes to the door.  The maid knew my name because I introduced myself.  I bet that she has done that a thousand times before.
    He was only after a holiday fling.  He never wanted me to stay here.  He only wanted a bit of flesh to entertain him while he was on holidays. 
    He was no island local.
    He is the richest man on the island and he treated this place like his holiday home.  He knew all along that he was going back but he never mentioned it to me.
    How foolish of me to believe that he would fall for a girl like me.
    How foolish of me to believe that my life could be that fantastic.
    I was drawn in by the dream of a perfect man but I knew deep down that this could never be a reality. 
    I knew that.
    It was foolish of me to believe any different.
    Eventually, I tell the girls what happened and they are there for me with hugs and support.  They reassure me but quickly the day disappears and it is time to end this beautiful holiday.
    I do my best to pull myself together because I don’t want to end our holiday with tears in my eyes.  I told myself that I was not going to fall for a man at the start of this holiday and I am not going to let the lies ruin my memories of an amazing time with my two best friends.
    It has been a magical holiday with the girls, and if anything, it has shown me that the city really is my home.
    I am quiet on the plane back into America, looking longingly out the window.
    I was never going to be good enough for a man like Clarke.  He is rich, handsome,