Note: This is Season Two of Wasted Love with You, which is LIVE on amazon & Kindle Unlimited. Be sure to read that book first before diving into what’s below.
This is my favorite story of all time for numerous reasons. If you prefer to wait for the edited ebook(s) in its entirety, please do so, and check out one of my live releases in the meantime.
Otherwise, read on and check back weekly for more! <3
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Episode 2: Layers of Protection
Ryder
“Your daughter is the most disrespectful student who has ever attended our academy, Mr. Rochester.” Miss Temple, the headmistress of Adeline’s school, storms into the cafe where we always agree to meet.
For some strange reason, she finds it necessary to book a direct flight from London whenever Adeline heads home instead of picking up a phone.
She typically arrives an hour before my private jet lands, armed with a new set of infractions and insults. She’s a literal ‘layover’ conversation I have to endure, and each second tests my patience.
I can’t believe the school has the nerve to bill me for this shit…
“She has no regard for my authority.” She takes a seat. “If it weren’t for the fact that you’ve already paid her tuition for the next couple of years —”
“While generously donating two libraries and a brand new auditorium,” I interrupt.
“Yes, that too.” She rolls her eyes. “If it weren’t for those things, I’d tell you that she’s better off attending another school.”
“Well, since you can’t tell me that, what would you like to say instead?”
“Um, can I get either of you some, uh…” A server suddenly steps in front of our table, her fingers trembling against the notepad. “Coffee? Tea?”
“I’ll have hot tea in a glass cup, with milk and two shots of vanilla,” Miss Temple says. “Mr. Rochester will take his usual blend of coffee that matches his soul, I’m sure.”
“You remembered,” I say, turning to the server. “I’ll take a small black coffee in a paper cup, to-go.”
“Yes, sir.” She rushes away without another word.
“Like I was saying—” Miss Temple clears her throat. “Adeline only follows the rules when she feels like it, and she hardly ever feels like it. What do you think that means?”
Like father, like daughter. “It means she’s a seven-year-old child.”
“She turns eight next month.”
“Don’t expect an invitation to her birthday party.”
“I’d rather receive a change in her behavior.” She leans closer, narrowing her eyes. “Issues aside, I think she’s one of the most talented violinists in the world, and if she were to become more disciplined over the years, I think she’d etch her way into the history books as the best of all time.”
I say nothing.
“But if she continues being defiant during the symphony rehearsals, skipping class with the maestros because she ‘knows this stuff already,’ and flying home on a whim, she’ll never live up to her full potential.”
“Anything else I need to know?”
“Just the usual.” Her expression softens. “She slipped out of her dormitory minutes after the nightly headcount. Security didn’t catch onto her absence until she made it to the airport.”
“What did her note say this time?”
“Read it yourself.” She pulls a sheet of paper from her purse, sliding it across the table as the server returns.
Dear Whoever Finds This,
I HATE this school, and I loathe everything about every single one of you.
Especially Miss Temple.
I’m not learning anything new & I can outperform you all in my sleep.
IN. MY. SLEEP.
Drop dead and cry in your graves.
I’m flying home to my dad.
Thanks for nothing.
Adeline
P.S. My dad hates all of you, too.
He told me so.
Jesus, Adeline…
These words aren’t as cruel as her last few letters, but her insistence on running away and frequently flying home is putting things in serious jeopardy.
Only a few people in my life are aware of her existence, and I’ve done my best to keep it that way since she can’t live with me in Seattle full-time.
At least, not yet.
“Well, Mr. Rochester?” Miss Temple sets down her tea. “What do you think?”
“I think you need to lower the price of tuition,” I say. “Her vocabulary should be far more advanced than this.”
“Okay. No offense, but can I please speak with Adeline’s mother instead of you?”
“Her mother isn’t available at this time.”
“Can I have her phone number for later, then?”
“No,” I say. “I’ll handle it.”
“By doing what?”
“That’s none of your concern.” I sip my coffee. “You won’t have anymore problems with her when she returns to London.”
“Actually, I’m staying in the states for two weeks so I can make sure she continues to practice for her Carnegie debut.”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s no point in me flying back to London if she’s going to escape soon after.” She looks genuinely concerned. “Is she sitting outside in your car? Can I speak to her?”
I take another sip of coffee, trying to think of a way to tell her she’s reached her question limit for today.
“I looked up the home address that’s on file for her, but it didn’t pop up.” She taps her phone screen. “I’d appreciate it if you could give me the right one, along with a decent time when I can come over every day.”
“I’ll get back to you on that.” I stand to my feet. “I don’t allow strangers in my house.”
“I’m her teacher.”
“That doesn’t mean I know you.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” She scoffs. “You’re saying that like you have something to hide in there. You’re a dean at a university and you come from a legacy family, Mr. Rochester. Get a grip on yourself.”
“I’ll pay for your flight home, and I’ll make sure she practices via Zoom calls with you,” I say. “I’ll even reimburse you for whatever you were planning to spend on a hotel. You can’t stay in this city past tomorrow.”
“Because you think you own Seattle?”
“This is the end of our conversation, Miss Temple.” I set two twenties on the table and head toward the door. “I’ll be in touch soon.”
“Don’t bother. You’re a terrible father.”
I look over my shoulder. “Come again?”
“I said what I said.” She stands, walking over to me. “No wonder Adeline is so fucked up and doesn’t know what ‘consequences’ are. Her rich-ass dad lets her get away with whatever she wants and allows her to take a first-class flight home to cry, instead of teaching her to suck it up and get over it like everyone else.”
“I take back what I said, Miss Temple.” I look at my watch. “Tomorrow seems a little too late. You can’t stay in this city past today.”
“You need to let me have at least one practice session with Adeline.”
“I’ve already told you that’s not happening.” I step closer. “And if I were you, I’d finish your tea and head back to the airport. I’d do that right now.”
“What happens if I don’t?”
“Try me and fucking see.”
Her eyes widen at the coldness of my tone, and she takes a step back.
“Have a safe flight home.” I turn away and head outside to the parking lot.
Sliding behind the wheel, I drive toward the highway and call Chester.
“Yes, sir?” he answers on the first ring.
“Have someone get to the Whimstery Cafe on Seventh, and make sure Miss Temple has a first-class ticket on the next flight back to London.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes. Anything else?”
“Find out if Autumn has a passport. If she doesn’t, you’ll need to get her one for the cleanup job in Canada.”
Silence.
“Should I take your lack of a response to mean that you’re on top of it, Chester?”
“Yes,” he says, his voice terse. “I’ll make sure your girlfriend has a damn passport.”
“Let’s not label things yet, Chester.” I smile. “I think it’s a bit too early for that. She has to stop being scared of my lifestyle first.”
“Permission to end this call right now, sir?”
“Absolutely.”
End of Episode 2
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