Chapter 201
Chapter 20
* 4750
I was struck with silence, my head going in so many different directions. I wasn’t sure I had heard her right, so until she spoke again, confirming that her question had been left answered, I held my breath.
“The man… the man from yesterday, Helen said.
“Yeah?” I almost responded in a shaky tone, but I managed to catch myself just in time.
“He asked me when I was looking for you.”
My heart froze. She really had a conversation with the man who was supposed to be her father.
“What did he say, sweetheart?” I tried my best to sound unaffected by this piece of news.
“Nothing. He just said. “Where’s your mommy and daddy?” And I said I was looking for them but then I started to think about it… why do I only have a—”
Her voice cut off at the sound of a knock on my door.
“I wonder who it is,” I said, grateful for the interruption “Quickly, let’s hurry out.”
I carried her out of the bathtub, wrapping her in a towel.
“I’m coming!” I called toward the door while quickly changing into our pajamas.
Before opening it, I poked my head out. “What’s up”
Max was standing there.
“I’m so sorry to harge in-
“It’s fine,” I assured him.
“Did I wake you up?”
“No, it’s fine.
He had also changed into his pajamas and smelled like he had just taken a fresh bath.
“What’s wrong?” Fasked.
“So, I got a message that we have the shareholder meeting” he said. “It’s happening tomorrow, in a different location. A safe house, for sure. Tomorrow evening.
“Really?”
“Yes”
“Well, I guess we have nothing to worry about since the culprit has been caught, right?” I told him.
“Yeah, you know that”
But just to be sure… is it okay if I ask you to stay here with Helen tomorrow?” I told him, suddenly thinking about what Neil had said eather when we had met
“You don’t want me to come with you?” Max took one step back, his voice not hiding his shock.
1/3
Sat, 8 Mar
Chapter 20
“It’s not that,” I said, shaking my head fast. “I just feel safer knowing that you’re with her.” I was starting to reduce my voices to whispers even though it was almost midnight and I wasn’t expecting anyone else to be awake.
“But I would feel like you were safer if I were with you,” he said, speaking on the same time that I did, “she has security here,
and…
“No, I don’t want to be paranoid, going out and treating you like my bodyguard. I also know you’ve been avoiding your work because of me. Don’t worry, just do your own thing. If you can, stay with Heben until I’m back… Because this isn’t seeming like it’ll be a day trip, right?”
“Okay,” he sighed.
“Alright. Thank you very much. Have a wonderful night.”
By the time he left and I looked into my bedroom, Helen had dozed off. I immediately stepped in beside her, glad that we could avoid this conversation for another day.
I was in a simple red dinner gown. I stared at the reflection of my blue hair in the mirror, my roots were starting to grow in. I clicked my tongue. I need to schedule another appointment, should I go brighter?” I spoke to myself, “ooh, pink this time?” I widened my eyes at the thought.
I leaned down to kiss my daughter’s cheeks, “mommy will be back soon, okay?”
“Okay!” She said in a cheery tone. I knew she was masking her sadness because she didn’t want to make me sad and I was one step closer to losing my mind.
The shareholders meeting was set to take place in one of the hidden parts of New York. I knew it would take a while to get back, so Max arranged my flight. I packed my bag for a day and set off.
By the time I arrived at the meeting. I was already exhausted. It wasn’t until I spotted Neal that I realized he was also a part of this. I kept walking, ignoring him completely. I didn’t want to keep running into him. After not seeing him for five years. it now felt like he was appearing in my life every other day.
I knew how sick this whole situation could make me feel, and the last thing I wanted was to be involved with him. So, I focused on the meeting, which went smoothly. Once it was over, I packed my things, ready to leave.
As I rummaged through my purse for my phone to call Max and let him know everything was fine, I suddenly felt a firm grip on my shoulder. I turned in the opposite direction and locked eyes with Neil.
“You really need to be careful and watch where you’re going,” he said. He was wearing another expensive suit and I loathed that it was from one of our competitors brand.
I ignored him and continued walking, but I could sense him trailing behind me. Without even turning around, I raised my
voice.
“What do you want from me now?”
“Where are you staying?” he asked.
I stopped in my tracks, furrowing my brows. “Why do you want to know that?” I turned around to look at him.
“I know you didn’t bring a car, did you?” He pocketed his hands, and despite the suit, I could see his muscles struggling to be free from the tiny material.
“No, but I can easily book a ride.” I returned my focus to him.
“Yeah, exactly. And you can’t trust those drivers.” He sighed, “I came with a car. Let me drive you there”
2/3
21:22 Sat, 8 Mar
Chapter 20
I scoffed. “Is this another ploy to find my hotel? You know, I’m starting to think maybe you’re the one who’s after me
“Whatever you think, just let me drive you” He sounded serious and that was when I knew it was time to get out of here.
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks.
“Let me drive you,” he repeated.
“Well, I don’t want your wife popping up and causing drama,” I snapped.
“Ella is not my wife,” he corrected, his voice firm
I rolled my eyes. “Okay. It definitely seems like she is, but whatever.”
“I’m serious. I know this might seem like a safer place but any random driver could pull up and
“And it’s not your problem, get your paranoid ass out of
I’m driving you to your hotel, Leah.”
I stared at the dead look in his eyes and thought about it, “if I let you drive me, you will finally stop fucking nagging me, and just disappear?”
He simply nodded.
“it is a free ride after all, I shrugged.
I gave him the address of my hotel.
Once we were in the car, I pulled out my phone to dial Max.
“Hey, so the meeting went well. I’m heading back to the hotel. How’s Helen?”
“She’s fine,” he reassured me.
“Okay, great. I’ll see you early tomorrow morning.”
When we finally arrived at my hotel, I reached for the door handle and let us in. It was a nice hotel with the view of the city. around us from the double sided floor to ceiling windows, a king sized bed in the center of the room and huge fancy decorations everywhere.
I was starting to take my earrings out when I noticed Neil suddenly started taking off his suit jacket.
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you doing?”
He leaned back against the bed casually. Tm staying here with you tonight.”
E
