Chapter 31
AMAYA
I’m currently cradling Heaven in my arms while she suckles my left breast. Jayla starids opposite me, prepared to swoop in and pull me by my hair any minute now.
“This cannot be the only way, Amaya. You don’t have to throw your life away because of your son’s treatment. I’m sure there’s something more we can do.”
I give her a tired sigh. “Well, then. What’s your idea? Let me have it.”
Jayla visibly deflates after thinking for just one minute. “Fine. I don’t have a plan. Not right now. But we can…
“If my son was not in imminent danger, I wouldn’t even think of getting married to Caesar. I told you what the doctor said. Jayla. Neveah’s treatment will have to kick off this weekend if we want him to stand a chance of surviving this disease. My hands are tied.”
Getting married to Caeser is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life. If I had my way, I’d run far away from him and never look back.
Jayla covers the distance between us and wraps her arms around my shoulders;
“I understand. And I’m right here with you, okay? I’ll support you no matter what.”
Iswallow my tears and nod, giving her a grateful smile. No matter how much I’d love to, I just don’t have the time to keep wallowing in despair. I need to save my son.
***
The next morning, I stand outside the gleaming high rise that houses Manchester Technology, my heart pounding like a runaway train.
I almost turned around and ran back to the inn five times on my way here. My palms are slick with nervous sweat and my stomach tingles with dread.
I refused to speak with Caesar at the hospital after I was told that my son was sick yesterday. I heard he left a few minutes after midnight, after waiting to speak to me for nearly seven hours. I tried calling him this morning but I got no answer. What if he’s upset? What if he doesn’t want to listen to me?
I inhale deeply and make my way into the modern, luxuriously decorated interior. Looking at all the shiny glass and gleaming marble, it’s very clear that Caesar and his best friend have very similar, expensive tastes.
“Hello, I’m here to see Caesar Manchester.” I say to the receptionist, forcing a smile.
The receptionist, a young, blonde–haired lady, takes one look at my cheap cardigan and raises a dubious brow.
“Do you have an appointment, Miss?”
I shake my head. “Um, no, I don’t.”
She dismisses me immediately, focusing on the screen of her laptop.
“I’m sorry but the boss is extremely busy today. You cannot see him without an appointment.”
The tiny pounding of my pulse accelerates with desperation;
“I called him this morning but somehow, he didn’t respond. If you can just tell him my name…”
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She whips her head up and stares at me in surprise;
“You have the boss‘ private phone number?”
I nod hurriedly.
Okay, I kinda stole it from a phone book when I was leaving his enthouse a few days ago, but still..
“Yes, I do. We have a, uh.. personal relationship.”
The receptionist frowns; “Miss, who are you?”
“My name is Amaya. Amaya Miller. Your boss and I are good friends”
That is a very big lie, but I don’t mind telling a white lie if it means I get to see Caesar today. Each second that I waste is at my son’s detriment.
“Okay. Hold on, I’ll give him a call.”
“Thank you very much.”
I watch with increasing worry as she calls Caesar twice without a response. Finally, she gives up and drops the phone:
“He’s in his office but I have no idea why he’s not answering.”
“Can I go up and meet him? Maybe he’s not close to his phone..
“I’m sorry, but I cannot permit you to do that. Mr. Caesar might be in the middle of a very important meeting. Maybe he doesn’t want to disturbed. You’ll have to leave and come back at another time.”
My veins twist with
disappointment. “No, I can’t leave. Please, try to understand me. I need to see him today.”
The receptionist narrows her sharp gray eyes on me. “Miss, I’m just doing my job and I’ve tried to be as understanding as I can. If you don’t leave right this instant, I will call security on you.”
I blink in surprise. “There’s really no need for that. I just want…”
“Ma’am, please leave!” She snaps. “This is your last warning.”
Feeling completely dejected, I open my mouth to speak but just then, I watch in surprise as the anger on the receptionist’s face slowly melts away, replaced by a bright smile.
It takes me a moment to realize that her attention is no longer on me but on something or someone behind me.
Three seconds later, his scent fills my nostrils.
“Sophia, is there a problem?”
I’d recognize that deep, throaty voice anywhere. Solomon Macpherson.
“No, Mr. Macpherson.” Sophia purrs. “Not at all. In fact, this lady was just leaving.”
“Lady?” Solomos voice is low and raspy.
I turn around and those familiar glassy blue eyes burn into my face.
“M–Mr. Macpherson.” I stutter.
“Amaya. What are you doing here? Why are you standing at the reception?”
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I don’t know, but happy hour umbers my de
“Kirdek dus isdy?” he can by the darker
Salomon’s gare does not chih from my twe
“Yes, I do Are you here to
in E
see?
I nod “Yes, I am I’ve med to reach him what over in mening I really ared to speak to him about an event maner. He’s in his office but he hasn’t answered the receptioncall either
Solomon frowns. “I haven’t heard from him since I picked him from the spiral last night”
I go completely still. “You picked Caesar from the hospital
He shrugs. “Yes. The bastard hadn’t had anything to eat since that morning. He had a migraine and couldn’t drive at take him home”
My throat burns with guilt and I struggle to swallow it down. I didn’t ask Caesar to wait for me Whatever happened to him last night was his fault, ref mine. I guess
“Why are you keeping her here?” Solomon asks the receptionis She should be in Caesar’s office, not out here in the reception.”
“B–but sir,” Sophia stutters; “I cannot just let any random person into the boss‘ office. I’m sure she’s one of those come here to beg and look for trouble.”
My cheeks redden in shame but she’s right. I’m actually here to beg Caesar to sponsor my son’s treatment. I’m no from any of those ladies.
Solomon steps forward and growls; “I’m going to say this just once, Sophia, dear. This woman is Caesar’s fiancée. I don’t think your boss would be happy if he finds out that you accused his future wife of being a troublesome beggar.”
Sophia doesn’t say anything for the next few seconds. Then suddenly, she blurts;
“I never knew the boss had a fiancée.”
“Now, you know.” Solomon replies.
He takes my hand in his and gently steers me towards the gold paneled elevator. The elevator is marked “private,” which means it’s taking us straight to Caesar’s office. I’ve never felt this nervous in my entire life.
“What are you gonna tell him?” Solomon asks, breaking the silence.
I bite my lower lip, boldly holding his gaze. “How do you know that I want to tell him anything? Maybe he asked to see me.” A corner of his lips lift in a smirk, making him appear like a gorgeous villain.
“I can smell your nerves from here, Amaya. Your pores are literally leaking with them. And you fidget a lot when you’re
nervous.”
I’m currently tapping my fingers against my thigh. I fold them into fists when Solomon makes that last statement.
“Why do you always defend me?” I ask suddenly, changing the subject. “First at your office, then today. I mean, you don’t have any reason to like me. Why do you keep standing up for me?”
Solomon’s eyes darken with a mysterious emotion as he keeps his gaze pointedly fixed on me. A few seconds pass and I already start to think he’ll not answer my question. Suddenly, he speaks up:
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“Because I see the way Caesar looks at you.”
Something stirs in my heart. Something strange, “W–What?”
“I defend you because I have a feeling that you will put my best friend through hell and keep him on his toes… which is exactly what I believe he needs right now.”
I’m more confused than ever.
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to understand, Amaya. Just know that your presence does something to him. He doesn’t understand it yet. You don’t, either. But I hope you both figure it out before it’s too late.”
I’m just about to ask for an explanation when the elevator stops and the doors slide open. I turn around and stop in my tracks, blinking in surprise.
Standing in front of us is Elle. And from her roughed up appearance, it’s obvious that she just was just involved in some serious bed activity.
***
Three seconds have gone by and we just stand there, staring at each other. Elle’s platinum blonde hair is tossed in a messy ponytail. Her lipstick is smudged, her pretty but obscenely short dress is rumpled and her eyes look dazed… like she’d just received the best orgasm of her entire life.
At first, her eyes flash with anger when she sees me. Then the anger slowly disappears and her lips curve in a small smile.
“Amaya, darling, what are you doing here?”
“I’m not your darling!” I snap, startling even myself.
I’m upset.
I’m upset because I currently have no control over my emotions. I cannot understand this bitter, painful feeling that burns in my chest at the thought of Elle prancing around half–naked in Caesar’s office. Did he sleep with her?
“Jeez, chill.” She says in a soft, unfriendly tone. “I’m very sensitive to loud sounds. You need to talk softly.”
My mind is suddenly transported to yesterday, when Caesar told me that he’s sensitive to loud sounds. I guess they have a lot in common.
Why does that make me even more upset than before?
“Elle. What are you doing here?” Solomon hisses, stepping forward to stand beside me.
Her gaze snaps to his and her eyes darken with an emotion that disappears so quickly, I’m almost convinced that I’d imagined it. Beside me, Solomon is literally vibrating with rage.
Suddenly, the air cackles with tension. My gaze bounces from Elle to Solomon, noting the subtle electricity that sparks between them.
“Solomon, my apologies. I didn’t see you there.”
“I see you’re still a chronic liar.” Solomon snarls.
I watch, completely intrigued as Elle opens her mouth and snaps it back shut, choosing not to respond to him. Something is definitely going on between these two.
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apter 31
“I’m still waiting for ait answer to my question.”
“And I do not remember where it says that I’m obligated to answer any of your questions.” Elle snaps.
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“Besides, isn’t it obvious?” She whispers, her eyes straying to my face. “Caesar and I have been trying to work things out. I’m very positive that our relationship will be back on track in no time!”
I hear something crash and burn. It takes me a moment to realize that that “something” is crashing somewhere deep within
- me.
Caesar and Elle are getting back together? I thought he hated her guts?
“You’re lying.” Solomon says softly. Too softly. “Caesar would never take you back.”
Elle’s face lights up in a knowing smile and Caesar suddenly appears, putting an end to all our arguments.
He’s shirtless, completely bare–chested, and his rumpled hair tells us all we need to know. He takes one look at us and thunders;
“What the hell is going on here?!”
Shit. He looks pissed.
SEND GIFT
