Pretty Falling Pieces by Isabelle Culpo
Chapter Fifteen
It’s the feeling of all-encompassing heat that wakes me the next morning. Before my eyes even open, my body is trying to make sense of its surroundings. There’s a heavy weight around my stomach and something firm and hard pressed against me.
With the realisation of what it is, I jolt forward suddenly, waking us both.
“Sorry,” I whisper.
He smiles and reaches for me, bringing me back closer towards him.
Since it’s only 6:50 a.m. I see no harm in staying in bed a little longer.
* * *
A couple of hours later we’re dressed, fully awake and about to head down to the hotel for some breakfast. The weather is gorgeous today, with pale blue skies and not a cloud in sight.
The possibilities are endless.
In the hotel restaurant there is a smorgasbord of delicious hot and continental breakfast options. Theo and I load up our plates and then head outside to eat alfresco. A preference we’ve never discussed before, but both seem to enjoy. I take a sip of my hot chocolate mesmerised by the view in front of me. One day, if I can ever afford to, I’ll move to Queenstown, and if I’m really lucky, I’ll spend my time between here and Africa.
“So what’s on the agenda today?” I ask, taking a bite of my cinnamon and apple muffin.
“The only flight I could book return was early tomorrow morning so unfortunately we’re going to have to fit it all in today. This morning I was thinking we could head to the hot pools and then grab some lunch in town. I have a couple of things I need to sort for work later on this afternoon so I’ve booked you in for some treatments at a spa. I hope that’s okay?”
Although I’m disappointed I won’t get to spend the full day with Theo, a trip to the spa is probably the next best thing. “Of course. Thank you for arranging that for me.”
“After that I want to take you out for dinner at one of my favourite places to eat.”
“That sounds perfect. Where are we going?”
Theo loads some scrambled egg and bacon onto his fork.
“It’s a surprise,” he says with a wink.
* * *
Luckily, I brought a bathing suit with me because it would’ve been a real shame to miss out on this experience. Theo and I have just arrived at the hot pools where you basically get a private spa pool that offers unspoiled views of Queenstown’s Shotover River. I’ve never been here before, but this place is world renowned, and now that I’m standing in front of it, I can see why.
Dipping my foot into the warm bubbly water inside the cedar lined tub, it takes a moment to adjust to the scalding temperature. Theo grabs the two glasses of champagne we were provided with and steps in, handing me one of them.
It’s a little bit early in the day for alcohol but when in Rome.
“I still can’t believe we’re here,” I say, with disbelief.
Gentle melodies of flowing rapids play just beneath us, as we gaze out to the snow-capped mountains. Despite blue skies, there’s a chill in there, and it makes finally settling my full body in the water all the more satisfying.
Theo scoots closer to me. “I love it here too. I come here as often as I can. A lot of my clients are based in the South Island, so I make it down here at least a few times a year.”
How lucky!
I would love to be able to travel with my work. “I’ve had a few people approach me for projects they want done here, but it’s just never made sense logistically as all of my suppliers are based in Auckland. One day I’d like to move here and maybe base my business in the Queenstown/Wanaka area. Eventually, once I’ve paid off my apartment and I can look at moving into a bigger place, I’ll take the move more seriously. For now it’s just too expensive.”
He’s quiet at that, as if the revelation I might not stay in Auckland has come as a surprise to him. I don’t know what’s going to happen between Theo and me, but I know whatever’s between us won’t last forever. Eventually he’ll get bored of me and find a prettier replacement.
Not that I could blame him.
Theo is the first, and quite possibly last, man that’s ever shown interest in me. I know I’m not exactly a prize, or the type of flawless beauty that most guys want on their arm. Right now I’m just taking each day as it comes, thankful that Theo wants to spend time with me.
“At Bazaar you mentioned wanting to go back to Africa. Is that still on the cards?” he asks.
“I’ve always planned on going back to Rubanza; I’m hoping every year eventually. As much as Matthew and Nicola appreciate people who are hands-on and volunteer their time, I know it’s the funds that they really depend on. I’ve been brainstorming some ideas for how we can establish a more permanent source of revenue for them from New Zealand. Asking for money, while often necessary, relies too heavily on administration work. They need to work with a partner who can provide a sustainable income.” Saying the words out loud makes me feel a little guilty. My sole purpose for coming back was to secure that relationship, but I’ve been so busy with my new job working for Theo, and well…Theo. As soon as we’re back in Auckland I’m going to have to make that call I’ve been avoiding since I arrived.
Usually I prefer to sit back and listen but there’s something about Theo that makes me want to pour out my feelings to him.
I ask Theo where he’d like to live if he could choose anywhere in the world.
“For me it’s not about the city or country, it’s about the house. I crave stability and structure. A home for me is a tangible representation of that. The stronger the walls and foundations the more content I feel. It’s why I got into construction in the first place. My childhood was unpredictable, and I needed to create something myself that I could rely on, you know? Even if it had to be a building.”
“Why was your childhood unpredictable, did you move around a lot?” I ask, encouraging him to open up. I don’t want to push him but at the same time I’d like to get to know him on a deeper, more personal level and he isn’t exactly an open book.
He inhales and lets out a short laugh that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Have you ever heard of cowboy builders?”
I nod in response. I’ve definitely come across a few in my time as a designer.
“Well my father was one of them. Except sometimes instead of just skipping out on the job, he’d do something even worse, like start a build using shoddy, cheap materials that didn’t meet code. They never noticed at first, not until things started falling apart in their homes.” Theo turns his head away from looking out over the view. “After a while, random people started calling our house demanding their money back. Some even went as far as knocking on our front door, always at a time he was conveniently not there. So they started threatening my mum instead.”
“God, Theo, that must have been terrible.” My heart breaks for him as a child; I can just see him as a confused, young boy wondering why all these angry people were showing up at his home.
“That’s not even the worst part. It was when I got older that shit really started to hit the fan. I’d always been good with my hands and knew university wasn’t an option for me, so I became his apprentice once I finished high school. I should’ve known it was a bad idea at the time, but I just wanted to make enough money so my mum could leave him. He was stoked with it at first, eager to show me the ropes and everything. I thought that at least if I was with him, and kept a close eye out, he couldn’t get away with fucking up homes on purpose. It seemed to be working for a while. We didn’t have people calling anymore and then one day there was that earthquake that hit Auckland. It wasn’t strong enough to cause major damage to any infrastructure; some people barely even felt it.”
I think back to that day. “Yeah, I remember. I was at school when it happened.” We got to go home early that day in case of an aftershock.
“Yeah well, I was driving home from work when I heard them talking about it on the radio. I didn’t think much of it at the time, like I said I barely felt it myself, but they said there was one home that had collapsed and nine family members including a baby were killed. Only one girl about my age had survived.”
Goosebumps run down my spine when I recognise where this is heading.
“There were only a few other cases of minor injuries reported and minimal damage to buildings, but the roof on this one house completely caved. Everyone but that one girl was crushed to death. I’ll never forget coming home that night and noticing how fidgety my dad was. He was usually cocky as fuck, even when his customers were threatening legal action. But he just sat in his chair, nursing a drink. At that moment I just knew.”
Sensing his discomfort, I lean against his chest, feeling his heartbeat on my shoulder.
“The police called round our house the next morning, apparently the investigation into the family’s deaths had become criminal. The build was so inferior that almost immediately the carpenter was looking at facing time for manslaughter. My dad was taken to the police station and I assumed that was the end of it; he’d be locked up for a long time. But he wasn’t. Instead they came back for me.”
I gasp in shock and turn round to face him. “What do you mean they came back for you?”
“Apparently my dad told the police that it was me who built the house that collapsed. According to him, I’d lied to the family about my experience and took the job for some extra cash. When I explained to them I hadn’t even been to the house before, let alone worked on it, they said they had proof and pulled out some documents my dad had supplied them. He’d forged my signature on the paperwork. Even going as far as providing them with receipts for building materials that he bought signing my name.”
“So you were his fall guy all along,” I say.
“Yeah, I was… luckily the police put it together pretty quickly and realised he was lying. He was thrown in prison and two months later my mum overdosed. She felt so guilty for that family and their orphaned daughter that she just couldn’t handle the shame of what her husband did, so she ended it. After it happened, I reached out to the girl, helped get her on her feet, gave her a job because I know it’s what my mum would’ve wanted. Anything she’s ever needed I’ve tried my best to provide for her, that’s what my mum would’ve done if she were still here.”
His father was scum, but it must have been so hard on Theo to lose his mother right in the midst of everything happening.
“She would be so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished if she saw you today. To think of what you’ve built in that time, all by yourself, it’s incredible. You should be proud of yourself.”
We spend the next half an hour in comfortable silence while I digest his revelation and then we decide to grab some lunch. I’m still reeling about what his father did.
I can tell he’s not the type to share that sort of thing with just anyone so I’m glad he trusted me to share it with and it only makes me more appreciative of how lucky I am to have him in my life.
* * *
The Tavern is a stone clad hut that’s been converted to a restaurant with rustic wooden tables and bench seating, low ceilings, and a brick fireplace with black and white photos decorating the mantelpiece. It smells like garlic and freshly baked bread.
Delicious.
We decide to share a pizza, which surprises me because usually Theo has an appetite that rivals a professional athlete. I wish we had gone for something a little lighter than pizza considering I’ll be spending the next couple of hours at the spa lying on my stomach. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re about to burst at the seams while someone is pressing down on your body. But since it was Theo’s suggestion, I gladly obliged even if it means I’ll probably be feeling like a pig on a spit in an hour.
“How have your designs been coming along?” Theo asks, it’s the first time either one of us has brought up work since we’ve been here.
“Good. I’m honestly so excited to get everything underway. On Monday, I’d love to have a chance to go through the designs with you and maybe get your opinion on a few things.”
“Why don’t we meet up for lunch and then we can spend the rest of the afternoon at my office working through the designs?” he suggests.
“An entire afternoon, huh? Are you worried they’ll need a lot of improvements?” I say, half-joking but also half-serious.
“No, I’m sure they’ll be perfect, it’s just an excuse to spend more time with you.”
The waiter arrives with our pizza, which is coated in huge chunks of ham, pineapple, and melted cheese. As Theo grabs his first slice, I suddenly realise I have the opportunity to ask him why he hired me in the first place. I get being friends with Trent and all, but now that I realise how important his company is to him, I can’t understand why he’d offer it to me so casually before he’d had the chance to get to know me.
“Why did you trust me enough to hire me straight away? Don’t get me wrong, I’m so appreciative of it, it’s honestly like the dream project to work on. I just don’t quite get why you’d offer it to me without even seeing my portfolio?”
“I believe in supporting young entrepreneurship or people that try to pave a path for themselves and lucky for me it paid off. I’ve seen your work; you’ve got exceptional taste that rivals anyone else I’ve ever worked with in this industry.”
Wow, I’m touched. That was really sweet.
“The fact that you’re a knockout, and I wanted to fuck you as soon as I saw you may have helped too,” he adds, taking another bite of his pizza.
He says it with a straight face, and I get the feeling Theo likes to test me with little comments like that. I bet he’s always amused every time my traitor cheeks stain with a blush making me look like a naïve nun. For god knows what reason, I decide to prove I’m not the stuffy prude everyone thinks and say something completely out of character.
“The first night I met you I went home and masturbated for the first time in nearly a year.”
He almost chokes on his pizza.
Can I swallow those words back up now?
“Holy shit.”
Whatever confidence I possessed a minute ago has suddenly vanished and I feel my face flame.
Theo’s mouth drops in surprise. “That’s so fucking hot. You seemed desperate to get away from me that night, and I was gutted when you left. When you mentioned Trent’s name, I almost died for a second thinking you must have been Jess.”
Okay at least now I feel marginally better for that stupid admission.
We polish off the delicious Hawaiian pizza discussing work, our plans for next week, climate change, and how one day we’d both like to get a dog.
“I’ll drop you off at the spa now. It’s all been taken care of; you just need to let them know your name. I’ll probably be a couple of hours, so I’ll meet you back at the hotel before we head to dinner. There’ll be a driver to pick you up once you’re finished,” Theo says, as we pay for the meal.
He pulls out the Audi keys from the back pocket of his jeans and I can’t help but notice how hot he looks just doing that. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve picked for me. No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.” My shoulders are already melting in anticipation.
A spa day is my equivalent of heaven.
Theo’s expression drops for a split second. It’s barely noticeable but enough for me to press further.
“What?” I probe, my feminine instincts kicking in.
“Nothing, it’s just… I may have had some help organising your day at the spa,” he admits.
Oh?
“From who?”
“My assistant.”
The crazy redhead?
“Oh, tell her I said thank you,” I make a mental note to ask what treatments I’m having done before it commences. It wouldn’t surprise me if I walked out bald with no eyebrows.
After a short drive, we’re outside the spa.
“Have fun, baby,” Theo says, leaning forward to kiss me.
I pull away, breathless.
I’m in deep.
* * *
Candles emit a soft light in the beautiful oriental inspired room. There’s a tranquil water fountain adding to the relaxing ambience. A petite Asian woman wearing a lovely Thai gown with gold, pink, and red embroidery greets me.
“You must be, Imogen. Welcome. If you’d like to change, we’re ready for you in room 3.”
She hands me a soft white terry cloth robe, and I head into the bathroom to change.
Room 3 is near the back end of the spa, and there’s floor length chiffon curtains separating the rooms as opposed to doors. The fabric has a gorgeous silver shimmer to it, and I almost head back to grab my iPhone so I can take a picture for one of my design mood boards.
“Please lie down on your front,” she says, gesturing towards the massage table.
I de-robe and lie down and then she pours warm oil onto my back and begins the massage. For such a petite woman she sure does pack a lot of strength. I can practically feel the tension dissipating from my shoulders. It must be a secret power of people in this sort of industry, to make you feel safe and comfortable enough in your own skin to fully enjoy the experience. After only a few minutes I feel as though I could drift off to sleep.
Since Thursday, my body’s been feeling extra tight.
When I was younger, anytime I was bullied my shoulders would round and my neck would shorten, my body’s way of trying to make me less visible, and therefore less likely to get picked on. The mental image reminds me that I need to be a little more cautious with my posture from now on.
“Is the pressure okay?” the therapist asks.
“Lovely,” I reply drowsily, as she places six hot stones along my spine.
Even if an armed robber walked in right this second, I don’t think I could get off the table. My limbs are relaxed and heavy with fatigue.
When the therapist asks me to turn over so she can begin the facial, I’m sure I must have drifted off to sleep at least a couple of times throughout the hour. I’m going to have to think of some way to thank Theo for spoiling me like this.
Once my body and face have been buffed and polished to perfection, I’m taken to a private seating area for a manicure and pedicure. The technician recommends a chocolatey nude for my nails and while I was a little apprehensive at first, I’m very pleased with the results. Finally I’m treated to a delicious hot milk with Manuka honey, cinnamon, and vanilla that warms my stomach.
I take back everything I said about Ange; maybe she’s not so bad after all.