Frank paused, waiting for them to speak but no one volunteered.
‘Grace, I know you are angry but I wanted to do something to help you and your family. It was the greatest thing I could think of that would give you and Pajaro freedom again,’ he implored her.
Grace crossed her arms. Carlotta and Violetta sat in silence. There were so many questions but clearly Grace wasn’t about to ask them.
Carlotta spoke first. ‘So you’re wealthy?’
‘I have money, yes,’ said Frank carefully.
‘From where?’ asked Chris.
‘Dot com, a few investments, and app I invented, I started with family money,’ he answered.
Chris nodded. ‘Frank came to see me to float this idea. We met a few weeks ago. I was sworn to not tell you. I’m sorry.’
He smiled at the sisters. Only Violetta and Carlotta looked at him in return with any sort of understanding.
Violetta spoke for Grace, feeling her pain and anger across the room. ‘Why didn’t you tell Grace?’ she asked Frank quietly.
‘Because I’m private, and I wanted our relationship to be about us. When I found out who she was it made it easier, but Grace darling, you accepted me for who I was without money, now please accept me for who I am with,’ he almost begged her across the table.
Grace looked at him with almost hate in her eyes. ‘Did you think I was some gold digger? That I would ask you to come and solve all my family’s problems?’ she spat at him.
‘No, not at all.’
‘I don’t get it, Frank. I don’t understand. You promised me no secrets.’
‘I know, it’s not a great way to start a relationship but I wanted to tell you and I thought this was the best way. To make a big gesture, I guess.’
His voice trailed away and Violetta felt sorry for him. He didn’t understand that Grace wasn’t the big gesture type of girl and his almost gauche announcement was exactly what she wouldn’t have wanted.
‘Relationship?’ laughed Grace as she stood up. ‘There is no relationship, Frank. You have wasted your money, I am afraid. I signed those papers for my family, but as far as you and I are concerned, we’re over before we even began.’ She turned to her sisters. ‘I will speak to you later to let you know where I am. Don’t call me.’
Frank sat stunned.
Grace stepped out of the room and Frank sat in silence. ‘Well, that was a royal fuck up,’ he said to himself.
Carlotta shrugged her shoulders. ‘You should have told her, Frank.’
‘I realise that now,’ he said sadly.
Violetta looked at Spencer who sat with his mouth open.
Frank stood up and walked to the door. ‘I hope I see you again,’ he said, and then left the room.
‘Oh my God,’ said Violetta when he left. ‘What a fucking debacle.’
‘Want me to investigate him? See what I can find out,’ asked Spencer.
‘Absolutely,’ said Carlotta.
Chris picked up the contract and slid it to Spencer over the table. ‘You’d better check this out too. I’ll get the legal team here to look at it as well.’
Spencer spoke. ‘Chris, can you give me a moment with the girls?’
Chris stood up. ‘Of course. Carlotta, can I see you afterwards?’ he asked.
Carlotta looked away. ‘I have a few things to do, I’ll call you.’
