No Ordinary Love (High Rise Novella Three) Read Online Free Page B

count to know they were well above average, even the crazy Hong Kong workaholic average.
    It was only a five-minute walk to the escalator. Maddie breathed in the mild early December air and contemplated a quick drink at a pub in Soho, but she had a refrigerator full of wine at home and maybe Alex would be around.
    She’d given Alex a spare key after two weeks of dating and every time she walked through the door of her flat she hoped to encounter Alex’s well-toned form draped over the sofa. Not one for late nights of pub-crawling—or late nights of anything not including a naked Maddie in her arms—Alex was usually there when Maddie arrived home after working late.  
    She wasn’t today.
    Maddie poured herself a glass of wine and took a few gulps before heading to the apartment located on the floor below. Maddie didn’t have a key to Alex’s place. Instead of ringing the bell, she knocked on the door gently.
    Nat answered with her hair in a mess, her t-shirt wrinkled and her trousers half zipped open. She looked at Maddie as if she’d seen a ghost.
    “Who is it?” Maddie easily recognised Isabella’s Scottish drawl coming from the bedroom.
    “Do you have any idea where Alex is? I’ve been trying to reach her all night. Is she here?” Maddie scanned the living room behind Nat for any other signs of life.
    “Come in.” Nat widened the door and stepped aside. “Your best friend won’t be too pleased.” She winked at Maddie. “It’s well past her bedtime.”
    Isabella emerged from the bedroom with nothing but a tight red robe covering her body. “Maddie? What’s going on?”
    “Gosh, I’m sorry.” Maddie made for the door again. “I’m worrying about nothing. Alex is probably on her way over as we speak. Do continue whatever it was you were doing.” Maddie managed a tight grin.
    “I haven’t seen her since she left for work this afternoon,” Nat said. “She didn’t mention any plans for afterwards. Maybe she’s in Tai Po?”
    “It’s not like her to be off the grid like this and she’s not answering her phone.” Maddie brought a finger to her mouth and started chewing on a nail.
    “Come on.” Isabella slung an arm over Maddie’s shoulder and escorted her to the sofa. “Nat, will you try her mobile, please?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Nat shot Isabella a quick wink and snagged her iPhone off the coffee table.
    “Hey, Pizza,” Nat said into the receiver after two seconds. “Where the hell are you?”
    Elation washed over Maddie. At least Alex was all right.
    “Maddie’s here looking for you. Maybe give her a buzz?” Nat continued as she walked into the kitchen, preventing Maddie from hearing what else she was saying. It took five more minutes before Nat emerged from the kitchen.
    “She’s fine.” Nat dropped her phone on one of the many book shelves. “She says not to worry about her. She’ll be home by midnight.”
    “Where is she?” It was obvious Nat wasn’t giving Maddie the full story.
    Nat sighed. “I’m sorry, Maddie.” She looked at Isabella with a desperate look on her face. “I’m sure she’ll explain in the morning. She urged me to ask you not to wait up for her.”
    “Is she coming over to mine?” Maddie’s heart started thundering in her chest. Something was up and she didn’t have a clue as to what it could be.
    “I don’t think so.” Nat inched closer and crouched in front of Maddie. “Look, all I can say is she’s facing some demons from her past. She may look perfect on the outside. She may even behave damn near perfect, but we all have our issues. Don’t press her on it. Give her some space.”
    “Is it Rita?” Maddie saw it with great clarity now.  
    “Yes.” Nat nodded briefly. “But no worries—”
    “Is she with Rita now?” Anguish tightened Maddie’s chest.
    “No. I assure you she’s not. She just needs some time.” Nat stretched herself up. “You know Alex. She’d rather walk it off than burden anyone with her